I’d like to take a moment to bid a fond adieu to Mike Conroy, who spent a number of years as the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations (PCFFA) and its sister organization, the Institute for Fisheries Resources.
Also, as most longtime readers of Pacific Maritime’s sister publication, Fishermen’s News, know, Mike wrote the PCFFA’s monthly Fishermen’s News column after he became the organization’s executive director.
Not only his columns were always well thought out, they delved into issues that typically weren’t covered elsewhere in the pages of this magazine, or anywhere else, for that matter.
In September, Mike left the PCFFA to join the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance, a broad, membership-based coalition of fishing industry associations and fishing companies committed to improving the compatibility of new offshore development with their businesses.
Mike was hired to lead and enhance the organization’s West Coast engagement.
Previous to his current role and stint with the PCFFA, Mike spent years on the water operating commercial and charter fishing vessels. He’s also a licensed attorney in California, focusing on small businesses, fisheries management and policy and administrative processes.
For more information on Mike and his departure, please see his final column, which can be found on page 36 of the November issue of Fishermen’s News. Starting next month, the column will be written by the PCFFA’s northwest regional director, Glen Spain, until a permanent new head of the federation is in place.
And to Mike: your insight and wit will very much be missed in the pages of FN. Your successor has some very large shoes to fill, but I’m very confident that he or she will be up to the task. Thanks for everything, and best of luck.
Managing Editor Mark Nero can be reached at mark@maritimepublishing.com
