The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) which includes NOAA Fisheries, formally known as the National Marine Fisheries Service, is part of the Commerce Department.

John Bryson, the former chief executive of Edison International and and a former member of the board of directors at Boeing Co. is President Obama's choice to be the next Commerce Secretary, but his selection is currently blocked by Senate Republicans.

Northeastern Democrats have raised questions about Mr. Bryson's connections to the Natural Resources Defense Council, a group that has "earned antipathy from fishermen for its efforts to beef up regulation", according to the Boston Globe.

Thus far, Republicans have blocked the nomination in the Senate, and Senator James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) has formally placed a hold on Mr. Bryson's nomination because of his environmental views.      

In a May 17, 2011 decision memorandum, Secretary Locke "directed NOAA to terminate the Coast Guard Administrative Law Judge contract" for adjudication of fisheries cases.  On July 11, Congressmen Barney Frank and John Tierney asked Secretary Locke to make it his "highest priority to arrange for an alternative adjudication forum", but his departure now comes before the transition is complete.  According to NOAA Fisheries, "NOAA is working with the Office of Personnel Management to put in place new arrangements for Administrative Law Judges in enforcement actions."