News 2016: School for Marine Science & Technology and Division of Marine Fisheries expand membership of joint institute promoting sustainable fisheries

Director of NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center and marine director of The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts join the Marine Fisheries Institute Advisory Council.

The Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Institute, a partnership between UMass Dartmouth’s School for Marine Science & Technology (SMAST) and the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, recently welcomed two new members to the Marine Fisheries Institute Advisory Council. Dr. Jonathan Hare, the newly appointed Director of the NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, and Chris McGuire, Marine Program Director of The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts, have accepted nominations to serve on the Council.

Led by scientists at SMAST in collaboration with the Division of Marine Fisheries, the Marine Fisheries Institute promotes scientifically based management approaches to sustain a vital food source and support this important marine industry. The Marine Fisheries Institute’s extensive record includes independent scientific research applied to the New England and Mid-Atlantic marine fisheries with an emphasis on cooperative research between scientists and fishermen.

“The addition of Jon Hare and Chris McGuire will add to the already broad range of expertise and experience of the Marine Fisheries Institute Advisory Council,” said Steven E. Lohrenz, Dean of SMAST and Marine Fisheries Institute Co-Chair. “Jon’s participation will help to maintain and strengthen our collaborations with the Northeast Fisheries Science Center for applied fisheries research and education. Chris has worked with SMAST and the Division of Marine Fisheries to study aspects of fish biology and fisheries for developing solutions to current challenges in fisheries management.”

The addition of Jon Hare and Chris McGuire will add to the already broad range of expertise and experience of the MFI Advisory Council.

About Dr. Jonathan Hare

Dr. Hare has held various positions with NOAA Fisheries for more than two decades. He previously held the position of Supervisory Research Oceanographer and Oceanography Branch Chief. He was responsible for overseeing biological and oceanographic survey programs for the Northeast U.S. Shelf, and provided NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center leadership guidance on climate change.

Most recently, he served as Supervisory Research Oceanographer and Acting Ecosystems Processes Division Chief for the Northeast Fisheries Science Center Narragansett Laboratory. Hare is the recipient of multiple awards for his research and leadership. Hare earned his BA in biology from Wesleyan University and his PhD in Oceanography from the State University of New York.

About Christopher McGuire

As Marine Program Director, McGuire works to conserve Massachusetts’ critical ocean coastal systems, develops sustainable fisheries partnerships with local fishermen, and advances ocean planning efforts.  McGuire also maintains a US Coast Guard Ocean Master’s License.

His areas of expertise include marine conservation, ocean planning and management, oceanographic research, and sustainable fishing practices. McGuire earned his BA in History from Connecticut College, and his Master of Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island.

About the Marine Fisheries Institute

Sustaining fisheries through scientific study

The Marine Fisheries Institute’s primary mission is to promote sustainable fisheries through scientific study to advance understanding and through the provision of timely information and guidance to protect, conserve, and manage Massachusetts and New England fisheries and their habitats in a manner that balances the economic, environmental, and cultural interests of the citizens of the Commonwealth.

Since the Institute’s inception, the Marine Fisheries Institute has focused on addressing critical issues related to Massachusetts fisheries and fishing communities, including fostering a cooperative working relationship among scientists, government, fishermen, and environmentalists. Marine Fisheries Institute researchers are highly productive in a variety of areas, including conservation engineering, groundfish fisheries, stock assessment and management research, benthic habitat, pelagic fisheries, ocean environment, and scallop fishery.

Additionally, the Institute partners with NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service as well as other public and private research organizations and state and federal agencies.

Advancing graduate education

“In addition to the Marine Fisheries Institute’s contributions to research, the Institute has also been a vehicle for advancing graduate education in fisheries-related fields,” said Lohrenz. “This includes direct involvement by and support of students in Marine Fisheries Institute research and workshop activities, participation by Division of Marine Fisheries scientists in graduate and post-doctoral advising and development of courses, enrollment of Division of Marine Fisheries personnel in graduate programs, as well as other educational efforts.”

“Our Marine Fisheries Institute partnership has many benefits, one being opportunities for Division of Marine Fisheries staff to teach graduate students and help them focus on research with the Division of Marine Fisheries professionals helping to answers pertaining to how best to use fishing industry expertise for improved fisheries management and sustainable fisheries.” said David Pierce, Director of Mass Division of Marine Fisheries and Marine Fisheries Institute Co-Chair. “The end result especially for the New Bedford area is more and better informed research and management be it for sea scallops, groundfish, or any other fisheries resource on with the industry relies.”

For more information, visit www.umassd.edu/mfi.