Schwaab back as head of NMFS? Not really

Below is an internal note Jane Lubchenco, administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, sent to all agency employees the other day.

It says Eric Schwaab, the former head of the National Marine Fisheries Service, has "reassumed" that title.

Apparently, however, this is merely a Beltway technicality, and Sam Rauch continues to run NMFS.

Recall that Schwaab got promoted back in January.

Here's the Lubchenco note:

June 18, 2012

I wanted to let you know that, as of last Friday, Eric Schwaab has reassumed the title of Assistant Administrator of NOAA for Fisheries. As a general rule, the Vacancies Reform Act limits a person to serving 210 days in an acting capacity for a Senate-confirmed Presidential appointee beginning on the date the vacancy occurs. However, Eric will continue to perform the functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for Conservation and Management. Please continue to work with Eric on all issues within the Assistant Secretary for Conservation and Management portfolio.

This move also means that Sam Rauch will revert to his permanent title of Deputy Assistant Administrator and Alan Risenhoover will again be the Director of the Office of Sustainable Fisheries, but both will continue to fulfill delegated responsibilities for the Assistant Administrator as necessary.

I want to thank Eric, Sam, and Alan for their hard work and commitment during the time when acting in these official capacities, and I truly appreciate their dedication as they continue to perform these essential roles in support of NOAA's mission.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jane

Eric Schwaab departing as NMFS chief

Less than two years after he was named to the post, Eric Schwaab is leaving as head of the National Marine Fisheries Service to take a new job in the Obama administration as "acting assistant secretary of commerce for conservation and management."

The new NMFS chief will be Sam Rauch.

Here is a statement issued today from Schwaab:

Dear Stakeholder

Today, Dr. Jane Lubchenco announced my selection as Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Conservation and Management effective January 17. In this role I will be responsible for driving policy and program direction for NOAA's stewardship responsibilities, focusing on ocean and coastal resource science and management.

This detail presents for me an exciting new opportunity to work across NOAA to confront the challenges for our oceans and for our coastal communities and associated ecosystems. With over half of the U.S. population living in coastal areas, millions of Americans depend upon the health and resiliency of our coastal ecosystems. We have made substantial progress in ending overfishing and rebuilding our nation's fisheries, stabilizing threatened species, protecting marine areas of vital national interest and ensuring the continued safe navigation through coastal waters, but these fragile systems face growing threats and pressures.

At the same time, we face unprecedented fiscal pressures both within and outside of the government. If we are to continue to make progress, we must work in greater partnership with local governments, partner agencies and organizations, and stakeholders to better align strategies and resources. And, given the current fiscal climate, we must seek innovative approaches, processes, technologies and organizational models to most efficiently and cost-effectively pursue our objectives. I look forward to working with David Kennedy and the National Ocean Service team, Craig McLean and the Oceanic and Atmospheric Research team, and with many other colleagues across NOAA to address these important issues.

As I move into this new role, I am pleased to announce that Sam Rauch will be Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, and Alan Risenhoover will be acting in Sam's current role as Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs. Carrie Selberg, currently Sam's chief of staff, will be acting in Alan's current role as Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries until Emily Menashes returns from maternity leave in the spring.

It's been a pleasure working with many of you in my Fisheries leadership role, and I look forward to continuing to work with you, as well as other partners, in addressing a broader set of marine stewardship challenges and opportunities.

Eric C. Schwaab

Feds 'regret the confusion' over 3-mile line

You might recall the recent uproar over new federal charts that changed the location of the 3-mile line between state and federal waters in parts of Alaska.

The redraw had the effect of chasing some commercial fishermen off productive cod grounds in Kachemak Bay and elsewhere. That's because those waters suddenly were beyond state jurisdiction.

Alaska officials complained.

Now comes word that, for this year at least, the feds will honor the old 3-mile line with respect to fishery management.

"I regret the confusion," Eric Schwaab, head of the National Marine Fisheries Service, says in this letter to state Fish and Game Commissioner Cora Campbell.

Here is Campbell's initial protest, and a press release from her office.

A fishermen's Tea Party

Yesterday a crowd of mostly East Coast commercial, charter and sport fishermen marched on Washington, D.C., to voice their general discontent.

Here's an AP story on the event, which didn't seem to garner a great deal of media attention. That's not surprising, given the many rallies the capital sees.

You know, I wonder if anybody ever marches on Washington who's actually happy about something.

Anyway, the fishermen's march did hook the attention of Eric Schwaab, our new National Marine Fisheries Service chief, who issued the following:

February 24, 2010

Statement by Eric Schwaab, NOAA Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, on Today's "United We Fish" Rally at Capitol Hill

I am here today to listen to those who have come to rally Congress. I know the key to any successful fishery management program is active involvement by commercial and recreational fishermen as well as other interested stakeholders.

Marine fish and fisheries have been vital to the prosperity of this nation's coastal communities for hundreds of years. Today, however, more than 20 percent of the nation's fish stocks are overfished and need to be rebuilt to larger, healthier populations so that they can produce their full economic potential for fishermen, coastal communities and the nation.

In 2006, Congress reauthorized and strengthened the Magnuson-Stevens Act to meet that important goal. This reauthorization was groundbreaking in many respects, including the requirement that we use science-based annual catch limits to end overfishing on all stocks. Ending overfishing is the first step to allowing a fish stock population to rebuild to a level where the stock can be fished sustainably for the long term.

I recognize and appreciate the sacrifices being made today by the men and women in the commercial and recreational fishing industries to end overfishing and rebuild marine fish stocks as required by Magnuson. These sacrifices have the potential to result in significant long-term economic benefits to fishing communities and the nation as well as benefits to the overall ocean ecosystems. Recognizing the sacrifices being made to transition to more sustainable fishing, NOAA and Congress has made a commitment of $18.6 million to assist in the transition to sectors in the Northeast groundfish industry.

Rebuilding stocks has already led to important successes and significant economic benefits for fishermen, coastal communities and the nation. Some examples are the sea scallop, monkfish, bluefish and Gulf of Mexico king mackerel fisheries. The dockside value revenues in the sea scallop industry have increased from $84.7 million in 1994 when the stock was overfished to $370 million in 2008. The healthy bluefish stocks on the Atlantic coast provide consistent, reliable fishing opportunities for shore and party and charter boat anglers and the related economic benefits of sportfishing to a wide variety of shore businesses.

We estimate that once the nation rebuilds all fisheries, which we are on a track to do and required to do by law, the dockside value of our commercial fisheries would go from $4.1 billion to $6.3 billion annually, a 54 percent increase. Rebuilding recreational fisheries will help improve the economies of our nation's coastal communities; saltwater angling generated $82 billion in sales and supported more than 500,000 jobs annually in NOAA's most recent report.

I understand the criticism of the 10-year rebuilding timeframes in Magnuson. However, I believe Magnuson already contains the flexibility we need for rebuilding stocks by allowing certain exceptions based on biology and other issues. Balancing rebuilding for the long-term health of coastal communities with the immediate economic effects remains a challenge for everyone involved in implementing the act's mandate to end overfishing and rebuild stocks.

Although I've only been in my job as head of NOAA's Fisheries Service for a little more than a week, I am familiar with fishing communities, their proud traditions, and the challenges we face in keeping them vibrant for future generations. I am interested in hearing the concerns of everyone involved, and I look forward to a cooperative and productive relationship.

What Schwaab's up against

Here's an interesting story from today's Washington Post about Eric Schwaab, the relative unknown taking over as head of the National Marine Fisheries Service.

A positive Alaska reference in this piece, by the way.

Gloucester's sour grapes

Judging from the bluster of this Gloucester Daily Times editorial, you'd think the Obama administration had snubbed the local favorite for some guy from, oh, Alaska to run the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Eric Schwaab named new NMFS chief

The Obama administration today named Eric Schwaab, a Maryland public official, as the new head of the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Schwaab takes over for Jim Balsiger of Juneau, who long held the position on an acting basis. Balsiger is returning to run NMFS in Alaska, source of more than half the nation's commercial fish landings.

Not trying to brag, but Deckboss reported back in December that Schwaab looked like the guy for the top NMFS job.

Anyway, here's the official announcement on Schwaab's appointment:

Feb. 10, 2010

Announcing the New Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries

Message from NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco

It gives me great pleasure to announce Eric Schwaab as the new assistant administrator for fisheries, starting February 16. We are excited to have someone with Eric’s experience and proven leadership to bring a fresh perspective to the management of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service. Eric will lead NOAA’s efforts to rebuild our fisheries and the jobs and livelihoods that depend on them. His immediate priorities include improving outreach and relationships with recreational and commercial fishermen, better aligning federal and regional fisheries priorities, restoring confidence in fisheries law enforcement, and promoting management approaches that will achieve both sustainable fisheries and vibrant coastal communities.

Eric brings more than 25 years of experience in local, state and federal natural resource management. He has spent the majority of his career at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, where he began as a natural resources police law enforcement officer in 1983. He eventually served as director of the Maryland Forest Service; director of the Maryland Forest, Wildlife and Heritage Service; and director of the Maryland Fisheries Service. In 2003, Eric left the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to serve as resource director for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies until 2007. He then returned to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources as the deputy secretary. Eric has also served as a member of the U.S. Department of Commerce Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee.

Eric is a creative and proven manager, consensus builder and leader. He has developed and implemented solutions to address challenges in regional habitat restoration, including Chesapeake Bay restoration issues, fish and wildlife conservation, public lands management, natural resources law enforcement, public agency administration, strategic planning and leadership development.

I am excited to welcome Eric to the NOAA family. He will work with NOAA leadership, the fisheries service, his fellow assistant administrators and our many constituents to further our efforts to protect and manage the nation’s fisheries, our other trust resources including marine mammals and sea turtles, and the ecosystems upon which they depend. Welcome Eric!

I would also like to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation to Dr. Jim Balsiger, the acting assistant administrator, for his superb and sustained leadership. Jim has led the fisheries service for over two years in this capacity, far from his home in Alaska, and done so with distinction. He was especially instrumental in engaging the fishery management councils in the process of developing the draft catch shares policy. Dr. Balsiger will soon return to his position as NOAA Fisheries’ regional administrator for Alaska, but before doing so will assist Eric with his transition into the fisheries service and NOAA. I’d also like to thank the entire team at NOAA Fisheries who have done an excellent job during this period.

Dr. Jane Lubchenco
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator

Is this the one?

Earlier this week, Deckboss was pondering the extended search for a new boss at the National Marine Fisheries Service, headquartered in Silver Spring, Md.

Hours after that post went up, a reliable friend in Washington, D.C., advised me a Maryland official now appears to be the favorite.

Eric Schwaab is deputy secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Here's an old press release with a little bio on Schwaab. The release indicates he once was director of the Maryland DNR's Fisheries Service.

For what it's worth, here's another link to some testimony Schwaab gave to a congressional committee recently on the subject of climate change.

We've heard several names in connection with the top job at NMFS.

Maybe this time we've got a winner in Schwaab.