Lou Goodreau, a New England Fishery Management Council staffer who played a key role in its successful turnaround of the East Coast scallop fishery, was honored by the council for his 45-year career there.

Goodreau, an economist and information technology specialist, came on the council in March 1977 soon after it was formed under the original legislation now known as the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

According to a statement from the council, Goodreau is the third longest-serving staff member among the nation’s eight regional councils. At the New England council he worked under four executive directors and two acting executive directors, with a hand in creating the council’s information and computer systems and key fishery management plans.

Goodreau worked on nearly every New England council fishery management plan, and economic analyses for the first groundfish, herring and scallop plans.

He was the first chair of the Scallop Plan Development Team during the successful implementation of limited access, effort controls, and vessel monitoring systems in the fishery. Coming after years of declining stock and harvest numbers, the turnround resulted in stock rebuilding and economic stability that makes the Atlantic sea scallop one of the richest sustainable fisheries in the nation.

The council opened its April 12-14 meeting in Mystic, Conn., by paying tribute to Goodreau, who will retire in May.

“The council’s successes are due in no small part to the dedication and skill of the supporting staff. You have been an anchor of our staff from its inception, and you’ve remained committed to the MSA’s founding principles of science, transparency, and inclusionary engagement,” Council chair Eric Reid told Goodreau. “Few can match the history and experiences you have seen over your remarkable career.”

“I respect you, the council members, most for your courageous decision-making in the past and in the future,” said Goodreau. “Your staff is one of the best I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen them all.”