Blackfish: From Reef to Table, by Mark Dixon

Welcome to our 2026 Connecticut River Lecture Series - Biodiversity in the Connecticut River Watershed. RSVP for our second lecture, by Mark Dixon, entitled: Blackfish: From Reef to Table, followed by a Q&A session.
The tautog, or blackfish, is a defining inhabitant of the rocky reefs of Long Island
Sound. Coveted by anglers and scrutinized by scientists, this formidable fish
anchors coastal food webs and signals ecosystem health. This lecture follows the
blackfish’s dramatic life history, from reef stronghold to dinner plate, revealing its
ecological power, cultural legacy, and the fragile balance of the waters it rules
today and beyond.
Mark Dixon is recently retired from the NOAA Fisheries lab in Milford CT. Mark spent
time studying and thinking about tautog during graduate school at the University of
Connecticut before embarking on a career studying shellfish aquaculture in Milford.
Thursday, March 19, 5-6pm
Lyme Art Association
90 Lyme Street
Old Lyme, CT 06371
The lecture is free, but seating is limited. We ask that you respond (acceptances only) by calling our office: (860) 598-4218 or registering online: 
https://ctaudubon.org/events/rtp-estuary-center/ct-river-lecture-series-mark-dixon/

Find out about our other upcoming, fantastic lectures in the 2026 Lecture Series: Biodiversity in the Connecticut River Watershed on our website.

Whether you are a nature enthusiast, educator, or curious community member, this series offers a deeper understanding of the Connecticut River as a dynamic, living system: one that connects us all. 
This program brings together scientists, conservationists, and storytellers to explore the remarkable species shaped by—and shaping—New England’s largest river system.
From the delicate, continent-spanning migration of monarch butterflies to the quiet resurgence of black bears in forested corridors; from tautog navigating rocky coastal habitats to bald eagles reclaiming river skies; and from river outflow to the surprising presence of sharks in connected waters, these experts reveal how land, water, and wildlife are inseparably linked. Together, the lectures illuminate ecological connections, conservation challenges, and hopeful success stories across the watershed.
Together, the lectures illuminate ecological connections, conservation challenges, and hopeful success stories across the watershed. 
The Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center, is located in the Connecticut River Estuary, an area designated as one of the world's "Last Great Places." 
The mission of the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center is the conservation and stewardship of the coal and estuarine environment of southeastern Connecticut, with a particular focus on the Connecticut River Estuary and its watershed. 
Our center is dedicated to the conservation and preservation of the estuary ecosystem and for children, teens and adults, facilitating scientific research and promoting outreach and advocacy to preserve, protect and conserve its beauty for generations. 
We invite you to learn more about us. Stroll around our property. Visit our website at ctaudubon.org/rtpec and explore the many programs and activities we offer. Register for a program.