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2009-03-24 19:30:47
What follows is an official greeting from the new head of NOAA, Dr. Jane Lubchenco. For those who might not be aware, NOAA/NMFS has a far reaching impact on the troll fishery, because they control federal waters in which we fish and also have authority over implementation of the ESA, which often drives Treaty negotiations where NOAA has a seat at the table.
Because we fish outside 3 miles, troll management back in the day was jointly handled by the NPFMC (Council) and the Board of Fish. Those bodies held at least one joint meeting a year. Trollers are still covered under a Council Fishery Management Plan (FMP). And, although in 1990 ATA and the state worked to get management authority for federal waters deferred to the state of Alaska, the Council can take back that authority under various scenarios. There are a few issues, like ESA, where the fishery is still dealt with by the Council.
Dr. Lubchenco is highly regarded in the scientific community and those who have worked with her consider her approachable and fair-minded. I was disappointed that when in DC last week our meeting with her did not take place, due to political wranglings over her appointment - for Cuban policy of all things! ATA welcomes Dr. Lubchenco and will do all it can to work with the new administrator and the Obama Administration on issues of concern to our fleet and industry.
Cheers!
Dale, ATA
Message From the Under Secretary
March 20, 2009
Good day, everyone!
My name is Jane Lubchenco and I am deeply honored and humbled to speak to you today as the new administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Despite the very tough challenges facing Americans these days, President Obama has energized us with a sense of hope and optimism, and a belief that if we work together, we can build a better world for ourselves, our children, and grandchildren.
I am here today, mindful of the challenges, yet inspired to find durable solutions.
I am inspired by President Obama’s vision for our country, and his commitment to bring good science to good government.
I am inspired by you - the gifted team at NOAA whom I know from personal experience to be both talented and committed.
And I am inspired by our opportunity to seize the moment to make meaningful changes for our nation and our environment.
I’ve met recently with Gov. Locke and I can tell you that he is an enthusiastic supporter of NOAA and our mission. As soon as he is confirmed, he will be a terrific Secretary.
So, now is the time, with this inspiration and support and with the best science as our guide, for NOAA to spur the creation of new jobs and industries, revive our fisheries and the economies and communities they support, improve weather forecasting and disaster warnings, provide credible information about climate change and ocean acidification to Americans, and protect and restore our coastal waters ecosystems.
I grew up in Colorado, where I developed a deep appreciation for the land—hunting and fishing with my father, hiking and camping with my five sisters, parents and friends. I came to understand the importance of weather and climate variability, especially from family stories about the extended droughts in South Carolina in the late 1920s that triggered my paternal grandparents’ move to Colorado.
I fell in love with the oceans during a college class in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. To a Colorado native, the sea life seemed exotic and endlessly fascinating. Little did I realize then that life in the oceans is also essential to our own prosperity and well-being. My exposure to the oceans was love at first sight and my life’s work was set in motion.
Since 1975, I have taught marine biology and environmental science at Harvard and Oregon State University. As an ecologist, I focus on connections – connections among the land, sea, and air, and connections between nature and people. This perspective will serve me well at NOAA, as we work together as a team and connect with our many partners in other agencies, on Capitol Hill, in the states, civil society, and the private sector.
One reason that I am so excited to be here is the track record of excellent science at NOAA, coupled with the commitment to make policy and management decisions based on scientific knowledge, and the focus on delivering useful services based on that science. Throughout my career, I have consistently emphasized that scientific knowledge should inform decision-making, that scientists have an obligation to communicate their knowledge in a clear, credible, relevant and useable fashion, and that management and policy decisions should focus on the common good and the long-term.
The President has pledged that we will rise to the challenges presented by a changing climate. NOAA has central roles to play in doing so -- research, synthesis, communication, management, policy and provision of services. I have embraced your concept of a National Climate Service, and look forward to making it happen.
Being the administrator of NOAA is a big job. Some of the challenges I know well and others I am just learning. I will need your help to accomplish our goals and I look forward to working with, and learning from you.
For my part, I pledge to bring diligence, transparency, fairness, integrity and accountability to the job in a collaborative fashion. I expect the same from you.
I greatly appreciate the warm words of congratulations that so many of you sent me following my nomination. Thank you for making me feel so very welcome.
In closing, I thought I would share some thoughts I had when President Obama invited me to lead NOAA. I found myself thinking about the counsel I’ve often given to students seeking career advice. I tell them to pursue choices that would give them energy -- choices to learn, to grow, and to be helpful to the greater good. I decided to listen to my own advice, knowing that the opportunity to work with you, for the President, and for the country would indeed be energizing as well as inspiring.
When I met with the President in Chicago, we discussed ways that NOAA could provide America the best climate change science, restore her ocean’s vitality, recharge our economy, and help our nation transition to more sustainable ways of living. His comment was, “Let’s do it!” I’m eager to get underway. Please join me at this very special moment in history. This is our time, our chance to build on NOAA’s impressive track record and create an enduring legacy for our environment, our economy and our children! Let’s do it!
Dr. Jane Lubchenco
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator
A video of this message will be available shortly on