Aquaculture Sustainability Specialist

Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) seeks an Aquaculture Sustainability Specialist Consultant with expertise in bivalves and methodology development to help SFP assess key sustainability risks in farmed bivalve production (including wild seed collection, water quality, and broader impacts on nature) and update its Fish Source Aquaculture methodology to reflect these risks.

Fish Source is a publicly available online resource documenting the status of fisheries, fish stocks, and aquaculture. It compiles and summarizes publicly available scientific and technical information, presenting it in an easily interpretable format. Since its launch in 2018, SFP’s Fish Source Aquaculture (FS Aqua) profiles have expanded in both number and geographic coverage.

While effective for assessing the management of major farmed finfish and crustacean commodities, the underlying FS Aqua methodology does not fully assess certain key species of interest to SFP partners, particularly enhanced bivalve production. SFP also seeks to expand its current aquaculture scoring methodology to better capture the management in place to minimize broader habitat and wildlife (nature) impacts across all aquaculture groups.

This consultancy engagement requires expertise in project coordination; aquaculture, bivalves, and enhanced fishery knowledge; and a strong understanding of aquaculture’s interactions with the wider ecosystem. Experience using or contributing to Fish Source is desirable.

Scope of Work

The consultant will independently manage and execute the work required to produce the project deliverables described below, coordinating with SFP staff and external stakeholders as needed.

Produce an assessment of key risks in bivalve production, including those related to nature, water quality, and wild seed collection, as well as noting any environmental benefits.

Document management best-practice recommendations to mitigate risks.

Draft recommended adaptations to the FS Aqua scoring methodology that incorporate nature-related scores and link to Fish Source wild capture profiles when wild seed collection is used.

Draft recommendations for any associated adaptations to the FS wild capture methodology.

Based on the report and recommendations, collaborate with the Aquaculture Information Manager and coordinate with wild-capture FS subject matter experts to develop, test, and publish a methodology for creating enhanced bivalve Fish Source profiles.

Produce an estimated 8 pilot Fish Source profiles for enhanced bivalve production systems, ≈ half of which depend on wild seed, using the new methodology, and report on the success and areas for improvement of the methodology.

Education:

Master’s or Ph.D. in Marine Biology, Aquaculture, Fisheries Management, Environmental Science, or a related aquatic resource field. A bachelor’s degree will be considered if accompanied by demonstrated strength and experience in the other core requirements.

Ecological Risk Assessment:
Strong understanding of aquaculture’s interactions with the wider ecosystem, specifically the management in place to minimize the impact of aquaculture on issues including, but not limited to, farm siting, carrying capacity (plankton depletion), disease prevention and control, wildlife/predator interactions, and genetic and ecological risks of escapes.

Aquaculture, Bivalve, & Enhanced Fishery Knowledge:
Demonstrated expertise in aquaculture production systems, with specific knowledge of filter-feeding bivalve systems and Enhanced “Catch and Grow" fisheries (including wild seed/spat collection).

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