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The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is a paid summer internship and mentoring program for high schools students, which is sponsored by the American Fisheries Society (AFS).

The program was created by the American Fisheries Society in 2001 in honor of the late Dr. Robert F. Hutton. Students are accepted into the program through a competitive review and selection process.

Accepted students known as “Hutton Scholars,” are matched and mentored by a fisheries professional to enjoy a hands-on fisheries science experience in a marine and/or freshwater setting. 

Mission: To Increase diversity within the Fisheries Profession

Vision: To stimulate interest in careers in Fisheries science and management among groups underrepresented in the fisheries professions, including minorities & women.

The majority of these students were mentored in the Continental United States; however, recent classes have included students in Canada, and Mexico.

Over the past 20 years (2001-2020), the Hutton Program has received 2,955 Total Applications, offered internships to 717 Hutton Scholars with the help of over 800 Mentors in more than 150 host and financially sponsoring institutions. Of those 717 high school students, 57% have been from minority backgrounds and 59% have been women.

The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program conducted an alumni survey in 2011 to analyze is internships had any affect on Hutton alumni paths after the program. The survey results are as follows:

  • 12% are working in Fisheries
  • 64% are in Fisheries, Biology or Environmental science professions/field of study
  • 11% are in unrelated field of study
  • 8% are in fields of other sciences
  • 5% are in fields of non-sciences

During the summer of 2020, another survey was conducted on Hutton Program alumni from 2011-2019. Alumni was asked if the Hutton Program had an influence on their college choice, current major of study or career path. Of the almost 250 alumni over the past 10 years, 72% attribute the Hutton Program to increasing or solidifying their interest in fisheries, aquatic or environmental science. 

For more information about statistics on demographic break down of our Hutton Scholars and where students have participated in internships over the past 20 years, download 2001-2020 Hutton Program Data. 

Below is a map showing the past 20 years of internships provided by AFS:

Figure 1: This map shows the density of Hutton Program internships from 2001-2020. Please note that Puerto Rico and Mexico placements are not listed on this map.

The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program continues its mission every summer by engaging, inspiring and enriching next generation fisheries professionals. If you are interested in applying to the program as a student or mentor, best ways to reach high school students in your local area or would like to support the Hutton Program please contact the Education Programs Coordinator at [email protected]