The Commerce Department today announced the appointment of Edwin Ebisui Jr. of Hawaii to the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council. Under this appointment, Ebisui will serve on the council until August 10, 2014.

Ebiusi is a lawyer and part-time commercial fisherman. He has also served as the president of the Pacific Ocean Research Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to research and knowledge of Pacific game fish.

The councils were established by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to prepare fishery management plans for marine fish stocks in their regions. NOAA’s Fisheries Service works closely with the councils as plans are developed, and then reviews, approves, and implements the fishery management plans.

Council members represent diverse groups, including commercial and recreational fishing industries, environmental interests and academia, and carry out the act’s requirements to end overfishing, rebuild fish stocks, and manage them sustainably. Each year, approximately one-third of the total 72 appointed members to the eight regional councils are appointed by the Secretary of Commerce. NOAA’s Fisheries Service selects members from nominations submitted by the governors of fishing states, territories and tribal governments and oversees the annual appointment process.

Council members are appointed to both obligatory seats, which are specific to a state, and at-large seats, which can be filled by a person from any of the states in the council’s region. Council members may be reappointed to serve three consecutive three-year terms.

NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Facebook, Twitter and our other social media channels at http://www.noaa.gov/socialmedia/.

On the Web:

NOAA’s Fisheries Service: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov

NOAA’s Fisheries Service webpage on Regional Fishery Management Councils: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/reg_svcs/councils.htm

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