Marine Science & Planning
An important aspect of my work is to bring the best available science to marine policy and regulation. Working with federal, provincial and state agencies, as well as First Nations, Treaty Tribes and stakeholders, I have assisted with developing new fisheries regulations, produced species at risk assessments and recovery plans, and influenced federal policies for removing avian predators.
Common mergansers and other birds forage on the Columbia River and consume salmon smolts. I studied the habitat selection and foraging behaviour of common mergansers on two reservoirs of the mid-Columbia River to support the Chelan County Public Utility in their assessment of avian predation and salmon survival.
I have worked with government agencies, fishermen, and the at-sea observer programs to assess rates, develop observer materials, write national policy and develop new regulations to reduce the incidental catch of seabirds in commercial fisheries.
Marine planning in the North Coast of BC is using an ecosystem-based management framework to support the development of marine use plans for the waters between north Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii.
Marine protected areas in Washington state were assessed for conservation management status from 2009-2012. This on-going project advances our understanding of how to conduct marine gap analyses and encourages dialogue regarding the statement that 1% of the oceans are protected.
The albatrosses and shearwaters are most at risk in BC from incidental longline mortality. I have worked with government agencies to document threats to marine birds and quantify these threats for species at risk or candidate species.
For three years, I worked in Washington state to spearhead The Nature Conservancy’s first ever marine spatial planning initiative. Our marine team worked to build local community and tribal support to advance multi-objective planning for conservation, renewable energy and fisheries.