Golden lauds NOAA for hiring Mainer as ‘Fisherman in Residence’

WASHINGTON — In a letter to top leaders at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) lauded the recent creation of the position of “Fisherman in Residence” and the appointment of Mainer Dustin Delano to the post. 

Delano, of Friendship, is a fourth-generation lobsterman and leading advocate for Maine’s seafood harvesters. Thanks to his experience, knowledge and the respect of his peers, Delano has held positions on the board of the Maine Lobstermen's Association and the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative. He also helped create the New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association in 2023. 

As Fisherman in Residence, Delano is tasked with strengthening communications between fishermen and NOAA, making federal fishery management processes more accessible and responsive to fishermen, and enhancing decision-making frameworks so they reflect industry realities and support balanced outcomes, among other responsibilities. 

“Mr. Delano is a perfect fit for the position,” Golden wrote in a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere Dr. Neil Jacobs. “[His] exemplary record as a fisherman and advocate for the marine resources economy speaks for itself. I applaud NOAA for identifying the need for a real harvester, not another bureaucrat, to have a seat at the table and to provide input and clarity on fisheries issues.”

Golden, a member of the House Natural Resources Committee (HNRC), voiced his support for the Fisherman in Residence as other Democrats on the committee launched unfair attacks against Delano. HNRC Ranking Member Jared Huffman (CA-02) and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Maxine Dexter (OR-03) questioned Delano’s fitness for the position in a letter earlier this week. They insinuated he had “conflicts of interest” because of his fishing experience and advocacy for Maine harvesters — even though that experience was the very reason he was appointed to the post.

Huffman and Dexter “seem to believe that the only place for people with real-world harvesting experience is at the receiving end of government regulations, not in the rooms where those decisions are made,” Golden wrote. He noted that Delano is a contractor under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act, a law designed to allow people with relevant experience outside of government to bring their expertise to bear in temporary posts.

“Good policy and regulations must not be created in a vacuum, and those who are being regulated must have a real voice in the process,” Golden said. “I am confident the creation of the Fisherman in Residence will give voice to harvesters, and I applaud NOAA for taking this proactive step to bring fishermen into the fold.”

Click here to view Golden’s full letter. 

###