Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management head Janet Coit was named to lead the National Marine Fisheries Service, also known as NOAA Fisheries, on Monday, 21 June, a move met with wide approval from a variety of stakeholder groups.
Coit will oversee a governmental agency that employs 4,800 people in five regional offices, six science centers, and more than 20 laboratories in 15 states and U.S. territories. It is responsible for the management and conservation of recreational and commercial fisheries, including some aspects of marine aquaculture.
Coit served as the director of the Rhode Island’s DEM for a decade. Her move to NOAA Fisheries – her official titles will be assistant administrator, deputy NOAA administrator, and acting assistant secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere – means she will once again work for U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, who served as Rhode Island’s governor until appointed to her current position by U.S. President Joe Biden.
Seafood Harvesters of America President Chris Brown said in a statement that he was happy to see Coit appointed to the job and looks forward to continuing to work with her. Brown also serves as the president of the Rhode Island Commercial Fishermen’s Association.
National Fisheries Institute President John Connelly said Coit has a reputation of working with stakeholders and is a promoter of seafood both locally and abroad. In Rhode Island, she made sure seafood was harvested responsibly while streamlining agency processes, Connelly said in a statement.
Coit’s appointment comes days after the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment of Rick Spinrad as NOAA administrator. Spinrad was nominated to the position in April 2021.
In a statement after the U.S. Senate’s Thursday, 17 June, approval by voice vote, Raimondo said Spinrad has been a successful scientist, educator, and executive whose career work has focused on promoting and protecting the oceans and their resources. Previously, he served as NOAA’s chief scientist and an assistant administrator for oceans services and coastal zone management. Among his chief priorities will be to develop a balance between environmental sustainability and economic development, according to Raimondo.
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