Profiles In Fishing

What does the word "sustainable" mean to you?

Sustainability means maintaining healthy ecosystems that support productive fisheries and coastal communities now and for the future. Healthy habitats are one cornerstone of sustainable fisheries management - healthy habitats allow fish to grow, survive, and reproduce. Here at NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), we work closely with other offices to understand which habitats need protection, how proposed development could affect these habitats, how degraded habitats can be returned to a more natural state, and how all this contributes to maintaining sustainable fish populations. In other words, we work to make habitats sustainable so that fisheries are sustainable too.

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

I work for the NOAA Restoration Center and I focus on helping communities and organizations restore fish habitats. There are many opportunities to restore degraded habitats to a more natural state so that there are healthy populations of fish, marine mammals, and other resources in these habitats. For example, I work with communities that want to remove dams that block fish, such as salmon or shad, from moving up and down rivers. We have many different kinds of projects from removing dams, planting sea grasses, to huge projects where we build wetlands. It is very exciting to find out when fish come back to areas where we have restored habitats.

Why is your role so important?

My role as a habitat specialist is a critical support role contributing to sustainable fisheries management. Without enough healthy habitat it would be hard for many fish to survive. My role is also important because I work with so many partners and local communities who are also a critical part of the fisheries management process. We learn that it's not just about fishing, it's about making sure the right habitats are there.