For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved fish. Do you feel the same? Are you interested in learning more about the fishes and fisheries of the north-central Gulf of Mexico?
If you answered “yes” to these questions, then check out our brand-new program, FISHES: Fishermen Invested in Science, Healthy Ecosystems, and Sustainability. The goal of the FISHES program is to extend practical, science-based information about fisheries management, fisheries science and sustainability not only to fishermen, but to any and all fish enthusiasts.
To accomplish this goal, we’ve developed an exciting FISHES course, which will be offered for the first time this fall! During five in-person classroom sessions, we will discuss foundations of Gulf of Mexico fisheries management, current Gulf of Mexico fisheries regulations, fisheries science and stock assessment, fish life history and diet, fish movement and human impacts to Gulf of Mexico species and ecosystems.
At the end of the course, we will board a Dauphin Island Sea Lab research vessel for a half-day field excursion, where participants will gain a first-hand glimpse of the concepts taught during the classroom sessions of the course. As a bonus, completion of the FISHES course qualifies each participant to receive two CEU credits. You must be 18 to take the course, and the registration fee is $50. Scholarships may be available.
The inaugural FISHES course will be held on Thursday evenings from Oct. 14 to Nov. 12, 2021, at the Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi, Mississippi. The research vessel trip will depart from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab in Dauphin Island, Alabama.
Registration is open now at this link, and additional information can be found on the FISHES webpage. If you have any questions, please free to contact us at marinefisheriesecology@gmail.com. We hope to see you this fall!