Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker has appointed Gulf Seafood Institute’s President Harlon Pearce, along with three other new advisors, to NOAA’s Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee. Photo: Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News
by NOAA staff and Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood New Editor
Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker has appointed Gulf Seafood Institute’s President Harlon Pearce, along with three other new advisors, to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee. The Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC) advises the Secretary on all living marine resource matters currently the responsibility of the Department of Commerce.
As owner and operator of Harlon’s LA Fish in New Orleans, a seafood processing and distribution company, Pearce has more than 46 years of experience in the seafood industry. Photo: Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News
According to NOAA, the expertise of MAFAC members is used to evaluate and recommend priorities and needed changes in national programs and policies, including the periodic reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act. The members represent a wide spectrum of fishing, aquaculture, protected resources, environmental, academic, tribal, state, consumer, and other related national interests from across the U.S., and ensure the nation’s living marine resource policies and programs meet the needs of these stakeholders.
As owner and operator of Harlon’s LA Fish in New Orleans, a seafood processing and distribution company, Pearce has more than 46 years of experience in the seafood industry. He has been an advocate for developing strong and viable seafood industries, a “go to” source for the media and seafood events, and a guest speaker and lecturer.
A tireless spokesperson for Gulf seafood, he was instrumental in the foundation of the Gulf Seafood Institute, which advocates on behalf of the entire Gulf seafood community. Photo: Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News
A tireless spokesperson for Gulf seafood, he was instrumental in the foundation of the Gulf Seafood Institute, which advocates on behalf of the entire Gulf seafood community. Pearce previously served for nine years as the Louisiana Representative on Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council and for 11-years was Chairman of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, a tenure which spanned both the devastating hurricane season of 2005 and the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.
“MAFAC is the only federal advisory panel making recommendations to NOAA and the Secretary of Commerce on living marine resource responsibilities,” explained Pearce about his appointment. “In recent years, MAFAC has provided advice on the climate science strategy, the Endangered Species Act, aquaculture policy and research, recreational fishing policies, Magnuson-Stevens Act reauthorization topics, sustainable seafood certification, ocean policy, as well as catch share issues.”
According to GSI’s Executive Director Margaret Henderson, “Harlon’s breadth of experience with Gulf fisheries will be a tremendous asset to MAFAC, NOAA and to the mission of sustaining ocean resources overall. One of Harlon’s strengths is his unique ability to bring people together to speak with one voice. The Gulf seafood community is proud to have him positioned to have such great influence with the federal decision-making process.”
Serving a three-year term, the four new appointees bring the group’s membership to a full complement of 21. Joining Pearce as new advisors to the NOAA committee are:
- Erika Feller of Washington, District of Columbia: Feller serves as Program Director for North American Fisheries for The Nature Conservancy. She has 20 years of experience working directly with fishermen, harbormasters and government officials on innovative projects to promote sustainable fishing to meet community needs while reducing bycatch risk and protecting important fish habitat.
- Peter Moore of Newark, Delaware: Moore is the Stakeholder Liaison for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Association Coastal Ocean Observing System. He is a trained fisheries scientist and former commercial fisherman and policy expert with experience in the production, delivery, and use of marine environmental information for management.
- James Parsons of Sumner, Washington: The owner of Troutlodge, Inc., Parsons is a fish biologist with more than 30 years of experience in aquaculture. His background in aquaculture research dates back to 1978 in research genetics and research and development at numerous companies, including Weyerhaeuser, Clear Springs Foods, Pisces Investments, and Blue Lakes Trout Farms. He currently serves on the Board of the National Aquaculture Association (NAA) and chairs the NAA Marine Aquaculture Committee.
Established under a federal charter by the Secretary of Commerce in 1971, MAFAC’s advice is derived from public deliberations. Recommendations are typically conveyed in meeting summaries, written findings and recommendations, and formal reports transmitted to NMFS, NOAA and the Commerce Department. Issues deliberated are derived from matters the Secretary, or his designee, bring to the Committee regarding those topics affecting living marine resource stewardship that are of growing concern.
Pearce previously served for nine years as the Louisiana Representative on Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council and for 11-years was Chairman of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, a tenure which spanned both the devastating hurricane season of 2005 and the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Photo: Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News
“Harlon has a vast knowledge of the issues facing our fishermen and women, he is dedicated to exploring all options to find a workable solution,” said Bill Hogarth, the GSI member who is the Director of the Florida Institute of Oceanography and formerly served as NOAA’s Assistant Administrator for Fisheries. “He continues to be a strong voice for better catch data and frequent stock assessments. He will be an excellent representative for all aspects of the fishing industry, including its consumers.”
The Committee that generally meets twice a year functions solely as an advisory body and are selected for their expertise to help guide the Department with implementing its stewardship mission over living marine resources in the most effective manner. It is available to the Secretary on an ongoing basis as a source of expertise to be consulted in the development of fisheries policy. The next meeting will be held next year in Portland, OR on the 25th-27th of April.
“This is a great honor to serve and work with some of the leading U.S. fisheries experts,” Pearce told Gulf Seafood News. “We have a lot of important work during the next three years, including the reauthorization of Magnuson Stevens. I look forward to making sure all Gulf of Mexico fisheries are represented.”
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