The U.S. Senate has officially confirmed Timothy Petty as the new Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. In this role, Petty will serve as the top official overseeing NOAA Fisheries, stepping into a leadership position critical for the management of the nation’s commercial and recreational fishing industries.

Who is Timothy Petty?

A geologist by trade, Petty is no stranger to the halls of power.3 He previously served as the Assistant Secretary of Water and Science at the Department of the Interior (2018–2021) during the first Trump administration. Most recently, he worked as a senior staffer for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Why This Matters for the Seafood Industry:

Petty’s confirmation comes at a pivotal time for federal fisheries management. During his confirmation hearings, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle signaled clear expectations for his tenure:

• Improved Science & Surveys: Senators emphasized the urgent need to overhaul and improve fisheries surveys and stock assessments. Reliable data is the backbone of quota setting, and industry leaders have voiced frustration over recent survey gaps.

• Disaster Relief: One of Petty’s “first orders of business” will be addressing a backlog of fishery disaster declarations. Specifically, he has pledged to prioritize financial relief for Alaska’s salmon fisheries (including the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers) hit hard in recent years.

• Regulatory Efficiency: Expect a push for more “science-based policymaking” and a faster turnaround on regulations required to open fisheries on time.

The Bigger Picture:

Petty will join a leadership team that includes newly confirmed NOAA Administrator Neil Jacobs. Together, they are expected to focus on reducing the U.S. seafood trade deficit and leveraging new technologies to modernize the agency’s approach to ocean resources.

What’s Next?

With the confirmation complete, Petty is expected to move quickly into his role at NOAA headquarters. His first major test will be balancing the administration’s goal of streamlining federal oversight with the industry’s demand for robust, well-funded scientific research.