David Henry Cushing FRS[1][2] (1920-2008) was an English born fisheries biologist, who is credited with the development the match/mismatch hypothesis as an explanation for reduced fish stocks as associated with climatic variability.
[5] After receiving his PhD, Cushing worked primarily for government organisations that oversaw the fisheries in Great Britain.
At CEFAS, he held the positions of scientific officer, deputy director, and as the head of fish population dynamics.
[5] Acoustics were greatly improved upon during World War II so as to be used as a tool to detect unfriendly vessels and underwater hazards.
Through experimental procedures, using materials such as meat-filled condoms and air-filled balloons, Cushing determined that greater than 50% of the acoustic return was from the swimbladder of the fish.
Cushing and colleagues also determined that it was possible to resolve, on the species level, the identity of a mass of fish through precise acoustic signals.
In a "match" situation, the fish larvae are able to feed on large quantities of plankton, thus increasing their potential for successful recruitment.