By Jeff Marchesseault

GUAM - The Department of Commerce recently announced the appointment of six new federal advisors to the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC) to represent "a balance of U.S. geographical regions". Commerce also announced the reappointment of a John R. (Randy) Cates of Hawaii.

Cates operates an environmentally friendly off-shore aquaculture farm in the state and apparently represents the interests of U.S. Pacific fisheries at the national level. Those interests would presumably include Guam's.

Here is the official announcement from the Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:

Commerce Appoints Marine Fisheries Advisors To National Committee

New Members From Maine, Washington, Florida, California And The District

October 29, 2009 -- The Department of Commerce today announced the appointment of six new federal advisors charged with counseling the Secretary of Commerce and NOAA on national saltwater fishing regulations and laws that protect marine mammals and other ocean life.

The six new members, and one reappointed member, are part of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee, or MAFAC, the only federal advisory panel charged with making recommendations to NOAA and the Secretary of Commerce on the department's living marine resource responsibilities.

MAFAC members draw on their expertise and other appropriate sources, such as NOAA's Fisheries Service, to evaluate and recommend priorities and needed changes in national programs, including the periodic reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Established in 1971, MAFAC consists of 15 to 21 individuals who are selected through a comprehensive public recruitment process. MAFAC members represent commercial and recreational fisheries interests, environmental organizations, academic institutions, governments, tribes, and consumer groups from a balance of U.S. geographical regions. Member terms are three years, and members may serve two consecutive terms.
Jane Lubchenco, Ph.d., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator, is the designated chair of the committee. MAFAC meets twice a year with supplementary subcommittee meetings as determined necessary by the chair.

The six new members are:

• Terry Alexander, Harpswell, Me., commercial fisherman, owner/operator of a trawler and gillnet vessel; president, Associated Fisheries of Maine

• Anthony Chatwin, Ph.D., Washington, D.C.; director, Marine and Coastal Conservation, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

• Paul Clampitt, Edmonds, Wash., commercial fisherman, partner-operator of the longliner F/V Augustine; Member and former trustee, Fishing Vessel Owner's Association

• Pamela Dana, Destin, Fla., Owner and principal of the Sure Lure Charter Company (deep-sea fishing)

• Ken Franke, San Diego, Calif., sportfishing captain and owner, Outer Limits; president, Sportfishing Association of California

• Keith Rizzardi, Boynton Beach, Fla.; managing attorney, South Florida Water Management District; former trial attorney, Wildlife and Marine Resources Section, Department of Justice

At this time, one eligible member has been reappointed for a second term:

• John R. (Randy) Cates, Kailua, Hawaii; owner/president, Cates International, Inc., leaseholder of a commercial scale open ocean aquaculture farm; owner, Mahalo Kai Fishing (charter fishing) and Safety Boats Hawaii Inc. (research, salvage, and towing company).

NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources. Visit http://www.noaa.gov.

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