History of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences

The School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences has undergone significant change in emphasis over the past eight decades. This is reflected by the change in the name of the school, which took effect in summer 2000—how appropriate that we bring in the new millenium with a new name that better reflects the expanded breadth and scope of our teaching, research and service mission. The early emphasis in the 1920s was on seafood technology and processing methods. Scientific research on industrial fisheries and management methods predominated from the 1930s through the 1960s. A broad array of environmental studies, fish propagation, and aquaculture related investigations were important activities in the School during the 1970s and 1980s. Recent emphasis has included conservation and restoration of ecosystems, studies of aquatic systems, and studies of the effects of environmental changes on fisheries.

The School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences today is well prepared for the challenges of the 21st century. It will address the challenges of the changing dimensions of aquatic resource and conservation sciences, including fisheries. The Director, David Armstrong, oversees a faculty of 30 and a staff of 50. In the the academic year 2000, there were about 70 undergraduate majors and 117 graduate students enrolled. The School conferred 28 B.S., 18 M.S., and eight Ph. D. degrees in 1998—1999. A new Fishery Sciences building was occupied in autumn 1999.

A renewed emphasis has been placed on undergraduate teaching and in introducing students to research in their undergraduate years (as the the current course offerings demonstrate). The longstanding, strong emphasis the school has placed on research continues to provide graduate students with unique opportunities for intellectual growth and professional development.