The New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) is seeking applicants to serve for the next three years on its advisory panels (APs), from January 2014 through December 2016. During this time, panel members will be asked to provide information and guidance to specific oversight committees as well as recommendations to the Council during the development of federal fishery management plans, as well as amendments and framework adjustments to the NEFMC’s plans. Advisors also may be asked to provide input about special issues or problems.
The Council seeks advisors for all of its panels. They will meet under the auspices of the following oversight committees: Groundfish, Recreational Fishing (meets with the Groundfish Committee), Scallop, Herring, Monkfish, Habitat, Skate, Whiting, Red Crab and Enforcement.
AP members will include individuals who either fish or are knowledgeable and interested in the conservation and management of a fishery or group of fisheries under Council management. To the extent possible, the panels will reflect various areas of expertise and interests, including geography and gear types, user groups and a range of social and economic perspectives. The New England Council will reimburse advisors from the New England region for travel expenses.
Each panel will be limited to a maximum of 15 members. An individual may serve on more than one panel. Current advisors must indicate their interest, by email or fax, if they wish to remain on an Advisory Panel.
Following a review by the oversight committees mentioned above, the Council’s Executive Committee will make final decisions. All nominees are subject to an additional level of review by NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement and may be declined because of a marine resource violation.
If you have any questions or need more specific information about AP responsibilities or upcoming Council actions, please contact Pat Fiorelli at 978.465.0492, ext. 106 or email her at pfiorelli@nefmc.org.
Application materials may be downloaded at: Advisory Panel Application. Paper copies are available by calling the Council office at 978.465.0492. Once completed, please mail your application to Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950. If you are using a fax, send it to 978.465.3116 or email copies to Karen Roy at kroy@nefmc.org.