According to the Gloucester Times, Dr. Lubchenco, now confirmed as NOAA chief, was part of a working group of "high-profile political and scientific figures" who "helped write a political and policy agenda for the nation based on assumptions of an alarming — and widely disputed — scientific paper." The paper was published inNature in 2003 by R.A. Myers and B. Worm, and "predicted a collapse of biodiversity and an apocalyptic end to seafood-producing species by 2048 due to ‘overfishing’." NOAA nominee tied to discredited fishing report
In additional news, the Gloucester Daily Times reports: Marine biologist with Pew ties to head fisheries
RECENT COVERAGE:
NMFS chief nominee backed Bush ‘no-fishing zone’
Pew-backed nominee inches to NOAA post
OPINION: Testing Obama’s opposition to ‘ideology’
Senate committee approves stalled NOAA nomination – Dr. Jane Lubchenco
Gloucester Daily Times Opinion: Top NOAA nominee’s Pew ties deserve full vetting
FISHERIES CONCERNS:
Pew ties cloud industry view of NOAA chief nominee
To many in the fishing industry, data that comes financed by the Pew Charitable Trusts is data to be doubted, and in Lubchenco, many in the industry see a proud Pew partisan who is about to take authority over the nation’s fisheries and its remaining fishermen and women. Read Richard Gaines’ complete story in the Gloucester Times
The Oregonian Comments on Eastern Fisheries’ Concerns
New England fishing interests aren’t happy about Lubchenco’s ties to the Pew Charitable Trusts, which they blame for financing studies aimed at severely curtailing commercial fishing. Read the commentary in The Oregonian
SENATE COMMITTEE HOLD:
MARCH 5 UPDATE: Obama’s science picks on hold – Read Saving Seafood’s posting in full
WASHINGTON, DC (March 3, 2009) – The nominations of two of President Obama’s top science advisers have stalled in the Senate, according to several sources, posing a challenge to the administration as it seeks to frame new policies on climate change and other environmental issues.Read the Washington Post story in full
CONFIRMATION HEARING:
WASHINGTON, DC (February 12, 2009) – Dr. Jane Lubchenco, nominated by President Obama to be the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Watch a video of her nomination testimony; her remarks begin at 47:20.
Read Dr. Lubchenco’s opening statement before the U.S. Senate Committee [PDF]