Communicating and Enhancing the Value of Fish to Society

When William (Bill) Taylor began his career as a scientist, he saw that his biological knowledge was not making the difference he wished to make in how society regarded fish and their sustainability. Realizing that he needed to integrate human and natural systems in order to get fish into the societal mindset, Bill spent his career working with scientists, policymakers, agency and NGO personnel, business people, and other stakeholders to promote the value of fish and their habitats. He learned that we can utilize business principles coupled with well-formulated science to get fish “on the table” so that they are valued alongside competing uses of freshwater resources. Bill has mentored Amy Fingerle, who struggled to unite her passions for business and biology early in her academic career. Together we have discussed how fisheries scientists can utilize a marketing plan by putting fish into economic terms in order to demonstrate the value of fish to society. Our mentoring insights are relevant to emerging fisheries scientists who may question the “so what” of their research. Ultimately, young fisheries professionals should pursue interdisciplinary experiences and seek out a mentor in order to understand the role of business in promoting the value of fish.