Marine Resource Management at COAS:

An Interview with Director Michael Harte

You characterize the MRM program as "Educating tomorrow's leaders; Informing today's leaders." What does this mean?

The program takes students who want to make a difference in the world and use a strong science foundation as a springboard into leadership positions in the world of marine resource management. While training to be tomorrow's leaders, they work and do research with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the fishing industry, private-sector organizations, and state and federal agencies. So their work along the way informs today's leaders in the field.

How is COAS different from other marine resource management programs?

I don't think any of the other programs out there have the same emphasis on a very strong science foundation. Our stepping stone in science-based skills and discipline gives students the ability to pose a research question and understand how to answer it. When students move to positions of leadership, they can successfully fill the gap between the politics, policy and the science of marine resource management.

The emphasis on science skills makes our students incredibly employable; they are in great demand from the various agencies, the private-sector and NGOs. Our MRM graduates have the reputation with employers of having solid skills and being effective from day one on their jobs with very little need for additional training.

At the same time, the students have the confidence in their wider management training; they can understand the environmental, social and economic context of the science and management work they're doing and can apply their skills effectively to real-world problems. Students go into a wide variety of positions.

How does the program train for such a wide range of positions?

The program is divided into four discipline areas:

• Marine Conservation (conservation of biodiversity in marine coastal and estuarine environments)
• Coastal Processes and Hazards (how climate changes and other changes impact physically on the coast)
• Fisheries Management (how fishing impacts the marine environment; how to work with the people in the industry to foster sustainable and profitable fishing practices)
• Marine Pollution (invasive species, oil spills, non-point-source pollutions)

Oregon State University is very strong in these four areas and has very strong linkages to business, NGOs and state and federal government agencies. In those four areas, we have a vast number of research and funding opportunities that range from full research scholarships to payment of three terms work on a wage for an agency or NGO.

In what kind of research work are students engaged?

Again, it's a wide range. Several examples would be:

• Working with a fishing industry for marine stewardship certifications, collecting the scientific data and organizing that data so that the fishery can get its eco label from the international Marine Stewardship Council.
• Working with state agencies on identifying invasive species in estuaries; documenting the species found, then researching if they should be eradicated and what methods could be used.
• Working on designing and implementing networks in marine protected areas.

The program caters both to students who want a traditional research focus and to those who want a more professional focus as a stepping stone to a particular career. Some students have more of a science focus; others have more of a management/policy focus.

How do prospective students find out about the program?

Most of our students don’t come straight from undergraduate school. Most have worked in a state or federal agency or the Peace Corps for a few years. They are looking to impact policy more or get a promotion. They hear about marine research management programs from other professionals they meet on the job or at conferences.

Students who have a keen interest in the program should talk to Robert Allan or myself, to learn more about what the program offers and then come and visit. A visit is not necessary but it is very desirable if potential students have the opportunity.