By Emily Yehle, E&E reporter
A longtime fisheries and oceans staffer is retiring from the House Natural Resources Committee, due to a restructuring that will place oceans under the panel's Water and Power Subcommittee, according to an advocacy group.
Saving Seafood yesterday circulated a farewell email from Dave Whaley, who has served as the committee's senior fisheries and oceans staff member since 1995. Whaley has worked on Capitol Hill for more than 30 years.
In the email, Whaley cites "tentative plans" for all ocean-related issues to go to an expanded Water, Power and Oceans Subcommittee. Currently, such issues fall to the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs.
Whaley also adds that he believes that "Mr. Young" -- ostensibly Alaska Republican Rep. Don Young -- will take the lead next year on the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which expired last year. Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah) is expected to succeed retiring Rep. Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) as the committee's chairman (E&E Daily, Nov. 7).
Whaley emphasized in his email the "dedicated, passionate and knowledgeable bosses" he has had throughout his career, from the late Rep. Bob Davis (R-Mich.) to Hastings.
"With your help we have been able to accomplish a lot of positive things for fishermen, coastal communities, and the fishery resources they depend on," Whaley wrote, in an email that went to friends and colleagues. "Maybe more importantly, [we] have also been able to prevent bad things from happening. None of that would have been possible without your help, your advice, and your friendship."
Whaley and a committee spokesman did not immediately return emails seeking comment.
