Eugenio Piñeiro Soler has been appointed Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries by Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, with White House approval. He succeeds Emily Menashes, who returns to her previous role as Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations.
In his new role, Piñeiro Soler will lead the agency responsible for managing U.S. marine fisheries and protecting marine species. With over 30 years of experience in fisheries management—as a commercial fisherman, captain, and entrepreneur—he has held key roles in several national and international marine organizations, including Chair of the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (2001–2010) and positions in the International Whaling Commission and ICCAT.
A native of Puerto Rico, Piñeiro Soler holds a philosophy degree from Radford University and a J.D. from the Catholic University Law School of Puerto Rico. His scientific contributions include research on deepwater snappers and the discovery of a new fish species, Odontanthias hensleyi.
He brings a strong blend of policy, science, and leadership experience to NOAA Fisheries, and is committed to advancing sustainable fisheries and maximizing their economic impact.