The Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission announces that it has selected Hugh Link to be its new executive director.

Link joined the commission staff in 2004, after spending a decade as sales manager at Hallmark Fisheries in Charleston, on the southern Oregon coast. He replaces long-time executive director Nick Furman, who recently retired after heading up the commission for 22 years.

Commission Chairman John Corbin is optimistic that the commission will continue to play an important role in the state's crab fishery with Link at the helm.

"Hugh has developed a good working relationship with the crab fleet over the years, and he is familiar with the issues facing the industry," Corbin says.

Link will report to an eight-member board made up of harvesters and seafood processors appointed by Katy Coba, director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

The harvester-funded organization, one of four seafood commissions under the umbrella of the agriculture department's Commodity Commission Program, represents 429 limited entry Oregon Dungeness crab permit holders, and is responsible for overseeing marketing, education and research programs designed to enhance Oregon's crab industry.