Gulf of Maine Research Institute


The Gulf of Maine Research Institute has an opening for a paid summer research internship  
Quota allocations to groups of self-selecting permit holders (known as sector allocations) are increasingly being considered as a way to provide fishermen with greater control and flexibility in their fishing businesses while achieving efficiency gains. This new approach, which devolves substantial management responsibilities to groups of fishermen, represents a potential transformation in the relationship among fishermen as well as the relationship between fishermen and the management councils.
We hypothesize that the success of sectors is likely to rest in part on the strength of the relationships between permit holders including their degree of trust and collaboration. We also hypothesize that successful sectors will build norms and networks that enable collective action over time. The value of these relationships is commonly referred to in social and economic literature as social capital.
There has been no evaluation of the social capital of existing Groundfish sectors or of the proposed sectors. GMRI in cooperation with the Northeast Fishery Science Center is developing a survey that will be used to collect the baseline information necessary to measure the social capital of existing sectors and of new sectors before they begin operation. The initial survey will be followed up by one or more additional surveys after the sectors have been operating to determine the role social capital played in their success (or lack thereof) and how whether and how the social capital of the sectors has evolved over time.
Position Description:
The intern will assist with development of a survey to measure social capital of existing sectors in the groundfish fishery and a number of new sectors that are being formed now. The intern will conduct background research on measurement of social capital and will assist Dr. Holland and Dr. da Silva with design and pilot testing of a phone survey that will be administered to fishermen. The position may involve travel within the region to conduct ethnographic interviews with fishermen. The successful candidate should be capable of working autonomously and have the confidence to interact with members of the fishing industry.
Qualifications:
We are looking for a graduate student (maybe they would consider an undergrad?) with an interest in research on social capital and fisheries and relevant training in the social science (e.g. economics, public policy, anthropology sociology). Experience with conducting interviews or focus groups and with survey design is desirable.
Stipend: The internship provides a stipend of $5,000 with an expectation of a minimum of 8 weeks at full time.

Applications:
Applicants should submit a letter of interest, a curriculum vitae and names of three references to Dan Holland. Applications will be accepted through March 21 or until a suitable candidate is found.
Gulf of Maine Research Institute
350 Commercial Street
Portland, Maine 04101
The Gulf of Maine Research Institute is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.