Degree program: M.M.A
Year accepted: 2025
Advisor: TBD
Research: People, water, fish
Background: B.A. Marine Affairs, University of Rhode Island

Profile:

Justin Pawlik is a Master of Marine Affairs student from Simbury, Connecticut. In his youth, Justin frequented Rhode Island, spending his summers saltwater fishing, as the local spots were better compared to Connecticut. It’s in Rhode Island where Justin eventually decided to apply for his undergraduate degree at the University of Rhode Island in the marine affairs program.

After receiving his BA in Coastal and Marine Policy in 2008, Justin began working in fisheries statistics in Connecticut. Working in Connecticut, Justin became skilled in data analysis, licensing and regulation matters, and fieldwork. He used his expertise to work in the fisheries sector from 2009 to 2023, moving all over the country to fulfill various professional roles. In between his work on the East Coast, Justin traveled to California to conduct a study on commercial fisheries in Santa Barbara and Ventura. Following that, he briefly worked in Massachusetts at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, sampling and reporting catch, and observing fishing vessels. Justin then moved to Texas for a few years, initially as a fisheries technician at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Coastal Fisheries Division, then transitioning to hydrology for the Texas Water Development Board. His last stop before returning to the East Coast was Kentucky, where he primarily operated as a fisheries technician analyzing data, interacting with the public, and maintaining fishing machinery and gear.

After returning to his hometown, Justin decided to pursue his master’s degree, to focus on fisheries from the perspective of managing the people involved, and not the wildlife. Justin’s own encounters with different fishing communities and passionate fishermen shaped his inclusive scope in the industry. Justin is currently working as a fly fishing guide and an active member of the American Fisheries Society. During his time at URI, Justin is interested in researching red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico.