Pacific Fishery Management Council staff brief new advisory members on rules, travel and digital tools

Kelly Ames, deputy director of the Fishery Management Council, Pacific, opened a recorded advisory body briefing on council procedures and platforms and asked members to keep cameras and microphones off during the presentation.

The presentation covered the council’s operating procedures and ground rules, attendance and termination criteria for advisory subpanels, stipend and travel/reimbursement procedures, and the digital tools members will use for meetings and expense claims.

The briefing matters because advisory bodies supply the technical and sector-specific input the council uses when developing recommendations under federal law. Merrick Burden, the council’s executive director, told attendees the council relies on advisory bodies because “we literally couldn't do this without you,” and urged members to familiarize themselves with the council’s rules, reporting procedures and online resources.

Council operating procedures and meeting decorum

Kelly Ames summarized the council operating procedures (COPs) and advisory body ground rules available on the council website, noting COP 1 covers day-to-day operations. Ames said termination criteria for advisory subpanel members include transferring employment or residency, missing two meetings in any 12-month period, inability to fulfill duties, or violating the council’s conduct rules. She also said the council chair, in consultation with the executive director, may…