September 15, 2025 — David Witherell, who has served as executive director of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council since June 2017, will retire at the end of October, the council announced.
Witherell said that his 33 years with the council have been an honor and a privilege that he is grateful to have been part of.
His retirement comes as the council is facing federal budget challenges, as well as increasing issues related to managing fisheries during complex climate changes. The council will be working over the next two months to choose a successor.