Terms of Use

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Terms

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Use License

  1. Permission is granted to temporarily download one copy of the materials (information or software) on MRAG Americas, Inc.’s web site for personal, non-commercial transitory viewing only. This is the grant of a license, not a transfer of title, and under this license you may not:
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  2. This license shall automatically terminate if you violate any of these restrictions and may be terminated by MRAG Americas, Inc. at any time. Upon terminating your viewing of these materials or upon the termination of this license, you must destroy any downloaded materials in your possession whether in electronic or printed format.

Disclaimer

The materials on MRAG Americas, Inc.’s web site are provided “as is”. MRAG Americas, Inc. makes no warranties, expressed or implied, and hereby disclaims and negates all other warranties, including without limitation, implied warranties or conditions of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement of intellectual property or other violation of rights. Further, MRAG Americas, Inc. does not warrant or make any representations concerning the accuracy, likely results, or reliability of the use of the materials on its Internet web site or otherwise relating to such materials or on any sites linked to this site.

Limitations

In no event shall MRAG Americas, Inc. or its suppliers be liable for any damages (including, without limitation, damages for loss of data or profit, or due to business interruption,) arising out of the use or inability to use the materials on MRAG Americas, Inc.’s Internet site, even if MRAG Americas, Inc. or a MRAG Americas, Inc. authorized representative has been notified orally or in writing of the possibility of such damage. Because some jurisdictions do not allow limitations on implied warranties, or limitations of liability for consequential or incidental damages, these limitations may not apply to you.

Revisions and Errata

The materials appearing on MRAG Americas, Inc.’s web site could include technical, typographical, or photographic errors. MRAG Americas, Inc. does not warrant that any of the materials on its web site are accurate, complete, or current. MRAG Americas, Inc. may make changes to the materials contained on its web site at any time without notice. MRAG Americas, Inc. does not, however, make any commitment to update the materials.

Links

MRAG Americas, Inc. has not reviewed all of the sites linked to its Internet web site and is not responsible for the contents of any such linked site. The inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement by MRAG Americas, Inc. of the site. Use of any such linked web site is at the user’s own risk.

Site Terms of Use Modifications

MRAG Americas, Inc. may revise these terms of use for its web site at any time without notice. By using this web site you are agreeing to be bound by the then current version of these Terms and Conditions of Use.

Governing Law

Any claim relating to MRAG Americas, Inc.’s web site shall be governed by the laws of the State of Florida without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

General Terms and Conditions applicable to Use of a Web Site.

Privacy Policy

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MRAG Americas, Inc. respects the privacy of users of mragamericas.com.

Personal Information

You can visit this web site anonymously. MRAG Americas requires no personal information to grant you access to this web site. However, you may choose to provide MRAG Americas with personal information about yourself, such as your name, address, phone number, and email address. When you provide MRAG Americas with such data or other information about yourself, MRAG Americas may store and use personal information in order to contact you regarding your posted request or question. MRAG Americas will disclose your personal information only as required by local, regional or federal law enforcement and requested through proper channels. Except as stated above, MRAG Americas will not disclose your personal information without your approval. Please note that www.mragamericas.com contains hyperlinks to other web sites and MRAG Americas does not control or monitor the privacy policies of those sites. This MRAG Americas Privacy Statement only applies to information collected and maintained by MRAG Americas.

Cookies

Cookies are small files the web server places on the user’s (client) computer. These cookies do not read any information from the client computer, and are only used to track small bits of data from one page to the next, where necessary. Certain parts of the MRAG Americas website may require the use of cookies and these parts of the website may not work if the client has cookies turned off in his or her web browser. No personal information will be stored in the cookies, nor will any personal information be sent to MRAG using cookies.

MRAG Americas

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MRAG Americas

MRAG Americas is a private consulting and auditing company focused on activities that support the conservation of marine and freshwater ecosystems through responsible, rational and sustainable use of fish and other aquatic resources. Our work is spread over four Client Service Divisions: the Fisheries Technical Division; the Certification Division; the Sustainable Seafood Initiatives and Auditing Division; and the Fisheries Monitoring Division.

 

Fisheries Technical Division

Fisheries Technical Division projects focus on applying established and novel scientific methods to support the sustainable management of fisheries and effectively communicate science to varied audiences.

 

Certification Division

Our Certification Division undertakes independent audits of commercial fisheries and supply chains against third party sustainability standards, including the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) and the FISH Standard for Crew. We also undertake Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) and other activities that assist fisheries on their path towards full certification.

 

Seafood Sustainability Initiatives and Auditing Division (SSIAD)

In the Seafood Sustainability Initiatives and Auditing Division we conduct individualized assessments of supply chain risks and sustainability, including independent verification and traceability exercises; this is evidence-based work to support informed choices by businesses and consumers.

 

Fisheries Monitoring Division

Observer programs and Electronic Monitoring and Electronic Reporting (EM/ER) are integral to the sustainable management of many key fishery resources. MRAG manages these programs globally to collect essential data on commercial fishing activities.

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Global Experience

MRAG Americas is part of the family of MRAG companies that includes MRAG Ltd and MRAG Asia Pacific. Our expertise has been utilized for more than 30 years in designing and implementing integrated resource management systems in over 60 countries. MRAG Americas offers a strong capability to respond rapidly and effectively to needs in the Americas region.

Publications

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Publications

MRAG scientists are highly published in peer-reviewed journals and symposium proceedings, have presented invited papers at international meetings, and write large scale reports for governments and NGOs.  Please contact us for complimentary materials or further information on these selected reports and publications.

Project Reports & Related Publications

Project: Using online data visualization and analysis to facilitate public involvement in management of catch share programs

Client: Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation

This case study examines the experience of the interdisciplinary Measuring the Effects of Catch Shares (MECS) project, a five-year demonstration project designed to explore the opportunities and constraints for third-party acquisition, organization, and communication of government fisheries statistics in order to track the ecological, economic, social, and governance outcomes of catch share programs.

The MECS project focused on the effects of two US catch share programs: the Northeast Multispecies Sector Program implemented in 2010 in the Northeast groundfish fishery and the Shorebased IFQ Program implemented in 2011 in the West Coast groundfish trawl fishery. The MECS project succeeded in developing a website that has been received by members of the private and public sector alike as a useful tool that brings together and communicates disparate information that is not otherwise readily accessible.

Publication: Donald M. Schug, Peter H. Taylor, Suzanne Iudicello, Jill H. Swasey. 2020. Using online data visualization and analysis to facilitate public involvement in management of catch share programs.  Marine Policy, Available online 22 October 2020, 104272.

Project: Mapping of US Fisheries Data Interoperability Initiatives

Client: The Kingfisher Foundation and The David and Lucille Packard Foundation

With the goal of informing and catalyzing new efforts to modernize information systems and advance data interoperability in U.S. fisheries, MRAG Americas conducted research and interviews with dozens of managers, stakeholders, and fishery information systems experts, as well as individuals who have helped lead data interoperability initiatives in other industries. The resulting report provides the synthesis of these efforts to identify the latest data collection/utilization technologies being used, and what challenges and opportunities lie ahead.

Additional details on this project are available here:

Final Report: Towards interoperable Fisheries Data Systems in the U.S., A Review of Progress & Lessons from Comparable Sectors, Full Report Companion to the Policy Brief (2017)

Project: Productivity and Susceptibility Analysis for Selected California Fisheries

Client: California Ocean Science Trust

In 2016, MRAG applied NOAA’s Productivity and Susceptibility Analysis (PSA) methodology to 45 fishery units in California as part of an information gathering process related to California’s MLMA Master Plan Amendment. The NOAA PSA methodology was selected for its inclusion of attributes that evaluate the management strategy and value of a fishery, along with its ability to generate and consider a data quality score. The analyses were conducted by MRAG Americas, Inc. with input and review from CDFW experts. The list of fisheries for analysis represented a diversity of stocks that spanned commercial and sport sectors, gear types, coastal areas, and included finfish and invertebrates. It also represented those state-managed fisheries with the highest commercial landings, recreational catch, or commercial/recreational participation, as evaluated by CDFW.

Additional details on this project are available here: www.oceansciencetrust.org/projects/era/

Final Report, available through the California Ocean Science Trust: Productivity and Susceptibility Analysis for Selected California Fisheries (2016)

Project: A Framework for Exploring the Role of Bioeconomics on Observed Fishing Patterns and Ecosystem Dynamics

Client: Northwest Fisheries Science Center

Understanding the patterns of development of fisheries across trophic levels and their effects on ecosystems is important for sustainable fishing. MRAG developed an age-structured food web model to explore some of the bioeconomic causes and consequences of fishing patterns. We illustrate some of the model behaviors using a food chain ecosystem, parameterized using species found in the northwest Atlantic. This work is a contribution of the California Current Integrated Ecosystem Assessment program.

Publication: Wiedenmann, J., J. Wilen, P. Levin, M. Plummer & M. Mangel. 2016.  A Framework for Exploring the Role of Bioeconomics on Observed Fishing Patterns and Ecosystem Dynamics. Coastal Management, Coastal Management. Volume 44, 2016.

Project: The Effects of Catch Share Management on MSC Certification Scores

Client: Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation

This research examined the effects of catch shares management on assessment scores for fisheries certified under the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) sustainability standard. We explored whether catch shares management, including specific characteristics of catch share program design, might influence the probability of achieving higher assessment scores under the MSC Standard and therefore be beneficial to fisheries seeking certification. Through application of Bayesian Belief Networks, we established a versatile methodology with potential value for exploring further the relationships between management interventions and fishery outcomes.

Final Report: The Influence of Catch Share Management on MSC Assessment Scores (2015)

Publications:
Parkes, G., J.H. Swasey, F.M. Underwood, T.P. Fitzgerald, K. Strauss, D.J. Agnew. 2016. The effects of catch share management on MSC certification scores. Fisheries Research.
Underwood, F.M., G. Parkes and J.H. Swasey. 2016. Building Bayesian Belief Networks to investigate how fishery performance responds to management interventions. Fisheries research.

Project: Productivity Susceptibility Analysis (PSA) Test Case for Selected California Fisheries

Client: California Ocean Science Trust

California Ocean Science Trust contracted with MRAG Americas to conduct a Productivity Susceptibility Analysis (PSA) on twelve California fisheries to better understand the role this tool can play in setting objectives for fisheries management. PSA is a tool for identifying and prioritizing a fishery stock’s vulnerability to overfishing. PSA can be conducted alone or as part of a wider analysis of stock status and sustainability.

Final Report, available through the California Ocean Science Trust: Productivity and Susceptibility Analysis with Next Step Recommendations: Test Cases for Selected California Fisheries (2014)

Project: Reducing Fisheries Uncertainty

Client:  Marine Fish Conservation Network

MRAG Americas prepared this report for the Marine Fish Conservation Network (MFCN) in 2011. The goal was to identify federal fisheries budget investments that could reduce scientific and management uncertainty in the catch-setting process to support achievement of the MSA’s dual mandate for conservation and optimal use of the nation’s ocean fisheries resources. The report demonstrated the potential for achieving substantial reductions in scientific and management uncertainty by targeting investments at key data collection, catch monitoring and stock assessment programs. Investments in the basic information infrastructure of fisheries management enable scientists to reduce uncertainty buffers in their fishing level recommendations and fishery managers to optimize fishing opportunities within the limits recommended by scientists without increasing the risk of overfishing. The project outlined an investment strategy and rationale for targeted funding in priority NMFS budget programs in FY 2012 and beyond.

Final Report: Reducing Fisheries Uncertainty: Investing to End Overfishing and Rebuild America’s Fisheries (2011)

Project: Guiding Principles for Development of Effective Monitoring Programs

Client: Environmental Defense Fund

In 2010, MRAG Americas convened two workshops for fisheries monitoring experts to develop guiding principles that would have broad application to the design of effective fisheries monitoring programs. Participants recognized the importance of summarizing lessons learned, as well as the individuality of each fishery and its goals. The Monitoring Guiding Principles provide guidance for fishery managers and other stakeholders on planning, developing, and implementing monitoring programs. By outlining key components to consider and providing concise recommendations, the Guiding Principles can expedite and improve the design of monitoring programs. Since their first development, the Guiding Principles have been presented by MRAG at numerous meetings in the US and internationally

Final Report: MRAG-EDF Guiding Principles for Development of Effective Monitoring Programs (2011)

Publication: Zollett, E.A., R.J. Trumble, J.H. Swasey and S.B. Stebbins. 2015. Guiding Principles for Development of Effective Commercial Fishery Monitoring Programs. Abstract. Fisheries. Vol. 40 (1): 20-25. (contact: erika.zollett@mragamericas.com)

Project: Catch Shares in New England: Key Questions and Lessons Learned from Existing Programs

Client: Meridian Institute

MRAG Americas, with the Meridian Institute, conducted analysis of key issues and questions related to catch shares in New England and case studies of existing catch shares programs in the United States and internationally. The analysis of issues was conducted through conversations with a diversity of stakeholders involved in the development of catch shares in New England and a review of media articles, discussions, and statements from the public at New England Fishery Management Council meetings and other venues. The case studies describe select existing programs in the United States and internationally and identify lessons that can be applied to the New England groundfish fishery and other fisheries considering a transition to catch shares.

Additional details on this project are available here: www.merid.org/Content/Projects/A_Coordinated_Approach_for_Reforming_New_England_Fisheries_Management.aspx

Final Report: Catch Shares in New England  (2010)

Project: Use of Productivity and Susceptibility Analysis in Setting Annual Catch Limits for US Fisheries

Client: Lenfest Ocean Program

In July and August 2007, MRAG Americas convened a working group of experts in fisheries science and management (The ACL Working Group) to discuss applying the ACL and AM requirements to all species caught in U.S. waters. The purpose of the workshop was to develop recommendations on methodology for vulnerability assessments (productivity and susceptibility analyses (PSA)) that would apply to all US fisheries for use in setting annual catch limits as mandated by the Magnuson Stevens Reauthorization Act (MSRA) of 2007.

The Working Group recommended the Productivity and Susceptibility Analysis (PSA), which is the second of a three level Ecological Risk Assessment for the Effects of Fishing (ERAEF), for this purpose. The PSA approach is a method of assessing the risk to the sustainability of a target fish species or stock based on a comprehensive screening for a set of predetermined measurable attributes. PSAs were conducted for fishery stocks from the Atlantic HMS Division, Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Pacific regions.

Additional details on this project are available here: www.lenfestocean.org/en/research-projects/implementing-effective-fisheries-management-practices-in-the-united-states

Final Reports:
Use of PSA in Setting Annual Catch Limits for U.S. Fisheries: A Workshop Report (2009)
Use of PSA in Setting Annual Catch Limits for U.S. Fisheries: An Overview (2009)

Project: Ecological Valuation Index Working Group

Client: SeaPlan (Formerly Massachusetts Ocean Partnership)

In July, 2009, the Massachusetts Ocean Partnership (MOP) asked MRAG Americas to review the Massachusetts’ Ecological Valuation Index (EVI) and to provide advice and options for enhancing the methodology in the short and long term. MRAG Americas, MOP, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) convened a working session in October 2009 to review the existing EVI methodology and to develop recommendations for possible enhancements. This report provides an overview of the tools presented at the working session, the discussion that ensued among participants and the resulting recommendations. The recommendations provided are largely conceptual, given the limited time participants had to further clarify them. These recommendations will likely require further discussions, particularly among the involved parties and developers of the tools, to expand the concepts into operational recommendations.

Additional details on this project are available here: www.openchannels.org/literature/13672

Final Report: Ecological Valuation Index Report

Project: Identification of Decision Support Tools to Implement Ecosystem Based Management in Massachusetts

Client: SeaPlan (Formerly Massachusetts Ocean Partnership)

Using the most current research and expertise in the field, in 2009 MRAG Americas proposed a framework of steps for the State and the Massachusetts Ocean Partnership to implement an Ecosystem Based Management (EBM) approach to Massachusetts ocean planning. The framework was intended to facilitate decision making, enable thinking beyond issue boundaries, and recognize the breadth of issues and information types to be integrated. The decision support tools identified were broadly classified as modeling tools, decision analysis tools, and indicators. Modeling tools allow the user to organize data, communicate scientific findings to management and stakeholder audiences, and test alternative management scenarios. Decision analysis tools can inform management decisions but should not be relied upon solely; they are valuable aids in the process and provide opportunities for all-stakeholder input, visualization, and scenario analysis. Indicators are scientifically measureable ecological or socio-economic phenomena used for monitoring and evaluating the status of systems being managed. By helping to identify and mitigate lack of information, these scientific tools can be of great value in the shift to ecosystem based management.

Additional details on this project are available here: https://www.openchannels.org/literature/13666

Final Report: Science Tools to Implement Ecosystem Based Management in Massachusetts  (2009)

Project: Bycatch of protected species and other species of concern in US East Coast commercial fisheries

Client: New England Aquarium’s Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction NOAA award NA06NMF4520120, US Department of Commerce

This project, for the New England Aquarium’s Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction, reviewed bycatch of protected species and other species of concern in commercial fishing gear on the U.S. East Coast.  Existing and potential bycatch of marine mammal, sea turtle, seabird, fish, and invertebrate species was documented and existing bycatch mitigation and management measures described to inform scientists, managers, fishers, and conservation practitioners and support future decision-making regarding bycatch mitigation on the U.S. East Coast.

Publication: Zollett, E.A. 2009. Bycatch of protected species and other species of concern in US east coast commercial fisheries. Endangered Species Research. Vol 9: 49-59. (contact: erika.zollett@mragamericas.com)

Project: Identification of Best Practices in Fisheries Management

Client: Lenfest Ocean Program

In 2007, MRAG Americas convened a working group of fisheries experts to review the best management practices of U.S. fisheries. “Best Practices” were defined as existing management approaches that had been successful and appeared likely to produce success elsewhere if implemented more widely. There may be room for further improvement, but these were best that was currently being used at that time in the United States with some illustrations from other countries. This consensus report describes the primary features of fisheries management, best practices (in 2007) for each of those features, and examples from the United States and abroad.

More details on this project are available here: www.lenfestocean.org/en/research-projects/implementing-effective-fisheries-management-practices-in-the-united-states

Final Report: Best Practices in U.S. Fisheries Management  (2008)

Project: Review And Development Of Nearshore Legal And Policy Framework For Community-based Management Opportunities In Port Orford, Oregon

Client: National Sea Grant Law Center

The Port Orford Ocean Resources Team (POORT), received a grant from the National Sea Grant Legal Foundation to explore whether their vision of a legal and policy framework for community-based management opportunities in Oregon was possible under existing state and federal law. This analysis was based on law, policy, events and circumstances as they existed in Oregon from March 2007 to March 2008, but there were elements that were generally applicable to coastal communities elsewhere in the United States. Case studies described US approaches to community-based management outside Oregon, including sector allocations, individual fishing quotas, community quotas, local area management, co-management and cooperative research. While all these frameworks were permissible to some degree under U.S. or applicable state law, some required legislative or congressional action.

Final Report: Review And Development of Nearshore Legal And Policy Framework For Community-based Management Opportunities in Port Orford, Oregon (2008)

Project: Profiles of Communities Dependent on Highly Migratory Species Fisheries

Client: NOAA Fisheries

This project addressed a need to collect more detailed and consistent baseline data to determine specific social impacts on communities dependent, to some degree, on fishing. In this report, we utilized a modified method that allowed for ranking and selection of communities most involved in Highly Migratory Species (HMS) fisheries. The selected methodology and prioritization of communities according to how recently they were/weren’t profiled resulted in 24 communities.

Final Report: Updated Social Impact Assessment Profiles for HMS Dependant Fishing Communities  (2008)

Project: Setting Annual Catch Limits in US Fisheries

Client: Lenfest Ocean Program

When the U.S. Congress reauthorized the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act in 2006, it included requirements to specify annual catch limits and accountability measures that would prevent overfishing for all fisheries. In July and August 2007, the Lenfest Ocean Program convened a working group of experts in fisheries science and management to discuss applying these requirements to all species caught in U.S. waters. The Expert Working Group developed a straightforward process for establishing sustainable catch limits for all species, including those that lack sufficient scientific data. The Group recommended a process for determining the appropriate level of precaution to ensure that overfishing does not occur, and outlined procedures for estimating catch levels in data poor situations.

More details on this project are available here: www.lenfestocean.org/en/research-projects/implementing-effective-fisheries-management-practices-in-the-united-states

Final Reports:
Lenfest Research Series on Setting Annual Catch Limits (2007)
Setting Annual Catch Limits for U.S. fisheries: An Expert Working Group (2007)

Project: Industry Engagement with the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment

Client: Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment

In May 2007 MRAG Americas was contracted by the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment to investigate opportunities for industry involvement and to gauge the interest of stakeholders to forge relationships with the Gulf of Maine Council. We developed an approach to consult with industry members in multiple ways and communicate with various groups that represent industry members, both as a means for learning about the needs and wants of stakeholders and coastal communities and to discuss interest and opportunities for participation with the Council. The report outlines the analysis from those consultations and identified opportunities for engagement.

Final Report: Industry Engagement with the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment (2007)

Project: Evaluation of Rebuilding Plans for U.S. Fisheries, ten years later

Client: Lenfest Ocean Program

Although the rebuilding of overfished fish populations has been mandated by law since 1996, there has been mixed success at restoring fish stocks to healthy levels. In advance of the 2006 reauthorization of the Magnuson-Sevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act, this project reviewed the rebuilding efforts of U.S. federally-managed fisheries and evaluated changes needed to rebuild depleted fisheries. In this project, we examined why, 10 years later, the law has had only a limited effect on improving fishery resources. A second phase of this study explored these plans in greater detail, using traditional modeling methods to guide improvements in the planning process and in implementation of the management and policy steps taken to rebuild overfished stocks.

More details on this project are available here: www.lenfestocean.org/en/research-projects/rebuilding-plans-for-overfished-species

Final Reports:
An Evaluation of Rebuilding Plans for U.S. Fisheries (2006)
A Review of Rebuilding Plans for Overfished Stocks in the United States: Identifying Situations of Special Concern (2006)

Publication: Rosenberg, A.A., J.H. Swasey and M. Bowman. 2006. Rebuilding US Fisheries: progress and problems. Front. Ecol. Environ. Vol 4(6): 303-308. (contact: jill.swasey@mragamericas.com)

About

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Established in 1996, we are a US-based independent consulting organization committed to the responsible, rational and sustainable utilization of aquatic resources. We undertake a diverse range of studies and projects focused on improving our ability to conserve aquatic ecosystems and manage the resources and fisheries they support. Much of this work has had a strong analytical basis using state of the art methodologies and novel approaches to underpin the advice and recommendations we provide to our clients. Our staff consists of a unique and highly motivated group of scientists and specialists with expertise across a range of scientific and technical disciplines. Our projects are distributed across four Client Service Divisions: the Fisheries Technical Division, covering various research and technical resource management projects; the Fisheries Certification Division, covering fishery certification and fishery improvement projects; the Seafood Sourcing Division, covering a range of supply chain analyses and audits; and the Fisheries Monitoring Division, covering operations and management for our observer and electronic monitoring programs. All of our divisions work in concert and overlap between divisions increases effective outputs. This structure provides a focused approach to delivering high quality products across a diverse range of specialist areas. Our capability to service an extensive array of resource management needs is further expanded through our network of associations and collaborations with internationally acclaimed experts from academic institutions and other private organizations worldwide. MRAG Americas is an accredited Conformity Assessment Body of the Marine Stewardship Council.

 

MRAG Americas has offices in St. Petersburg, Florida (headquarters and corporate services); Danvers, Massachusetts; Seattle, Washington; and Anchorage, Alaska.  Our clients include a broad range of government agencies, international organizations (World Bank, GEF, FAO), non-governmental organizations, foundations, and the fishing industry.  US government agency clients include NOAA Fisheries; National Ocean Service; National Academy of Sciences; Atlantic States and Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commissions; and the Gulf, Caribbean, Pacific, and North Pacific Fishery Management Councils.

 

MRAG Americas is part of the family of MRAG companies that includes MRAG Ltd, headquartered in the UK and MRAG Asia Pacific based in Australia. We share in the global MRAG philosophy of providing the highest level of excellence in independent scientific and technical consulting on the management of aquatic resources.  Our expertise has been utilized for more than 30 years in designing and implementing integrated resource management systems in over 60 countries.  MRAG Americas offers a strong capability to respond rapidly and effectively to needs in the Americas region.