Jupiter High School Students Partake in Long-term Fish Study of Indian River Lagoon
JUPITER, Fla. (CBS12) — Students from Jupiter High School are actively contributing to the health monitoring of the Indian River Lagoon through a fish study that has been ongoing for over 30 years.
On Thursday, students in the school’s Environmental Research and Field Studies Academy engaged in collecting, identifying, and measuring juvenile fish near Jupiter Island, before releasing them back into the lagoon. This four-year academy program takes students into the field monthly to gain firsthand experience in marine biology. During the latest survey, they utilized a 55-foot bag seine net to gather fish.
Biologist David Porter from the Loxahatchee River Environmental Control District highlighted that students have been gathering juvenile fish data at the site since 1994, with research by other groups dating back to the 1970s. Instructor Aaron Lichtig pointed out that the project enables students to observe changes in the lagoon over time.
“In recent years, we’ve noticed improvements in seagrass health and an increase in fish populations,” Lichtig noted. Surveys from five to eight years ago revealed fewer fish and lower species diversity, making the long-term data crucial for understanding the lagoon’s environmental changes.
For students, this initiative allows them to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world setting. “Being in the environment and seeing the different fish populations up close was exciting,” said 10th grader Emery Taylor.
The Loxahatchee River Environmental Control District collaborates with the academy during fieldwork, empowering students to conduct scientific research by recording fish species, sizes, and counts. Lichtig remarked that these practical experiences help solidify lessons learned in class, saying, “When they are out in the field, they see science in action, which often connects the dots for them.”
Several students may uncover a passion for environmental science through this program, potentially guiding them toward careers in the field.
