Nomination Period Now Open for the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee

NOAA Fisheries is seeking nominations to fill vacancies on the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee. The Committee advises the Secretary of Commerce on all marine life matters that are the responsibility of the Department of Commerce. It researches, evaluates, and provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary and NOAA on agency policies, activities, science, conservation, and regulatory programs critical to the mission and goals of NOAA Fisheries.

Committee members are highly qualified, diverse individuals with experience in:

• Commercial, recreational, aquaculture, tribal, indigenous, and non-commercial fisheries and businesses
• Seafood industry, including processing, marketing, restaurants, and related industries
• Marine, ecosystems, or protected resources management and conservation
• Human dimensions, social sciences, and economic issues associated with marine resources and working waterfronts

Nominees should possess expertise in one of these areas. They may be from:

• Tribes or indigenous groups
• Environmental organizations
• Academia
• Consumer groups
• Other marine life interest groups

Advancing racial equity and supporting underserved communities are administration and agency priorities (see Executive Orders 13985 and 14008 and the NOAA Fisheries Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy). One key way NOAA Fisheries learns how to better support communities dependent on healthy ocean and marine resources is through the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee. Committee members play an important role in providing a broad spectrum of viewpoints to ensure NOAA is protecting living marine resources in a manner consistent with public interest and that the outcomes of our work advance racial equity, environmental justice, and support underserved communities. To achieve this, we strive to have a Committee that represents all the communities in which we serve.

NOAA Fisheries encourages nominations of diverse people, including qualified women, people of color, tribal members, subsistence users, gender diverse, and individuals representative of historically underserved communities, who are currently underrepresented on the Committee. Membership is also balanced geographically across all U.S. geographic regions, including the Western Pacific and Caribbean.

Nominees must be able to commit to two in-personannual meetingsand year-round subcommittee work. Individuals serve for a term of three years. Members may serve a second consecutive term, if re-appointed.

More background on MAFAC

A member may not be a federal employee; a state official, their designee, or an appointed member of a regional fishery management council; a registered federal lobbyist; or agent of a foreign principal. All members serve voluntarily and service is without pay. However, all travel and related expenses to attend meetings are reimbursed. The Committee functions solely as an advisory body complying fully with the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

Nomination instructions and guidelines.

For questions or more information, contact Katie Zanowicz, [email protected].

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