Charles S. Manooch
NOAA Beaufort Lab Oral Histories
Interviews with retired staff of NOAA Beaufort Lab, documenting their academic background, career path, research focus, and reflections on their work in the lab.
National Capital Contracting
Dr. Charles "Chuck" Manooch III was born in Raleigh, NC. In 1962, he joined the U.S. Army and served for several years before enrolling at Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC. In 1966, he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Biology. Chuck's career in marine biology started with a brief stint as a unit biologist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission in central Florida after graduation. Then he pursued further studies at North Carolina State University (NCSU) in Raleigh, working under Dr. William Hassler. Chuck obtained his Master's Degree in 1972, focusing his thesis on the food habits of striped bass in the Roanoke River. Subsequently, he joined NOAA's Beaufort Lab in 1972 to carry out Ph.D. research on the life history of the red porgy, which he completed in 1975. At the Beaufort Lab, Chuck's work revolved around studying the life history of fishes found in the snapper-grouper complex off the southeast U.S. coast. He also took charge of overseeing surveys of recreational deadbeats and charter boats, contributing significantly to marine resource management. Chuck authored several books, including "Spring Comes to the Roanoke" and "Fisherman's Guide to Fishes of the Southeastern U.S." In 2001, Chuck retired from the Beaufort Laboratory. His contributions continue to inspire future generations of marine biologists and conservationists.
The interview delves into Manooch’s academic journey, his early work experiences, and the pivotal moments that led him to join the NOAA Beaufort Lab. He describes his doctoral work on reef fish, specifically his research on the red porgy (Pagrus pagrus), which included correcting a misidentification of the species in existing databases. Manooch also reflects on the significant scientific contributions he made during his time at the lab, including his involvement in a controversial water management issue concerning the Roanoke River, where he played a crucial role in ensuring water flow regimes that benefited striped bass populations. Throughout the interview, Manooch shares anecdotes from his career, highlighting both the scientific challenges and the camaraderie among his colleagues. He also discusses his extensive mentorship of graduate students, his contributions to scientific publications, and his later ventures into writing books about his life and career. The interview concludes with Manooch’s reflections on his legacy, his experiences at the lab, and his passion for both scientific and creative writing.
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