November 11, 2026 — The following was released. by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is pleased to announce Dr. Wilson Laney, formerly with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, as the recipient of the Captain David H. Hart Award, the Commission’s highest honor recognizing outstanding individual contributions to marine fisheries along the Atlantic coast.
Dr. Laney is being recognized for more than three decades of exceptional service to Atlantic coast fisheries science and interstate fisheries management. Throughout his career, he has been a dedicated scientist, collaborator, mentor, and advocate for sound science, contributing to virtually every aspect of the Commission’s work, including stock assessments, fishery monitoring, habitat conservation, and fishery management planning.
“Wilson contributions to Atlantic coast fisheries and this Commission are truly extraordinary. His dedication to sound science, his ability to bring people together, and his tireless commitment to the conservation of our marine resources exemplify everything the Captain David H. Hart Award represents. His legacy will continue to benefit fisheries professionals and the resources we manage for years to come,” stated Spud Woodward, ASMFC Awards Committee Chair.
Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Laney played an instrumental role in establishing the Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership and provided longstanding leadership to the Commission’s Habitat Committee. He also made significant contributions to numerous Commission technical committees and management boards, helping advance science-based management for a wide range of Atlantic coast species.
One of his most notable contributions was his leadership of the Cooperative Winter Tagging Cruises, a research initiative that spanned 38 years. Beginning in the program’s early years in 1987, Dr. Laney helped coordinate vessels, researchers, funding, and field operations, bringing together more than 125 scientists and graduate students from state and federal agencies and universities. The cruises generated valuable information on striped bass movements, growth, survival, and mortality, with tagging data contributing to the coastwide striped bass stock assessment and providing a unique source of information on the species’ wintering grounds.
Dr. Laney’s commitment to fisheries conservation and science has continued well beyond his retirement from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. He remains actively engaged in fisheries research, habitat conservation, and mentoring colleagues and students, demonstrating an enduring dedication to the resources and professionals he has served throughout his career.
Named for Captain David H. Hart of New Jersey, one of the Commission’s longest-serving members and a tireless advocate for the advancement and protection of marine fishery resources, the award recognizes individuals whose contributions have made a lasting difference to Atlantic coast fisheries.
Dr. Laney exemplifies the spirit of this award through his scientific excellence, collaborative leadership, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to the stewardship of marine resources. The Commission congratulates Dr. Wilson Laney on this well-deserved recognition and thanks him for his extraordinary contributions to Atlantic coast fisheries.
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PR26-20