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Courtesy of NAA:

Jim Parsons, National Aquaculture Association (NAA) Vice-President and chair of NAA’s Marine Aquaculture Committee, was recently appointed to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee.

NOAA’s Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC) was established under a federal charter by the Secretary of Commerce in 1971 to advise the Secretary of Commerce on all living marine resource matters that are the responsibility of the Department of Commerce. MAFAC members draw on their expertise and other appropriate sources, such as the National Marine Fisheries Service, to assist in: setting national living marine resources policies; developing and implementing Departmental initiatives and programs; evaluating and recommending needed changes during reauthorization processes for the Magnuson-Stevens, the Endangered Species, and the Marine Mammal Protection Acts; and assessing other areas of primary interest to the Secretary and relevant to the mission and goals of the NOAA Fisheries Service.  The members represent a wide spectrum of fisheries, habitat, and protected resource interests, as well as environmental, academic, State, Tribal, consumer, and other related national interests.

In addition to Mr. Parson’s contributions to the NAA, he is a fish biologist and owner of Troutlodge, Inc. with over 30 years of experience in aquaculture. His background in aquaculture research dates back to1978 in research genetics and research and development at numerous companies, including Weyerhaeuser, Clear Springs Foods, Pisces Investments, and Blue Lakes Trout Farms. Mr. Parsons has also served on several other boards, including USDA’s National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education and Economics Board; Industry Advisory Council for the Western Regional Aquaculture Center; U.S. Trout Farmers Association; and USDA’s Subcommittee on Aquatic Animal Health.

For additional information about MAFAC, please visit: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ocs/mafac/index.htm