The U.S. Commerce Department today announced the appointment of 30 members to the eight regional fishery management councils that partner with NOAA Fisheries to manage ocean fish stocks. Twenty-nine of the new and reappointed council members will serve three-year terms from August 11, 2018 through August 10, 2021. One appointed member is filling an at-large seat recently vacated on the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council and this member will serve through August 10, 2020.
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act established the councils as stewards of the Nation's fisheries resources through the preparation of fishery management plans for their regions. NOAA Fisheries works closely with the councils through this process and then reviews, approves and implements the plans. Council members represent diverse groups, including commercial and recreational fishing industries, environmental organizations and academia. They are vital to fulfilling the act's requirements to end overfishing, rebuild fish stocks and manage them sustainably.
Each year, the Secretary of Commerce appoints approximately one-third of the total 72 appointed members to the eight regional councils. The Secretary selects members from nominations submitted by the governors of fishing states, territories and tribal governments. Council members are appointed to both obligatory (state-specific) and at-large (regional) seats. Council members serve a three-year term and may be reappointed to serve three consecutive terms.
Asterisks preceding a member's name indicate a reappointment.
New England Council
The New England Council includes members from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. 2018 appointees will fill obligatory seats for Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island and one at-large seat.
Obligatory seats:
*Matthew G. McKenzie (Connecticut)
*Terry A. Alexander (Maine)
*John F. Quinn (Massachusetts)
*Eric E. Reid (Rhode Island)
At-large seat:
*Vincent M. Balzano (Maine)
Mid-Atlantic Council
The Mid-Atlantic Council includes members from the states of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia. 2018 appointees will fill obligatory seats for New Jersey and Virginia and two at-large seats.
Obligatory seats:
*Adam C. Nowalsky (New Jersey)
*Peter L. Defur (Virginia)
At-large seats:
*Anthony D. Dilernia (New York)
*Sara E. Winslow (North Carolina)
South Atlantic Council
The South Atlantic Council includes members from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. 2018 appointees will fill obligatory seats for Florida and Georgia and two at-large seats.
Obligatory seats:
Art L. Sapp (Florida)
Kyle D. Christiansen (Georgia)
At-Large seats:
Arnold "Spud" G. Woodward (Georgia)
*Anna B. Beckwith (North Carolina)
Caribbean Council
The Caribbean Council includes members from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 2018 appointees will fill an obligatory seat for USVI and one at-large seat.
Obligatory seat:
Edward P. Schuster, Sr. (USVI)
At-Large seat:
Vanessa Ramirez Perez (Puerto Rico)
Gulf Council
The Gulf Council includes members from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. 2018 appointees will fill obligatory seats for Alabama, Florida, and Louisiana and two at-large seats.
Obligatory seats:
Susan E. Boggs (Alabama)
*Juan M. Sanchez (Florida)
Jonathan J. Dugas (Louisiana)
At-large seats:
*Edward W. Swindell, Jr. (Louisiana)
*Dale A. Diaz (Mississippi)
Pacific Council
The Pacific Council includes members from California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. The Pacific Council also includes one Tribal seat. 2018 appointees will fill obligatory seats for California and Oregon and two at-large seats. The Tribal seat will be announced at a later date.
Obligatory seats:
Robert E. Dooley (California)
Christa M. Svensson (Oregon)
At-Large seats:
Louis H. Zimm (California)
*Philip A. Anderson (Washington)
North Pacific Council
The North Pacific Council includes members from Alaska and Washington. 2018 appointees will fill obligatory seats for Alaska and Washington.
Obligatory Seats:
John E. Jensen (Alaska)
*Andrew D. Mezirow (Alaska)
*Craig A. Cross (Washington)
Western Pacific Council
The Western Pacific Council includes members from American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 2018 appointees will fill obligatory seats for Guam and Hawaii. An out-of-cycle appointment is also being made for a vacant at-large seat.
Obligatory seats:
*Michael P. Duenas (Guam)
Edwin N. Watamura (Hawaii)
At-Large seat:
**Michael K. Goto (Hawaii)
(out-of-cycle appointment for current vacancy)
