October 15, 2015

This month six new Washington Sea Grant (WSG) Hershman fellows are embarking on one-year fellowships, tackling topics as varied as assessing paddlesports safety in Washington to addressing climate change for the Makah Tribe. Last week WSG hosted a general fellowship orientation for all new fellows, followed by a tour of Fisherman’s Terminal, led by WSG Seafood Industry Specialist Pete Granger and WSG Director Penny Dalton.

The Hershman Fellowship was created in 2005 by WSG Director Dalton, in honor of Marc Hershman, a leader in the study of ocean and coastal policy, to provide emerging professionals in marine affairs with opportunities for career development. Professor Hershman served on the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy during 2001–2004 and was the Director of the University of Washington School of Marine Affairs (now School of Marine and Environmental Affairs).

The fellowship provides emerging professionals with a unique inside perspective on building marine policy and also allows them opportunities to share their academic expertise. For one year, fellows craft marine and resource policies and are teamed with mentors in state government or non-profit offices around Olympia, Tacoma and Seattle, working on ocean and coastal science or management issues. Many of WSG’s former fellows have gone on to positions in state and local government, private industry, and non-profit marine organizations.

This year’s fellows are addressing several critical policy issues around the Puget Sound including paddlesports safety, marine water quality trends, coastal hazards, and climate change policy development. Mentors come from The Nature Conservancy, the Makah Tribe Office of Marine Affairs, the Washington Departments of Ecology, Parks and Recreation, and Health, and the Puget Sound Partnership.

The 2015-16 Hershman fellows are:

• Mikaela Freeman: Washington Parks and Recreation Commission/Recreational Boating Safety Program
• Lindsey Hamilton: Washington Department of Health
• Skadi von Reis Crooks: Puget Sound Partnership
• Michael Levkowitz: Washington Department of Ecology, Shorelands and Environmental Assistance
• Melissa Watkinson: The Nature Conservancy, Washington Field Office (Seattle)
• Michael Chang: Makah Tribe, Office of Marine Affairs; The Nature Conservancy, Washington Field Office (Seattle)