Former NOAA Assistant Administrator for Fisheries Chris Oliver has joined American Seafoods’ regulatory division as a special advisor on government affairs.
Oliver was appointed to his position at NOAA in June 2017, named to the position by former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, with concurrence from the Trump administration. At the time, he replaced Acting Assistant Administrator Samuel Rauch, and served in the role until his resignation as part of the transfer of power between former U.S. President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden. Paul Doremus took over the reins at NOAA as acting assistant administrator on 25 January, 2021.
Mikel Durham, the CEO of the Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.-based pollock fishing firm, said the company was ""thrilled to have Chris and his deep national and international fisheries experience on our team."
“He’s a sector authority, and his position here underscores our commitment to environmentally sound, sustainable, and productive fishery policies and guiding principles not just for American Seafoods, but also for U.S. fisheries management as a whole," Durham said.
At NOAA, Oliver had oversight over thousands of federal employees and the “sustainment of national fisheries,” American Seafoods said. His appointment to NOAA was supported by over 50 processors and organizations, including American Seafoods.
Prior to his time at NOAA, Oliver was the executive director of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, where he initiated the development of limited-access privilege programs and fishery cooperatives and catch-share programs, the North Pacific’s comprehensive onboard observer program, numerous bycatch reduction programs, extensive habitat protection measures, commercial and recreational allocation programs, and coastal community development programs.
Photo courtesy of American Seafoods
