This will be my final column in my role as the assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries. It has been one of the greatest honors in my professional career to serve in this role. The final year of my tenure has been unprecedented for both the industry and the agency.

2020 has been extremely challenging for all of us and there may be more months of struggle ahead, but I believe we can finally see a light at the end of this tunnel. Through the dedication of NOAA’s professional staff, I know the industry will come out stronger than ever before.

We have a system in place to ensure sustainable management of our ocean resources while amplifying the economic value of commercial and recreational fisheries. The science and management partnerships built between the industry, regional fishery management councils, interstate fishery management commissions, NOAA Fisheries and our many other external partners will enable us to identify the many challenges the future holds and work collaboratively to address them head on.

I want to thank all of our partners, the many participants in our commercial, recreational and aquaculture industries and the staff here at NOAA Fisheries for the opportunity to serve the American people in this capacity.