The 2006 identification and validation of the billfish species, the roundscale spearfish (Tetrapturus georgii) by NSU’s Dr. Mahmood S. Shivji, has revealed that the species traditionally categorized as “white marlin” in catch records is actually composed of two very different species. This previously unrealized mix-up has severely complicated conservation and management efforts for the threatened white marlin. It is now recognized that due to decades of species misidentification, management efforts for the overfished “white marlin” have unknowingly been applied to a species complex comprising the white marlin and roundscale spearfish. Potential impacts of this species misidentification may be severe, making it essential that both white marlin and roundscale spearfish are managed and conserved as separate species. This new management paradigm will require a thorough re-evaluation of the current information on the white marlin, and collection of data for the newly recognized roundscale spearfish starting from scratch. 

Given its recent validation, almost nothing is known about the roundscale spearfish, including its distribution and population structure. To aid in the management of the roundscale spearfish, two key objectives for my work are: (1) to delineate the genetic population structure of the roundscale spearfish, and (2) to compare the genetic diversity and demographic history of roundscale spearfish to the morphologically highly similar white marlin.

NSU’s Fishing Tournament Scholarship has provided much needed support for my Ph.D. dissertation work, allowing me the flexibility to collaborate with other researchers internationally.

The Scholarship support has allowed me to make new, conservation related discoveries that have now been published in several journals:

Bernard et al. (2013) Broad geographic distribution of roundscale spearfish (Tetrapturus georgii) (Teleostei, Istiophoridae) in the Atlantic revealed by DNA analysis: Implications for white marlin and roundscale spearfish management. Fisheries Research, 139:93-97.

Bernard et al. (2014) Comparative population genetics and evolutionary history of two commonly misidentified billfishes of management and conservation concern. BMC Genetics, 15:141.

Domingues et al. (2015) A DNA tool for the identification of heavily exploited Atlantic billfishes. Conservation Genetics Resources, 7(4):807-809.

Since completing my Ph.D. at NSU in 2014, I have continued to study the population genomics of marine fishes, with a focus on endangered sharks and billfishes. I am currently an Associate Research Scientist in the Halmos College of Arts & Sciences and Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center.