|
Panels and Committees (APs)Recreational and commercial fishermen, charter boat operators, buyers, sellers and consumers who are knowledgeable about a particular fishery. Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSCs) Economists, biologists, sociologists and natural resource attorneys who are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of fisheries in the Gulf. Stock Assessment Panels (SAPs) Biologists who are trained in the specialized field of population dynamics, and who assess the available biological data and advise the Council on the status of stocks and level of allowable biological catch. Sociologists and economists who review the findings of the SAPs, and advise the Council of the social and economic impacts of setting total allowable catches at the various levels recommended by the SAPs. Persons are ineligible for membership on any committee or panel if that person has been convicted of a felony offense or is determined to have violated any federal or state marine resource law or regulation within the previous five years. In addition, persons are ineligible for membership on any scientific committee (SSC, SAP, or SEP) if that person directly receives funding from an association that lobbies the Council on fishery issues. |