Renowned Biologist and Angler, John McMillan, to Lead The Conservation Angler
The Conservation Angler (TCA) is pleased to announce that John McMillan, TCA’s former Director of Science, has been selected as its new President. John will lead the organization in its efforts to ensure that wild steelhead and salmon have sufficient diversity and resilience to adapt to climate change and support responsibly managed fisheries.
John McMillan and his Setter, Tilly.
“This is an exciting opportunity,” says John. “I became a fishery scientist because I love fishing for steelhead. After watching steelhead decline in my home waters on the Olympic Peninsula, I came to realize science alone was not going to save the fish. As a result, I wanted to take on more of a leadership role in the conservation nexus of science and law.”
TCA is confident that John - whose life has revolved around wild fish and wild rivers - can guide TCA’s conservation mission in the U.S. and expand its work into British Columbia and Alaska while, hopefully, resuming its flagship Kamchatka Steelhead Project.
“John McMillan has dedicated his personal and professional life to steelhead and salmon - from catching his first steelhead at the age of four to publishing the most comprehensive review of the scientific literature on hatchery effects on wild salmonids as a widely respected biologist. Along the way, he became one of the most effective communicators about salmon and steelhead biology. No one else is more qualified to lead a science-based advocacy organization that speaks for conservation-minded anglers than John,” said Rob Kirschner, TCA’s Legal and Policy Director.
John with a winter steelhead from one of his “home water” rivers on the Olympic Peninsula
Before joining TCA, John worked for the Hoh Indian tribe, the Wild Salmon Center, NOAA Fisheries on the Elwha River dam removal project, and most recently, he was Science Director for Trout Unlimited’s Wild Steelhead Initiative. He holds a Masters in Fisheries Science from Oregon State University and has published twenty-six peer-reviewed manuscripts and technical reports on steelhead and salmon as well as two books and numerous articles on fish and fishing.
John takes the helm from Pete Soverel – TCA’s founder, past President, and Board Chair since the organization’s inception – as he transitions to director emeritus status. TCA’s new Board Chair, Peter Herzog, reflected on TCA’s leadership change:
“I first got to know TCA and Pete Soverel when I joined the Kamchatka science and conservation projects. Pete Soverel has been a conservation innovator and attractor of talented scientists and advocates his entire life. Being part of this transition between iconic and passionate steelhead advocates almost mirrors the wild fish themselves – the diversity, persistence, and resilience of these two individuals reminds me why I and so many others are committed to a wild fish future.”
Pete Soverel is excited about passing the torch and envisions a bright future for TCA.
“I’ve known John for over 25 years. He’s a close friend and a truly committed scientist and angler. I recruited him to The Wild Salmon Center when I was President and more recently to The Conservation Angler. John is a very unique asset for TCA – a dedicated, accomplished angler and a world-class scientist. He loves steelhead and wants nothing more than to ensure a sustainable angling future for generations to come. Further, he has reinvigorated the Board, donors, and supporters, which is critical as TCA presses ahead to save wild steelhead and salmon through an uncertain future. I am confident that TCA is in capable hands to build upon our decades of conservation successes.”
Click below to learn more about John's social media storytelling, science, and podcast:
John at age-5 with a hefty steelhead taken on a waking fly.
