By: Dana Sackett, PhD Aquatic environments are frequently the eventual, albeit-it often unintentional, receptacle for pollutants released by human activities. While the adage ‘it always rolls downhill’ is meant to be facetious, in practice, wastewater effluent discharge, stormwater run-off, and agricultural runoff (including pesticides) do wash downstream into our aquatic ecosystems. Aquatic organisms are also…
Conserving one of the world’s most threatened migratory fish
Saving Sandfish: Unless bold conservation action is taken now, scientists studying Sandfish are worried the fish will go extinct in less than 10 years.
Back to school for academics in fisheries
Today is the first day of school at universities across the country, and even though some people have successfully adjusted their lives to the rules of our new world, more adjustments seem like a guarantee, which can be a significant source of stress. The point of this article is not to exacerbate anyone’s anxiety but…
Relaxing with the Fishes: Benefits of Home and Public Aquaria
With all of the chaos in our current world, sometimes it is nice to just stop and watch the fishes…
O-fish-al Art Recap
The #SundayFishSketch is a hashtag that encourages like-minded individuals to incorporate art and fish into their weekly lives. Not only is it a great community to join for beginning sketchers, but it also acts as reminder to even the most seasoned of artists to continue practicing their craft. Many of the #SundayFishSketch themes are fun…
How conserving biodiversity may help prevent the next pandemic
By: Dana Sackett, PhD Given the unprecedented times we are in and that most with an interest in fish biology also have an interest in ecology and nature, I decided to take some liberties in this week’s The Fisheries Blog article. So please bear with me while I diverge from our typical fisheries-centered topics and…
A Beginner’s Guide to Blue Lining
Here’s a riddle: What has rivers without water? Forests without trees? Roads without cars? All maps are treasure maps when you’re in pursuit of wild and native sportfish. Many anglers take great satisfaction in leafing through a gazetteer, and tracing their finger over the “blue lines” (rivers and streams) until they reach an access point,…
World Record Paddlefish: Conspiracies, Genetics, and Advances in Snagging Technology
Guest Author: Jason Schooley, Senior Fisheries Biologist, Oklahoma Dept. of Wildlife Conservation The largest American Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) reported in the scientific literature is attributed to R. D. Vanderbeck, who took the fish by spear in Lake Okoboji, Iowa, in February 1916 (Nichols 1916). The fish’s length of 7’ 1” and girth of 45.5” were…
Repeat spawner series: Fun Fish Festivals
Though celebrations and typical summer activities, such as outdoor festivals, may look different this year, we hope you enjoy this “repeat spawner” post – a virtual visit to some fun fish festivals…
A Glimpse at the Faces Behind Scientific Illustrations
The fields of art and the sciences are intimately combined. The detailed illustrations by artists and scientists, that back up years worth of scientific research describing new species, anatomy and behavior, complex processes, and new technologies, make a huge impact on the transfer of knowledge and understanding of these systems to interested parties. As an…
Summer Craft Idea: Looky Buckets!
cover photo by Isaac Szabo
Machine learning for fishes
Developments in technology have been a game changer for wildlife and fisheries research, conservation, and management. Specifically, advances in the utility and accessibility of unmanned aerial systems (drones) have made great strides in data collection.
Inland fisheries are a key ingredient to reaching Sustainable Development Goals
Though they are not explicitly mentioned, inland fisheries make substantial contributions towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly No Poverty (SDG 1), Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12) and Life on Land (SDG 15).
O-fish-al Art Recap: High Art Edition
A long time ago, in the far off land of social media, the Getty Museum issued a challenge to the countless isolated people of the world. Their summons was simple, “re-create your favorite art using objects and people lying around your home.” This activity was inspired by the instagram account ‘Between Art and Quarantine’ (@tussenkunstenquarantaine)…
Sick fish: social distancing may help them too
By: Dana Sackett, PhD Here at The Fisheries Blog our current situation begs the questions: can fish be infected with viruses too? The answer is a resounding yes. But before we get into the details, let’s first describe what a virus is and how it is different from other pathogens (things that cause disease), such…
