The Commerce Department today announced the appointment of Harold Ward Slacum Jr. of Maryland to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC). NOAA Fisheries anticipates that Mr. Slacum will be sworn in at the MAFMC meeting scheduled for October 4, 2016. Under this appointment, Mr. Slacum will serve on the council until August 10, 2019.
Today’s announcement follows the June 27, 2016, announcement of the other appointments to the eight regional fishery management councils. That earlier announcement noted a delay in announcing the appointment for this vacancy due to an updated list of nominees submitted by the Governor of Maryland on June 24. Based on this action, NOAA Fisheries re-evaluated the nominees by both the Governor of Maryland and the Governor of Delaware for the vacancy.
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act established the eight regional fishery management councils, which prepare fishery management plans for marine fish stocks in their respective geographical areas of responsibility. NOAA Fisheries works closely with the councils during plan development, approval and implementation.
Council members serve a three-year term and can get reappointed to serve three consecutive terms. They represent diverse constituents including commercial and recreational fisheries, environmental interests and academia. Each year, approximately one-third of the total 72 appointments to the eight councils become open. Governors of fishing states, territories and tribal governments submit their nominations to the Secretary of Commerce. The Secretary reviews the submissions and appoints the new or returning members.
