This video shows a Saildrone Explorer in the harbor and being towed out onto Lake Erie for the beginning of a mission to collect data to improve fishery surveys on July 14, 2023.
Mark R DuFour, PhD
Mark DuFour is a Research Fisheries Biologist with the Great Lakes Science Center, working out of the Lake Erie Biological Station in Huron, OH.
As part of the Deepwater Science Program, Mark works collaboratively with regional partners to inform fisheries management and restoration related questions on Lake Erie. This work includes serving as the principal Investigator on two USGS core projects including Lake Erie Pelagic Prey Fish Population Dynamics (i.e., hydroacoustic survey) and Lake Erie Benthic Prey Fish Population Dynamics (i.e., bottom trawl survey). In addition, he is leading a collaborative acoustic telemetry study to better understand age-2+ yellow perch seasonal movement dynamics. He also serves as a team member on a broader study using autonomous vehicles (i.e., surface and underwater drones) to assess fish avoidance impacts on traditional vessel-based surveys across the Great Lakes. Mark’s current position has provided opportunities to collaborate on a host of projects within his focus areas (e.g., early life history, fisheries hydroacoustics, population dynamics, acoustic telemetry, and Bayesian statistical methods).
Professional Experience
Research Fisheries Biologist, USGS – Great Lakes Science Center, 2023 - present
Fish Biologist, USGS – Great Lakes Science Center, 2021 - 2023
Fisheries Biologist II, Ohio DNR - Division of Wildlife, 2018 – 2021
Postdoctoral Research Associate, MSU - Quantitative Fisheries Center, 2017
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. (Biology - Ecology), University of Toledo, 2017
M.S. (Biology - Ecology), University of Toledo, 2012
B.S. (Conservation), Kent State University,2005
Science and Products
Data releases by this scientist
Hydroacoustic data from uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) overtakes in Lake Superior, 2022
Lake Erie Pelagic Prey Fish Community Data, 2022-2023
Lake Erie Fish Community Data, 2013-2022
Hydroacoustic data from uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) overtakes in Lakes Huron and Michigan, 2021
Hydroacoustic data from central Lake Erie, 2021
This video shows a Saildrone Explorer in the harbor and being towed out onto Lake Erie for the beginning of a mission to collect data to improve fishery surveys on July 14, 2023.
USGS Great Lakes Science Center technician processes a bottom trawl catch aboard the research vessel Muskie on Lake Erie during rough seas. Photo credit: Mark DuFour, USGS.
USGS Great Lakes Science Center technician processes a bottom trawl catch aboard the research vessel Muskie on Lake Erie during rough seas. Photo credit: Mark DuFour, USGS.
Publications by this scientist
Egg size scales negatively with system size in a periodic fish species
Paired comparisons with quiet surface drones show evidence of fish behavioral response to motorized vessels during acoustic surveys in Lake Superior
Lessons learned in applying decision analysis to natural resource management for high stakes issues surrounded by uncertainty
Food web changes reflected in age-0 piscivore diets and growth
Evaluating population trends of juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon at low abundance in a dynamic estuarine environment (Hudson River, New York)
Bayesian applications in environmental and ecological studies with R and Stan
Fisheries research and monitoring activities of the Lake Erie Biological Station, 2022
Fisheries research and monitoring activities of the Lake Erie Biological Station, 2021
Using decision analysis to collaboratively respond to invasive species threats: A case study of Lake Erie grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
Evaluating catchability in a large-scale gillnet survey using hydroacoustics: Making the case for coupled surveys
Inferred fish behavior its implications for hydroacoustic surveys in nearshore habitats
Sparse targets in hydroacoustic surveys: Balancing quantity and quality of in situ target strength data
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
News about this scientist
Science and Products
Data releases by this scientist
Hydroacoustic data from uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) overtakes in Lake Superior, 2022
Lake Erie Pelagic Prey Fish Community Data, 2022-2023
Lake Erie Fish Community Data, 2013-2022
Hydroacoustic data from uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) overtakes in Lakes Huron and Michigan, 2021
Hydroacoustic data from central Lake Erie, 2021
This video shows a Saildrone Explorer in the harbor and being towed out onto Lake Erie for the beginning of a mission to collect data to improve fishery surveys on July 14, 2023.
This video shows a Saildrone Explorer in the harbor and being towed out onto Lake Erie for the beginning of a mission to collect data to improve fishery surveys on July 14, 2023.
USGS Great Lakes Science Center technician processes a bottom trawl catch aboard the research vessel Muskie on Lake Erie during rough seas. Photo credit: Mark DuFour, USGS.
USGS Great Lakes Science Center technician processes a bottom trawl catch aboard the research vessel Muskie on Lake Erie during rough seas. Photo credit: Mark DuFour, USGS.
Publications by this scientist
Egg size scales negatively with system size in a periodic fish species
Paired comparisons with quiet surface drones show evidence of fish behavioral response to motorized vessels during acoustic surveys in Lake Superior
Lessons learned in applying decision analysis to natural resource management for high stakes issues surrounded by uncertainty
Food web changes reflected in age-0 piscivore diets and growth
Evaluating population trends of juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon at low abundance in a dynamic estuarine environment (Hudson River, New York)
Bayesian applications in environmental and ecological studies with R and Stan
Fisheries research and monitoring activities of the Lake Erie Biological Station, 2022
Fisheries research and monitoring activities of the Lake Erie Biological Station, 2021
Using decision analysis to collaboratively respond to invasive species threats: A case study of Lake Erie grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
Evaluating catchability in a large-scale gillnet survey using hydroacoustics: Making the case for coupled surveys
Inferred fish behavior its implications for hydroacoustic surveys in nearshore habitats
Sparse targets in hydroacoustic surveys: Balancing quantity and quality of in situ target strength data
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
News about this scientist