Report on the Retirement of NPFMC Executive Director David Witherell and Contributions to Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

David Witherell, Executive Director of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC), has announced his retirement effective at the end of October, concluding a 33-year career with the council. His tenure has been marked by significant contributions to sustainable fishery management, directly aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). His departure occurs as the NPFMC confronts challenges related to climate change and federal budgets, underscoring the ongoing need for leadership in sustainable resource management.

Career Contributions to Sustainable Marine Resource Management (SDG 14)

Mr. Witherell’s career reflects a deep commitment to the principles of SDG 14, which aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources. His work has directly advanced several key targets within this goal.

• Ecosystem-Based Management (Target 14.2): As a plan coordinator and analyst, Witherell was instrumental in developing and implementing amendments focused on bycatch reduction, habitat conservation, and ecosystem-based management issues, thereby contributing to the sustainable management and protection of marine and coastal ecosystems.
• Sustainable Harvesting (Target 14.4): He coordinated numerous fishery management plans for groundfish, crab, and scallops across the Bering Sea-Aleutian Islands and the Gulf of Alaska. This work is central to regulating harvesting and ending overfishing to restore fish stocks.
• Scientific Knowledge Enhancement (Target 14.a): Through the publication of over 20 peer-reviewed scientific articles and the review of countless analytical documents, Witherell advanced the scientific knowledge base required for effective conservation and sustainable use of ocean resources.

Addressing Contemporary Challenges in Sustainable Development

The NPFMC, under Mr. Witherell’s leadership, has navigated a series of complex challenges that intersect with multiple SDGs. The transition to his successor will require continued focus on these critical areas.

1. Climate Action (SDG 13): The council faces increasing pressure to manage fisheries amid complex climate changes. This work involves integrating climate change measures into regional policies and planning to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards.
2. Economic and Institutional Stability (SDG 8 & SDG 16): Federal budget challenges threaten the council’s capacity to conduct research and enforce regulations essential for the long-term economic viability of fisheries, which support decent work and economic growth in coastal communities. Maintaining effective and accountable institutions is paramount.
3. Operational Resilience: Mr. Witherell’s oversight during the COVID-19 pandemic ensured the continuity of council operations, demonstrating institutional resilience in the face of global disruption.

Leadership and Legacy

Mr. Witherell’s leadership has been pivotal in advancing the mission of the NPFMC and its alignment with global sustainability objectives.

• Council Chair Angel Drobnica highlighted his “depth of knowledge and experience” as invaluable in addressing the unprecedented challenges faced by the council.
• His legacy includes providing excellent leadership for staff and representing the region in national-level discussions on sustainable fishery management.
• The NPFMC will now undertake the process of selecting a successor to continue its critical work in promoting sustainable fisheries in the face of evolving environmental and economic challenges.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The entire text focuses on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, an institution dedicated to the sustainable management of marine resources. The article explicitly mentions key activities that fall under this goal, such as “managing fisheries,” “bycatch reduction,” “habitat conservation,” and “ecosystem-based management issues.”

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The article directly connects fisheries management to climate change, stating that the council is “facing… increasing issues related to managing fisheries during complex climate changes.” This highlights the intersection of marine conservation and the need to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change on ocean ecosystems.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article describes the structure, function, and challenges of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, which is a key institution for governance and management of marine resources. The mention of its leadership, staff, committees, and “fiscal, and administrative duties” points to the importance of effective and accountable institutions. The reference to “federal budget challenges” underscores the need for stable support to ensure these institutions can function properly.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water

   • Target 14.2: “By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts…” The article’s mention of the council’s work on “habitat conservation” and “ecosystem-based management issues” directly relates to this target of protecting marine ecosystems.
   • Target 14.4: “By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing…” The council’s core mission, as described, involves creating “fishery management plans” and implementing measures for “bycatch reduction,” which are central to regulating harvesting and ensuring the sustainability of fish stocks.
   • Target 14.a: “Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology…” The article highlights David Witherell’s contributions, including publishing “over 20 peer reviewed scientific articles,” reviewing “analytical documents,” and staffing the “council’s scientific and statistic committee.” This demonstrates a commitment to science-based management, which is the foundation of this target.

2. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.3: “Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.” The article’s statement that the council is “managing fisheries during complex climate changes” implies that the institution is actively building its capacity to adapt its management strategies to the impacts of climate change, which aligns with this target.

3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.6: “Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.” The article profiles the North Pacific Fishery Management Council as a long-standing, structured institution responsible for managing public resources. The discussion of its leadership, staff supervision, and fiscal duties illustrates the functions of an effective institution. The mention of “federal budget challenges” directly relates to the resources needed for institutional effectiveness.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for SDG 14 (Life Below Water)

   • Indicator for Target 14.2: The implementation of “ecosystem-based management” plans and “habitat conservation” measures serve as implied indicators for progress in sustainably managing marine ecosystems.
   • Indicator for Target 14.4: The article implies the use of indicators such as the rate of “bycatch reduction” and the overall “status of North Pacific fisheries,” which would align with the official indicator of the proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels.
   • Indicator for Target 14.a: A direct indicator mentioned is the number of “peer reviewed scientific articles” published (over 20 by one individual). The use of “analytical documents” and the existence of a “scientific and statistic committee” also imply a process of incorporating scientific data into decision-making.

2. Indicator for SDG 13 (Climate Action)

   • Indicator for Target 13.3: The article implies the development of institutional strategies or management plans that account for climate change. The council’s active work in “managing fisheries during complex climate changes” can be seen as an indicator of building institutional capacity for climate adaptation.

3. Indicator for SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

   • Indicator for Target 16.6: The “federal budget challenges” mentioned in the article can be interpreted as an indicator related to the sufficiency of financial resources allocated to the institution, which is crucial for its long-term effectiveness and accountability.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: nationalfisherman.com