Coastal Advisory Council

The Coastal Advisory Council (CAC) advises the Georgia Coastal Management Program and is comprised of representatives from local coastal governments, research institutions, environmental organizations, and the general public.

In 1992, the Governor of Georgia appointed a two-year, 25-member Coastal Zone Advisory Committee, representing a diverse cross-section of the coastal Georgia citizenry, to provide public input throughout the development of the Georgia Coastal Management Program. A new Coastal Advisory Committee was appointed in 1994 by the Commission of the Department of Natural Resources to review the draft Program Document, to assist with public education throughout the program development process, and to provide technical assistance. In 1997, the committee was expanded to increase participation from interested local governments. For more information, click here.

Marine Fisheries Advisory Council (MFAC)

The purpose of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Council (MFAC) is to enhance communications between the Department of Natural Resources and the various public sectors that utilize Georgia's common property marine fisheries resources. It was created in 2006 through the merger of two longstanding public advisory groups, the Coastal Fisheries Advisory Commission (CFAC) established by the Commissioner of Natural Resources in 1974, and the Saltwater Advisory Council that grew out of a Saltwater License Advisory Council that operated in the early 1990’s.  The MFAC, and its predecessor groups, has proved to be a very effective body for receiving public input on all aspects of marine fisheries management, particularly those issues of a controversial nature. 

Membership in the MFAC is comprised of persons representative of charter and private sportfishing, commercial fishing, processing/packaging, and non-consumptive estuarine and marine fisheries interests. Membership is evenly distributed geographically, and consists of the membership of the four DNR Marine Fisheries Advisory Panels (crab, finfish, shellfish & mariculture, and shrimp).   Coastal Resources Division staff provides administrative support and coordination. 

If you would like to see recent meeting agendas and materials, please click here.

For more information about the Advisory Panels listed below, or if you have comments/questions you would like forwarded to an AP, please contact Kathy Knowlton at Kathy.Knowlton@dnr.ga.gov or call 912-264-7218.

If you are interested in becoming an Advisory Panel member, please click here and complete this application. 

Blue Crab Advisory Panel (BCAP)

The BCAP currently has not vacant seats. Click here to see a roster of the current BCAP membership.

Finfish Advisory Panel (FAP)

The FAP currently has one vacant seat for a recreational angler (3/12/24). Click here to see a roster of the current FAP membership.

Shellfish & Mariculture Advisory Panel (SMAP)

The SMAP currently has no vacant seats.  Click here to see a roster of the current SMAP membership.

Shrimp Advisory Panel (SAP)

The SAP currently has the following seat vacant: 1 commercial shrimp castnetter and 1 commercial trawler.  Click here to see a roster of the current SAP membership.

For details on each AP's membership and requirements, please click here (e.g., number of members per sector of the fishery, license requirements).