Molly E. Lutcavage has been a senior scientist at the Edgerton Research Lab at the New England Aquarium since 1996. She holds her B.A. in Biology and Environmental Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. In 1981, Lutcavage earned her Master's degree in Marine Science, Biological oceanography from the College of William and Mary. Her thesis examined the status of marine turtles of the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia coastal waters.

After completing her Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography at the University of Miami in 1987, Lutcavage held a number of appointments assessing and consulting on the status of marine turtles and other vertebrates. She came to the New England Aquarium in 1994, where she began studying the physiology and conservation of large pelagic vertebrates, including the bluefin tuna.

Curtis asks:
Hey! Before I ask my question, I just wanted to say that your research is incredibly interesting to me. Watching what you did, seeing the extreme amount of work and above all, patience, really struck me. As an avid fisherman, thank you! Next, I was wondering who funds all your research? And also, if you have a web page that I can visit. I'd like to learn a lot more.

Lutcavage's response:
Dear Curtis,

Thanks so much or your kind comments. It has been a blast working on bluefin tuna, but you're right about the need to be patient and stubborn, as things often go wrong, or the fish don't do what you expect them to do. Among other things! Most of our work has been funded by the US National Marine Fisheries Service, National Geographic Society, the Office of Naval Research, Canada Dpt. of Fisheries and Oceans, and small grants from the East Coast Tuna Association. Fishermen purchased the first popup satellite tags used in our study when the government thought the technology was too risky. You can view more about our research on our website: www.marinegis.org.

Follow through to the bluefin pages.
With regards,
Molly Lutcavage

Callie asks:
How can we get different countries to cooperate to save the tuna if we can't even get our own fishermen and scientists to agree about what to do?

Lutcavage's response:
Dear Callie,
Regarding your question about getting other countries to agree to fishing conservation and rebuilding measures, you've hit upon an important issue. I think the answer is that there must first be confidence and trust in the science and information used to manage fisheries, both here and abroad. If resource users believe that managers are working with the best available scientific information, or are at least attempting to obtain it- fishermen are more likely to be receptive to quotas and restoration plans.
With regards,
Molly Lutcavage