The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is soliciting applications for seats currently available on its advisory panels. Working at the grass roots level, advisory panel members provide information and guidance in the development and implementation of federal fishery management plans. The Council has 15 separate advisory panels composed of individuals who are engaged in the harvest of, or are knowledgeable and interested in the conservation and management of the fishery or group of fishes to be managed. Members include recreational and commercial fishermen, seafood dealers and processors, conservationists, scientists, and concerned citizens.

Advisory panel members are appointed by the Council and serve for a three-year period, based on the frequency of meetings. As those appointments expire, members currently serving on the AP can reapply for their positions. These seats also become open to new applicants. AP members generally meet no more than once or twice each year and are compensated for travel and per diem expenses for all meetings. Applications are now being solicited for the following positions:

Coral Advisory Panel (1) Open Seat for a Scientist, (1) Non-government Organization (NGO)/Environmental Seat

Golden Crab Advisory Panel (5) Open Seats

Habitat Advisory Panel (1) NC Recreational Seat, (1) NC Commercial Seat, (1) NC NGO/Environmental Seat, and
(1) GA NGO/Environmental Seat

Mackerel Advisory Panel (1) NC Commercial Seat, (2) SC Recreational Seats,
(1) FL Recreational Seat, and (1) FL Charter Seat

Law Enforcement Advisory Panel (2) Open Seats

Shrimp Advisory Panel (1) Open SC Seat

Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel (2) Open Seats and (1) Wreckfish Sub-panel Seat

If you are interested in serving as a member on the Council's advisory panels, please submit an application to the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405. Applications can be obtained by contacting the Council office at 843/571-4366 or toll free 866/SAFMC-10. Application forms are available online at www.safmc.net. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact area Council representatives to discuss their interest in serving. Contact information for all Council members is available at www.safmc.net or through the Council office.

Advisory panel members will be selected during the next meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, scheduled for March 1-5, 2010 in Jekyll Island, Georgia. Applications must be received by February 12, 2010.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, one of eight regional councils, conserves and manages fish stocks from three to 200 miles offshore of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and east Florida.