Meet Jonathan Nash, Marine Habitat Resource Specialist

Jonathan started working at NOAA earlier this year when he joined the Office of Habitat Conservation as a marine habitat subject matter expert. He provides support for the West Coast and Pacific Islands regional offices in their Essential Fish Habitatconsultations.

Where did you grow up?

Phoenix, Arizona.

What is your educational background?

I have a B.S. in Marine and Environmental Science from Hampton University.

Can you describe a time when you were surprised by fish and/or habitat?

In undergrad, during my internship with Scripps Institute of Oceanography, I was able to help dissect a lancetfish. The dissection was focused on observing the stomach contents of lancetfish because they are considered great bio-samplers. Bio-samplers are animals that are used as a proxy to discover or capture delicate species that normally cannot be caught in conventional ways (i.e. nets, dredges, fishing line, etc.). When going through the stomach contents, I was shocked at how intact these prey species were.