I am Wild Oceans
How did I get here?
People wonder, “How did a New York lawyer wind up advising on the management of Pacific fisheries, striped marlin, long lines and drift nets?”
My family’s boat rarely left the dock without me on board. Whether fishing for striped bass or tuna, in calm waters or choppy seas, I embraced the adventure and savored the family feast that would follow each successful trip. And then in 1984, Congress passed the Striped Bass Conservation Act and several Atlantic states placed a moratorium on striper fishing. It’s the first time I wondered whether we’d have plenty of fish in the future for fishing and for family feasts.
Fast forward twenty years – I was chasing polluters who jumped through laws full of loopholes. That’s when I decided to fight for protecting public resources for public use from the other side of the equation – advocating for smart, conservation-minded commercial and recreational fishing regulations.
As part of Wild Oceans, I untangle the birds nest of local, state, and federal laws that most anglers don’t have the time or inclination to unravel. Then, I work with groups like International Game Fish Association, Laguna Niguel Fishing Club, Coastal Conservation Association and Los Angeles Rod and Reel Club to make sure that the voice of the recreational angler is heard over the noise of better organized interests.
For me, it’s bigger than bag limits, quotas or access to some specific waterway. It’s about pushing the commercial fleet towards cleaner, more sustainable gear and making sure the big fish we love to catch have enough forage to eat, and a safe environment to breed and grow so that the fishery is preserved for the future.
In 2018, I was honored to received the IGFA Conservation Award for bringing together diverse parties, from sport fishermen to environmentalists to turtle conservationists to achieve our common goal – to build a healthy, thriving Pacific Ocean ecosystem. I hope my work proves that cooperation is our best strategy towards achieving this goal. Together we must be willing to step-up and step-out, to collaborate and innovate, and to mobilize our resources and rally our constituents.
That’s why this east-coast girl is proud to say that I support the future of fishing.
I am Wild Oceans.
Do you support the future of fishing? Tell us your story on Facebook and Instagram with #IAmWildOceans
Staff
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Rob KramerPresidentClose
Rob Kramer President
Learn MorePrior to coming to Wild Oceans, Rob Kramer was the President of the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) for nearly 15 years. He began his appointment with IGFA in October 2002 and was responsible for managing the 60,000 square foot IGFA headquarters in South Florida, overseeing all IGFA programs, and promoting gamefish conservation and research around the world. Before joining IGFA, Rob spent seven years working in state government for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Division of Marine Fisheries. Rob is also the founder of Fish Florida, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to providing responsible fishing opportunities and conservation information to Florida’s citizens.
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Pam Lyons GromenExecutive DirectorClose
Pam Lyons Gromen Executive Director
Learn MorePam joined the Wild Oceans staff in 2005 after 14 years in the public aquarium field. Serving as an advocate and policy analyst for Wild Oceans, Pam has authored numerous recommendations on fishery management actions and regularly participates in meetings. Through her 2006 report, Taking the Bait: Are America’s Fisheries Out-competing Predators for their Prey?, Pam initiated Wild Ocean’s Forage First! campaign which provided a blueprint for amending forage fish management plans to protect predator-prey relationships. She currently is the Chair of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Shad & River Herring Advisory Panel (AP) and serves on the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning AP, River Herring and Shad AP, and Mackerel, Squid & Butterfish AP. She is also the editor of the Wild Oceans Horizon, our member newsletter. Pam holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Science from Jacksonville University and a Certificate in Middle Childhood Science Education from Western Governors University.