Science lab

Coastal and Marine Economics

Economics is more than just money and business — it's also connected to decisions and behaviors.

Our lab seeks to understand the mechanisms behind our decisions and behaviors, and how they relate to coastal and marine resource uses. How do we interact with our coastal and marine environment? How and why do we make the decisions we make? These are some of our key questions. We also explore how external factors, such as climate change and economic changes, affect our decisions and resource use patterns.

We aim to:

Explore and understand the complex trade-offs involved when people make decisions about the natural environment.
Support decision-makers by providing useful and timely information and tools.
Promote the sustainability and resiliency of communities and economies that depend on coastal and marine resources.

Lab Team

Kanae Tokunaga, Ph.D.

Associate Research Scientist
[email protected]
Alexa Dayton, Ph.D.

Adjunct Scientist

Our Methods

Our lab highlights the human dimensions of coastal and marine resource use.

We approach coastal and marine resource management issues using bioeconomic modeling, econometrics, and environmental valuation. Working closely with researchers from both natural and social science fields, we challenge disciplinary perspectives and assumptions to gain a more holistic and deep understanding of human-nature interaction. Collaborations and conversations with communities, decision makers, and industries are integral elements of our research.

Econometrics
Bioeconomic Modeling
Environmental Valuation
Social-Ecological Systems
Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Research Lab Projects

Explore Coastal and Marine Economics Projects

Supporting Coastal Aquaculture Development

Shellfish aquaculture is growing rapidly. In Maine, limited purpose aquaculture (LPA) licenses are relatively easy to attain, and this attracts more people to enter aquaculture …
Climate Resilient Fisheries

This project investigates the key features that support fisheries’ resilience to climate change impacts, and how these features are recognized and enhanced in marine fishery …
Assessing Allocation Strategies for Fisheries Affected by Climate Change

Our project aims to develop guidance and adaptive strategies for fishery managers grappling with climate change induced allocation challenges.
Re-evaluating the Cultural Value of Fisheries and Working Waterfronts

By conducting case studies in Japan and the US that more closely examines the relational values that local populations develop as they work with their …
Assessing Maximum Economic Yield Efforts for Maine's Lobster Fishery

This project evaluates the amount of effort that will maximize the overall economic benefit from the lobster resources in the Gulf of Maine by combining …
Economic Analysis of Max Retention Electronic Monitoring

Initially proposed as a cost-effective and comprehensive electronic monitoring program, the goal of the MREM program is to improve economic performance by fleets while simultaneously …
Expanding Maine's Blue Economy

This collaborative, industry-propelled, interdisciplinary research project will enhance the long-term economic sustainability of aquaculture in Maine by improving our understanding of the Maine aquaculture industry’s …
Supporting the Development of Socioecological Literacy

This project advances efforts to better understand and promote practices that broaden access to and interest in regionally relevant science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) …