Fish provide an important source of protein in the U.S. and the world. We must manage the oceans well so that we can maximize the amount of fish that can be sustainably harvested. History has proven how challenging it is to do this. Several populations of the most desirable fish species have been reduced to very low levels from commercial exploitation; for example some populations (and subsequently catches) of haddock and flounder off the northeast US were severely reduced in the early 90s. Several Pacific salmon populations are considered threatened and endangered. Scientists and resource managers are trying to determine how to rebuild these populations, and even whether it is possible to do so. The people who look into these questions have a solid understanding of such topics as ecology, biology, statistics, dynamical systems, and linear algebra—just to name a few. It is very common for individuals with backgrounds in both applied mathematics/statistics and biology/ecology to pursue this field.

Since June 1997, I have been working as a Marine Research Associate at the University of Rhode Island's graduate school of oceanography. I work on projects related to fisheries stock assessment and population dynamics of exploited fish populations. I am funded through grants from such institutions as the National Marine Fisheries Service and state agencies. These agencies are charged with sustainably managing the aquatic resources and habitat in the areas under their jurisdiction and our findings aid them in their mission.