A fish biologist studies fishes and the habitats they occupy to better understand the relationships between fish biology and habitat.
Passion, grit, and analytical skills are important. Passion for the aquatic environment fuels my scientific spirit. Grit is similar to determination; grit keeps me productive and moving along when times are hard. Analytical skills help me solve problems and uncover answers to my questions.
How do trout respond to the separate and combined effects of forest harvest and climate change?
We use electrofishing to complete population and species assessments. Electrofishing uses electricity to stun fish so that they can be captured with a dip net. Once a fish is captured, we can measure the fish’s length and weight, insert a tag, or take a fin clip for analysis back in the laboratory. The fish are then released back into the environment.
Fish are safeguarded against changes in climate and land use when they are found in streams that have more complex and diverse habitats.
When I was younger, I loved to swim. What began as swimming like a fish, turned into studying fishes.
