Coastal Bays Seeks OC Council Member

OCEAN CITY- The Maryland Coastal Bays' Coastal Fisheries Advisory Committee is seeking an official Ocean City member for the committee in an effort to garner further advice on fishery related management issues.

Executive Director of the Maryland Coastal Bays Program, Dave Wilson, submitted the request to the Mayor and City Council this week, explaining the need for an official Town of Ocean City member.

The Coastal Fisheries Advisory Committee began in 1999 as a bi-product of the Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan (CCMP), which was adopted in June 1998, in an effort aid in the recovery and long-term sustainability of the natural resources of the coastal bays. The Coastal Fisheries Advisory Committee was developed with the intention to provide guidelines for sustainability of the bays, more specifically guidelines for fishery management.

The Coastal Fisheries Advisory Committee works directly with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), advising DNR on coastal fisheries related management issues.

Members of the Coastal Fisheries Advisory Committee serve a three-year term and meet every other month. Committee members vary from representatives of the commercial and recreational fishing industry to representatives of Maryland DNR and Assateague Island.

According to Wilson, a slot is currently available for a Town of Ocean City representative, and has been vacant for several years now.

'I am here today to ask you to contemplate putting someone in that slot,' said Wilson.

Wilson noted that while there are members of the committee that reside in Worcester County and in Ocean City, an official Town of Ocean City representative would be beneficial.

Wilson noted that the member should be well versed in fisheries management, and should be able to provide further insight into the field and on local fisheries.

The Mayor and Council agreed that the slot needs to be filled, promising to follow-up on the issue by contacting interested persons or candidates that the Mayor and City Council feel would be a good fit for the committee.