Bio

Jeff Buckel is a fisheries ecologist and works in marine and estuarine habitats.  His group uses field, laboratory, and modeling approaches to estimate vital rates of economically and ecologically important fishes. Working closely with state and federal biologists, assessment scientists and managers, they address relevant applied research questions. Additionally, much of his group’s research is cooperative with recreational and commercial fishers.  Buckel serves on the North Carolina finfish advisory and South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s science and statistical committees.

Professional Experience

2012- Professor, Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Center for Marine Sciences and Technology, Morehead City, North Carolina

2006-2012 Associate Professor, Department of Biology, North Carolina State University, Center for Marine Sciences and Technology, Morehead City, North Carolina

2001-2006 Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, North Carolina State University, Center for Marine Sciences and Technology, Morehead City, North Carolina

2000-2001 Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida

1997-1999 Post-Doctoral Research Associate, National Research Council, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory, Highlands, New Jersey
Research Interests

Area(s) of Expertise

Research is concentrated in areas that further our understanding of the population dynamics of fishery resources. Investigations focus on identifying and understanding processes which underlie recruitment variability in marine and estuarine fishes. Specifically, the influence of abiotic factors and biotic interactions on growth and mortality of juvenile fishes has been examined. Additionally, our laboratory conducts applied research that directly addresses assessment and management of local and regional fisheries.

Publications

• Evolution of red snapper ( Lutjanus campechanus ) science and management in the United States Atlantic Ocean , ICES Journal of Marine Science (2026)
• Identifying spawning aggregations and estimating batch fecundity of sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) off North Carolina, USA , Fisheries Research (2026)
• Omnidirectional sonar increases catch efficiency in a pelagic sportfishing tournament , ICES Journal of Marine Science (2026)
• Stakeholder insights corroborate habitat and reef fish abundance on the southeastern US Atlantic continental shelf , Regional Studies in Marine Science (2026)
• Discard mortality rates of Red Snapper after barotrauma and hook trauma: Insights from using acoustic telemetry in the U.S. South Atlantic , North American Journal of Fisheries Management (2025)
• Home ranges of economically important reef fishes at North Carolina artificial reefs , Animal Biotelemetry (2025)
• Recreational angler perceptions of the proper anatomical region to vent barotraumatized reef fish in the U.S. South Atlantic , North American Journal of Fisheries Management (2025)
• Short-term variability but long-term consistency in diets of dolphinfish Coryphaena hippurus in the western North Atlantic , Marine Ecology Progress Series (2025)
• Applying mark-resight, count, and telemetry data to estimate effective sampling area and fish density with stationary underwater cameras , Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (2024)
• Artificial structure selection by economically important reef fishes at North Carolina artificial reefs , Frontiers in Marine Science (2024)