Danielle Recco

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT DANIELLE RECCO

I’m a marine science researcher passionate about bridging science and policy to support sustainable coastal management. My work focuses on understanding how human activity, policy, and ecology intersect, and how data can inform decisions that protect both ecosystems and the communities that rely on them.At the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), I use Ecopath with Ecosim modeling to quantify the ecological and economic effects of derelict crab traps in the Chesapeake Bay. This project integrates ecology, economics, and fisheries management to help agencies evaluate conservation strategies that balance productivity with ecosystem health.My background spans NOAA, state government, 501(c)(3)\'s, and international fieldwork—from creating 3D spatial visualizations of Gulf of Mexico hypoxia during my NOAA Lapenta Internship, to researching sustainable tourism and community conservation in Panama, to evaluating bycatch mitigation policy as a COVES Fellow with the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. These experiences have shaped how I approach science: collaborative, interdisciplinary, and focused on impact.I’m especially interested in roles that connect ecosystem modeling, spatial analysis, and policy—whether in federal agencies, conservation organizations, or the private sector.Core interests: ecosystem modeling • marine policy • fisheries management • coastal resilience • data visualization • stakeholder engagement