The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced the appointment of 21 members to the regional fishery management councils that partner with NOAA Fisheries to manage ocean fish stocks.
Twenty of the new and reappointed council members will serve three-year terms from August 11, 2019 through August 10, 2022. One appointed member is filling a state-specific seat recently vacated on the Caribbean Fishery Management Council. This member will serve through August 10, 2021.
Established by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, councils are responsible for developing region-specific fishery management plans that safeguard and enhance the nation’s fisheries resources. Council members represent diverse groups, including commercial and recreational fishing industries, environmental organizations, and academia. They are vital to fulfilling the act’s requirements to end overfishing, rebuild fish stocks, and manage them sustainably.
NOAA Fisheries works closely with the councils through the process of developing fishery management plans. We also review, approve, and implement the plans.
Each year, the Secretary of Commerce appoints approximately one-third of the total 72 appointed members to the eight regional councils. The Secretary selects members from nominations submitted by the governors of fishing states, territories and tribal governments.
Council members are appointed to both state-specific and regional seats—also known as obligatory and at-large seats, respectively. Council members serve a three-year term and may be reappointed to serve three consecutive terms.
Asterisks preceding a member’s name indicate a reappointment.
New England Council
The New England Council includes members from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. 2019 appointees will fill one obligatory seat for New Hampshire and two at-large seats.
Obligatory seat:
*Mark H. Godfroy (New Hampshire)
At-large seats:
*Michael P. Sissenwine (Massachusetts)
*Richard J. Bellavance, Jr. (Rhode Island)
Mid-Atlantic Council
The Mid-Atlantic Council includes members from the states of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. 2019 appointees will fill one obligatory seat for Delaware and three at-large seats.
Obligatory seat:
*Paul W. Townsend (Delaware)
At-large seats:
Scott Lenox (Maryland)
Kate M. Wilke (Virginia)
*Peter B. Hughes (New Jersey)
South Atlantic Council
The South Atlantic Council includes members from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. 2019 appointees will fill obligatory seats for North Carolina and South Carolina.
Obligatory seats:
*Robert T. Griner (North Carolina)
*Christopher C. Conklin (South Carolina)
Caribbean Council
The Caribbean Council includes members from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The 2019 appointee will fill one at-large seat. An out-of-cycle appointment is also being made for an obligatory seat for the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Obligatory seat:
Carlos F. Farchette (U.S. Virgin Islands)
(out-of-cycle appointment)
At-large seat:
*Louis A. Blanchard (U.S. Virgin Islands)
Gulf Council
The Gulf Council includes members from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. 2019 appointees will fill obligatory seats for Mississippi and Texas and one at-large seat.
Obligatory seats:
*Leann N. Bosarge (Mississippi)
Troy B. Williamson, II (Texas)
At-large seat:
*Thomas K. Frazer (Florida)
Pacific Council
The Pacific Council includes members from California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The Pacific Council also includes one Tribal seat. 2019 appointees will fill one obligatory seat for Idaho and one at-large seat.
Obligatory seat:
Peter F. Hassemer (Idaho)
At-large seat:
*Marc M. Gorelnik (California)
North Pacific Council
The North Pacific Council includes members from Alaska and Washington. 2019 appointees will fill two obligatory seats for Alaska.
Obligatory seats:
Cora J. Campbell (Alaska)
Nicole S. Kimball (Alaska)
Western Pacific Council
The Western Pacific Council includes members from American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). 2019 appointees will fill one obligatory seat for American Samoa and two at-large seats.
Obligatory seat:
*Archie T. Soliai (American Samoa)
At-large seats:
Monique K. Genereux (Guam)
Howard T. Dunham (American Samoa)
