Saving Seafood

Neil Jacobs, meteorologist and acting head of NOAA during a turbulent time, nominated to lead the agency

December 19, 2019 — Less than a month after Barry Myers, the controversial pick to head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, withdrew from consideration, President Trump has nominated acting administrator Neil Jacobs to lead the agency.

Jacobs, a meteorologist, has been the acting head of NOAA since 2018, but the agency has been without a permanent leader since Trump was inaugurated, the longest rudderless stretch in its history. The agency is tasked with a diverse range of duties, including forecasting the weather, conducting climate research, managing the nation’s fisheries and more.

Jacobs sailed through Senate confirmation to serve as the assistant secretary of commerce or, in his current official capacity, acting head of NOAA. However, to be confirmed as permanent NOAA administrator, he will require a new confirmation vote.

Read the full story at The Washington Post

NOAA early career scientists honored for innovative research

July 25, 2019 — The following was released by NOAA:

Eight NOAA scientists today were awarded the prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) for pioneering research on the Earth’s atmosphere, weather, our ocean, coasts, fisheries and marine ecosystems.

They were among 314 federally-supported scientists who received a PECASE at a ceremony hosted by the White House Office of Science Policy and Technology at the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.

The PECASE is the highest honor given by the U.S. government to early career scientists. It recognizes recipients’ potential to advance the frontiers of scientific knowledge and their commitment to community service, as demonstrated through professional leadership, education or community outreach.

Michelle Barbieri, a veterinary medical officer at NOAA’s Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, listens to the heart of a monk seal. Barbieri and seven other NOAA scientists each received a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. (NOAA)

“Congratulations to the NOAA PECASE awardees on their ground-breaking research into some of today’s most important weather, climate and natural resource challenges,” said Neil Jacobs, Ph.D., acting NOAA administrator. “I am proud of the scientific leadership they have brought to their respective fields, and I am confident they will move NOAA and the Nation forward by advancing science and technology.”

Meet the winners:

Eric Anderson, a physical scientist at NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for leading innovative research in hydrodynamic forecasting to address many of the Great Lakes’ most pressing issues, including harmful algal blooms, extreme storm conditions, and oil spill response.

Michelle Barbieri, a veterinary medical officer at NOAA’s Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, for advancing the field of marine mammal and sea turtle health, conservation, and emergency response.

Andrew Hoell, a physical scientist at NOAA’s Earth System Research Laboratory Physical Sciences Division in Boulder, Colorado, for development of novel regional drought prediction research and effective communication of this research to support the Famine Early Warning Systems Network, a project of USAID that coordinates with government agencies and international partners to produce objective, forward-looking analysis on the world’s most food-insecure countries.

Brian McDonald, an atmospheric scientist at NOAA’s Cooperative Institute for Research (CIRES) in Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado and NOAA’s Earth System Research Laboratory Chemical Sciences Division, for innovative approaches that improve the scientific understanding of the sources of atmospheric pollutants and link human activity to environmental change.

Andrew Rollins, an atmospheric scientist at NOAA’s Earth System Research Laboratory Chemical Sciences Division, for pioneering work in the development and application of new measurement techniques for studying water vapor, a major greenhouse gas, and sulfur dioxide, which influence Earth’s climate.

Elizabeth Siddon, a fisheries scientist at NOAA’s Alaska Fisheries Science Center, in Seattle, for research of climate-mediated shifts in North Pacific Ocean fisheries, which has led to significant improvements in the ability to reliably forecast fisheries population dynamics.

Jeffrey Snyder, a meteorologist at NOAA’s National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Oklahoma, for leading cutting-edge research using weather radar to improve the detection and short-term forecasts of severe thunderstorms, large hail and tornadoes.

Melissa Soldevilla, a fisheries scientist at NOAA’s Southeast Fisheries Science Center in Miami, for applying cutting-edge acoustic techniques to determine the distribution, abundance, and threats to some of the most iconic and endangered marine mammals in the world.

See stories from NOAA Research and NOAA Fisheries to learn more about the winners and their work.

Senator Collins Urges Senior Administration to Develop Gray Zone Fishing Agreement with Canada

April 9, 2019 — SEAFOOD NEWS — Senator Susan Collins of Maine, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, took issues affecting Maine’s lobster industry to the Commerce Appropriations Subcommittee hearing this week – specifically the “Gray Zone” and the ongoing trade war with China.

The Gray Zone sits approximately 10 miles off the coast of Maine, around Machias Island. Canadian and Maine lobstermen both work in the area, but do not follow the same regulations, which has caused disputees. Maine Lobstermen mark the tails of egg-bearing females and return them to water in an effort to allow them to lay eggs and continue reproducing. Maine lobstermen also abide by size limits, and toss back oversized lobsters to keep the stock strong. Canada lobstermen do not have to follow the same conservation measures, so those notched and oversized lobsters are able to be caught by Canadian lobstermen just yards away.

“Each country manages their lobster and other fisheries in that area through separate and often conflicting regulations,” Senator Collins explained. “The implications of these regulatory discrepancies are very concerning and very unfair to Maine’s lobstermen.”

Dr. Neil Jacobs, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, committed to working with Senator Collins to “explore the possibility of developing a fisheries management agreement between the U.S. and Canada that would provide for cooperative management of the Gray Zone.”

Besides the issue with the Gray Zone, Senator Collins also spoke out on the ongoing trade war with China, urging the Senior Administration to make some progress with the dispute.

“The retaliatory tariff of 25% that China has levied on U.S. lobster has been very detrimental to the industry,” explained Senator Collins. “What is the status of the trade talks with China, and what hope can you provide to my lobster exporters who are struggling day in and day out, having lost that very lucrative market to our Canadian neighbors?”

While no guarantees were made, Gil Kaplan, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade said that they have been “making progress” and are “optimistic about an agreement.”

This story was originally published on SeafoodNews.com, a subscription site. It is reprinted with permission.

Jacobs now leading NOAA as Gallaudet focuses on Blue Economy initiative

March 5, 2019 — U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has made a change in leadership for the agency that oversees NOAA Fisheries.

In a memo dated 25 February, Neil Jacobs told NOAA employees that Ross assigned him to the “nonexclusive” role of undersecretary and NOAA Administrator. He replaces retired Rear Admiral Timothy Gallaudet, who had served as the agency’s acting administrator.

The switch will not change NOAA’s mission or priorities, Jacobs said.

“This is a natural shift that occurs in agencies and departments over time,” a NOAA spokesperson told SeafoodSource in a prepared statement. “Both leaders are dedicated professionals who believe in the people, science, and missions at NOAA. The agency’s important work on behalf of the American people and businesses will occur seamlessly into the future.”

Jacobs said Gallaudet continues in his position as the assistant secretary for oceans and atmosphere in the Commerce Department. In this position, Gallaudet will work on the department’s Blue Economy initiative, which is looking to bolster how the U.S. can better leverage the resources in the world’s second-largest Exclusive Economic Zone.

One of the priorities for the Blue Economy initiative is to examine how the U.S. can increase the amount of seafood America produces. Currently, America imports roughly 90 percent of the fish and shellfish consumed annually. The initiative also calls for surveying for oil and gas exploration.

Read the full story at Seafood Source