Posted in Other 13 days ago.
ECS is seeking a Research Associate, Aquaculture Economist to work in our Silver Spring, MD. office.
Job Description:
Background:
Executive Order 13921, Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth (EO, May 7, 2020) directs NOAA to identify Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOA) to plan for sustainable aquaculture development. The EO requires NOAA to select geographic areas and complete a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for each AOA. In some instances NOAA will also be responsible for completing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for individual projects requiring permits in federal waters. These documents include the need to assess the economic impact of siting and operation of aquaculture facilities.
The NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) Policy Directive 01-120, commits NOAA to Ecosystem Based Fishery Management (EBFM). The policy defines EBFM as "a systematic approach to fisheries management in a geographically specific area that contributes to the resilience and sustainability of the ecosystem; recognizes the physical, biological, economic, and social interactions among the affected fishery-related components of the ecosystem, including humans; and seeks to optimize benefits among a diverse set of societal goals." This policy is also relevant to the development of AOA's and aquaculture in general, under existing U.S. laws.
Detailed Description:
ECS seeks to hire a research associate in support of NOAA Fisheries to conduct economic analyses to evaluate potential economic impacts and trade-offs in the context of AOA development and NEPA. This is necessary in order to "optimize benefits among a diverse set of societal goals" as is the policy for Ecosystem Based Management.
An economist will contribute to key aspects of the EO, by (1) informing the identification of Aquaculture Opportunity Areas, (2) supporting implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and (3) analyzing economic impacts to inform education, outreach, and ecosystem-based management of aquaculture. A key requirement of NEPA and the ecosystem approach is to articulate social, economic, and environmental trade-offs, using consistent objective metrics.
The Research Associate shall:
Work as an economist on a larger team, develop and apply tools to measure and evaluate a suite of potential economic benefits, costs, and trade-offs related to the identification of Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in Alaska.
Lead research on the volume, value, and trade of U.S. seafood products that may be produced by aquaculture and from fisheries. Assess supply chain responses to aquaculture production including price effects and substitution costs.
Collaborate with NOAA's Office of Aquaculture, NCCOS and Regional Aquaculture Coordinators to develop economic tools for use in siting analysis (e.g., regional prioritization for Aquaculture Opportunity Areas based on economic indicators).
Collaborate with NOAA's Office of Aquaculture and Regional Aquaculture Coordinator on operationalizing economic evaluation to both improve ecosystem-based management of aquaculture and to inform development of tailored outreach and communications materials.
Advise NOAA's Office of Aquaculture and regional staff about ongoing data collection needs, analytical approaches, and risk assessment for aquaculture management into the future.
Deliverables:
Executive Director |
Wells Fargo |
Lynker Technologies |