NOAA Fisheries News Releases
NEWS RELEASE
August 17, 2005
Sheela McLean
(907) 586-7032
Mecum Takes NOAA Fisheries Post
Doug Mecum, currently Director of the Division of Commercial Fisheries for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, has accepted the position of Deputy Regional Administrator for the Alaska Region of NOAA Fisheries. He will take up his new responsibilities in Juneau's federal building September 6.
"Many of us have worked with Doug over the years," said Sue Salveson, Acting Regional Administrator for NOAA Fisheries in Alaska. "He has extensive knowledge of Alaska fisheries and a good working knowledge of the management issues facing the Alaska Region. We are pleased to welcome him."
Mecum will be filling the position vacated when Ron Berg retired August 1.
"It has been a great privilege to work for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and I will greatly miss the wonderful people I have worked with over the past 22 years," said Mecum. "At the same time I am very excited about the opportunity to focus my energies and abilities in helping maintain and improve the critically important management and research programs of the Alaska Region of NOAA Fisheries."
Mecum started his career as a fisheries biologist for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, but moved to Alaska in 1981 to pursue his graduate education. In 1983 he began work with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game where he has served in various positions culminating as Director of the Division of Commercial Fisheries.
Mecum has also served on many fisheries-related commissions and committees, including the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council, the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council, committees of the Pacific Salmon Commission, and the Marine Stewardship Council.
The University of Wyoming graduated Mecum with honors and a bachelor's degree in wildlife conservation and management emphasizing fisheries. He later earned a master's degree in fisheries science from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks.
Mecum resides in Juneau with his wife Barbara, daughter Brianne, and son Bryce.
NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) is dedicated to protecting and preserving our nation's living marine resources through scientific research, management, enforcement, and the conservation of marine mammals and other protected marine species and their habitat. To learn more about NOAA Fisheries in Alaska, please visit our website at www.fakr.noaa.gov