Andrew Danylchuk
Professor of Fish Conservation University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Amherst MA
Andrew Danylchuk’s research seeks to understand the factors that influence the life history and ecology of fish and other aquatic organisms.
University of Massachusetts Amherst
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Expertise
Biography
He says, "I am on a personal crusade to ensure that fish are around for future generations to enjoy, whether on the end of a fishing line, on a dinner plate, or simply to watch in wonder."
Danylchuk's current research focuses on evaluating the potential impacts of recreational angling on fish populations and working with stakeholder groups to develop best practices for catch-and-release.
He has studied bonefish in The Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and the South Pacific, Atlantic tarpon and permit in the Florida Keys, giant trevally in the Seychelles and Republic of Kiribati, golden dorado in South America, steelhead in British Columbia, bass and trout species in Ontario and Quebec, and striped bass and sea-run brook trout in New England.
Social Media
Video
Education
University of Alberta
Ph.D.
Environmental Biology and Ecology
Trent University
M.Sc.
Everything Fish
Trent University
B.Sc.
Everything Fish
Select Recent Media Coverage
Half-eaten fish reeled in from Atlantic prompts call for anglers to tell their stories Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article291965980.html#storylink=cpy
Miami Herald online
2024-09-10
A survey conducted by Andrew Danylchuk and Ezra Markowitz looked at depredation — when a predator partially or wholly consumes an angler’s catch before it is landed.
Meet a shark fisherman who structured his life around catching, and saving, sharks
WHYY online
2024-07-29
Andy Danylchuk comments about a man who runs a shark-fishing company. Danylchuk, who also fishes for shark, said shark anglers are drawn to “immersion in the environment … the thrill of the chase, the opportunity to get close to the thing that you’re targeting.”
Tarpon Migration Patterns Revealed by Acoustic Tracking Network, Study
NatureWorld News online
2023-10-26
Andy Danylchuk discusses his first-of-its-kind dataset on tarpon showing that there are two distinct subgroups of tarpon, which has immediate implications for efforts to conserve the fish, known to anglers as the “Silver King.” “Tarpon along the Atlantic coast have a different set of conservation priorities than those in the Gulf, but because many converge in the Keys, our science indicates that policies and management for tarpon needs to be regional, not state by state,” says Danylchuk.
The Catch and Release Professor: Andy Danylchuk
Salt Water Sportsman online
2023-08-21
You’ve brought a nice fish to hand, and you want a photo to preserve the memory and brag on social media. How much time do you have to admire the fish before letting it go? If you said, “10 seconds,” your information is correct. And the source of that information may well be Andy Danylchuk, Ph.D., one of the most prominent advocates for fish and their habitats in recent years.
Are Striped Bass Breeding in Lake Montauk?
The East Hampton Star online
2021-07-15
At their first in-person meeting in 16 months, the East Hampton Town Trustees heard from Tim O'Rourke, a Montauk fisherman, who sought their support for a study of striped bass in Lake Montauk. The study, which would be conducted in conjunction with the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and led by Andy Danylchuk, a professor of fish conservation, would tag striped bass in the lake and track them via satellite to compile data.
UMass study: Angling technology could lead to overfishing. But what about the benefits?
TCPalm online
2021-06-25
Fisheries managers must account for the widespread use of technology in assessing stocks, said Andrew Danylchuk, a fish conservation professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and co-author of a paper on the subject.
"As scientists, we looked at all that comes from the fishing magazines and what the companies are putting out there and we started realizing that nobody really tests this stuff," Danylchuk told TCPalm. "Companies study how they can improve catch rates, but rarely does a manufacturer create a lure with a battery and light, for example, and consider how the treble hooks impact the fish."
Select Publications
Bioenergetic consequences of repeated catch-and-release fisheries interactions on adult steelhead across a range of ecologically relevant water temperatures
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology2023-10-01
The biological consequences of catch-and-release angling have been studied for decades, yet little is known about the compounding effects of repeated recreational fisheries recaptures on the physiology and behaviour of angled fish.
Stable isotopes and foraging behaviors support the role of antipredator benefits in driving the association between two marine fishes
Oecologia2023-06-08
Research from terrestrial communities shows that diminished predation risk is a principal driver of heterospecific grouping behavior, with foraging ecology predicting the roles that species play in groups, as more vulnerable foragers preferentially join more vigilant ones from whom they can benefit.
Global responses to the COVID-19 pandemic by recreational anglers: considerations for developing more resilient and sustainable fisheries
Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries2023-05-30
The global COVID-19 pandemic resulted in many jurisdictions implementing orders restricting the movements of people to inhibit virus transmission, with recreational angling often either not permitted or access to fisheries and/or related infrastructure being prevented.
Angler and guide perceptions provide insights into the status and threats of the Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) fishery
Marine Policy2023-05-10
Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) support an economically important fishery, yet there is limited information on the status of their fishery and population. A survey consisting of anglers and fishing guides was administered to help address these data deficiencies and to better understand the current and historical status of the recreational Atlantic tarpon fishery.
The effectiveness of bite-shortened hooks for reducing handling time and injury of small-bodied freshwater fish captured by recreational anglers
Fisheries Research2023-03-29
Modified bite-shortened hooks show promise for enabling easy handling and rapid release of fish captured by recreational anglers, with the potential to reduce injury and stress of released fish. This study investigated whether bite-shortened modified hooks were effective at improving fish welfare relative to more traditional hook configurations.
