Janet Ritz: Why Obama's Pick for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Matters: Jane Lubchenco

President-elect Obama has shown that he is serious about picking the right person to lead the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with his choice of Jane Lubchenco , an expert in overfishing and climate change who should have firsthand knowledge of the collapse of fishing along the Oregon coast. As reported in The Environmentalist last April, "Salmon Fishing Canceled off the Oregon and California Coasts" , the Chinook salmon run in the Sacramento River has collapsed: Scientists are studying the causes of the Sacramento River chinook collapse, with possible factors ranging from ocean conditions and habitat destruction to dam operations and agricultural pollution. Fisherman who normally loathe to shut operations supported the cancellation of the season in the desperate hope they would see a return of salmon to the river in 2009. "For the entire West Coast, this is the worst in history," Don McIsaac, executive director of the Pacific Fishery Management Council, ... (link)