Department of Commerce
NOAA Fisheries Service
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2005
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Connie Barclay
301-713-2370
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NATION'S MARINE FISHERIES MANAGERS HONOR
NOAA FISHERIES SERVICE DIRECTOR HOGARTH FOR LEADERSHIP
The nation's marine fisheries management council leaders
gave their outstanding leadership award to the top federal manager,
NOAA's Fisheries Service director Bill Hogarth, at the group's
second annual national fisheries conference held in Washington,
D.C. last week. NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Representatives from the eight regional fisheries management councils
presented Hogarth the award during its "Managing Our Nation's
Fisheries" conference that was designed to exchange ideas
and improve the management of marine fisheries in the United States.
Hundreds of the nation's foremost fisheries experts gathered
to address some of the challenges associated with marine resource
conservation.
"The management councils felt Bill deserved this award for
his outstanding leadership and service to the nation's fisheries," said
Dan Furlong, Executive Director for the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management
Council. "We appreciate how he fosters new and enhanced cooperation
between the NOAA Fisheries Service and our councils as we jointly
act as stewards of our living marine resources."
"This award is well deserved. Bill's influence has
been key in getting more fishery assessments and socio-economic
studies completed and he has led the shift in fisheries management
towards an ecosystem-based approach," said retired Navy Vice
Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., Ph.D., under secretary of
commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator.
Hogarth was appointed NOAA's Assistant Administrator for
Fisheries in 2001. He oversees the management and conservation
of marine fisheries and the protection of marine mammals, sea turtles,
and coastal fisheries habitat within the United States exclusive
economic zone.
"Bill has been a champion of the council system," Furlong
said. "He practices what he preaches regarding a partnership
approach with NOAA Fisheries, and he has always acts in good faith."
During the three-day conference, participants laid a foundation
for how the United States can implement the Bush Administration's
Ocean Action Plan, released Dec. 17, 2004. Panel topics included:
NOAA's movement toward ecosystem-based management of our
oceans, expanding the use of market-based quota programs, strengthening
marine science and management and developing marine managed areas.
Fish stock rebuilding and fisheries governance were also discussed.
NOAA Administrator Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., gave the conference
keynote presentation where he talked about the importance of ecosystem-based
management and observations, and how they relate to fisheries management.
He emphasized the importance of partnerships to advance the goals
expressed in the U.S. Ocean Action Plan and to improve an already
successful fisheries management system, and the importance of the
slated reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation
and Management Act.
These topics are priority issues highlighted by the U.S. Commission
on Ocean Policy during its three-year review of current ocean management
in the United States. The Bush Administration's U.S. Ocean
Action Plan, an initial response to the Commission's final
report, identifies short-term priorities and establishes a vision
for long-term advancements in U.S. ocean policy. Conference participants
represented policymakers, scientists, fishermen, environmentalists
and the general public.
The Administration's budget request to Congress for FY06
includes funding to implement initiatives in the Ocean Action Plan,
including $1 million for the regional fishery management councils
to develop individual fishing quota programs, and increased funding
for fishery assessments, socio-economic studies and vessel monitoring
systems. The president requested an additional $1.5 million for
coral protections.
NOAA Fisheries Service is dedicated to providing and preserving
the nation's living marine resources and their habitat through
scientific research, management, and enforcement. NOAA Fisheries
Service provides effective stewardship of these resources for the
benefit of the nation, supporting coastal communities that depend
upon them, and helping to provide safe and healthy seafood to consumers
and recreational opportunities for the American public.
NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national
safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related
events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation's
coastal and marine resources.
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