Collins, King Applaud Announcement of Sebastian Belle’s Appointment to NOAA Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King applauded today’s announcement by the U.S. Department of Commerce that it has appointed Sebastian Belle, Executive Director of the Maine Aquaculture Association, to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC). As a member of the advisory committee, Belle will advise the Secretary of Commerce and NOAA on all issues related to living marine resources that fall under the purview of the Department of Commerce.

“Sebastian has established himself as a national leader in the aquaculture industry, and his expertise will help guide the Department of Commerce and NOAA as they shape important policy relating to our marine resources,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “Sebastian brings with him a deep understanding of Maine’s diverse marine ecosystem that supports our state’s coastal communities, creates and sustains jobs, and helps drive the economy. We are proud that the Department of Commerce has recognized such a qualified individual and look forward to his contributions to the advisory committee.”

Belle, who began his career as a commercial fisherman, is a founding partner of TAAG, which specializes in aquaculture investment and consulting and also serves as president of Econ-Aqua. Econ-Aqua is a consulting firm that focuses on farm management, financial due diligence, and risk and analysis control. He previously worked as project manager of the Bluefin Tuna Project at the New England Aquarium in Boston and as operations manager for Connors Aquaculture Inc. in Eastport, Maine, one of the largest Atlantic salmon farms in the United States. 

MAFAC members draw on their expertise to evaluate and make recommendations on national living marine resources policies.  The members represent a wide spectrum of fishing, aquaculture, protected resources, environmental, academic, tribal, state, consumer, and other related national interests from across the U.S. and ensure the nation’s living marine resource policies and programs meet the needs of these stakeholders.