Roy A. Pemberton Jr. — Environmental Field Specialist & Division Lead — Caribbean Region

BACKGROUND & QUALIFICATIONS

Roy A. Pemberton Jr. is a senior marine scientist holding an M.Sc. in Marine Science from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), College of William & Mary, with undergraduate training in Marine and Environmental Science from Hampton University. His career spans more than 30 years of field-based environmental science, federal program execution, and protected species management across Caribbean and Atlantic coastal environments.

FEDERAL PROGRAM EXPERIENCE

Roy served as a federal scientist with the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Protected Species Branch from 2001 to 2009 — conducting sea turtle population studies, marine mammal interaction documentation, and fisheries observer work across New England and Mid-Atlantic regions. He subsequently served as Director of the USVI Division of Fish and Wildlife (DPNR) from 2011 to 2015, a 100% federally funded position under USFWS and NOAA/NMFS, where he provided scientific guidance on natural resource management, chaired the SEAMAP Program for the U.S. Caribbean, and served as a member of the Caribbean Fisheries Management Council.

CERTIFICATIONS & ACTIVE CREDENTIALS

• NMFS Certified Federal Observer — New England, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast Districts (active since October 1994)

• Phase I Environmental Site Assessment qualified — ASTM E1527 standard; conducted Phase I ESAs throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands

• NAUI SCUBA Certified (March 1989)

• Licensed Wildlife Control Removal Agent — U.S. Virgin Islands

• U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Certified

• Licensed USVI Commercial Fisher — longline, fish traps, rod and reel, and diving; 40+ years in-water and boating experience

CORE TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

• Marine biology and coastal ecosystem field operations

• Protected species monitoring — sea turtles, marine mammals, seabirds

• Benthic habitat surveys and marine bottom characterization

• Reef and coral ecosystem field assessment

• Fauna and flora surveys — terrestrial and aquatic environments

• Environmental site assessment (Phase I ESA, ASTM E1527)

• Biological monitoring for dredging, pile driving, and in-water construction operations

• Fisheries science and observer program execution

• Post-hurricane disaster recovery environmental monitoring

• NEPA-aligned environmental planning support

REGIONAL EXPERTISE

Headquartered in the U.S. Virgin Islands with direct operational experience across St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, and Puerto Rico. Research background includes hawksbill sea turtle habitat utilization studies at Buck Island Reef National Monument (graduate thesis) and post-hurricane environmental monitoring following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Deep familiarity with USACE Caribbean District, NOAA, USFWS, NPS, and EPA Region 2 program environments.