May 3, 2021 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:
The New England Fishery Management Council is seeking the services of an independent contractor to develop informational products for fishery managers that integrate the results of three assessments:
- The Northeast Regional Habitat Assessment (NHRA);
- The Northeast Fish and Shellfish Climate Vulnerability Assessment (FSCVA); and
- The Northeast Habitat Climate Vulnerability Assessment (HCVA).
This is a temporary contractor role, commencing on or about July 1, 2021, with expected completion by December 31, 2022. The contractor will work closely with the Council’s Habitat Plan Coordinator, as well as other NHRA and HCVA investigators. The application deadline is May 31, 2021.
WHAT’S THIS ABOUT: This project provides the New England and Mid-Atlantic Councils, which lead the Northeast Regional Habitat Assessment, with an opportunity to integrate the outputs from all three of the identified assessments for use in fisheries management. The major objectives for this project are to:
- Refine and advance a preliminary habitat-species vulnerability matrix; and
- Develop species narratives for prioritized managed and forage species in the region.
The matrix will summarize which species use which habitat types, by life stage, and identify habitat and species climate vulnerabilities. The species narratives will describe how the vulnerability of habitats to climate change may impact the vulnerability of those species, with a focus on species that are highly dependent on highly vulnerable habitats.
HOW MANY SPECIES ARE INVOLVED: The objective is to complete narratives for 50 species as part of this contract, with the remaining 20 species completed if possible, as resources permit. A table containing the full list of species is available in the solicitation announcement.
TIMELINE: The timeline for this effort is July 2021 through December 2022, though most work is expected to be completed by July 2022 to align with the end date of the Northeast Regional Habitat Assessment.
DESIRED EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS: The Council is looking for candidates who have: (1) background in marine fisheries biology, ecology, habitat science, climate science, and/or habitat modeling, including knowledge of Greater Atlantic Region managed and forage species; (2) familiarity with the federal fisheries management in the Greater Atlantic Region, including a basic understanding of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and regulatory guidance; (3) strong writing skills and a demonstrated ability to summarize complex issues in clear, easily read documents; (4) a demonstrated ability to work well as part of a team but with considerable independence and initiative and strong interpersonal skills; and (5) the ability to research and compile fisheries habitat and scientific research with minimal supervision.
APPLICATION DETAILS: Interested professionals are encouraged to submit a letter of interest, current resume or curriculum vitae, examples of similar work completed for other organizations or publications, and a budget with expected expenses no later than May 31, 2021.
- Information about how to submit letters of interest and supporting materials can be found in the solicitation announcement.
- A complete list of Phase 1 and Phase 2 tasks associated with this project is outlined in the solicitation announcement.
QUESTIONS: For more information, contact Executive Director Tom Nies at (978) 465-0492 ext. 113, tnies@nefmc.org, or Habitat Plan Coordinator Michelle Bachman at (978) 465-0492 ext. 120, mbachman@nefmc.org.