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 the Page
This 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.
National Oceanic
Atmospheric Administration (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.
National Wetlands
Research Center (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.
Cooperative
Institute for Climate and Ocean Research (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.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Services (USFW)
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.
U.S. Department
of the Interior (USDOI)
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.
North
Pacific Fisheries Management Council(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.
Auke
Bay Laboratories (ABL)
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.
United States Geological
Survey (USGS)
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.
(DEFRA)
Department of Environment Food and 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.
(FRS) 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.
(EA)
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."
(NAFC) 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.
Fisheries and
Oceans Canada (FOC)
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.
(Newfoundland
and Labrador)Fisheries and Aquaculture (FA)
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.
(Manitoba
Fisheries) Water Stewardship Fisheries Branch
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.
(British
Columbia) Fisheries and Aquaculture
http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/fisheries/index.htm (British Columbia) 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.
(Nova Scotia)
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) Environment and Natural Resources
“Resources for investigating up-to-date fishing and hunting information,
biodiversity, wildlife, publications, legislation, and protected areas of
Northwest Territories”.
