2024 NMFS-Sea Grant Fellows
September 26, 2024 (Amara Davis – National Sea Grant Office)
Sea Grant and NOAA Fisheries are excited to announce the 2024 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)-Sea Grant Joint Fellowship recipients. This year, seven population dynamics fellows and three marine resource economics fellows will embark on critical fisheries research with support through this national program.
Andres de Loera (MIT Sea Grant / Harvard University)
Research Project: Innovation and Institutions in Fisheries
Technological change is a major factor contributing to the global decline in fish stocks. Accurately measuring technological growth is crucial for assessing fish abundance, catch, and prices as they
influence fisheries management. This project will develop species-specific innovation timelines using fishing technology data from the US, EU, and Japan. The timelines will be compared to estimates of catchability and productivity, such as the innovation and expansion of Fish Aggregating Devices in the Eastern Pacific. The effect of technological innovation on fisheries and various regulatory institutions will be explored. This research will provide the first comprehensive estimates of the consequences of innovation and institutions in fisheries worldwide.
>>Meet all 2024 fellows and view projects
About the NMFS-Sea Grant Fellowship
Since 1999, this fellowship program has trained the next generation of fisheries scientists, addressing the need for expertise in stock assessments and fisheries management. Fellows in population dynamics focus on modeling and managing marine ecosystems, assessing fish stocks, invertebrates, mammals and other targeted and protected species. Marine resource economics fellows address the economic dimensions of conserving and managing living marine resources.
Fellows are selected through a competitive process and mentored by university advisors and NOAA Fisheries scientists. During their fellowship, fellows must participate in an annual research symposium, where they present updates on their work. This year’s symposium was held September 11-13 in Honolulu, Hawaii, offering professional development and community science opportunities.
The NMFS-Sea Grant Joint Fellowship program has supported over 127 population dynamics fellows and 39 marine resource economics fellows. Program alumni go on to hold key roles within NOAA Fisheries, other agencies, academic institutions and fishery management councils, making substantial contributions to the management and conservation of marine ecosystems. The need for career development opportunities in this field is detailed in this report to Congress and academic paper.
