Title: Gear Liaison
Client: NOAA Fisheries (NMFS)
Location: New England Region (Preferred: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, or Maine Coastal Areas)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Travel Requirement: Extensive Regional Travel (Approximately 70% Field-Based)
Position Overview
NOAA Fisheries is seeking an experienced Gear Liaison to support protected species conservation initiatives through collaboration with the commercial fishing industry, research institutions, and regulatory partners. This position will focus on the development, testing, evaluation, and implementation of fishing gear modifications designed to reduce interactions between commercial fisheries and protected marine species, including sea turtles, large whales, and marine mammals.
The Gear Liaison will serve as a key field representative, working directly with fishermen, conducting outreach and training activities, assisting with gear testing and analysis, and supporting compliance and conservation efforts throughout the New England region and other East Coast fisheries as needed.
Key Responsibilities
Fisheries Gear Research & Evaluation
- Participate in field studies, data collection, analysis, and evaluation of fishing gear modifications aimed at reducing sea turtle, marine mammal, and protected species bycatch.
- Support research projects focused on mitigating large whale and sea turtle entanglements in fixed gear fisheries, including:
- Gillnets
- Trap/Pot Fisheries
- Trawl Fisheries
- Assist regional and science center gear teams with the planning, implementation, and assessment of gear testing initiatives.
- Participate in projects evaluating bycatch reduction technologies, including Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) and other conservation-oriented gear modifications.
- Compile, analyze, and summarize project findings and technical results for program stakeholders.
Industry Outreach & Stakeholder Engagement
- Develop and maintain productive working relationships with commercial fishermen, industry organizations, and partner agencies.
- Conduct dockside outreach, demonstrations, and training sessions regarding proper installation and use of protected species gear modifications.
- Serve as a liaison between NOAA Fisheries, the fishing community, and research partners to facilitate effective communication regarding gear requirements and conservation measures.
- Provide technical assistance to fishermen implementing approved gear modifications.
Compliance & Enforcement Support
- Support NOAA Fisheries Law Enforcement personnel with gear inspections and compliance monitoring activities.
- Assist with investigations and analyses related to protected species entanglements and gear recovery efforts.
- Maintain accurate records and documentation related to gear evaluations, inspections, and compliance activities.
Program Support
- Assist with gear warehouse inventory management, curation, and recordkeeping.
- Participate in Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team (ALWTRT) meetings and related stakeholder engagements.
- Support coordination and collaboration among regional offices, science centers, and external partners involved in protected species conservation efforts.
Work Environment & Travel
This position is heavily field-oriented, with approximately 70% of time spent conducting field activities, including:
- Dockside meetings with fishermen
- Port visits throughout New England
- Gear testing and evaluation aboard commercial fishing vessels
- Field investigations and gear analyses
- Support for law enforcement and protected species response activities
The remaining work may be performed remotely and includes data analysis, reporting, meeting participation, and administrative support.
Primary work locations include:
- Massachusetts (particularly near the NOAA Fisheries Woods Hole Office)
- Maine
- Rhode Island
- New Hampshire
Occasional travel may be required throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and, less frequently, to locations such as Canada or Florida to coordinate with NOAA Fisheries partners and research teams.
Minimum Qualifications
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Commercial fishing operations
- Fishing gear research and development
- Fisheries management
- Marine conservation programs
- Protected species mitigation efforts
- Fisheries field operations
- Strong understanding of commercial fishing gear and fishing practices in the Northwest Atlantic region.
- Experience conducting field-based research, data collection, and technical evaluations.
- Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with commercial fishermen, researchers, regulators, and stakeholders.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and recordkeeping skills.
- Ability and willingness to travel extensively and work aboard commercial fishing vessels and in marine environments.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with NOAA Fisheries, fisheries management councils, or marine conservation organizations.
- Knowledge of protected species regulations and bycatch mitigation programs.
- Familiarity with Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP) requirements.
- Experience with gear testing, marine mammal entanglement investigations, or Turtle Excluder Device (TED) evaluations.
- Degree in Marine Science, Fisheries Science, Marine Biology, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, or a related field is preferred.
- Experience working directly with commercial fishing communities in New England fisheries.
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