Science Communication in Fisheries: Making Research Matter

Julie Claussen, Fisheries Research Biologist and Science Communicator

“If I had a wish, I wish everybody could put on a mask and snorkel and put their head into a clear stream and just sit there and watch fish.”

— Julie Claussen

Making Fisheries Science Accessible to the Public

Julie Claussen has spent over 30 years as a fisheries biologist, but it was a shift toward science communication where she discovered the biggest impact she could make. In this thoughtful interview, Claussen shares why communicating complex environmental issues clearly and effectively is just as vital as collecting the data itself. Through her work with the Fisheries Conservation Foundation, she’s working to ensure that science has impact beyond the pages of a journal.

From fish habitats to freshwater ecosystems, the science of fisheries touches everyone. Yet too often, that science is locked behind jargon, charts, and inaccessible presentations. Claussen argues it’s time for a cultural shift — one where data still matters, but storytelling leads. By making research more digestible and engaging, fisheries professionals can better inspire action, influence behavior, and connect people to the waters that sustain life. As climate challenges grow, effective communication may be the most important tool we have to protect our aquatic environments.