HYANNIS – NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Administrator John Bullard has announced that he will retire on January 5, 2018.
Bullard took the top job in the agency’s Gloucester-based office in 2012.
He was the regional administrator responsible for leading the agency’s approach to fisheries, habitat, sea turtle, and marine mammal issues from Maine to North Carolina as well as the Great Lakes region.
“As the former Mayor of New Bedford, John brought with him a unique connection to the fishing industry, and used that connection to improve communication with all aspects of the industry and Congress during a very challenging period for the agency,” said Sam Rauch, NOAA Fisheries Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs.
As regional administrator, Bullard worked with the fishery management councils and the commission to manage 44 fish stocks, including two, scallops and lobster, worth more than $500 million each.
Bullard worked with Congress and state directors to deliver $32.8 million in disaster assistance to affected fishing families and communities.
The agency will launch a search for Bullard’s replacement within the next several months.
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