Part 2 of The Past, Present, & Future of Striped Bass: Chesapeake Perspective focuses on The Current State of the Striper Fishery, Habitat, & Forage. We were very fortunate to have an expert panel including Dr. Allison Colden (Chesapeake Bay Foundation), Mike Waine (The American Sportfishing Association), and Pat Geer (Virginia Marine Resources Commission) join us to share their experience and perspectives on Chesapeake Bay and coastal habitats and forage as they relate to the striper fishery, as well as game fish in general. Each brings their unique perspective to share with us, and we’re excited to hear from them.
Learn about the guests on Part 2 - The Current State of the Striper Fishery, Habitat, & Forage.
Dr. Allison Colden
Allison is a native of Virginia Beach and is currently a Maryland Senior Fisheries Scientist at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and holds a Doctorate in Marine Biology from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS). Dr. Colden believes it is her job to give the Chesapeake Bay and all the creatures that depend on it a voice in the places where policy is being made. She uses her background and knowledge as a scientist to help shape policies that are good for the Bay.
Mike Waine
Mike is the Atlantic Fisheries Policy Director at American Sportfishing Association. He has also served as NOAA Fishery Management Specialist in addition to being a Senior Fishery Management Plan Coordinator for Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. He studied Marine Biology at UNC Wilmington and later earned his Master’s Degree in Fisheries, Wildlife & Conservation Biology from North Carolina State.
Pat Geer
Pat has been the Virginia Marine Resources Commission Chief of Fisheries Management since 2019 and oversees Virginia’s saltwater fisheries. Prior to that, he spent 16 years at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division, serving 8 years as their Chief of Marine Fisheries. He also was a marine scientist and principal investigator at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and worked on several projects including the Juvenile Fish and Blue Crab Survey. He held a number of roles with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, including state rep on their Habitat Committee and the Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership, and leadership roles with SEAMAP and the Management and Science Committee.
Pat earned his Master's Degree in Biological Oceanography at Old Dominion University. He is an avid kayak angler and enjoys woodworking. Pat currently lives on the peninsula with his wife. He has two adult children, the older a Captain in the USAF, and the younger a chemical engineer.