The New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) is seeking nominees for upcoming open seats. The NEFMC is one of eight regional councils established by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) in 1976, and is charged with conserving and managing fishery resources from three to 200 miles off the coasts of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The MSA specifies that council nominees must be individuals “who, by reason of their occupational or other experience, scientific expertise, or training, are knowledgeable regarding the conservation and management, or the commercial or recreational harvest, of the fishery resources of the geographical area concerned.” Council members are directly involved in:
- Developing and amending fishery management plans.
- Selecting fishery management options.
- Setting annual catch limits based on best available science.
- Developing and implementing rebuilding plans.
The NEFMC manages: sea scallops, monkfish, Atlantic herring, skates, red crab, spiny dogfish, Atlantic salmon and groundfish** . Please note that the NEFMC does not manage summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, bluefish, striped bass or tautog.
MAINE
One obligatory (state) seat currently held by Terry Alexander of Harpswell, ME. Mr. McKenzie is completing his second of three possible consecutive 3-year terms.
MASSACHUSETTS
One obligatory seat currently held by Dr. John Quinn of New Bedford, MA. Dr. Quinn is completing his second of three possible consecutive 3-year terms.
Qualified individuals interested in being considered for nomination by the Governor to the Council should contact Samantha Andrews (617-626-1564, [email protected].) Nomination application kits will be made available upon request. All applications are due to DMF (c/o Samantha Andrews, 251 Causeway St, Suite 400, Boston, MA 02114) by the end of day on Monday, February 12, 2018. As part of the application process, the Commonwealth will conduct an initial background review.
RHODE ISLAND
One obligatory (state) seat currently held by Eric Reid of North Kingstown, RI. Mr. Reid is completing his first of three possible consecutive 3-year terms.
CONNECTICUT
One obligatory (state) seat currently held by Dr. Matthew McKenzie of Mystic, CT. Dr. McKenzie is completing his second of three possible consecutive 3-year terms.
Qualified individuals interested in being considered for Council nomination by the Governor should contact Joanne Kelley (860.447.4330, [email protected]). Nomination application kits will be made available upon request. All applications are due to the DEEP Fisheries Division (PO Box 719, Old Lyme, CT 06371) by Monday, February 12, 2018. As part of the application process, the State of Connecticut will conduct an initial background review.
AT LARGE
One at-large (regional) seat currently held by Mr. Vincent Balzano of Saco, ME. Each is completing his second of three possible consecutive 3-year terms.
** Groundfish include: winter flounder, yellowtail flounder, witch flounder, windowpane flounder, Atlantic halibut, American plaice, cod, haddock, pollock, Acadian redfish, ocean pout, wolfish, white hake, silver hake, red hake, and offshore hake.
