Jessica Gribbon Joyce

Growing up in New England, Jessica felt passionate about the ocean at an early age - fascinated by the intricate webs of life it supports above and below the water line. This fascination stayed with her throughout her school life, steering her toward the University of Miami and the Rosenstiel School for Marine and Atmospheric Science for marine policy. Her fieldwork with the spiny lobster fishery in the Florida Keys gave her first-hand insight into the balance between resource management, market demand, and fishermen’s goals in fishing communities. Understanding the complexities of that balance has resonated throughout her career. In graduate school, work on marine mammal conservation and strandings led her into the federal policy arena.

She began her career in Alexandria, VA as an environmental consultant with Earth Tech (now AECOM), focusing on the preparation of documents pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). With the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) as a key client, she prepared an Environmental Impact Statement to support regulations to reduce ship strikes of North Atlantic right whales. Later, she worked at NMFS headquarters in Maryland, collaborating with scientists to assess impacts of their research on threatened and endangered species, in compliance with the Endangered Species Act.  

Upon moving to Maine in 2008, she dove into the complex issues of the economically critical lobster fishery as an independent consultant. Later, with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, she acted as a liaison assisting fishermen throughout New England navigate the many challenges of ever-changing fisheries policy compliance and economic survival.

In addition to being Principal of Tidal Bay Consulting, Jessica is an active volunteer in her community, including serving as the public member on the Maine Shellfish Advisory Council. In the past, she served on the board of of Laudholm Trust, a nonprofit supporting the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve for over four years, volunteered with the Chebeague and Cumberland Land Trust, and was a member of the Cumberland Shellfish Conservation Commission for nine years.

As Principal, Jessica selects individuals and businesses as subcontractors to tailor the needs of each project with experienced professionals.

Juniper is Tidal Bay Consulting’s Chief Distraction Officer. Whether it’s Zoom bombing, barking at local wildlife, or asking for a walk, she knows how to ‘disrupt’ the workflow like a champ! Her primary education and training is from Tree Frog Farm Dog Training, and she’s working on her advanced degree with Canine Behavior Counseling. She specializes in ball catching strategy, herding constituents, and job site security.