Peter Dygert

Peter Dygert

I grew up fishing, hunting, and hiking in the Northwest. When I went to school I naturally gravitated to biological sciences. When it came time to decide what I wanted to do when I grew up, fisheries seemed like a perfect way to blend my personal interests with a career. I received a B.S. in Zoology from Duke University, an M.S. in Marine Ecology from San Diego State University, and a Ph.D. in Fisheries from the University of Washington.

I spend most of my work time implementing provisions of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA). Under the ESA I review the effects of fisheries on listed salmon and steelhead species to address harvest as a limiting factor and insure that fisheries are managed consistent with requirements for their survival and recovery. Under the MSA I assist with the regulation of ocean salmon fisheries off the Washington, Oregon, and California coast to meet requirements for conservation and the optimal use of harvestable salmon. My work through the ESA focuses on recovery of depressed stocks so they can again contribute to fisheries rather than constrain them. My work through the MSA focuses on maintaining healthy stocks so they continue to provide harvest opportunity.

I think that Project CROOS will increase our understanding about how environmental conditions affect the distribution of salmon stocks. This will improve our ability to manage fisheries, and our understanding of the factors affecting ocean survival.