2013-00346. 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 an appointment by the Secretary of Commerce to fill one vacancy on the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC or Committee) beginning in the spring of 2013. 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. NMFS seeks to restore the geographic balance of the Committee created by recent vacancies and encourages candidates from the Hawaii region to apply, although nominations from all interested and qualified parties will be accepted. 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.

DATES:

Nominations must be postmarked or have an email date stamp on or before February 11, 2013.

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; [phone]; email: [e-mail].

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, diverse individuals representing commercial and recreational fisheries interests, environmental organizations, academic institutions, governmental, tribal and consumer groups, and other living marine resource interest groups from a balance of U.S. geographical regions, including the Western Pacific and Caribbean.

A MAFAC member cannot be a Federal employee, a member of a Regional Fishery Management Council, a registered Federal lobbyist, or a State employee. The selected candidate must pass a security check and submit a financial disclosure form. Membership is voluntary, and except for reimbursable travel and related expenses, service is without pay.

Each nomination submission should include the nominee's name, a cover letter describing the nominee's qualifications and interest in serving on the Committee, curriculum vitae 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, telephone number, fax number, and email address (if available).

Nominations should be sent to (see ADDRESSES) and must be received by February 11, 2013. 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.

Dated: January 4, 2013.

Samuel D. Rauch III,

Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, performing the functions and duties of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.