What are the Fishery Management Councils?
The MSFCMA also created a management structure based on regional Fishery Management Councils having voting members, appointed by the Secretary of Commerce, that include: • The principal State official with marine fishery management responsibility and expertise in each constituent State (Secretary of LDWF in Louisiana), • The regional director of the National Marine Fisheries Service for the geographic area concerned, • Individuals who, by reason of their occupational or other experience, scientific expertise, or training, are knowledgeable regarding the conservation and management, or the commercial or recreational harvest, of the fishery resources of the geographical area concerned. The Secretary shall … ensure a fair and balanced apportionment … of the active participants (or their representatives) in the commercial and recreational fisheries under the jurisdiction of the Council. The Councils receive management advice both from their advisory panels and from their scientific and sta
