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 lifelong dream of teaching. Steve wraps up by providing expert insight on the critical importance of leadership and communication in the fisheries field and provides some strategies to help develop those skills. We hope that you enjoy this episode!

Main point: "You are never done learning and getting better at what you do."

Steve's email: [email protected]

Steve's phone number: 540-818-1670

Get in touch with us!

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

Become a Patron of the show: https://www.patreon.com/FisheriesPodcast

Buy podcast shirts, hoodies, stickers, and more: https://teespring.com/stores/the-fisheries-podcast-fan-shop

Thanks as always to Andrew Gialanella for the fantastic intro/outro music.

The Fisheries Podcast is a completely independent podcast, not affiliated with a larger organization or entity. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the podcast. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by the hosts are those of that individual and do not necessarily reflect the view of any entity with those individuals are affiliated in other capacities (such as employers).

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 Literary Science Writing Award.  His work has appeared in a number of publications you've probably heard of, from The Atlantic, New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, Science, The New Yorker, National Geographic, and many other publications!

Check out his website for his contact information, and information about his books! https://www.bengoldfarb.com/

Main point: "Don't be afraid to talk to journalists about your work!"

Get in touch with us!

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

Become a Patron of the show: https://www.patreon.com/FisheriesPodcast

Buy podcast shirts, hoodies, stickers, and more: https://teespring.com/stores/the-fisheries-podcast-fan-shop

Thanks as always to Andrew Gialanella for the fantastic intro/outro music.

The Fisheries Podcast is a completely independent podcast, not affiliated with a larger organization or entity. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the podcast. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by the hosts are those of that individual and do not necessarily reflect the view of any entity with those individuals are affiliated in other capacities (such as employers).

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 mid-episode that the world is actually incredibly small!

Main point: Learn how to market your skills!

Get in touch with us!

The Fisheries Podcast is a completely independent podcast, not affiliated with a larger organization or entity. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the podcast. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by the hosts are those of that individual and do not necessarily reflect the view of any entity that those individuals are affiliated in other capacities (such as employers).

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 of ventless trap surveys as well as various life stages of American lobster, Jonah crab, and black sea bass, as well as extracurricular activities such as involvement in the Society for Women in Marine Science (SWMS). We hope you enjoy this episode!

Main point: "You matter, and one person can make a difference."

Andie's email and instagram: [email protected], and @meatlessmoments_

Get in touch with us!

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

Become a Patron of the show: https://www.patreon.com/FisheriesPodcast

Buy podcast shirts, hoodies, stickers, and more: https://teespring.com/stores/the-fisheries-podcast-fan-shop

Thanks as always to Andrew Gialanella for the fantastic intro/outro music.

The Fisheries Podcast is a completely independent podcast, not affiliated with a larger organization or entity. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the podcast. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by the hosts are those of that individual and do not necessarily reflect the view of any entity with those individuals are affiliated in other capacities (such as employers).

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 role. We hope that you enjoy this episode!

Main point: "Build networks within the field and communicate your work with your constituents."

Lawrence's email: [email protected]

Get in touch with us!

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

Become a Patron of the show: https://www.patreon.com/FisheriesPodcast

Buy podcast shirts, hoodies, stickers, and more: https://teespring.com/stores/the-fisheries-podcast-fan-shop

Thanks as always to Andrew Gialanella for the fantastic intro/outro music.

The Fisheries Podcast is a completely independent podcast, not affiliated with a larger organization or entity. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the podcast. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by the hosts are those of that individual and do not necessarily reflect the view of any entity with those individuals are affiliated in other capacities (such as employers).

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 Native Trout Collaborative!

Tune in to learn how the collaborative has approached the problems facing Alberta's native trout, from habitat restoration to restoring fish passage.  Between beaver analogues, Cows and Fish, there are lots of important lessons to learn.

Make sure you check out the social media posts to see the fish passage restoration work Lesley and Brendan talked about on the pod!

To learn more about the work Freshwater Conservation Canada gets up to please visit https://www.freshwaterconservationcanada.org/ where you can discover the awesome work Freshwater Conservation Canada gets up to, and how to become a member of a local chapter and support the organization.

Main point: "Native trout habitat is more than just native trout habitat!"

Get in touch with us!

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

Become a Patron of the show: https://www.patreon.com/FisheriesPodcast

Buy podcast shirts, hoodies, stickers, and more: https://teespring.com/stores/the-fisheries-podcast-fan-shop

Thanks as always to Andrew Gialanella for the fantastic intro/outro music.

The Fisheries Podcast is a completely independent podcast, not affiliated with a larger organization or entity. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the podcast. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by the hosts are those of that individual and do not necessarily reflect the view of any entity with those individuals are affiliated in other capacities (such as employers).

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 fisheries. We hope you enjoy this episode!

Main point: "When the going gets tough, turn local."

María's instagram: @gogreenfortheocean

Get in touch with us!

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

Become a Patron of the show: https://www.patreon.com/FisheriesPodcast

Buy podcast shirts, hoodies, stickers, and more: https://teespring.com/stores/the-fisheries-podcast-fan-shop

Thanks as always to Andrew Gialanella for the fantastic intro/outro music.

The Fisheries Podcast is a completely independent podcast, not affiliated with a larger organization or entity. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the podcast. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by the hosts are those of that individual and do not necessarily reflect the view of any entity with those individuals are affiliated in other capacities (such as employers).

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 can be aided by getting support from public stakeholder groups. We hope that you enjoy this episode!

Main point: "Remember to be interactive with the public to help build support for your projects."

Luke's email: [email protected]

Luke's Instagram: @dope_fishes

Get in touch with us!

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

Become a Patron of the show: https://www.patreon.com/FisheriesPodcast

Buy podcast shirts, hoodies, stickers, and more: https://teespring.com/stores/the-fisheries-podcast-fan-shop

Thanks as always to Andrew Gialanella for the fantastic intro/outro music.

The Fisheries Podcast is a completely independent podcast, not affiliated with a larger organization or entity. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the podcast. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by the hosts are those of that individual and do not necessarily reflect the view of any entity with those individuals are affiliated in other capacities (such as employers).

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 (better how to guides can be found at 'Watch it Played' and 'Bits and Biology' on YouTube). The similarities between this game and Wingspan are also discussed before a general review is provided. 

If you are interested in the fan-made expansions mentioned in this episode, they can be found here: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/436126/finspan/files 

The game and its deluxe upgrade pack can be purchased at most places you can purchase board games OR you may enter for a chance to win a copy of Finspan here: https://forms.gle/pF8Tssq87w2PHwof8

Get in touch with us!

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

Become a Patron of the show: https://www.patreon.com/FisheriesPodcast

Buy podcast shirts, hoodies, stickers, and more: https://teespring.com/stores/the-fisheries-podcast-fan-shop

Thanks as always to Andrew Gialanella for the fantastic intro/outro music.

The Fisheries Podcast is a completely independent podcast, not affiliated with a larger organization or entity. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the podcast. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by the hosts are those of that individual and do not necessarily reflect the view of any entity with those individuals are affiliated in other capacities (such as employers).

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 and ecosystems, how geomorphology has changed over time, and how it can and should incorporate ecological factors to benefit native species.

Ian can be reached at: [email protected] . Check out the Mandrak lab here to see Ian and his colleagues work: https://mandraklab.ca/ 

To learn more about the Rosgen classification system you can check out this EPA link: https://cfpub.epa.gov/watertrain/moduleFrame.cfm?parent_object_id=1199 

Main Point: Don't discount the value of natural capital!

Get in touch with us!

The Fisheries Podcast is a completely independent podcast, not affiliated with a larger organization or entity. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the podcast. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by the hosts are those of that individual and do not necessarily reflect the view of any entity that those individuals are affiliated in other capacities (such as employers).