Six seats are open on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel, as well as other seats on five different advisory panels.

The council has 15 separate Advisory Panels (AP) composed of public individuals who include recreational and commercial fishermen, seafood dealers, scientists, conservationists and citizens. Advisory Panel members work at the local level to provide information and guidance to guide federal fishery management plans.

The following positions are available for application:

Coral Advisory Panel - 2 Aquaculture/Harvester Seats, 3 Scientist/Research Seats, and 1 Open Seat
Habitat Advisory Panel - 1 Media Representative Seat
Deepwater Shrimp Advisory Panel - 2 Open Seats
King & Spanish Mackerel Advisory Panel - 1 Georgia Recreational Seat
Shrimp Advisory Panel - 9 Open Seats
Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel - 6 Open Seats

AP members are appointed by the Council and serve for three years, based on frequency of meetings; members meet once or twice each year.

If interested in serving on an Advisory Panel, submit an application to the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405. Applications can be obtained by contacting the Council office at (843) 571-4366 or toll-free (866) SAFMC-10. Applications must be received by November 10, 2008.

AP members will be selected during the next meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, scheduled for November 30 – December 5, 2008 in Wilmington, North Carolina.