GAO studying possible agency combination

The Government Accountability Office is conducting a study on a potential move of the National Marine Fisheries Service into the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Word of GAO study came to light on March 28 during a meeting of the Anchorage-based North Pacific Fishery Management Council.

As it stands now, NMFS is an agency within NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is part of the Commerce Department. The Fish and Wildlife Service is in the Interior Department.

NMFS is of considerable importance to the oil and gas industry, as it implements policies and regulations for issuance of permits and authorizations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act.

In January, President Obama announced a proposed government reorganization. One aspect of that would move NOAA out of Commerce and into Interior.

Some members of Congress have voiced reservations about the move.

—Wesley Loy