Research & Consulting

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Principals of Pelagic Research Group LLC, and our sister company TissueGrab Biopsy Systems LLC (see "Biopsy Device" page), have over 50 years experience in marine biology on a diverse array of commercially and ecologically important  pelagic species. PRG's mission is to optimise "Best Practices" in management decisions and research with specific regard to promoting post-release survival outcomes. TG is involved with the innovation and development of biological sampling devices for wildlife research.  Our experience is steeped in various research projects which spans multiple countries, public and private sectors, and a varied clientele.  Direct expertise in business development, patent development, research, data analysis, meta-analysis, and writing with the ability to incorporate, interpret, and disseminate complex information in a variety of venues. Can work in a team environment or independently. 

• Musyl MK, Gilman E (2019) Meta-analysis of post-release fishing mortality in pelagic sharks & istiophorid billfishes. Fish and Fisheries.    https://doi.org/10.1111/faf.12358
• Mourato BL, Carvalho F, Bigelow K, Musyl M, Nunes D, Martins RS, Hazin H, Hazin F (under review) Modelling Pelagic longline Shoaling Using Surface Current Velocity and Gear Deployment Strategy in the Equatorial Atlantic Ocean. PlosOne
• Musyl MK, Gilman E (2018) Post-release mortality of blue shark and silky shark released from a tropical commercial longline fishery. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries 28: 567–586. 
• Gilman E, Chaloupka M, Musyl M (2018) Effects of pelagic longline hook size on species- and size-selectivity and survival  Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries 28: 417-433. 
• Musyl MK, Moyes, CD, Brill RW, Mourato, BL, West, A, McNaughton, LM, Chiang, WC, Sun, CL (2015) Post-release mortality in istiophorid billfish. Canadian Journal Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 72:538-556.
• Chiang, W-C, Musyl, MK et al. (2014) Seasonal movements and diving behavior of black marlin (Istiompax indica) in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. Fisheries Research DOI: 10.1016/j.fishres.2014.10.023
• Belkin IM, Hunt, GL Jr., Hazen EL, Zamon, JE, Schick R, Prieto R, Brodziak J, Hare J, Teo SLH, Thorne L, Bailey H, Itoh S, Munk P, Musyl MK, Willis J, Zhang W (2014) Fronts, fish, and predators. Deep Sea Research II 107:1-2.
• Barceló C, Domingo A, Miller P, Ortega L, Giffoni B, Sales G, McNaughton L, Marcovaldi M, Heppell SS, Swimmer Y (2013) High-use areas, seasonal movements and dive patterns of juvenile loggerhead sea turtles in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean MEPS 479:235-250.
• Mourato BL, Carvalho F, Musyl M, Amorim A, Pacheco, Hazin F (2013) Migration and habitat preference of sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) along the southeast coast of Brazil  Neotropical Ichthyology DOI:10.1590/1982-0224-20130102 
• Chiang W-C, Kawabe R, Musyl MK, Sun CL, Hung H-M, Lin H-C, Watanabe S, Furukawa S, Chen W-Y, Chen Y-K, and Liu D-C (2013) Diel oscillations in sailfish vertical movement behavior in the East China Sea. Journal of Marine Science and Technology 21:267-273. 
• Swimmer Y, Empey Campora C, McNaughton L, Musyl M, Parga M (2013) Post-release mortality of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) caught in pelagic longline fisheries based on satellite data and veterinary diagnostics. Aquatic Conservation DOI: 10.1002/aqc.2396 
• Mourato BL, Hazin F, Bigelow K, Musyl M, Carvalho F, Hazin H (2013) Spatio-temporal trends of sailfish catch rates in relation to spawning season and environmental factors in the equatorial and southwestern Atlantic Ocean.   Fisheries Oceanography DOI: 10.1111/fog.12040 
• Musyl MK, Domeier M, Nasby-Lucas N, Brill RW, McNaughton LM, Swimmer JY, Lutcavage M, Wilson SG, Galuardi B, and Liddle JB (2011) Performance of pop-up satellite archival tags.  Marine Ecology Progress Series 433:1-28 (Editor’s choice for ‘Feature Article’)
• Musyl MK, Brill RW, Curran DS, McNaughton LM, Kikkawa B, Fragoso N, Moyes CD (2011) Post-release survival, vertical movements and thermal niche partitioning in five species pelagic sharks released from longline fishing gear in the central Pacific Ocean. Fishery Bulletin 109:341-368.
• Hoolihan JP, Luo J, Abascal FJ, Campana SE, De Metrio G, Dewar H, Domeier ML, Howey LA, Lutcavage ME, Musyl MK, Neilson JD, Orbesen ES, Prince ED, Rooker JR (2011) Evaluating irregular post-release behaviour of large pelagic fishes deployed with pop-up satellite archival tags. ICES Journal of Marine Science 68:880–889. 
• Dewar H, Prince E, Musyl MK, Brill RW, Sepulveda C, Luo J, Foley D, Orbesen ES, Domeier ML, Nasby-Lucas N, Snodgrass D, Laurs RM, Block BA, McNaughton LM (2011) Movements and behaviors of swordfish in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans examined using pop-up satellite archival tags. Fisheries Oceanography 20:219–241.
• Chiang W-C, Musyl MK, Fu S-C, Huang T-L, Sun C-L, Chen W-Y, Liu D-C, Su W-C, Yeh S-Z (2011) Electronic tagging studies of sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) in eastern Taiwan to examine movement patterns, habitat preferences and fisheries interaction. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 397:129–135.
• Humphries NE, Dyer JRM, Queiroz N, Pade NG, Musyl MK, Schaefer K, Brunnschweiler JM, Doyle TK, Houghton JDR, Hays GC, Jones CS, Noble LR, Wearmouth VJ, Southall EJ, Sims DW (2010) Environmental context explains Lévy and Brownian movement patterns of marine predators. Nature 465:1066-1069.