The Committee researches, evaluates, and provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary and NOAA on the development and implementation of agency policies that address science and regulatory programs critical to the mission and goals of the NOAA Fisheries Service. Nominations are being accepted through July 29, 2021.
MAFAC members are highly qualified, diverse individuals with experience across the wide spectrum of:
- Commercial, recreational, aquaculture, and subsistence fisheries
- Seafood industry, including processing, marketing, working waterfronts, and restaurants
- Marine, ecosystems, or protected resources management and conservation
- Human dimensions or social sciences associated with living marine resources.
Members may be associated with tribes and indigenous peoples, environmental organizations, academia, consumer groups, and other marine life interest groups. Nominees should possess demonstrable expertise in one of these areas. They must also be able to fulfill the time commitments required for two in-person annual meetings, one to two virtual meetings, and between-meeting subcommittee work. Membership is balanced geographically across states and territories, ethnically, and on the basis of gender in addition to the range of expertise and interests listed. Individuals serve for a term of 3 years and may serve a second consecutive term, if re-appointed.
Interested individuals can learn more about MAFAC, its work, current members, charter, subcommittees and task forces, and reports and advice here.
A MAFAC member may not be a federal employee, member of a Regional Fishery Management Council, registered federal lobbyist, or state employee. Membership is voluntary, and except for reimbursable travel and related expenses, service is without pay. The committee functions solely as an advisory body (complying fully with the Federal Advisory Committee Act) which reports to the Secretary.
Full nomination instructions and guidelines are available on the Federal Register. For questions or more information, please contact Heidi Lovett, MAFAC Assistant Director, heidi.lovett@noaa.gov.
