December 13, 2012 (BOSTON) _ The woman who oversaw New England's tumultuous transition to a new fishery management system has resigned.

Jane Lubchenco said she was stepping down as administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. She'll return to her west coast home and the academic life. 

The decision comes with New England's industry struggling to avoid collapse as fishermen face drastic catch reductions in 2013. 

In a letter to employees, Lubchenco listed "ending over-fishing, rebuilding depleted stocks, and returning fishing to profitability" among noaa's accomplishments.  

But Sen. Scott Brown, who called for President Obama to fire Lubchenco in October 2011, said her tenure has been disastrous for new england fishermen. 

He called on the acting head of the U.S. Commerce department to appoint someone who could end "this sad chapter of mismanagement."