Degrees:
- M.S. (Fisheries Science), University of Alaska Southeast (1984)
- B.S. (Biology), University of Oregon (1977)
Specialized courses:
- Basic Wetland Delineation Training (PSU 2008)
- Fluvial & Lacustrine Systems (Geomax 1999)
- Research SCUBA Diving (UASE 1984)
John McConnaughey is the Senior Fisheries Biologist for Sisul Engineering’s Environmental and Technical Consultants Division (ETC). He has 20 years experience working with fisheries and fish habitat issues in the Northwest, Alaska and the South Pacific. Mr. McConnaughey is skilled in sampling design, salmon life history analysis, habitat utilization, and analysis of salmon recovery issues.
His experience is diverse. Before coming to ETC, he served as a member of the Management Implementation Planning Team, (MIPT), an interagency team tasked to study the effects of a salmon supplementation project and related salmon recovery issues in the Yakima Basin in Central Washington. John lead three of the studies recommended by MIPT, and also lead studies investigating smolt passage and migration issues. He has been a member of interagency and international scientific teams to study and recommend policy on commercial and recreational fisheries.
He has project and administrative experience; as the lead biologist on 9 fisheries research studies, as the manager of a giant clam hatchery, and as an analyst for the Alaska Dept of Fish and Game. He is proficient with statistical and data base software, and uses analytical skills to provide reports for agencies, legislators and publication.
Representative Experience:
- Performs wetland delineation and habitat evaluation studies for permits.
- Lead Biologist on studies to investigate fish passage and survival issues at an irrigation diversion dam and smolt monitoring facility.
- Project Principal for a study to evaluate the predation impacts on wild fall Chinook fry by hatchery reared coho smolts.
- Extensive work using PIT tag information systems to monitor migration and survival of salmonid smolts.
- Principal Investigator on a study investigating temporal and spatial differences in spawning behaviors of hatchery and wild reared spring Chinook adults.
- Representative for the American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources on the Western Pacific Fisheries Management Council’s Pelagic Plan Team, and Bottom Fish Plan Team.
- Representative for the Yakama Nation Fisheries Project on the Management Implementation and Planning Team (an interagency group of scientists investigating salmon supplementation issues).
- Performed pre-project investigations for the US Fish and Wildlife Service, to evaluate and comment on ACE permit applications that potentially affected fish and wildlife habitats in Southeast Alaska.
- Lead Biologist on a creel survey of a subsistence shoreline fishery in American Samoa.
- Lead Biologist on a creel survey of a marine sport fishery in Southeast Alaska.
- Biologist on a feasibility study of oyster and mussel aquaculture in Yakutat Alaska.
- Designed and conducted studies to determine the impact of a herring roe-on-kelp fishery on the kelp resources in Bristol Bay, Alaska.
- Developed hydrological models of fish habitat to predict potential impacts of a proposed hydroelectric project on the Susitna River in Central Alaska.
- Manager for the Giant Clam hatchery project in American Samoa.
- Developed budget requests and performed administrative functions for the Alaska Dept of Fish and Game.
- Conducted sport fish creel surveys and fish migration studies on salmon in the Rogue River, Oregon.
- Provided reporting on vital statistics data for the State of Alaska.
- Initiated studies investigating growth and survival rates of giant clams in various culture settings.
- Conducted marketing studies of giant clams in American Samoa for local food markets, and international aquarium markets.