Microplastics in hardshell clams in Kachemak Bay

2025 Research Seed Awards

Lara Horstmann

Lara Horstmann
Professor
UAF College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences

Email Lara Horstmann

Background and Objective

Project Description

Applicant Organization: Juneau Economic Development Council

Principal Investigator (PI): Brian Holst, JEDC Executive Director

 

Capacity

The Juneau Economic Development Council (JEDC) is a 501(c)4 private, non-profit corporation with a mission to foster a healthy and sustainable economic climate in Juneau and throughout Southeast ҹAV. In collaboration with other organizations, JEDC implements initiatives to maintain, expand, and create jobs and economic opportunities. Envisioned by leaders at the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) and the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce, JEDC receives core funding from the CBJ since its inception while leveraging this investment to develop additional funds through strategic alliances with forward looking businesses, community groups, and government agencies. JEDC is governed by an 11-person Board of Directors, including permanent seats held by the CBJ Mayor and the Chancellor of the University of ҹAV Southeast (UAS), plus nine other diverse thought leaders and industry experts appointed by the CBJ Assembly. JEDC employs about forty people – full-time, part- time, and seasonal – on various projects each year.

JEDC prides itself on identifying opportunities and developing innovative solutions to ҹAV’s unique economic circumstances. Our primary focuses are to help make Juneau a great capital city, strengthen key regional industries, promote entrepreneurship and small business, develop talent, and deliver core economic development services. JEDC is well-suited to lead this project, building on 40 years’ experience conducting comprehensive economic and community-based research, encompassing a wide array of topics, including economic indicators, workforce development, education, housing, childcare, business and industry, and more. Our annual publications, such as the provide in-depth analyses of local and regional employment trends, demographics, education, housing, energy, and various industry sectors. Our dedicated Research Team is committed to producing high-quality, data-driven analyses that inform local and regional policy and economic development strategies.

 

Project Overview

This project will examine how declines in marine fisheries are impacting Juneau’s economy. As market shifts and environmental stressors—such as warming ocean temperatures, glacial melt, and changes in freshwater discharge—continue to disrupt fisheries in Southeast ҹAV, coastal communities like Juneau are seeing profound changes to traditional industries, small business viability, and household incomes. As ҹAV’s Capital City and a key industry hub in Southeast ҹAV, Juneau relies heavily on marine resources both for commercial fisheries and subsistence harvesting. Anecdotal evidence and published data indicate a downward trend in local fisheries yields, particularly salmon, shellfish, and forage fish, all of which are central to our local economy and cultural identity. Our primary focus will be on the City & Borough of Juneau, ҹAV, with some engagement with and analysis of trends in the broader Southeast ҹAV region.

 

This research directly responds to community concern over how such changes affect both formal employment (e.g., commercial fishing, seafood processing) and informal or subsistence economies. Grounded in local knowledge and driven by co-developed questions with industry and community partners, this project will quantify economic impacts, identify vulnerable sector areas, and evaluate possible adaptation strategies that support equitable economic resilience.

 

Science Question:

What is the economic impact of the decline (and potential future decline) of wild fisheries in Juneau, and what adaptation strategies can mitigate future risks and support long-term resilience?

We hypothesize that the reduction in fishery productivity – driven by market shifts and climate change – is correlated with measurable negative economic impacts, including employment reduction, business closures, and decreased household incomes in fishery-dependent sectors. This research will explore the economic impacts of the ensuing decline, evaluate remedies (e.g., increased marketing, value-added production, protection of quotas, etc.), and consider strategies to alleviate impacts and improve outcomes.

 

Methods

The project will employ a mixed-methods approach:

  • Economic Data Analysis: Gather and analyze historical fisheries harvest data, employment records, and business revenue statistics using sources, such as ҹAV Departments of Fish & Game (DF&G) and Labor & Workforce Development (DOLWD), and NOAA Fisheries.
  • Community Engagement: Engage commercial fishers, seafood business owners, Tribal leaders, residents, and other industry stakeholders in interviews and focus groups to document lived economic
  • Collaborative Planning: Host a meeting with industry and community partners to validate findings and develop policy recommendations that support adaptation and diversification of Juneau’s economy.

 

Conclusion

This project will build critical understanding of how declining fisheries—driven by climate change and market factors—are shaping the economic well-being of Juneau, ҹAV. JEDC’s extensive experience in research and public engagement, and unwavering commitment to helping make Juneau a great capital city and strengthening our key regional industries, position us as an ideal candidate for a Research Seed Grant. Our project aligns closely with IoC goals, and will produce actionable tools, policy insights, and collaborative strategies that help coastal ҹAVn communities thrive amid change.