Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Marine Resources Program

Sea Grant Fellowship Opportunity

Program Overview

The Marine Resources Program of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is responsible for assessment, management, and sustainability of Oregon’s marine habitat, biological resources, and fisheries.  In addition to direct responsibilities in state waters (from shore to three miles seaward), the program provides technical support and policy recommendations to state, federal, regional, and international decision-makers who develop management strategies that affect all of Oregon’s marine resources, fisheries, and coastal communities.

Fellowship Topics

Several internship topics are available, all working on providing marine resource management policy and technical support:

1) Provide policy and technical support for implementing Oregon’s marine reserves process.

2) Provide policy and technical support for review and impact assessment of current and new proposals for developing wave energy facilities off the Oregon coast.

3) Provide policy development and analytical assistance to the program manager to support fisheries management efforts at the Pacific Fishery Management Council.

4) Assist with the development, implementation, and public education efforts for Oregon’s new nearshore fishery management plan.

5) Work on the enhancement and implementation of several shellfish management policies and new program design through the state’s new shellfish management program.

6) Study developing fisheries to design and implement program assessment and monitoring methods.

Project Scope

Projects all have a mix of duties, including the analysis and interpretation of fisheries and scientific data, socio-economic data, incorporation of scientific literature, policy development including public involvement, and regulatory language development at state and federal levels.  The fellowship would focus on a topic of mutual interest to the state.

Opportunities and Benefits

• Knowledge and experience in state, regional, and federal marine resource management system structure and operations.

• Acquire in-depth knowledge about a number of current marine management issues (e.g., marine reserves, essential fish habitat, nearshore fisheries management, area management).

• Create working relationships and contacts with marine resource policymakers, managers, users, and scientists.

• Working with a team in an arena where your input has a direct impact on how Oregon’s marine resources are managed.