Capital gains

As the center of the U.S. political arena, Washington, D.C., may seem an unlikely place for scientists. Three graduate students from the University's College of Marine Studies, however, are finding it the ideal location to spend a year working to develop and implement effective policies regarding the marine environment.

Meredith Blaydes, Jennifer Costanza and Bernice McLean are among 33 students selected nationwide for a Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship, which is sponsored by the National Sea Grant College Program in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Named in honor of former NOAA administrator John A. Knauss, one of Sea Grant's founders and the founding dean of the Graduate School of Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island, the program was established in 1979 to provide a unique educational experience for highly qualified graduate students.

Blaydes is spending her fellowship year in the Habitat Protection Division of NOAA Fisheries' Office of Habitat Conservation, where the focus is to ensure that sufficient healthy habitats exist to sustain populations of living marine resources. Blaydes says she spends her days doing a little bit of everything--from writing to conducting research to attending meetings.

"It can be discouraging to learn about the current state of our oceans," she says. "But, the exciting part lies in meeting people who share the same goals in terms of ocean governance, education and awareness. We all have a chance to make history here, and I hope we do."

Blaydes says she has found it particularly interesting to see the debate unfold between different stakeholders on controversial issues, some of which pertain to fisheries and marine protected areas.

"It's very exciting to live and work so close to the nation's capital, where so many decisions that direct our country are made," Blaydes says. "The work here is never boring, and multitasking is definitely a must. In terms of work experience and outside exposure, the Knauss program offers unequaled opportunities."

As a master's degree candidate in marine policy, Blaydes is researching the safety aspects of recreational boating in coastal inlets. Her research is guided by Jeremy Firestone, assistant professor of marine policy, and Biliana Cicin-Sain, professor of marine policy and director of the Gerard J. Mangone Center for Marine Policy. Using statistical analysis, Blaydes is determining the factors involved in the rates and severity of boating accidents, including the possible impact of jetties.

Costanza has been working in the Office of the Under Secretary of NOAA, which is responsible for all the agency's activities, from coastal policy implementation to budget formulation. In one project, Costanza participated in a national media campaign to promote rip current awareness around the nation. More recently, she conducted research on organic acts, legislated mandates regarding an organization's missions and responsibilities. Her work was critical to the development of an organic act for NOAA, which was announced by Commerce Secretary Donald Evans in June.

"This was the first organic act regarding NOAA to be submitted to Congress by any administration in our 34-year history," Scott Rayder, NOAA's chief of staff, says. "Jen was thorough in her research and analysis of organic acts from other agencies and departments, and that, in turn, made drafting our bill easier."

"I love my job," Costanza says. "I work on all kinds of things: writing memos, sitting in meetings, writing speeches and planning events. Despite the long days and complete exhaustion that usually ensues when I walk out the door, it's great."

As a master's degree student in marine biology–biochemistry, Costanza is working with College marine biologist Nancy Targett to develop an artificial horseshoe crab bait to use in the eel and whelk fisheries. Researchers hope this bait will relieve pressure on the horseshoe crab, whose population has declined due to overfishing and deterioration of its spawning grounds.

The third UD fellow, McLean, has been working in Climate and Societal Interactions, a division of NOAA's Office of Global Programs that sponsors scientific research designed to improve society's ability to adapt to climate changes.

She has participated in the White Water to Blue Water conference in Miami that brought together national delegations from 28 countries in the Caribbean region to promote clean freshwater and ocean environments, as well as a workshop in Anchorage, Alaska, on climate variability and change.

"I don't really have a 'typical' day, which I think is a benefit of the job," McLean says. "But, the most unique experience I have had thus far was the workshop in Anchorage and the insight it gave me into the issues they're facing."

She says it was enlightening to meet some Native Alaskans and "learn firsthand about the impact of climate change on their safety, well-being and traditional livelihood."

As a native of South Africa, McLean also has found public access to hearings on the Hill to be an impressive aspect of the U.S. governance system. "I am continuously impressed by the amount of interesting processes and events that are happening," she says. "It has been a real benefit of the fellowship to interact with a wide variety of dedicated people working on issues that affect us all."

A doctoral candidate in marine policy, McLean has been working with Cicin-Sain to explore various options that can be used to better manage the marine and coastal resources of eastern and southern Africa. In particular, McLean is looking at how natural and social issues, which can have an impact on coastal areas, can be integrated into policy and management strategies to strengthen the governance of these areas.

Blaydes, Costanza and McLean are working in diverse areas, but they are united in their opinion about the fellowship. All three say it provides an unparalleled opportunity to learn about decision making and policy implementation at the national level and presents exciting opportunities to interact with people who are dedicated to ocean and coastal matters.

--Kari K. Gulbrandsen, EG '91M