Becoming a Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee Member
The nomination process to the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee is open to everyone. NOAA welcomes the contributions that you can bring from your unique experience and insights derived from your education, culture, ethnicity, gender, racial background and race, native- and tribal-based traditions, and experiences of those who are differently abled. Successful candidates are highly qualified, diverse individuals with experience in:
- Commercial, recreational, aquaculture, and non-commercial fisheries and businesses
- Seafood industry, including processing, marketing, restaurants, and related industries
- Marine, ecosystems, or protected resources management and conservation
- Human dimensions or social sciences associated with marine life and working waterfronts
For additional information on what to expect when serving as a MAFAC member, please see our Frequent Questions page.
Nomination Period Status: Open
To nominate yourself or someone else, please submit the information below to Katie (Denman) Zanowicz at Katie.Zanowicz@noaa.gov. Feel free to reach out to Katie with any questions.
- Nominee's name, address, telephone number, and email address
- A cover letter describing the nominee's interest in serving on the Committee and qualifications
- Nominee's curriculum vitae or resume
- Up to three letters of support
Insights from Former Members
Former MAFAC member, Sebastian Belle—
“From an industry perspective, participation in MAFAC is an unusual and uniquely direct way to give the agency important input. By committing the time and hard work industry members can make a real difference on agency priorities and policy."
Former MAFAC member, Roger Berkowitz—
“I’ve found serving on MAFAC to be a real privilege … not only do you have an opportunity to learn from the scientists about what’s transpiring in our oceans in real time, but you also have the unique opportunity to engage with policy makers, and help inform them as to what you see from your vantage point in the seafood “‘ecosystem.’” Additionally, MAFAC participants are chosen from very diverse fishery backgrounds, allowing all of us to learn from one another and better understand the challenges which marine fisheries face, which then translates into the committee being able to make more informed recommendations to NOAA, and the Department of Commerce.”
Former MAFAC member, Megan Davis—
“Serving on MAFAC was a professional highlight in my career. It was very rewarding to be able to interact and work with other MAFAC members from a diversity of fisheries and aquaculture backgrounds to provide clear recommendations to advance NOAA Fisheries’ mission. Interacting with NOAA Fisheries leadership and staff allowed MAFAC members the opportunity to learn first-hand the priorities of the agency. I highly encourage others who would like to learn about the agency and provide advice for the agency to be nominated to serve on MAFAC.”
Former MAFAC member, Sara McDonald—
“One of the things I found most valuable about participating on MAFAC was access to leadership within NOAA Fisheries and to the other MAFAC members, each of whom is an expert in their own field. I feel fortunate to have gotten to know and work with them all and will miss connecting with them regularly.”
Former MAFAC member, Joe Schumacker—
“I had the privilege of representing Tribal interests on MAFAC for two terms. As managers and harvesters, Tribal participation in federal committees like MAFAC is crucial. On this committee I regularly met with NOAA Fisheries leadership and was briefed on emerging regulatory issues and fisheries science. My fellow committee members included experts in ocean science, policy and the seafood industry. Working with this team was a great experience that produced a lot of good work developing recommendations from MAFAC to the Secretary of Commerce and NOAA leadership.”
Former MAFAC member, Matthew Upton—
“Serving on MAFAC is a great way to engage directly with NMFS leadership on important issues and interact with stakeholders from around the country who are passionate about our nation’s fisheries.”