WASHINGTON – The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership today welcomed the appointment of Eric Schwaab as assistant administrator for fisheries for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Schwaab, who in his new position will oversee management and conservation of marine fisheries and marine mammals, sea turtles and coastal fisheries habitat within the U.S. economic zone, has a long history of partnership with the TRCP in attaining goals important to the sportsmen-conservation community.
 
Schwaab’s career spans more than 25 years’ involvement in resource management at the local, state and federal levels. As resource director for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, he co-chaired the TRCP Marine Conservation Working Group and was instrumental in bolstering the interests of angler-conservationists in the 2007 reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, which governs marine fisheries management in federal waters. Schwaab comes to NOAA from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, where he was deputy secretary, and has served as a member of the U.S. Department of Commerce Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee.
 
“Having worked with Eric Schwaab on fisheries issues over the years, I am confident he will bring a common-sense approach, open mind and collaborative spirit to this important position,” said Tom Sadler, who oversees the TRCP’s marine fisheries initiative. “The TRCP looks forward to continuing to partner with Eric as we seek to ensure effective management and conservation of America’s unique marine resources and recreational opportunities.”
 
In a statement announcing Schwaab’s appointment, Dr. Jane Lubchenco, under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator, called him a “creative and proven manager, consensus builder and leader” and said that his experience and leadership will “bring a fresh perspective to the management of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service.”
 
The NMFS is charged with protecting and preserving the nation’s marine resources through scientific research, fisheries management, law enforcement and habitat conservation. Schwaab will begin work in his new position on Feb. 16.
 
“The recreational angling community greatly valued the leadership of Eric Schwaab as we labored toward reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act,” said Jim Martin, TRCP board chairman and conservation director of the Berkley Conservation Institute. “We also appreciated his leadership in the development of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan.