About Us: Our History | NOAA Fisheries
Source: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about-us/our-history
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:18
About Us: Our History | NOAA Fisheries
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About Us
NOAA Fisheries is responsible for the stewardship of the nation's ocean resources and their habitat.
Our Mission
NOAA Fisheries, also known as the National Marine Fisheries Service, is responsible for the stewardship of the nation's ocean resources and their habitat.
Our Mission
NOAA Fisheries is responsible for the stewardship of the nation's ocean resources and their habitat. We provide vital services for the nation, all backed by sound science and an ecosystem-based approach to management:
Productive and sustainable fisheries
Safe sources of seafood
Recovery and conservation of protected resources
Healthy ecosystems
Watch the video below for a glimpse into our work supporting commercial and recreational fishing, protecting marine life, and conserving and restoring habitat.
U.S. fisheries are among the world’s largest and most sustainable. Seafood harvested from federally-managed U.S. fisheries is inherently sustainable as a result of the U.S. fishery management process. Using the
Magnuson-Stevens Act
as the guide, NOAA Fisheries assesses and predicts the status of fish stocks, sets catch limits, ensures compliance with fisheries regulations, and reduces bycatch.
Eight fishery management councils
are key regional partners in U.S. fishery management.
The resilience of our marine ecosystems and coastal communities depend on healthy marine species, including protected species such as whales, sea turtles, corals, and salmon. Under the
Marine Mammal Protection Act
and the
Endangered Species Act
, NOAA Fisheries works to recover protected marine species while allowing economic and recreational opportunities.
NOAA Fisheries, also known as the National Marine Fisheries Service, is an office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration within the Department of Commerce. We have five regional offices, six science centers, and more than 20 laboratories around the United States and U.S. territories, and we work with partners across the nation.
Image
Economic impacts of U.S. fisheries in 2023. $319 billion in sales impacts generated nationally—a 4 percent decrease from 2022—with $145 billion in sales impacts generated by recreational fishing, and $173 billion in sales impacts generated by commercial fishing and the seafood industry. 2.1 million jobs supported nationally—a 6 percent decrease from 2022—with 0.7 million jobs supported by recreational fishing, and 1.4 million jobs supported by commercial fishing and the seafood industry.
Fact
More than 4 million square miles
Our primary jurisdiction is the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, which contains more than 4 million square miles of ocean.
Fact
163 endangered and threatened species
We have jurisdiction over 163 endangered and threatened marine species, including 65 foreign species.
Fact
2.1 million jobs and $319 billion in sales
In 2023, U.S. commercial and recreational fisheries generated $319 billion in sales and supported 2.1 million jobs.
Show me another fact
NOAA Fisheries
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NOAA.gov
About NOAA
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No Fear Act
U.S. Department of Commerce
Commerce.gov
About Commerce
Commerce Blog
More Federal Resources
USA.gov
FederalRegister.gov
Regulations.gov
Grants.gov
Trade.gov
Small Business
Professional & Technical Services
Regional Highlights
Alaska
Arctic
Cook Inlet beluga whale
Deep-sea corals and fish habitat
Ecosystem science & management
Electronic monitoring and observers
Northern fur seals
Steller sea lions
Sustainable fisheries management
New England / Mid-Atlantic
Aquaculture
Atlantic salmon
Climate change and fisheries
Electronic fisheries monitoring
Marine mammal unusual mortality events
Right whales
Summer flounder
Pacific Islands
Bottomfish
Coral reef ecosystems
False killer whales
Hawaiian monk seals
Longline fisheries
Marine mammal response
Marine national monuments
Sea turtles
Spinner dolphins
Southeast
Aquaculture
Bottlenose dolphins
Corals
Deepwater Horizon recovery & restoration
Gulf and South Atlantic red snapper
Large-scale habitat loss
Large-scale recreational fisheries
Right whales
Sea turtles
West Coast
Habitat restoration
Hatchery production and conservation
Ecosystem science
Fishing community resilience
Fish passage
Pacific bluefin tuna rebuilding
Salmon recovery
Sea lion predation on at-risk fish
Southern Resident killer whale recovery
Whale entanglements
Recent Accomplishments
Released the National Seafood Strategy and Implementation Plan, outlining our approach for enhancing the resilience of the seafood sector to support a thriving U.S. domestic seafood economy.
Advanced restoration of Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico) resources impacted by the 2010 oil spill, completing 43 projects totaling $117 million to restore coastal habitats, oysters, recreational uses, and water quality.
Led an investigation into fraud where nearly 400,000 pounds of foreign crab meat was falsely labeled as "Product of USA," protecting industry members who abide by the rules and consumers from fraud schemes.
Implemented a new, more accurate method for estimating the number of trips taken by recreational anglers, which will improve our understanding of marine ecosystems' health and better guide management decisions.
Provided $1.5 million to support regional aquaculture pilot projects. The 14 selected projects are developing techniques and business models to grow domestic seafood production and addressing industry barriers.
Who We Are
Our Organization and Leadership
View our organizational chart and learn more about our offices and science centers.
Who We Are
NOAA Fisheries employs about 3,000 staff including scientists, policy managers, and enforcement officers, located across the country at our regional offices, science centers and labs, and national headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Scroll below to meet our leadership and see our organization chart.
Employees
3,000
View Our Staff Directory
Headquarters Offices
12
View Our National Programs
Regional Offices
5
View Our Regional Offices
Science Centers
6
View Our Science Centers
Meet Our Leadership
DIRECTOR OF NOAA FISHERIES
Eugenio Piñeiro Soler
Assistant Administrator of Fisheries
View Bio
Senior Advisors
NOAA Fisheries Directorate
Russell Dunn, Senior Advisor for Recreational Fisheries
Regulatory Programs
Samuel D. Rauch III
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs
View Bio
Senior Advisor
NOAA Fisheries Directorate
Mike Tosatto, Senior Advisor for Permitting and Efficiency
National Regulatory Programs
Office of Sustainable Fisheries
Kelly Denit, Director
Office of Protected Resources
Kimberly Damon-Randall, Director
Office of Habitat Conservation
Carrie Selberg Robinson, Director
Office of Policy
Jenni Wallace, Director
Regional Offices
Alaska Regional Office
Jon Kurland, Regional Administrator
Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office
Michael Pentony, Regional Administrator
Pacific Islands Regional Office
Sarah Malloy, Regional Administrator
Southeast Regional Office
Andy Strelcheck, Regional Administrator
West Coast Regional Office
Jennifer Quan, Regional Administrator
Science
Evan Howell, Ph.D.
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Scientific Programs
View Bio
Science Advisors
NOAA Fisheries Directorate
Jason Link, Ph.D., Senior Scientist for Ecosystem Management
NOAA Fisheries Directorate
David Demer, Ph.D., Senior Scientist for Surveys and Data Acquisitions
NOAA Fisheries Directorate
Rick Methot, Ph.D., Science Synthesis and Coordination Program Manager
National Science Program
Office of Science and Technology
David Detlor, Acting Director
Science Centers
Alaska Fisheries Science Center
Robert Foy, Ph.D., Director
Northeast Fisheries Science Center
Jon Hare, Ph.D., Director
Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
Charles Littnan, Ph.D., Director
Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Clay Porch, Ph.D., Director
Southwest Fisheries Science Center
Kristen Koch, Director
Northwest Fisheries Science Center
Jeremy D. Rusin, Science Director
Operations
Emily Menashes
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations for NOAA Fisheries
View Bio
National Operational Offices
NOAA Fisheries Directorate
Brianne Szczepanek, Chief of Staff
Office of Aquaculture
Danielle Blacklock, Director
Office of Law Enforcement
James Binniker, Director
Office of International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce
Alexa Cole, Director
Office of Management and Budget
Brian Pawlak, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Office of Management and Budget
Office of Chief Information Officer
Samir Mehta, Acting Chief Information Officer
Office of Communications
Michael Murphy, Communications Director
Equal Employment Opportunity
Melissa Johnson, Acting Director
Human Capital Management Office
Joshua Jackson, Director
Where We Work
Our Regions
NOAA Fisheries is headquartered in Silver Spring, MD and has five distinct geographic regions.
NOAA Fisheries Locations
Headquarters (Silver Spring, MD)
National Program Offices
Aquaculture
Habitat Conservation
International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce
Law Enforcement
Protected Resources
Science and Technology
Sustainable Fisheries
Alaska
Regional Office
About Us
Contact Us
Science Center & Labs
About Us
Contact Us
Explore This Region
New England / Mid-Atlantic
Regional Office
About Us
Contact Us
Science Center & Labs
About Us
Contact Us
Explore This Region
Pacific Islands
Regional Office
About Us
Contact Us
Science Center & Labs
About Us
Contact Us
Explore This Region
Southeast
Regional Office
About Us
Contact Us
Science Center & Labs
About Us
Contact Us
Explore This Region
West Coast
Regional Office
About Us
Contact Us
Science Centers & Labs
About Us - Northwest
Contact Us - Northwest
About Us - Southwest
Contact Us - Southwest
Explore This Region
Our History
The Foundations of Fishery Science and Management
1871
– President Ulysses S. Grant creates the United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries. It is the first federal agency focused on natural resource conservation, and its founding represents the genesis of today’s NOAA Fisheries, or National Marine Fisheries Service. The Smithsonian Institution operates the Commission. Smithsonian Assistant Secretary Spencer Baird serves as the first U.S. Fish Commissioner until 1888. To this day, NOAA Fisheries continues a scientific relationship with the
Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History
, which is also home to the Baird Auditorium and the world’s largest collection of fish.
1872
– The first federal fish hatchery, known as the Baird Hatchery, is established on the McCloud River in California to replenish salmon populations impacted by the California gold rush.
The original Woods Hole Laboratory.
1885
– The original Woods Hole Laboratory is completed. It is the first of more than 20 present-day NOAA Fisheries laboratories. It later moves to a new building in 1960. Today, visitors are welcome at the
Woods Hole Aquarium
.
1889
– The Federal Fisheries Act (amended in 1900) requires each person, company, or corporation to establish a fish hatchery near their fishing operation and to produce "four times" the number of mature salmon taken during the fishing season.
Ushering in a New Era of Natural Resource Awareness
1903
– The U.S. Fish Commission is renamed the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries and placed under the newly created Department of Commerce and Labor.
1913
– The Department of Commerce and Labor splits into two separate departments: the Department of Commerce and the Department of Labor. The
Department of Commerce
retains the Bureau of Fisheries.
1939
– The Act of August 11, 1939 (renamed the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act in 1954) is signed into law. It establishes a fund to provide grants or cooperative agreements for research and development projects addressing aspects of U.S. fisheries including harvesting, processing, and marketing.
1940
– The 1940 Reorganization Plan No. III merges the Bureau of Fisheries and the Biological Survey as part of U.S. Fish & Wildlife under the Department of the Interior. The plan also establishes five regional fisheries offices in Juneau, Alaska; Gloucester, Massachusetts; Honolulu, Hawaii; St. Petersburg, Florida; and Portland, Oregon.
1956
– The Fish and Wildlife Act creates the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
, which initially includes two bureaus: the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries (the descendant of the original U.S. Fish Commission) and the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. Under the Act, seals, sea lions, dolphins, and porpoises are managed by the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. Sea otters, manatees, walruses, and most freshwater fish hatcheries are managed by the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. The Act also declares a National Fishery Policy recognizing the nation’s fish, shellfish, and wildlife as a valuable, renewable natural resource.
1958
– The first
United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea
convenes in Geneva with 86 nations participating. For the first time, broad agreement is reached on a system of rules to guide nations toward preserving marine species.
1966
– The Sea Grant Act establishes an academic/industry/government partnership that uses the nation’s existing collegiate and university resources to address the marine and coastal resource management needs of U.S. citizens.
1967-1969
– Marine resource concerns lead Congress to authorize the creation of the Commission on Marine Science, Engineering and Resources. In January 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson appoints the 15 member commission to begin to study the nation’s marine problems and needs. Chaired by Julius A. Stratton of the Ford Foundation, it is simply referred to as the “Stratton Commission.” The Commission presents its final report to Congress on January 11, 1969 and recommends the creation of a new federal entity—the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency. The agency would include the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries and other federal marine and anadromous fishery functions, the
National Sea Grant College Program
, and other agencies.
Establishing the Infrastructure of Science-Based Stewardship
1969
– The
National Environmental Policy Act
requires federal agencies to integrate environmental values into their decision-making processes by considering the environmental impacts of their major proposed actions. Its primary goal is to foster better decision making that takes into account all of the environmental impacts of an action and involve the public in that decision making.
1970
– President Nixon and Congress establish the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
in the Department of Commerce under
Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970
. As part of the reorganization plan, the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries is transferred from the Department of the Interior to the Department of Commerce and renamed the National Marine Fisheries Service.
1971
– The Secretary of Commerce establishes the
Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee
to advise on marine fisheries resource issues.
1972
– The
Marine Mammal Protection Act
establishes a moratorium on taking marine mammals in U.S. waters and by U.S. citizens on the high seas.
1973
– The
Endangered Species Act
protects species and populations whose numbers are low or declining. NOAA Fisheries is responsible for marine species under the law.
1976
– The Fishery Conservation and Management Act establishes
eight regional fishery management councils
and a 200-mile fishery conservation zone.
1978
– NOAA Fisheries begins receiving federal funding for the
Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Program
. In 1980, Congress enacts formal program authority to fund fishing industry development projects. It expands this authority in 1983, establishing a minimum percentage of grant funds to be used to provide financial assistance to projects.
Senators Warren Magnuson of Washington and Ted Stevens of Alaska.
1980
– The original Fishery Conservation and Management Act is renamed the
Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act
in honor of Washington state Senator Warren Magnuson.
Implementing the Missions & Strengthening the Provisions
1980
– The
National Aquaculture Act of 1980
establishes aquaculture as a national policy priority for the United States and creates the Interagency Working Group on Aquaculture.
1981
– Amendments to the
Lacey Act
make it illegal to trade in fish, wildlife, or plants taken in violation of any U.S. or tribal law, treaty, or regulation.
1983
– President Reagan designates the fishery conservation zone as the
U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone
.
1986
– NOAA begins placing fisheries observers (professionally trained biological scientists with a bachelor’s degree in natural sciences and rigorous training) on domestic fishing vessels. Today, the program supports nearly 900
observers and at-sea monitors
.
1990
– The
Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act
is passed, mandating the establishment of a national tuna tracking program.
1992
– The
Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program
is formalized through amendments to the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
1994
–
Eastern Pacific Gray whales
are removed from the Endangered Species list.
1995
– Marine Mammal Protection Act re-authorization establishes
Take Reduction Teams
and requires marine mammal stock assessments. The first
Fisheries of the United States report
is published.
1996
– The
Sustainable Fisheries Act
recognizes the importance of healthy habitat for commercial and recreational fisheries and establishes
essential fish habitat
requirements. The
Community-Based Restoration Program
is created to help implement coastal restoration projects.
1997
– NOAA releases the
first annual report on the status of U.S. Fisheries
(Status of Stocks).
1998
–
Vessel Monitoring Systems
are put in place to track commercial fishing operations.
1999
– The
International Dolphin Conservation Program Act
amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act, providing greater protections for dolphins in the eastern Pacific.
Return on Investments in Stewardship
2001
–
Atlantic sea scallops
are declared rebuilt following declines in the 1990s.
2006
– The first
Fisheries Economics of the United States report
is published, detailing the economic impacts of U.S. commercial and recreational fishing activities and fishing-related industries.
Former President George W. Bush signs the MSA Reauthorization Act in 2007.
2007
– The
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act
is signed into law and places U.S. fisheries on the path to global leadership. Revisions to the original Magnuson-Stevens Act include annual catch limits and accountability measures for every fishery. It strengthens the role of science through peer review, scientific and statistical committees, and the
Marine Recreational Information Program
. The international provisions of the Reauthorization Act strengthen international fisheries management organizations. They also direct the United States to address
illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing
and
bycatch
of protected marine life.
2008
– The
Ship Strike Reduction Rule
is implemented to protect North Atlantic right whales and other whales, dolphins, and porpoises from ship strikes.
2009
– NOAA Fisheries begins an initiative to strengthen
partnerships with the recreational fishing community
.
2010
– The
Deepwater Horizon
oil spill
releases more than 200 million gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico) for a total of 87 days, making it the largest marine oil spill in U.S. history. In 2016, NOAA releases the final
Deepwater Horizon
restoration plan as part of an $8.8 billion legal settlement with BP.
2011
– The
Shark Conservation Act
improves the conservation of sharks domestically and internationally.
2013
– The
Eastern population segment of Steller sea lions
is removed from the Endangered Species list.
2014
– The
OceanAdapt
tool is launched to track shifting fish distribution in response to climate change. A
Presidential Task Force
is established to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and seafood fraud. The Task Force involves 12 federal agencies, co-led by the State Department and NOAA. It identified 15 actions to strengthen enforcement. One of those actions resulted in establishing the
Seafood Import Monitoring Program
for 17 key species vulnerable to IUU and seafood fraud.
2016
– As we celebrate the
40
th
anniversary of the Magnuson-Stevens Act
, overfishing and overfished numbers hit historic all-time lows. Just 8 percent of managed fish stocks are on the overfishing list and 16 percent of stocks are considered overfished—all of them are under rebuilding plans.
2016
– The United States represents one of the
largest single markets for fish and fish products
, second only to the European Union in imports. In 2016, the European Union, United States, and Japanese markets together accounted for approximately 64 percent of the total value of world imports of fish and fish products.
2017
– The percent of stocks experiencing overfishing dropped by 63 percent since 2000. The percent of overfished stocks dropped by 61 percent since 2000.
2019
– An estimated 91 percent of all U.S.-managed seafood species are not experiencing overfishing with 82 percent of stocks not overfished and 45 stocks fully rebuilt since 2000. This is a 97 percent increase in the
Fish Stock Sustainability Index
since tracking began in 2000.
Our History
Learn major events in the history of NOAA Fisheries dating back to 1871.
More Information
History of NOAA Fisheries in the Northeast
Skip to main content
About Us
NOAA Fisheries is responsible for the stewardship of the nation's ocean resources and their habitat.
Our Mission
NOAA Fisheries, also known as the National Marine Fisheries Service, is responsible for the stewardship of the nation's ocean resources and their habitat.
Our Mission
NOAA Fisheries is responsible for the stewardship of the nation's ocean resources and their habitat. We provide vital services for the nation, all backed by sound science and an ecosystem-based approach to management:
Productive and sustainable fisheries
Safe sources of seafood
Recovery and conservation of protected resources
Healthy ecosystems
Watch the video below for a glimpse into our work supporting commercial and recreational fishing, protecting marine life, and conserving and restoring habitat.
U.S. fisheries are among the world’s largest and most sustainable. Seafood harvested from federally-managed U.S. fisheries is inherently sustainable as a result of the U.S. fishery management process. Using the
Magnuson-Stevens Act
as the guide, NOAA Fisheries assesses and predicts the status of fish stocks, sets catch limits, ensures compliance with fisheries regulations, and reduces bycatch.
Eight fishery management councils
are key regional partners in U.S. fishery management.
The resilience of our marine ecosystems and coastal communities depend on healthy marine species, including protected species such as whales, sea turtles, corals, and salmon. Under the
Marine Mammal Protection Act
and the
Endangered Species Act
, NOAA Fisheries works to recover protected marine species while allowing economic and recreational opportunities.
NOAA Fisheries, also known as the National Marine Fisheries Service, is an office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration within the Department of Commerce. We have five regional offices, six science centers, and more than 20 laboratories around the United States and U.S. territories, and we work with partners across the nation.
Image
Economic impacts of U.S. fisheries in 2023. $319 billion in sales impacts generated nationally—a 4 percent decrease from 2022—with $145 billion in sales impacts generated by recreational fishing, and $173 billion in sales impacts generated by commercial fishing and the seafood industry. 2.1 million jobs supported nationally—a 6 percent decrease from 2022—with 0.7 million jobs supported by recreational fishing, and 1.4 million jobs supported by commercial fishing and the seafood industry.
Fact
More than 4 million square miles
Our primary jurisdiction is the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, which contains more than 4 million square miles of ocean.
Fact
163 endangered and threatened species
We have jurisdiction over 163 endangered and threatened marine species, including 65 foreign species.
Fact
2.1 million jobs and $319 billion in sales
In 2023, U.S. commercial and recreational fisheries generated $319 billion in sales and supported 2.1 million jobs.
Show me another fact
NOAA Fisheries
Contact Us
Sign Up for FishNews
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOAA.gov
About NOAA
Budget
News and Features
No Fear Act
U.S. Department of Commerce
Commerce.gov
About Commerce
Commerce Blog
More Federal Resources
USA.gov
FederalRegister.gov
Regulations.gov
Grants.gov
Trade.gov
Small Business
Professional & Technical Services
Regional Highlights
Alaska
Arctic
Cook Inlet beluga whale
Deep-sea corals and fish habitat
Ecosystem science & management
Electronic monitoring and observers
Northern fur seals
Steller sea lions
Sustainable fisheries management
New England / Mid-Atlantic
Aquaculture
Atlantic salmon
Climate change and fisheries
Electronic fisheries monitoring
Marine mammal unusual mortality events
Right whales
Summer flounder
Pacific Islands
Bottomfish
Coral reef ecosystems
False killer whales
Hawaiian monk seals
Longline fisheries
Marine mammal response
Marine national monuments
Sea turtles
Spinner dolphins
Southeast
Aquaculture
Bottlenose dolphins
Corals
Deepwater Horizon recovery & restoration
Gulf and South Atlantic red snapper
Large-scale habitat loss
Large-scale recreational fisheries
Right whales
Sea turtles
West Coast
Habitat restoration
Hatchery production and conservation
Ecosystem science
Fishing community resilience
Fish passage
Pacific bluefin tuna rebuilding
Salmon recovery
Sea lion predation on at-risk fish
Southern Resident killer whale recovery
Whale entanglements
Recent Accomplishments
Released the National Seafood Strategy and Implementation Plan, outlining our approach for enhancing the resilience of the seafood sector to support a thriving U.S. domestic seafood economy.
Advanced restoration of Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico) resources impacted by the 2010 oil spill, completing 43 projects totaling $117 million to restore coastal habitats, oysters, recreational uses, and water quality.
Led an investigation into fraud where nearly 400,000 pounds of foreign crab meat was falsely labeled as "Product of USA," protecting industry members who abide by the rules and consumers from fraud schemes.
Implemented a new, more accurate method for estimating the number of trips taken by recreational anglers, which will improve our understanding of marine ecosystems' health and better guide management decisions.
Provided $1.5 million to support regional aquaculture pilot projects. The 14 selected projects are developing techniques and business models to grow domestic seafood production and addressing industry barriers.
Who We Are
Our Organization and Leadership
View our organizational chart and learn more about our offices and science centers.
Who We Are
NOAA Fisheries employs about 3,000 staff including scientists, policy managers, and enforcement officers, located across the country at our regional offices, science centers and labs, and national headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Scroll below to meet our leadership and see our organization chart.
Employees
3,000
View Our Staff Directory
Headquarters Offices
12
View Our National Programs
Regional Offices
5
View Our Regional Offices
Science Centers
6
View Our Science Centers
Meet Our Leadership
DIRECTOR OF NOAA FISHERIES
Eugenio Piñeiro Soler
Assistant Administrator of Fisheries
View Bio
Senior Advisors
NOAA Fisheries Directorate
Russell Dunn, Senior Advisor for Recreational Fisheries
Regulatory Programs
Samuel D. Rauch III
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs
View Bio
Senior Advisor
NOAA Fisheries Directorate
Mike Tosatto, Senior Advisor for Permitting and Efficiency
National Regulatory Programs
Office of Sustainable Fisheries
Kelly Denit, Director
Office of Protected Resources
Kimberly Damon-Randall, Director
Office of Habitat Conservation
Carrie Selberg Robinson, Director
Office of Policy
Jenni Wallace, Director
Regional Offices
Alaska Regional Office
Jon Kurland, Regional Administrator
Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office
Michael Pentony, Regional Administrator
Pacific Islands Regional Office
Sarah Malloy, Regional Administrator
Southeast Regional Office
Andy Strelcheck, Regional Administrator
West Coast Regional Office
Jennifer Quan, Regional Administrator
Science
Evan Howell, Ph.D.
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Scientific Programs
View Bio
Science Advisors
NOAA Fisheries Directorate
Jason Link, Ph.D., Senior Scientist for Ecosystem Management
NOAA Fisheries Directorate
David Demer, Ph.D., Senior Scientist for Surveys and Data Acquisitions
NOAA Fisheries Directorate
Rick Methot, Ph.D., Science Synthesis and Coordination Program Manager
National Science Program
Office of Science and Technology
David Detlor, Acting Director
Science Centers
Alaska Fisheries Science Center
Robert Foy, Ph.D., Director
Northeast Fisheries Science Center
Jon Hare, Ph.D., Director
Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
Charles Littnan, Ph.D., Director
Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Clay Porch, Ph.D., Director
Southwest Fisheries Science Center
Kristen Koch, Director
Northwest Fisheries Science Center
Jeremy D. Rusin, Science Director
Operations
Emily Menashes
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations for NOAA Fisheries
View Bio
National Operational Offices
NOAA Fisheries Directorate
Brianne Szczepanek, Chief of Staff
Office of Aquaculture
Danielle Blacklock, Director
Office of Law Enforcement
James Binniker, Director
Office of International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce
Alexa Cole, Director
Office of Management and Budget
Brian Pawlak, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Office of Management and Budget
Office of Chief Information Officer
Samir Mehta, Acting Chief Information Officer
Office of Communications
Michael Murphy, Communications Director
Equal Employment Opportunity
Melissa Johnson, Acting Director
Human Capital Management Office
Joshua Jackson, Director
Where We Work
Our Regions
NOAA Fisheries is headquartered in Silver Spring, MD and has five distinct geographic regions.
NOAA Fisheries Locations
Headquarters (Silver Spring, MD)
National Program Offices
Aquaculture
Habitat Conservation
International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce
Law Enforcement
Protected Resources
Science and Technology
Sustainable Fisheries
Alaska
Regional Office
About Us
Contact Us
Science Center & Labs
About Us
Contact Us
Explore This Region
New England / Mid-Atlantic
Regional Office
About Us
Contact Us
Science Center & Labs
About Us
Contact Us
Explore This Region
Pacific Islands
Regional Office
About Us
Contact Us
Science Center & Labs
About Us
Contact Us
Explore This Region
Southeast
Regional Office
About Us
Contact Us
Science Center & Labs
About Us
Contact Us
Explore This Region
West Coast
Regional Office
About Us
Contact Us
Science Centers & Labs
About Us - Northwest
Contact Us - Northwest
About Us - Southwest
Contact Us - Southwest
Explore This Region
Our History
The Foundations of Fishery Science and Management
1871
– President Ulysses S. Grant creates the United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries. It is the first federal agency focused on natural resource conservation, and its founding represents the genesis of today’s NOAA Fisheries, or National Marine Fisheries Service. The Smithsonian Institution operates the Commission. Smithsonian Assistant Secretary Spencer Baird serves as the first U.S. Fish Commissioner until 1888. To this day, NOAA Fisheries continues a scientific relationship with the
Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History
, which is also home to the Baird Auditorium and the world’s largest collection of fish.
1872
– The first federal fish hatchery, known as the Baird Hatchery, is established on the McCloud River in California to replenish salmon populations impacted by the California gold rush.
The original Woods Hole Laboratory.
1885
– The original Woods Hole Laboratory is completed. It is the first of more than 20 present-day NOAA Fisheries laboratories. It later moves to a new building in 1960. Today, visitors are welcome at the
Woods Hole Aquarium
.
1889
– The Federal Fisheries Act (amended in 1900) requires each person, company, or corporation to establish a fish hatchery near their fishing operation and to produce "four times" the number of mature salmon taken during the fishing season.
Ushering in a New Era of Natural Resource Awareness
1903
– The U.S. Fish Commission is renamed the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries and placed under the newly created Department of Commerce and Labor.
1913
– The Department of Commerce and Labor splits into two separate departments: the Department of Commerce and the Department of Labor. The
Department of Commerce
retains the Bureau of Fisheries.
1939
– The Act of August 11, 1939 (renamed the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act in 1954) is signed into law. It establishes a fund to provide grants or cooperative agreements for research and development projects addressing aspects of U.S. fisheries including harvesting, processing, and marketing.
1940
– The 1940 Reorganization Plan No. III merges the Bureau of Fisheries and the Biological Survey as part of U.S. Fish & Wildlife under the Department of the Interior. The plan also establishes five regional fisheries offices in Juneau, Alaska; Gloucester, Massachusetts; Honolulu, Hawaii; St. Petersburg, Florida; and Portland, Oregon.
1956
– The Fish and Wildlife Act creates the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
, which initially includes two bureaus: the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries (the descendant of the original U.S. Fish Commission) and the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. Under the Act, seals, sea lions, dolphins, and porpoises are managed by the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. Sea otters, manatees, walruses, and most freshwater fish hatcheries are managed by the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. The Act also declares a National Fishery Policy recognizing the nation’s fish, shellfish, and wildlife as a valuable, renewable natural resource.
1958
– The first
United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea
convenes in Geneva with 86 nations participating. For the first time, broad agreement is reached on a system of rules to guide nations toward preserving marine species.
1966
– The Sea Grant Act establishes an academic/industry/government partnership that uses the nation’s existing collegiate and university resources to address the marine and coastal resource management needs of U.S. citizens.
1967-1969
– Marine resource concerns lead Congress to authorize the creation of the Commission on Marine Science, Engineering and Resources. In January 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson appoints the 15 member commission to begin to study the nation’s marine problems and needs. Chaired by Julius A. Stratton of the Ford Foundation, it is simply referred to as the “Stratton Commission.” The Commission presents its final report to Congress on January 11, 1969 and recommends the creation of a new federal entity—the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency. The agency would include the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries and other federal marine and anadromous fishery functions, the
National Sea Grant College Program
, and other agencies.
Establishing the Infrastructure of Science-Based Stewardship
1969
– The
National Environmental Policy Act
requires federal agencies to integrate environmental values into their decision-making processes by considering the environmental impacts of their major proposed actions. Its primary goal is to foster better decision making that takes into account all of the environmental impacts of an action and involve the public in that decision making.
1970
– President Nixon and Congress establish the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
in the Department of Commerce under
Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970
. As part of the reorganization plan, the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries is transferred from the Department of the Interior to the Department of Commerce and renamed the National Marine Fisheries Service.
1971
– The Secretary of Commerce establishes the
Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee
to advise on marine fisheries resource issues.
1972
– The
Marine Mammal Protection Act
establishes a moratorium on taking marine mammals in U.S. waters and by U.S. citizens on the high seas.
1973
– The
Endangered Species Act
protects species and populations whose numbers are low or declining. NOAA Fisheries is responsible for marine species under the law.
1976
– The Fishery Conservation and Management Act establishes
eight regional fishery management councils
and a 200-mile fishery conservation zone.
1978
– NOAA Fisheries begins receiving federal funding for the
Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Program
. In 1980, Congress enacts formal program authority to fund fishing industry development projects. It expands this authority in 1983, establishing a minimum percentage of grant funds to be used to provide financial assistance to projects.
Senators Warren Magnuson of Washington and Ted Stevens of Alaska.
1980
– The original Fishery Conservation and Management Act is renamed the
Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act
in honor of Washington state Senator Warren Magnuson.
Implementing the Missions & Strengthening the Provisions
1980
– The
National Aquaculture Act of 1980
establishes aquaculture as a national policy priority for the United States and creates the Interagency Working Group on Aquaculture.
1981
– Amendments to the
Lacey Act
make it illegal to trade in fish, wildlife, or plants taken in violation of any U.S. or tribal law, treaty, or regulation.
1983
– President Reagan designates the fishery conservation zone as the
U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone
.
1986
– NOAA begins placing fisheries observers (professionally trained biological scientists with a bachelor’s degree in natural sciences and rigorous training) on domestic fishing vessels. Today, the program supports nearly 900
observers and at-sea monitors
.
1990
– The
Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act
is passed, mandating the establishment of a national tuna tracking program.
1992
– The
Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program
is formalized through amendments to the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
1994
–
Eastern Pacific Gray whales
are removed from the Endangered Species list.
1995
– Marine Mammal Protection Act re-authorization establishes
Take Reduction Teams
and requires marine mammal stock assessments. The first
Fisheries of the United States report
is published.
1996
– The
Sustainable Fisheries Act
recognizes the importance of healthy habitat for commercial and recreational fisheries and establishes
essential fish habitat
requirements. The
Community-Based Restoration Program
is created to help implement coastal restoration projects.
1997
– NOAA releases the
first annual report on the status of U.S. Fisheries
(Status of Stocks).
1998
–
Vessel Monitoring Systems
are put in place to track commercial fishing operations.
1999
– The
International Dolphin Conservation Program Act
amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act, providing greater protections for dolphins in the eastern Pacific.
Return on Investments in Stewardship
2001
–
Atlantic sea scallops
are declared rebuilt following declines in the 1990s.
2006
– The first
Fisheries Economics of the United States report
is published, detailing the economic impacts of U.S. commercial and recreational fishing activities and fishing-related industries.
Former President George W. Bush signs the MSA Reauthorization Act in 2007.
2007
– The
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act
is signed into law and places U.S. fisheries on the path to global leadership. Revisions to the original Magnuson-Stevens Act include annual catch limits and accountability measures for every fishery. It strengthens the role of science through peer review, scientific and statistical committees, and the
Marine Recreational Information Program
. The international provisions of the Reauthorization Act strengthen international fisheries management organizations. They also direct the United States to address
illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing
and
bycatch
of protected marine life.
2008
– The
Ship Strike Reduction Rule
is implemented to protect North Atlantic right whales and other whales, dolphins, and porpoises from ship strikes.
2009
– NOAA Fisheries begins an initiative to strengthen
partnerships with the recreational fishing community
.
2010
– The
Deepwater Horizon
oil spill
releases more than 200 million gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico) for a total of 87 days, making it the largest marine oil spill in U.S. history. In 2016, NOAA releases the final
Deepwater Horizon
restoration plan as part of an $8.8 billion legal settlement with BP.
2011
– The
Shark Conservation Act
improves the conservation of sharks domestically and internationally.
2013
– The
Eastern population segment of Steller sea lions
is removed from the Endangered Species list.
2014
– The
OceanAdapt
tool is launched to track shifting fish distribution in response to climate change. A
Presidential Task Force
is established to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and seafood fraud. The Task Force involves 12 federal agencies, co-led by the State Department and NOAA. It identified 15 actions to strengthen enforcement. One of those actions resulted in establishing the
Seafood Import Monitoring Program
for 17 key species vulnerable to IUU and seafood fraud.
2016
– As we celebrate the
40
th
anniversary of the Magnuson-Stevens Act
, overfishing and overfished numbers hit historic all-time lows. Just 8 percent of managed fish stocks are on the overfishing list and 16 percent of stocks are considered overfished—all of them are under rebuilding plans.
2016
– The United States represents one of the
largest single markets for fish and fish products
, second only to the European Union in imports. In 2016, the European Union, United States, and Japanese markets together accounted for approximately 64 percent of the total value of world imports of fish and fish products.
2017
– The percent of stocks experiencing overfishing dropped by 63 percent since 2000. The percent of overfished stocks dropped by 61 percent since 2000.
2019
– An estimated 91 percent of all U.S.-managed seafood species are not experiencing overfishing with 82 percent of stocks not overfished and 45 stocks fully rebuilt since 2000. This is a 97 percent increase in the
Fish Stock Sustainability Index
since tracking began in 2000.
Our History
Learn major events in the history of NOAA Fisheries dating back to 1871.
More Information
History of NOAA Fisheries in the Northeast