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Alexandria, VA - Mr. Fred Schwab and Colonel Joseph Fessenden were presented the Commission's Annual Awards
of Excellence at its Spring Meeting in Alexandria, Virginia for their contributions to the success of fisheries
management along the Atlantic coast. They received awards for their efforts in the categories of scientific, technical
and advisory, and law enforcement, respectively.
"Every year a great many people contribute to the success of fisheries management along the Atlantic coast. The
Commission's Annual Awards of Excellence recognizes outstanding efforts by professionals who have made a
difference in the way we manage and conserve our fisheries," said ASMFC Chair, George D. Lapointe, of Maine.
"Today, we honor several outstanding individuals for their contributions to the management and conservation of Atlantic
coast fisheries."
Scientific, Technical and Advisory
Mr. Fred Schwab, long-standing fisheries conservation advocate and striped bass advisor to the Commission, also
received the award for work in the area of scientific, technical and advisory contributions. Mr. Schwab has been an avid
supporter of striped bass conservation for over 30 years. He and other Northeast fishermen were instrumental in
convincing resource managers and elected officials that the decline in striped bass abundance and the problems
associated with overfishing and wasteful fishing practices required a coordinated multi-state conservation program to
restore the stock. Their advocacy was pivotal in leading to enactment of the Emergency Striped Bass Study and
development of an Interstate Fisheries Management Plan (FMP). As one of the charter members of the Commission's
Striped Bass Advisory Committee from 1978 to 1982, he played an important role in the creation of the original Striped
Bass Plan. His unstinting advocacy for the resourcebs conservation ensured that the plan would include effective
conservation measures. Once the FMP was adopted, he worked hard to see it implemented in his home state of New
York, personally lobbying his state legislator on the eve of the Assembly debate on the bill. Mr. Schwab rejoined the
Commissionbs Striped Bass Advisory Panel in 1994 and has served up until this year, consistently advocating for
resource conservation. His experience and extraordinary knowledge, coupled with his willingness to listen to all points
of view, and his even-handed treatment of issues and interests, have made him a model AP member and Chair. The
Commission's ability to achieve fisheries management success is strongly reliant on the service of extraordinary
people like Mr. Schwab, who believe in conservation, are willing to invest their time and energy, and have the ability to
carefully listen and to work with other people whose views they may not share. He is one of the heroes of cooperative
interstate fisheries management.
Law Enforcement
Colonel Joseph Fessenden of the Maine Bureau of Marine Patrol received the award for work in the area of law
enforcement. Colonel Fessenden has over 30 years of experience in marine law enforcement and is a strong believer
in cooperative resource management along the Atlantic coast. His dedication to cooperative law enforcement is
demonstrated by his long-term commitment to the Commission's Law Enforcement Committee and species
management boards. He participates in the Law Enforcement Committee because of importance he places on
coordinating with his state and federal colleagues and sharing new ways of conducting marine fisheries law
enforcement. He has also been a strong proponent of standardized reporting of law enforcement activities and an
effective voice for law enforcement concerns in the Commission's management process. He dedicates valuable time
to the species management boards for Northeast species including, American lobster, Atlantic herring, northern
shrimp, and winter flounder. Colonel Fessenden has also been a leader in the concept of Joint Enforcement
Agreements (JEA) with the National Marine Fisheries Service. The JEA program has allowed states and federal
fisheries enforcement officials to enhance our collective ability to monitor and enforce fisheries laws, a critical
component of all fisheries management programs. His leadership also helped establish the cooperative program with
the U.S. Coast Guard on maritime security. Following the establishment of this program, his state became the first in
the nation to take advantage of this cooperative program. His contributions demonstrate a long-standing commitment
to cooperative marine fisheries law enforcement, characteristics which help the Commission fulfill its mission of
restoring and managing Atlantic coast fisheries resources.
The Commission established the Annual Awards of Excellence in 1998 to recognize the important contributions of
individuals to the success of the organization. The awards are given in the areas of law enforcement, legislation,
management & policy, and scientific, technical & advisory contributions. Each year, the Commission honors the very
best contributions in those areas. For more information, please contact Laura Leach, Director of Finance and
Administration, at (202) 289-6400.
of Excellence at its Spring Meeting in Alexandria, Virginia for their contributions to the success of fisheries
management along the Atlantic coast. They received awards for their efforts in the categories of scientific, technical
and advisory, and law enforcement, respectively.
"Every year a great many people contribute to the success of fisheries management along the Atlantic coast. The
Commission's Annual Awards of Excellence recognizes outstanding efforts by professionals who have made a
difference in the way we manage and conserve our fisheries," said ASMFC Chair, George D. Lapointe, of Maine.
"Today, we honor several outstanding individuals for their contributions to the management and conservation of Atlantic
coast fisheries."
Scientific, Technical and Advisory
Mr. Fred Schwab, long-standing fisheries conservation advocate and striped bass advisor to the Commission, also
received the award for work in the area of scientific, technical and advisory contributions. Mr. Schwab has been an avid
supporter of striped bass conservation for over 30 years. He and other Northeast fishermen were instrumental in
convincing resource managers and elected officials that the decline in striped bass abundance and the problems
associated with overfishing and wasteful fishing practices required a coordinated multi-state conservation program to
restore the stock. Their advocacy was pivotal in leading to enactment of the Emergency Striped Bass Study and
development of an Interstate Fisheries Management Plan (FMP). As one of the charter members of the Commission's
Striped Bass Advisory Committee from 1978 to 1982, he played an important role in the creation of the original Striped
Bass Plan. His unstinting advocacy for the resourcebs conservation ensured that the plan would include effective
conservation measures. Once the FMP was adopted, he worked hard to see it implemented in his home state of New
York, personally lobbying his state legislator on the eve of the Assembly debate on the bill. Mr. Schwab rejoined the
Commissionbs Striped Bass Advisory Panel in 1994 and has served up until this year, consistently advocating for
resource conservation. His experience and extraordinary knowledge, coupled with his willingness to listen to all points
of view, and his even-handed treatment of issues and interests, have made him a model AP member and Chair. The
Commission's ability to achieve fisheries management success is strongly reliant on the service of extraordinary
people like Mr. Schwab, who believe in conservation, are willing to invest their time and energy, and have the ability to
carefully listen and to work with other people whose views they may not share. He is one of the heroes of cooperative
interstate fisheries management.
Law Enforcement
Colonel Joseph Fessenden of the Maine Bureau of Marine Patrol received the award for work in the area of law
enforcement. Colonel Fessenden has over 30 years of experience in marine law enforcement and is a strong believer
in cooperative resource management along the Atlantic coast. His dedication to cooperative law enforcement is
demonstrated by his long-term commitment to the Commission's Law Enforcement Committee and species
management boards. He participates in the Law Enforcement Committee because of importance he places on
coordinating with his state and federal colleagues and sharing new ways of conducting marine fisheries law
enforcement. He has also been a strong proponent of standardized reporting of law enforcement activities and an
effective voice for law enforcement concerns in the Commission's management process. He dedicates valuable time
to the species management boards for Northeast species including, American lobster, Atlantic herring, northern
shrimp, and winter flounder. Colonel Fessenden has also been a leader in the concept of Joint Enforcement
Agreements (JEA) with the National Marine Fisheries Service. The JEA program has allowed states and federal
fisheries enforcement officials to enhance our collective ability to monitor and enforce fisheries laws, a critical
component of all fisheries management programs. His leadership also helped establish the cooperative program with
the U.S. Coast Guard on maritime security. Following the establishment of this program, his state became the first in
the nation to take advantage of this cooperative program. His contributions demonstrate a long-standing commitment
to cooperative marine fisheries law enforcement, characteristics which help the Commission fulfill its mission of
restoring and managing Atlantic coast fisheries resources.
The Commission established the Annual Awards of Excellence in 1998 to recognize the important contributions of
individuals to the success of the organization. The awards are given in the areas of law enforcement, legislation,
management & policy, and scientific, technical & advisory contributions. Each year, the Commission honors the very
best contributions in those areas. For more information, please contact Laura Leach, Director of Finance and
Administration, at (202) 289-6400.
| ASMFC Presents Annual Awards of Excellence |