Office of Sustainable Fisheries

Regulatory Services Division

Regulations - The Regulations Unit coordinates and oversees the procedures and processing of all documents, including proposed and final regulations, for publication in the Federal Register, ensuring that such documents are in the required format and are concisely, clearly written.

Fishery Management Council Support - The Division provides oversight and support for Council operations and administration through the development of national policies, guidance and regulations. The Division supports the nomination and appointment process for all Council members, including processing all documentation as a basis for Secretarial appointment decisions; drafts annual Reports to Congress on Council Apportionment and Disclosure of Financial Interest and Recusal Requirements ; conducts the annual new Council member training ; and liaises and supports the biannual meetings of the Council Coordination Committee (CCC).

Social Analysis - We prepare Social Science Guidelines regarding the analysis of social impacts associated with proposed fishery management programs, including effects on dependent fishing communities. We review social impact assessment of specific management actions using the Operational Guidelines, and work with authors and managers regarding those reviews.

Social

Other Activities - The Division provides oversight and coordination of the implementation of provisions of the Sustainable Fisheries Act (SFA).

SFA Activities

To contact the Regulatory Services Division: (301) 713-2337

The Regulatory Services Division encompasses a wide variety of programmatic activities that support the management of the Nation's living marine resources. The Division supports management through the development and analysis of national fisheries legislation and policy. We provide oversight and guidance on activities to analyze the economic and social impacts associated with proposed management programs. Support activities also include the review and processing of all documents to be published in the Federal Register. The Division provides oversight and guidance of the operations and administration of the Regional Fishery Management Councils, and conducts the annual Council nomination and appointment process.