Profiles In Fishing

What does the word "sustainable" mean to you?

To me, sustainability is how we care for the health and productivity of our living marine resources, for the good of all of us who depend upon those resources and need them for our daily lives, as well as for those future generations who will similarly depend upon healthy and productive resources. Sustainability has to do with managing and using our resource with an interest in how our children, and their children, will use it as well. At NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), through the combined efforts in the Office of Sustainable Fisheries, the Science and Technology Programs, the Habitat Conservation and Protected Resources Offices as well as though the efforts to enforce strict sustainability regulations, they are doing exactly that; balancing today's requirements with those of future generations.

What is your role in the sustainable management of U.S. Fisheries?

As the former Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, I guided the policies that make up the sustainable management of our marine fisheries. NMFS employs over 2,800 scientists, policy analysts, engineers, boat captains, computer modelers, statisticians, enforcement officers, secretaries, fisheries managers, economists, and a whole host of other skilled workers for this single goal: The sustainable management of America's living marine resources. As the lead U.S. representative in meetings with foreign countries, I was given opportunities to share what we've learned on how to improve the health of the oceans with others, and to learn from them in turn. But it doesn't stop there. As a grandfather, it's my responsibility to educate my grandchildren on the lessons of sustainability.

Why is your role so important?

As a fisherman, long before coming to work for the government, I knew I wanted to study the ocean, and marine fisheries in particular. Growing up in a fishing family, the appropriate management of our fish was a common topic at the dinner table, and I always wanted to be able to talk to those in charge. Well, be careful what you wish for. As the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, I was able to influence policies and regulations for the sake of sustainable fisheries. I was also able to present the needs of critical ocean resources to members of congress for their consideration. But the overall management of our resources is such a big job. It requires all of us to work together to be successful.