On Thursday the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced it appointed Alexa Cole as its new director for NOAA Fisheries’ Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection.
She will officially assume this role in the coming weeks and will work out of agency headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Cole's tasks include promoting international engagement and cooperation to achieve effective, responsible marine stewardship and ensure sustainable fisheries management on a global scale, NOAA said.
Cole has worked with NOAA for more than 15 years, and has served as acting director for the Fisheries office since May.
Prior to this role, Cole held leadership positions as acting chief and deputy chief in the enforcement section in the NOAA Office of General Counsel. She also served as senior enforcement attorney in the agency’s Pacific Islands Region.
She replaces John Henderschedt, who left NOAA earlier this year to help lead Pacific hake harvester and processor Phoenix Processor Limited Partnership.
