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Lynn Stokes, Statistics, helping the U.S. Department of Commerce count red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico

Dallas Innovates

Originally Posted: December 29, 2017

SMU STATISTICIAN AIDS IN RED FISH ABUNDANCE STUDY

An SMU statistician is part of a research team assembled by the U.S. Department of Commerce to conduct an independent abundance assessment of red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico, a vital member of the gulf’s fisheries.

Lynne Stokes

Lynne Stokes is taking part of the expert team of government and university scientists who will determine how abundant the fish is in the gulf.

“Red snapper have great economic value to all the gulf states,” Stokes said. “Maintaining the health of the species is vitally important, so it’s necessary to ensure species are fished at the right level.”

Stokes is an expert in surveys, polls, and sampling, and SMU said her role is to help design ways to sample the vastness of the gulf efficiently so that good abundance estimates are made.

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