By: Dana Sackett The title of this post may produce images of holding up a fish like an umbrella to block the sun but the real meaning comes from natural compounds created by fish that can block harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Recent findings have suggested that it may be possible to reproduce these natural benefits for humans….
Slate editor puts us in the likes with NPR and the Guardian!
A huge “Thank You!” to Slate editors and writers last week for considering The Fisheries Blog in the likes with NPR and the Guardian!!!
Invasive species recipes
by Brandon Peoples Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to global biodiversity. Eradication of most invasive fishes is rarely feasible. However, reducing the biomass of invasive species to keep them from getting a leg-up (so to speak) can be a lucrative alternative. Establishing commercial and recreational fisheries for invasive fishes can be a…
Did animators know that two of three “Finding Nemo” sharks cannibalized their own siblings?
By Patrick Cooney, Certified Fisheries Scientist Finding Nemo is riddled with biological inaccuracies, including one that we previously explained: Nemo’s dad, Marlin, should have become a female (Marlene?) who mates with her own son, Nemo. Despite the animators missing an opportunity for an incredible biological plot twist, perhaps they were biologically accurate when making sharks Bruce, Chum, and Anchor feel…
Giving back: a fisheries biologist’s mission
by Aaron Cushing, guest blogger Fisheries biologists love fish. It’s that simple. We all work long days in the summer sun to improve fisheries resources in lakes and streams across the world. In freshwater, we electrofish after dark to sample as many fish as possible to get the best data, often going to bed when…
Ten things more likely than a shark attack
While shark phobias are widespread, actual shark attacks are very rare.
NOAA Stock Status Update: Good News
Last week NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) reported its annual Status of Stocks, a document that provides an update on the overfished and overfishing status of many US fish population. (See a summary here.) Overfishing is defined as the catch rate being too high to sustain a population of fish, while overfished refers…
Is seaweed stank preventing coral reefs from recovering?
By: Dana Sackett Chemical cues are ubiquitously used by animals and plants in every environment; often with the intended purpose to attract a nearby friend or repel an unwanted enemy. A recent article by Dixson and others examined these chemical cues from corals and seaweeds, enemies that fight for habitat in our shallow ocean environments. …
ResearchGate: a love/hate relationship
by Brandon Peoples As someone who writes a science blog, I’m a de facto supporter of using social media to promote scientific research. Most folks know about Facebook and Twitter, and many scientists use LinkedIn to connect with one another. But a growing number of us use another social media platform—ResearchGate—that fills a unique niche in…
Fish Take Underwater Elevator Before Surgery (videos)
By Patrick Cooney During the cold winter this year at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Illinois, one of Shedd’s researchers was heading to the warm waters of the Bahamas to better understand the movement patterns of Nassau Grouper. Dr. Kristine Stump joined Shedd Aquarium about a year ago as a Postdoctoral Research Associate, and has a history of leading…
The Prolific Life of Barton Evermann
Anyone who’s studied fisheries science will have seen the name “Barton Evermann.” He was a full-fledged member of the gilded age of American ichthyology and created a greater good working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s ancestral U.S. Fish Commission. Barton Evermann was born in Iowa in 1853, and came of age on an…
My Goodness…there are dead fish parts in every pint of Guinness? (Seriously!)
By Patrick Cooney Are you planning to enjoy a delicious Guinness or Harp beer this St. Patrick’s Day? Then be prepared to swallow bits of dead fish (seriously!). I am currently sitting in Chicago as the river is dyed green for what I once believed was my rightful Birthday…St. Patrick’s Day. Just as I was once…
IUU fishing: Should we consider Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing together?
IUU fishing is shorthand for illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. Does it necessarily make sense to lump all three types of fishing together?
Aging Sea Monsters
By Steve Midway Many of you may remember back in October 2013 a giant oarfish was spotted just off of a beach on Catalina Island, California. Despite being one of the largest fish in the sea, giant oarfish remain one of the most elusive. And so when one finds its way to shore, it’s not…
Explosive questions
By: Dana Sackett Successful marine protected areas (MPAs) have helped to improve many fisheries. What, may you ask, helps those successful MPAs be successful? Well, there are a number of things that need to be considered to effectively pick a site and implement an MPA. Some of these include fish biology, politics, societal needs, and…
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