Seafood Harvesters of America: Letter to Chairman Thune and Ranking Member Nelson, Committee on Commerce

The Honorable John Thune, ChairmanThe Honorable Bill Nelson, Ranking MemberCommittee on Commerce, Science and Transportation United States SenateWashington, DC 20510Chairman Thune and Ranking Member Nelson,As members of the Seafood Harvesters of America, we write in support of the nomination for Barry Myers to serve as Under-Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and as the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.The Seafood Harvesters represent commercial fishing organizations and fishermen across the nation, from the Bering Sea to the Gulf of Mexico and out on Georges Bank. Our members are privileged to go to sea every day, bringing to market healthy, domestic, sustainable seafood. Our commercial fishermen depend upon and live with accountability in our fisheries, transparency in the regulatory process and support science-based management so that future generations will have access to sustainable fisheries.We believe that Mr. Myers can successfully lead NOAA given his experience in directing a world-class private sector science-based company; his expertise in managing and motivating researchers and forecasters; and his success in delivering timely information to businesses and the public. Given that many of NOAA’s biggest challenges can be addressed through better management, streamlined decision making and leveraging private sector assets, Mr. Myer’s is an excellent choice.Mr. Myers testimony before your committee last week highlighted his support for science in advancing monitoring, research and forecasting in a rapidly changing environment. Warming waters, loss of habitat and migrating species are major challenges for our nation’s fisheries and we are hopeful that Mr. Myers can leverage his private-sector experience to modernize NOAA’s fishery data systems to reduce uncertainty and help maximize sustainable yields. Mr. Myers’ embracement of technologies to advance transparency and accountability in our fisheries could dramatically improve management of mixed-use species such as summer flounder and red snapper.We share Mr. Myers’ priority for reducing our nation’s seafood supply deficit as it is critical that our fishermen have the support necessary to compete in the global seafood marketplace.We greatly appreciate your leadership and urge the Senate to confirm Mr. Myers before the holidays so that NOAA can have the strategic leadership necessary to address the challenges facing our nation’s fisheries and fishing communities.Sincerely,Bob Alverson Fishing Vessel Owners’ Association Chris Brown Rhode Island Commercial Fishermen’s AssociationJack Cox South Atlantic Fishermen’s AssociationKeith “Buddy” Guindon Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholder’s AllianceBob Kehoe Purse Seine Vessel Owners’ AssociationHeather Mann Midwater Trawlers CooperativeBrent Paine United Catcher BoatsEdward Poulsen Alaska Bering Sea CrabbersRebecca Skinner Alaska Whitefish Trawlers AssociationBrett Veerhusen North Pacific Fisheries AssociationWill Ward Gulf Fishermen’s Association