Federal fisheries chief Eric Schwaab says a sweeping review of Northeast management will focus on how the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), its regional fisheries science center and New England managers can work together and better fulfill their missions.
Schwaab, NOAA’s assistant administrator for fisheries, said that the organization is like big companies who believe they are performing poorly but because they want to ensure they do not miss opportunities to perform better. But the review comes after a year of vociferous complaints from fishermen and coastal members of Congress, who say NOAA has fumbled management of key species at the expense of fishing communities.
According to a report filed by a NOAA inspector general this year there was fault with the agency’s law enforcement division, and a retired federal magistrate was appointed last week to review a number of controversial penalties against fishermen. Schwaab is of view that he envisions a six- to 12-month review of how business is done at NOAA Northeast regional office in Gloucester, Mass.; its Northeast Fisheries Science Center based at Woods Hole, Mass.; and the New England Fishery Management Council, which writes management plans for Northeast fish species including sea scallops, monkfish and cod.
Preston Pate, a member of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, will oversee the review. Schwaab informed that NOAA will also hire management audit consultants for the process, who is looking for recommendations “that would enable all three entities to work more efficiently and effectively to better meet our mission ending overfishing and rebuilding sustainable fisheries.”
