Membership, groups, and staff

Council Member Group Photo November 3, 2023, Hyatt Regency, Garden Grove, California

The Pacific Fishery Management Council consists of the Council members, Council advisory bodies, and Council staff.

The Council consists of 14 voting members, including one representative of each state’s management agency, one obligatory member from each state, four at-large members, one tribal representative, and one NMFS representative. See the Council roster.

The Secretary of Commerce appoints the obligatory, at-large, and tribal representatives; others are appointed by their respective agencies. The Council also has five non-voting members representing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, the U.S. Coast Guard, the State of Alaska, and the Department of State. NMFS regional general counsel provides legal advice to the Council. The Council makes decisions based on majority vote.

The Council staff includes an Executive Director and Deputy Director, staff officers, and administrative staff. The staff supports the Council by arranging and planning meetings, providing briefing materials, staffing advisory bodies, helping to develop fishery management plans, and administering funds for Council and committee expenses.

The Council’s advisory groups (including technical teams, advisory subpanels, committees and working groups) prepare and review information and provide input to help the Council make decisions.

All advisory body meetings are open to the public, but the advisory subpanels offer the best opportunity for public involvement in the process.