Year: 2023
Relevance
Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium (MASGC) extension specialists possess valuable knowledge of fisheries-related topics. These specialists recognized a need to effectively communicate information regarding fisheries management, fisheries science and sustainability to fishermen and teachers in the north-central Gulf of Mexico region.
Response
MASGC extension specialists offered the third annual (2023) "FISHES: Fishermen Invested in Science, Healthy Ecosystems, and Sustainability" course, which extends information about fisheries management, fisheries science and sustainability in a straightforward format. The course included five classroom sessions and one field excursion. Fishermen, teachers and fish enthusiasts completed the course. MASGC specialists also surveyed students from the second (2022) FISHES course 1 year later to evaluate the course's impact.
Results
All 2023 FISHES course students (19) reported that their knowledge increased due to the course. Notably, 10 students who completed the 2022 FISHES course stated that they had modified their practices as a result of knowledge gained from the course. The modifications included looking for tags to report (recreational), practicing catch and release - particularly for large fishes (recreational), and mitigating post-release mortality (e.g., using rubberized landing nets, leaving fishes underwater while dehooking; recreational and commercial).
Recap
Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium specialists offered the 2023 "FISHES: Fishermen Invested in Science, Healthy Ecosystems, and Sustainability" course; all 19 students improved their knowledge of fisheries management, fisheries science and sustainability, and 10 of them modified their practices as a result of the course. (2023)