On June 27, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross announced the 2018 Regional Fishery Management Council (RFMC) appointments. The recreational fishing community thanks the Administration for considering and appointing many of their preferred candidates. These include Adam Nowalsky of New Jersey and Anthony D. Dilernia of New York to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Many Fisherman readers responded to our call for support of Mr. Dilernia and were influential in having him reappointed. He has asked that we express his gratitude to the hundreds of Fisherman readers who took the time to voice their support.
“These Regional Fishery Management Council appointments made by Secretary Ross are a step toward more equitable representation for the recreational fishing community on these important advisory bodies,” said Glenn Hughes, president of the American Sportfishing Association. “The sportfishing industry appreciates Secretary Ross’ willingness to tackle the challenges we are facing with federal marine fisheries management, and the Councils play a huge role in that effort. While we still have a ways to go, these appointments continue to show that we’re heading in the right direction.”
“Secretary Ross’ leadership has focused on making sure America’s public resources remain public and that healthy natural resources are available for future generations. His appointments announced last week continued to advance that vision in most regions. For that we are very grateful,” said Jeff Angers, president of the Center for Sportfishing Policy.
“With approximately seventy percent of recreational boats used for fishing, we’re eager to see the Councils focus on advancing fisheries management to protect one of our country’s most treasured pastimes and economic drivers,” said Nicole Vasilaros, senior vice president of government and legal affairs for the National Marine Manufacturers Association. “We appreciate Secretary Ross’ continued recognition that the $39 billion recreational boating industry is a critical component of the U.S. economy and we look forward to working with the Councils, Secretary, and Administration to advance our shared priorities.”
“The Secretary has made significant progress in the past year beginning to establish balance of representation for recreational anglers throughout the Council system and in particular in the Gulf Council,” said Patrick Murray, president of Coastal Conservation Association. “There was continued progress in a number of regions, and we look forward to continuing efforts to find a true balance of representation for recreational anglers on the Gulf Council.”
Nowalsky, who was selected for a reappointment, is a licensed charter fishing captain and has been very active in both local and regional fisheries management issues. In addition to his time on the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Nowalsky serves as New Jersey’s legislative proxy to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, is acting chairman of the New Jersey Chapter of the Recreational Fishing Alliance and serves on multiple citizen advisory committees to the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council.
DiLernia, who was selected for a reappointment, has more than 30 years’ experience with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) and marine fisheries matters. He is well respected and extremely knowledgeable on a broad array of fisheries issues. He has ably represented the interests of recreational fishermen and demonstrated a keen understanding of the complexities associated with managing commercial species over his tenure as a New York member to the MAFMC. During his impressive service on MAFMC, DiLernia has chaired and served on all working MAFMC species committees, and has served as MAFMC Vice-Chair. While currently serving as a Special Assistant to the President of Kingsborough Community College for Marine issues, DiLernia is the former Director of the Office of Marine Technology at Kingsborough. He also served from 2005-2009 as the Chair of NOAA’s Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee.
