Major programs . Emphasis on predator-prey interactions, with additional concentration on population and fisheries modeling, the ecology of natural and artificial reef systems, and the ecology of tropical fish and queen conch. Studies on recruitment of bivalves, particularly oysters, and effects of the environment on physiology and behavior of larval oysters and other bivalves, and oyster population assessments. Visit the Molluscan Ecology Program page .
Emphasis is on protozoan parasites of oysters, blue crabs and fishes.
Research involving the application of molecular genetic techniques to address problems in fisheries science. Current projects range from investigations of estuarine to pelagic organisms, including oysters, bluefish, sharks, tunas and billfishes. Information collected in this program area is directly applied to fisheries management by state and regional agencies. Research on the morphology, evolution, taxonomy and zoogeography of various finfish groups using both larvae and adults. Studies include international fisheries, the use of alternative fishing gear, seafood product development, vessel operations, shellfish and finfish aquaculture as well as fisheries management.