DEPUTY REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR
CHRISTOPHER MANTZARIS

The Northeast Region administers NOAA's programs in the Northeastern United States to manage living marine resources for optimum use. It represents the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries with other Federal, state, and private conservation agencies; commercial and recreational fishing industries and interests; consumers; other constituents; and the general public for the eastern coastal states of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina; and the inland western states of Vermont, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia. It conducts multi-disciplinary research programs to provide scientific and technical information necessary to manage living marine resources and to support the information requirements and decision-making processes of Regional Fishery Management Councils. The Northeast Regional Office is responsible for planning, organizing and implementing programs for fishery management, resource allocations, and habitat and protected species (endangered and threatened species and marine mammals) conservation. The Office administers grants and cooperative agreement programs; analyzes trade and economic conditions and related opportunities and impacts associated with fishery management activities; implements programs to maintain robust habitats and stocks of living marine resources; coordinates state/Federal cooperative programs with and among the states, fishery management councils, marine fisheries commissions, and other Federal agencies; and provides administrative and technical support to Regional Fishery Management Councils.  The Regional Office is comprised of five divisions: Sustainable Fisheries, Habitat Conservation, Protected Resources, Fisheries Statistics, and State, Federal, and Constituent Programs.

The Sustainable Fisheries Division provides and oversees technical/scientific/administrative coordination between the Fishery Management Councils and the Secretary for purposes of developing, implementing and monitoring performance of fishery management plans prepared by the New England Fishery Management Council and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council under 16 United States Code (USC) 1853. The Division administers special programs/projects in support of the Regional Administrator's responsibilities to open/close/monitor fisheries under management or development; reviews fishery management plans to ensure consistency with National Standards under 16 USC 1851, regional and national policies and procedures, identify and report need for amendments/revisions, and work with the councils, General Counsel, and the Assistant Administrator to facilitate and expedite the approval and implementation of plans and amendments to plans.

ASSISTANT REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR - PROTECTED RESOURCES
MARY COLLIGAN

The Habitat Conservation and Protected Resources Divisions minimizes adverse effects of human activities on estuarine and marine habitat by carrying out its responsibilities under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Endangered Species Act. The Divisions coordinates preparation of habitat sections of fishery management plans; evaluates environmental threats and negotiates interagency agreements to comprehensively address the issues, coordinates the region's input/involvement in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission licensing process, and coordinates the issuance of Endangered Species and Marine Mammals Permits or Authorizations from NMFS, states or other federal agencies. It manages the Northeast Region Estuarine Program in the Chesapeake Bay and provides the coordination function for NOAA's activities in the nine special emphasis bays in the Northeast identified for attention under the EPA-funded National Estuary Program.

The State, Federal, and Constituent Programs Office administers the programs of financial assistance under which Federal funds are made available to states and other non-Federal interests (including Fishery Management Councils and Fishery Development Foundations) for carrying out projects consistent with the authorizing legislation (Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act, Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act, Saltonstall-Kennedy Act) relating primarily to further the conservation, management and utilization of fishery resources of the Northwest Atlantic. The Office develops priorities, standards and procedures for solicitation/evaluation of proposals required in response to specific requests for proposals. It ensures coordination of and input into the conservation, development and enhancement of Anadromous fishery resources; aquaculture/mariculture issues/policy are the responsibility of the division, and works with the councils in preparing administrative and programmatic documentation and in obtaining administrative support for the councils.

The Fishery Statistics Programs Office provides analysis and reports on issues and trends in fisheries impacting on management plans and regulations; effectiveness of agency programs/regulations to meet goals/mandates; tracks and reports on trends in fisheries in the industry impacting on agency programs and policies. The Office prepares draft policy statements for the Regional Administrator's consideration, and prepares analysis requested by the councils in support of their efforts at plan development. It provides analysis of economic data, and prepares fishery management analysis by designing, developing and using computer models and by applying field experience/analysis to develop economic, catch/effort, engineering and other analytical processes relative to FMPs. The Office maintains the Northeast Regional Federal Fishery Permit System to meet the requirements for receiving, reviewing, and issuing new and renewal permits which are required under the various Northeast Federal Fishery Regulations administered by the region. The Office works with staff of the Fishery Management Councils, the scientific community and the industry to identify and evaluate alternative management options, measures and technologies. It provides timely analysis of economic trends/events in the work market as to the indications for agency programs and activities. The Office assists in the development of priorities for research under grant programs and evaluates proposals.

OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND INFORMATION

The Office of Management and Information (OMI) serves as the focal point for regional program planning, budgeting, and management analysis. The OMI staff provides advice to the director and senior managers in the selection of goals, objectives, and measures of accomplishments, and coordinates the development of plans and budgets to meet regional objectives. The OMI performs program analysis, reviews, and evaluations required for program emphasis and resource allocation decisions. It prepares policies and procedures for the Regional Administrator's consideration in implementing regional program plans and activities. The OMI manages regional office financial operations, and coordinates the budget processes for all NMFS regional elements. It is responsible for regional office budget formulation and execution and performs management analysis and position management. The OMI provides services to the regional office that include property management, space utilization, small purchase procurement, records management, office supply and equipment, mail distribution, and reproduction services.

INFORMATION RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

The Information Resource Management (IRM) staff supports the need for data management and systems development/operation for all of the programs/offices/divisions of the regional office by reviewing with managers their requirements and determining/devising the appropriate manner to meet the needs. IRM ensures compliance with the NOAA Information Technology (IT) Security Program that implements policies, standards, and procedures that are consistent with Government-Wide Laws and Regulations, to assure an adequate level of protection for IT systems whether maintained in-house or commercially. It provides programming support; procures, installs and maintains hardware and software and maintains the data base system support. The office coordinates with the Regional Data Base Administrator, headquarters, and procurement offices in fulfilling responsibilities. It maintains the facility LAN (Local Area Network); and provides training and support to employees as needed. The office maintains control of ADP inventory for the region; telephone system management; and maintains the library. It represents the Regional Administrator in providing reports and developing/implementing national systems and procedures.

Last Updated: February 7, 2008