Education, if it is to be effective, must begin early. While focusing on minorities, non-minority students may also participate in the program. The Robert F. Hutton Fund is an endowment that provides funding for students accepted into the program. The state of minority participation in science in general is grim.
Most indicators suggest that the situation is worse today.
In these studies, no data were obtained regarding the number of degrees awarded in sciences related to fisheries and aquatic sciences. However, given the level of participation in all sciences, the number expected to have studied fisheries and aquatic sciences is very low. Many attempts have been made to attract underrepresented segments of the population into careers in fisheries. Most of these have focused on undergraduate university students and have had limited success. Educators suggest that more emphasis must be placed on attracting students before they enter college.