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Dr. Ryan Schloesser

Senior Scientist & Program Manager

Fisheries Ecology & Enhancement Program

Today's Research for Tomorrow's Oceans
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Contact:

rschloesser@mote.org

941-388-4441, ext407

Biography:

Ryan joined the Mote team in Fall 2015. His research interests include various aspects of population biology and ecology for estuarine and marine fishes. Ryan’s Masters research utilized stable isotopes in otoliths to examine population structure of Atlantic bluefin tuna. His doctoral research used general linear and additive models to investigate the temporal and spatial dynamics of condition for juveniles of three estuarine species while they are present in nursery areas. He examined ~8,000 individuals for multiple indices of condition to understand how intra- and inter-annual patterns in condition may reflect survival, and if certain regions may contribute disproportionately more recruits to a fishery due to producing individuals in healthier condition.

Education:

Ph.D. Virginia Institute of Marine Science
B.S. Texas A&M University. M.S. Texas A&M University

Featured Publications

Ryan W. Schloesser* , Nathan P. Brennan , Paula Caldentey , Kenneth M. Leber (2025). Best practices for common snook stock enhancement identified through iterative release experiments. Fisheries Research, 291, 107540. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2025.107540
Philip W. Stevens, Kyle L. Williams, Meredith B. Pfennig, Ryan W. Schloesser, Alexis A. Trotter, Derek P. Crane (2024). Use of hatchery-raised fish in validation of daily age estimates for juvenile Common Snook. Marine and Coastal Fisheries, 16(6), e10321. https://doi.org/10.1002/mcf2.10321
Carole Neidig, Max Lee, Daniel Roberts, Ryan Schloesser (2024). Characterization of the U.S. Eastern Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Bottom Longline Catch through Fishery Collaboration with Electronic Monitoring. Marine Fisheries Review, 85(1-4), 82-110. https://doi.org/10.7755/MFR.85.1-4.5
Carole Neidig, Max Lee, Genevieve Patrick, Ryan Schloesser (2024). Employing an innovative underwater camera to improve electronic monitoring in the commercial Gulf of Mexico reef fish fishery. PLOS ONE, 19(3), e0298588. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0298588
Rachel Tennant, Beth Brady, Kim Love, Eric Ramos, Ryan Schloesser (2024). Persistent long-term habitat use by Florida manatees at Fort Pierce, Florida from 1997 to 2020. PLOS ONE, 19(3), e0297636. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0297636
Schloesser, RW, Leber, KM, Brennan, NP, Caldentey, P (2021). A novel approach to estimate postrelease survival for estuarine fishes. Bulletin of Marine Science, 97(4.0), 575-598. https://doi.org/10.5343/bms.2020.0040
Lorenzen, Kai; Leber, Kenneth M; Loneragan, Neil R; Schloesser, Ryan W; Taylor, Matthew D. (2021). Developing and integrating enhancement strategies to improve and restore fisheries. Bulletin of Marine Science, 97(4.0). https://doi.org/10.5343/bms.2021.0036
Friess, C., Lowerre-Barbieri, S.K., Poulakis, G.R., Hammerschlag, N., et al. (2021). Regional-scale variability in the movement ecology of marine fishes revealed by an integrative acoustic tracking network. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 663, 157-177. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13637
Hans, R., Schloesser, R., Brennan, N., Ribeiro, F., Main, K.L. (2020). Effects of stocking density on cannibalism in juvenile common snook Centropomus undecimalis. Aquaculture Research, 51.0, 844-847. https://doi.org/10.1111/are.14353
Sherwood, T.A., Medvecky, R.L., Miller, C.A., et al. (2019). Nonlethal Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Oiled Sediment Exposed Southern Flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma): Utility for Field-Base Monitoring Exposure and Potential Recovery. Environmental Science & Technology, 53(24), 14083-14770. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b05930
Patrick, G., Tarnecki, A.M., Rhody, N., Schloesser, R., Main, K., Yanong, R., Francis-Floyd, R. (2019). Disinfection of almaco jack (Seriola rivoliana Valenciennes) eggs: Evaluation of three chemicals. Aquaculture Research, 50, 3793-3801. https://doi.org/10.1111/are.14342
Wetzel, D.L., Reynolds, J.E., Bonde, R.K., Schloesser, R.W., Schwierzke-Wade, L. and Roudebush, W.E. (2019). Enhancing reproductive assessments of the Florida manatee Trichechus manatus latirostris by establishing optimal time period and inhibin b baseline concentrations. Endangered Species Research, 39.0, 283-292. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00972
Schloesser, R.W., Fabrizio, M.C. (2019). Nursery Habitat Quality Assessed by the Condition of Juvenile Fishes: Not All Estuarine Areas Are Equal. Estuaries and Coasts, 42.0(2.0), 548-566. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-018-0468-6
Tarnecki, A.M., Brennan, N.P., Schloesser, R.W., Rhody, N.R. (2018). Shifts in the Skin-Associated Microbiota of Hatchery-Reared Common Snook Centropomus undecimalis During Acclimation to the Wild. Microbial Ecology, 77, 770-781. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-018-1252-7
Beckler, J.S.; Gray, K.; Carothers, H.F.; Currier, R.D., Schloesser, R. (2018). Engaging High-school Students and Teachers through an Ocean-Observing Technology STEM Outreach Club. Current: The Journal of Marine Education, 31.0(2), 13-20. https://doi.org/10.5334/cjme.3
Schloesser, R.W., & Fabrizio, M.C. (2017). Condition indices as surrogates of energy density and lipid content in juveniles of three fish species. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, 146(5), 1058-1069. https://doi.org/10.1080/00028487.2017.1324523
Schloesser, R.W., & Fabrizio, M.C. (2016). Temporal dynamics of condition for estuarine fishes in their nursery habitats. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 557.0, 207-219. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps11858

Additional Publications

Schloesser, R.W., Fabrizio, M.C. (2018). Nursery Habitat Quality Assessed by the Condition of Juvenile Fishes: Not All Estuarine Areas Are Equal. Estuaries and Coasts, 1-19. doi:10.1007/s12237-018-0468-6

Tarnecki, A.M., Brennan, N.P., Schloesser, R.W., Rhody, N.R. (2018). Shifts in the Skin-Associated Microbiota of Hatchery-Reared Common Snook Centropomus undecimalis During Acclimation to the Wild. Microb. Ecol. doi: 10.1007/s00248-018-1252-7

Beckler, J.S.; Gray, K.; Carothers, H.F.; Currier, R.D., Schloesser, R. (2018) Engaging High-school Students and Teachers through an Ocean-Observing Technology STEM Outreach Club. NMEA Currents: Journal of Marine Education. Winter 2017 General Issue.

Schloesser, R.W., and M. C. Fabrizio. Submitted. Temporal dynamics of condition for estuarine fishes in their nursery habitats. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

Schloesser, R.W., and M. C. Fabrizio. Submitted. The utility of condition indices as surrogates of energy density and lipid content in three juvenile fish species. J. Fish Biol.

Schloesser, R.W., and M. C. Fabrizio. 2015. Relationships among proximate components and energy density of juvenile Atlantic estuarine fishes. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc., 144(5):942-955.

Schloesser, R. W., M. C. Fabrizio, R. J. Latour, G. C. Garman, B. Greenlee, M. Groves, and J. Gartland. 2011. Ecological role of blue catfish in Chesapeake Bay communities and implications for management. Pages 369-382 in P. H. Michaletz and V. H. Travnichek, editors. Conservation, ecology, and management of catfish: the second international symposium. American Fisheries Society, Symposium 77, Bethesda, Maryland.

Schloesser, R. W., J. D. Neilson, D. H. Secor, and J. R. Rooker. 2010. Natal origin of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) from Canadian waters based on otolith δ13C and δ18O. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci., 67:563-569. DOI:10.1139/F10-005.

Schloesser, R. W., J. R. Rooker, P. Louchuoarn, J. D. Neilson, and D. H. Secor. 2009. Interdecadal variation in seawater δ13C and δ18O recorded in fish otoliths. Limnol. Oceanogr., 54(5):1665-1668.

Rooker, J. R., D. H. Secor, G. DeMetrio, R. Schloesser, B. A. Block, and J. D. Neilson. 2008. Natal Homing and Connectivity in Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Populations. Science, 322:742-744. DOI: 10.1126/science.1161473.