Paul Percy Viosca Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 24, 1892 New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Died | August 27, 1961 |
| Alma mater | Tulane University |
| Known for | Aquaculture |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Biologist and conservationist |
| Institutions | Tulane University Southern Biological Supply Company |
Percy Viosca Jr. was a freshwater and marine biologist who specialized in the fauna of Louisiana and in the aquaculture of sportfish.[1] He identified four species of native Louisiana iris and experimented extensively with iris breeding, much like his contemporary Caroline Dormon. He was awarded bachelor's and master's degrees in science at Tulane University, where he was also appointed lecturer.
His early career included many scientific publications with taxonomic contributions and life histories of the animals he studied. Later, his interests shifted to methods of increasing the productivity of freshwater aquaculture. His reports on this subject often take examples from his work as a fisheries consultant and the biological supply company he operated.
While working for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in the field of herpetology, he documented the coastal Louisiana landscape. His work also included mosquito control, riparian and marshland studies, flood control, taxonomic work with native Louisiana irises, newts, and snakes, culture of crawfish and environmental impact of oil refinery practices.[2] Throughout his life, Viosca was concerned with the conservation of wild places in his state. Many of his later publications dwelt on this subject.