Extension and research team
Led by Dr. Marcus Drymon
Focused on the ecology of sharks and reef fishes in the northern Gulf 🦈🎣
Welcome to the Mississippi State University Marine Fisheries Ecology page! Our goal is to provide science-based solutions to problems facing commercial and recreational fishermen across the Gulf Coast.
06/18/2026
Shark Fest 2026 is only 1 week away! 🦈
Join us at the Gulf State Park-Alabama pier in Gulf Shores, Alabama on June 25-27 for a FIN-tastic time! Shark Fest will kick off Thursday from 2 PM - 7 PM and continue Friday and Saturday from 10 AM - 3 PM. Come join us for daily presentations, shark and ray dissections, and activities! We look forward to seeing you there!
06/17/2026
Can you guess what species this fin clip came from? 🦈🔎🐟
Scroll through the pictures for some helpful hints!
What is a fin clip?
A fin clip is a small sample taken from the dorsal, pelvic, pectoral, or caudal fin region of a fish species to be used in genetics research. For sharks, the sample is often taken from the trailing piece of tissue at the base of the dorsal fin. This is a quick and noninvasive procedure that is comparable to ear piercings for humans!
ANSWER: Great Hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran)
The great hammerhead is the largest species of hammerhead in the world! Unlike other hammerhead species, great hammerheads have a distinctly large first dorsal fin along with a generally straight cephalofoil that has a deep central indentation. They can be found globally in warm oceanic and shallow coastal areas. While their diet consists of a variety of fish species, great hammerheads show a preference for bottom-dwelling (“benthic”) organisms such as stingrays. Many great hammerheads off the coast of the southeastern U.S. have been seen with stingray barbs stuck in the muscle tissue around their mouths!
‘Twas the night before longline, when all through the lab,
Not a scientist was resting, not even the grad.
The gangions were coiled in the cabin with care,
In hopes that the sharks soon would be there.
The circle hooks nestled all snug in their bins,
While visions of clean data danced as we grinned.
And Marcus with spreadsheets, and I with my maps,
Had finally settled our pre-fieldwork scraps.
When out on the dock there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my seat to see what was the matter.
Away to the truck I flew like a flash,
To double-check batteries, tags, and bait stash.
The moon on the water gave off just enough light,
To promise fair weather for sampling night.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a longline vessel and a crew full of gear!
With coolers and datasheets packed nice and tight,
I knew in a moment we’d fish at first light.
More rapid than seabirds the deck crew all came,
And loaded the gear while calling by name:
“Now hooks! Now weights! Now buoys and line!
On leaders! On tags! Let’s make every set fine!
To the bow of the Wilson! To the rail, one and all!
Tomorrow we’re hoping for fish big and small!”
And I heard them exclaim as we finished the load,
“May the seas stay calm wherever we go.”
06/10/2026
🎣 Discard. Photo. Text.
Join Dr. Marcus Drymon on June 16 at 6:00 PM CT for a free webinar introducing the disCARD project.
Learn:
Why recreationally discarded fishes are important to fisheries science
How anglers can participate in the project
How discard information is collected and used
How these contributions can help improve fisheries management in the Gulf
Whether you're an avid offshore angler or simply interested in marine fisheries, we'd love to have you join us.
📅 June 16, 2026
⏰ 6:00–7:00 PM CT
Join Here: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/246262055698808?p=hp6Sive4Ky5wc7YFHz
06/03/2026
Our summer issue of the Gulf Coast Fisherman Newsletter is out! Read about the new disCARD project here:
Discard, Photo, Text: Better data for tomorrow’s fisheries https://mailchi.mp/60df0a21bad7/discard
06/02/2026
🚨🎣 The Greater Amberjack Count results are in! 🚨🎣
This project revealed new findings about greater amberjack, a commercially and recreationally important reef fish! Specifically, distribution and movement data suggest that U.S. South Atlantic, eastern Gulf of America, and western Gulf of America greater amberjack may be best managed as separate stocks. The Greater Amberjack Count also investigated genetic structure, age and growth, and efficacy of new scientific tools like advanced acoustics and environmental DNA for stock assessments.
To learn more about this work, visit the press release: https://www.southalabama.edu/departments/publicrelations/pressreleases/060226amberjackcount.html
05/29/2026
Something’s a bit fishy here… 🦈😳
We have a lot of deceptive critters in the Gulf 🤥
Who’s the biggest trickster of them all?
05/28/2026
Join Carly tomorrow at the Pascagoula River Audubon Center!! We hope to see you there. 😊
Anglers, charter captains, fishing clubs, and anyone who cares about healthy Gulf fisheries—this one's for you!
Join us for Coffee & Conservation at the Pascagoula River Audubon Center as we welcome Carly Standbridge, MSU Extension Associate, to share The disCARD Project—a simple catch card system helping improve fisheries data by tracking released fish.
Can’t attend in person? Fill out the Microsoft form, and we’ll send you a Zoom link.
For more details, email [email protected].
https://forms.office.com/r/u4d6QLYT6v
05/27/2026
Over the past couple of weeks, our team conducted the field portion of the Shark and Ray Biology Maymester course, taught by Dr. Peter Kyne. The students participated in gillnet, trawl, and longline excursions, where they gained hands-on experience with various elasmobranchs and bony fishes in the northern Gulf. 🦈🐟
There’s nothing better than sharing our knowledge and passion with future marine scientists!
05/22/2026
Our take on the ‘I saw you in my dream last night’ trend… it was probably pretty fishy 💤🐟