Todd Janeski, Senior Program Director, Marine and Natural Resources Policy Analyst with VCU SLSS, has been appointed as a Council Member of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC). As a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) council member, he will represent Virginia and contribute to the development of fishery management plans and regulations, and data collection programs for domestic and foreign fishing conducted within a 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). For the Mid-Atlantic Council, that effort is focused off the coasts of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. There are eight regions that the Fishery Management Council oversees, including the Mid-Atlantic. His new role also positions him to act as a voting representative for Virginia. Council members are appointed by the Secretary of Commerce for a three-year term. 

Bringing over 30 years as an environmental scientist, policy analyst and program manager, Janeski has advised Virginia agency heads and the Governor’s cabinet, local government, the public and businesses on the interactions of commercial fishing and changes in ocean use. Through his work, he strives to ensure the commercial fishing industry is involved and informed as these changes may affect their operations. He introduced and briefed the Governor’s Cabinet on the presence, economic value and significance of Virginia’s Atlantic sea scallop, pot fisheries and the newly re-emergent Atlantic surf clam industry and facilitated the transition of commercially valuable landed species to new packers/shippers to ensure a seamless transition to the fishery. He has advocated for cooperative fisheries research utilizing local commercial fishermen and has worked to ensure sustainably managed fisheries continue to support Virginia’s traditional and historic heritage. 

“I am honored with the opportunity to build upon my experience to ensure those fishing businesses important to Virginia are given thoughtful consideration in the fishery management process.”

Janeski serves as director of the Virginia Oyster Shell Recycling and Replenishment Program, a public-private and nonprofit collaboration that is based out of Rice Rivers Center, where he is leading research to evaluate new sources of shell for public oyster reef replenishment. Additionally, he serves as the Healthy Waters Program Manager for the Natural Heritage Program at the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, which is informed by data and models developed by personnel in SLSS.