Establishment and Duties

Board action of May 20, 2003, approved, through Resolution R2003-60, the establishment of the Escambia Marine Advisory Committee [EMAC] (formerly known as the Marine Recreation and Marine Resources Committee). This Resolution replaces the Committee’s Bylaws adopted by the Board on March 15, 2001, and amended on August 1, 2002. The EMAC is charged to explore research, provide technical expertise, and make recommendations to the BCC regarding the development, administration and preservation of the County’s marine resources. 

Eligibility Criteria and Composition

The EMAC shall be composed of 11 voting members. All members of the EMAC shall be electors of the County. Six members shall constitute a quorum.

Each Commissioner shall appoint two members who shall serve concurrently with the appointing Commissioner’s current term of office. The County Administrator shall appoint one member who shall serve a four-year term.

Meeting Schedule and Frequency

The EMAC shall establish a schedule of regular meetings, which shall be held at least monthly.

Boating Safety Symposium

Escambia County Marine Resources and the Marine Advisory Committee hosted the Boating Safety Symposium on Monday, May 11, aimed at helping boaters better understand how to improve their own safety on the water, the safety of other boaters, and the safety of the marine environment. Expert panelists included representatives from the Escambia County Marine Resources Division, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Law Enforcement, Escambia Search and Rescue, US Coast Guard Auxiliary, and Healthy Gulf.

Whether you are new to boating, or have been operating vessels for many decades, this event was filled with valuable information for everyone. Stay tuned for more information on future symposiums.

Presenters and downloadable materials:

• Robert Turpin, Escambia County Marine Resources - Marine Resources Boating Safety Symposium Presentation
• Lt. Britton Corbin, FWC Law Enforcement - FWC Boating Safety Symposium Presentation
• Clint Rutherford, Escambia Search and Rescue - Escambia Search and Rescue Boating Safety Symposium Presentation
• Christian Wagley, Healthy Gulf - Boating Safety Symposium Presentation
• Arthur Leary, USCG Auxiliary

Members 

• Robert Sims, District 1
  Term of Office: 11/19/2024 – 11/2028
  
  
• Keith Johnson, District 1
  Term of Office: 03/06/2025 – 11/2028
  
  
• Barry Johnson, District 2
  Term of Office: Through 11/2026
  
  
• Clinton D. Retherford, District 2
  Term of Office: Through 11/2026
  
  
• William Scott Roberts, District 3
  Term of Office: Through 11/2028
  
  
• Joseph L. Denmon, District 3
  Term of Office: 2/2/17 – 11/2028
  
  
• Peter Gaddy III, District 4
  Term of Office: Through 11/18/2026
  
  
• Mark F. Moore, District 4
  Term of Office: Through 11/2026
  
  
• Kerry J. Freeland, District 5
  Term of Office: 2/7/19 – 11/2028
  
  
• Donald B. Loerch, District 5
  Term of Office: Through 11/2028
  
  
• Amanda Patti, Administrator
  Term of Office: Through 7/9/2029

Staff

• Robert Turpin, Division Manager, Marine Resources
• Matt Szatkowski, Environmental Program Manager, Marine Resources