Where are they now: Matt Robinson

When the Alaska Sea Grant State Fellowship was launched in 2015, Matt Robinson was selected as one of the first Fellows after completing his master’s degree in Arctic and Northern Studies at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Robinson distinguished himself by being the first in that academic program to graduate with dual concentrations in history and environmental policy. His interdisciplinary thesis work on fisheries management and understanding of the history of federal fisheries management in Alaska waters proved invaluable in his work as a fellow with the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.

During his fellowship, Robinson worked closely with NPFMC staff on various policy issues including development of the Bering Sea Fishery Ecosystem Plan. He also worked closely with NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, and the North Pacific Observer Program on a discussion paper exploring the idea of deploying at-sea observers on catcher vessels delivering to tender vessels. Robinson also assisted in developing a summary of amendments to the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Groundfish Fishery Management Plan.

After his fellowship, Robinson joined the Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation, one of six western Alaska Community Development Quota groups, where he managed their federal groundfish, crab, halibut and sablefish allocations.

In addition to his regular duties at BBEDC, Robinson represented the organization on the NPFMC’s Individual Fishing Quota Committee and the North Pacific Research Board.

In January of last year, Robinson joined Senator Murkowski’s team in Washington, D.C., serving as her lead on fisheries, oceans and trade policy.

“My experience as an Alaska Sea Grant State Fellow, years working with Bristol Bay communities at BBEDC and opportunities to engage in regulatory and research decision-making inspired a passion for service that I have carried with me to our nation’s capital,” Robinson said.

“The State Fellowship Program started nearly nine years ago,” said Alaska Sea Grant associate director Molly Cain. “In that time, it has been exciting to see where the careers of our earliest cohorts of fellows have taken them. This is especially true when we get to work with former fellows like Matt in their current professional roles.”