Best A team of fisheries scientists Podcasts (2025)

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338 - Preston goes solo: personal and professional updates, and science-y book recommendations 28:09

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1d ago28:09

28:09

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 recommendatio…

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337 - CITES, international shark fisheries policy, and Why Sharks Matter with Dr. David Shiffman 38:03

9d ago38:03

38:03

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 write…

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336 - Should we keep stocking Chinook Salmon in Lake Ontario? A converstaion with Dr. Kathryn Peiman 1:00:30

15d ago1:00:30

1:00:30

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 im…

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335 - Muskie Acoustic Telemetry, Expert Knowledge Holders and the Power of Putting Yourself Out There with Erin Wilson 1:19:26

22d ago1:19:26

1:19:26

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…

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334 - Southern New England Cod with Ali Frey 40:55

30d ago40:55

40:55

This week Alanna interviews PhD candidate Ali Frey. Ali obtained her Bachelor's degree at the University of Rhode Island where she researched little skates and ichthyoplankton before working at the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Northeast Fisheries Science Center. The two discuss Ali's current research into southern New England Atlantic Cod…

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333 - AGFC's Black Bass Program with Jeremy Risley and Eric Naas 58:20

1M ago58:20

58:20

This week, Preston sits down with Jeremy Risley and Eric Naas from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's Black Bass Program. They highlight many of the important projects that the Black Bass Program conducts and their innovative process to formulate their statewide Reservoir Black Bass Management Plan. They also discuss the immense excitement tha…

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332 - Modelling the Effects of Wildifre on Food Webs and Fish with Dr. Dave Roon 54:40

1M ago54:40

54:40

Brendan is joined by Dr. Dave Roon from Oregon State University to discuss his work on modelling the effects of wildfire on fish and aquatic habitats in the Pacific North West. Dr. Roon and his coauthors have been using foodweb models to understand how changing fire disturbance regimes could impact aquatic life with an emphasis on fish. Tune in to …

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331 - Reproductive Ecology of Silver Carp and Bighead Carp in the Platte River and Its Major Tributaries with Madison Casey 40:54

2M ago40:54

40:54

This week, Conrad had the pleasure of speaking with Madison Casey, a first-year Master's student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the Learning from Anatomy, Morphology, and Phylogenetics Lab (LAMP). In their conversation, Madison shared the valuable perspectives she gained from her various fisheries jobs before pursuing her Master’s. These …

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330 - Larval Crustaceans with Sierra Wachala 1:00:25

2M ago1:00:25

1:00:25

In this episode Alanna chats with PhD student and plankton specialist Sierra Wachala. Sierra has studied larval shrimp in South Carolina, mysids in Wisconsin, and now lobster larvae in Massachusetts. The two also discuss Sierra's time as a NOAA Hollings Scholar, a research exchange to Alaska, and living and working in the field of marine science wi…

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329 - AFS' vision for the future with Executive Director Jeff Kopaska 55:26

2M ago55:26

55:26

This week, Preston chats with the new Executive Director of The American Fisheries Society (AFS), Jeff Kopaska. They cover the unprecedented challenges Jeff has faced in his first year in the new role and the success of the San Antonio meeting in August. Jeff then discusses his innovative vision for how AFS can evolve to continue to meet the needs …

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328 - Novel Biologgers and Catch and Release Angling Impacts with Phd Candidate Luc LaRochelle 53:01

2M ago53:01

53:01

Brendan is joined by Luc LaRochelle, a PhD Candidate at Carleton University where he's working with Dr. Steven Cooke and Dr. Andy Danylchuk. Luc gives an update on what he's been up to since his last appearance on the podcast, starting off with a novel biologging tool he's created as part of his Ph.D work. In addition, they discuss the who what and…

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327 - The Tackle Shop Maine: Navigating the Status of the Striped Bass Fishery and the Role of Informed Anglers in Long-Term Conservation 57:12

3M ago57:12

57:12

This week, join Conrad as he reconnects with his good friend George, the new owner of The Tackle Shop in Falmouth, Maine. In their engaging conversation, they dive into the impact of the striper fishery's status on George's business, emphasizing the vital role conservation plays in ensuring its longevity. They discuss how being a well-informed fish…

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326 - Fiftieth Anniversary of Jaws and the State of Sharks in Media with Lindsay Graff 59:36

3M ago59:36

59:36

This week, Alanna hosts shark scientist Lindsay Graff. Lindsay has worked with countless shark species globally, from the Bahamas, South Africa, and Fiji, to Cape Cod. Lindsay is currently pursuing her PhD, with her dissertation research focusing on post-release behavior of young-of-year white sharks, sand tiger sharks, and dusky sharks. You may be…

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325 - Using Traditional Ecological Knowledge to enhance fisheries research with Chessie Mason 51:11

3M ago51:11

51:11

This week, Elise (IG: @elisemobranchii) chats with Cardiff University PhD researcher Chessie Mason as they discuss Chessie's career in shark research. They cover her role as the former Outreach Coordinator at the Bimini Biological Field Station, her Masters and ongoing PhD research in ecotoxicology, and the study she co-led with Project SIARC which…

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324 - Seventy-fifth anniversary of the Sportfish Restoration Act with Paul Wilkes 33:39

3M ago33:39

33:39

August 9th, 2025, marked the 75th anniversary of US President Harry Truman signing the Federal Aid in Sportfish Restoration Act into law. To help listeners better appreciate the impact the act has had on fish conservation activities throughout its 75 year history, Preston sits down with Paul Wilkes from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. They discus…

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323 - The Canadian Crayfish Wars with Dr. Premek Hamr, AKA Dr. Crayfish 1:02:27

4M ago1:02:27

1:02:27

Brendan is joined by Dr. Premek Hamr, a Canadian researcher who has dedicated much of his life's work to Canadian crayfish. They discuss how he got his start in Tasmania on the largest Freshwater Crayfish in the world, to his work in Canada where he has specialized in life history characteristics of this understudied infraorder of amazing animals. …

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322 - Prep and Early Considerations of a PhD, Applied Fisheries Science Technologies, and Importance of Integrating With Your Fisheries Community with Andre Ascura 56:15

4M ago56:15

56:15

This week, Conrad reconnects with his good friend Andre Ascura, a current researcher at Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory. Andre discusses his journey toward securing a Ph.D., highlighting the challenges he has faced and the similarities between his path and Conrad's. He reflects on his military experience, emphasizing how it shaped his leadersh…

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321 - Fisheries From Hawaii to Scotland with Dr. Jessie Kittel 32:36

4M ago32:36

32:36

This week, Alanna talks to Dr. Jessie Kittel, a research scientist at the Blue World Research Institute, about her path in fisheries from Oregon to Hawaii to Scotland to New England. Jessie's research using modeling techniques has varied from humpback whales to yellowtail flounder. Alanna and Jessie discuss the integration of her ecosystem based fi…

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320 - Introducing the Bartram's Bass with Dr. Mark Scott 45:55

4M ago45:55

45:55

This week, Preston chats with Dr. Mark Scott from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Mark shares some of the unique projects that his statewide research team has completed over the years, including the pending launch of a web-based tool that will allow organizations to predict how changes to the landscapes could impact the biodiver…

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319 - Pit Tag Primer with Brian Beckley of Voda IQ and Josh Murauskas 1:05:55

4M ago1:05:55

1:05:55

On this weeks episode Brendan sits down with Brian Beckley and Josh Murauskas for a deep dive into PIT tags - a small electronic device used in fisheries science for a number of interesting applications. You're in good hands as Brian is the president of Voda IQ, a company that makes PIT Tags and Josh has used them throughout North America in a numb…

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318 - Return 'Em Right, Complexities of Certifying a World Record Fish, and Leveraging Social Media with Nick Haddad 38:56

5M ago38:56

38:56

In this week's episode, Conrad had the pleasure of talking with Nick Haddad. Together, they delve into Nick's career journey and how it set him up to secure two dream jobs immediately after completing his master's program. The bulk of their discussion focuses on his experiences with the International Game Fish Association and his current role as th…

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317 - Restoring Southern California Steelhead with Dr. Matt Mensinger 46:23

5M ago46:23

46:23

This week, Alanna talks to Dr. Matt Mensinger, a postdoctoral researcher with the University of California Santa Cruz and The Nature Conservancy, to discuss his research on diadromous species. They discuss his prior work in Maine on American eel and Atlantic salmon as well as his current project focused on habitat restoration for endangered souther…

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316 - Previewing the 2025 Black Bass Symposium with Steven Bardin 48:50

5M ago48:50

48:50

This week, Preston catches up with Steven Bardin, who appeared as a guest in Episode 261 a little over a year ago. They catch up on what has happened since that previous episode, including the launch of Steven's Reel Biology podcast. They also spend a lot of time taking a deep dive and previewing the upcoming 2025 Black Bass Symposium that will be …

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315 - Meet the new host, Conrad Pfalzgraf 44:23

5M ago44:23

44:23

In this episode we are introduced to the newest host of The Fisheries Podcast, Conrad Pfalzgraf. He and Nick go down a somewhat chronological recap of Conrad's adventures so far and how he got to where he is today. Enjoy! Main point: Every failure is your first attempt at learning! Get in touch with us! The Fisheries Podcast is on Facebook, X, Inst…

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314 - Round Goby and White Sucker Interactions, Impacts, and Thermal Tolerances in the Tributaries of Southern Ontario with Dr. Meagan Kindree 42:28

6M ago42:28

42:28

On this weeks episode Brendan chats with Dr. Meagan Kindree about her work on the interactions between the invasive Round Goby and the native White Sucker in the tributaries of the Great Lakes, as well as how the changing thermal regimes brought on by climate change may impact both species. Dr. Kindree discusses how they came about studying the imp…

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313 - Mapping fish with BioBase's EcoFish 1:01:00

6M ago1:01:00

1:01:00

In this episode, Nick catches up with Ray Valley, co-founder of www.biobasemaps.com. Ray was originally a guest on episode 183 of the show and discussed his web-based software's ability to take consumer grade sonar data to produce information on depth, bottom hardness, and aquatic vegetation density for water bodies. In this episode, Ray and Nick d…

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312 - Groundfish Trawls and Regional Framework Models with Keith Hankowsky 37:46

6M ago37:46

37:46

This week, Alanna chats with SMAST masters student Keith Hankowsky to discuss his work conducting groundfish trawl surveys in the southern New England wind farm area. They talk about developing regional framework models, the importance of learning a statistical programming language in modern fisheries science, and some of Keith's favorite groundfis…

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311 - The importance of leadership and communication in fisheries science with Dr. Steve McMullin 50:35

6M ago50:35

50:35

This week, Preston catches up with Dr. Steve McMullin, an associate professor emeritus with Virginia Tech's College of Natural Resources and Environment. They discuss Steve's unconventional entry into the fisheries science field, his time climbing the ranks in Montana's Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, and how he ended up fulfilling his lif…

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310 - Conservation journalist Ben Goldfarb talks Beavers, Road Ecology, and his upcoming Fish book! 1:00:19

7M ago1:00:19

1:00:19

On this weeks episode Brendan sits down with Ben Goldfarb, an independent conservation journalist. He's the author of Crossings: How Road Ecology Is Shaping The Future of Our Planet, named one of the best books of 2023 by the New York Times, and Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter, winner of the 2019 PEN/E.O. Wilson Li…

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309 - Lake Michigan sportfish management in Southeastern Wisconsin with Cheryl Masterson 37:26

7M ago37:26

37:26

This week, Elise chats with Cheryl Masterson, a Wisconsin DNR team supervisor and long time Lake Michigan fisheries manager. They chat about Cheryl's 28-year career in fisheries which spans species like Coho salmon, yellow perch, and (Elise's favorite fish) lake sturgeon, and her love for the Great Lakes. Listen in to hear Cheryl and Elise realize …

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308 - BACI Surveys in Windfarm Areas with Andie Painten 42:53

7M ago42:53

42:53

This week, Alanna chats with SMAST masters student Andie Painten, who is generating baseline data from windfarm areas to study their eventual impact. Andie shares about her extensive experience in traveling abroad through her undergraduate study and research programs as well as graduate conferences. They discuss her current work, focused on the use…

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307 - Managing North Carolina's piedmont fisheries with Lawrence Dorsey 29:27

7M ago29:27

29:27

This week, Preston catches up with Lawrence Dorsey, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission's fisheries supervisor for the piedmont region. They discuss Lawrence's journey to his current role, the impacts that introduced Alabama Bass have had on North Carolina's black bass fisheries, and how Lawrence has adapted to his current supervisory …

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306 - Native Trout Restoration in Alberta with Lesley Peterson from Freshwater Conservation Canada 55:36

8M ago55:36

55:36

On this weeks episode Brendan talks with Lesley Peterson, the Director of Conservation for Freshwater Conservation Canada, an organization formerly known as Trout Unlimited Canada! They discuss how Alberta's native trout been impacted by habitat loss, invasive species, and what Freshwater Conservation Canada is doing with help from the Alberta Nati…

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305 - Working with Ecuadorian Artisanal Fisheries to Reduce Sea Turtle Bycatch with María Dabrowski 51:15

8M ago51:15

51:15

This week, Alanna chats with María Dabrowski, the senior research associate at Rare's Center Behavior and the Environment. María describes her non-linear career path, through academia and non-profits, ranging from cognitive neuroscience, community outreach, and her current focus on the topic of reducing sea turtle bycatch in Ecuadorian artisanal fi…

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304 - The Sicklefin Redhorse and maintaining aquatic diversity with Dr. Luke Etchison 43:17

8M ago43:17

43:17

This week, Preston sits down with the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission's Dr. Luke Etchison. They discuss the recently described Sicklefin Redhorse and the impacts that Hurricane Helene had on restoration projects in western North Carolina. They also discuss the creation of the Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail and ways that conservation projects …

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303 - A Review of Finspan 49:14

8M ago49:14

49:14

This week Nick provides an overview and review of the brand new board game Finspan. For six years, fish enthusiasts across the globe have been jealous of the success of the board game Wingspan but move aside birds, it is time for piscine supremacy! Nick discusses the various components of the game and attempts to describe how to play the game (bett…

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302 - Linking natural channel design with positive fisheries outcomes with PHD Candidate Ian Smith from the University of Toronto 1:02:55

9M ago1:02:55

1:02:55

On this weeks episode Brendan sits down with Ian Smith, a professional geomorphologist that is now doing his PhD at the age of 62 at the University of Toronto! Ian will be working on incorporating principles of naturalized channel design to benefit native species in Ontario. They discuss the interactions between the abiotic aspects of geomorphology…

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301 - Untangling the movement and habitat use of Atlantic guitarfish in South Florida with Jenny Norcross 52:13

9M ago52:13

52:13

This week, Elise (IG: @elisemobranchii) chats with University of Miami Shark Research and Conservation Program Master's student Jenny Norcross (IG: @jennynor). They discuss Jenny's childhood love for fishing, her ground breaking thesis work on Atlantic guitarfish movement, her passion for creating anatomically correct animal pottery, and more! Main…

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300 - Black Sea Bass, Wind Farms, and Oceanography with Dr. Max Zavell 29:47

9M ago29:47

29:47

This week Alanna chats with Dr. Max Zavell, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology. They talk about Max's journey in fisheries, including time spent as a Hollings Scholar, his graduate research, and his current work studying the impact of wind farms on larval fish assemblages.…

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299 - Managing small impoundments and using social media to dispel angling myths with Shan O'Gorman 48:55

9M ago48:55

48:55

This week, Preston sits down with private lake manager Shan O'Gorman. They discuss Shan's path to owning and operating his own lake management business and some of the highs and lows along the way. Shan also shares the story of how an airport layover eventually turned into building a large following on various social media accounts, where he shares…

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298 - Prussian Carp, from strange reproductive techniques to eDNA assay development, with Patrick Hannington from the University of Alberta 56:31

10M ago56:31

56:31

On this weeks episode Brendan sits down with Patrick Hannington, a professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta. His interests are at the interface between animals, parasites, and freshwater environments, including Prussian carp, a species capable of gynogesis, a reproductive technique that involves cloning and sperm steali…

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297 - Studying the elusive Atlantic Guitarfish with Kylie Powers 44:18

10M ago44:18

44:18

On this week's episode, Elise (IG: @elisemobranchii) chats with Miami Rosenstiel Master's student Kylie Powers (IG: @kylie_powers_) to talk all things Atlantic Guitarfish! Listen in to learn about Kylie's journey into graduate school, her career as a competitive swimmer, her passion for teaching, and more! Main Point: Don't be afraid to try EVERYTH…

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296 - Meet the new host Alanna Mnich 52:28

10M ago52:28

52:28

In this episode we're introduced to our new host Alanna Mnich. Alanna tells us about her past spent studying larval cephalopods and Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, and a glimpse into the future of her as a host. Enjoy! Main point: There is no planet B! Get in touch with us! The Fisheries Podcast is on Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky: @Fisheries…

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295 - Messages for current fisheries managers with Dr. Hal Schramm 1:04:54

10M ago1:04:54

1:04:54

This week, Preston sits down with retired USGS Mississippi Cooperative Research Unit leader Dr. Hal Schramm. They discuss Hal's path to get to Mississippi State University, and a handful of the many research projects he worked on during his time there. They also spend time chatting about two of Hal's special interest topics: declining catchability …

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294 - Ice fishing catch and release outcomes with Julee Stewart and Dr. Chris Somers from the University of Regina 1:01:47

11M ago1:01:47

1:01:47

This week Julee Stewart (MSc. graduate) and Dr. Chris Somers (University of Regina) join Brendan to talk ice fishing outcomes for fish welfare from two of their recent studies on catch and release for Cisco and Northern Pike using different tackle on tip-ups in Saskatchewan. They discuss their findings, what they mean for anglers and fish, and how …

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293 - The sharks of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary with Brett Sweezey 1:27:47

11M ago1:27:47

1:27:47

This week, Elise (IG: @elisemobranchii) chats with Texas A&M PhD candidate Brett Sweezey (IG/Bluesky/Threads: @saltwatersweezey). They discuss Brett's MS spent working alongside lobster fishers in New England, fond memories at the Bimini Shark Lab, his current PhD research on multiple shark species in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctua…

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292 - Cutthroat Trout and Catching Up with Kadie Heinle 46:24

11M ago46:24

46:24

This week we catch up with and say goodbye (for now) to Kadie Heinle. For the last three and a half years Kadie has been not only hosting this podcast but also completing fieldwork and analysis for her Ph.D. project studying the cumulative threats of climate change effects, non-native species, and underlying genetic variation to cutthroat trout pop…

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291 - The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission's podcasting duo: the 2 Bald Biologists 49:29

11M ago49:29

49:29

This week, Preston chats with Corey Oakley and Ben Ricks from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC). They are the duo that hosts NCWRC's Better Fishing With 2 Bald Biologists monthly podcast. Corey and Ben discuss their career journeys before diving into the story of the podcast. They also highlight some favorite episodes and pro…

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290 - A Discussion and Intro to AI Tools in Ecology with Jason Granberg 53:51

12M ago53:51

53:51

This week Jason Granberg from the Wisconsin DNR joins Brendan to talk about the use of artificial intelligence tools in ecology and conservation. They cover the basics of the new AI tools that are popping up in an everywhere near you, their pros, cons, and opportunities, and advice for how to use these tools. Brendan would like to apologize in adva…

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289 - Evaluating the cost of bycatch and entanglement with Naya O'Reilly 1:00:10

12M ago1:00:10

1:00:10

This week, Elise chats with Naya O'Reilly, a current PhD student at UC Boulder studying fisheries bycatch and marine mammal entanglement in Hawaii. They talk through Naya's wide array of research experiences in LA, Madagascar, and more, as well as Naya's unique graduate school journey which has led to them completing their Master's and PhD at the s…

A Team Of Fisheries Scientists Podcasts