Scientists need to work closely with resource management agencies to assess impacts
May 24, 2021
Andy Danylchuk releasing his catch. Credit: Andrew Burr
AMHERST, Mass. – New developments in recreational fishing technology from the use of aerial drones and social media scouting reports to advances in hook design are creating challenges for fisheries management and effective policy making, according to a new study co-authored by University of Massachusetts Amherst researcher Andy Danylchuk.
With the opening of the spring fishing season, millions of recreational fishing aficionados across North America are dusting off their tackleboxes, fitting together their rods, and heading to the bait and tackle shop to purchase the latest in fish-catching gear. But what impact does all that new technology have on the fish themselves?
Credit: Andrew Burr
AMHERST, Mass. - New developments in recreational fishing technology from the use of aerial drones and social media scouting reports to advances in hook design are creating challenges for fisheries management and effective policy making, according to a new study co-authored by University of Massachusetts Amherst researcher Andy Danylchuk.
With the opening of the spring fishing season, millions of recreational fishing aficionados across North America are dusting off their tackleboxes, fitting together their rods, and heading to the bait and tackle shop to purchase the latest in fish-catching gear. But what impact does all that new technology have on the fish themselves?
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IMAGE: Locations of the Bahamas and Miami study areas in relation to the paths of Hurricane Matthew (a, path of eye as dot-dash line) and Hurricane Irma (a, path of eye. view more
Credit: Figure from Gutowsky et al. (2021
Tiger shark: Neil Hammerschlag Ph.D., University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science
MIAMI A new study led by scientists at the University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science tracked large sharks in Miami and The Bahamas to understand how these migratory animals respond to major storms, like hurricanes.
The researchers analyzed acoustic tag data from tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier), bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas), nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum), and great hammerheads (Sphyrna mokarran) before, during, and after Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Irma in 2017. They found that they behaved differently by species and location.
Dr. Steven Cooke
It’s a deeply alarming statistic: In the last 40 years, our planet has experienced an 83% decline in freshwater aquatic life. Scientists are sounding the alarm, and saying it’s urgent to act now, before we pass the point of no return. One of those scientists is Dr. Steven Cooke (above), who teaches fish ecology and conservation at Carleton University, and runs the Cooke Lab. Cooke is one of a handful of international representatives selected to develop a freshwater action plan, designed to reverse the worldwide decline in freshwater biodiversity. In this episode of Blue Fish Radio, producer/host Lawrence Gunther talks to Cooke about the six-step program being proposed to ensure the planet’s freshwater biodiversity and, hopefully, reverse this 40-year decline.
Posted: Apr 23, 2021 4:00 AM ET | Last Updated: April 23
Carleton University biology professor Steven Cooke shows off a big catch during a fishing trip to Florida.(Supplied by Steven Cooke)
Technology might be trumping old-school fishing tackle, but an Ottawa biology professor is calling for limits on the increasingly fancy lures and high-tech gear.
Some sport fishermen with deep pockets are using drones to drop baited lines, electric lures that flash lights or emit scent, and fish finders so advanced that they create 3D images of the prey, turning angling into a kind of video game.
That might be making fishing fun for some, but it s far less sporting for the fish, according to Steven Cooke, who s calling for the technology to be reeled in.