EDUCATION
ABOUT ME
I am a retired Professor of Environmental Science in the Department of Natural Sciences at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Distinguished Research Scientist with the NOAA Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center. I have authored or co-authored over 65 publications, reports, and conference proceedings; in 2014 I published “King Crabs of the World”. My research program focused on ecology and reproductive biology of invertebrates (primarily crabs), and impacts of fishing on fish and invertebrate populations and their habitats. I taught Biostatistics with R, statistical survey sampling, and Fisheries Management. In 2015, I initiated the AAUS Diving program at UMES, and served on the University System of Maryland Diving Control Board until 2021.
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I am currently occupied writing public-interest articles about environmental science and conservation for various periodicals.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
PhD in Fisheries Science, 1982
School of Fisheries, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Dissertation: “Distribution, Abundance, and food habits of the Dungeness Crab, Cancer magister, in Grays Harbor, Washington”.
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M.S. Marine Biology, 1977
The College of Charleston, Charleston SC
Thesis: “A study of seasonal changes in component indices and lipid content of the digestive gland, ovary, and foot of Busycon carica.”
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B.S. Biology, 1973
University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Minor in physiology
Fisheries Ecology
Life history, reproductive biology, larval ecology, growth, and cultivation of crustaceans and molluscs. Species studied include Tanner crabs (Chionoecetes bairdi), king crabs (Paralithodes sp), red deep-sea crabs (Chaceon quinquedens), Jonah crabs (Cancer borealis), channeled whelk (Busycotypus canaliculatus), and queen conch (Lobatus gigas).
Stock Assessment and Habitat Research
Development of direct methods to estimate abundance of marine populations, and understanding their relationship to habitats, with an emphasis on black sea bass (Centropristis striata) and Caribbean queen conch (Lobatus gigas).
In-situ and deep-sea research
Use of submersibles, ROV's, and underwater video to study populations and ecology of marine fish and invertebrates. I have made over 60 submersible dives, and led two cruises with the submersible Alvin to study ecology of Gulf of Alaska Seamounts. I have designed and built six video camera sleds, as well as other devices for application of underwater video. I am a lifelong SCUBA diver (>500 dives).
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Fishing Impacts
Estimating bycatch and mortality caused by handling and discarding of undersize or non-target species, with emphasis on crabs and fish. Estimating the impacts of active or dererelict fishing gear on fish, shellfish, and their habitats. Behavior of fish and crabs towards traps, and alternative designs of fishing gear to reduce bycatch and habitat impacts.