Audy Peoples

Audy received a bachelor’s in Marine Environmental Science from Elizabeth City State University in 2014. While there he conducted research at NOAA’s Northeast Center on the feeding ecology of the gray seal through the Woods Hole Partnership Education Program. In 2016 Audy received his Master’s in Marine Estuarine Environmental Science from University of Maryland Eastern Shore through NOAA’s Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center graduate program. His thesis was titled, “Stranding Demographics Inorganic Contaminants and Cytotoxicity of Bottlenose Dolphins in Maryland.” During his research, he worked closely with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Response Program. 

Audy went on to work for the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, Fisheries Management Branch, as a Protected Species Observer. Here he worked onboard commercial fishing vessels, recreational fishing vessels and alternative platform vessels throughout the estuarine waters of North Carolina. From there, Audy transitioned to the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management, as an Environmental Specialist. Here he conducted wetland delineations and issued environmental/marine construction permits. 

At the NEFSC, Audy will be focused on the early life history of longfin squid, developing a dataset of paralarval abundance and using these data to evaluate squid life history, stock structure and to characterize changes in spawning distribution.

Audy would like to contribute further to the field of ecology and continue his professional advancement. He believes that his field experience, motivation, and skills will be a great asset to the field of ecology, natural resource management and conservation. He always finds a way to embrace challenges and strives for ways to go above and beyond the established goals. Audy also enjoys reading, rides the unicycle and loves watching/talking about sports.