Chris Oliver, NMFS Director, to Deliver Keynote Address at 2017 Pacific Marine Expo; Oliver will Review National Priorities for Fisheries Management

    SEATTLE, WA, September 26, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Chris Oliver, assistant administrator for the National Marine Fisheries Service, will discuss the agency's national priorities during a keynote address at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16, at Pacific Marine Expo. Oliver's address is a highlight of an extensive free education program at Expo, which includes sessions on new boat designs and gear, marine safety, business management, regulatory issues and fisheries marketing.

"This is Oliver's first opportunity to address our audience of fisheries stakeholders since he took office in June. He will discuss the challenges and opportunities in U.S. fisheries, the largest and best-managed commercial fisheries in the world," said Jessica Hathaway, editor in chief of National Fisherman. "Expo visitors will be familiar with Oliver as a longtime North Pacific Fishery Management Council executive director, and I look forward to hearing him address the audience as the new national leader of our nation's fisheries."

Managed under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS has five regional offices, six science centers and more than 20 laboratories around the United States and U.S. territories.

Pacific Marine Expo, the nation's largest commercial fishing and marine trade show, will be held Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 16-18, at CenturyLink Field Event Center, Last year's Expo attracted nearly 500 exhibitors and more than 8,500 visitors from 40 states and 24 countries. The Expo serves all aspects of the market, including commercial vessel owner and operators, commercial fishermen, boat builders and seafood processors.

To register visit, www.PacificMarineExpo.com.

About Chris Oliver
As the agency's assistant administrator for fisheries, Oliver oversees the management and conservation of recreational and commercial fisheries, including aspects of marine aquaculture; the preservation and maintenance of safe sources of seafood; and the protection of marine mammals, marine protected species, and coastal fisheries habitat within the U.S. exclusive economic zone.

Oliver previously served as executive director of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, a position he held for 16 years. He had been with the council since 1990, also serving as a fisheries biologist and then deputy director. During his tenure as executive director, he led the way on several cutting-edge management initiatives, including development of limited access privilege programs and fishery cooperatives and catch share programs, the North Pacific's comprehensive onboard observer program, numerous bycatch reduction programs, extensive habitat protection measures, commercial and recreational allocation programs, and coastal community development programs. He was also responsible for all administrative and operational aspects of the council process, and lead staffer for legislative and international issues.

About the Expo Education Program
"Our free education program is designed to provide essential updates to the commercial fishing industry, while offering an environment for open discussions and networking with other members of the industry," Hathaway said. Overall, 18 education sessions are planned, including:

- Breaking the Ice: The Future of Polar Waterways
- Boat Loans Just Got Easier -- Construction Fund Changes
- Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute Annual Update
- Is Ocean Acidification Taking a Toll on Salmon?
- A Pipeline for the Maritime Workforce
- Is Pebble Mine Back?
- The State of the Shipyard
- New Products: Your Bottom Line is on the Line
- Building Your Dream from Idea to Launch
- Changes to Coast Guard Safety Regulations

The complete education program can be found here.

The 2017 Expo will also include a new Alaska Hall, the King County Maritime Economic Forecast Breakfast, a special Fishermen's Lounge, a recording of KIRO Radio's Seattle Kitchen Radio Show with Chefs Tom Douglas and Thierry Rautureau, daily complimentary happy hours, performances by Fisher Poets, and the Fisherman of the Year contest, sponsored by National Fisherman magazine.

Companies interested in exhibiting at Pacific Marine Expo should contact Chris Dimmerling, sales director, at [email protected] or 207-842-5666.

For further information, visit www.PacificMarineExpo.com.

About Pacific Marine Expo
Pacific Marine Expo is part of the Diversified Communications portfolio of commercial marine events, publications and eMedia products. Pacific Marine Expo is the largest and longest running commercial fishing and marine tradeshow on the West Coast and is annually held in Seattle. The Expo serves all aspects of the market, including commercial vessel owners, commercial fishermen, boatbuilders, workboat operators and seafood processors. For further information, visit www.PacificMarineExpo.com.

About Diversified Communications
Diversified Communications is a leading international media company providing market access, education and information through global, national and regional face-to-face events, digital products, publications and television stations. Diversified serves a number of industries, including technology, seafood, food service, natural and organic, healthcare, commercial marine, and business management. Based in Portland, Maine, Diversified has divisions in the Eastern United States, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore and the United Kingdom. For more information please visit www.divcom.com.

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