Become more involved in federal fisheries management by applying now for open seats on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s advisory panels.

Advisory panels inform and advise the Council in developing federal fishery management plans and amendments. Upcoming issues to be addressed by advisory panels include: information gathered during King and Spanish Mackerel port meetings held along the Atlantic coast; ongoing fisheries enforcement; proposed changes to shrimp fishery access areas; and a management strategy evaluation for the snapper grouper fishery. 

Members of the Council’s advisory panels include recreational and commercial fishermen, seafood dealers and processors, scientists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as environmental groups and fishing organizations, and concerned citizens. Seats on advisory panels may be allotted by state and fishery sector, with others considered “at large” and open to any interested person. 

Advisory panel members are appointed by the Council to a three-year term and may be reappointed for two additional terms. The Council’s advisory panels generally meet once or twice each year and members are compensated for travel and per diem expenses. 

For-Hire Reporting Advisory Panel
The Council is seeking applicants for a new For-Hire Reporting Advisory Panel. This advisory Panel is being created on a temporary basis to provide stakeholder insight on improving the Southeast For-Hire Integrated Electronic Reporting (SEFHIER) Program for the charter and headboat components of the federal recreational Snapper Grouper, Dolphin Wahoo, and Coastal Migratory Pelagics (mackerel) fisheries. 

Due to the specific charge for this advisory panel, applicants should be federally-permitted captains that report through SEFHIRE (i.e., possess a USCG Captain's license and own, operate, or be a hired captain for a fishing business). Representation is desired from each state within the Council's jurisdiction, (NC, SC, GA, and the east coast of FL), as well as those located in the Gulf of Mexico and Greater Atlantic Region (NC to ME) who also participate in South Atlantic managed fisheries. A representative with both for-hire and commercial permits is also desired. Those who seve on other South Atlantic Council advisory panels are eligible to also serve on this panel.

Applications are now being solicited for the following positions:

For-Hire Reporting Advisory Panel                               
(Open Seats as described above)                 
 
Law Enforcement Advisory Panel                               
(1) Open Seat 

Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel                               
(5) Open Seats 

Shrimp Advisory Panel           
(1) Open Seat  

Deepwater Shrimp Advisory Panel           
(1) Open Seat 

Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel                          
(2) North Carolina Seats, (2) Georgia Seats, (1) Florida Seat

Spiny Lobster Advisory Panel           
(1) Open Seat

How to Apply

Detailed instructions on how to apply and application forms for individual advisory panels are available online from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/about/advisory-panels/. For questions, please contact Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer, at Kim.Iverson@safmc.net or call 843/571-4366. 

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Council representatives from their area to discuss their interest in serving. Contact information for all Council members is available the Council’s website at https://safmc.net/about/council-members/ or through the Council office. 

Applications must be received by Friday, November 8, 2024, for consideration by the Council during its December 2-6, 2024 meeting in Wrightsville Beach, NC