J.J. Howard Marine Lab - Demographic Information

The James J. Howard Marines Sciences Laboratory, established in 1961, is located on the Sandy Hook peninsula along the Jersey Shore. The laboratory is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and is one of four research laboratories that make up the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC).

Building 74 - Renovated Fort Hancock Army Barracks

The facility consists of two laboratory/office buildings. The laboratory houses tanks and flowing seawater systems.

A 49' research vessel, R/V NAUVOO, is docked at the nearby Atlantic Highlands Marina. This vessel and other smaller vessels are used for offshore research.

Most of the staff are part of NOAA's Fisheries Service with the majority belonging to the Ecosystems Processes Division (EPD).

Ecosystems Processes Division

The mission is to understand the effects of environmental variability and human disturbances on fish
and shellfish productivity relative to habitat. EPD consists of four branches:

Behavioral Ecology: Elucidates important ecological processes of fish in relation to marine habitats.
Coastal Ecology: Focuses on assessments of the condition of habitats important for these living marine resources.
Marine Chemistry: Focuses on understanding biogeochemical effects of habitats on fish as well as using chemical
methods for stock identification.
Oceanography - (located in Woods Hole, MA & Narragansett, RI): Conducts studies on the physical environment and plankton populations to understand how
these ecosystem components influence the distribution and abundance of fish and shellfish.

NOAA Fisheries - Habitat Conservation Division - Northeast Regional Office: Protection, management, and enhancement of the nation's marine fishery resources.
NOAA Fisheries - Restoration Center: Enhances living marine resources to benefit the nation's fisheries by restoring their habitats.
NOAA - Damage Assessment and Restoration Program: Assess and restore natural resources injured by oil and hazardous substance releases
as well as physical impacts, such as ship groundings.

Non-NOAA staff:

Contractors, Post-Docs, Interns

Rutgers University: Institute of Marine and Coastal Studies (IMCS)

Monmouth University

Highlands is located in central New Jersey, about 50 miles from New York City and about 90 miles from Philadelphia. There are roughly 5,000 residents in this quaint bayside town. Highlands offers historical and cultural opportunities. Cultural events include the Clambake and Lobsterfest and summer beach concerts. Highlands is homeport to many fishing and party boats and a high-speed commuter ferry service to New York. There are many historical places to visit such as the Twin Lights and Fort Hancock. If you feel like taking a pleasant walk or bike ride, you must check out the Henry Hudson trail or the Sandy Hook bike path. There are many restaurants and retail shops in the area.