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Part Time Job Opportunity: Reducing Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) bycatch in the Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) bottom trawl fishery

We are looking to hire a junior or senior undergraduate student to assist in the development of a Bycatch Reduction Performance Indicator (BPI) as part of a NOAA-sponsored halibut bycatch reduction device (BRD) project. The student will conduct/assist in up to three tasks: literature review, BPI development, and BRD scoring.

Background

A BPI will be developed to evaluate and compare BRDs previously tested and/or used in the Bering Sea Pacific cod trawl fishery. Indicators are used to convert both qualitative and quantitative data into a summary metric that can be used to guide decision-making in the application of BRDs. The approach proposed in this project is new for assessing BRDs but there is precedent for the development and application of indicator assessment tools. Indicators have also been developed for other fisheries-related issues including overfishing, spatial fisheries management, and comparison of management strategies.

Results of the assessment will enable us to evaluate the efficacy of BRDs that could be used in the Pacific cod trawl fishery and those that warrant further evaluation at early (e.g., design), mid (e.g., testing at a flume tank), or later (e.g., field trials) stages of development and implementation. This analysis will demonstrate how a BPI can be used to evaluate BRDs and identify the most important BRD attributes for considerations in adoption within the cod fishery.

Required Skills

  • Familiarity with literature searches using scientific search engines and bibliographic databases
  • Familiarity with Excell spreadsheets
  • Course background in fish biology and/or behavior
  • Organized with great attention to detail

Position Details

  • Time commitment: 10 – 15 hours per week
  • Wage: $21.57 per hour
  • Appointment duration: Winter and Spring Quarters 2025

To Apply

Please send Dr. John Horne (jhorne@uw.edu) an electronic package containing a letter of interest, unofficial transcript, and a CV/resume that indicates relevant experience.

Packages received on or before January 31, 2025 will receive full consideration.