Hi! My name is Abby Vaughn, and I am the newest member of the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium Engagement and Education Team. I hail from central Kentucky and have always felt drawn to aquatic ecosystems and the fishes that inhabit them.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in biology with a concentration in aquatic biology and a minor in chemistry from Eastern Kentucky University. Throughout my collegiate career, I experienced a variety of opportunities, including fisheries work at the Thomas More University Field Station, freshwater mollusk conservation with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources and elasmobranch coursework with the Field School in Miami, Florida.
Following my undergraduate studies, I pursued a master’s degree in Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture at Mississippi State University (MSU). My thesis work focused on understanding the growth, metabolism and energy usage of cultured catfishes at cool temperatures.
In 2023, I had the privilege of joining MSU’s Marine Fisheries Ecology Program. Here, I engage with the Gulf of Mexico pelagic longline fleet and coordinate projects that address critical issues within the fishery, such as bluefin tuna bycatch. Additionally, I educate members of the public and fisheries stakeholders about northern Gulf fish and fisheries through social media, newsletters and various outreach events, including Shark Week at Gulf State Park.
Each year, the MSU Marine Fisheries Ecology Program, which receives support from Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant, collaborates with Gulf State Park and other regional organizations in Gulf Shores, Alabama, to provide a week-long educational event about sharks and rays of the northern Gulf. Held every July, the event attracts as many as 2,000 visitors and features presentations, dissections, activities, educational materials, and giveaway items for people of all ages.
This year, Shark Week kicks off on Monday, July 8, with a special “Locals Night” from 3-7 p.m. during which we’ll dive into the characteristics of sharks and rays. For the rest of the week (Tuesday-Friday), daily topics will focus on shark and ray diversity, shark and ray biology and feeding, shark research, and sharks and humans.
Every day, we will feature preserved specimens and jaws representing more than a dozen species, as well as a complete dissection of a shark or a ray! Throughout the week, those interested in hearing more about anything from local fisheries to careers in marine science are welcome to ask questions and speak with the Marine Fisheries Ecology team. At only $3 per ticket, Shark Week is the perfect opportunity for families to spend time together while learning about the world of sharks.
Whether you love sharks, fear sharks or want to learn more, Gulf State Park’s Shark Week is sure to leave you with newfound knowledge and respect for the ocean’s top predators. We hope to see you there!
Questions about the event? Contact us at [email protected].
Meet the author
Abby McGregor
Marine Fisheries Specialist
Abby McGregor is a marine fisheries specialist with the MASGC-supported Marine Fisheries Ecology Program at the Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center. She engages with... Read more
Phone: 228-546-1027
Email: [email protected]