Old Dominion University News

This is a very flattering article about me, my coauthor, Kent, and our new book.

Yes, those are jars and jars full of fishes behind him. Of all the fishes he studies, Porgies get the most of his attention. I plan to add to his porgy collection when I finally deliver 3 specimens of a mystery porgy I caught off Ocracoke... but I digress...!

Raising Sons and Fishermen

When my boys had both learned the art of walking, I began to teach them the art of fishing. I'd block off a whole afternoon for this activity, as taking a 2- and 4-year old fishing could take from one to seven hours, depending. As boys go, their attention span was like that of a comet: here, then gone. But I was not deterred. I knew this lengthy and messy endeavor was an important use of my time.

Boys are awesome. Mine had no hang-ups about getting dirty or tromping through stickers in persuit of slimy, smelly brim or bass. They loved mechanical things, and sharp things, and dangerous things. They'd rather muck about in the woods than watch TV. Teaching them about being in the wild was a big part of raising them up. My only concern in taking them fishing was keeping them from hooking themselves, eachother, or me... Needless to say, they hooked a lot of trees, limbs, leaves, and logs. But, I told myself, lures are cheap. Emergency rooms are not. Go ahead and lose the lures. And besides, the costs of those lessons were far eclipsed by the lessons learned.

We started out on Hodgeson's pond. The Hodgeson's did not own this tiny pond, but since we tromped through their place to get there, and since Mrs. Hodgeson gave the boys cookies upon return, it was and will forever be 'Hodgeson's Pond.'

The pond is full of hungry brim, bass, and frogs, all of which scattered upon our arrival because the boys were, as boys are, very loud. And they liked to throw stuff in the pond. It was only many years later that they developed the art of stalking. In the early years, it was more of an assault by flying rocks, sticks, stones, and dog toys. (Donated unknowingly by the Hodgeson's dogs.) We'd come armed with worms, of course, but the boys found more pleasure in ambushing frogs and skimmers with branches and clods of mud. They had little patience for watching a bobber.

Years passed and we kept trekking to Hodgeson's Pond, with worms and gear, and food and drinks and Beanie Babies. The boys learned how to bait a hook, cast, watch the bobber, strike, reel, and take a Bluegill off. I taught them the importance of respect. "This lovely fish is here in our hands and it can't breathe. Admire it, kiss it and let it go." And they did.

Later still, I graduated them to the joys of saltwater fishing. This opened a whole new world for them. But, they had the foundation and became able marine fishermen. Yes, I still had to pack the gear, and the bug spray, and the snacks, and the bait. Just like fishing the pond, fishing the marsh creeks and island points was a lot of work for me, but a lot of fun for them.

During our first summer on Bald Head Island, I'd pack all the gear, slather the boys in sunscreen and bug spray, and we'd head out over the dunes. It was a good half-mile walk to the Cape. I'd drag all the gear behind me on boogie boards while the kids romped in the surf. Finally, at the Cape, we'd set up shop. The rods dwarfed them, but these little boys had no fear. I'd rig them up with the warning, "Watch your back-cast!", and away they went. Sharks, Kingfish, stingrays, searobins. They caught it all, and they knew how to handle the catch - mostly! There was an occasional stick or sting, but we all survived and thrived and fished some more.

Since then I've taken them fishing inshore, offshore, Bahamas, Outer Banks, Maine... and our usual local spots like the James and Rappidan Rivers. Yes, they still like to throw rocks. But they also know, really know, how to fish.

Now my boys are grown. My younger son turned 18 today. That's him up top with 'Mr. Fish' in his hands. We still go fishing together, when he is home from school, or when we make our yearly pilgrimage to Ocracoke. And I am proud to say he can now outfish me - when he wants to.

Raising sons is work. Raising them well is a lot of work. But it's work worth doing. Heck, ya might even get a fishing buddy in the bargain.

Shark Tour Boat Burned -- Arson?

Click here for article.
I'm not fully educated on Hawaiian culture, and don't really understand the surfer's and fishermen's objections. If there were no shark-related injuries due to shark tour boats feeding sharks, and if the shark tour boats weren't breaking any laws, then what is the problem? An increase in shark activity may lead to a decrease in fish populations, but not necessarily because fishes are being eaten. Irrespective of the conflict, the tour owners hardly "brought it upon themselves." Fire on a boat is a very serious matter!

At this point in the tug-of war over sharks, I'd have to say that any venture that promotes interest, intrigue, or understanding of sharks is A-OK with me. And feeding sharks will never 'tame' them. When the food runs out, I seriously doubt they will stick around and starve waiting for the next handout.

It seems to me that these folks need to agree to disagree and get on with life.

Dan Barber: How I Fell In Love With A Fish

This is pretty darned insightful. Worth the 20 minutes of your time... If you care to delve deeper, a good read is "Four Fish" by Paul Greenburg.

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Biomes Marine Biology Center

Photo credit: Mark Hall, Biomes

When I was searching, searching, searching for decent photos of the Red goatfish and coming up with nothing, I made a last-ditch request of Mark Hall, the director of Biomes.

I'd stumbled upon Mark's essays in my many internet travels. On one page he'd put up a small thumbnail photo of what looked like a Red goatfish. The photo was too small to definitively ID, so I took the leap, and sent him an email asking if it was a Red goatfish, and would he be willing to share a larger photo?

I'd sent many cold-call emails over the course of researching the illustrations for the book. Many of the folks I'd contacted replied and either helped me enormously, or replied with regret. Very few requests were ignored. I realized that these folks had nothing to gain from helping me, other than the satisfaction of giving and contributing to our book. There were many people who went above and beyond my simple requests. Mark was one such person.

He wrote back that, indeed, the photo was of a Red goatfish. And amazingly, he had others in tanks at his Center. Not only that, he offered to photograph the fish in his tanks and email the photos to me! Jackpot!

I waited with great anticipation. This goatfish is a common nearshore fish, but one that had not been extensively recorded. It had been misidentified in a prominent ID book, which further complicating my efforts. I'd made many requests in search of information, and had always come up empty. Anyway, the photos arrived in my inbox. Some were blurry, others dark, but they were definitely Red goatfish, and I could confidently use them to illustrate this missing link.

So, the goatfish section is complete and comprehensive, thanks to a virtual stranger with similar passions and a willingness to share. Thanks, Mark!

A Tough One

Photo credit: Jorge Silva, Reuters.

As an artist (and now, teacher), I am very sensitive to artistic critique. OK, go back...

When I was in high school, my art teachers broke me down, criticized my work, prodded me to change, change, change. They found little in my style or choice of subject to praise. Ultimately, I gave it up to focus on my second love: Marine Science. It wasn't until years later that I stumbled upon a professor and a program that encouraged BOTH of my talents: art and science. In the end, I was lucky. I've had a wonderful career, and have been able to parlay both passions into a lasting legacy.

Now, as I teach 60 middle school boys the art of Science Illustration, I am very careful to encourage, not criticize. Their egos can be quite fragile... at this jucture, they can feel great about their progress, or just toss in the towel.

So, I was conflicted about this 'work of art.' On one hand, art is subjective -- there is no right or wrong when it comes to art (except in the case of pornography!). On the other hand, I don't feel a natual landscape is enhanced by human art. The landscape, or seascape, is ideal and most beautiful when left untouched. And when they are defaced and defiled, well, they are just that: defaced, defiled. Examples: Mount Rushmore (Yuck!); Red Rocks (Ditto); anything created by Christo (Sorry! I don't believe cloaking landscape in fabric is an improvement in the name of art); anybody's intials carved into a tree.

I understand the need for conservation and preservation of coral reefs. They are very fragile... But to say this work of art was created as an alternative attraction to divert divers away from the reefs? Seems to me like a flimsy excuse for littering the ocean floor to create revenue. This collection of statues is no more compelling to me than a collection of rusty oil drums. It may be art, but in my opinion, it doesn't belong at the bottom of any ocean. The ocean cannot be made more beautiful by human impact. I suppose in this case, my bind to the earth won over my bind to art.

Lionfish on the Table

I doubt that Lionfish will ever be completely eradicated from the western Atlantic Ocean. They are here to stay. But divers and fishermen are becoming increaslingly aware of the threat they pose to local fauna, and have been actively killing them. Lionfish are easy to kill by spear or hook-and-line, and one only needs to be careful to avoid the venomous spines. One fewer Lionfish is one fewer Lionfish!

A few months ago, I became aware that Lionfish meat is good eating, and that some divers had been collecting the fish and selling them to local restaurants. Just like other fishes, Lionfish made the menus when they were available, and only in a few places.

REEF.org has been active in organizing Lionfish 'roundups.' Those folks get it! Today, I found out they have published a new Lionfish cookbook. The book offers 45 recipes and includes background information about this invasive species. It seems like a win-win-win project: reduce Lionfish populations, provide safe and noncontrovercial food, and all proceeds go toward conservation. And, the photos make the fish look awfully yummy!

Gotcha - Florida fisherman convicted of shark fin sales

Gotcha - Florida fisherman convicted of shark fin sales

Fishing Withdrawals? Enlist a Friend!

More Bad Press

Articles like this attempt to spread exaggerated and false information which lead to misconceptions, hysteria, and slaughter of innocent animals. 'Monster?' 'Rampage?' What 'experts'?

However! Based on the comments left, at least some of the readers are not buying the gruesome picture the author is trying to paint.

Egypt killed wrong sharks - NGO

Egypt killed wrong sharks - NGO: "Conservation workers in Eygpt have caught and killed the wrong sharks after attacks on four foreign divers at a Red Sea resort, a marine NGO says."

Hatchery Problems Partially Solved?

Most fish hatcheries are built like spillways. They resemble long, rectangular pools, with water flowing in one end and out the other. The hatcheries I've visited are usually near a water source. Fish of similar sizes swim against the flow. They are all fed pellets, probably made from fish meal. When the fish are of size, they are shipped and released into streams, rivers, oceans.

A hatchery fish is easily distinguished from a native fish. (At least an experienced fisherman can distinguish them.) The fins can be underformed. The colors not as bright. The flesh is not as sweet as wild flesh. And, they are voracious. Even I, a technique-challenged fly fisherman, can catch one. The hatchery fish I've caught seem almost... dumb. They ate even the most poorly presented or built fly.

On a scientific level, this may be an important observation. From what I've read, hatchery fish do indeed 'water down' the native gene pool. Yes, they provide meat and take pressure off of wild lineages in the face of declining, healthy habitat. But problems with farm-raised fish abound: hatchery fishes are more prone to disease and parasites; the water they are raised in is Nitrogen rich, which leads to algal blooms and subsequent loss of Oxygen; the fish-meal pellets they eat may have high concentrations of toxic chemicals; they take from 6 to 3 pounds of pellets to grown one pound of flesh (not exactly good for the baitfish populations!); they are not 'wild' and therefore probably not able to migrate like wild stocks - so if they do reproduce, the subsequent fry may be inferior.

Regardless, hatcheries are here to stay. As the human population grows, so does demand for food. Wild stocks might be wiped out if not supplimented by hatcheries. The challenge is making them more environmentally friendly. On that score, there is some good news.

It was recently discovered that circular tanks yeild healtier, stronger fish that have less impact on wild fish. The tanks use less water and are easier to clean. Many problems still remain, but this is at least a step in the right direction.

SIDEBAR: "Four Fish" by Paul Greenburg explores the deep and very complicated relationships between four major foodfish and humans. I have not finished the book, but have found it to be exceptional thus far.

17-Year Old Godfish Gets New Lease On Life

Seems like a flashy title for a critter so small. But to many people, including myself, fish can take on as much importance as pet dogs, cats, horses, pigs...

Our family kept fishes for well over a dozen years. The tanks were always in a bit of flux as the fishes duked it out - some surviving, most not. Neons, zebras, ghouramis, suckers, killis, you name it. We even had a Largemouth bass, and a slew of Bluegills raised from fry. When the electricity went out, the fear was not a melting icebox, but a cold fish tank! We fussed and loved over the parade of fishes. And, many a tear was shed when a particularly favorite fish passed. We gave them the same honors as our other pets: a ceremony, and a respectful burial. I'm not lying!

I had a Beta (named 'Gamma') that kept me company for three years while I completed my book. By some miracle, he lived just long enough for me to reach my deadline. That fish made me smile, in return I took very good care of him. Go ahead and laugh, that's OK. I'm not alone.

People will go to great lengths to save a furry friend. And some may do the same for pet fishes. Others may not. The stories of "flushed" goldfish abound. This goldfish was lucky. And I'm glad these folks felt this fish was just as worthy of surgery as any other beloved pet. Why not? 17 years is a long time to have a fish!

Why Am I Not Surprised?

I hope the collapse of the tuna stocks does not come to pass. But the signs are not promising. It is a contencious issue. Fishermen need to feed their families. People need to eat. But how far can tunas be pressed?
Greenpeace article
Underwater Times article
The Globe and Mail article

Parrotfish Cocoon Mystery Solved?

Photo Credit: Lexa Grutter
Very interesting. After reading this article one question came to mind... The parrotfishes have found a way to protect themselves during night-time rest. But, they still spend a lot of time at cleaning stations during the day. So, are these fishes MORE prone to attack of Gnathiids than other fishes? And thus have developed, at least during night-time hours, a way to prevent it? Hmmm.

WOW. Fishing off of NYC.

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Good News, and MORE Good News!

Are the days of killing sharks for records, fins, or just plain glory FINALLY beginning to come to an end? Lordy I hope so. Here are three encouraging articles:
HeraldSun
MailOnline
SeaAngler

Little Fish vs. Electric Company

Wow. This little fish was only described 11 years ago. And if this New Zealand dam goes up, it may be gone forever.
Click here for article.

Got Hooked?

OK. Confession.
My son and I once caught a monster bass in a friend's pond. After we were done whooping and hollering, I realized I had no camera, no camera-in-a-phone, no sharpie marker, and no other way to measure the fish. So, I held it up to my leg with the caudal fin at my heel. I took the treble hook from the fish's mouth and made several tick marks on my leg where the jaw reached. This left what looked like a snake bite on my leg. We then let the fish go, fished a while longer, then headed to our friend's house.
Later...
Don: "Did you catch anything?"
Me: "Oh yeah! Huge fish. Look..."
Don looked at my wound and said, "Did it bite you?"

I had the scar for quite some time. Folks who knew me, understood. Folks who didn't probably thought I was nuts.

What does this have to do with this post? Besides measuring that fish, I've used hooks for many other purposes...picking my teeth, removing splinters, killing ticks. But I've never DUG the hook into myself as a Public Service Announcement!
This is a doozy. Hope we never have to do this:

Muck Monster? What the Heck?

It is amazing what some people will believe. Even more startling is that a government agency is willing to spend taxpayer money to feed this fear (Give the people what they want?). And, that a government official is so ignorant as to WARN people to stay away! Oh no!

Holy smokes. This fellow needs to go back to school...

http://www.wpbf.com/r/25316161/detail.html

On the bright side, this idiocy at least gives David Letterman some great material!

Sorry, had to rant...

The Spill - It Ain't gone, yet...

About a month ago, I was at supper out with my husband and some friends. Somewhere along the way, the Spill came up in conversation. Everyone at the table was convinced that the oil was 'gone'.

No no no, I insisted. It doesn't just 'go away.' They all seemed, at least momentarily, shocked. Someone said, "But that's what we read." I replied, "Consider the source. And, consider that nothing just 'goes away', it might change forms, but it doesn't disappear. This spill was massive. Bigger than Valdez. It is an environmental disaster and the long-term affects haven't yet been realized." Again, shock. "I promise you, that oil is still out there poisoning everything from diatoms to marine mammals."

It's amazing how uncomfortable people can be with the uncomfortable truth. So, the subject was quickly changed, and we finished dinner talking about fluff and stuff.

Today, via Facebook, of all things, this article surfaced: http://www.truth-out.org/fishermen-report-louisiana-bays-filled-with-oil64564

Hmmm. Seems the oil is still... there.

Andros

This is a very thorough documentary about Andros Island, it's people, culture, economy, environment and how each is inextricably intertwined. When you have about an hour, please watch. It's worth the time!

Responsible shark fishing

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Watch toward the end. The fisherman just sits, in amazement, not knowing what to do next. THAT is awe.

Save Our Sharks

Save Our Sharks from Save Our Seas Foundation on Vimeo.

WARNING: This video contains graphic and disturbing images of sharks being killed for thier fins.
Confession: I had to hit 'pause' after the first cut into a blue shark. I don't yet have the stomach to witness such wasteful brutality. But by sharing this video here, I hope to help affect change in the ways sharks are viewed - if even in the tiniest way.

Oyster Restoration

Photo credit: Steve Early

Chesapeake Bay is an enormous body of water, with a huge watershed. For generations, it has supported the lives and industries of oystermen and fishermen - both sport and commercial.
The Bay has suffered greatly as a result of decades of pollution and over-harvesting. The oysters formed large reefs that were the foundation of complex ecosystems. The reefs not only filtered pollutants out of the incoming and outgoing water, but they also provided habitat for native plants and animals. The reefs are now largely gone.
However, restoration programs have taken a firm footing, and folks are now acutely aware that restoration of the oysters is key to restoration of the Bay. And, it can recover...
Here are some links to Bay programs, and one where you can 'adopt' a reef!

http://www.oysterrecovery.org/
http://www.cbf.org/oysters
http://hamptonroads.com/2010/10/partnership-focuses-bay-recovery-oyster-revival

http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_oysterrecovery.aspx?menuitem=19702

God Bless John Lennon

John Lennon would have turned seventy years old today, if he had survived. The world was a better place with him in it. Thankfully, he left an everlasting legacy. Imagine.

Sharks versus Everything Else

The numbers don't lie. The chances of being injured by a shark are very low. The chances of being killed by those injuries are also low. The Florida Museum of Natural History keeps track of the numbers of shark-related injuries as compared to other injuries humans suffer. Did you know you have a higher chance of being killed by SAND than a shark?
Check it out: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/attacks/relarisk.htm

Facebook, Fish Geeks, and Funny Videos

Facebook is a funny place. It's a place that isn't even a real place, which makes it, shall I say, a cyber funny place. A cyber funny community place. Whatever it is, it's popular. Very popular.

I was coerced by professional book promoters, authors, and marketing specialists to create a page, and get 'out there.' I was told that if I had wanted to protect my anonymity, I should not have become an author. Time to go global. So, after much reluctance, I signed up and joined the Facebook movement.

I have to say, it's been informative, functional, and down-right fun. I've made quite a few very interesting connections with new 'FB' friends, and old, long-lost real friends. If you are on Facebook, I need not explain.
OK, now back to this post...

I started out, oh, about six months ago with a handful of real friends and family. It was warm, and fuzzy. Then, I started getting 'friend requests.' This scared me, but not for long. These came from other fish geeks. Fishermen, divers, captains, snorkelers, etc. I started reaching out to other fish geeks, and suddenly, I'm now connected to over 800 fishy friends. And, boy do they have a lot to share!

Pictures, videos (see above), albums, stories, quotes, inspiration.... it goes on and on. This is an obsessive bunch (see previous post about Steve Not the Founder of Apple Wozniak). And we really could use a support group...
Epiphany! Facebook is the support group! We 'get' it, and we 'get' eachother. By 'we' I mean fish geeks. So, if you are an obsessive fisherman, you too, will 'get' the above video that someone lovingly made and shared on Facebook. If not, I can't help you!

What a Waste

I hate reading about fish, and especially sharks, that are killed for no purpose. It appears this Great hammerhead shark was caught, kept out of water too long before release, and died as a result. Some fishes are very tollerant of being out of water, and when put back, zip away. Others, are not. Some intollerant fishes that come to mind: trout, bonefish, lizardfish. Some hearty fishes: pigfish, pinfish, greater amberjack, great barracuda. Regardless, there is a lesson here.

>Try to remove the hook while the fish is still in the water.

>If you have to boat or land the fish, get the fish back into the water as quickly as possible.

>If the hook is stubborn, put the fish back in intervals until you can get the hook out.

>Please use circle hooks. I switched to these this past summer and swear by them... they are much harder for the fish to swallow.

>When fighting a fish, only fight it long enough to safely get it boated or landed. Don't tire it out, or stress it out so much that it cannot recover. (We did this once with a Red drum, and I still regret it.)

Thankfully, the scienctists at FGCU will be able to study the shark. But, I summize they'd have preferred this fish had lived.

RUSH!

I could watch this over and over again...

Slam by WorldANGLING fly fishing South Florida for Permit, Bonefish, Tarpon, Snook, and Redfish from WorldANGLING on Vimeo.

Surf Fishing, by Joe Malat

How do I begin? "Well, begin in the beginning, and tell it from your heart," Mom would say...

I've known Joe Malat for - I'm only guessing - going on 15, 20 years. We go waaaayyyy back. Joe was the Exhibits Curator at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, and I was (always have been) a Marine Science Illustrator. When it came time for the state to finally renovate the facility, I landed the job to illustrate all of the graphic panels, including hundreds of IDs. It was a massive task. The blueprints alone weighed ten pounds...

Joe and I worked closely for well over two years on the project, often calling, faxing, mailing (those days were prior to email!) every day. He was detail oriented, exceptionally diplomatic and easy to work with. He is as nice as the day is long. He appreciated my dedication, and in return, I would turn cart-wheels to make him happy. We both wanted the same thing: the best exhibits we were capable of.

When the renovated aquarium opened, he invited me and my family to a personal behind-the-scenes tour. The boys were very young, but they still remember being above the big tank and watching the green sea turtle surface, breathe, dive. In the galleries, the boys ran from tank to tank, while I watched the visitors point to the fishes, then to my paintings, then back to the fishes. I knew I (we) had made an impact. On the way out, I counted the many different license plates in the parking lot.... Folks from dozens of states had come to visit, to learn, to marvel.

Joe and I stayed in touch over the years and I continued to work with him on an as-needed basis. He went on to become the aquarium director - a much deserved assignment. All the while, he honed his surf fishing skills, photographed and wrote about his passion, and ran an Outer Banks surf fishing school.

Last year, he retired, left the aquarium and moved to Florida (JEALOUS!!). Recently, he published his second edition of Surf Fishing. Last week, a signed copy of this book arrived in my mailbox. (It won't be long before a copy of my book arives in HIS mailbox!)

Anyway, for a book of 44 pages, it is chocked full of information about how to successfully catch commonly targeted surf fishes: Where, When, How, Tips, Size. From Florida pompano to Striped bass. Joe also discusses tides, currents, beach formations, gear, rigs, baits... The book is accurate, up to date, compact, and full of personal insights.

If you like to surf fish, buy this book. Joe knows his stuff.
So there!

(The below link is to his older book. The above is to his latest version. Happy reading!)

Snook Hunt

I dare you not to flinch!

Snook Hunt from Diego Lopez on Vimeo.

Offshore for marlin - 9/11/2010

A friend of ours called on Monday. He asked us if we would like to go offshore for marlin. The boat belongs to a friend of his, and they have been fishing buddies for a long time. Come on down! Stay at the house. Let's go catch some fish.

It was a plus that we are able bodies. See, marlin fishing is a complicated sport which can require more than a few knowing fishermen to pull it off. There are outriggers, teasers, floating and sinking baits. It can be a very chaotic procedure. The sea can be very rough and not every one is cut out for a full day of getting slammed around. Those who do not know how to properly fish, lose a lot of fish. And given the expense of offshore fishing, losing fish is not a welcome option.

Anyway, we jumped on the opportunity. Put the dogs up at a kennel, packed up, and drove down to spend a day far off over the Atlantic shelf.

On Saturday morning, we were up at 4am, at the dock at 5am, and motoring out to Oregon Inlet at about 5:20am. We were running behind another charter, navigating the myriad of markers and bouys by spotlight. The tide was falling, and the swell was up. The combination makes for waves upon waves. It was, well, rocky. When we passed under Bonner Bridge, things got a wee bit tense. There were sand bars and other boats to complicate matters. Some powered through the waves, some tentatively hung back. But, once outside, it was all out to get to where the fish were. Open up the throttle and go.

On the bridge, the radio crackled with the voices of captains exchanging information. Banter back and forth. We were headed North. The sun started to rise behind low clouds on the eastern horizon. The sky turned purple, then blue. The stars faded away. Seawater washed over the bow and sprayed the bridge. Pitch, roll, slam...We hung on and swapped jokes, stories.

At about 8:45 am, the radio exchanges quieted. Then, someone, on some other boat, from somewhere else, began to sing the Star Spangled Banner. The ocean heaved. The sun cast rays between the distant clouds. We all fell silent, and then, we all sang that lovely song together...

When I try to explain to people who don't fish that there is so much more to fishing than just fishing, those are the diamond-like moments I am talking about.

Birthright - One man's struggle to transcend

BIRTHRIGHT from Sean Mullens on Vimeo.

Can I walk, paint, fish, kayak? Yes. How many people can't? Too many.
Perspective...

Manta Feeding Frenzy

Below is a link to a beautiful collection of photos and video that was lovingly taken and narrated by Thomas P. Peschak. They also appear in the July issue of National Geographic. Clearly, Thomas is passionate and very talented.

Feeding Frenzy-Manta Rays of the Maldives from Save Our Seas Foundation on Vimeo.

Nitro boat vs whiney girlfriend

Self-explanatory....

Fishing with Norman

I don't know if I can paint a picture in your mind as vividly as it appears in my mind. But, here goes...

Each summer we trek it down to Ocracoken (yeah!), and we go fishing with Norman. Usually twice. He and I also find other fishy things to do: seining, swapping stories, insights, experiences.. Last summer he dropped by the house to school me on cast-netting. It's fish fish fish and more fish. The boys like fishing with Norman because he never treated them like kids. He treated them like people. He answered all of their questions (ad nauseum!), until they had no more questions to ask. He had infinite patience with them. He never grumbled. He never belittled. If they'd miss a fish, lose a rig, he may rib a little, but he'd teach some more, and set up again. No biggie. Fishing with Norman is joyous. We find awe in the biggest barracuda, and awe the smallest juvie pigfish.

Anyway, Norman is great. He's lived on Ocracoke some 30-odd years. His hands are big and gnarled and brown. His neck is deeply lined and his t-shirts tout no big-name logos. He's happy, opinionated, and hardworking. Norman grew up on the Chesapeake Bay, and will tell you without hesitation, "I had the BEST childhood EVER!" He fished and hunted and ran around wild. His mother just let him loose. He decided, well, if he had to work, why not make his work his play? Gotta work anyway, right? So he became a professional charterman. Inshore, offshore, wreck, reef, inlet, day, night.

When we arrive, and I call him up, the conversation will go something like:
"Norman! We're here."
"Welcome! Welcome!"
"How's the fishing been?"
"We l l l l l, a bit slow. Catching some Spanish, some drum. Some... What kind of fishing do you want to do?"
"A little bit of everything."
(Chuckle) "A little bit of everything. OK. A little bit of everything. Can you be more... specific?"
"You know. Same deal. Variety."
"Variety."
(Norman repeats. But I talk to myself, so, we're even.)
"Variety. OK. Well, you want to go offshore or stay in?"
"I don't care. Just want to catch fish."
"Catch fish. OK. Well, what time do you want to meet at the dock?"
"Not too early."
"Not too early!"
"Hey! I'm on vacation! And I got these kids you know."
"Yes, I know. I know. How about 7:30?"
"Sounds great. 7:30."
Tides matter, but not as much as having a good time. At least when I'm the charter...

So, the boys and I arrive at the dock at 7:30, and Norman greets me with a big big bear hug. The kind you get from your brother or sister or father after a years passing. The kind of hug that's real - not some fake tap-tap ya-ya thing. After the hellos and handshakes and my-you've-growns, he goes back to rearranging gear, and checking gear, and packing ice...and the boys go about trying to catch every manner of critter under the dock and we don't leave until 8. But when we leave it is SO happy! It's like the lights turn on and we jump right back into the conversation we left twelve months ago:

"So, you said you were having problems finding photos of some goby?"
"Yeah. But, check it out: this scientist from VIMS came through and I was able to illustrate the male."
"Ah. The male...."

And so it goes through catching bait in Teach's Hole and until we are well offshore. Bantering back and forth back and forth up above while the boys bob down on deck. Rocking and rolling our way out to the reef or wreck. Past the place where Pamlico Sound mixes with Atlantic Ocean. To the place where the water turns deep deep blue and the flyingfish zip across the surface.

This summer, we had a particularly hysterical exchange. I'll set it up for you:

We're on the reef and we're catching lots of Seabass. I've cut one finger on a gill, and another on a spine. It's "swelly" in Norman's words (read: rough and windy). My son is sea-whoosy, his friend is toughing it out, and Norman's stepson is silently fishing fishing and breaking them off. Then, his stepson catches a nice sized Atlantic Sharpnose shark. Norman grabs it around the head, takes the hook out. I snap lots of pictures. The shark is bleeding.

So, Norman, still holding the shark turns to me and says, "Did you have spaghetti for breakfast this morning?"
I pause, drink in the scene, smile wide and say, "Uh, yeah!"
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
"Yeah. Spaghetti."
"Spaghetti."
(Pause) "What did you put on it?"
(Pause) "Butter."
"Butter!?"
"Butter."
(Norman is laughing, bending over. Bleeding shark still in hand.)
"Butter! What else?"
"Do you really want to know?"
"Yeah!"
(Pause) "Ketchup."
Norman loses it. He starts howling. Still holding the shark. I'm pinching my fingers to stop the bleeding. The blood is sticky. I run my hand under the pump water and laugh...
"Heinz Ketchup!"
"Ketchup?? Ketchup!! HAAAAA!! Ketchup!"
We are both hysterical now. The boat is heaving. The boys are staring down into the water at loose lines. My fingers and the shark are bleeding. And Norman and I have just gone back to a conversation from... one year ago? 'What does Val have for breakfast?' Norman tosses the shark back in the water.

We can't stop laughing. Is it because it's so ludiacrous, so disjunct? Fish. Blood. Spaghetti. Ketchup? Or because it is somehow, for fishermen, for us, so... normal?

Later, on the way back in (the wind has built and it's more swelly), we get on butterflies:
"Butterflies make no sense."
"I know. They defy physics. They are not supposed to fly."
"No! Not supposed to fly."
"Crazy."
"Crazy."
I can't imagine going to Ocracoke and NOT fishing with Norman. Fishing with Norman is much more than just fishing.

Snakeheads... Here to Stay?

Photo credit: AP
Some of you may be aware that the Snakehead, Channa argus, made headlines back in 2002 when they were discovered to have taken up residence in a pond in Crofton, MD. It was another old story: folks with captive Snakeheads let them go in the wild... This was a frightening specter (see Lionfish), and local and federal agencies moved to erradicate the animal.

But, the efforts were not swift enough. These fish are ravenous, rapid-growing, and apparently able to move across land to new territories. From the original pond, (or from other unknown, additional locations), it didn't take long for the Snakeheads to invade streams. From there they found their way into the Potomoc River. Bad news indeed. The Potomoc River empties into the Chesapeake Bay - an enormous body of water with a huge watershed. Oh, did I mention that Snakeheads breed?

It was initially believed that they would be confined to the Virginia side of the Potomoc, and that salinity and current would act as barriers to keep them there. Again, the experts were wrong. They've now been found on the Maryland side of the Potomoc. The salinity in the Bay fluctuates with the amount of rainfall in its watershed. More rainfall in the watershed means lower salinities in the major tributaries. This in turn means that the Snakehead may just jump from one river mouth to another, hop-scotching its way into other Chesapeake tributaries.

Well, if the Lionfish is the Starling of our reefs, it would appear that the Snakehead is the Starling of the Bay.
(Sidebar: this fish was not on the original list of species I was to illustrate for Fishes of Chesapeake Bay. But Jack Musick of VIMS , one of the authors on the project, has added it. So, I've illustrated it, and it will be 'in the book'. That's not a good thing...)

Expedition Great White

I love it when fishermen and scientists come together for a united cause!

Ocracoke - Installment No. 1

Ocracoke... ahhh...! In a round-about way, and with many detours and forks in the road, we discovered Ocracoke. That was eleven years ago. We have been trekking it down there ever since for two weeks of beach, water, fish, ahhh...! To this day, I still find no reason to alter our family tradition. It's got everything we love in an island destination, and none of the stuff we are trying to escape. No golf courses, no big hotels, no malls, no waterslide or putt-putt parks, movie theaters, Harris Teeters, rush hour... heck, there isn't even a stoplight on the island! If you like to fish, read, ride your bike, do a little (and I mean little!) shopping, fish, surf, boogie board, four-wheel on the beach, fish, grill out, and generally kick back -- Ocracoke should be on your list of desinations.

Ocracoke has a history dating back to the 1700's. And it is where Edward Teach (Blackbeard) met his demise. It has a rich history of fishing and trade. Accessable only by ferry, the island constitutes about 16 miles of National Seashore...sand, dunes, maritime forest, birds, fish. To the NE is Hatteras Island, to the SW, Portsmouth Island. "Dr. Beach" dubbed Ocracoke the number one beach on this 2007 list (much to the chagrin of some locals, who didn't really want anymore traffic!) There is no development on the ocean side - no 'McMansions'! The town is small, salty, and centers around Silver Lake. Many folks leave their cars at the house, and prefer to bike or walk. The speed limit is 20 mph... There is public camping on the island, foot bridges to the beach, and 4X4 accesses.

Did I mention the fishing is awesome? The fishing is awesome. The island is close to the Gulf Stream, and abutts an enormous estuarine system along Pamlico Sound. When you are on Ocracoke, you are litterally surrounded by water. Besides Ocracoke and Hatteras Inlets, there are many channels, holes, shoals and flats to fish. Offshore there are Wahoo, Dolphinfish, tunas, mackerels, grouper, barracuda, Spadefish... Inshore there are Redfish, Bluefish, Weakfish, flounders... Off the beach folks catch kingfish, pompano, drum... the list goes on and on. I'll save my seining stories for later.

Bottom line: we arrive delighted, and return with deep tans and wonderful memories. Go there!

Open Season on Florida Lionfish

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Why does government take so long to respond to crises? The Lionfish, Pterosis volitans, is believed to have been introduced between eighteen and ten years ago, possibly off of North Carolina or Florida, either by accident or by release. Regardless of how they arrived in non-native waters, the species has since taken a firm hold with a range that extends to the Bahamas and Caribbean. They've been documented from as far north as New York, and east to Bermuda. According to MSNBC, Florida officials are concerned about the "sudden appearance" of these fishes. Sudden? Check out this map of the documented sighting in the Keys alone. So, they are enlisting the help of lobster divers to help eradicate the fishes from the area in a two-day spree. Two days? From what I know, it will take a full-out war to reverse its spread. However, each dead female Lionfish prevents up to possible 15,000 eggs from dispersal. So, go for it Florida divers!

This Just In!
Who knew Lionfish make good fare?

Amazing Lionfish Hunter How to Eat - Watch more amazing videos here

Shark Week Redux

I never much partook of Shark Week. The sensationalism, the hype, the misinformation, and the spread of fear turned me off. I'd watch long enough to become disgusted by the scary music, the bloody shark carcasses, the 'shark attack' stories. But, I may take a look this coming week only because Oceana has partnered with the Discovery Channel to promote education and conservation of these maligned animals. It's about time. Shark Week has done little else, in my opinion, than perpetuate the 'Jaws' mentality. With a viewing audience in the millions, Shark Week can either do a great deal or harm, or a great deal of good. The times they are a changin'!

Redux Update:
Well, I think I was duped. Sunday's show was mostly informational and based on valid research. But, Monday and Tuesday were more of the same: blood, gore, creepy music, retelling the past, sensationalism. Don't get me wrong...I wouldn't wish a shark bite on anyone. But, let's not forget, sharks do not prey on humans. Most cases are due to mistaken identity. And, who in their right mind attracts sharks to their feet and is surprised one takes a bite? Last year there were, 61 confirmed cases of sharks biting humans. And, last year, there were approximately 100,000,000 sharks killed by humans. Ugh. Two more nights of viewing. I'm not holding my breath.

Saving the most vulnerable: Sea turtles

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I know this is slightly 'off topic', but then again, not really. The Sea turtles are a part of the web of life in the oceans, and connected to our beloved fishes. It is reassuring to know that these little ones have a chance.

Sustainable Seafood Supper

When my husband and I go out for supper, invariably we wrestle over what he should order. The conversation goes something like this:
AM: "What are you going to have?"
VK: "The salad."
AM: "What should I have?"
VK: "The steak. Medium."
AM: "What about the shrimp?"
VK: "If the waiter knows where it's from and what happens to the bycatch."
AM: "How about the salmon?"
VK: "Is it farmed or wild? Depends on where it came from."
AM: "Snapper?"
VK: "What kind?"
AM: "I don't want the scallops.
Tuna?"
VK: "Don't go there."
AM: "Ha Ha! Swordfish?"
VK: "Where did you see THAT?"
AM: "What should I have?"
VK: "Is there Bluefish on the menu?"
AM: "No, and anyway, I don't want Bluefish."
VK: "Trout?"
AM: "No. What should I have?"
VK: "Steak."
(Ten minutes later...)
Waiter: "Are you ready to order?"
AM: "My wife will have the salad, and I'll have the steak. Medium."

(This said, if we catch it, you can bet we eat it!)

Shark Slaughter - WARNING!

Warning, this is possibly the most disgusting thing I've seen since the BP catastrophe. Be forewarned, it is graphic. That said, I applaud Alex Hoffard for exposing this to the world.

Andy Casagrande 'Sings' to a Great White

Photo credit: unknown
My jury was out on this one... The message is slightly mixed, but after checking out Andy's website, it appears he means very well indeed. And, these animals need every voice available to sing for them... See above.

Wicked Cool Video

I don't know about you, but the Frogfish lure just melts me. How can this be? God? Evolution? Both? Certainly, the Frogfish cares not. He just knows it works.

Colours Of Ambon from Alex.Be. on Vimeo.

The President of Fish Geek Nation?

Photo credit: Steve (not the co-founder of Apple) Wozniak

If there were a named collective of fish-obsessed folks, Steve would easily be elected president. He is one of many men I've met who match my fishy drive and ambition. But, Steve takes it to a whole new level. I set out to illustrate all the fishes from Maine to Texas, he set out to catch 1000 fishes. And, he will...it's only a matter of months, or weeks. If there's a ditch with fish in it, I don't doubt Steve will pull over, whip out the rod with a no. 22 hook and add to his growing life list.

Along the way, he's traveled the world, identified and cataloged each fish while tapping into a host of ichthyologists. He's kept a (ahem!) lively journal, and photographic library. All while avoiding a pink-slip from his day job. It's not your run-of-the-mill fishing adventure. Even ESPN has bitten onto this story. Beyond ESPN, this feat may wind up in in Ripley's Believe It Or Not. I am not kidding.

As an aside, I hope to twist his arm into writing a book about his exploits. He writes from the heart with big injections of humor and color, but without an ounce of glorification. Having a bad day? Read one of his posts at 1000fish's.

Crimes Against Marine Life

Although I live only two hours from D.C., and could easily trek up to see this exhibit, I'll have to pass. I have not yet become anesthetized to the sight of finned sharks. I doubt I ever will. And, the laws in place are largely uninforced, which only compounds my emotion. But, for those with the stomach... go visit the National Museum of Crimes and Punishment. Then, don't tell me what you saw.

Deep Sea

I was poking my way around the web pages of a new Deep sea exhibit at London's Natural History Museum. Although visiting the exhibit is not possible, there are some very educational videos and articles to watch and read. The message is clear: there is still so much to discover, and so much to learn about this environment.

When I began my career, one of my first clients was Monterey Bay Aquarium. We had a fabulous relationship, and I created a multitude of interesting illustrations for them over the years. One of the most intriguing, and challenging projects was illustrating deep sea fishes that had been recorded and captured by MBARI in the trenches off of Monterey. The fishes had fallen apart on their ascent to the surface. In the jars supplied to me, they appeared battered and dismembered. My job was to piece them back together. I loved this kind of work.

Recently, R.O.V.s played a role in my latest project. Without the help of two scientists conducting deep water research over the Flower Garden and Stetson Banks, I would not have been able to illustrate several fishes for our new book!

Deep sea animals are fascinating. Imagine the pressure, the cold, the darkness. And yet, they find eachother to spawn or breed, they locate food, and manage to eke out a living in one of earth's more barren environments. I've often wondered, if it's dark, why are so many of them brightly colored?

Perhaps the answer lies somewhere in my library...