Dr. Jake Rice

Dr. Jake Rice is the Director of Advice and Assessment for the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO-MPO), heading the DFO Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS). In this role he coordinates all its science peer review and advisory processes and meetings, for the application of scientific research to government decision-making on aquatic resource conservation, sustainable use, and maintenance of environmental quality. Although focused primarily on fisheries issues through the 1990s, through this decade CSAS has become active in review and provision of advice on ecosystem assessments, ecosystem approaches to management, species-at-risk assessments and recovery plans, threat assessments for invasive species and biotechnology, and marine ecosystem effects of activities such as seismic exploration and aquaculture. Previously Dr. Rice held various positions in DFO regional laboratories and academic posts at universities in Canada, the US, and Europe.

Dr. Rice received his B. Sc. in Biology from Cornell University in 1970, and his doctorate in Ornithology from the University of Toronto in 1975. His recent research has centered on theoretical, bio-statistical, and modelling approaches to evaluating ecosystem effects of human activities in the sea, making an ecosystem approach to integrated management operational, and on making scientific advisory processes inclusive of more types of knowledge. Dr. Rice has chaired a number of international science workings, including serving as Chair of the Consultative Committee and Chief Scientist of ICES, and as a member of the NOAA Science Advisory Board. He has over 100 publications in the scientific literature, as well as authoring a large number of working group reports and chapters on guidelines and practices for publications of DFO and international agencies.