Contact: Mike Fergus           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
         Gordon Helm           2/9/98

Dr. William T. Hogarth has been appointed to head the Southwest region of the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced today. Hogarth has been acting in the position since March 1997.

"Dr. Hogarth has ably demonstrated his ability to effectively handle this highly visible and critically important region," said Terry Garcia, assistant secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and deputy administrator of NOAA. "I'm pleased to have a person of his caliber in this role."

"Bill has brought to the Southwest region a wealth of knowledge about marine fisheries," said Rolland Schmitten, director of the National Marine Fisheries Service. "He is already addressing many of the complex issues that must be resolved in order to conserve the valuable marine resources under our stewardship with minimal socio-economic disruption to activities that may affect the health of those marine resources."

As acting regional administrator, Hogarth assisted in the listing of coho salmon in California, established a Pacific Island area office to address the increasing activities of the Western Pacific Fisheries Management Council, and helped develop international management issues that benefit fishermen in that region.

"I strongly believe it is critical to discuss the concerns and issues with all constituents and use their input in developing our decisions," said Hogarth. "We are managing a public trust resource that is utilized by many for their livelihood as well as for recreation and enjoyment."

The Virginia native came to California from Washington, D.C., where he implemented many needed changes in domestic and international management of the Atlantic bluefin tuna fishery, a highly visible and very valuable fishery. As division chief of the Highly Migratory Species Division, he also managed the harvesting of several species of highly migratory fish, including tuna, billfish and sharks. Previously, Hogarth coordinated the fisheries service's intergovernmental and recreational fisheries programs, and was director of marine fisheries for the state of North Carolina for more than eight years.

The National Marine Fisheries Service's Southwest Region covers California, Hawaii and the Pacific Islands.

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