Recent Trends in Geographic Information Systems Education and Fisheries Research Applications at U.S. Universities

Abstract

Abstract Geographic information systems (GIS) technology is rapidly becoming a management and research tool for fisheries professionals. We surveyed fisheries programs at 42 U.S. universities about their training in GIS and uses of GIS in fisheries research; twenty-four universities responded. Our survey revealed that fisheries students who use GIS take introductory and advanced GIS courses offered in earth science departments at their universities and/or seminars on applications of GIS in natural resources offered in their departments. A solid core of GIS courses is available at U.S. universities for fisheries students interested in developing this expertise. On average, twenty-one percent to forty percent of fisheries faculty and students indicated they occasionally used GIS in their research. The most common fisheries-related uses of GIS were mapping and modeling fish distributions and aquatic habitats, and evaluating the effects of watershed land use on fish populations, communities, and habitats. In ...