This week, a busy 2025, a lack of sleep, and possible procrastination result in Preston having to do a solo episode. He provides updates on his career journey since he was last on the show as a guest in late 2023. He then opens up about some of the personal challenges going on at home and he wraps up by giving out some of his top book recommendations in several science-y categories.

Main point: "Never hesitate to reach out for help."

Preston's Instagram: @hokie_fish_biologist

Get in touch with us!

The Fisheries Podcast is on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky: @FisheriesPod

Become a Patron of the show: https://www.patreon.com/FisheriesPodcast

Buy podcast shirts, hoodies, stickers, and more: https://teespring.com/stores/the-fisheries-podcast-fan-shop

Thanks as always to Andrew Gialanella for the fantastic intro/outro music.

The Fisheries Podcast is a completely independent podcast, not affiliated with a larger organization or entity. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the podcast. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by the hosts are those of that individual and do not necessarily reflect the view of any entity with those individuals are affiliated in other capacities (such as employers).

This week, Elise (IG: @elisemobranchii) hosts Dr. David Shiffman (@whysharksmatter), an interdisciplinary ocean conservation scientist whose research focuses on the ecology and conservation of chondrichthyan fishes, to talk about this week's COP20 CITES shark and ray proposals!

David is a public science engagement specialist, an award-winning writer and educator, and author of the book “Why Sharks Matter: A Deep Dive with the World's Most Misunderstood Predator”. He currently works as an ocean conservation policy and communications consultant in Washington, DC, but you can also find him on social media @whysharksmatter, where he’s always happy to answer questions about sharks, careers in marine biology, and ocean conservation.

Main Point: Learn how to write professional emails!

You can learn more about CITES here!:

https://news.mongabay.com/2025/11/for-sharks-on-the-brink-of-extinction-cites-appendix-ii-isnt-protective-enough-commentary/

https://therevelator.org/cites-sharks/

Get in touch with us! The Fisheries Podcast is on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @FisheriesPod Become a Patron of the show: https://www.patreon.com/FisheriesPodcast Buy podcast shirts, hoodies, stickers, and more: https://teespring.com/stores/the-fisheries- podcast-fan-shop Thanks as always to Andrew Gialanella for the fantastic intro/outro music.

The Fisheries Podcast is a completely independent podcast, not affiliated with a larger organization or entity. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the podcast. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by the hosts are those of that individual and do not necessarily reflect the view of any entity that those individuals are affiliated in other capacities (such as employers).

Brendan is joined by Dr. Kathryn Peiman to discuss the history of non-native salmonids in the Lake Ontario, and her current work on an opinion piece regarding the stocking of Chinook salmon in the Great Lakes. Tune in to learn about the history of how long ago these fishes found themselves in Lake Ontario, how many times it's been tried, and the impacts that managing Lake Ontario for these salmonids has had on how we use Lake Ontario. They cover the impacts of stocking, how Alewife have driven Lake Ontario's species assemblage and biodiversity, and some changes Dr. Peiman thinks would be worth trying out to benefit the Lake as a whole.

You can find Dr. Peiman's Instagram page here - https://www.instagram.com/naturetidbits and her youtube page here - https://www.instagram.com/naturetidbits , please check them out!

Remember to be willing to engage with people that have different opinions than yourself! Make the effort to understand where they're coming from.

Get in touch with us!

The Fisheries Podcast is on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky: @FisheriesPod

Become a Patron of the show: https://www.patreon.com/FisheriesPodcast

Buy podcast shirts, hoodies, stickers, and more: https://teespring.com/stores/the-fisheries-podcast-fan-shop

Thanks as always to Andrew Gialanella for the fantastic intro/outro music.

The Fisheries Podcast is a completely independent podcast, not affiliated with a larger organization or entity. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the podcast. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by the hosts are those of that individual and do not necessarily reflect the view of any entity with those individuals are affiliated in other capacities (such as employers).