NOAA Wants Fish Experts for Shark-Tuna Advisory Panel Spots
Published Date: 12/9/2025
Notice
Summary
NOAA is looking for new members to join the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel, which helps manage important fish like swordfish, sharks, tunas, and billfish. They want people involved in fishing, environmental groups, or related industries to apply by January 8, 2026. This is a great chance to shape fishing rules for the next three years and keep our oceans healthy and thriving!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Apply to HMS Advisory Panel
You can nominate yourself or someone else to fill about 10 seats on the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel by January 8, 2026. Appointments begin January 2026 and run through December 2028, and NMFS is seeking people with interests in commercial or recreational fishing, related industries, the scientific community, or environmental/non-governmental organizations.
Membership Is Unpaid; Travel May Be Reimbursed
If you serve on the HMS Advisory Panel, NMFS will not provide monetary compensation for members, but, depending on available funds, members may be reimbursed for travel costs related to panel meetings.
Three-Year Terms and Term Limits
Advisory Panel members are appointed to 3-year terms; NMFS seeks terms beginning January 2026 and expiring December 2028. Members may serve up to three consecutive terms (9 years) and then must sit off the panel for one year before being eligible again.
Commercial Seats Available (3 Vacancies)
NMFS seeks to fill three commercial-sector vacancies on the HMS Advisory Panel for terms starting in 2026. Commercial fishing interests are among those NMFS will consider for these seats.
Recreational & Environmental Vacancies (5 and 2)
NMFS seeks five recreational-sector and two environmental-sector vacancies on the HMS Advisory Panel for terms starting in 2026, which creates targeted opportunities for recreational anglers and environmental/non-governmental organization representatives to join the panel.
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