Nominations to the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee

AGENCY:

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice; request for nominations.

SUMMARY:

Nominations are being sought for appointment by the Secretary of Commerce to serve on the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC or Committee) beginning in October 2009. MAFAC is the only Federal advisory committee with the responsibility to advise the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) on all matters concerning living marine resources that are the responsibility of the Department of Commerce. The Committee makes recommendations to the Secretary to assist in the development and implementation of Departmental regulations, policies and programs critical to the mission and goals of the NMFS. Nominations are encouraged from all interested parties involved with or representing interests affected by NMFS actions in managing living marine resources. Nominees should possess demonstrable expertise in a field related to the management of living marine resources and be able to fulfill the time commitments required for two annual meetings. Individuals serve for a term of three years for no more than two consecutive terms if re-appointed. NMFS is seeking qualified nominees to fill upcoming vacancies being created by the expiration of existing appointments this October, thereby bringing the Committee to its full complement of 21 members.

DATES:

Nominations must be postmarked on or before June 5, 2009.

ADDRESSES:

Nominations should be sent to Dr. Mark Holliday, Executive Director, MAFAC, Office of Policy, NMFS F-14451, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mark Holliday, MAFAC Executive Director; (301) 713-2239 x120; e-mail: Mark.Holliday@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The establishment of MAFAC was approved by the Secretary on December 28, 1970, and subsequently chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2, on February 17, 1971. The Committee meets twice a year with supplementary subcommittee meetings as determined necessary by the Committee Chairperson. No less that 15 and no more than 21 individuals may serve on the Committee. Membership is comprised of highly qualified individuals representing commercial and recreational fisheries interests, environmental organizations, academic institutions, governmental, tribal and consumer groups from a balance of U.S. geographical regions, including Puerto Rico and the Western Pacific and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

A MAFAC member cannot be a Federal employee or a member of a Regional Fishery Management Council. Selected candidates must pass security checks and submit financial disclosure forms. Membership is voluntary, and except for reimbursable travel and related expenses, service is without pay.

Each submission should include the submitting person or organization's name and affiliation, a cover letter describing the nominee's qualifications and interest in serving on the Committee, a curriculum vitae and or resume of the nominee, and no more than three supporting letters describing the nominee's qualifications and interest in serving on the Committee. Self-nominations are acceptable. The following contact information should accompany each nominee's submission: name, address, phone number, fax number, and e-mail address (if available).

Nominations should be sent to (see ADDRESSES) and must be received by (see DATES). The full text of the Committee Charter and its current membership can be viewed at the NMFS' web page at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/mafac.htm .