Meet Jane Harrison, Coastal Economist

By JANE HARRISON

Posted Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015

Hello! Let me introduce myself to ya’ll. I am technically a Yankee, but I love the south. And I’m really happy to have joined the North Carolina Sea Grant team as their coastal economist.

I grew up vacationing in the Outer Banks. My dad windsurfed at Canadian Hole in Pamlico Sound while I nursed numerous jellyfish stings. From Bubba’s Q in Avon to ice cream cones in Frisco, the North Carolina coast is a place of fond memories for me.

I learned the ropes at Wisconsin Sea Grant and am ready to make the transition from fresh to salt water. My research and outreach work in the past has focused on the economic impacts of beach closures in the Great Lakes, the intersection of economic development and river restoration, and increasing the demand for local seafood products.

So what do I see myself doing in North Carolina? I have a laundry list of ideas so far. Right now, I am spending the majority of my time learning about pressing coastal issues from Sea Grant staff, coastal researchers and coastal stakeholders.

Some projects I may pursue are related to the economic impacts, valuation and tradeoffs on the following topics:

• Dredging of coastal community ports
• Oyster and tidal creek restoration
• Sport and commercial fishery management and regulations
• Coastal hazard decision making
• Agriculture and water resources

If you have an idea of a research or outreach need that I could address, please get in touch. My email is jane_harrison@ncsu.edu or call me at 919-513-0122. Or tweet @JaneatSea. I look forward to hearing from you.