NOAA Fisheries Names New Alaska Regional Administrator

For the first time in over two decades, the Alaska region of NOAA Fisheries gets a new top administrator. Jon Kurland becomes Regional Administrator, replacing Jim Balsiger, who has led the agency in Alaska since 2002.

Kurland has been with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration since 1990, previously serving as assistant regional administrator for habitat conservation and acting deputy regional administrator. Since 2012, Kurland has been assistant regional administrator for protected resources.

As Regional Administrator, Kurland heads the agency’s regulatory and management programs for fisheries, marine mammals, and habitat conservation. This includes the responsibility for managing approximately 105 employees and 20 contractors and other affiliates. The Alaska Regional Office is located in Juneau, with field staff in offices in Anchorage, Kodiak, and Dutch Harbor.

“I am honored and excited to serve as Regional Administrator,” Kurland says. “Alaska’s marine resources are vitally important to the American people and the economy as well as for Alaska Native traditions and subsistence use. I look forward to supporting NOAA Fisheries’ staff as we strive to manage these resources sustainably and to be more adaptive in response to climate change.”