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Fisheries Economist
Ocean Associates
Remote
USD 35-55 / hour
Posted on Apr 10, 2026
If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact Ocean Associates at 703-388-9548 to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.
Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) is seeking a Fisheries Economist to provide economic analysis support to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Sustainable Fisheries (OSF) in Silver Spring, MD. OAI is a Virginia corporation established in 2003 that provides consulting and technical services to the U.S. government, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and the private sector. We specialize in scientific program and project management, strategic planning, professional and technical services, and stakeholder engagement, supporting government contracts. We are seeking applicants for this position prospectively, which is dependent on award of contract
Background
The Office of Sustainable Fisheries (OSF) supports consideration and resolution of national domestic policy issues, provides support to the regional fishery management councils (councils), manages fisheries for Atlantic highly migratory species, and works with federal partners to ensure the safety of seafood sold in the U.S. OSF is a headquarters office and works closely with the five NOAA Fisheries regional offices and six science centers and in partnership with the councils, interstate marine fishery commissions, and states to ensure U.S. fisheries are sustainably managed.
OSF also engages the fishing industry (both commercial and recreational), seafood dealers, environmental groups, other federal agencies, and academia to ensure sustainable fisheries and sustainable economies and healthy and nutritious shellfish and finfish. OSF is one of seven national program offices and reports to the NOAA Fisheries Deputy Assistant Administrator of Regulatory Programs. It employs approximately 75 people (FTE’s, contractors, fellows, etc.) primarily in Silver Spring, Maryland; Gloucester, Massachusetts; St. Petersburg, Florida; and Pascagoula, Mississippi. OSF is made up of a directorate, which includes office leadership, and four divisions: the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Management Division, the Domestic Fisheries Division, the Operations and Regulatory Services Division, and the National Seafood Inspection Laboratory.
In April 2025, Executive Order 14276, Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness, was issued to strengthen the U.S. fishing industry by reducing regulatory burdens, combating unfair foreign trade practices, and enhancing domestic seafood production and exports. Since that time OSF solicited public input on innovative ideas to improve fisheries management, and has received workplans from each of the eight Fishery Management Councils and the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Division (Atl HMS). NOAA Fisheries received over 700 public comments and about 175 recommendations from the councils and Atl HMS. NOAA Fisheries is now engaged in evaluating public, Atl HMS, and council input. Additional work will be undertaken to develop and implement actions to support the Executive Order. Individuals under this statement of work will be engaged in activities to support this development and implementation.
Tasks
- Provide economic analysis support.
- Support the fishery management actions necessary to enable rapid fulfillment of the requirements of the Seafood Executive Order
- Support the economic analysis for fisheries management actions resulting from the Seafood EO, and respond to the requests of NOAA and NMFS leadership including but not limited to conducting Regulatory Impact Review analyses, developing fishery descriptions, conducting Regulatory Flexibility Analysis reviews (to include Section 610 reviews), and Small Business entity analyses.
- Assessments including, but not limited to, cost-benefits of proposed management options, including addressing fisheries bycatch and discard issues, capacity, protected species issues, habitat protection restrictions, and social impact assessments in support of the management actions necessary to implement the Seafood EO and respond to the requests of NOAA and NMFS leadership.
- Provide fisheries management input to the Office of Science & Technology’s Trade Dashboard in support of the Seafood EO.
- Evaluate the effects of allocation options between commercial – recreational sectors; within sectors
- Evaluate surveys and research of socioeconomic impacts of management actions and disasters on fishing communities, including general public, fishing businesses, crew, aquaculture operations, marine-related businesses and seafood-business employees.
- Evaluate comparative analyses of fishing labor trends
- Technical editing of economic input to fishery management actions in support of the Seafood EO and in response to NOAA and NMFS leadership requests.
- Evaluation of decision support tools, bio economic models, integrated ecosystem models, angler behavioral models, seafood markets and trade, aquaculture, and fisheries economic impact models.
- Provide support for socio-economic analyses for fisheries management actions for which NOAA is responsible.
Start Date: Anticipated to begin July 1st, 2026; Contingent upon award of contract
Location: Remote / Telework, supporting the office in Silver Spring, MD.
Travel: Limited travel is required to attend meetings, trainings, coordinate research, and attend workshops.
Salary and Benefits: This is a full-time position with benefits. Salary, commensurate with experience, between $35.00 - $55.00 per hour.
Requirements
Applicants must have the following minimum requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree and five (5) years’ experience, or Master’s degree and two (2) years’ experience, from an accredited college or university in environmental policy, fisheries management, or related field of study.
- Experience conducting economic analyses for fishery management actions
- Direct experience working with NEPA, ESA, MMPA, and the MSA
- Ability to write progress reports on accomplishments, issues encountered, travel, and recommendations
- Experience conducting a comprehensive analysis of the economic costs, benefits, and impacts of proposed fishery management actions on small business entities
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Preferred: Experience writing Socio-Economic Impact Assessments and detailed reports quantifying the effects of management options on fishing communities
- Basic computer skills (MS Office, etc.).
- Ability to work effectively both individually and collaboratively in a team/group setting.
- Ability to receive constructive feedback and implement appropriate action.
If you are interested in being considered for this position, please APPLY THROUGH OUR ADP WEB PORTAL, AT THE LINK AT THE TOP RIGHT OF THIS PAGE.
Only qualified applicants that meet minimum experience or background requirements stated above need apply. When applying for this position you will be asked to upload your resume at the end of this online application.
Applicants should submit a resume that includes the following:
- Cover letter that briefly describes how you meet the required and preferred qualifications listed.
- Work history for past 10 years or since last full-time education.
- Education.
- Previous experience or training with similar requirements.
- Three professional references.
- Include your name in the document file name.
- Upload your resume in readable, not scanned, PDF or Word format (PDF is preferred).
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States, complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire, and successfully complete a federal government background check. OAI does not discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal or state law.
OAI is a government contractor and is required by law to invite applicants to voluntarily self-identify their disability status and veteran status. OAI's online application includes check boxes to either voluntarily self identify or decline to self identify. While the information is collected through your application, it is collected anonymously and is not connected to your application. OAI uses the information it collects to track its disability and veteran hiring progress, and to meet its obligations under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and under VEVRAA.
Note: If you are not selected, your materials may be retained for present or future opportunities. We may use your resume in bidding on a project and if we are awarded the work, we will contact you before seeking further applicants. If you do not wish us to retain or use your resume to seek work for you, please let us know in the "Notes" section on the second page of the online application.