NEWPORT, Rhode Island - Sept. 29, 2010 - NOAA Assistant Administrator for Fisheries Eric Schwaab  announced plans to conduct a regional assessment and  management review of the fishery management process in New England.   The focus will be on the relationships among the New England Fishery  Management Council, the Northeast Regional Office, and the Northeast  Fisheries Science Center and factors affecting the effectiveness of  those three entities in carrying out their responsibilities under  fisheries law.

In making the announcement, Mr. Schwaab did not admit to shortcomings in the regulatory infrastructure, which has been under fire from industry and elected officials, and Fishery Management Council members.  Instead he noted that every organization "no matter how large or how well run" can benefit from such a review, and said that large companies conduct these reviews "not because they believe they are performing poorly" but "to perform better".

Preston Pate, of North Carolina, a current member of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management  Council and former chair of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has been designated to oversee the effort.  NOAA also plans to hire a management audit organization to work on the effort. 

Last December, New England Fisheries Council Chair John Pappalardo wrote to Commerce Secretary Gary Locke stating "our bureaucracy is often driven by process and protocol rather than by mission and outcome." He said "it has become clear that our region's bureaucracy is unable to efficiently meet its expanded obligations" and asked the Commerce Secretary for "help in implementing a visionary pilot in New England that is a necessary first step in making these critical improvements."

Speaking of the Noting that "the leaders of each entity have repeatedly acknowledged significant challenges with inter-organizational communication, but these challenges appear to be increasing rather than improving.

Chairman Pappalardo asked that the review be conducted by a management consultant, and include:

·    Extensive interviews with leadership and staff of each organization as well as a wide range of fishery stakeholders to understand their respective views on the performance of the current system and their suggestions for reforms.

·    An objective and thorough evaluation of the internal structure and management practices of each entity.

·    A rigorous assessment of the coordination and communication among the three entities and specific suggestions for necessary improvements.

·    A detailed and public summary of the findings of this initiative as well as the resulting recommendations.

 

Read Mr. Pate's biography from his tenure as director of the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries

Read a 2004 profile of Mr. Pate from National Fisherman


The text of the announcement follows:
 

NOAA Assistant Administrator Eric Schwaab today  announced plans by the agency to conduct a regional assessment and  management review of the fishery management process in New England.   The focus will be on the relationships among the New England Fishery  Management Council, the Northeast Regional Office, and the Northeast  Fisheries Science Center and factors affecting the effectiveness of  those three entities in carrying out their responsibilities under  fisheries law. It is expected that lessons learned will be more  broadly applied to other regions.     

 "Every organization no matter how large or how well run can benefit  from constructive guidance as to how it could improve its processes,  said Schwaab. "This is something Fortune 500 companies do all the  time, not because they believe they are performing poorly but because  they want to ensure they do not miss opportunities to perform better."  

 A critical component of this review will be to conduct a series of  interviews and focus groups to gather information on the current  processes, what is working and what could be improved.  Input will be  sought from members and staff of the New England Fishery Management  Council, NOAA Fisheries Service science and management staff, fishing  industry leaders, the environmental community and state agencies.   

 The end result, anticipated in six to twelve months, will be a series  of recommendations for improvements in coordination, communication and  processes that would enable all three entities to work more  efficiently and effectively to better meet our mission of ending  overfishing and rebuilding sustainable fisheries.    

 "I designated Preston Pate, who is currently under contract with NOAA  to develop a new survey program for the recreational fishery, to  oversee this process," said Schwaab. "Preston is a respected voice in  fisheries management and is well suited to carry out this task."   

 Mr. Pate is a current member of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and former chair of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries  Commission.  NOAA also plans to secure the services of an external  organization experienced in management audits to work with Mr. Pate on  this effort.