Rob Southwick
Current Employment/Affiliation:
Rob Southwick is the former owner and president of Southwick Associates, Inc. which conducts economic and valuation studies, hunting and fishing license demand analysis, fish and wildlife economic impact analysis, and many other types of market and consumer research.
Experience
Mr. Southwick earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Florida. His work for the last 37 years has centered on economic and market research in the fish and wildlife field, both in support of fisheries management and assisting businesses in the outdoor sector to better understand industry trends as well as anglers and hunters’ motivations and preferences.
As an avid angler since the age of three, Mr. Southwick has fished recreationally across the Southeast, but his main area since 1996 has been Northeast Florida. Mr. Southwick enjoys fishing offshore and inshore for snapper, grouper, king mackerel, snook and any other species willing to take on a fight. He has many years of experience working with state and federal agencies regarding the economics of fishing and hunting including participant attitudes, behaviors and potential reactions to proposed policies.
Fisheries Management Philosophy:
As a council member, Mr. Southwick focuses on implementing sound fisheries policies that optimize recreational fishing participation and economic returns in Florida and the Southeast. He also supports sustainable and viable commercial fisheries, all based on valid data and science.