Fishing Research Resources
Scientific Research & Fishing Applications
The potential for hooking into fish is virtually unlimited
when you know where to fish specific holds
of water, how to fish the water, when
the best time to hit it is, and what fishing
techniques to employ. Here are three subjects that are constantly overlooked
but produce impressive amounts of fish.
Flooded water can produce fish when you know what drives
them to specific locations of rivers, lakes, estuaries, coves, and inlets.
For each developed hold of blown-out water are specific techniques that
will get hookups. Researching elements of meteorology, geology, oceanography,
hydrology, physiology, and angling techniques consistently produces.
Fishing at night can produce if you know the true physiology
of fish and how they can “see” and “smell” in
the dead of dark. Specifically designed angling techniques can be applied
day or night when applying recon trips; these four basic elements will
garner strikes from fish that have been heavily pressured.
Sciences of rods and physical makeup of fish go hand-in-hand.
Even the most nimble rod can take unbelievable beatings “when
it’s used properly”. Combined, it’s possible to land
monster size fish with impressively small line and hooks, which are
elements of fishing presentations that trophy fish eagerly bite.
To find out how to out-fish the next one-hundred anglers it takes
a little research to appreciate what makes each fishing technique work.
While there are many details to figure with each field of science, all
of them are accessible. Each subject matter is not always easy to wade
through, but in the end is worth the effort becoming second nature over
a relatively short period of time.
An example of Angling and Science Together
Circles on the face of the fish to the left are
centered over some pores called “Facial Pores of the Lateral
System”. The dots on the fish to the right represent those areas
on the face and the flank area called the “Lateral Line”.
Together these animations indicate portions of the body where most
fishes are incredibly sensitive to subsonic sounds beneath the surface
of water. Sound waves created by activity are received by these pores
where they’re transmitted to the brain and interpreted as either
predator or prey causing the fish to respond in an appropriate fashion
of fight (Prey) or flight (Predator). Facial Pores and Lateral lines
are so sensitive that they can interpret a void of waves caused by
that of a boat anchored off and floating in one spot. Since this would
not be interpreted as a threat fish will interpret the void as a good
place to hide.
This kind of information is invaluable to anglers who want to become
better at their craft. In the lore of fishing it has often been said
that before pulling the hook out of the water it’s best to make
a figure eight where often times fish will bolt out from beneath boats
to bite hooks. How fish hear and what they interpret in their aquatic
environment plays a pivotal role in how often anglers get hookups
or go home skunked.
This tidbit of information is but a single facet of science and angling
that come together making an informed fisherman a formidable force
on the water. Taking away the stress of worrying about biting fish
and competing fishermen leaves anglers to focus on catch-and-release
tactics ensuring an ecological perspective that promotes the proliferation
of many species of fish.
Did you know that being a better angler is something that most fisheries
want? It’s true. Fishermen are a boon resource when it comes
to gathering data for each species of fish. Those who know how to
motivate striking fish are highly sought after by fisheries management
worldwide. This form of data gathering is a prime example of recreational
fishing as an ecological resource which can be accessed anywhere good
anglers are found.
About these Research Resources
This Research Resource page is for those who desire
to research fields of interests associated with ecology, economy of
resources, natural resources, scientific studies, habitat, geography,
species physiology and distribution.
All of these sites listed here are highly respected institutions that
offer the most accurate information available in their fields.
Brief excerpts, from each site, has been posted here so that visitors
can have a better perspective of what they’re looking for "before
committing" to visit these monitored, and secure, websites.
U.S. Resources
NOAA
NOAA Research, conducted primarily through the NOAA Office of
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, drives the NOAA environmental
products and services that protect life and property and promote
sustainable economic growth. Research, conducted by in-house
laboratories and by extramural programs, focuses on enhancing
the understanding of environmental phenomena such as tornadoes,
hurricanes, climate variability, solar flares, changes in the
ozone, El Niño/La Niña events, fisheries productivity,
ocean currents, deep sea thermal vents and coastal ecosystem
health. NOAA research also develops innovative technologies
and observing systems. All divisions of NOAA conduct research
in their respective disciplines.
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NWRC
The National Wetlands Research Center had its beginnings in
the National Coastal Ecosystems Team, founded in 1975 as part
of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS's) Office of
Biological Services. The Team was originally headquartered at
Stennis, Mississippi (near Bay St. Louis), on the National Aeronautic
and Space Administration's rocket-testing site. The mission
of the Team was to bridge the gap between researchers and decision
makers by gathering, synthesizing, and disseminating information,
mostly by using geographic information systems and producing
reports such as Coastal Characterizations, Community and Estuarine
Profiles, and Species Profiles.
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CICOR)
CICOR is a NOAA Cooperative Institute sponsored by NOAA’s
Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) at WHOI. CICOR
provides a framework at WHOI for facilitating and coordinating
NOAA-funded research, for building ties between WHOI investigators
and colleagues at NOAA laboratories, and for developing cooperative
NOAA-funded research at academic institutions. The NOAA-funded
research done through CICOR consists of individual research projects
funded by NOAA in response to proposals submitted by individual
investigators to Announcements of Opportunity.
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U.S.
Fish and Wildlife
Although a relative newcomer to the Department of the Interior,
the Fish and Wildlife Service's programs are among the oldest
in the world dedicated to the conservation of natural resources.
The Service traces its origins to the U.S. Commission on Fish
and Fisheries in the Department of Commerce and the Division of
Economic Ornithology and Mammalogy in the Department of Agriculture.
Both programs were created to help stem the dramatic decline of
the nation's fish and wildlife resources during the last quarter
of the 19th century. The agency's history has closely mirrored
the American public's growing concern with conservation and environmental
issues for over 125 years.
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U.S.
Department of the Interior
The Interior Department plays a vital role in ocean, coastal,
and Great Lakes conservation. The National Park Service, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, and Minerals Management Service, together
manage more than 35,000 miles of coastline, 169 island and coastal
refuges, 3.6 million acres of coral reef ecosystems, 34 million
acres in 74 coastal parks, and 1.8 billion underwater acres of
outer continental shelf lands. BLM cooperatively manages the California
Coastal National Monument, running along the entire 840 mile California
coast. Moreover, through the U.S. Geological Survey, DOI conducts
extensive scientific research on oceans and coastal mapping.
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NPFMC
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) is one of
eight regional councils established by the Magnuson Fishery Conservation
and Management Act in 1976 (which has been renamed the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act) to oversee management
of the nation's fisheries. With jurisdiction over the 900,000
square mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off Alaska, the Council
has primary responsibility for groundfish management in the Gulf
of Alaska (GOA) and Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI), including
cod, pollock, flatfish, mackerel, sablefish, and rockfish species
harvested mainly by trawlers, hook and line longliners and pot
fishermen.
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Auke
Bay Laboratories
The Alaska Fisheries Science Center's Auke Bay Laboratories (ABL)
conducts scientific research on fish stocks, fish habitats, and
the chemistry of marine environments. Information from this research
is widely used by commercial interests such as fishing industries,
and governmental agencies involved in managing natural resources.
The current ABL headquarters (pictured to the right) includes
laboratories, offices, and dive and docking facilities, and is
located at Auke Bay, north of Juneau, Alaska.
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United
States Geological Survey
The USGS serves the United States by providing
reliable scientific information to describe and understand the
Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters;
manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and
enhance and protect our quality of life.
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U.K. Resources
Environment
Food/Rural Affairs
The UK has an important sea fish industry with one of the largest
fishing fleets and fish processing industries in Europe. Freshwater
fisheries is also a major leisure industry in our rural areas.
In the UK Defra is the lead department for fisheries and so our
Directorate has a major role in EU and international negotiations,
as well as in managing and implementing fisheries policy.
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Fisheries
Research Services
is an agency of the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs
Department (SEERAD). FRS became a government agency in April 1997,
incorporating the Marine Laboratory in Aberdeen, the Freshwater
Laboratory in Pitlochry and outstations throughout Scotland. It
employs over 300 staff. FRS is headed by a Chief Executive and
Director who is responsible to Scottish Ministers.
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Environment
Agency
We are the leading public body for protecting and improving the
environment in England and Wales. It's our job to make sure that
air, land and water are looked after by everyone in today's society,
so that tomorrow's generations inherit a cleaner, healthier world."
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North
Atlantic Fisheries College
The NAFC Marine Centre carries out a wide range of activities
related to the fisheries and maritime industries, including training
and education, research and development, environmental and quality
monitoring, and advice and management.
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Canada Resources
Fisheries
and Oceans Canada
Fisheries and Oceans Canada is the lead federal government department
responsible for developing and implementing policies and programs
in support of Canada's economic, ecological and scientific interests
in oceans and inland waters. This mandate includes responsibility
for the conservation and sustainable use of Canada's fisheries
resources while continuing to provide safe, effective and environmentally
sound marine services that are responsive to the needs of Canadians
in a global economy.
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(B.C.)
Fisheries and Aquaculture
Commercial harvesting activities in British Columbia, whether
they be the commercial harvest of wild species, or the raising
of aquatic species on farms, are a vital element of the economy
of the province. Aquaculture is a significant contributor to
the provincial economy, and most aquaculture jobs are located
in coastal communities. With its climate, good water quality
and sheltered bays, British Columbia's coastline is well suited
for both finfish and shellfish aquaculture. In 2004, the farmgate
value of the salmon, shellfish and trout sectors combined was
$228.1 million. Farmed salmon is B.C.'s largest agricultural
export product.
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(NL)Fisheries
and Aquaculture
Here you will find online answers to all sorts of questions
regarding the fishery and aquaculture in Newfoundland &
Labrador. The fishery remains a dynamic industry in our province
and has seen annual production values in recent years of over
$1 billion. We are also home to a growing aquaculture industry
filled with exciting economic opportunities.
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(MB)
Water Stewardship Fisheries Branch
Fish & Habitat: Manitoba Fisheries mandate is to ensure
sustainable use of the fisheries resource. Management programs
are developed to provide the greatest benefits to Manitobans,
by maintaining or enhancing fish populations and habitat, monitoring
harvest and habitat alterations, and allocating resources for
the best return.
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(N.S.)
Fisheries and Aquaculture
To foster prosperous and sustainable fisheries, aquaculture and
food industries through the delivery of quality public services
for the betterment of coastal communities and of all Nova Scotians. |
Northwest
Territories Wildlife (NWTW)
“Resources for investigating up-to-date fishing and hunting
information, biodiversity, wildlife, publications, legislation,
and protected areas of Northwest Territories”. |
© Timothy Kusherets, 2004/10
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