This video shows a Saildrone Explorer in the harbor and being towed out onto Lake Erie for the beginning of a mission to collect data to improve fishery surveys on July 14, 2023.
Mark R DuFour, PhD
Mark DuFour is a Research Fisheries Biologist with the Great Lakes Science Center, working out of the Lake Erie Biological Station in Huron, OH.
As part of the Deepwater Science Program, Mark works collaboratively with regional partners to inform fisheries management and restoration related questions on Lake Erie. This work includes serving as the principal Investigator on two USGS core projects including Lake Erie Pelagic Prey Fish Population Dynamics (i.e., hydroacoustic survey) and Lake Erie Benthic Prey Fish Population Dynamics (i.e., bottom trawl survey). In addition, he is leading a collaborative acoustic telemetry study to better understand age-2+ yellow perch seasonal movement dynamics. He also serves as a team member on a broader study using autonomous vehicles (i.e., surface and underwater drones) to assess fish avoidance impacts on traditional vessel-based surveys across the Great Lakes. Mark’s current position has provided opportunities to collaborate on a host of projects within his focus areas (e.g., early life history, fisheries hydroacoustics, population dynamics, acoustic telemetry, and Bayesian statistical methods).
Professional Experience
Research Fisheries Biologist, USGS – Great Lakes Science Center, 2023 - present
Fish Biologist, USGS – Great Lakes Science Center, 2021 - 2023
Fisheries Biologist II, Ohio DNR - Division of Wildlife, 2018 – 2021
Postdoctoral Research Associate, MSU - Quantitative Fisheries Center, 2017
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. (Biology - Ecology), University of Toledo, 2017
M.S. (Biology - Ecology), University of Toledo, 2012
B.S. (Conservation), Kent State University,2005
Science and Products
Data releases by this scientist
Lake Erie Fish Community Data, 2013-2024 Lake Erie Fish Community Data, 2013-2024
Impacts of bird predation on the detection of acoustic telemetry tags in fish Impacts of bird predation on the detection of acoustic telemetry tags in fish
Lake Erie Fish Community Data, 2013-2023 Lake Erie Fish Community Data, 2013-2023
Hydroacoustic data from uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) overtakes in Lake Superior, 2022 Hydroacoustic data from uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) overtakes in Lake Superior, 2022
Lake Erie Pelagic Prey Fish Community Data, 2022-2023 Lake Erie Pelagic Prey Fish Community Data, 2022-2023
Lake Erie Fish Community Data, 2013-2022 Lake Erie Fish Community Data, 2013-2022
Hydroacoustic data from uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) overtakes in Lakes Huron and Michigan, 2021 Hydroacoustic data from uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) overtakes in Lakes Huron and Michigan, 2021
Hydroacoustic data from central Lake Erie, 2021 Hydroacoustic data from central Lake Erie, 2021
This video shows a Saildrone Explorer in the harbor and being towed out onto Lake Erie for the beginning of a mission to collect data to improve fishery surveys on July 14, 2023.
USGS Great Lakes Science Center technician processes a bottom trawl catch aboard the research vessel Muskie on Lake Erie during rough seas. Photo credit: Mark DuFour, USGS.
USGS Great Lakes Science Center technician processes a bottom trawl catch aboard the research vessel Muskie on Lake Erie during rough seas. Photo credit: Mark DuFour, USGS.
Publications by this scientist
Fisheries research and monitoring activities of the Lake Erie Biological Station, 2024 Fisheries research and monitoring activities of the Lake Erie Biological Station, 2024
Fisheries research and monitoring activities of the Lake Erie Biological Station, 2023 Fisheries research and monitoring activities of the Lake Erie Biological Station, 2023
Multi-decadal trophic shifts in Lake Erie yellow perch Perca flavescens Multi-decadal trophic shifts in Lake Erie yellow perch Perca flavescens
Egg size scales negatively with system size in a periodic fish species Egg size scales negatively with system size in a periodic fish species
Historical and morphological evidence for a remnant population of Lake Erie cisco Coregonus artedi (albus) in Crystal Lake, Pennsylvania Historical and morphological evidence for a remnant population of Lake Erie cisco Coregonus artedi (albus) in Crystal Lake, Pennsylvania
Paired comparisons with quiet surface drones show evidence of fish behavioral response to motorized vessels during acoustic surveys in Lake Superior Paired comparisons with quiet surface drones show evidence of fish behavioral response to motorized vessels during acoustic surveys in Lake Superior
Lessons learned in applying decision analysis to natural resource management for high stakes issues surrounded by uncertainty Lessons learned in applying decision analysis to natural resource management for high stakes issues surrounded by uncertainty
Food web changes reflected in age-0 piscivore diets and growth Food web changes reflected in age-0 piscivore diets and growth
Evaluating population trends of juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon at low abundance in a dynamic estuarine environment (Hudson River, New York) Evaluating population trends of juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon at low abundance in a dynamic estuarine environment (Hudson River, New York)
Bayesian applications in environmental and ecological studies with R and Stan Bayesian applications in environmental and ecological studies with R and Stan
Using surrogate taxa to inform response methods for invasive Grass Carp in the Laurentian Great Lakes Using surrogate taxa to inform response methods for invasive Grass Carp in the Laurentian Great Lakes
Fisheries research and monitoring activities of the Lake Erie Biological Station, 2022 Fisheries research and monitoring activities of the Lake Erie Biological Station, 2022
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
News about this scientist
Science and Products
Data releases by this scientist
Lake Erie Fish Community Data, 2013-2024 Lake Erie Fish Community Data, 2013-2024
Impacts of bird predation on the detection of acoustic telemetry tags in fish Impacts of bird predation on the detection of acoustic telemetry tags in fish
Lake Erie Fish Community Data, 2013-2023 Lake Erie Fish Community Data, 2013-2023
Hydroacoustic data from uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) overtakes in Lake Superior, 2022 Hydroacoustic data from uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) overtakes in Lake Superior, 2022
Lake Erie Pelagic Prey Fish Community Data, 2022-2023 Lake Erie Pelagic Prey Fish Community Data, 2022-2023
Lake Erie Fish Community Data, 2013-2022 Lake Erie Fish Community Data, 2013-2022
Hydroacoustic data from uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) overtakes in Lakes Huron and Michigan, 2021 Hydroacoustic data from uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) overtakes in Lakes Huron and Michigan, 2021
Hydroacoustic data from central Lake Erie, 2021 Hydroacoustic data from central Lake Erie, 2021
This video shows a Saildrone Explorer in the harbor and being towed out onto Lake Erie for the beginning of a mission to collect data to improve fishery surveys on July 14, 2023.
This video shows a Saildrone Explorer in the harbor and being towed out onto Lake Erie for the beginning of a mission to collect data to improve fishery surveys on July 14, 2023.
USGS Great Lakes Science Center technician processes a bottom trawl catch aboard the research vessel Muskie on Lake Erie during rough seas. Photo credit: Mark DuFour, USGS.
USGS Great Lakes Science Center technician processes a bottom trawl catch aboard the research vessel Muskie on Lake Erie during rough seas. Photo credit: Mark DuFour, USGS.
Publications by this scientist
Fisheries research and monitoring activities of the Lake Erie Biological Station, 2024 Fisheries research and monitoring activities of the Lake Erie Biological Station, 2024
Fisheries research and monitoring activities of the Lake Erie Biological Station, 2023 Fisheries research and monitoring activities of the Lake Erie Biological Station, 2023
Multi-decadal trophic shifts in Lake Erie yellow perch Perca flavescens Multi-decadal trophic shifts in Lake Erie yellow perch Perca flavescens
Egg size scales negatively with system size in a periodic fish species Egg size scales negatively with system size in a periodic fish species
Historical and morphological evidence for a remnant population of Lake Erie cisco Coregonus artedi (albus) in Crystal Lake, Pennsylvania Historical and morphological evidence for a remnant population of Lake Erie cisco Coregonus artedi (albus) in Crystal Lake, Pennsylvania
Paired comparisons with quiet surface drones show evidence of fish behavioral response to motorized vessels during acoustic surveys in Lake Superior Paired comparisons with quiet surface drones show evidence of fish behavioral response to motorized vessels during acoustic surveys in Lake Superior
Lessons learned in applying decision analysis to natural resource management for high stakes issues surrounded by uncertainty Lessons learned in applying decision analysis to natural resource management for high stakes issues surrounded by uncertainty
Food web changes reflected in age-0 piscivore diets and growth Food web changes reflected in age-0 piscivore diets and growth
Evaluating population trends of juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon at low abundance in a dynamic estuarine environment (Hudson River, New York) Evaluating population trends of juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon at low abundance in a dynamic estuarine environment (Hudson River, New York)
Bayesian applications in environmental and ecological studies with R and Stan Bayesian applications in environmental and ecological studies with R and Stan
Using surrogate taxa to inform response methods for invasive Grass Carp in the Laurentian Great Lakes Using surrogate taxa to inform response methods for invasive Grass Carp in the Laurentian Great Lakes
Fisheries research and monitoring activities of the Lake Erie Biological Station, 2022 Fisheries research and monitoring activities of the Lake Erie Biological Station, 2022
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
News about this scientist