College of Idaho Research Team Launches International Study of Roosterfish in Baja, Mexico

After more than two years of planning, The College of Idaho’s Dr. Chris Walser, professor of biology, recently traveled to Baja, Mexico, to launch an international research project studying the movement patterns of roosterfish, one of the Gulf of California’s most iconic game fish.

Joining Walser on the expedition were College of Idaho alumnus Dr. Camrin Braun (’11), an environmental studies graduate and assistant scientist with the Marine Predators Group at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; recent graduate Emma Redman (’26), who earned degrees in biology and political economy; current biomedical sciences student Jack Dennis (’27); and Mexican collaborator Dr. Sofia Ortega Garcia of the Fisheries Department at CICIMAR-IPN in La Paz, Mexico.

Although roosterfish are highly valued by recreational anglers throughout the Gulf of California, surprisingly little is known about their biology and behavior. The research team hopes to change that by collecting new data on the species’ movement patterns and habitat preferences.

During the expedition, the team successfully tagged four roosterfish using pop-up satellite archival tags. Over the next year, the tags will record information about each fish’s vertical and horizontal movements, as well as the water temperatures and depths they experience. If all goes according to plan, the tags will detach after one year, float to the ocean’s surface, and transmit the collected data via satellite for download and analysis.

“The data gathered through this project will provide valuable insight into the ecology of roosterfish and help answer fundamental questions about a species that remains relatively understudied,” Walser said.

The project also highlights the College’s commitment to collaborative, hands-on research experiences that connect current students with alumni and leading scientists in the field. Braun, once a student in Walser’s classroom, now leads research on marine predators at one of the world’s premier oceanographic institutions, demonstrating the lasting impact of faculty mentorship and undergraduate research.

The international collaboration was made possible through support from the M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust and includes partners from both the United States and Mexico.

By bringing together faculty, alumni, students, and international collaborators, the project reflects The College of Idaho’s dedication to advancing scientific discovery while providing transformative research opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom.