Jonathan Duquette ‘01

B.S. Marine Biology


DuquetteI am from Champlain, New York, a small town at the very top of New York State. This is not exactly where you would find an aspiring marine biologist, as agriculture is the predominant industry.

I decided to apply to University of England literally seconds after seeing the brochure that came to me one day in the mail. I was floored by the fact that the campus was right on the ocean, and at our disposal. After I took my tour of the campus there was no other decision in my mind - I was “Home.”

I enrolled in the marine bio program that the college offered, and for my three years at UNE, I gained a wealth of knowledge.

Humpback Whale Necropsy

In my first year I got to participate at a humpback whale necropsy, a very stinky yet very informative day to remember. I really enjoyed the classes I took. While some courses were very challenging, such as organic chemistry, others left you free to express your creativity, such as nature writers. The small classes and campus let me feel like an individual and not a number.

I graduated with a B.S. in marine bio in the summer of 2001 and decided to put my degree to use.

While job-hunting online I came across an ad for a groundfish observer in Alaska. It only took seconds for me to decide that I would make the 6,200-mile trek and check it out. I learned I would be collecting data for National Marine Fisheries Service, which was used to manage the fisheries.
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40-Foot Waves

My first contract saw me going out of Dutch Harbor, Alaska, a tiny island 800 miles west of Anchorage. I boarded the vessel, a 162-foot longliner and suddenly wondered what I had gotten myself into. I have seen weather that I never thought was possible, been in waves in excess of 40 feet which were whipped up by winds in excess of 75 mph.

But I loved it and decided to become a shellfish observer as well, working out on crab-fishing vessels, and scallop boats. Seeing killer whales surface literally next to the boat as well as Stellar sea-lions were amazing sights.

After I finished in May of 2003, with just about 200 days at sea under my belt, I set my sights back to the East Coast. I returned to Maine, and while waiting to hear about a recent job I applied for, I took a job as a lobsterman in Boothbay Harbor.

A Job I Love

Once again my knowledge of marine life came back into play. And in October of 2003, I accepted a position at National Marine Fisheries Service in Woods Hole, Mass. I am a cooperative research tech, and love my job.

I am primarily participating in tagging efforts with cod, yellowtail flounder, monkfish and others. Everywhere I have gone, the knowledge I gained from my professors has come into play at some time or another. I think the small classes help to drive important facts home better than larger classes would have.

I want to thank my professors, Stephan Zeeman, Owen Grumbling, Kathy Ono, Ali Ahmida, and many others whose determination and persistence helped drive me towards achieving my goals.

(Last updated 1/04)
   
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