Future of Fisheries: Perspectives for Emerging Professionals

Catfish in the Courtroom: How Forensic Science Catches Seafood Cheats

Trey Knott and David D. Stephens

doi: https://doi.org/10.47886/9781934874387.ch66

A career in fisheries can obviously take many different professional paths. As a marine biology graduate student with an eye on a career in fisheries management, I (Trey) chose forensic science. My professional career started when I was finishing my master’s thesis, which dealt with genetic species identification of marine fish in the hopes of providing a tool to fishery managers. Then an opportunity arose to take a position as a forensic scientist identifying marine species for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). To me, this applied use of genetic techniques learned in graduate school was an appealing combination of conservation and law enforcement. Looking back now, I realize the value of having kept an open mind when I was just starting my career.