Spearfish #20

Spearfish

Issue 20

The Billfish Foundation’s Conservation Program For Kids Who Care About Our Oceans

CITI ZEN SCIENCE

by Stacy Bishop

Did you know you could play an important part in science without actually being a scientist? You can do this by participating in citizen science. By playing a part in a research project such as identifying species or going on a nature walk, you are playing an active part in citizen science.

There are lots of people that annually contribute to ongoing research projects such as the Great Backyard Bird Count where participants count birds for as little as fifteen minutes and submit their results online or CosmoQuest where you can map other worlds and discover craters that no one else has

Mary Ingram

documented yet. These are examples of projects that scientists are not able to complete in a timely fashion because of the huge amounts of data these projects require. They are simply not able to review all of it without the help of volunteers like you.

Since 1990, The Billfish Foundation (TBF) values and relies on the power of citizen science. Anglers, captains and mates who participate in the Tag and Release program, help TBF collect important data that helps with the conservation of billfish. They get to do something they love, fishing, while also

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Chris Sheeder

Chris Sheeder

preserving the future of the sport. The data they collect, such as length, weight, location, date of the catch, and species, provides TBF with important information. The Billfish Foundation collects this data to learn more about billfish growth rate, migration patterns and their numbers. When tagged billfish are recaptured, released, and reported to TBF, this aids scientists in determining patterns in the species. This helps the conservation of billfish because it allows TBF to

show everyone their importance not only to the ecosystem but also to the local community.

When participating in citizen science, volunteers often get to go outdoors and experience science and nature hands-on. You don’t always have to have a lab or book to learn, sometimes you just need to go out and observe what is going on around you. You may not be an expert on the project you choose, but you may develop an interest that you otherwise would have overlooked. Who knows? Maybe you will become one of the scientists leading a citizen science project one day! Check out the local parks and streams in your area. Do they need to be cleaned up? If so, organize a clean up day.

So get out there, find something that interests you and be a Citizen Scientist!

Copyright 2014 • The Billfish Foundation • Editor: Peter Chaibongsai • Associate Editor: Beth Black • Graphic Designer: Jackie Marsolais Sister Publications: Billfish and Sailfish magazines • Published by The Billfish Foundation • For subscription information contact: Education@billfish.org

classroom conservation:

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We thank Mrs. Wilson and her class for their great work on creating reefs, discussing their importance and sending the pictures of them to TBF. Have you or your class done anything for ocean conservation?

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The Billfish Foundation (TBF) loves to spotlight students who create projects from something they read in our youth magazines. We enjoy seeing all the pictures, poems, essays and artwork you submit but this year we were pleasantly surprised to receive a series of photos of an entire class from James S. Hunt Elementary in Coral Springs, Florida. After reading our article on Coral Reefs, in issue #17, Mrs. Wilson had her class create a number of different “artificial reefs” and discussed their importance to the marine ecosystem.

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Submit your artwork or writings to education@billfish.org and you could see yourself spotlighted in an upcoming issue!

4 | The Bill

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Photos courtesy of Debra Wilson

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PM

MORE WAYS TO SEE YOUR ART PUBLISHED! The Billfish Foundation is sponsoring NAUI World Wide’s 2014 International poster contest. This year’s theme is “Save Billfish!”

They want everyone to learn more about billfish and create a poster from what they learn. So draw your favorite billfish and express how concerned you are to save them! For complete details on the contest and registration form, please go to www.naui.org/internationalpostercontest.aspx.

TBF will be posting the winners in our magazine!

Entries can be sent until December 31, 2014

Photo courtesy of Capt. Chris Sheeder

Watch TBF’s new short movie, Get Hooked!

Experience why recreational fishing is loved by so many and why it isn’t always the fish that draws them to the sport.

Vimeo.com/76057218

Go to www.billfish.org to watch all of our videos! Be sure to check out our first movie, Moneyfi$h, as well and learn how sportfishing contributes to conservation!

The Billfish Foundation 4 | Spearfish - The Billfish Foundation

@TagBillfish

#TagBillfish

I didn’t come here to eat, I came here to fish!

Cameron Johnson Cameron’s love for fishing was evident early on. He may have been slightly influenced by his father, Anthony Johnson, who took him bluefin tuna fishing off of Cape Cod when he was still in diapers. One day, while on an overnight camping trip with a group of kids, Cameron, who was 5 at the time, left the group and came back with a trophy catch and a story of a lifetime. He approached a stranger, even though his parents had always told him not to, and told the man he was jigging the rod incorrectly. Cameron then asked to borrow the pole, made a cast, gave it a few jigs (properly, of course) and caught himself a nice bass. The man that he borrowed the pole from was in disbelief. He said that he had fished there for years and never caught more than some sunfish and crappies. When his parents arrived the next morning, one of the mothers at the party told them that when she asked Cameron what he wanted for lunch, he replied “I didn’t come here to eat, I came here to fish!”

At the age of 7, while in Hawaii, Cameron went on to catch his first blue marlin of 175 lbs (and his father instilled the tradition by throwing him in the water) and a shortbill spearfish.

Cameron also caught a 28 lb. dolphin in the Keys, on standup gear aboard his father’s boat, In the Hook.

At the age of 9, Cameron was able to experience the trip of a lifetime by going to Tropic Star Lodge. While at the lodge, Cameron caught 3 blue marlin, in the 450 lb. range, a bunch of sailfish and a 50 lb. dolphin, all on standup gear. Cameron considers his most prized catch a 198 lb. yellowfin tuna that he caught in Hawaii, in August of 2013, after a 45 minute battle in the chair that pushed his endurance to the limits.

Cameron is a strong supporter of billfish conservation and is a member of The Billfish Foundation.

He is always promoting catch and release tactics and constantly urges everyone on the boat to release the billfish unharmed and revived so that they can swim for another day, reproduce and grow larger for the next angler to catch and release.

Always with a smile on his face, Cameron is known to beg his dad to continue fishing on the docks or shore line after fishing on the boat for 12+ hours, rather than grab dinner. As he says, I didn’t come here to eat…I came here to fish.

Photos courtesy

of Anthony John

son

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Frozen Ocean Can the ocean freeze?

Do pictures of the North Pole come to mind? Think about your experience this past winter. Overall, depending on where you might live, it was an incredibly cold and nasty winter. So, of course the ocean can freeze with temperatures often dipping well below freezing, you would think. Now, we have all seen pictures of ice caps with polar bears and seals floating on them. That is the frozen ocean, is it not? Temperatures often drop low enough in winter months to freeze lakes and rivers in the United States. Is there something different about the water in these rivers and lakes that make them freeze and the water in the ocean not?

We all know that regular old tap water freezes at 32° Fahrenheit. Does ocean water freeze at the same temperature? Take a look at this experiment and make the determination for yourself.

Problem: Why doesn’t the ocean freeze?

Materials: 8 cups water • 2 tablespoons salt • 2 large plastic bowls Freezer • Spoon • Dry-erase marker

Procedure:

Label the bowls “Bowl 1” and “Bowl 2.”

Measure out 4 cups of water. • Pour the water into Bowl 1.

Pour 4 more cups of water into Bowl 2.

Add 2 tablespoons of salt to Bowl 2 a little at the time, stirring until the salt is completely dissolved.

Leave both bowls in the freezer overnight. • Check to see if both bowls are frozen.

Record your results.

Results:

The water in Bowl 1 should have frozen.

Bowl 2’s water should still be liquid. Why? The water in Bowl 2 approximates the same concentration of salt found in the ocean’s water.

Salt is the key to understanding our experiment’s results!

Here’s why: The more salt in the water, the lower the temperature has to be for the water to freeze. In fact, seawater freezes at a temperature of 28.4° Fahrenheit. The ice that is frozen actually contains minimal amounts of salt since only the water will freeze. Ahah! So that explains why water in the lakes and rivers seem to freeze more rapidly, since they are mostly considered freshwater. Those floating ice caps that you often think of are actually pieces that have broken off of a larger ice cap that is covering the land.

Think: Why do they salt the roads and bridges when ice or snow is a threat?

So why isn’t more of the ocean frozen? Since the average temperature of all ocean water is about 38.3° Fahrenheit, which is well above its freezing point of 28.4° Fahrenheit.

6 | Spearfish - The Billfish Foundation

TBF Tracking Maps

!

!

Tagging billfish helps scientists and organizations like The Billfish Foundation learn more about these fish; where they travel to, where they go, when they are found in certain areas and how big they can get! Really cool stuff!

Fishing out of Guadeloupe, French West Indies, the boatWha’appen tagged and released this blue marlin back in early May of 2013. It was caught by Eric Marest who released the fish after a 40 minute fight and estimated by Capt. Philippe Rumeau to weigh around 220 lbs. After 321 days at large the same blue was recaptured around a fish aggregation device (FAD) off of St. Lucia approximately 200 miles from where it was first tagged. Thanks to everyone involved in reporting this recapture!

Here is an amazing swordfish recapture for a fish that was tagged in south Florida. This sword was tagged a few days before Christmas in 2011 by Matt Bierley and Capt. Mark Pagano.

When Capt. Pagano and Matt caught this pup on buoy gear off of Jupiter, FL they estimated it was only 35 pounds and 45 inches (lower jaw) in length.

Nearly sixteen months later in early April of 2013, this same swordfish was recaptured near the Mid Atlantic Ridge, nearly 800 miles southeast of Newfoundland. This juvenile swordfish had swum over 2,000 miles in the span of less than a year and a half!

Make sure to report your releases at TagBillfish.org You can find more maps like these on Billfish.org and on TBF’s Fan page on Facebook!

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Katie Davis

Youngest Female to Complete Billfish Royal Slam Katie Davis

began her journey in billfishing at just 7 years old, when she released her first spearfish.

Just 2 years after that first release, she caught and released her Atlantic sailfish. She went on to catch her Pacific Blue Marlin, in Kona, in July 2011. It was then that Katie decided to attempt her Royal Slam. In September 2011, while in North Carolina, Katie caught and released her white marlin. The Davis family released a total of 13 marlin that day! In December 2012, while in Panama looking for her black and sailfish aboard the Hooker with Capt. Wade Richardson, Katie landed her Pacific sailfish. The following summer, July 2013, she caught her Atlantic blue marlin. A month later, in Fort Lauderdale, Katie caught her swordfish. At the end of 2013, the family got an invitation to fish in Cabo, Mexico. It was there that Katie was able to land her striped marlin. The two fish that really gave her trouble were the swordfish, which required two trips to Fort Lauderdale, and the black marlin. The family fished multiple trips in Panama looking for her black but with no luck. Finally, Katie and her family headed to Australia to fish with Captain Tim Dean aboard the Calypso. Only 5 years after landing her first spearfish, she completed her quest, The Billfish Royal Slam, by releasing her first Black Marlin in Port Stephens, Australia, on April 10, 2014.

The Billfish Royal Slam recognizes anglers who have caught the following nine species within their lifetime: Atlantic and Pacific Sailfish, Atlantic and Pacific Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Striped Marlin, White Marlin, Swordfish, and Spearfish.

As the youngest female in the world to ever accomplish such a feat, this is truly a (Katie continued next page) 8 | Spearfish - The Billfish Foundation

Youth members

raise funds

for TBF

Three of our youngest members from Massachusetts recently stopped by the office to drop off a donation to The Billfish Foundation (TBF) that they procured earlier this year.

Miles and Kolby Buddenhagen, both 5 years old, and their older brother Evan, who is 9 years old, tabled a booth at their school’s sustainability fair. During the fair they spoke to people about the importance of catch and release and asked for donations to TBF and billfish conservation. They obviously did a phenomenal job, by presenting a $1000 donation to TBF this week!

Their love of fishing and fish conservation began with their father Erich, who remembers talking to them about fishing when they were “basically just walking.”

Once Erich completed a Billfish Royal Slam in 2009, he knew he wanted to make sure his sons would be able to experience the same enjoyment he got and instilled his love of billfish and fishing in his sons.

We thank the Buddenhagens for promoting TBF in Massachusetts and for their generous donation.

Become a fan of The Billfish Foundation so you can be the first to know the latest TBF news!

Visit TBF’s social media sites!

The Billfish Foundation

(Katie continued from previuos page)

TBF on

@TagBillfish

#TagBillfish

historic accomplishment in the big game sportfishing world! Katie also received TBF’s Youth Release Award for 2013 at this year’s T&R ceremony.

With Katie’s completion of the Slam, this makes an entire family of Billfish Royal Slam club members, as Father, Mark Davis, Mother, Wendy, and Brother, Wes have also all previously completed their own Slams.

Congratulations to the Davis Family for this great Angling Achievement!

www.Billfish.org

Aquatic Ecosystems Photo Scavenger Hunt

PURPOSE: To explore and discover the

different aquatic ecosystems (marine and freshwater) and help keep them clean! The habitats that make up this vast system range from the productive nearshore regions to the barren ocean floor. The marine waters may be fully saline, brackish or nearly fresh. This exercise will allow you to experience these ecosystems first hand, and allow you to see how these areas work with the species living in them.

Gather up some family members, friends, or neighbors to start.

First get all the materials you will need.

MATERIALS: • • • •

Aquatic Ecosystems Photo Scavenger Hunt List Pail or bags for collecting stuff to be recycled, reused or thrown away Camera – to take pictures of items Pens or Pencils to take any notes

Next you will need to travel to the different destination ecosystems listed on the Scavenger Hunt List.

You can travel in any order. Once you reach your first destination, follow your list and locate all the items, taking pictures of the items once you see them instead of actually taking them out of their natural habitat. This way we can leave the environment undisturbed. As a bonus, at each ecosystem, try and locate at least 5 man-made objects that do not belong- these can be recycled, reused, or thrown away! Please collect up these items and discard them properly. Some examples are: Plastic bottles, paper or cans can be recycled. If you find trash that can’t be recycled, please throw it away in a proper garbage bin. Some of the Destination Ecosystems may not be readily available in your home town. This scavenger hunt can also be done from onboard a boat or while travelling on your summer vacation. If you are unsure of what something on the list looks like, make sure to look it up online or in a book at the library to see a picture. Do your best, remember to have fun and take pictures. Submit your findings to TBF at education@tbf.org

BONUS FOR THE 5 DESTINATIONS AT RIGHT: Find 5 manmade items to recycle, reuse or throw away!

10 | Spearfish - The Billfish Foundation

Aquatic Ecosystems Photo Scavenger Hunt List Destination Ecosystem The Beach/Shoreline • • • • • • •

#1

Seaweed Shells – spiral, clam, & colored Sponge Seagull Waves Palm Tree Driftwood

Destination Ecosystem Tidal Pool • • • • • •

Destination Ecosystem Open Ocean • • • • • •

#3

Fish Sting Ray Boat/Ship Dolphin or Whale Jellyfish Shrimp

#2

Sea Urchin Starfish Coral Algae Barnacles Hermit Crab

Destination Ecosystem Lake or pond • • • • •

#4

Rock Clay Frog Bird Crayfish

Destination Ecosystem #5 Mangrove/Swamp/Marsh Mangrove seed Fish Turtle Kayak/Canoe Algae Roots Join TBF at Billfish.org | 11

Summer Reading

Check out these awesome reads at your local library, bookstore or online!

Citizen Scientists: Be a Part of Scientific Discovery from Your Own Backyard

By Loree Griffin Burns. Anyone can get involved in gathering data for ongoing, actual scientific studies such as the Audubon Bird Count and FrogWatch USA. Just get out into a field, urban park, or your own backyard. YYou can tally woodpeckers or sweep the grass for ladybugs. This book, full of engaging photos and useful tips, will show you how.

Life in the Ocean: The Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle

By Claire A. Nivola Sylvia Earle first lost her heart to the ocean as a young girl when she discovered the wonders of the Gulf of Mexico in her backyard. Life in the Ocean tells the story of Sylvia’s growing passion and how her ocean exploration and advocacy have made her known around the world. This picture book biography also includes an informative author’s note that will motivate young environmentalists.

Giant Squid: Searching for a Sea Monster (Smithsonian)

By Mary M Cerullo

he

This sea monster is real. It lurks in the freezing black depths of underwater canyons. Nearly 50 feet long, it hunts with its long arms and tentacles. Its powerful suckers leave giant round scars on those that live through a battle with What is this monster? The giant squid. Come along as and other researchers unravel its mysteries.

The Billfish Foundation would like to give special thanks to the Fleming Family Foundation and the William H. and Mattie Wattis Harris Foundation, for their continued support of Spearfish & Sailfish TBF Publications.

Edible Art – Ocean Cakes These savory bites, assembled from rice cakes, cream cheese, and fresh veggies, make a wholesome, fun and easy afternoon snack!!

Tint a small tub of plain whipped cream cheese with blue food coloring, then spread dollops onto mini rice cakes. Cut herbs and vegetables as shown (we used chives, red bell peppers, broccoli, and celery) and press them into the cream cheese. To curl the celery, cut slits into one end of a trimmed stalk and place it in a bowl of ice water for several minutes. Finish with mini goldfish crackers. Be creative and have fun! Make sure to send in pictures of your edible art finished product to education@billfish.org.

HEY KIDS! Would you like to see something of your own in one of our magazines?

Send your photos with stories, artwork or anything that’s ocean or conservation related and we’ll try and use it in an upcoming issue!

Email it to: education@billfish.org