Timothy P O'Brien
Timothy O’Brien is a Supervisory Fish Biologist stationed at the Great Lakes Science Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Since 2004, I have conducted ecosystem assessments in Lake Huron and Lake Michigan that track long-term changes in fish populations. My work mainly focuses on Lake Huron where I lead the Pelagic Prey Fish Assessment Program. The field component of this research involves carrying out an integrated acoustic and mid-water trawl survey which includes Lake Huron’s three hydrogeomorphically distinct basins, the main basin, North Channel, and Georgian Bay. The primary deliverable of this work is to provide state, tribal, and provincial fishery managers with current data on abundance, size/age, and spatial distribution of prey-fish stocks that support fish species targeted in commercial and recreational fisheries. My research interests extend to include early life history processes in fish populations and factors affecting recruitment, growth variation, and distribution of important species including rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) and bloater (Coregonus hoyi).
I supervise of team of Biological Technicians in the Deepwater Sciences Branch who are responsible for conducting long-term fishery assessments in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Additionally, I oversee the fish age estimation laboratory for Lake Huron and Lake Michigan fishery assessment programs. In addition to my science program role, I serve as station supervisor for the Cheboygan Vessel Operations Base in Cheboygan, Michigan which is the home port for research vessels Sturgeon and Arcticus.
Professional Experience
Supervisory Fish Biologist, November 2017 – Present
Biological Science Technician (Fisheries), May 2011 - October 2017
Student Trainee (Biology), Student Career Experience Program, June 2008 - April 2011
Biological Science Technician (Fisheries) Term, January 2005 - May 2008
Student Services Contractor – February 2004-December 2004
Education and Certifications
M.S. 2010. Fisheries and Wildlife. Michigan State University, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife
B.S. 2004. Resource Ecology and Management. The University of Michigan, School of Natural Resources and Environment
Science and Products
Multimedia related to this scientist
Publications by this scientist
Spatial distribution of pelagic fish larvae in the northern main basin of Lake Huron
Feeding ecology of pelagic larval Burbot in Northern Lake Huron, Michigan
Status and trends of pelagic prey fishes in Lake Huron, 2012
Status and trends of pelagic prey fishes in Lake Huron, 2012
Status of pelagic prey fishes in Lake Michigan, 2012
Relationship between mid-water trawling effort and catch composition uncertainty in two large lakes (Huron and Michigan) dominated by alosines, osmerids, and coregonines
Influence of water temperature on rainbow smelt spawning and early life history dynamics in St. Martin Bay, Lake Huron
Laboratory evaluation of a walleye (Sander vitreus) bioenergetics model
The Lake Huron pelagic fish community: persistent spatial pattern along biomass and species composition gradients
Heritage strain and diet of wild young of year and yearling lake trout in the main basin of Lake Huron
Fall diet and bathymetric distribution of deepwater sculpin (Myoxocephalus thompsonii) in Lake Huron
Status and trends of the Lake Huron deepwater demersal fish ommunity, 2008
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
Multimedia related to this scientist
Publications by this scientist
Spatial distribution of pelagic fish larvae in the northern main basin of Lake Huron
Feeding ecology of pelagic larval Burbot in Northern Lake Huron, Michigan
Status and trends of pelagic prey fishes in Lake Huron, 2012
Status and trends of pelagic prey fishes in Lake Huron, 2012
Status of pelagic prey fishes in Lake Michigan, 2012
Relationship between mid-water trawling effort and catch composition uncertainty in two large lakes (Huron and Michigan) dominated by alosines, osmerids, and coregonines
Influence of water temperature on rainbow smelt spawning and early life history dynamics in St. Martin Bay, Lake Huron
Laboratory evaluation of a walleye (Sander vitreus) bioenergetics model
The Lake Huron pelagic fish community: persistent spatial pattern along biomass and species composition gradients
Heritage strain and diet of wild young of year and yearling lake trout in the main basin of Lake Huron
Fall diet and bathymetric distribution of deepwater sculpin (Myoxocephalus thompsonii) in Lake Huron
Status and trends of the Lake Huron deepwater demersal fish ommunity, 2008
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