March 2009 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 9.
Commercial Fishing News
MISCELLANEOUS COMMERCIAL FISHING NEWS
Several measures are being proposed portance of weather, especially from family product research and development. munities. NOAA and Congress have the job
under the interim action to take advantage of stories about the extended droughts in South We can protect and recover bays, beaches, of protecting the oceans and Great Lakes. But
healthier stocks and provide vessels with Carolina in the late 20’s that triggered my rivers and oceans that amaze, inspire and it is not just protecting nature for its own sake.
more business options. The existing program paternal grandparents’ move to Colorado. connect us all. Jobs and a healthy environment go hand-in-
that allows commercial fishermen to fish for I first became enamored with the oceans My love of oceans, scientific knowledge hand – in the ocean as well as on the land.
haddock in waters on the eastern portion of during a college class in Woods Hole, Mas- and ability to find common ground among Now our country must rise to a new
Georges Bank would be continued. The limit sachusetts. To a Colorado native, the life in diverse perspectives led to my service on the challenge — dealing with the impacts of the
on the amount of white hake that can be the sea seemed exotic and endlessly fascinat- Pew Oceans Commission and the Joint Ocean changing climate. In my work on the Ocean
retained per day would be increased. The ing. Little did I realize then that life in the Commission Initiative. I have spent a good Commissions, I heard firsthand from busi-
minimum legal size for haddock would be oceans is also essential to human prosperity deal of time thinking about the future of nesses and state and local governments
decreased. Some measures would be revised and well-being – both along the coasts and NOAA and its work. My vision for NOAA is about the need for better information and
to provide more flexibility in transferring or inland. My exposure to the oceans was love strongly colored by the experience of travel- predictions about the impacts of climate
leasing most limited access permits. at first sight and my life’s work was set in ing around the country doing public hearings change in communities all across this coun-
Comments may be submitted at motion. with the Commission. We listened to people try. From concern about droughts and sea
www.regulations.gov until February 17, I am currently a professor of marine biol- from all walks of life — on the coasts and in level rise to changes in the chemistry of the
2009. ogy and zoology at Oregon State University, the heartland. The consistent theme from ocean, there is a real hunger for more and
Wolffish Status to be Evaluated for where I have taught since 1977. I lead a large CEOs to fishermen’s wives, from farmers to better information. If confirmed, I will work to
Possible ESA Listing interdisciplinary team of scientists studying coastal residents was the same: There is an create a National Climate Service, which
NOAA Fisheries Service has an- the large marine ecosystem off the coasts of intimate connection between Americans and would be similar to the National Weather
nounced a 90-day finding for a petition to list Washington, Oregon and California. We fo- our coasts and oceans. Fifty percent of us live Service, within NOAA. NOAA is the best
Atlantic wolffish as endangered or threat- cus on understanding how the ecosystem is in coastal areas; most of the rest love to visit agency in the government to synthesize the
ened under the Endangered Species Act changing and how society might recover and beaches and eat seafood. Sixty percent of the
Continued on Page 10.
(ESA). The petition addresses the five fac- sustain the jobs, recreational opportunities, country’s GDP is generated in coastal com-
tors identified in section 4(a)(1) of the ESA as healthy seafood and wild beauty that all
they pertain to Atlantic wolffish: (1) current depend upon healthy ocean ecosystems.
or threatened habitat destruction or modifi- Indeed, I have spent my entire career focused
cation or curtailment of habitat or range; (2) on the connections between the land, sea and
Bring your boat.
over-utilization for commercial purposes; (3) air and between people and the land and
disease or predation; (4) inadequacy of exist- ocean.
ing regulatory mechanisms; and (5) other Throughout my teaching, leadership of
We’ll supply the rest.
natural or man-made factors affecting the large organizations, and participation in pub-
species’ continued existence. NOAA Fisher- lic service, I have emphasized the important Cruise the coast or spend the summer onboard at your slip, surrounded by all the
ies Service has found that this petition pre- role of clear scientific input in decision mak-
luxuries of home and protected by our huge breakwater.
sents substantial scientific information. The ing. I have stressed my belief that science
Easy slip access • Washers and dryers • Power to 100 amps
Wireless internet and cable TV • Fuel dock • Comfortable shoreside lounge
agency will conduct a status review of Atlan- should inform, not dictate, decision-making.
Water and ice • Convenience store • Brand new showers
tic wolffish to determine if action is war- I have gained a wealth of experience in The calmest dockage in Casco Bay!
ranted. leading large, complex projects and organiza-
When the season ends, we can store your boat right here,
To ensure that the review is comprehen- tions and serving on Boards of Directors for
SLIPS AVAILABLE
with 35,000 square feet of heated indoor storage space, 30-
sive, NOAA Fisheries Service is soliciting major foundations and organizations. These
FOR 2009 foot-high doors, and the best service and repair, anywhere!
information pertaining to this species from projects, organizations and boards include
Come by for a visit, see our website at www.maineyacht.com, or give us a call!
any interested party. Comments may be sub- the American Association for the Advance
mitted at www.regulations.gov until March 6, of Science, the International Council for Sci-
MAINE YACHT CENTER
Life is good.
2009. ence, the Partnership for Interdisciplinary
100 Kensington Street, Portland, Maine 04101 • 207.842.9000
U.S. Senate Holds Confirmation Hearing Studies of Coastal Oceans, the National Sci-
for Dr. Lubchenco ence Board, the David and Lucile Packard
On February 12, 2009, the U.S. Senate Foundation, the Monterey Bay Aquarium,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and the Environmental Defense Fund and Or-
Transportation heard testimony from Dr. egon Governor Kulongoski’s Advisory
Jane Lubchenco, nominated by the Obama Group on Global Warming. I believe that
Administration to be Administrator of the these experiences have prepared me well to
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis- serve the Nation by leading NOAA.
tration (NOAA). My students have always been an inspi-
Testimony of Dr. Jane Lubchenco ration. Young minds are adept at challenging
Senate Commerce Committee one’s thinking and introducing novel ideas.
February 12, 2009 If I was talking with them right now about
Mr. Chairman, Senator Hutchison, and NOAA, and why I’m so excited to have the
distinguished members of the Committee, I honor of being nominated to lead the agency,
am honored to appear before you as Presi- I’d say this.
dent Obama’s nominee for Undersecretary of NOAA is the crown jewel of the Com-
Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and merce Department. It is an indispensible part-
Administrator of the National Oceanic and ner with the private sector in creating jobs
Atmospheric Administration. I am grateful and growth all along our coasts. It is also the
for the courtesy shown to me by the Members trusted steward of a bounty of marine re-
of this Committee with whom I have visited sources that belong to all Americans. It helps
over the past several weeks, and I am eager to to protect lives and property in times of
continue and deepen our dialogue. natural disaster. And it is the premier govern-
I come before you today with the love ment agency for applied science.
and support of a wonderful family. I wish to I tell my students that science is more
thank my 91-year old mother, a pediatrician, than just fascinating knowledge, it is also
and my late father, a surgeon and Army useful knowledge. I believe passionately that
Captain, for encouraging and enabling their science should inform our decisions. I can
six daughters to pursue their dreams while think of no better place to use my knowledge
instilling in each of us a deep sense of values, and experience than at NOAA. Working with
family, love and heritage. I thank my sisters you, and using the best available science as
for teaching me the merits of compromise, our guide, here is what I think we can do.
humility and balance. I’m pleased that my We can add hundreds of millions of new
husband Bruce and son Duncan are able to be dollars to the economy by bringing back
here today and I’m grateful to them for their fisheries – both commercial and recreational.
continuing encouragement and love. And I We can improve farming, lower insurance
wish to thank my staff and colleagues in rates, and make air travel safer by improving
Oregon and around the country for all of their weather forecasting.
support. We can spur the creation of new industries.
I was fortunate to grow up in Colorado Improved climate forecasting, for example,
where I developed a deep appreciation for the can serve as the backbone of new enterprises
land — hunting and fishing with my father, helping businessmen and public servants
hiking and camping with family and friends. alike make better decisions about infrastruc-
I also grew to understand the pervasive im- ture, public safety, consumer needs and
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