The Fisheries Podcast
A weekly podcast sharing stories of the amazing people and projects that make up the fisheries science profession.
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Episodes
Saturday Aug 02, 2025
Saturday Aug 02, 2025
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 biodiversity throughout the watershed. They wrap up the episode by sharing the news that the long-awaited species description will be published very soon for the newest member of the Micropterus genus, the Bartram's Bass. We hope that you enjoy this episode!
Main point: "What we do with the land affects the waters."
Dr. Mark Scott's email address: scottm@dnr.sc.gov
SCDNR's Statewide Fisheries Research webpage: https://www.dnr.sc.gov/fish/fwfi/index.html
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).
Sunday Jul 27, 2025
Sunday Jul 27, 2025
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 number of applications. They discuss the what how and why of PIT Tags, the origins of PIT tags in fisheries science, and how they are used and applied throughout North America.
Brian wants you to know that you can head to https://www.vodaiq.com/ to learn more about their products. Josh recommends you check out his paper on transoceanic migration of Pacific Lamprey here, and reach him on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-murauskas-1591b271/ if you have any questions!
Main point: Don't underestimate the value of PIT tags, and make sure you've got a great statistician to help you understand your data!
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).
Sunday Jul 20, 2025
Sunday Jul 20, 2025
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 the Sustainable Fisheries Communications Manager, where he oversees Return ‘Em Right at Florida Sea Grant. They discuss the advantages of leveraging social media to appeal to a wider audience and how being an adept fisherman can significantly enhance a fisheries scientist's credibility in the angling community. We hope you enjoy this insightful perspective!
Main point: Don't let your discomfort discourage you from new opportunities.
Main point: Don't let your discomfort discourage you from new opportunities.
Return 'Em Right website: https://returnemright.org/
Nick's website: https://haddadn9.wixsite.com/nick/fishing
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).
Saturday Jul 12, 2025
Saturday Jul 12, 2025
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 southern California steelhead in the Dangermond Preserve and Jalama Creek watershed. We hope you enjoy this episode!
Main point: "Don't take yourself too seriously"
Matt's email: mmensing@ucsc.edu
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).
Saturday Jul 05, 2025
Saturday Jul 05, 2025
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 held in conjunction with the AFS meeting in San Antonio, Texas. We hope that you enjoy this episode!
Main point: "Be observant."
AFS/Black Bass 2025 registration: https://afsannualmeeting.fisheries.org/registration/
Texas Pro Lake Management website: https://txprolake.com/
Serious Angler Podcast Network (where you can find Steven's Reel Biology episodes): https://www.youtube.com/@SeriousAnglerBassFishing/videos
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).
Sunday Jun 29, 2025
Sunday Jun 29, 2025
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, 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).
Sunday Jun 22, 2025
Sunday Jun 22, 2025
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 impacts of Round Goby on juvenile White Sucker, what the experiments on thermal tolerances of both species reveal, and how all hope is not lost for the White Sucker!
You can get in touch with Meagan about her work here: https://x.com/meagankindree?lang=ar or email meagan.kindree@gmail.com.
Main point: "Always be writing!"
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).
Saturday Jun 14, 2025
Saturday Jun 14, 2025
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 discuss BioBase's latest offering: EcoFish. With this new data layer managers are now able to add a fish density component to their mapping outputs. For folks who are interested in more information about this new tool, Biobase is hosting two webinars on June 24th to highlight the product. You may sign up here for the morning session (9am EST) or here for the afternoon session (4pm EST).
Main Point: You can't manage what you don't measure!
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).
Saturday Jun 07, 2025
Saturday Jun 07, 2025
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 groundfish. We hope you enjoy this episode!
Main point: "Science can be fun!"
Keith's email: khankowsky@umassd.edu
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).
Saturday May 31, 2025
Saturday May 31, 2025
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: mcmullintraining@gmail.com
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).
Sunday May 25, 2025
Sunday May 25, 2025
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!
Ben talks about his first two books, how he connects with the audience, and a request for your input Fisheries Podcast listeners! Ben is working on his next book about fish movement and migration. If you're interested in talking to Ben about your work he encourages you to reach out!
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).
Sunday May 18, 2025
Sunday May 18, 2025
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 on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @FisheriesPod Become a Patron of the show: https://www.patreon.com/FisheriesPodcastBuy podcast shirts, hoodies, stickers, and more: https://teespring.com/stores/the-fisheries-podcast-fan-shopThanks 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).