Many of us that work in fisheries science—and in other sciences—participate in a professional society. These are groups that aren’t based with your employer, but rather are comprised of individuals across a number of jobs and sectors. Professional scientific societies provide excellent means for networking, sharing science, and many other benefits. Common examples of professional…
Nemo isn’t the only transgender fish in the sea
By Lindsay Glass Campbell, Guest Blogger Out to burst the bubble of Disney enthusiasts everywhere comes the revelation that Flounder of the Little Mermaid might have been an XX-male fish. It’s not just Nemo who is deceiving you! Then again, the fish named Flounder in the cartoon has no real resemblance to an actual flounder…
Who needs a backbone when you have toxins: our top 5 most venomous ocean invertebrates
Illustrations by the very talented Hannah Dean. Written by Dana Sackett. Inspired by your comments on our previous article, the most poisonous and venomous fish, we decided to highlight those other sea creatures that, despite not having a backbone, also pack a powerful toxic punch. 1. First on the list are the box jellyfish or…
What can guppies teach us about fisheries management?
We can’t manipulate entire stocks of Bluefin Tuna in massive experiments. But we can use guppies to get the same answer. But first, a quiz: How does overfishing affect fish populations? Obviously, more commercial catch reduces the total biomass and number of individuals in a stock—that’s a given. But commercial over-harvest has another, more subtle…
Bigfoot teaches statistics
I completely changed how I teach fisheries and wildlife sciences, and I used Bigfoot to do it. I realized we don’t have to choose between teaching analytical skills or scientific literacy. After all, science is based on the process of inquiry. As researchers, we acknowledge this fact everyday: we have to, we live it. Isn’t…
Biologists cut the faces off of fish to save streams (VIDEO)
By Patrick Cooney, Certified Fisheries Professional Scientists at hatcheries are cutting the faces off of fish as part of a program to improve the health of rivers, but why? Read on, and you will realize that this rather barbaric act makes scientific sense. Video by Patrick Cooney What do gardens and rivers have in common?…
Why is genetic diversity important?
Genetic diversity and the portfolio effect can help buffer species against global change. The greater the genetic diversity, the greater the opportunity for resiliency to future climate change. When it comes to fish conservation in an era of global change, genetic diversity is like a diversified financial portfolio. If you bet everything on one strain, you could end up with…
Dam Removals
Recently we’ve heard a lot of trumped up talk about building walls. While we don’t get political here at The Fisheries Blog, we wanted to take this opportunity to highlight the trend of taking down walls, also known as dam removal. Dams are built for a lot of good reasons. Larger ones produce hydropower, and…
How to land a technician job in fisheries and wildlife
Spring: a wonderful time of year when a young biologist’s thoughts turn to field work and all the great experiences that come with it. But to earn paid access to all those rivers and mountains, you have to go through the time-honored process of dusting off your résumé, writing cover letters and personal statements, and…
Zebrafish help show how ‘BPA-free’ is misleading
By: Dana Sackett Zebrafish are small freshwater fish that originated in rivers from India. These fish share important biological properties with all vertebrates that make them useful in understanding how contaminants may impact other vertebrates in the environment, including ourselves. Logistically they are also useful because they are easy to maintain in aquariums, and they…
Three a-LURE-ing aquatic adaptations!
Hey anglers, what’s your favorite fishing lure? Does it mimic a minnow? How about a crayfish or salamander? As sport fishing has become more popular, fishing lures have evolved to appear more and more realistic. But they still can’t match the natural lures produced my millions of years of evolution. This week, we’ve teamed up…
How did Justice Scalia lose his argument that fish are “tangible objects”?
The Question: Are fish “tangible objects”? To you, the answer to the above question may seem simple. However, as you are about to find out, the answer to this question was an incredibly complicated issue for a Florida fisherman and the nine Supreme Court Justices. More than 10 miles off the West Coast of Florida, on…
My Fishy Valentine
From the free love fest of Nassau Groupers to the one, true love of the Four-eyed Butterflyfish, this Valentine’s Day, The Fisheries Blog take a look at the different forms of fish love ♥ ♥ ♥
Solution for Rare Alligator Snapping Turtles Found?
Guest Author: Craig Springer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service The alligator snapping turtle is part of Southeastern USA natural heritage. They grow big. They are impressive to look at, and aren’t as common as they once were. As crickets sing sunshine to sleep, it’s a wake-up call for alligator snapping turtles. They make a living by…
Hostage Fish: The Bundys weren’t the first to invade Malheur National Wildlife Refuge (Op-Ed)
The following is an Op-Ed by a fisheries scientist who resides in Burns, Oregon (and recently married a cattle rancher). This article is the author’s own opinion and is not affiliated with an official position of the Burns Paiute Tribe, the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, nor the members of The Fisheries Blog. The author has…
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