Dan Tonnes, like many SMEA graduates with careers in the federal government or with federal funding, informed us he was leaving NOAA and federal employment after 25 years in order to take advantage of the buyout program. His premature exit from federal service has many ramifications for him, for NOAA with the loss of experience and talent, and for SMEA, as explained below.

Dan had multiple careers in his background before coming to SMEA. As a Captain licensed by the US Coast Guard, he captained boats for eco-tours, passenger ferries and sportfishing and did part time work at Foss Environmental; earned biological and environmental planning undergraduate degrees; became a water quality specialist at the Washington Department of Ecology; and served as a NOAA Fisheries habitat and Endangered Species Act (ESA) specialist. After graduating from SMEA in 2008, he returned to full-time employment in NOAA Fisheries, whereupon he took leadership roles in numerous ESA processes, including 30 Biological Opinions and seven ESA Section 7 programmatic consultations, and wrote 10 peer-reviewed papers. Most of his career, Dan was the Puget Sound/Georgia (Salish Sea) Rockfish Recovery Coordinator, bringing together experts and stakeholders under the ESA. He also led the delisting process for canary rockfish — the first marine fish species to be delisted under the ESA. Not satisfied to rest on his accomplishments, he helped spark the creation of the Puget Sound Kelp Conservation and Recovery Plan and, most recently, accepted the challenge to become the regional coordinator for NOAA Aquaculture to prioritize shellfish aquaculture expansion in the PNW. 

In addition to the increasing responsibilities as a NOAA employee, Dan volunteered to serve as a liaison between NOAA and SMEA. During his 10-year active role as liaison and mentor, Dan can be credited with engagement in seven student theses, five SMEA Capstone Projects, selection of 12 Pathways Interns at NOAA, as well as involvement in some 40 other capstone studies and special projects, and internships in other units around the University of Washington. His incredible skills as a mentor and advisor have benefited many SMEA students who sought out his sage advice and counsel. As SMEA Director Nives Dolsak wrote to Dan when notified of his “retirement”, “You leaving NOAA is a tremendous loss for SMEA and UW. You have immensely supported our students, graduates, and faculty. I will continue to work towards finding ways for you to remain engaged with SMEA. Thank you for your kind and generous offer to do so in the future.”

When interviewed by SMEA for this article, Dan had this to say.

How did your experience as a student at SMEA influence your career? 

When I went to SMEA, I had already been a NOAA employee for seven years, so I had some experience in the trenches but didn’t have the theoretical background. So I had a lot of “aha!” moments at school when I could apply a particular theory to something I had already experienced at work. This dynamic continued after I left SMA – my time there was invaluable as I was able to directly apply my education to work in innumerable ways. Most importantly, getting to know the students and faculty led to many fruitful collaborations and friendships. Working with SMEA students after I graduated was a highlight of my career – they were always highly capable, unencumbered by previous experiences, and made tremendous contributions to NOAA’s mission. 

What advice do you have for SMEA (given your liaison engagement), students, and alumni?

It’s a difficult time to be in the profession given the federal disinvestments and budget uncertainties at all levels of government. For those that are starting out their career, stay the course and be flexible. For instance, you might need to move further than planned to start your career, and don’t get too discouraged because over the long haul, the world needs what you can offer. 

What’s next?

I recently left NOAA under the voluntary early retirement program. Twenty-five years at NOAA Fisheries was an amazing experience, but change is good, and over the next several months, I’ll decompress and then look for work again. I’m too young to call it a career just yet!

Anything else you would like to add?

I really appreciated the hospitality and friendships of the SMEA staff and faculty during the 10 years I served as liaison. This program is extremely important, and even more so given the reduction of federal research capacity for the foreseeable future. 

If you know Dan, you know that he is humble to a fault. One more thing that has been a passion for Dan and his family is his many years of volunteer experience as chief financial officer for Edwin’s Turtle Lake Marine Reserve located in Eleuthera, Islands of the Bahamas. This unique culture and nature reserve is a 43-acre blue hole located inland near Governor’s Harbour. It protects a mangrove ecosystem, green sea turtles, and many other fish and wildlife species. 

All of us at SMEA look forward to a continuing relationship with featured alumnus Dan Tonnes and all SMEA alumni as resource persons, mentors, and donors. Alumni are SMEA’s most important and valued sources of inspiration.