Ten Open Chairs on Dolphin & Wahoo Advisory Panel

Federal Fishery Council seeks applicants for advisory panels

Interested in federal fisheries management and want to become more involved? Apply now for open seats on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council's advisory panels. The Council is soliciting applicants for several open seats on its Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel as well as the Outreach and Communications Advisory Panel and a commercial representative on the Law Enforcement Advisory Panel. The Council's advisory panels inform and guide the Council in developing and implementing federal fishery management plans. Upcoming issues to be addressed in 2021 include an amendment modifying annual catch limits, sector allocations, and recreational bag limits for Dolphin and Wahoo, a planned upgrade to the Council's website, and input on law enforcement issues affecting several commercial fisheries.

Members of the Council's advisory panels include recreational and commercial fishermen, seafood dealers and processors, scientists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as environmental groups and fishing organizations and concerned citizens. Most of the seats on advisory panels are allotted by state and fishery sector, with others considered “at large” and open to any interested person. Advisory panel members are appointed by the Council to three-year terms and may be reappointed for two additional terms. The Council's advisory panels generally meet once or twice each year and members are compensated for travel and per diem expenses.

Applications are now being solicited for the following positions:

Dolphin & Wahoo Advisory Panel

(10) Open Seats



Law Enforcement Advisory Panel

(1) Commercial Seat

Outreach and Communications AP

(1) Media Seat, (1) Private Recreational Seat, (1) For-Hire Seat, (1) Commercial Seat, (1) Fisherman's At-Large Seat, and (2) At-Large Seats

How to Apply

Detailed instructions on how to apply and application forms for individual advisory panels are available online from the Council's website at: http://safmc.net/about-safmc/advisory-panels/. For questions please contact Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer, at Kim.Iverson@safmc.net or call 843/571-4366.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Council representatives from their area to discuss their interest in serving. Contact information for all Council members is available from the “About Us” section of the Council's website at www.safmc.net or through the Council office.

Applications must be received by Friday, November 13, 2020 for consideration by the Council during its December 7-10, 2020 meeting currently scheduled via webinar.