Marine fisheries scientist and conservationist
© Ralph Pace
My research
I conduct collaborative marine research to inform science-based natural resource management and conservation efforts. With a professional background spanning academic, federal, industry, and both small and global environmental non-profit organizations, my research addresses state, federal, and international policies that aim to improve ocean ecosystem health.
Scientific Publications Overview
Science Contributions
My science portfolio reflects my passion for understanding and addressing the greatest threats, challenges, and needs for marine fisheries and ecosystem health. I aim not only to contribute valuable insights and knowledge to the marine science and management communities, but also to raise awareness of problems and opportunities for the public.
Fisheries Sustainability
Maintaining healthy fisheries for future generations
My fisheries research leverages collaborative, quantitative, and data-limited approaches with knowledge and participation from fishing communities. I keep my work grounded in management needs of state and federal natural resource agencies, ultimately to enable data-driven, lasting management decisions.
Vulnerable Species
Prioritizing conservation of at-risk species
My work focuses on species vulnerability to both overfishing and climate change. Some species are sensitive to even small amounts of fishing, whether as targeted species or as incidental bycatch. Many species are also sensitive to extreme environmental events as symptoms of climate change.
Climate Change
Understanding climate threats of today and tomorrow
Extreme environmental events are symptoms of climate change. In the oceans, these include marine heatwaves, harmful algal blooms, and deoxygenation events that have cascading impacts across entire marine ecosystems. Fishery closures, delays, and disasters are now common, requiring science and management dedicated to addressing these challenges.
Ecosystem Health
Healthy ecosystems = healthy species and healthy people
Ecosystem-based management is fundamentally important for protecting habitats and the species that depend on them. In the oceans, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are powerful tools that provide this protection. I have spent much of my career on and under the water inside and outside of MPAs to understand their efficacy in several contexts.