#50 Dr. Aaron Adams - Bonefish + Tarpon Trust
Aaron Adams, PhD. has lived, worked, and fished on both coasts of the US, and in the Caribbean, where he has been conducting fish research for more than 25 years. His pursuit of effective fish and habitat conservation is rooted in his years growing up near Chesapeake Bay, where he witnessed the decline of the Bay’s habitats and fisheries.
Aaron has been an avid angler since the age of five, and was even known to skip school in pursuit of fish.The why and how of fish and their habitats became a passion and eventually led to the career of fish conservation scientist. He now holds the roles of Director of Science and Conservation at the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust (BTT) and he’s a Senior Scientist, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Florida Atlantic University.
As Director of Science and Conservation at BTT, Aaron is responsible for formulating, overseeing, and implementing BTT’s science and conservation plan, and applying scientific findings to conservation and management via interactions with resource management agencies and other non-governmental organizations. Aaron has been an author or co-author on more than 70 peer-reviewed scientific publications, has authored three books, and contributed chapters to four books. In addition to his scientific focus, he spends considerable effort translating fish science into angler’s terms. You can see his scientific publications on his Researchgate page.
In this episode, Mark and Aaron speak about the incredibly cool nature of bonefish and tarpon, both as species and game fish, the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust's mission, the important nature of connection with guides on the ground to doing the work both as a scientist and as a storyteller, habitat devastation but there is light at the end of the tunnel, young people getting engaged and the vital importance of connection.
Save What You Love with Mark Titus:
Produced: Emilie Firn
Edited: Patrick Troll
Music: Whiskey Class
Instagram: @savewhatyoulovepodcast
Website: savewhatyoulove.evaswild.com
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Creators and Guests
Host
Mark Titus
Mark Titus is the creator of Eva’s Wild and director of the award winning films, The Breach and The Wild. He’s currently working on a third film in his salmon trilogy, The Turn. In early 2021, Mark launched his podcast, Save What You Love, interviewing exceptional people devoting their lives in ways big and small to the protection of things they love. Through his storytelling, Mark Titus carries the message that humanity has an inherent need for wilderness and to fulfill that need we have a calling to protect wild places and wild things.
Guest
Dr. Aaron Adams
Aaron Adams, PhD. has lived, worked, and fished on both coasts of the US, and in the Caribbean, where he has been conducting fish research for more than 25 years. His pursuit of effective fish and habitat conservation is rooted in his years growing up near Chesapeake Bay, where he witnessed the decline of the Bay’s habitats and fisheries. Aaron received a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s College in Maryland, a Master’s degree from the College of William and Mary, and a Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts Boston, and also holds a Coast Guard Captain’s License. He now holds the roles of Director of Science and Conservation at the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust (BTT) and he’s a Senior Scientist, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Florida Atlantic University.
