The Fisheries Podcast

On this week's episode, Ru is joined by Dr. Tanya Fendler from the Wildlife Sustainability Research Department at Southern Illinois University.  Her research aims to provide fish and wildlife managers with the information they need to make more effective conservation and management decisions.   Tanya talks about her path from undergraduate to her postdoctoral position with a highlight on a new project that she will be starting in the coming month- looking into the movement on mussels after translocation! She reflects on her growth and challenges throughout her PhD at SIU and how the setbacks in her projects motivated her to co...

"This is a story about one wild animal and the very long reach of eight flexible arms. A story about a sudden rise, a change in sea, and the communities caught somewhere in between..."

This week, Elise (IG: @elisemobranchii) sits down with David Palfrey (IG: @david_palfrey), a multi-skilled, multi-genre underwater camera operator and filmmaker working in natural history TV, conservation, feature film, and more! Throughout his career, he’s used his skills behind the camera to work directly with marine life, scientists, fishers, tourists, and other stakeholders to document and participate in marine research activities at re...

On this weeks episode Brendan is joined by Riley Versluis from the Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium. Riley is the science coordinator for the Consortium, where he oversees field operations for ecosystem research and monitoring. In addition, he manages the science crew on the M.V Namao, which is the 2nd largest ship on Lake Winnipeg, where he ensures effective project coordination and environmental data collection.  They discuss the work the Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium conducts with public and private partners, as well as his own Masters work on Lake Winnipeg Walleye recruitment that was conducted aboard the Namao.

In this episode, Conrad sits down with Florida State University PhD candidate Emma Jackson to discuss her journey from growing up in St. Louis to becoming a shark researcher working along Florida’s Gulf Coast and in the deep sea. Emma shares how the NOAA Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship helped confirm that shark research was the career path she wanted and introduced her to the balance of fieldwork, data analysis, and collaboration involved in marine science. She also discusses her current research on large fish and shark communities, as well as the development of DODAT—Dietary Observation and Detection Asse...

This week Ru sits down and chats with Ryan Skowronski, a PhD. student at Southern Illinois University. They chat about Ryan's path and his current project- looking at the spatial ecology of American Paddlefish! They also dive deep into the importance of fun, to keep challenging yourself, and future plans. Tune in to hear more about Ryan's journey and work in both stream and river ecosystems!

Remember- Always have fun in the things you do!

If you want to reach out to Ryan- reach out to him via instagram @ryan_skowronski65 or...

On this weeks episode Brendan is joined by Sam Chasse, a M.Sc Candidate from the University of Winnipeg with past guest Dr. Hasler!  He's been working on a super cool project that involves Musky, machine learning, and angler photos. Tune in to learn how Sam and the team at the University of Winnipeg built a system to identify individuals in angler photos from the Master Angler Program in Manitoba.  They discuss the challenges and benefits of this technique, and what it could mean for future behaviour studies and fisheries assessments!

Manitoba Master Angler Program - h...

Morgan Cleary's path to becoming a shark researcher wasn't defined by luck—it was built through hard work, determination, and an unwavering passion for marine science. From working three jobs to create opportunities that would shape her future to unforgettable days studying sharks in the field, Morgan's story is a reminder that chasing your dreams is rarely easy, but it's always worth it.

In this episode of The Fisheries Podcast, we dive into the experiences that shaped her career, the mentors who helped guide her, the value of internships and graduate school, and the lessons she's learned al...

In this week's episode we chat with Ruhika Bhattacharya. Ru is just beginning her Master's degree at the University of Manitoba studying stress physiology in elasmobranchs. She will also be joining The Fisheries Podcast as one of our regular hosts. We discuss her what got her interested in fish and her journey to get to this point.

Main Point: Our research and profession should be as diverse as nature!

Get in touch with us!

The Fisheries Podcast is on Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky: @FisheriesPod 

Become a Patron of the s...

This week, Preston chats with the Assistant Chief of SCDNR's Freshwater Fisheries Section Lynn Quattro. They discuss Lynn's meandering (riverine pun intended!) career journey and the myriad day-to-day responsibilities of an Assistant Fish Chief in a natural resources management agency. Lynn also highlights her involvement with AFS and how her role in the AFS Fisheries Administration Section has helped navigate some unforeseen issues that popped up in recent years following the publication of the newest Names of Fishes book. We hope you enjoy this episode!

Lynn's email: quattrol@dnr.sc.gov

Main Point: We're all...

On this weeks episode Brendan connects with Dr. Matthew Yates to talk about his work on GEN-FISH, a massive collaboration of researchers, professionals, and community-members who collectively worked to determine the location and abundance of Canada’s 200+ freshwater fish species, and measure how they are performing in the face of increasing (mostly human-caused) stressors.

Dr. Yates discusses the who, what, when, where, and why of GEN-FISH, how the work is being used to help better manage fisheries in Canada, and some of the amazing things they've discovered doing the work.  Included in this is the use...

This week, Conrad spoke with Dr. Dylan Kiene, a postdoctoral researcher at Mississippi State University and lifelong angler turned fisheries scientist. Dylan shares insights from his Ph.D. research on Southern Flounder ecology, discusses a new Gulf-wide Cobia and Tripletail tagging project he's helping lead, and talks about bridging the gap between fisheries science and the recreational fishing community. From acoustic telemetry to custom rod building, this episode is packed with passion, data, and fish stories you won't want to miss.

Takeaway: Keep an open mind, because anything is possible.

Contact Dylan: Instagram: Dr.Doormat<...

This week, Preston sits down with Tennessee Tech's Tom Miles and TWRA's Cole Harty to discuss the ongoing battle between Tennessee and Alabama. We aren't talking about football, but instead the invasive Alabama Bass and how it is impacting Tennessee's black bass fisheries. From competition issues to hybridization impacts, this nonnative species is a serious cause for concern for black bass managers and anglers in Tennessee and throughout most of the southeast. We hope you enjoy this episode!

Tom's email: tpmiles42@tntech.edu

Cole's email: Cole.R.Harty@tn.gov

Main Point: Be...

This week, Elise chats with Katie Miller, the logistics and outreach coordinator for the Shark Research and Conservation Program at the University of Miami! They discuss her recently completed MS research in sandbar and blacknose shark reproduction at UM and ongoing work on the Atlantic guitarfish with the Florida Manta Project, her career shift from education into marine science, some of the unique challenges of being both a parent and field researcher, and more!

You can learn more about Katie's work by following @sharktagging and @marinemegafauna on Instagram, or by emailing UMSharkResearch@earth.miami.edu

...

On this weeks episode Brendan is joined by Colin Cassin, Executive Director, and Rebecca D'Orazio, Aquatic Invasive Species Team Lead from the Invasive Species Centre in Sault St. Marie!  This NGO has been working on aquatic and terrestrial invasive species issues in Ontario and Canada, and they're celebrating 15 years of doing the good work! Colin and Rebecca chat with Brendan on how ISC's programs and delivery have evolved over the last 15 years, and how this work helps protect Canada's fisheries.   Colin and Rebecca reflect on how municipalities in Canada often bare the brunt of the impacts of invasive species, wha...

From a chance meeting on a plane to recording a podcast episode, this week Conrad interviews wildlife biologist Adam Hensley.

Adam shares how a childhood love for fishing evolved into a career studying fish, insects, and entire ecosystems—highlighting the power of curiosity, asking questions, and embracing a non-linear path. From switching out of criminal justice to discovering aquatic ecology, his story shows how unexpected pivots can lead to meaningful work.

The conversation explores Adam’s graduate research in Alaska, where he studied Dolly Varden in extreme Arctic environments. With constant water temperatures but dramatic seas...

This week on the Fisheries Podcast, Alanna hosts longtime friend Shubham Mathur. Shubham, a Florida native, completed his Bachelors and Masters degrees at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School. Shubham speaks about his time at the UM Experimental Fish Hatchery, working at Spring Genetics, and moving back into academia at Roger Williams University. The two talk cobia, Japanese olive flounder, and nile tilapia, among many more.

We hope you enjoy this episode!

Main point: "Work to live, don't live to work."

Contact Shubham by email at smathur@rwu...

On this weeks episode Brendan sits down with Dr. Jérôme Marty, Executive Director of the International Association of Great Lakes Research & Dr. Kathryn Peiman, Executive Director of the Society of Canadian Aquatic Sciences to discuss their upcoming joint conference in Winnipeg happening May 25-29th! The four day conference is being hosted by the International Institute of Sustainable Development - Experimental Lakes Area.  

The conference theme—Connected Waters: Bridging Communities & Ideas—reflects commitment to fostering dialogue across scientific, Indigenous, and local knowledge systems. It recognizes that healthy waters are sustained through relationships among diverse communities, discipli...

This week, Conrad had the pleasure of interviewing two of his coworkers within the Marine Fisheries Ecology Program at Mississippi State University — Danielle McAree and Alena Anderson — to discuss their journeys through fisheries science, their graduate research on shark life history, and the unique experiences that shaped their careers. Together, they explored how hands-on fieldwork, data analysis, and mentorship within the program have deepened their understanding of fisheries science. 

Takeaway message: Never say never.

Contact them: Marine Fisheries Ecology Program website 

Email:

- Danielle: dmm787@msstate.edu 

- Alena: Aqa5@ms...

This week, Alanna chats with Fisheries Podcast guest Drake Ssempijja. Drake was born and raised in Uganda along Lake Victoria and is now a PhD student at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology. Drake shares all about his work on Abandoned, Lost, and Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) in Lake Victoria, some of the most important regional fisheries, and discusses his dream plans for expanding his work around Africa.

We hope you enjoy this episode!

Main point: "Sustainability is a shared responsibility."

Contact Drake by em...

This week, Preston visits with SCDNR's head malacologist, Ericah Beason. They with the basics of describing what freshwater mussels are and why they are important, before covering the diversity of mussels and the threats they face. Along the way, they cover the formation of SCDNR's freshwater mussels program and how it has evolved since its creation. We hope that you enjoy this episode!

Main point: "The environment is not infinite!"

Ericah's email address: BeasonE@dnr.sc.gov

Get in touch with us!

The Fisheries Podcast is on Fa...

This week, Elise (IG: @elisemobranchii) sits down with Dr. Marcus Reamer, a Lecturer at the University of Miami, to discuss his research on communication and media as an invisible and influential force in conservation. They focus on his exploration of the media portrayal of North Atlantic right whale conservation and conflicts between various stakeholder groups, namely, New England American lobster fishers. They also discuss how media is often overlooked as a tool for conservation, and how the language used to frame and shape our perceptions of complex conservation topics can either help or hinder efforts to create equitable solutions...

On this weeks episode Brendan is joined by Jason Barnucz, an Aquatic Science Biologist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Ontario Mussel team to talk about his 30+ years of field work in Ontario working on species at risk, including his work on the ground floor of the then new Species at Risk program in 2002!  We also dive into Jason's new work with the mussel team, why he made the switch, a bit of his work with anglers in Ontario, and him and his sons recent forays into kayak fishing around Ontario.

Check out his fishing photos and angling p...

What happens beneath the surface of an aquatic system is a world most people never see—but today’s guest is bringing that hidden world to life through science and underwater storytelling.

This week, Conrad had the pleasure of speaking with PhD candidate and underwater videographer Graham Montague from the University of Vermont in a fascinating conversation that explored both his research and creative work beneath the surface. The discussion dove into the intersection of science communication and underwater videography, highlighting how visual storytelling can help audiences connect more deeply with aquatic ecosystems and the life they supp...

On this episode of The Fisheries Podcast, Alanna hosts Dr. Gretchen McCarthy. The two discuss experiences in oyster farming, Gretchen's time as a Hollings Scholar and her bivalve research, as well as her more recent work into kelp forests, polyculture systems, and the importance of ecosystems for major bivalve resources in New Zealand. We hope you enjoy this episode!

Main point: "People are a part of their biosphere."

Find Gretchen on LinkedIn, ResearchGate, or Facebook.

Get in touch with us!

The Fisheries Podcast is on Fac...

This week, Preston sits down with Dr. Mike Allen from the University of Florida. They discuss just a few of the myriad research projects that Mike has been a part of since getting to Florida, from the impacts of Lionfish to Florida Bass and from forward facing sonar to his current work with snook in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. We hope that you enjoy this episode!

Main point: "Make your job fun!"

Mike's email address: msal@ufl.edu

Get in touch with us!

The Fisheries Podcast is...

On this weeks episode Brendan is joined by the delightful minds behind Gonzo Ichthyology, A Graphic Guide. This incredibly illustrated book is a hilarious guide on the history of ichthyology, anatomy, behaviour, evolution, and achievements of fish.  This book is absolutely filled with illustrations that are both surreal and hilarious.  This book is both engaging, funny, and absolutely Gonzo.  We dive into what exactly gonzo means and how this passion project came to be, how humor can be used to communicate science, and how the fish in the book would feel about how they've been talked about.  From Marlon Bran...

Conrad sat down with Michael Sipos, Florida Sea Grant Agent, to explore his journey from aquarium hobbyist to marine biologist—connecting his passion for science, sustainability, and the sea. From his master’s research on hormonal induction spawning in ornamental fish, advancing sustainable aquaculture practices, to his current work addressing invasive species and fishing education in Florida, Mike blends research with real-world impact. Off the clock, he channels that same curiosity into spearfishing, among many other hobbies, combining skill, respect, and sustainability in everything he does. #FisheriesPodcast #SeaGrant #Spearfishing #Aquaculture #SustainableFishing #MarineScience #StayCurious 

Takeaway: stay curious

 <...

This week, Alanna speaks with Janelle Layton, a MS/PHD student at Oregon State University about her multi-faceted research on the famous grouper spawning aggregations of Little Cayman. Listen to this week's episode to hear more about Nassau, Tiger, and Yellowfin grouper, as well as learn about some of the unique methods that Janelle uses in her work, such as heat shock protein analysis and bomb calorimetry. 

Main point: "Communication is important."

Find Janelle via her website janellemonetlayton.com, Instagram (@janelle_monet_), TikTok (@janellemonet_) or Bluesky (janellemonet.bsky.social)

This week, Preston chats with John Odenkirk from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. They discuss John's involvement with the Northern Snakehead introduction into the Potomac River, covering everything from the initial media-driven public hysteria to the current population status and the documented impacts (or lack thereof) of the introduction. They also discuss aquatic species that have been introduced to Virginia that received less publicity, but have shown more negative impacts to Virginia's native populations than what can be attributed to snakeheads. We hope that you enjoy this episode!

Main point: "Don't move fish!"

Brendan is joined by Joel Zhang, who is currently working on his PhD with Dr. Steven Cooke and Dr. David Phillip at Carleton University.  Brendan and Joel discuss Joel's current work looking at the impact of sanctuaries on local black bass populations, and how they used local angler knowledge to gain more information about how the fishery has performed over time.  They also discuss Joel's goals of bringing more social science into the field.

Joel's Paper: Local Angler Knowledge Reveals Declines in Fishing Quality for Black Bass in Lakes of Eastern Ontario

Joe...

This week, Conrad had the pleasure of speaking with his good friend, Natalie Ritter. Natalie is currently pursuing her master's degree in marine and environmental science at the University of the Virgin Islands. Her research focuses on the biodiversity and taxonomy of Apicomplexan blood parasites that infect coral reef fishes. They speak on the accessibility of scientific information and the benefit of a variety of different media types to spread scientific awareness. We hope you enjoy this week's episode. 

Takeaway: Everything is connected.

#reefish #parasites #virginislands

“Get in touch with us!

The...

Joining Alanna on the podcast this week is Dr. Emily Lester, a marine ecologist with an interest in coral reef ecosystems, predator-prey dynamics, and anthropogenic changes to animal behavior. Emily shares her experience working with the whale sharks of Ningaloo and explains the process to becoming a Fulbright researcher. Listeners will get a sneak peak of Emily's newest research on meeting goals in global shark conservation!

Main point: "The best conservation happens when people and nature both win"

Find Emily through instagram @emily_lester or bluesky @emilylester.bsky.social

This week, Preston catches up with Andrew Bade, the supervisor of the Warmwater and Coldwater Fisheries Management Programs for Connecticut DEEP. They discuss Andrew's education and career journeys, before diving into the history of introduced Smallmouth Bass in Connecticut. Andrew focuses in and shares the unique and cyclical history of Smallmouth Bass in one of Connecticut's lakes, as well as the current management strategies they are implementing to restore this popular fishery. We hope that you enjoy this episode!

Main point: "Learn the history of your fisheries."

Andrew's email address: Andrew.Bade@ct.g...

For the final episode of 2025 The Fisheries Podcast brings you an absolutely delightful conversation between Brendan and Dr. Nicholas Mandrak of the University of Toronto Scarborough on binomial nomenclature, the Committee on Names of Fishes, and most importantly, how and why fish get and keep and or change their scientific and or common names!

Dr. Mandrak is a legendary scientist in Canadian circles, having co-authored over 250 primary publications, over 100 government reports, 40 COSEWIC reports, and five books, including the newly revised Royal Ontario Museum Field Guide to Ontario Fishes. He is Program Director of the Conservation and Biodiversity s...

This week, Conrad speaks with his friend Ryan Burch of @talesofthe48. Ryan is on an inspiring journey, traveling across the lower 48 states in a truck camper with his dog. His mission? To create a documentary about catching a fish on the fly in each state he visits. In the spirit of the holiday season, Ryan reflects on the kindness he's encountered from people across the first 24 states. He shares heartwarming stories that showcase not only the fish he has caught but also the hospitality and generosity of strangers.

Ryan discusses the blend of science and art in...

This week Alanna chats with Dr. John Mohan, a Conservation Biologist in Protected Resources at the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, about his work using chemical tracers such as trace elements and isotopes in fisheries science. The two chemistry fans talk about applications in species such as striped bass, Atlantic croakers, Pacific bluefin tuna, and a variety of sharks. John provides a crash course in chemical tracers for those interested in using these tools, and gives excellent advice for scientists of all stages.

Main point: "Go with the flow"

Find Jo...

This week, a busy 2025, a lack of sleep, and possible procrastination result in Preston having to do a solo episode. He provides updates on his career journey since he was last on the show as a guest in late 2023. He then opens up about some of the personal challenges going on at home and he wraps up by giving out some of his top book recommendations in several science-y categories. 

Main point: "Never hesitate to reach out for help."

Preston's Instagram: @hokie_fish_biologist

Get in touch with us!

This week, Elise (IG: @elisemobranchii) hosts Dr. David Shiffman (@whysharksmatter), an interdisciplinary ocean conservation scientist whose research focuses on the ecology and conservation of chondrichthyan fishes, to talk about this week's COP20 CITES shark and ray proposals!

David is a public science engagement specialist, an award-winning writer and educator, and author of the book “Why Sharks Matter: A Deep Dive with the World's Most Misunderstood Predator”. He currently works as an ocean conservation policy and communications consultant in Washington, DC, but you can also find him on social media @whysharksmatter, where he’s always happy to answer questi...

Brendan is joined by Dr. Kathryn Peiman to discuss the history of non-native salmonids in the Lake Ontario, and her current work on an opinion piece regarding the stocking of Chinook salmon in the Great Lakes.  Tune in to learn about the history of how long ago these fishes found themselves in Lake Ontario, how many times it's been tried, and the impacts that managing Lake Ontario for these salmonids has had on how we use Lake Ontario.  They cover the impacts of stocking, how Alewife have driven Lake Ontario's species assemblage and biodiversity, and some changes Dr. Peiman th...

This week's episode showcases the result of when two dedicated fisheries biologists and passionate anglers come together to record a podcast. Conrad had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Erin Wilson, an avid multispecies angler and fisheries biologist. Erin has leveraged her passion and skills in her career, discussing how instrumental being an angler has been for her success in the fisheries world. She shared insights from her remarkable master's studies, highlighting her first chapter on muskie movement ecology, and the second chapter focused on the use of biologgers. Additionally, she touched on the power of communication and the valuable...