NC Sea Grant Launches Fisheries Science Class for Fishermen

Two fisheries specialists at North Carolina Sea Grant with over 40 years of combined experience are offering a new course to the public that will explore the role of fisheries science with a focus on topics related to management. Registration is now open for Scott Baker and Sara Mirabilio’s course, Introductory Fisheries Science for Fishermen.

“The course is a high-level overview of fisheries science with examples specific to our state,” Baker says. “We’re making four weekly classes available online and in person.”

Susan White, executive director of North Carolina Sea Grant, says the sessions are in response to feedback about fishing stakeholders’ interests.

“Scott Baker and Sara Mirabilio continue to seek opportunities to engage and educate fishers and interested community members regarding commercial and recreational fishing efforts in North Carolina,” White says. “This new course, developed in partnership with experts from across the state, brings the latest science and management information to the table in an approachable and applicable manner for anyone who wants to continue to expand their own role in these topics.”

Mirabilio, who will offer a brief history of fisheries science during the first class, says she and Baker have landed distinguished experts for the course.

“Jeff Buckel from NC State will lecture, and so will Fred Scharf from UNC-Wilmington and Joel Fodrie from UNC-Chapel Hill,” she says. “We’ll also have experts from outside of academia, including Kyle Shertzer of NOAA and Laura Lee from the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, as well as Jess Hawkins, who retired from DMF and served on the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission.”

Introductory Fisheries Science for Fishermen will run Tuesday nights from Feb. 12 through March 5, from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. Participants can attend classes at NC State’s Center for Marine Sciences and Technology in Morehead City or take the course as a webinar online.

The $20 course fee is the same regardless of whether registrants choose a virtual or traditional classroom setting. Enrollment is limited for both formats and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Register here: go.ncsu.edu/IntroFisheries

For more information, contact Scott Baker: 910-962-2492, bakers@uncw.edu

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Directions to the NC State Center for Marine Sciences and Technology
303 College Circle
Morehead City, NC 28557

Read Baker and Mirabilio’s popular new blog, Hook, Line & Science.