Featured Scientist

Travis preparing for an abalone survey dive, Catalina Island. Photo credit Derek Stein, CDFW


Travis working on the California Recreational Fisheries Survey, San Diego. Photo courtesy of Travis Buck


Travis at a CDFW scientific diver recertification training, Catalina Island. Photo credit Colleen Wisniewski


Travis and Scientific Aid Nima Farchadi collecting Pacific Bluefin Tuna biological data, San Diego. Photo credit Erica Mills, CDFW

Travis Buck is an environmental scientist with the CDFW Marine Region’s Highly Migratory Species and Ecosystem Management Project in San Diego. His primary responsibilities include data collection and analysis for highly migratory species and representing CDFW on the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s Ecosystem Workgroup.

A Midwest native, Travis moved to California in 2003 after receiving a degree in Geography with an emphasis in Environmental Studies from Ohio University. He also completed Tropical Marine Ecology graduate level coursework in Florida and the Bahamas.

What led you to a career in marine biology?

I became fascinated with the ocean and the creatures that inhabit it at an early age. I remember my grandfather used to take me fishing in Florida and that was always very exciting. I especially liked the idea that you never knew what was on the end of your line until it surfaced, and so I began identifying fish as a kid on those trips. I was a big fan of aquariums too, and when I got a little older I became really interested in snorkeling, freediving and exploring reefs in Florida and the Bahamas. It seemed to be a more serene, foreign world, and I wanted to live closer to it and understand the life that existed within it.

In school, I also excelled at math and science, so marine biology seemed like a natural fit. I have an aunt who jokes that I told her when I was five years old that I was going to be a marine biologist. She can’t believe I followed through with what I said at such a young age.

What brought you to CDFW? What inspires you to stay?

I began my career with CDFW in 2007 after three years as a contractor working on the California Recreational Fisheries Survey (CRFS). For the first 10 years of my career, I worked for the Marine Region’s Invertebrate Management Project, primarily on research and management of the spiny lobster fishery. I recently transferred to the Marine Region’s Highly Migratory Species and Ecosystem Management Project to expand my knowledge of marine fisheries.

I think the mandate of CDFW is a pretty epic one, to ensure that California’s natural resources are there and are healthy for future generations. I can’t really think of a responsibility more noble than that. When I look back on the almost 15 years I’ve been associated with CDFW, it’s almost impossible to fathom how much I have learned, and also how much of the state I’ve been able to see through being employed here.

What is a typical day at work like for you?

It might be crunching numbers to track Pacific Bluefin Tuna landings (since they are managed with a quota), or it might be assisting scientific aids with dockside sampling questions, or it might be traveling out of state for a Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting, or a plethora of other duties. Issues with natural resources are dynamic and always changing, and so are the assignments at CDFW. I think most environmental scientists working for CDFW will tell you that there’s no such thing as a “typical day,” and that’s another reason that keeps me here, there’s not a lot of repetition of tasks. You’re constantly learning new skills.

What is the best thing about your job?

I love being at the forefront of marine-related research and being “in the know” about major issues affecting the ocean and its fisheries when sometimes the majority of the public aren’t even aware. And it’s not only about the major issues affecting the ocean, but also the cool discoveries. My job provides the opportunity to act as a messenger, to disseminate these cool discoveries, as well as important problems, to a wider audience.

Diving at the Channel Islands over the years for CDFW, particularly the abalone surveys, provided some of the best memories I’ll ever have. Some of the things I saw underwater were so amazing and surreal. For instance, after one survey at Catalina Island, as we were slowly ascending to the boat, it started to rain. A school of barracuda were above us, and we could see raindrops breaking the ocean’s surface right above them while we hung out in the kelp forest for our safety stop. Scenes like that I’ll never forget. And all the people I’ve been able to meet and work with. Wow, it’s kind of mind-blowing looking back at how much information and how many people and places this type of work can expose you to.

What is the accomplishment you’re most proud of?

I’m proud of the work I did to successfully develop and manage the lobster report card program. Before lobster report cards, which gather data and are required for lobster fishing, we had no idea how large the recreational fishery was for lobster, or how much lobster that sector landed each year. Now we have a much better grasp on that information. Also, I’ve enjoyed writing two articles for Outdoor California magazine that detailed CDFW research on abalone and lobster. Writing is a passion of mine.

I’m also proud of becoming a CDFW diver. I passed the entry examination with only the bare minimum number of required dives under my belt. It was very physical, with underwater breath-holding exercises in the ocean that are pretty difficult. I was pumped when I completed those.

What interesting projects are you working on currently?

I’m really interested in the work my project is doing with Pacific Bluefin Tuna. Not only do I track the total landings of this species in California, but we recently began collecting genetic samples of Pacific Bluefin Tuna landed in San Diego, which could give us further insight into the population being targeted by offshore fishing here. Pacific Bluefin Tuna were so heavily fished over the last century by other countries, the population is at a small fraction of its historic levels. There are real efforts being made at the international level to rebuild the population, however. That’s a good thing.

If you had free reign and unlimited funding, what scientific project would you most like to do?

I would organize a giant collaboration to better understand how the combination of warming ocean temperatures, increasing ocean acidification, and increasing hypoxia (like we are seeing take place around the world) will affect all of the commercially and recreationally important marine species off the U.S. West Coast. Humans need to know these things, so we can prepare for a rapidly changing world.

Do you have any advice for people considering careers in science or natural resources?

Work on your math and writing skills! There are a lot of numbers involved, and there is a lot of writing involved. Also, natural resource management actually involves managing people, since we are the ones exploiting the natural resources. So, work on your interpersonal skills – you’ll need them!

Tell us something about yourself that people might be surprised to learn.

I love surfing. I’m obsessed with everything about it! I’m convinced it’s the most beautiful, healthy and rewarding passion there is. I’ve also survived two boat crashes! Honestly, I have. Both were research trips, and neither was the fault of the researchers on board!

CDFW Photos. Top Photo: Travis with a yellowtail, San Clemente Island. Photo courtesy of Travis Buck.

Ed trains a CRFS sampler aboard a CPFV off Fort Bragg



Ed examining catch aboard a boat in Shelter Cove

Ed preparing to tag a brown rockfish aboard a CPFV off La Jolla

Ed collecting a salmon head in Shelter Cove

Trinidad Pier Youth Fishing Tournament CDFW Staff

Ed and his new grandson, Edgar V

Ed training new CRFS samplers in Shelter Cove

Edgar “Ed” W. Roberts III is an environmental scientist in CDFW’s Eureka office. As the lead for the California Recreational Fisheries Survey (CRFS) in Del Norte, Humboldt and Mendocino counties, Ed is responsible for all aspects of the CRFS on the north coast, from training new staff, to creating sampling schedules, to making sure sampling goals are met.

Ed was born in Oceanside and grew up in San Diego, where he lived until he left for college at Humboldt State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology.

Who or what inspired you to become a scientist?

My passion for fishing and stewardship of the environment was instilled in me by my father and grandfather along the streams and lakeshores of the Sierra Nevada. I kept the first fish I caught (a nice CDFG stocked rainbow trout taken at June Lake when I was 5) in my mother’s freezer for years and would break it out for show-and-tell whenever someone new would come to the house. Growing up in San Diego, I spent a lot of time at the ocean, and I read and watched Jacques Cousteau religiously. I had a sense early on in life that I wanted to become a marine fisheries biologist.

During those fishing trips with my father and grandfather, I also met many CDFW game wardens. Through them I learned about CDFW’s mission, which really appealed to me and my outdoor ethics.

How did you come to work for CDFW?

I started my fisheries career working seasonal and part-time jobs, as most CDFW scientists do. I worked on the CRFS’ predecessor, the Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey, for the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, as well as several CDFW scientific aid positions. Those projects were interesting and included an aerial census of the harbor seal population in California and a bycatch study of the commercial spot prawn fishery.

In 2000, I was hired as a marine biologist to work primarily on outreach and developing youth fishing and educational programs at the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve and Back Bay Science Center. Since then I’ve worked on the implementation of the Marine Life Management Act, the Nearshore Fishery Management Plan, the development and implementation of CRFS, and other work for the Marine Region’s Groundfish and Invertebrate projects.

What is the most rewarding project that you’ve worked on for CDFW?

I represented CDFW on a collaborative groundfish tagging project from 2002 to 2006. At the time, I believe it was the biggest fish tagging program of its kind in the state – we tagged over 32,300 fish from 32 species and learned quite a bit about the life histories and movements of some previously little-studied species. During the early 2000s, the California charter boat industry was hit hard by recently implemented bottomfishing restrictions that were necessary to help depleted fish stocks recover. This tagging study was paid for primarily through federal groundfish disaster relief funds. We hired sportfishing boats that were impacted by these new restrictions to use as research platforms, helping to ease the economic problems their owners and operators were facing. At the same time, we, the fishery biologists, worked side-by-side with the captains, crews and volunteer anglers we enlisted to help us with the work, benefiting from their experience and on-the-water observations. It was a great example of resource managers and consumptive users working together for a common purpose. I am very thankful for the opportunity to have been a part of that project.

 

Tell us about your current work with the CRFS.

The CRFS is a statewide survey of marine recreational anglers. CRFS samplers intercept saltwater sportfishers at the completion of their fishing trips, ask them some questions about that trip and their fishing habits and collect biological data from their catch. The data we collect are then used to create estimates of saltwater sport catch and effort. Those estimates are used by fishery managers at both the state and federal level to manage our state’s finfish resources for sustainability. If you’re reading this and you’ve ever participated in our survey, I want to thank you for your cooperation, and for doing your part to conserve our resources.

Within the CRFS, my specific and primary responsibility is to ensure that the data we collect is of the highest quality. I work towards fulfilling that responsibility by cultivating and maintaining good working relationships with the angling public to increase awareness of and cooperation with our survey, by working with my staff in the field to make sure our strict sampling protocols are followed, by reviewing the data my staff collect for quality control purposes, and by reviewing the estimates of marine finfish catch and effort that are generated using those data.

CRFS, by design, can be used to document changes in fisheries and species assemblages that may be due to variable oceanic conditions caused by climate change. We observed many unusual occurrences this last year, and I’m currently working to publish some of those findings.

What is the best thing about your job?

Aside from the pride I have in knowing I am working to maintain, enhance and restore our marine ecosystems for the use and enjoyment of present and future Californians, I get a lot of satisfaction from helping students and recent graduates with degrees in natural resources gain valuable experience in their chosen field. Many former employees have expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to hone their skills. Those thanks really mean a lot to me and make me feel like I’m making a difference.

Over the course of your career, was there a discovery or incident that surprised you?

I recently published a note regarding a tag return from a California scorpionfish that I tagged in 2004 (tagged during the same project I mentioned previously). It was recaptured in 2017, after spending almost 14 years at liberty with my tag in its back. Interestingly, the fish was caught in almost the same location where it was originally captured and remains the longest documented tag retention for this species.

Do you have any advice for people considering careers in science or natural resources?

Most of the people I’ve met during my career are not here for the money – they do their jobs because they have a desire to learn and passion for the resource with the end goal being sustainability. Don’t go into the field expecting to get rich. Cultivate your passion for science and resource management during your education, and be prepared to work entry level, seasonal, part-time jobs to make connections and get your foot in the door. Success in this field is equal parts passion and perseverance.

Away from work, where are we likely to find you?

Fishing and camping with my family is the greatest pleasure in my life. On a day off, or even after work, you might find me fishing the south jetty at Humboldt Bay with my wife, children, brother-in-law and nephews. On vacation, you might find me camping and fishing with the same crew, plus some aunts and uncles, at Trinity Lake or on the Kern River.

Tell us something about yourself that many people would be surprised to learn.

I’m an Eagle Scout, volunteered with Scouting for more than 15 years, and I am an Army veteran. I’ve played fantasy baseball with the same group of people for the last 30 years. Also, my grandson, Edgar V, was born on March 16, 2019. I can’t wait to help my son pass on our love for fishing to his son.  

Travis Tanaka on a boat sampling “slime eels”


Travis holding a California Halibut

Travis Tanaka is an environmental scientist with nearly two decades of experience working for CDFW. As a marine scientist with the Marine Region based out of the Monterey office, his primary responsibilities include monitoring the California halibut and Pacific hagfish fisheries, as well as collecting data to help manage their take.

Where did you grow up?

Paso Robles. Growing up in Paso really didn’t influence my future with CDFW or my choice to be a consumptive outdoor enthusiast. My influences came from my father and grandfather. My father taught me to be a hunter and responsible gun owner at a young age. My grandfather was a commercial fisherman and introduced me to fishing for various groundfish species. He taught me to appreciate our ocean’s resources.

What led you to a career in marine biology?

While going through school, I wanted to pursue a career in wildlife management or resource law enforcement. However, my path changed following a college lecture where the professor spoke candidly about upcoming job market opportunities and the future of what we might expect regarding job pursuits within the field of wildlife management. He said the reality was that we would find a lack of work in wildlife management, but that there would be upcoming needs in marine science. After that I began taking extra coursework in marine science and fisheries. Since I’d grown up fishing with my grandfather, I already had a vested interest in fisheries and so taking additional coursework was easy. I had to rethink my interest in resource law once I realized I wouldn’t be able to pass the vision exam.

Tell us about your current research.

I am a staff member on the Northern/Central California Finfish Research and Management Project where we monitor and conduct research on state-managed Finfish species (e.g. California halibut, surf perch, smelt and Pacific hagfish.) My role is to work on California halibut and Pacific hagfish.

For halibut, I monitor the fishery within Monterey Bay. This includes sampling the Monterey area commercial hook-and-line fishery for length distribution and age composition. Early on, I used to go to recreational launch sites and sample the halibut catch from sport anglers. The California Recreational Fisheries Survey (CRFS) program has a great handle on the recreational fishery now, so I put my focus on the commercial end. I also lead the processing for all halibut otoliths our project collects through sampling for ageing. Otoliths, also known as ear bones, are a hard, bony structure important to the fish’s sensory system. Each year, the fish will add a layer, similar to tree rings. I am one of two readers of all halibut otoliths sampled by CDFW staff. To date, we have aged 4,000 California halibut. This age-at-length dataset is one of several datasets that were incorporated into our latest stock assessment. Our project has been collecting halibut data since 2007.

In 2008, I began sampling the hagfish fishery out of Moss Landing to monitor and increase our knowledge of this remerging fishery. I developed a count-per-pound metric to sample live hagfish at the dock. Live hagfish are impossible to measure due to their movement and slime production. Hagfish can’t be sexed externally. To get an estimate of average weight or size, we randomly fill a bucket with hagfish, weigh the bucket and then count back the contents. If this is done repeatedly throughout the tank, we can develop an estimate for average weight. If the average count number goes up, then the fish are smaller per count, and vice versa. The ideal count is around four fish per pound, based on market demand. We then document the average size of retained hagfish and collect life history information, as well as information on the market and its participants.

During a short period in the early 1990s, the Pacific hagfish fishery in California flourished to satisfy an export market for hagfish skins where they were used to create expensive leather-like products, such as boots, bags, wallets and purses. However, a market-induced crash later occurred, and the fishery went dormant. But by 2007, a renewed market demand emerged for the harvest of live hagfish for use as human food.

Part of my job also involves working with fishermen interested in designing new harvest gear. Recently, I worked with fishermen who wanted to use barrels as a new trap type for the take of hagfish. After the fishermen secured experimental gear permits, our project evaluated their new gear design. With assistance from a colleague, we performed the necessary observation trips to collect data on interactions and bycatch. At the same time, we also collected lab samples to document sex ratios and the spawning maturity of hagfish caught by these traps. Once all of the results were in, we approved their new trap type that will improve quality-of-catch, reduce the number of traps on the seafloor, and ultimately be a viable option to existing trap gear.

What are Pacific hagfish?

Pacific hagfish are primitive, spineless, deep-sea fish that lack jaws, true eyes or a stomach. They live in muddy sea floors. Hagfish dine by scavenging dead or dying fish and marine mammals. They enter their prey through any existing hole or orifice they can find, or by creating a new hole via their two pairs of rasping jaws. Once inside, they tear the flesh from the carcasses as they devour their prey from the inside out. When stressed, their defensive mechanism is to overwhelm any prospective predators by exuding a thick viscous slime. This behavior is the reason hagfish are commonly called “slime eels.” Today, Pacific hagfish are caught and sold for human food, and much of the harvest is shipped to markets overseas.

What is a typical day like for you at work?

It depends on if my work day is during my field season or not. My halibut field season runs approximately May-October. Hagfish work is year-round but is significantly slower in the winter. During the field season, halibut sampling occurs in the morning and then I spend the afternoons in the office editing commercial fishing receipts, entering data, or processing halibut otoliths for ageing. Local hagfish sampling occurs in the morning. Once per month I travel to Morro Bay and Port San Luis to sample the Pacific hagfish fisheries in those ports. During the halibut off season, the average day is spent in the office working on the backlog of halibut otoliths, keeping up with landing receipt editing or addressing any pending issues. I spend a significant amount of time answering questions from commercial fishermen and recreational anglers.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

The most challenging aspect of the job, for me and for many others in CDFW, is balancing the needs of the resources (halibut and hagfish) with the needs of those people that use it. Within the group that utilize a fishery, there are often conflicts due to allocation between the recreational and commercial sectors (although not for hagfish, for which there is no recreational fishery). Thus, I am required to spend a significant amount of time answering questions from commercial fishermen and recreational anglers over a broad range of marine resources questions. As a CDFW environmental scientist, I must consider and balance the ramifications and consequences (biological, economic, social) of regulations and management actions.

Tell us something about yourself that many people would be surprised to learn.

It’s not really a surprise, but if I were not a CDFW scientist, I would be working as a commercial fishermen and hunting guide. I have also created some fishing tutorial videos on “Recreational Crabbing” and “Rockfish and Lingcod Fishing Tips and Tricks.” All are now posted on CDFW’s website and have nearly 40,000 views!

Media contact: Carrie Wilson, Communications, (831) 649-7191

Photos courtesy of Travis Tanaka. Top Photo: Travis sampling "slime eels".