What is Fisheries Management?

Texas is blessed with abundant aquatic habitats. The state contains over 191,000 miles of streams and rivers, over 3 million acres of reservoirs, countless ponds and stock tanks, and some 4 million acres of territorial sea in the Gulf of Mexico. The great majority of these waters contain fish populations which support important sport or commercial fisheries. Fisheries management is the art and science of using fish hatcheries, protective regulations, and habitat manipulation to produce the greatest recreational and commercial benefits to society, including conservation of non-game and threatened and endangered species. Successful fisheries management requires an in-depth understanding of fish ecology and population dynamics. The goal of the Department is to develop professionals skilled in the art and science of fisheries management, and in the ecological understanding of renewable natural resources management.

Bachelor of Science in Wildlife & Fisheries Management
(Fisheries Management Track)

The Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Management (Fisheries Management Track) from Texas Tech University is a degree program that produces graduates who are certifiable as fisheries scientists by the American Fisheries Society. Students graduate with a working knowledge of fisheries biology, fisheries ecology, freshwater ecology, population management, and habitat management. The philosophy of the Department is to give students experience in applied fisheries management programs that will prepare them for challenging careers in the field of natural resource management with government agencies, consulting firms, and conservation organizations. After completion of this degree program, one will be qualified as a fisheries manager, fisheries consultant, and fisheries biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, or as a fisheries biologist with a private finn. Additionally, many of our graduates further their educations by pursuing Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

Faculty Involvement

Faculty members in the Department of Range, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management are recognized authorities in the areas of freshwater ecology, fisheries management, and fisheries ecology. OJ verse fisheries research program provide many opportunities for students to become involved in the scientific process and gain valuable training and experience. One example of student involvement has been routine population sampling. Each year faculty members evaluate largemouth bass, striped bass, and paddlefish populations with a variety of sampling gears including hoop nets, seines, and electrofishing with the assistance of student volunteers. Such hands-on activities with fish populations have proven to be valuable experiences for many of our students.