NEW BEDFORD, MA (March 25, 2009) – On her second day in office, the new chief of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration heard from fishermen, fishery managers and environmentalists concerning a controversial fishing rule the agency is expected to release in its final form by April 1.
Jane Lubchenco, an Oregon State University marine biologist, was sworn in to office last Friday, a day after the Senate confirmed her appointment by President Barack Obama. On Monday, Lubchenco hosted two hour-long meetings — one for industry representatives and members of the New England Fishery Management Council and the other for representatives of ocean conservation groups — at the Department of Commerce building in Washington, D.C.
"It was her idea to hear from people directly who made comments about the interim rule," NOAA Fisheries spokeswoman Monica Allen said.
Read the Standard-Times story in full