Bozeman Fish Technology Center Welcomes Renowned Fish Biologist

Bozeman Fish Technology Center Welcomes Renowned Fish Biologist

Dr. Molly Webb will join the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a research fishery biologist at the Bozeman Fish Technology Center (Center) in March.

Dr. Webb is currently an Assistant Professor of Research at Oregon State University in Corvallis. Webb, a native of California, earned a Doctorate in Ecology and a Masters Degree in Animal Science from the University of California at Davis. She obtained her B.A. in Aquatic Biology from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

"We are fortunate to have Dr. Webb's vast knowledge and experience at the Center. She will be working on pallid sturgeon, arctic grayling, and native trout projects," said Dr. Bill Krise, Director of the Bozeman Fish Technology Center.

In addition to her teaching experience at the university, Webb has focused on research questions that involve the reproductive physiology and ecology of endangered pallid sturgeon, white sturgeon, Gulf of Mexico sturgeon, green sturgeon, and several sturgeon species in Russia. She has published a number of articles on her research.

"I am looking forward to working with the dedicated and knowledgeable staff at the Center.? said Dr. Webb.

Webb is a member of the American Fisheries Society, World Aquaculture Society, Upper Columbia River White Surgeon Recovery Team, and the Upper Basin Pallid Sturgeon Recovery Workgroup.

The Bozeman Fish Technology Center is located at the mouth of Bridger Canyon in Bozeman, Montana and is home to research programs for threatened and endangered fish reproduction and culture, the Aquatic Animal Drug Approval Program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service trout nutrition program and several Montana State University research projects related to fisheries. Also, located on the property is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Fisheries Management Assistance Office, which assists states and tribes with a variety of fisheries issues.

Currently, the Center assists in recovery of pallid sturgeon in cooperation with Federal and State partners. The Center also maintains the only captive brood stock of fluvial Arctic grayling, native to the Big Hole River in Montana. Other projects include efforts to approve drugs for use on aquatic animals through the Food and Drug Administration and research into effective, sustainable and economical fish feeds for use in conservation of sensitive fish species and recreational and commercial fisheries.

Established in 1892, the Center is the site of one of the oldest Federal fish hatcheries in the country and retains some historic structures. In 1983, the site became the Bozeman Fish Technology Center, one of seven such technology centers nationwide intended to address fisheries conservation and management needs.

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