Teen angler hooked on Back Bay school of fish

VIRGINIA BEACH

The big carp twisted its goldfish-colored body and easily freed itself from Mary Chang's tiny hands.

"You've really got to grip it," instructed Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries biologist Chad Boyce.

Chang, who will be a junior at Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School, is learning more about fishing than how to bait a hook.

Chang is spending the summer as a Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program scholarship winner. She is one of only 32 high school students from across the country participating in the eight-week summer mentoring program.

The 16-year-old earned a $3,000 college scholarship for being chosen.

"I really love fishing," Chang said. "I wish I would have known about this program last summer, because it's a good way to get people more interested in fish biology."

Chang said she plans to study marine biology at either the University of Virginia or at UNC Wilmington.

She has spent much of her time on Back Bay helping Boyce with his studies of submerged aquatic vegetation and with fish identification and population.

"I've learned so much about SAVs already," Chang said about water grasses. "And we've done quite a bit of sampling using the shocking. I'm learning a lot, and this is a great way to spend the summer."

She uses her interest in fisheries issues as a member of the school's National Ocean Sciences Bowl team.

"It's one of those buzzer-question competitions," said Chang, who also competes with her school's cross country and crew team. "I think we came in ninth out of 25 teams at this year's nationals in D.C."

With a tighter grip on the carp, Chang gave the fish the once over and tossed it back in the water, where it quickly swam out of site.

"This is a really good program, and I'm learning a lot," she said. "I'm really sure now that this is what I want to do with myself."

Lee Tolliver, (757) 222-5844, lee.tolliver@pilotonline.com