Dr. James C. Cato
- B.S. Agricultural Economics Texas Tech University, TX, USA, 1967
- M.S. Agricultural Economics, Texas Tech University, TX, USA, 1968
- Ph.D. Food and Resource Economics, University of Florida, FL, USA, 1972
Emeritus Professor, Food and Resource Economics
Senior Associate Dean and Director, School of Natural Resources and Environment (retired)
Director, Florida Sea Grant College Program (retired)
University of Florida
Dr. Cato is former Director of the School of Natural Resources and Environment. The School supports the University of Florida’s commitment to interdisciplinary programs in natural resources and environment. Faculty from 11 different colleges and academic units educate tomorrow’s environmental leaders and support the critical issues addressing today’s environmental challenges. Approximately 250 students are enrolled in Environmental Sciences (BS/BA) and Interdisciplinary Ecology (MS/PhD) degree programs.
Dr. Cato was Director of the Florida Sea Grant College Program at the University of Florida from 1981 to 2007. His work there included management of program areas in marine biotechnology, fisheries, aquaculture, seafood safety, water dependent businesses, water quality, coastal habitats, and coastal processes and storms. A personal academic program is also maintained in the professional field of marine resource management and economics.
Dr. Cato has organized or participated in about 100 workshops and conferences on subjects ranging from fisheries limited entry to the potential impact of a post-embargo of Cuba on Florida marine industries. He has written 166 publications including 28 monographs, 8 journal articles, 87 articles in proceedings and magazines, 2 books and 9 book chapters, 33 reviewed publications and has given over 100 papers and presentations. He worked on special assignment with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in Rome, Italy. Research at FAO focused on the economic benefits of improving seafood safety, and the costs of improving shrimp processing plants in Bangladesh to minimum sanitary standards in order to meet international trade standards. He has given seminars or worked on projects in Italy, Cuba, Russia, England, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. The most recent book edited by Dr. Cato on the economic values of the Gulf of Mexico was published in early 2009 by TAMU Press.
Dr. Cato served as chair of the Scientific and Statistical Committee of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council for eight years. He was appointed by the Florida Governor to chair a statewide Blue Ribbon Marina Committee to review and recommend submerged land leasing and marina policies and was appointed by the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce to serve on a task force to recommend legislative revisions to the Magnuson Fishery Management and Conservation Act. He received the National Distinguished Extension Program award from the American Agricultural Economics Association, has been president of the Sea Grant Association twice, and has served on the Executive Committee of the Board on Oceans and Atmosphere of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges. In 2005, he was appointed (reappointed in 2009) to the Florida Ocean and Coastal Council which is charged with developing marine and coastal research priorities for the state of Florida.