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Commercial Fisheries News
Volume 35 Number 10
June 2008
ASMFC presents 2008 excellence awards
ALEXANDRIA, VA – Recognizing his “tireless devotion to effective management” and his “ability to bridge the gap between stakeholders” and the convoluted fishery management process, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) on May 6 presented its 2008 Annual Award of Excellence in Management and Policy to David Pierce of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF).
The commission presented its annual Scientific, Technical, and Advisory Award of Excellence to Gary Nelson, also of DMF, while the law enforcement award went to Sgt. Frances Ethier of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Division of Law Enforcement.
MA’s David Pierce
During an evening awards ceremony here, ASMFC Chairman George Lapointe of Maine highlighted Pierce’s unique ability to blend science, policy, and decades of fisheries management knowledge into his work.
Calling him “an indispensable asset to his state and its fishing constituents,” Lapointe also emphasized how Pierce was “always prepared and insightful in his approach to resolving complex fisheries management problems” and was “never afraid to think outside the box and provide novel approaches to difficult challenges.”
A DMF biologist and manager for over 30 years, Pierce has been particularly involved in the management of Atlantic herring, fluke, scup, black sea bass, dogfish, and tautog.
In 2007, he took on a new role as adjunct faculty at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth as a part-time instructor at the School for Marine Science and Technology, where he works with graduate students on marine policy for ocean and coastal resource management.
“In all that he does, (Pierce) strives to serve as a role model and mentor … instilling a passion and firm commitment to the sustainable use of marine resources,” said Lapointe.
DMF’s Gary Nelson
Gary Nelson, who has been with DMF since 2001, heads up its analysis and statistical modeling group. ASMFC recognized him for his “unfailing and innovative work in stock assessment and fish biology.”
Nelson is best known for his work with striped bass and his leadership in pursuing “novel data analysis approaches.” He chairs ASMFC’s Striped Bass Technical Committee and its Striped Bass Stock Assessment Subcommittee and oversaw the successful 2007 striped bass assessment. He conducts research on striped bass feeding, as well as on the biology of sand eels, little skates, wolffish, spotted seatrout, and pinfish, and serves on ASMFC’s Atlantic Menhaden Technical Committee.
While presenting the award, Lapointe noted Nelson’s “great emphasis on sharing his knowledge and expertise” with colleagues.
This spring, Nelson will contribute to ASMFC’s Advanced Stock Assessment Training Series by co-teaching a course on linear models. He also serves as adjunct faculty to the Department of Natural Resources Conservation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, teaching a number of short courses on statistics, analysis of biological data, and sampling design.
Nelson recently was appointed chair of the Shad and River Herring Stock Assessment Subcommittee, where, said Lapointe, “He will now use his considerable expertise to lead the critical assessment of our declining river herring stocks.”
Sgt. Frances Ethier
ASMFC honored award recipient Sgt. Ethier for her extensive contributions to law enforcement activities.
Of particular note, while working cooperatively with National Marine Fisheries Service special agents and the Connecticut Environmental Police, Ethier spearheaded an investigation involving multiple monkfish and dogfish management plan violations, as well as violations for fishing in federal waters without proper permits.
Furthermore, she coordinated patrols to search for illegally set gear throughout Rhode Island and federal waters.
“This ultimately led to the seizure of several gillnets and lobster traps and the issuance of three separate NOVAs in the amount of $1.2 million against two separate fishing vessels and the owner of both vessels,” said Jack Travelstead of Virginia, chairman of ASMFC’s awards committee, who presented the enforcement award.
Ethier first became interested in fisheries law enforcement over 20 years ago while working summers on a lobster boat to help pay for college. She was intrigued by the procedure involved with a routine boarding.
In 1989, she finished up a master’s degree in marine affairs at the University of Rhode Island and began working for the state.
Travelstead called her a “true professional, recognized coastwide by colleagues and fishermen alike as an honest, dedicated, and fair officer.” /cfn/
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