The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is seeking interested individuals for nomination to open seats on the New England Fishery Management Council. Candidates, “by reason of their occupational or other experience, scientific expertise, or training, must be knowledgeable and experienced in ways related to fishery resources of New England.” The seats that will be open to nominations are:

Four at-large seats
currently held by James J. Fair, Jr., Massachusetts and Mary Beth Nickell-Tooley, Maine, who are completing a first term; Michael P. Leary, New Hampshire, who is completing a second term; and John W. Pappalardo, Massachusetts who is completing a third consecutive term and is thus ineligible for re-nomination to a fourth consecutive term.

The New England Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional councils that manage our nation’s marine fisheries seaward of state territorial waters. Responsibilities include the development of fishery management plans that are submitted to the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Secretary of Commerce for approval and implementation.

Qualified individuals interested in being considered for nomination to the Council should contact Shannon Davis at (617) 626-1621 or e-mail shannon.davis@state.ma.us by February 10, 2011. Nominees must complete a comprehensive application that will be provided by MarineFisheries and includes a philosophy statement and financial disclosure statement. For further information on the Council and the Council process, please visit www.nefmc.org.