NOAA Names Link New Senior Scientist for Ecosystem Management
Dr. Jason Link.
Dr. Link's Areas of Research & Expertise
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Selected PublicationsLink, J.S., T.F. Ihde, C.J. Harvey, S.K. Gaichas, J.C. Field, J.K.T. Brodziak, H.M. Townsend, R.M. Peterman. 2012. Dealing with Uncertainty in Ecosystem Models: The Paradox of Use for Living Marine Resource Management. Prog. Oceanogr. 102:102-114. Link, J.S., S. Gaichas, T.J. Miller, T. Essington, A. Bundy, J. Boldt, K.F. Drinkwater, E. Moksness. 2012. Synthesizing Lessons Learned from Comparing Fisheries Production in 13 Northern Hemisphere Ecosystems: Emergent Fundamental Features. Marine Ecology Progress Series 459:293-302. Link, J.S. and Bundy, A. 2012. Ecosystem Modeling in the Gulf of Maine Region: Towards an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries. AFS Gulf of Maine Symposium Proceedings: Advancing an Ecosystem Approach in the Gulf of Maine. AFS Symp. 79:281-310. Link, J.S., Nye, J.A. and J.A. Hare. 2011. Guidelines for incorporating fish distribution shifts into a stock assessment context. Fish and Fisheries 12:461-469. |
Example Committees & Working Groups
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December 3, 2012
NOAA has named Jason Link, PhD, as its first-ever Senior Scientist for Ecosystem Management. In this new role, Dr. Link will be the agency’s senior-most authority on ecosystem science, conducting research and coordinating activities of NOAA Fisheries’ science support for effective ecosystem-based management. His priorities will be to lead approaches and models to support development of ecosystem-based management plans throughout the agency. A key element of Jason’s work will be the development of the tools and approaches that will allow us to deal with the impacts of climate change on our marine trust species.
“Ecosystem-based management is a NOAA priority and having Jason serve as our lead research scientist on that issue will help us achieve NOAA and National Ocean Policy goals. During his time with NOAA Fisheries, Jason has been one of our “go-to” experts on ecological modeling and related topics in the context of managing marine resources and ecosystems. I look forward to him leading the agency in developing cutting-edge support tools,” said Dr. Richard Merrick, NOAA Fisheries Chief Science Advisor.
During his 15-year career with NOAA Fisheries, Dr. Link’s work has revolved around the scientific underpinnings for ecosystem-based marine resource management. His expertise in food web dynamics and his exemplary work with the Ecosystem Assessment Program at NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center in Woods Hole has led to his and NOAA’s acknowledgement around the world, resulting in comparable programs in other countries. While pelagic communities and predator-prey ecology remain important, Dr. Link’s work has moved more towards applied ecological modeling and practical fisheries science for management. Recent efforts have focused on essential fish habitat, multi-species models, ecosystem models, and developing resource management tools and systems with a strong ecological basis.
“I am excited and honored to be selected as the first NOAA Science Advisor for Ecosystem Management," said Link. Dr. Link’s educational background includes a Bachelors of Science major in biology and minor in chemistry with honors at Central Michigan University and a Doctorate in Biological Sciences at Michigan Technological University. Dr. Link has chaired or participated on numerous regional, national, and international working groups, review panels, editorial boards, committees, workshops, and scientific teams.
Highlights from Dr. Link's Career |
- Research Fishery Biologist, NOAA Fisheries Woods Hole Lab (1997-2012)—analyzed, modeled, and reported on the diet composition, selection, and consumption of the northwest Atlantic food web with an emphasis on the fish community. Focus was on natural mortality estimates due to species interactions within the context of the northwest Atlantic ecosystem. Includes role as Senior Scientist for Ecosystem Assessment Program since 2008.
- Fisheries Biologist IV, NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fisheries Science Center Laboratory, Pascagoula, Mississippi (1996-1997)—analyzed, assisted in collection and compiling data on reports for several Gulf of Mexico marine fishery projects. Focused on analyzing abundance, size, habitat, geographic range, depth distribution, and general stock assessment of various species—major emphasis on small pelagic fish stocks and commercially important fish larvae.
- Adjunct Biologist, NBS-GLSC Lab, Ashland, Wisconsin (1994-1995)—assisted with Lake Superior fishery projects on research design, sampling, data analysis, reporting, and training personnel.
- Technician, NOAA-NURP Submersible Dives (1992, 1994)—administrated zooplankton microsphere tests, videotaped microscopic particles, served as principal scientist in charge of logistics and project execution onboard ship.
- Research Assistant (1990-1992)—completed culture and maintenance of Ceriodaphnia for chronic toxicity tests, culture of infectious bacteria, administration of toxicity tests, supervising laboratory technicians.
- Water Quality Consultant (1990)—coordinated industrial water project to address the most effective chemical treatment method for decalcifying and defouling cooling towers.
Spotlight on Honors and Awards |
- Best Paper in Fisheries Bulletin, 2010
- Best Paper in NAJFM, 2008
- CMU CST Outstanding Alumni Award, 2006
- Fisheries Society of the British Isles Medal, 2005
- CSIRO Marine Research- Frohlich Fellowship, 2004
- Department of Commerce Bronze Model Award, 2000
