Joni Vanderflught measures fish captured while seining during her job shadowing experience. - USFWS photo by Ryan Tilley

Fishery Biologist Jennifer Johnson and Student Joni Vanderflught watch a silver carp jump from the water of the Missouri River. - USFWS photo by Ryan Tilley

Joni Vanderflught, a student in the Techniques for Fisheries Management and Conservation class at the University of Missouri, spent a day on a job-shadow assignment to experience what fishery biologists do on a typical day.

In the past students from this course have job shadowed other biologist at the Columbia Fishery Resources Office to include Louise Mauldin, Jeff Finley and Joanne Grady.  Joni spent her day with Fishery Biologist Jennifer Johnson and Biological Science Technician Ryan Tilley. Joni's main focus is in wildlife, so a day on the river was quite a change for her. The crew spent the day seining for the Pallid Sturgeon Assessment Program near Glasgow, Mo. Joni assisted with seining, collecting habitat information, and identifying and measuring captured fish. By the end of the day, Joni could easily identify at least five of the common species captured that day. Joni also got a first hand glimpse of the "flying carp" she had heard so much about, with several silver carp landing in the boat.

Questions about the duties of a fishery biologist, education and experience were a few of the topics discussed. Joni enjoyed her day on the river and expressed interest in volunteering with the Fish and Wildlife Service in the future. The Columbia FRO was happy to have Joni for the day and looks forward to future outings with students in the Columbia, Missouri area.