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U.S. Senate Urges Improvements in Fisheries Survey Efforts During NOAA Fisheries Nominee Hearing

(vasep.com.vn) On October 22, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a confirmation hearing for Mr. Timothy Petty, who was nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, overseeing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries).

Mr. Petty, a geologist by training, previously served as Assistant Secretary for Water and Science at the U.S. Department of the Interior (2018–2021) and currently works as a senior staff member of the House Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries.

During the hearing, senators emphasized the urgent need to improve fisheries survey and stock assessment programs, which are critical for managing commercial fisheries and protecting fishermen’s livelihoods.

Senator Dan Sullivan (R–Alaska) pressed Mr. Petty to commit to enhancing the quality of fisheries surveys and to ensure the timely issuance of fishery opening regulations. He also urged that, if confirmed, Mr. Petty expedite the approval of disaster relief funding for Alaska’s salmon fisheries affected during the 2021–2022 seasons.

Senator Maria Cantwell (D–Washington) stressed that effective fisheries management is impossible without accurate stock assessment data. She argued that NOAA needs additional personnel and resources to fulfill its scientific mission, criticizing the Trump administration for cutting NOAA’s budget by 27% and laying off more than 500 employees, which led to canceled surveys and negatively impacted commercially valuable species, particularly salmon.

In response, Mr. Petty affirmed his commitment to science-based policymaking and pledged that, if confirmed, he would prioritize restoring fisheries survey programs and accelerate the processing of disaster relief funds.