Snowe Congratulates Fishery Management Council Appointees

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), Ranking Member of the Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard, today congratulated Terry Alexander of Cundy’s Harbor and Vincent Balzano of Portland on being appointed to the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC).

Senator Snowe said:

“I offer my congratulations to Terry and Vincent on their well-deserved appointments to the New England fisheries council. Maine and New England will certainly benefit from their strong voices on the council, not to mention their collective experience in Maine’s historic industry. During this challenging period in fisheries management, the New England Fishery Management Council is at a critical moment in its mission to manage our fish stocks sustainably and protect New England’s fishermen.  As Ranking Member of the Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard Subcommittee, I look forward to continuing to lead the effort in the Senate to ensure that we have realistic rebuilding timelines based upon legitimate stock assessments.  Furthermore, I also want to thank Jim Odlin and Glen Libby, who served Maine well on the council, for their work on behalf of the entire industry.”   

BACKGROUND:  NEFMC, one of eight regional councils, was created by the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 (renamed the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act when amended in 1996). The council develops and prepares fishery management plans for marine fish stocks within its geographical area of responsibility. The plans are submitted for review by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service.  NEFMC is comprised of the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.  Terry A. Alexander will serve on Maine’s obligatory seat on the council and Vincent Balzano will serve as the at-large seat on the council. 

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