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Title

Ascension Island Government - Three Marine/Fisheries Scientist Posts

Posted
Reference   (Please mention Stopdodo/Environment Jobs in your application)
Sectors Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Water Resources
Location Antarctic & South Atlantic - Poles
Town/City George Town
Type Fixed Term and Permanent Roles
Status Full Time
Level Senior Level
Deadline 28/02/2014
Company Name Ascension Island Government
Contact Name Ascension Island Government
Telephone +247 6359
Email nicola.weber@ascension.gov.ac
Website Further Details / Applications
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Description

Background:

Ascension Island harbours globally important marine biodiversity, potentially representing a unique assemblage of western and eastern Atlantic flora and fauna. The Island also supports a commercially valuable pelagic tuna fishery, and an inshore recreational fishery. Currently, however, a paucity of baseline scientific data from the marine environment and a lack of capacity in marine and fisheries science within Ascension Island Government (AIG) are major barriers to the effective management and conservation of the Island’s marine resources. Addressing these issues has been identified as a strategic priority for AIG and is the objective of the new ‘Ascension Island Marine Sustainability (AIMS)’ project funded by the Darwin Initiative. The AIMS project will be delivered through a partnership between AIG and fisheries scientists at the Falklands-based South Atlantic Environment Research Institute (SAERI), with support from the RSPB (Royal for the Protection of Birds), BAS (British Antarctic Survey) and the Shallow Marine Surveys Group (SMSG). The Senior Marine/Fisheries Scientist will be responsible for coordinating the AIMS project and will head up a new Marine and Fisheries Unit within AIG Conservation Department, with facilities including a fully equipped fisheries laboratory, RIB and SCUBA centre (compressor, wash facilities etc.). The other post holders will also be based at the new Marine and Fisheries Unit where they will assist the Senior Marine/Fisheries Scientist in the delivery of the AIMS project. This is an exciting opportunity to join a small but growing conservation team working in one of the world’s most unusual environments and to play a significant role in the development of Ascension’s first marine fisheries unit.

The Ascension Island Government Conservation Department is currently seeking applications for the position of Senior Marine/Fisheries Scientist from experienced post-doctoral researchers with a demonstrably strong track record of marine fieldwork, data collection and analysis.

The main duties of the post are:

  • To development and implement a strategy for the on-going monitoring and management of Ascension’s in shore line and vessel fisheries
  • The examination of resource dynamics in the offshore fishery from catch and effort data and through the deployment of pop-up archival satellite tags.
  • To coordinate by-catch risk assessments for seabirds, turtles and sharks in the commercial fishing fleet.
  • To organise and carry out age and growth studies on near shore and offshore resources and to establish reference sets of otoliths and shells.
  • To lead studies on the reproductive biology of near shore and offshore faunal resources.
  • To catalogue and map Ascension Island’s shallow marine biodiversity, with a view to informing marine spatial planning.
  • To build awareness of, and support for, marine conservation and responsible fishing practices within the local community.
  • To manage and mentor two marine biologists/technicians within the Marine and Fisheries Unit.
  • To produce detailed reports of work conducted for donors, project partners and non-specialist audiences and to produce peer reviewed publications and presentations.
  • To prepare a long term strategy for the sustainable management of Ascension Island’s marine biodiversity and to assist in the development of fisheries policy and legislation.

The Ascension Island Government Conservation Department is currently seeking applications for the position of Marine/Fisheries Scientist (Biology) from graduate marine scientists with a strong track record of marine fieldwork, specimen preparation and data collection.

The main duties of the post are:

  • To participate in visual census and quadrat dive surveys, and to maintain recording and collecting devices in the coastal marine environment around Ascension Island.
  • To conduct age and growth studies on marine species around Ascension Island and to organise the collection and circulation of reference sets of otoliths.
  • To conduct studies on the reproductive biology of marine species using histology, condition, maturity assessment and gonosomatic indices.
  • To process and analyse otoliths and histological specimens.
  • Management of the new Marine/Fisheries Laboratory at the Conservation Centre in Georgetown; ensuring that it is clean, well-stocked and services the project efficiently.
  • Management and analysis of data with regards to biodiversity surveys, species biology, and catch/effort recording schemes.
  • To assist in awareness raising activities in the local community. 

To produce detailed reports of work conducted.

The Ascension Island Government Conservation Department is currently seeking applications for the position of Marine/Fisheries Scientist (Technician) from experienced divers with a background in marine biology and/or fisheries management.

The main duties of the post are:

  • To participate in visual census and quadrat dive surveys, and to maintain recording and collecting devices in the coastal marine environment around Ascension Island.
  • Management and maintenance of the Marine & Fisheries Unit’s scientific equipment.
  • Maintenance of the Marine & Fisheries Unit’s dive equipment and facilities. Ensuring all of the equipment is in service date and kept in the best of condition; this includes a compressor, cylinders, regulators and BCDs.
  • Maintenance of the MFU’s survey vessel (RIB).
  • To assist the Marine/Fisheries Biologist in age, growth and reproductive biology studies on marine species around Ascension Island.
  • To assist the Marine/Fisheries biologist with the preparation and analysis of biological specimens, particularly otoliths and histological specimens.
  • To act as the MFU’s Dive Officer ensuring dive safety and dive planning.
  • Entering and managing data with regard to marine biodiversity surveys, species biology and catch/effort recording schemes.
  • To collect and manage marine photographic imagery.
  • To assist in awareness raising activities. 

Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr Nicola Weber, Head of Conservation: Telephone: +247 6359 or email: nicola.weber@ascension.gov.ac. If you would like to apply for this post then please contact the Human Resources Adviser, Alan Nicholls for an application pack, via email: alan.nicholls@ascension.gov.ac

The deadline for applications is: Friday 28th February 2014 at 5pm. We anticipate that interviews will be carried out in early March and we would ideally like to see the suitable candidate in position in April 2014.

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