Marine & Estuarine Fisheries Ecology

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The Marine and Estuarine Fisheries Ecology program is made up of multiple faculty (Aday, Buckel, Hightower, Miller, and Rice) from the Department of Zoology.  Dr. Jeff Buckel, a resident faculty, conducts applied and basic research with a group of graduate students, research assistants, and post-graduate fellows.

Basic research focuses on gaining a better understanding of factors that influence recruitment variability in marine and estuarine fish, particularly predator-prey interactions.  Demographic rates important to population dynamics, such as growth and mortality, are estimated using a variety of traditional and modern techniques as part of the applied research program.

Collaborators include the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, NOAA’s Beaufort Laboratory, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, University of Massachusetts, SUNY Stony Brook, University of Maryland, and Rutgers University.

Some specific examples in NC include:
  • Discard rates and fate of reef fish in Onslow Bay, North Carolina
  • Estimating fishing and natural mortality rates of red drum using a combined tag and telemetry approach
  • Feeding ecology of bluefin tuna during winter and potential impacts on Atlantic menhaden
  • Striped bass and river herring interactions in Albemarle SoundWinter survival of bluefish and recruitment implications
  • Coastal recruitment indices for bluefish from New York to Florida
  • Age and growth of dolphin fish in North Carolina

Dr. Jeff Buckel serves on NC Marine Fishery Commission advisory boards and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Science and Statistical Committee.

Research from the Marine and Estuarine Fisheries Ecology group has been used in state and federal fishery and habitat management plans.  Additionally, personnel from the group give presentations to K-12 students, recreational fishing clubs, commercial fishing groups, and high school instructors.

Some specific examples in NC include:

  • Pamphlet on ethical angling for grouper
  • Data and analytical support for the red drum fishery  stock assessment
  • Data for the striped mullet fishery management plan
  • Data for the spiny dogfish compliance advisory panel