Hi, I’m Nathan, a Rockland, ME based Human Ecologist, designer, and builder. My work is varied, but themes and interests include marine conservation, aquaculture, seafood, and innovation within the conservation field. Past lives include many years in and out of the building trades, with time spent in the grocery delivery start up space, and corporate level grocery procurement. I write, dive, fish, build, and cook, on repeat.

Now, my time is split between two primary roles.

First, I am a PhD Candidate and Research Assistant with the University of Maine’s Aquaculture Research Institute (ARI) where I explore public perception of land-based recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) technology and developments. RAS is an emerging and maturing technology that can play a critical role in diversifying aquaculture production methods, reducing the carbon footprint of the U.S. seafood supply, and reducing the U.S seafood trade deficit. I employ qualitative, quantitative, and spatial methods to understand public perception and recommend solutions for ARI, communities, and RAS developers.

Second, I work with NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program on a 5 year nation-wide project to reassess ecosystem service values for tropical coral reefs within NOAA jurisdictions (American Samoa, CNMI, Florida, the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Guam, Hawaii, the Pacific Remote Island Areas, Puerto Rico, and the USVI). We explore monetized values such as tourism expenditures, along with values that are difficult or inappropriate to assess monetarily, such as spiritual practices associated with coral reefs or coral reef species. This project will help to communicate the value of coral reefs in the U.S. to decision makers ranging from your local natural resource managers to Congress.