By Dr. Thomas Quinn
Salmon and trout have always played a prominent role in fisheries science and management around the Pacific Rim. Tom Quinn’s talk will provide a personal view of the changing research themes and social perspectives regarding salmon and trout that he has experienced over more than four decades of studying them. Topics such as logging, intercepting commercial and recreational fisheries, hydroelectric dams, hatcheries, invasive species, diseases, contaminants, aquaculture, marine mammals, and other threats, have changed in their real or perceived importance. Moreover, the social setting and laws related to salmon and trout, and natural systems in general, have greatly changed since the 1970s. Tom will present his perspective on some of these changes in an effort to spur conversations about present and future conservation efforts for salmon and trout, their ecosystems, and the people who care about them.

Tom grew up in New York City and was interested in natural history, and especially fishes, from a young age. Dismissed by his high school biology teacher as having “no hope of a career in biology,” he nevertheless received a BA in Biology from Swarthmore College in 1976, and MS (1978) and PhD (1981) degrees from the University of Washington’s (then) College of Fisheries. His doctoral work revealed the use of Earth’s magnetic field for orientation by juvenile sockeye salmon. Tom spent four years as a post-doctoral fellow in British Columbia at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Pacific Biological Station before returning to the UW as an assistant professor in January of 1986. During his career, he has mentored undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and studied the behavior, ecology, evolution, and conservation of salmon, trout, and their stream, lake, and marine ecosystems.

Presentation Details
Age Suitability: teens and adults
Date: Wednesday, September 18th, 2024
Time: 6:00 to 8:00 pm (presentation from 6:30 to 7:30 pm)

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