Center for Fisheries Electronic Monitoring at Mote (CFEMM)
The Center for Fisheries Electronic Monitoring at Mote (CFEMM) internship provides research
experience on commercial fisheries, fisheries management, and electronic monitoring (EM)
technology. We work in partnership with the commercial Gulf of America reef fish fishing
industry that primarily targets snappers and groupers. The goal of our Center is to use EM as a
tool to collect catch and bycatch data and provide valuable data products for industry and
management’s use in making decisions that will help to ensure long-term fishery health.
What is EM?
This system uses 3-5 cameras and an array of sensors to record fishing activity
onboard a volunteer commercial fishing vessel. We partner with US-based EM service providers
for equipment installation and the software we use to review the video collected from each
fishing trip.
The CFEMM works directly with commercial captains and crews in Florida and Texas to
coordinate equipment installations, maintain systems, collect data, and provide that data to
stakeholders. In addition, we review vessel fishing imagery at our Center, explore and integrate
new technologies to enhance data acquisition, and streamline data analysis and products for
both industry and management.
Primary intern activities will include:
- Review video to record fish species caught
- Assist staff with EM system maintenance and vessel communications
- Conduct literature searches and review
- Utilize R to examine spatiotemporal trends in reef fish data
Preferred experience and qualifications:
- Experience or interest in identifying fish species (particularly marine finfish and sharks)
- Experience programming in at least one language or a strong willingness to learn
- Ability to work well alone and as part of a team
- Strong attention to detail
- Strong communication skills
While this position is primarily lab-based, interns will receive opportunities to work in the field,
accompanying staff visiting commercial fish houses and waterfronts. Depending on project
needs, interns may also have the opportunity to gain lab and/or field experience with additional
Mote research teams, such as Fisheries Ecology, Stock Enhancement, and Aquaculture.
This internship may require the physical ability to lift 30 lbs to shoulder height, walk/work in
difficult field environments, and bend or stoop for prolonged periods. The CFEMM accepts
interns year-round, with an average internship length of at least 12 weeks. Typical hours are
Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm with occasional Fridays.
