NMFS-RTR Program at Virginia Tech

Combining the expertise of National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) biologists and the Virginia Tech (VT) Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, the NMFS–VT RTR Program is the first of its kind in the country. The Program has three objectives, as captured in its name, RTR:

1. Recruiting: To recruit top undergraduates into the field of fisheries population dynamics and careers with NMFS.
2. Training: To present continuing education courses for NMFS employees.
3. Research: To conduct population dynamics and stock assessment research in support of the NMFS mission in a unique collaboration of undergraduates, graduate students, post-doctoral associates, university faculty, and NMFS biologists.

What distinguishes this Program from other cooperative programs of NMFS and other agencies (e.g., the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Geological Service), is its primary mission of recruiting young professionals into the field. The management of natural resources is heavily dependent on the work of highly-skilled quantitative biologists. The need for these individuals is increasing as with workload and agency retirements. Unfortunately, there is not a suitable pool of qualified applicants for these positions. The Program was created to solve this problem by identifying excellent undergraduate prospects and providing them with training and encouragement to enter the field of population dynamics and ultimately, careers with NMFS.

NMFS has provided in excess of $250,000 per year to operate the new Program, which will soon support 8 employees. The Program has created a highly successful recruiting program and a highly productive research program, bringing together a unique collaboration of university and federal scientists. The Program is the model for a new generation of cooperative research programs nationwide. The Program is bringing top graduate students, funding, jobs, and exciting research opportunities to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Virginia Tech has become a Training Center for the nation’s marine agencies. As a result of Virginia Tech hosting the Program, Virginia is playing a greater role in the research and sustainable management of economically important living marine resources.