Mid-Atlantic Region Fisheries Management Meeting June 12 will be Available on the Internet

Meeting will Discuss the Effects of Climate on Fisheries Resources of the Region

     New York, NY -- On Tuesday, June 12, from 5 to 6 p.m. the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will host a meeting and webinar on the effects of climate change. The meeting will be held at the Hilton in New York and will be available on the Internet at http://www.mafmc.org/

     An important element of stock assessment is to forecast the abundance of fish in the future and then recommend catch limits that either maintain or rebuild stocks to defined levels. Most stock assessment forecasts assume variability but no trends in underlying environmental and ecological influences. However, contrary to such assumptions, in the northeast U.S. and adjacent waters, there is clear evidence that the climate is changing and that there is pronounced decadal variability in climate. Further, there is clear evidence that climate is affecting fish abundance and distribution.

     Incorporating climate change into fisheries management is going to be a major challenge facing NOAA in coming decades; they have tools and approaches that can be used now, but need to further develop these and expand their application to meet this growing challenge. NOAA also needs to develop a dialogue with the Fishery Management Councils so that the needs and questions of the Councils are considered as the research into the effects of climate change on fisheries develops.

     So, if you have questions, need answers, or just want to express your concerns regarding climate change, you will be able to talk directly to Jon Hare of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center Narragansett Lab and leaders from the Council and the National Marine Fisheries Service. 

     You can attend in person in New York or via the internet. For online webinar access register at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/759109120. This is the same link for listening-in to the Council meeting - Agenda. 

     Regarding the Listening Session process, contact Jason Didden at jdidden@mafmc.org or (302) 526-5254 if you have any questions or if you would like to confirm that your computer is set up to access the webinar. The webinar works for most computers, but sometimes there are technical problems with remote voice communication from online participants. In such cases, participants may still use a chat feature in the webinar to submit their comments or questions.

Former Maryland DNR Staffer Named NOAA Fisheries Administrator

Eric Schwaab, former deputy secretary for Maryland's DNR, promoted

A statement from NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco on the selection of acting assistant secretary of commerce for conservation and management

January 5, 2012

Today, I’m pleased to announce that I’ve chosen Eric Schwaab, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries, to serve as NOAA’s acting assistant secretary of commerce for conservation and management, a position left vacant by the departure of Dr. Larry Robinson in November 2011. Eric’s official start date is January 17.

The assistant secretary of commerce for conservation and management drives policy and program direction for NOAA’s stewardship responsibilities, including ocean resource management, coastal management, and protected resources.

I’m pleased that Eric agreed to shoulder this new responsibility. I’ve been grateful for his leadership as the head of NOAA Fisheries, leading efforts with fishery councils and the fishing industry to meet deadlines to establish annual catch limits, fostering new, productive relationships with commercial and recreational fishermen and women and working to effect significant reform of NOAA’s enforcement program. Eric brings more than 25 years of experience in local, state and federal natural resource management to this new role.

Eric has also been working closely with David Kennedy, the assistant administrator for NOAA’s National Ocean Service, on a number of cross-line priorities — including the response and recovery effort for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster, NOAA’s work in support of the president’s National Ocean Policy and recent NOAA wide efforts to better focus coastal and ocean habitat science and conservation effort. In addition to continuing to work closely with the fisheries team on priority fisheries issues, Eric tells me he is looking forward to further strengthening the connections among NOAA’s many coastal and ocean stewardship programs.

With Eric assuming this new NOAA role, Sam Rauch, currently NOAA Fisheries deputy assistant administrator for regulatory programs, will serve as acting assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries. Since 2006, Sam has led efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of our nation’s fisheries. He has also been instrumental in development of the new NOAA Habitat Blueprint and on a variety of critical protected resource issues. I am grateful to Sam for his willingness to shoulder broader responsibilities, and I look forward to his leadership.
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