Departmental Seminar

Two core themes underpin my research: Ecosystem-based management and unintended management consequences. In this talk, I will present recent, ongoing, and planned work that highlight my experience in these realms through three separate research arcs. 

Ecosystem-based management’s holistic view of issues is key to addressing real world problems. The first arc will detail my current work assessing the impact of species distribution shifts on recreational fishery management outcomes, with clear parallels to southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) and other Gulf resources. My second arc will discuss how the growing availability of datasets of opportunity allows the assessment of human interactions with the natural environment at scales not historically possible in support of ecosystem-based management. I will present results of novel analysis of cell phone data that is being extended to look at recreational fishing, rookery disturbance, and serpulid reef distribution in the Laguna Madre. 

Natural resource management often fails due to unintended consequences. In the third arc I describe a novel model developed to identify mislabeling in commercial fisheries, and a partial validation made possible through high-profile legal proceedings against Carlos Rafael in the New England groundfish fishery. Anticipated extensions of this work will combine a similar model with genetic testing for validation in an alternate setting, with implications for species including red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus).  

These projects characterize an applied research agenda with direct management implications - leading to better sustainability of our natural resource legacy.