Designation of Fishery Management Council Members - Nominations

Regional Fishery Management Councils
Nomination Application Kit Guidance
Please read the guidance and review each form prior to completing the Nomination Application
Kit. You are ineligible for appointment consideration if all qualifications and nomination
requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other related requirements are not met within
these forms. Contact your Governor (or Governor’s contact) if you have questions regarding the
completion of the Nomination Application Kit.
Regional Fishery Management Council Residency Policies
A state resident is an individual who maintains his/her principal residence within that state, and if
applicable, pays income taxes to that state and/or other appropriate jurisdiction within that state.
Obligatory Seats
Obligatory seats are state-specific. Prior to submitting nominations, a Governor must determine
if each nominee is a resident of that state. Governors may not nominate a non-resident of that
state for appointment to a Council seat obligated to that state. If at any time during a term an
appointee changes residency to another state, the member must resign from that obligatory seat.
At-Large Seats
At-large seats are regional. Governors may nominate residents of another Regional Fishery
Management Council constituent state for appointment to an available at-large seat on that
Council. However, if an at-large Council member changes residency to a state not represented
on the Council on which he/she was a member, the member may no longer vote and must resign
his/her at-large seat.
Criteria
Nominees, by reason of their occupational or other experience, scientific expertise, or training,
must be knowledgeable and experienced in one or more of the following ways related to the
fishery resources of the geographical area of concern to the Council:
1)

Commercial fishing, aquaculture, or the processing or marketing of fish, fish
products, or fishing equipment;

2)

Fishing for pleasure, relaxation, or consumption, or experience in any business
supporting fishing;

3)

Leadership in a state, regional, or national organization whose members
participate in a fishery in the Council’s area of authority;

4)

The management and conservation of natural resources, including related
interactions with industry, government bodies, academic institutions, and public
agencies.
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5)

Representing consumers of fish or fish products through participation in local,
state, or national organizations, or performing other activities specifically related
to the education or protection of consumers of marine resources; and

6)

Teaching, journalism, writing, consulting, practicing law, or researching matters
related to fisheries, fishery management, and marine resource conservation.

Equally important is the stewardship responsibilities and the appointment of individuals who can
work collectively with other members to achieve the conservation standards under the
Magnuson-Stevens Act.
Completing the Nomination Application Kit
The Nomination Application Kit contains Parts 1-4 described below. Please review each form
prior to completing. You are ineligible for appointment consideration if all qualification and
nomination requirements of Section 302 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other related
requirements at 50 CFR 600.215 are not met within these forms. Contact your Governor (or
Governor’s contact) if you have questions regarding the completion of the Nomination
Application Kit.
Part 1: Acknowledgement Statement, Resume, Philosophy Statement
You must provide a written statement as to why you want to be a Council member; a current
resume, or equivalent, describing career history, detailing fisheries background and experience;
and a statement of your guiding philosophy on the conservation and management of living
marine resources.
Part 2: Personal Fisheries Experience Form
Nominees must specify their personal fisheries experience and background, participation in a
fishing sector, and other management interests within a Council’s geographic area.
Part 3: Statement of Financial Interests Form (NOAA Form 88-195) and National Marine
Fisheries Service Intergovernmental Personnel Agreement (IPA)
Nominees must meet applicable financial disclosure requirements as required by Section 302(j)
of the Magnuson-Stevens Act prior to appointment. The requirements are listed on NOAA Form
88-195 “Statement of Financial Interests for Use by Voting members of, and Nominees to, the
Regional Fishery Management Councils.” In addition, nominees must select the appropriate
block, and sign/date the cover sheet to Part 3, which pertains to potential participation by
nominees in a National Marine Fisheries Service IPA.
Part 4: Certification of Status Statement
Each nominee to, and member of, the eight Councils must certify, pursuant to the Foreign Agents
Registration Act of 1938, if they serve as an agent of a foreign principal. In addition, each
nominee to, and member of, the eight Councils must certify, pursuant to the Lobbying Disclosure
Act of 1995, as amended, if they serve as a registered Federal lobbyist. Nominees cannot be
appointed to one of the eight councils if they are acting as an agent of a foreign principal
required to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended. They also

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must disclose whether they are a registered Federal lobbyist pursuant to the Lobbying Disclosure
Act of 1995, as amended.
Timely Submission
Please make sure you have completed (sign and date where applicable) Parts 1-4 of the
Nomination Application Kit. Print the completed and return to your Governor (or Governor’s
contact). Completed nomination packages (Governor’s letter and completed nominees’ kits)
must be received by the NOAA Assistant Administrator for Fisheries on or before March 15.
Appointment
A Council member’s appointment is conditional until such time as the member’s background
investigation has been favorably adjudicated. If you are appointed, you must undergo an
extensive background investigation and complete other administrative requirements of the
appointment process. Failure to disclose any past criminal history would be grounds for an
unfavorable background investigation. Newly appointed members are required to complete a
training course typically scheduled in October.

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