The U.S. Commerce Department today announced the appointment of 30 new and returning members to the eight regional fishery management councils that partner with NOAA Fisheries to manage ocean fish stocks. The new and reappointed council members begin their three-year terms on August 11.
The councils were established by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to prepare fishery management plans for marine fish stocks in their regions. NOAA Fisheries works closely with the councils as plans are developed, and then reviews, approves and implements the fishery management 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.
“U.S. fisheries are among the most sustainable in the world, and NOAA Fisheries is grateful for the efforts these individuals devote to our nation’s fisheries management and to the resiliency of our oceans. We look forward to working with both new and returning council members,” said Eileen Sobeck, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries. “Each council faces unique challenges, and their partnerships with us at NOAA Fisheries are integral to the sustainability of the fisheries in their respective regions, as well as to the communities that rely on those fisheries.”
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 can 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. The appointees for 2015 will fill obligatory seats for Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, 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. The appointees for 2015 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:
Sara E. Winslow (North Carolina)
*Anthony D. Dilernia (New York)
South Atlantic Council
The South Atlantic Council includes members from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. The appointees for 2015 will fill obligatory seats from Florida and Georgia and two at-large seats.
Obligatory seats:
*Benjamin C. Hartig, III (Florida)
*Edward “Zack” Bowen (Georgia)
At-large seats:
*Charles M. Phillips (Georgia)
*Anna B. Beckwith (North Carolina)
Caribbean Council
The Caribbean Council includes members from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The appointees for 2015 will fill an obligatory seat for the U.S. Virgin Islands and one at-large seat.
Obligatory seat:
*Carlos F. Farchette (U.S. Virgin Islands)
At-large seat:
Carlos J. Velazquez (Puerto Rico)
Gulf Council
The Gulf Council includes members from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. The appointees for 2015 will fill obligatory seats for Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and two at-large seats.
Obligatory seats:
*Johnny R. Greene, Jr. (Alabama)
*Juan M. Sanchez (Florida)
*Campo E. Matens (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. The appointees for 2015 will fill obligatory seats for California, Oregon and the Tribal seat. Two at-large seats will also be filled.
Obligatory seats:
*David M. Crabbe (California)
*Dorothy M. Lowman (Oregon)
Joseph Y. Oatman (Tribal)
At-large seats:
*William “Buzz” Brizendine, II (California)
Philip M. Anderson (Washington)
North Pacific Council
The North Pacific Council includes members from Alaska and Washington. The appointees for 2015 will fill two obligatory seats for Alaska and an obligatory seat for Washington.
Obligatory seats:
*Howard “Dan” Hull (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. The appointees for 2015 will fill obligatory seats for Guam and Hawaii.
Obligatory seats:
*Michael P. Duenas (Guam)
*Michael K. Goto (Hawaii)
