Scientific Support

What is Scientific Support?

 

 

Frank Orth & Associates has been providing scientific support personnel to the Northwest Fisheries Science Center of NOAA since the mid-nineties.  Our office is located in Kirkland, WA and the professionals work out of various facilities associated with NWFSC located in Washington and Oregon but most are located in the Montlake facility in Seattle, WA.

 

The Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) is the research arm of the Pacific Northwest NMFS Regional Office and is charged with protecting, managing, preserving, and wise utilization of the Northwest Region’s marine and anadromous resources. The NWFSC studies living marine resources (e.g., salmon, groundfish, and killer whales) and their habitats in the Northeast Pacific Ocean-primarily off the coasts of Washington and Oregon and in freshwater rivers and streams in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. The Center seeks to better understand living marine resources and their ecosystems to assist resource managers in making sound decisions that build sustainable fisheries, recover endangered and threatened species, and sustain healthy coasts. Currently, the NWFSC is composed of the Office of the Science Director and its six Divisions (Conservation Biology, Environmental Conservation, Fish Ecology, Resource Enhancement and Utilization Technologies, Fisheries Resource Analysis, and Monitoring, and Operations, Management & Information). The Center's 300 scientists and staff conduct research in 5 primary areas: 1) status of stocks; 2) human-caused stress/risks; 3) ecosystem and climate characteristics; 4) recovery and rebuilding species; and 5) innovation and technology. 

Generally speaking, programs administered by the divisions focus on narrower areas of research within a division’s specialty. Researchers work in teams within these programs on various research projects and studies. collaborative programs are conducted in partnership with other divisions or organizations, i.e. The Cumulative Risk Initiative.

More information about NWFSC research programs, teams and projects can be obtained from NWFSC Science Issue Papers or by visiting the division/program/project home pages available from the links listed below:

Conservation Biology Division

The Conservation Biology (CB) Division studies the processes that maintain biological diversity so that diversity can be sustained in the face of unprecedented human impacts. The Division also conducts analyses to guide the recovery of animal species already placed at risk by human impacts. The main program areas in the CB division are: 1) Ecosystem Science (which includes subareas such as Human Dimensions, Integrated Marine Ecology, Integrated Watershed & Nearshore Ecology, and Marine Mammal Ecology); 2) Genetics and Evolution (which includes subareas such as Molecular Genetics and Quantitative Genetics and Diversity); and 3) Mathematical Biology and Systems Monitoring (which includes subarea Salmon Harvest).

Environmental Conservation Division

The Environmental Conservation Division investigates the impacts of anthropogenic and natural perturbations (e.g., chemical contaminants and harmful algal blooms) on fishery resources, protected species, and the quality of marine habitat. The main program areas in the EC division are: 1) Ecotoxicology (which includes subareas such as Hazard and Risk Assessment, Immunology, Fish Neurobiology and Development, Pathology, and Reproductive Toxicology); 2) Environmental Assessment; and 3) Harmful Algal Blooms.

Fishery Resource Analysis and Monitoring Division

The Fishery Resource Analysis and Monitoring Division provides the scientific basis for determination of ecologically safe and economically valuable harvest levels for West Coast fisheries. The main program areas in the FRAM division are: 1) Groundfish Analysis (which includes subareas such as Assessment and Aging); 2) Groundfish Monitoring (which includes subareas such as Acoustics, Habitat/Conservation Engineering, and Observer); 3) At-sea Hake Observer Progam (which includes subarea Survey); and 4) Economics.

Fish Ecology Division

The Fish Ecology Division focuses on understanding the complex ecological linkages between commercially and recreationally important marine and anadromous fishery resources of the Pacific Northwest and their habitats. The main program areas in the FE division are: 1) Riverine Survival (which include subareas such as Quantitative Ecology and Transportation); 2) Migrational Behavior (which includes subareas such as Electronics Shop, PIT-tag Technology Research and Development, and Radiotelemetry Studies of Adult Anadromous Fish); 3) Estuarine and Ocean Ecology (which includes subareas such as Climate Change and Ocean Productivity, Estuarine Ecology, and Ocean Ecology); 4) Fisheries Engineering; and 5) Watershed Program (which includes subareas such as Ecosystem Processes and Restoration Effectiveness).

Operations, Management & Information Division

The Operations, Management, and Information (OMI) Division ensures that the Center's infrastructure best supports its scientific programs and that the Center is responsive to internal and external needs and concerns. The main program areas in the OMI Division are: 1) Analytical, Logistical & Operational Services; 2) Scientific Writing & Communications; 3) Information Technology; 4) Research Planning; 5) Scientific Data Management; and 6) Facilities Management & Environmental Compliance/Safety Services.

Resource Enhancement and Utilization Technologies Division

The Resource Enhancement and Utilization Technologies Division resolves existing and developing challenges associated with captive rearing, disease control, hatchery technology, smolt quality, and utilization research. The main programs/project teams in the REUT division are: 1) Aquaculture Research (which includes subareas such as Enhancement and Nutritional Technologies); 2) Hatchery Reform Science (which includes subareas such as Behavioral Ecology and Hatchery Technology); 3) Microbiology; and 4) Environmental Physiology.

Science Director's Office

The Office of the Science Director provides overall leadership and coordination for the Center's science programs. The Office of the Science Director also oversees collaborative partnerships and manages small scientific programs in emerging areas. Its principal focus is Science Synthesis & Coordination.

What will I be doing?

FOA provides scientists, technicians and program assistants, as needed, to support the various divisions of the NWFSC in the performance of these responsibilities and their overall charge as noted above.  On occasion, we provide similar resources to the Alaska Fisheries Science Center as well. Task order requirements run the gamut of scientific services. As an example, we hire scientists to work in laboratories and think tanks and conduct land-based fieldwork as well as work onboard research vessels. Some examples of each of these activities are listed below:

1.) Laboratory Work

  • Analyze oil spill dynamics and effects on marine organisms
  • Perform DNA extractions
  • Develop DNA sequences and microsatellite genotypes
  • Perform tissue sampling,
  • Perform fish culturing and rearing
  • Perform nutrition analyses of fish tissue and fish feeds
  • Carry out research to understand the ecology and virulence of marine bacterial pathogens
  • Isolate and incubate algal cysts and culture, identify, and enumerate unicellular harmful algae
  • Manage all aspects of sub-projects related to the Juvenile Life History Evolution in Snake River Fall Chinook Salmon
  • Perform routine enzyme assays (gill/Na/K ATPase activity)
  • Fabricate, test, and operate recirculation systems for research on marine organisms

2.) Think Tank Work

  • Develop computer programs to support model development
  • Perform statistical routines
  • Build models in areas related to climate, ecosystems, oceanic plankton community dynamics
  • Identify the relative importance of watershed and near-shore land use, climate change, and land use scenarios on the integrity of commercial shellfish populations
  • Perform literature reviews on valuing ecosystem services
  • Conduct research in the general area of predicting ecosystem response to ocean acidification specifically changes in pH and water carbon chemistry
  • Use GIS to national indicators and summary metrics of presence and abundance of fish species and to map potential restoration sites for incised channels and beaver habitat
  • Research the effectiveness of relocating and consolidating NWFSC programs at current and possible locations
  • Support ongoing research projects led by scientists within the Watershed program at the NWFSC by providing scientific and technical expertise in the design, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of research, monitoring, and restoration projects with the Puget Sound and Columbia river basins
  • Perform routine enzyme assays (gill/Na/K ATPase activity)
  • Guide scientific recommendations in support of review and implementation of recovery plan strategies for salmon using statistical analyses, database management, technical writing skills, and oral presentation skills

3.) Land-based Fieldwork

  • Document the recolonization of the Cedar River by pacific Salmon using a variety of fish enumeration techniques including snorkeling, electrofishing, mark-capture, and stable isotopes
  • Conduct survey research for social science projects such as the Groundfish Rationalization Study
  • Implement and analyze imaging sonar currently used for salmon escapement estimation in the Elwha River Basin
  • Collect, summarize, and analyze data from field surveys of vegetation, invertebrates, fish, and abiotic variables in the Snohomish river estuary
  • Preparation of fish otoliths for microstructural and microchemistry analysis
  • Identify salmonids, enumerate fish densities, handle fish for length weight, tagging purposes, and gastric lavage, and collect physical habitat data for the Elwha River Basin

3.) Marine Fieldwork

  • Work as part of team surveying groundfish stocks off the U.S. West Coast
  • Assistance with biological sample collection of marine fish and invertebrates at-sea
  • Conduct field surveys of plankton, macro-invertebrates, fish, water quality, and other variables in Puget Sound

 

 

 

                                                          

To be considered for a position in our Scientific Support Services work, submit your resume and references to Jim Skubic or (800) 843-2188.