Azura is seeking a Fisheries Gear Research Technician with experience working with the commercial lobster industry to support the NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) Protected Species Division (PSD).

Background

The applicant will need to be knowledgeable in the operation and use of on-demand gear as well as have several years of experience with the commercial lobster fishing industry.

Place of Performance and Work Schedule

Work is anticipated to be within close proximity to Pocasset / Woods Hole, MA. Work is full-time (40 hours per week) and expected to last approximately 2 years (May 2025 – May 2027) with the possibility of an extension. During workdays, candidates must be able to respond to all communications within 24 hours and conduct calls and meetings as necessary during normal business hours. Travel will be required (3+ trips / year). This position is not open to visa sponsorship or relocation assistance.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and disability insurance; and paid time off for vacation, sick leave, and federal holidays.

Duties

Weak Rope:

• Work with manufacturers and cordage companies to identify multiple diameters of sinking rope (3/8 inch to greater than 1/2 inch) that breaks at 1700 lbs. or less.
• Attain coils and distribute to fishermen to test as whole-buoy line and as one yard spliced-in inserts. Include instructions on how to deliver information on observations of performance under commercial conditions.
• Test rope on breaking machine in Woods Hole.
• Collaborate with New England states’ gear specialists and others working on weak rope and weak rope insert development and testing.
• Develop a list of weak rope options and document with photos and descriptions.
  • Effective - Shown to break at less than 1700 lbs.
  • Replicable - Can be described and fishermen can recreate.
  • Recognizable - Configurations can be recognized by law enforcement (consider weak rope manufacture to include one strand of an alternating color).
• Help develop outreach materials/compliance guides related to weak rope installation.
• Once (if required), conduct port visits (possibly with law enforcement) to demonstrate how to install, as well as provide compliance guidance.
• Collaborate/ communicate results with Canadian counterparts.

Ropeless:

• Help inventory ropeless systems within the ropeless library.
• Help set up and trail ropeless systems on commercial lobster vessels.
• Help deliver and retrieve gear, data sheets, and electronics to fishermen.
• Assist in outreach efforts and workshops to provide information on trials, developments, and resolution or documentation of problems.
• Collaborate/communicate results with Canadian counterparts.

Opportunistic Gear Testing:

• Test weak link at base of surface system.
• Test whether leaving the buoy line (with weak insertions below as may be required by rules) may cause resistance that helps pull line away/thru baleen.
• Test weak insertions on gillnet buoy lines.
• Help generally with outreach to fishermen to share ideas for testing potential modifications and solutions under commercial conditions.
• Test the effect of different diameters of line on whales (see example Woodward et al. 2006).

Gear Warehouse Tasks:

• Assist with archiving and organization efforts.
• Participate in gear analysis and outreach with the fishing community, state agencies, and law enforcement.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience working with the commercial lobster industry.
• Knowledge of the rules regarding weak rope, marking requirements, and on-demand systems.
• Ability to multitask and work with short deadlines
• Eligibility to work in the U.S.
• Candidate must be able to obtain a Public Trust Clearance which requires passing a thorough background check. 

References Cited

Woodward, B.L., Winn, J.P., Moore, M.J., and Peterson, M.L. 2006. Experimental modeling of large whale entanglement injuries. Marine Mammal Science 22:1-12. 

About Azura

Azura is a woman-owned small business headquartered in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. We offer 'big city' resources with 'small town' customer service. Our primary consulting services are focused on natural resources, professional writing and editing, and educational outreach and communication. Please see our website above for more information.