258 - Studying the evolution of fishes and ancient lakes with Dr. Jeff McKinnon

This week Kadie chats with Dr. Maia Sosa Kapur, a Research Mathematical Statistician with the NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center. Throughout the interview, we talk about how Maia found her dream career in stock assessment, what the day-to-day and season-to-season look like for stock assessment work, different cool research projects Maia has led and contributed to (including sablefish research and crab harvest in Native Hawaiian fishponds), and more! If you've ever experienced a bit of an identity crisis while pursuing your career, this is the episode for you!   Main point: There are no prerequisites for succeeding in this field.   Learn more about the NMFS Sea Grant Ecosystem and Populations Dynamics Fellowship here!   If you'd like to get in touch with Maia, you can check out her website: mkapur.github.io or email her: [email protected]   Get in touch with us! The Fisheries Podcast is on most social media platforms: @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 chats with Dr. Jeff McKinnon. Jeff is a professor of biology at East Carolina University and primarily studies various evolutionary processes in fish populations around the world. He is also the author of the recently published book Our Ancient Lakes: A Natural History. They discuss some of Jeff's research projects, provide listeners with a brief synopsis of what makes ancient lakes such tremendous and unique study sites for evolutionary biologists, and talk about writing the book. We hope that you enjoy this episode!   Main point: "Beware of shifting baselines and remember that extinctions can't be reversed." Jeff's email address: [email protected] Jeff's book, Our Ancient Lakes: A Natural History, can be purchased here: https://mitpressbookstore.mit.edu/book/9780262047852 The McKinnon Lab website: https://www.mckinnonevo.com/   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, Elise (IG: @elise_the_mermaid) talks with Dr. Leandro Castello about his interdisciplinary research on arapaima fisheries in the Amazon, his new study on the accuracy of fishers' memories in reconstructing a history of past catches (linked below), and how these memories can be used to better manage data poor fisheries in developing countries. Main point: Most fisheries worldwide are artisanal, tropical, and located in developing countries, and therefore require different approaches to management.    Project websites: https://leandrocastello.org/ & https://mucaua.org/ Mongabay article: https://news.mongabay.com/2024/03/fishers-memories-on-par-with-scientific-data-on-historic-catches-study/ Memory paper: https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/fee.2726   Get in touch with us! The Fisheries Podcast is on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @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 that those individuals are affiliated in other capacities (such as employers).

This week Kadie chats with Dr. Peyton Thomas, a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Colorado Boulder with the Arctic Rivers Project and a professional trail runner. Peyton received her Ph.D. in Biology and Marine Biology in 2022 where she studied fish muscle physiology and potential adaptative responses under projected end-of-century temperature scenarios and extreme hypoxia. For her post-doc, she studies growth projections of Arctic fishes under mid-century climate change across sub-Arctic and Arctic watersheds. Peyton is also a member of the Patagonia trail running team and Protect Our Winters. Throughout the interview, we talk about Peyton's research, how she uses her running career to bring light to environmental issues, and how science can be a form of advocacy. Check it out!   And remember: you have great ideas and you are valid.   If you'd like to get in touch with Peyton, you can email her at [email protected]; find her on Instagram @ptcruisin22; or check out her website: www.peyton-thomas.com   Get in touch with us! The Fisheries Podcast is on most social media platforms: @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 Seth Mycko, a sportfish biologist with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. They discuss the movement and abundance of a southern riverine Smallmouth Bass population, hybrid crappie, and NCWRC's angling outreach efforts.   Main point: "Your estimates are only as good as your data" Seth's email address: [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).

This week Brendan chats with Dr. Margaret Docker about her career working on sex determination in Sea Lamprey that has spanned two and a half decades, the challenges faced in uncovering this mystery, and the recent advances that put the goal in sight.  In addition, they chat about an upcoming "Special Issue on the Underappreciated Native Fishes of North America and their Management" in the Environmental Biology of Fishes journal, which Dr. Docker is a co-editor. Check out the special issue here, along with the articles already published.  Submissions will be open until April 30th, so be sure to get in contact with Dr. Docker as soon as possible if you're interested.  Main point: "All biodiversity matters, not just fish with a commercial or recreational value". Margaret's social media handle: @MargaretDocker Brendan's social media handle: @BrendanSpearin 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 Katelyn chats with Heather Bauer Reid, a Ph.D. student at Trent University. Heather talks about the interpopulation variation of aquatic species in response to temperature changes, her research centered around the intraspecific variation that exists within fish species, and her experiences at Friday Harbor Laboratories.  Main point: Don’t ignore the variation that can exist within a species.    Get in touch with us! The Fisheries Podcast is on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @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 (IG: @elise_the_mermaid) chats with her friend and colleague Baylie Fadool (IG: @baylie_amberr). They discuss Baylie's many roles with the Bimini Shark Lab, her brand new nurse shark publication which spans 17 years of data, the importance of age and growth studies, how science and art overlap, and more!  Main point: You belong here! Cover photo credit: Chelle Blais (@chelleblaisphoto on IG) Get in touch with us! The Fisheries Podcast is on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @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 that those individuals are affiliated in other capacities (such as employers).

This week Kadie chats with Niall Clancy about the recently released book, Keeping the Last Best Fishery: advice from Montana's biologists to the next generation, which is a series of interviews that he edited and published. Throughout this conversation, we talk about how this book came about, some key takeaways, and Niall's favorite piece of advice he gathered from these interviews. And, while the book is focused on Montana's fisheries biologists, the advice is broadly applicable to states outside Montana and fields besides fisheries.    Main point: We should care more about non-game fish.   Check out a free online version of the book here. You can purchase a physical copy of the book via the publisher. The cover art for this book was done by T. David Ritter, you can find more of his work here.   If you'd like to get in touch with Niall, you can get in contact via his website: niallclancy.org, or email him at [email protected].   Get in touch with us! The Fisheries Podcast is on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @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).

Episode 250! This week, Preston catches up with Fisheries Podcast founder and original host, Nick Kramer. They discuss two major milestones that the podcast achieved in recent months. Nick also recaps a trophy carp management survey that he recently completed and an upcoming project to create a greenhouse for growing aquatic plants.   Main point: "Share your story." Nick's social media handle: @nicktalurus   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).