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Marine Fisheries Research Program

Since hiring a full-time research assistant last year, the Marine Fisheries Research (MFR) program has continued to grow!
With help from volunteers and AmeriCorps Cape Cod service members, the team has been starting new projects, expanding
and strengthening existing collaborations, and conducting outreach and education throughout the region.

Habitat Studies and Monitoring
The Marine Fisheries Research team continues to focus
on inshore habitats, with a new year-long fish and shellfish
study underway in Barnstable Harbor, thanks to support from
the Friends of Barnstable Harbor. Surrounded by salt marsh
and a barrier beach, Barnstable Harbor serves as a nursery
for fish like winter flounder and supports a thriving shellfish
aquaculture industry. These studies establish important
baselines, helping scientists monitor long-term ecosystem
changes. For instance, after studying Nauset Harbor, the
MFR team has been sampling Eastham’s Salt Pond every
week, tracking the invasive European green crab population
and noting seasonal patterns of black sea bass and other
key species.
Marine Fisheries Research Assistant Tommy Tucker and AmeriCorps
Year 25 service member Claire Williams aboard the R/V Kingfisher,
conducting monthly habitat monitoring in Barnstable Harbor.

A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words

Underwater Imagery
The MFR team is using underwater video to gain insights
into marine ecosystems, working closely with the fishing
community. By attaching cameras to fishing gear, the team
captures footage showing how the gear interacts with marine
life—highlighting not just what’s caught, but also what’s not.
They've also developed a simple, low-cost drop camera
system that can be lowered from any fishing vessel, providing
real-time images of the seafloor and its inhabitants.These
underwater visuals are valuable for scientific research and
help fishermen make informed decisions about sustainable
fishing practices.
Attaching an underwater video and light system to a commercial
trawl net. Inset: Underwater drop camera live feed showing sand
dollars and a longhorn sculpin on the seafloor

Outreach and Engagement

While the MFR team spends countless hours engaging with
the fishing and shellfish farming community, they also share
what they’ve learned with the next generation. In 2024, team
members and community partners led field and classroom
programs for students ranging in age from elementary school
to college. Program Director Owen Nichols and Claire Williams
conducting a seine survey in Barnstable Harbor with students
10 from Barnstable High School. Photo credit: Joanne Jarzobski