NOAA to Honor National Leaders in Sustainable Fisheries

Written by NOAA Fisheries Service

Wednesday, 21 May 2008

Photo by David J. Sams NOAA’s Fisheries Service announced its honors for individual and organizational efforts to enhance the understanding, protection, and sustainable use of U.S. ocean resources. This recognition is part of the agency’s third annual Sustainable Fisheries Leadership Awards program. “The health and sustainability of the planet’s ocean resources is of paramount importance for the world’s environmental, economic, and human wellbeing,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “The contributions of our honorees inspire others and enhance NOAA’s work to conserve and manage our nation’s marine resources.” In the six categories of achievement, three were awarded to Texans: * Patrick F. Riley of Freeport, Capt. Manuel Calderón of Angleton, and Capt. Louis Stephenson of Hitchcock will receive the Stewardship and Sustainability Award for their leadership in the development and assessment of effective, efficient equipment to reduce the incidental catch and mortality of sea turtles and sharply reduce fuel use in the Gulf and South Atlantic shrimp industry. Shrimp by-catch in the Gulf of Mexico floats away from a vessel. Photo by David J. Sams * The Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Population Restoration Program, based at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, will receive the Conservation Partnership Award. A total of 26 partners representing federal, state and local governments, nongovernmental organizations, scientists, businesses and volunteers from the United States and Mexico have worked together for 30 years to protect and recover Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles in the Gulf of Mexico. When the project began in 1978, an estimated 924 turtle nests were identified and protected that year. In 2007, more than 15,000 nests were protected, and more than one million baby turtles were released into the Gulf of Mexico. * Ralph Rayburn will be honored posthumously for his lifetime contributions to ensure conscientious management of marine resources in the Gulf of Mexico. Rayburn, who died this past January, was a visionary who worked cooperatively with shrimp fishermen and conservationists to help solve the problem of unintended sea turtle catches in the shrimp fishery. Rayburn represented the shrimp industry as executive director of the Texas Shrimp Association, worked for state and federal resource management agencies—the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council—and helped direct university research as associate director of the Texas Sea Grant College program at Texas A&M University.

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 21 May 2008 )

 

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