Council Nominations and Appointments
On behalf of the Secretary of Commerce, the NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator for Fisheries solicits nominations from governors and facilitates the annual appointments process.
In accordance with Section 302 (16 U.S. Code 1852) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Secretary of Commerce is required to appoint the voting state-specific, or obligatory, members and at-large members to the regional fishery management councils. The appointments process begins each year in mid-January with nominations due from governors by March 15.
Endorsement letters of support for nominees are welcome and should be sent to council.appointments@noaa.gov as early as possible (from April to June) for consideration during the appointment process.
More on Council Nomination Process & Guidance.
In late June, the Secretary announces the appointee selections, and new council members take their seats on August 11. Terms expire each year on August 10 for approximately one-third of the 72 obligatory and at-large members.
The ideal council appointee candidate is knowledgeable in fishery conservation and management, or the commercial or recreational harvest of fishery resources through occupational experience, scientific expertise, or related training.
Council Appointments
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
Qualified Nominees
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
- Nominations
- Western Pacific & South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils — Out-of-Cycle Nominees.
- Pacific Fishery Management Council - Tribal Nominees.