NEWPORT, Rhode Island – Sept. 29, 2010 – NOAA Assistant Administrator for Fisheries Eric Schwaab announced plans to conduct a regional assessment and management review of the fishery management process in New England. The focus will be on the relationships among the New England Fishery Management Council, the Northeast Regional Office, and the Northeast Fisheries Science Center and factors affecting the effectiveness of those three entities in carrying out their responsibilities under fisheries law.
In making the announcement, Mr. Schwaab did not admit to shortcomings in the regulatory infrastructure, which has been under fire from industry and elected officials, and Fishery Management Council members. Instead he noted that every organization "no matter how large or how well run" can benefit from such a review, and said that large companies conduct these reviews "not because they believe they are performing poorly" but "to perform better".
Preston Pate, of North Carolina, a current member of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and former chair of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has been designated to oversee the effort. NOAA also plans to hire a management audit organization to work on the effort.
Last December, New England Fisheries Council Chair John Pappalardo wrote to Commerce Secretary Gary Locke stating "our bureaucracy is often driven by process and protocol rather than by mission and outcome." He said "it has become clear that our region’s bureaucracy is unable to efficiently meet its expanded obligations" and asked the Commerce Secretary for "help in implementing a visionary pilot in New England that is a necessary first step in making these critical improvements."
Speaking of the Noting that "the leaders of each entity have repeatedly acknowledged significant challenges with inter-organizational communication, but these challenges appear to be increasing rather than improving.
Chairman Pappalardo asked that the review be conducted by a management consultant, and include:
• Extensive interviews with leadership and staff of each organization as well as a wide range of fishery stakeholders to understand their respective views on the performance of the current system and their suggestions for reforms.
• An objective and thorough evaluation of the internal structure and management practices of each entity.
• A rigorous assessment of the coordination and communication among the three entities and specific suggestions for necessary improvements.
• A detailed and public summary of the findings of this initiative as well as the resulting recommendations.
Read a 2004 profile of Mr. Pate from National Fisherman
The text of the announcement follows:
NOAA Assistant Administrator Eric Schwaab today announced plans by the agency to conduct a regional assessment and management review of the fishery management process in New England. The focus will be on the relationships among the New England Fishery Management Council, the Northeast Regional Office, and the Northeast Fisheries Science Center and factors affecting the effectiveness of those three entities in carrying out their responsibilities under fisheries law. It is expected that lessons learned will be more broadly applied to other regions.
“Every organization no matter how large or how well run can benefit from constructive guidance as to how it could improve its processes, said Schwaab. “This is something Fortune 500 companies do all the time, not because they believe they are performing poorly but because they want to ensure they do not miss opportunities to perform better.”
A critical component of this review will be to conduct a series of interviews and focus groups to gather information on the current processes, what is working and what could be improved. Input will be sought from members and staff of the New England Fishery Management Council, NOAA Fisheries Service science and management staff, fishing industry leaders, the environmental community and state agencies.
The end result, anticipated in six to twelve months, will be a series of recommendations for improvements in coordination, communication and processes that would enable all three entities to work more efficiently and effectively to better meet our mission of ending overfishing and rebuilding sustainable fisheries.
“I designated Preston Pate, who is currently under contract with NOAA to develop a new survey program for the recreational fishery, to oversee this process,” said Schwaab. “Preston is a respected voice in fisheries management and is well suited to carry out this task.”
Mr. Pate is a current member of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and former chair of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. NOAA also plans to secure the services of an external organization experienced in management audits to work with Mr. Pate on this effort.