Tag Archives: Fisheries institute revamp

Somethin’ just ain’t right! Fisheries institute revamp removes Rothschild

DARTMOUTH — A revamp of the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Institute will mean that acclaimed marine scientist Dr. Brian Rothschild at UMass Dartmouth will be out as co-director after 10 years. UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Divina Grossman on Wednesday announced the changes, which were proposed by the UMass President’s Office. It will consolidate the institute at the UMass School for Marine Science and Technology in New Bedford. It is now part of the president’s office…..The new arrangement would place the SMAST dean, Dr. Steve Lohrenz, as co-director along with Paul Diodati from Marine Fisheries. Lohrenz will be the conduit between the state and the UMass campuses.

Rothschild would be out, and that has some of his colleagues angry.

“I don’t understand the argument,” said Dr. Dan Georgianna, a professor of economics who has worked closely with Rothschild at UMass Dartmouth. “The MFI has published 200 review publications. The MFI has been very successful in the scallop fishery and in groundfish. It’s been very successful.” Now, “the person who caused the success is being replaced. I think it’s going to result in a decline in fisheries science. It’s going to affect the fishing community. Brian’s got a zillion awards.”…….  When contacted, Rothschild said he would not comment for now.

Rothschild has been especially high-profile in public in recent years. He serves as chairman of the mayor’s Fishery Advisory Council, and was deeply involved in the fight against the switch to catch shares and sector management in the Northeast fishery.

He has also been highly critical of government-sponsored fishery research methods.

He has published five books and more than 100 papers and has affiliations with researchers at institutions around the world.

In addition, he has been suggested as a replacement for outgoing NOAA administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco.

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121214/NEWS/212140357/-1/NEWS