- Division of Marine Fisheries
On June 14, DMF invited the public to their first-ever Marine Quest, a free, educational outdoor event for children and families at the Cat Cove Marine Laboratory in Salem. The festival, organized by DMF’s Fish Biology Program Manager Gary Nelson, was an opportunity for the Division to showcase everything they do—from innovative research and managing sustainable fisheries to protecting endangered marine species and habitat restoration.
Morning rain showers and overcast skies didn’t dampen the festive atmosphere or keep away the crowds. Hundreds of children, parents, and curious community members showed up ready to go on their marine quest. Visitors were waved in by a friendly lobster mascot and greeted by a live ukulele band as they wandered down to the festivities near the cove shore. Under the cover of tents, DMF biologists presented their research and delighted visitors with up-close looks at some local coastal species, including crabs, eelgrass, and American eels. In between exploring DMF programs and projects, chatting with biologists, and sampling local seafood, visitors sat in on science mini lectures about engaging Massachusetts topics such as striped bass genetics, horseshoe crab monitoring, and tracking white sharks off Cape Cod. It was a rare chance for the public to be introduced to the full breadth of everything that DMF works on in Massachusetts.
“The Marine Quest event was a unique opportunity to showcase all the programs at DMF,” said Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries Director Dan McKiernan. “We were able to bring the general public—including hundreds of kids—into our world of marine biology in Massachusetts. The positive response from the public was incredibly rewarding for the DMF biologists who got to demonstrate and explain how ‘cool’ our marine resources are. Kids got to touch and examine so many incredible sea creatures and learn from DMF’s professional biologists. For us, marine fisheries research and management is a vocation, and the public really embraced it. We hope to learn from our successes and put this event on annually.”
A common theme for many DMF projects is collaboration, and Marine Quest provided a great opportunity to feature work from other organizations. Several partners helped make the event a success, including NOAA’s Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, University of Massachusetts Boston, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Salem Sound Coast Watch, Essex County Sewerage District, and the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association.
Marine Quest was for everyone, but the highlights of the day came from the hands-on games and activities that connected children with the wonders of the natural marine world. Inside the marine station, excited kids flocked to the large touch tanks full of marine creatures such as lobsters, Jonah crabs, skates, bay scallops, and horseshoe crabs. At activities throughout the event, curious kids peered into microscopes, examined fish skulls, learned to cast, and put on diving gear to gaze underwater. There was inspiration everywhere for young kids and students to imagine themselves as a future marine biologist.
“Marine Quest is such an incredible way for the community to connect with the awe-inspiring marine world found right off our coasts,” said Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game Commissioner Tom O’Shea. “From exhibits on DMF’s cutting-edge research and sustainable fisheries management, to live touch tanks, fishing clinics, invasive green crab races, and delicious local seafood, there was really something for everyone. Thank you to our incredible staff for creating such a fun, educational day for children and families. We hope all who attended feel inspired to learn more about the unique marine biodiversity that makes Massachusetts so special.”
By Neil McCoy, Information and Education Coordinator
