This project is managed by Jacque Carter, Ph.D., professor of biological sciences and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at UNE.

Principal Investigator/Project Director

Jacque Carter, Ph.D., has been studying systematics, ecology and conservation of marine fishes for the last 25 years, and has been a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of New England since 1989 and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences since 1999. Dean Carter has also been a research conservation fellow since 1984 with Wildlife Conservation Society (formerly the New York Zoological Society).

He received his master’s degree in biological sciences from Northern Illinois University and his Ph.D. from the College of William and Mary’s School of Marine Science (VIMS). His particular areas of interest have been in coral reef fish ecology, particularly in the field of reproductive behavior and seasonal and daily migratory habits of tropical reef and coastal fishes. Dean Carter has deployed acoustical telemetry technology in his investigations of Nassau grouper. In addition to these studies, Dean Carter has investigated population structure of reef community fishes and the role of overfishing, and implemented projects that led to the establishment of a series of marine-protected areas throughout the barrier reef of Belize. In addition to his current research on striped bass in the Gulf of Maine, Dr. Carter is also investigating factors responsible for controlling reproductive behavior in Nassau grouper in the Caribbean.

Field and Laboratory Technician

Tim W. Arienti obtained his B.S. in environmental sciences from the University of New England in 1994. He has worked as a fishway technician and fisheries biologist for Union Water Power/Florida Power Light and Electric. In this capacity he has been responsible for fishway control operation, fish transport, biological sampling, collection of water samples and operation of water quality equipment. He has assisted in radio tracking studies of Atlantic Salmon smolts, river herring, American Shad, rainbow trout, and landlocked salmon both in fresh and brackish water, including manual tracking on floor, in a vehicle, in a boat and in a plane.

Tim Arienti brings considerable experience and skills to this project and is well suited to coordinate the field component of this striped bass study. Tim has also worked with state and federal agencies on related projects and is very familiar with scientific research on anadromous fishes in Maine. On the striped bass project, he is primarily responsible for coordinating logistics in the field, boat handling, acoustical equipment servicing and maintenance and overseeing undergraduate student participation in field work components.

Undergraduate Student Research Assistants and Internships

Two undergraduate students in marine biology and/or environmental science will be involved for field and laboratory work associated with this project. All students taking part in various aspects of this research are eligible for variable earned credit either through course-work in the area of internship and/or research. The extent of academic credit hours earned is a function of time dedicated to the study as well as level of learning outcome expectations. Students must prepare a learning outcome agreement with their academic research advisor as part of a credit bearing experience.