2006 Awards
Photo Album
Video Presentation
Press Release - NOAA
Announces Recipients of 2006 Marine Stewardship Awards
Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher (Ret.), Under Secretary
of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, and Dr. William
T. Hogarth Assitant Administrator for Fisheries, presented
the inaugural Sustainable Fisheries Leadership Awards
to the following award recipients on June 5, 2006, in
Washington, D.C. - Group Photo
| The Honorable Ted Stevens, U.S. Senator, Alaska received the Special Recognition Award for working tirelessly throughout his long and successful career to win the support of the United States Congress for the laws that form the basis of U.S. federal fisheries management and marine conservation programs. A member of the Senate for 37 years, Senator Stevens has consistently advocated for science-based management of living marine resources, keeping the sustainable uses of these resources at the forefront of the nation ’s agenda. |  The Honorable Ted Stevens, U.S. Senator - Alaska; Vice Admiral Lautenbacher, and Dr. Hogarth |
| The Pollock Conservation Cooperative received the Stewardship & Sustainability Award for voluntarily dividing up the overall annual harvests quota among participating fishing companies. Comprised of catcher/processors in the Alaska pollock fishery, this unique arrangement has ended the often wasteful “race for fish” and led to significant reductions in fishing capacity. It has also resulted in a 50 percent increase in the amount of Alaska pollock products made from each pound of harvested fish, as well as voluntary bycatch reduction efforts that complement federal fishery management measures. |  Dr. Hogarth, Pollock Conservation Cooperative Executive Director, Kevin Duffy, Vice Admiral Lautenbacher |
| Holland America Line received the Conservation Partnership Award for taking the initiative to develop and promote the adoption of whale avoidance measures as the international cruise industry standard. The company’s dedication to protect whales, regardless of its affect on the financial bottom line, is at the forefront of marine mammal conservation among the cruise line industry. Holland America Line has made its avoidance measures and training program available to the public and cruise line industry to promote the adoption of this stewardship practice. |  Dr. Hogarth, Holland America Line Capt. Christian Volkle, Manager of Fleet Training, Vice Admiral Lautenbacher |
| Ed Melvin, Washington State Sea Grant Program, received the Science, Research & Technology Award for his significant contributions to cooperative scientific research with industry to develop innovative methods for seabird avoidance in Alaska’s commercial longline fisheries. Mr. Melvin’s research has helped reduce seabird bycatch by at least 80 percent in Alaska fisheries and is inspiring the global adoption of seabird avoidance methods and the innovative cooperative approaches with industry. |  Dr. Hogarth, Ed Melvin of Washington State Sea Grant Program, Vice Admiral Lautenbacher |
| The Gulf of Mexico Foundation received the Coastal Habitat Restoration Award for its successful development and implementation of 33 coastal habitat restoration projects in five Gulf States. These projects are expected to restore nearly 14,000 acres of valuable coastal habitat that is important for the long-term health of marine resources. The Foundation manages a coastal partnership made up of volunteers who work on habitat restoration projects, fostering civic service, public education, and local ownership in these important coastal resources. |  Dr. Hogarth, Gulf of Mexico Foundation, Kendall Keyes, Project Coordinator, Quenton Dokken, Exec. Dir., Vice Admiral Lautenbacher |
| SeaShare received the Public Education, Community Service & Media Award for working with the fishing industry to develop an innovative hunger relief program. SeaShare works with fishing communities and hunger relief agencies throughout the country to feed hungry Americans with fish that otherwise would have been thrown back to the sea dead due to regulation. Since 1994, SeaShare has partnered with 60 companies to donate 20 million pounds of food to 96 locations in 31 states. SeaShare’s program has allowed the fishing industry to put its bycatch to good use, thereby reducing waste and increasing a conservation ethic without compromising fisheries management. |  Dr. Hogarth, SeaShare, Tuck Donnelly, Exec. Dir. and Jim Harmon, Dir. Operations, Vice Admiral Lautenbacher |
