The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking qualified applicants to serve on a variety of advisory groups.

Advisory groups play an important role in policymaking by providing input and advice to DNR’s Coastal Resources Division (CRD).

CRD has the following volunteer openings available for advisory groups:

• Blue Crab Advisory Panel: Three commercial crabbers.
• Finfish Advisory Panel: Two commercial fishermen and one recreational angler (must be a resident of McIntosh, Glynn or Camden county).
• Shrimp Advisory Panel: Three commercial castnetters, two commercial trawlers, and one recreational shrimper.
• Shellfish and Mariculture Advisory Panel: One recreational shellfish harvester or coastal county resident.
• Coastal Advisory Council: One local government representative (county or municipal) within Chatham, Liberty, Bryan, Brantley, McIntosh, Glynn, Camden, Charlton, Wayne, Long or Effingham. A local government nominee should be able to represent the interests of the city or county commission. Two Non-CRD state government or regional commission representatives.

Fisheries advisory panels meet regularly throughout the year and voice their opinions on fishery management decisions including opening and closing seasons, size and slot limits, allocation and other matters. Advisory panel terms do not exceed the term of the Governor of Georgia at the time of appointment. Members can request re-appointment. Panels consist of between 11 and 15 individuals with backgrounds in recreational and commercial fishing, seafood processing and science. Commercial shrimpers, crabbers and fishermen must possess a valid Georgia resident commercial fishing license and have reported landings during the two previous years, as well as other federal permits as required. Recreational anglers and shrimpers must have a valid Georgia fishing license and must not have a commercial license. More information can be found at https://coastalgadnr.org/CoastalAdvisoryCouncil.

 The Coastal Advisory Council provides advice to the staff of the Georgia Coastal Management Program (GCMP) in the development of programs and projects to guide conservation and management of natural, cultural, and historic resources within the coastal area. The council serves to communicate issues and activities of the GCMP to individual constituencies and provide feedback to the program to improve the use of information for coastal management. Council members provide advice regarding theme setting for the annual Coastal Incentive Grant Program. Membership includes no less than 10 and no more than 20 individuals appointed by the Commissioner of Natural Resources.  Terms do not exceed the term of the Governor of Georgia at the time of appointment. Applicants to the Coastal Advisory Council should be prepared to provide a statement of interest and potential contributions to the council. More information can be found at www.CoastalGaDNR.org/CoastalAdvisoryCouncil.

                Anyone wishing to apply for an advisory panel or the Coastal Advisory Council may contact CRD’s communications specialist, Tyler Jones, at tyler.jones@dnr.ga.gov or by calling 912-262-3140. The deadline for applying for an advisory panel is April 30, 2020. The deadline for applying to the Coastal Advisory Council is April 15, 2020.

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