Miau Wantz Her Fillet

Boat Pollution And Garbage Dumping

2012-04-15T14:50:00.000+09:00

Whenever someone takes their boat onto the water for a ride, it is creating pollution that can be very harmful to the sea life. Boating pollution is the pollution that comes from the boat’s engine when it is running, and it pollutes the water, killing animals with the chemicals in the exhaust from the engine. The engine gives off excess gasoline, which pollutes the waters and ends up killing the animals.

In order to make as little pollution as possible, what everyone can do to help is:

*Only turn a boat engine on all the way when you need to.

*Don’t take your boat out into the water if you don’t need to.

*Be sure to store and transport gasoline in places where there isn’t any direct sunlight because the gasoline will evaporate, and all of the gases that have been evaporated will pollute the air.

*Every year, buy new or cleaner marine engines for your boats.

In addition to boat pollution, other things that cause water pollution are Garbage dumping. Garbage dumping is the dumping of harmful materials into the ocean like human waste, ground-up garbage, water from bathing, and plastics. Most of the waste that has been dumped into the ocean in the early 1990’s is still there today.

One main cause of garbage dumping occurs when sewage pipes share their space with storm water drains. Rainfall causes the sewage pipes to overflow and the sewage waste mixes with the storm water drain, which flows into another water source such as a lake or river. After that, the garbage pollutes the ocean, kills plants and animals in the water (for example, the plastic rings that are around pop cans can get around an animal’s neck, causing it to suffocate), and makes the water dirty.

Know Whats Killing Our Ocean : Toxic Waste

2012-02-03T13:42:00.000+09:00

Toxic wastes are poisonous materials that are being dumped into the ocean. They harm many plants and animals in the ocean and have a huge impact on our health. Toxic waste is the most harmful form of pollution to sea life and humans.

When toxic waste harms an organism, it can quickly be passed along the food chain and may eventually end up being our seafood. In the food chain, one toxic organism gets eaten by another, larger animal, which gets eaten by another animal, and can end up being our seafood. Toxic waste gets into seas and oceans by the leaking of landfills, dumps, mines, and farms. Farm chemicals and heavy metals from factories can have a very harmful effect on marine life and humans.

Many fishermen believe that the toxic chemicals in the ocean are killing much of the fish population. One of the most harmful chemicals in the ocean is lead. Lead can cause many health problems. It can damage the brain, kidneys, and reproductive system. Lead can also cause birth defects for people. It has been shown to cause low IQ scores, slow growth, and hearing problems for small children. House and car paint and manufacturing lead batteries, fishing lures, certain parts of bullets, some ceramic ware, water pipes, and fixtures all give off lead.

Many things found in the ocean may cause seafood to be dangerous to human health. The effect on humans from contaminated seafood may include birth defects and nervous system damage. Medical waste found in the ocean is being tested to see if swimmers have a chance of developing Hepatitis or AIDS. Other waste has been known to cause viral and bacterial diseases. This type of pollution can be stopped by watching what pollution we are letting into the ocean.

People are trying to decrease the amount of waste in the oceans by recycling as much garbage as they can so there is a smaller amount of very harmful materials in the ocean.

6 kg Tilapia Caught In Kivatu River

2011-12-27T14:03:00.001+09:00

I spent these past weekend over my parents at Kivatu, Penampang. The river near our house is a bit murky and cloudy because of the raining season. So my mom decided to bring me fishing before I went home. She said usually the murky and cloudy water in this area are filled with all these kinds of fish and more. It is best to fish after the rain stopped. And so off we go...

My mom had waited about 20 minutes until the first bite. She set the hook and the fight was on! The line went way out before she could get some back. Then it went left, then right, then out again. 10 minutes had gone by and we still hadn’t seen what was on the line.

After awhile, mom finally landed her catch with great relief. Much to my surprise, it was the largest Tilapia I've ever seen. It wasn’t long before she had another bite. Again mom set the hook and the fight was on. Right away I saw a fish tail come out of the water so my heart started beating more quickly. Some 5 minutes had gone by before we could finally see what fish was hooked into. At this point all I knew was that it was large catfish (We called it Baung in our language) but not as large as the first catch.

Although I didn't catch any, I truly enjoyed watching my mom catching the biggest Tilapia I've ever seen. All in all, it was a wonderful fishing trip that I will never forget.

Budu Secrets Exposed

2011-09-09T14:25:00.000+09:00

Budu is a traditional food of Kelantan and Terengganu, Malaysia which is made from anchovies or pickled shrimp. It originates from the east coast of Malaysia and for a time became the study of nutrition experts from Japan, United States, Australia, New Zealand and Germany.

It was discovered that Budu contains Gluthaione as antioxidant, it produced toxic waste thus increases immunity (immune) that can fight against deadly diseases and prevent cancer. This statement surprised those who considered Budu to be "ancient" food and should be forgotten. Even I admit myself not a big fan of Budu. I dislike the taste.

Budu have potential to fight free radicals and is believed to prevent aging and prevent degenerative diseases such as Atherosclerosis, Coronary Heart Disease, Diabetes, Cancer at an earlier stage. A thorough study also found that Budu contains antibacterial substances cause Diarrhea, Reduction of blood cholesterol, Anti-heart disease and Hypertension.

Budu has nutrients that are more easily digested, absorbed and utilized by the body than other types of proteins. It have been proven to overcome the problem of children who suffer from Chronic Diarrhea due to lack substance in the body. By taking Budu as a side dish, it can promote the growth of body weight for people who suffer from Chronic Diarrhea and cure it in time.

Budu can also improve the IQ of those who eat it because it stimulates the brain cells and will strengthen the bond between the neurons. Consuming Budu hinders the growth of bacteria and Stokiosa Raffinosa, the main cause of symptoms and problems of bloating for children and adults. Two groups of vitamins in Budu are water-soluble vitamins (vitamin B complex) and fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E and K). Budu is the source of most B vitamins, such as contributing to the breakdown of vitamin B1 (thiamin), Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Acid, Pantothenic acid, Niacin, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 (sianokobalamin).

Scientifically, Budu is a major contributor of vitamin B12 produced by bacteria Klebsiella Pneumoniae and Citrobacter Frundiin. Please note that vitamin B12 is not owned by any source of seafood, fish and other meats. Vitamin B12 is necessary for the formation of red blood cells. Lacking this vitamin causes the occurrence of anemia (anemia), abdominal pain and weight loss. The rates of vitamin B12 in Budu is between 1.5 to 6.3 micrograms per 100 grams for each meal or 2 tbsp. This is far more than sufficient for the human body in a day. With the diet of vitamin B12 (body guard) you no longer need to feel concerned about the lack of vitamin B12 in the body.

Researches done at the University of North Carolina, United States found that the elements Genestein and Phytoestrogen found in Budu can prevent cancer, aging and breast cancer. A random test conducted, found that the intake of 150 grams of Budu a day for two weeks can lower cholesterol to a level beyond expectations.

Hows that for an 'ancient' food? Now I know why our ancestors have stronger bodies and higher IQ. I may dislike the taste but hey, 2 tablespoons a day won't kill me. How about you?

*Special thanks to http://adeqhe09.blogspot.com/2011/04/hari-ni-ada-yang-share-dkat-fb-diorang.html for the pictures.*

Top 10 Prehistoric Fish Alive Today

2011-08-19T14:04:00.000+09:00

This list looks at fish that were around in remote, prehistoric times and have survived to our time, still keeping their “prehistoric” looks to prove it. Feel free to mention those I have excluded in the comments.

10. Hagfish

According to the fossil record, hagfish have existed for over 300 million years, which means they were already old when dinosaurs took over the world! Found in relatively deep waters, these animals are sometimes called slime eels, but they are not really eels, and actually, they may not even be fish at all, according to some scientists. They are very bizarre animals in all regards; they have a skull but lack a spine, and they have two brains. Almost blind, they feed at night on the carcasses of large animals (fish, cetaceans etc) which fall to the sea bottom. They owe their “slime eel” nickname to the fact that they produce a slimey substance to damage the gills of predatory fish; as a result, they have virtually no natural enemies.

9. Lancetfish

The lancetfish has a very obvious “prehistoric” appearance, with those fierce-looking, sharp teeth on its jaws and the sail on its back, reminiscent of that of some dinosaurs (although, in the lancetfish the sail is actually an enlarged dorsal fin). Even its scientific name has a dinosaurian sound to it (Alepisaurus ferox). Up to two meters (6′ 6″) in length, this predator is found in all the oceans except for polar regions; very voracious, it feeds on smaller fish and squid, and has known to feed on members of its own species sometimes.

8. Arowana

Belonging to the ancient group of the Osteoglossids, these fish already existed in the Jurassic period. Today, they are found in the Amazon, and in parts of Africa, Asia and Australia. Sometimes kept as exotic pets, arowanas are voracious predators that feed on any small animal they can catch, including birds and bats which they catch in mid flight (they are able to leap up to 2 meters (6′ 6″) into the air). In China, arowanas are known as “dragon-fish” due to their appearance, and they are thought to be harbingers of good luck.

7. Frilled Shark

This deep sea predator, one of the most primitive sharks alive today, is a relic from the Cretaceous period, when dinosaurs ruled the Earth. Seldom seen alive, and only recently filmed for the first time, the frilled shark can grow up to 2 meters (6′ 6″) (with females being larger than males) and they live in deep waters, where they feed mostly on squid. They are not dangerous to humans, and as a matter of fact, most frilled sharks spend their whole lives without seeing a human being. Only dead or dying specimens are usually seen and recorded by fishermen or scientists.

6. Sturgeon

Another survivor from the age of dinosaurs (they were already around in the early Jurassic), the sturgeon is well known for being one of the main sources of caviar (which is made out of their roe or egg masses); due to overfishing, these magnificent, armored fish are sadly endangered nowadays. The largest sturgeon species can grow up to 6 meters (19′ 7″) long, being as large as most great white sharks; they feed on small animals from the sea bottom and pose no danger to humans, unless provoked (although they are so big that they have hurt, and even killed, people unintentionally by leaping out of the water and landing on boats!)

5. Arapaima

A close relative to the arowana (see #8), the Amazonian arapaima is sometimes considered to be the largest freshwater fish in the world. According to early descriptions, it could grow up to 4.5 meters (14′ 8″) long, but today, enormous individuals like these are seldom found and most adult arapaimas average 2 meters (6′ 6″) long. These slow moving predators feed on smaller fish, crustaceans and whatever small animal they can fit in their mouth. An interesting trait of this fish is that it needs to breath oxygen from the air, like a cetacean, in order to survive. Arapaimas pose no danger to humans and are often hunted for their meat; unfortunately, they are very scarce nowadays. Although the arapaima seemingly appeared in the Miocene period, it belongs to a much older family, the Osteoglossidae, and therefore its origins can be traced back to the age of dinosaurs.

4. Sawfish

This critically endangered animal is a survivor from the Cretaceous period, and can be found both in saltwater or in rivers and creeks, and has been found up to 100 kms inland. Up to 7 meters (23′) in length, sawfish may look like sharks but are actually more closely related to rays. Their “saw” is both a weapon and a sensory organ, covered on electro-sensitive pores which allow it to sense prey despite its terrible eyesight. Although usually peaceful, the sawfish can become extremely dangerous if provoked. Due to an extraordinary fossil, we know that gigantic, prehistoric sawfish were probably a staple food for the largest carnivorous dinosaur, Spinosaurus, as a vertebra from the fish was found stuck between the dinosaur’s teeth.

3. Alligator Gar

This formidable, thick scaled predator is found in the southern US and northern and eastern Mexico, being the largest freshwater fish in North America (although it sometimes wanders into the sea). It can grow up to 4 meters (13′) long and weigh up to 200 kgs (440lbs). Gator gars are so called because of their reptilian appearance and long jaws, armed with a double row of sharp teeth. They are voracious ambush predators and have been known to bite humans on occasion, although no confirmed deaths due to alligator gars have been recorded to date. Gars are among the oldest fish alive today; their origins can be traced back to the Cretaceous period.

2. Polypterus Senegalus

These african fish are often called “dinosaur eels”, due to their reptilian appearance and serrated dorsal fin, reminiscent of some dinosaurs’ spiked backs. They are not really eels, but members of the bichir family. Bichirs were already around in the Cretaceous, so the “dinosaur” part of their name is actually fitting in a way. Although often sold as exotic pets, dinosaur eels are prone to escaping their fish tanks. They can survive out of the water for long periods of time as long as their skin remains wet, which enables them to wander far away from their tank.

1. Coelacanth

The Coelacanth is the most famous of all “living fossils” and deserves to be #1 in this list, because it is the best example of a “Lazarus taxon”, this is, animals that were supposed to be long extinct and are unexpectedly found to be alive. Coelacanths were supposed to have become extinct in the Cretaceous period, along with the dinosaurs, but in 1938, a live specimen was caught in South Africa. Since then, more specimens have been seen and photographed, and a second coelacanth species was even found in Indonesia in 1999. Coelacanths are large predators, up to 2 meters (6′ 6″) long; they feed on smaller fish, including small sharks, and are usually found in deep, dark waters. Although rarely captured and consumed due to their horrible taste, coelacanths are critically endangered nowadays.

Storing Fresh Fish

2011-07-21T13:56:00.000+09:00

Fish are not meat. Remember that and you will be on the right path toward taking good care of the fresh fish you bring home. And take care you must, because fish are both expensive and are among the most perishable foods we eat.

Doing it right is not difficult, but it is best done with a little extra equipment.

First, you need a large plastic container. Ideally you also will have a slightly smaller container that fits entirely inside the larger one. If you take this step, drill or punch many holes in the bottom of it. This smaller container will hold your ice and your fish. If the smaller container will touch the bottom of the larger one, you will need something to keep it elevated.

What's the point of all this? You will need to keep your fish on ice -- even in the refrigerator. And ideally, you will keep them with their back fins facing up, as if they were still swimming. The reason for this is because unlike meat, fish will rot quickly, even in the fridge, unless iced.

Why would this be? Because fish generally swim in water that is colder than air, sometimes a lot colder.

This is why fish fat is so good for you. Because it is liquid even at very low temperatures, it does not gunk up your system the way a highly saturated, dense fat such as beef suet does. Fish fat is also loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, something most other meats -- with the exception of grass-fed animals -- lack.

So here's what you do when you bring your fish home. Make sure the smaller container is up off the larger one, then fill the smaller container with crushed ice. It must be crushed ice. Large ice cubes will take too long to melt and can discolor the skin of the fish.

Put the fish in, bellies down, backs up, cover the container and you're done.

How long can you keep a fish this way? It depends. If you caught the fish yourself, you will get as much as a week to 10 days. A market-bought fish won't last that long, nor will a piece of fish such as a fillet or a steak. Those will remain at peak condition only a few days.

Replace the ice as it melts, and pour off the melt water.

One more thing: If the fish is lean, such as Tilapia or Gourami or Kelah, you get an extra day. If it is oily such as Catfish, take a day off the total time. And of it is a really oily fish such as a Patin, eat it now -- it won't get any better tomorrow...

Tilapia For Aquaponic

2011-07-06T14:01:00.000+09:00

Fish such as Tilapia and are raised in a large tank of water. I'm gonna use Tilapia in my aquaponics systems because they are relatively easy to raise and because you can market them to restaurants, market basket customers, and they are a favorite in ethnic markets.

Originally found in Africa, Tilapia has been farmed for more than 2,500 years. Tilapia is a perfect fish for aquaponics because of its rapid growth, large size, and because it tastes great too. This hardy fish can adapt to most any condition with the exception of water temperature. Tilapia prefer warm water - at least 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It takes about 9 months for Tilapia to grow to a harvestable size, about 1.5 pounds but I usually harvest them at the age of 3 months.

What does Tilapia eat? Well, you can feed your tilapia fish feeds such as Starter for fish fry up to 1 month of age, Grower at 2 months and Finisher at 3 months old. However, my Tilapia love to eat algae from the side of the tank.

Benefits Of Aquaponic

2011-05-28T23:27:00.000+09:00

With an increased demand for food, yet no increase in food supply and over one billion people without clean water to drink, people are scrambling to find solutions. Today, the words “green” and “earth friendly” are commonly used words, but what are people really doing to protect our earth from global warming and to help sustain our food supply? What if we suddenly couldn’t rely on the sources we’re currently getting our food from?

Aquaponic gardening is the solution to conserve our water and keep up with the increasing demand for food. It will be our solution when our current food supply can no longer sustain us. It will ensure our future in this unstable world in which we currently live.

Backyard aquaponics systems are sprouting up everywhere, but this is just the beginning. This new revolution of using a healthy, organic, nutrient-rich and low cost way of growing your own food is the next great thing. Using fish and other sea life, aquaponics systems use the aquaculture waste to directly feed your plants and help them to grow at a 50-100% rate higher than normal. There is less need for pesticides, and less waste. There is an ease in harvesting and supply. Because an aquaponics garden can be set up virtually anywhere, this amazing earth friendly solution can be large or small. It can provide enough food to feed just a family, or even a small town. The possibilities are endless.

Aquaponics systems are virtually self-sustaining. With the high cost of fertilizers, land, and labor of traditional farming, aquaponics is the best and most wallet-friendly solution. An aquaponics system can use virtually any type of fish, even common goldfish, to provide nutrients to as many plants as needed. This system recycles its water, making it earth friendly and simple to maintain. Owning a farm means having to water your plants every day. What if your farm watered and fertilized itself!

Imagine walking into your backyard and picking a fresh, organic tomato to use in your salad for dinner. This is possible with aquaponics. With the rising cost of food and gasoline, it is harder for families to make ends meet. With an aquaponics system, there is virtually no left over waste. It is all reused and recirculates through the system. It is also possible to grow plants when they are not in season by using an environmentally controlled green house. This helps to cut our reliance on importing from other countries to get the fruits and vegetables we enjoy when our crops are out of season.

Reduce your carbon footprint by not having to drive to the grocery store when the vegetables in your refrigerator have gone bad and you’ve thrown them out. You will no longer be using those clingy plastic bags in the produce section of your local grocery store because you’ll be out in your backyard, with your plants just steps away from your door. When you’re ready to “go green” an organic, aquaponics garden is your earth friendly solution. So get your green thumb out, learn more about the benefits of this wonderfully eco-friendly process today ...

Kelong - A Wooden House In The Ocean

2011-04-10T17:32:00.000+09:00

Kelong fishing is actually a very unique type of fishing found only in South-East Asia. To many people, the impression of a Kelong is more of a resort for families than a place for fishing, as the catch is often not as good compared to boat fishing. To a certain extent it’s true, as the fishing spots are determined by our casting distance around the perimeter of the kelong. But with the correct skills and techniques, the catch from a kelong can be comparable to a boat trip.

A Kelong (sometimes spelt Kellong) is a Malay word to describe a form of offshore platform built predominantly with wood, and can be found in waters off Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia, while only a handful remains around Singapore due to rapid urbanisation.

Kelongs are built by fishermen primarily for fishing purposes, although larger structures can also function as dwellings for them and their families. They are built without the need for nails, using rattan to bind tree trunks and wooden planks together.

Anchored into the sea bed using wooden piles of about 20 metres in length and driven about 6 metres into the sea, they are usually sited in shallow water, although some can be found in deeper waters. Some kelongs are less isolated, and are connected to land via a wooden gangway. Other variants of Kelongs can be mobile, or may involve a large groups of Kelongs joined together into a massive offshore community.

Kelong are used as traps station to bring in fishes. Some Kelongs doing some aquaculture are usually accompanied by a floating fish farm. However, a kelong is not self sufficient, it has no water pipe lines or electricity lines laid to the kelong. Kelong runs on diesel generators and water are brought onboard by boats. Provisions are also replenished weekly. Transport to the Kelong and fish farm are usually done by boat.

The technology used to catch fishes and shellfishes are old school but somehow efficient. The Kelong makes use of the water current flow and vertical sticks stuck to the seabed to guide shoal of fishes into the Kelong where a main fishing net resting below. The net would then be lifted by a machine. Other methods of catching are by using fishing traps, designed to be a favourable hiding environment for fishes, where it is easy for the fishes to enter but difficult to exit.

Working in Kelongs involves routine work, in which the work runs for 24 hours and daily routine had to be split into shift works. The workers would harvest fishes, clean and repairs the net as well as maintaining the Kelong and fish farm.

In the present world, less people were willing to have these kind lifestyle so the workers found on board the Kelongs would turn out to be the owners. Over the years, some Kelongs had transformed into a tourism attraction in certain countries where people can have a retreat from the urban life.

Have You Ever Been Poison After Eating Fish?

2011-04-01T14:37:00.000+09:00

There are two pretty good ways to get food poisoning from eating fish. Anyone who eats fish can get ciguatera or scombroid poisoning. Fish poisoning is more common in coastal areas. So take care.

Ciguatera poisoning: This happens when you eat a reef fish (any fish living in warm tropical water) that has eaten a certain poisonous food. This poison does not go away when the fish is cooked or frozen.

Scombroid poisoning: A substance called Histamine builds up in some fish when they get too warm after they’re caught. Histamine is a chemical that serves as a kind of alarm to let your immune system know that an infection is attacking part of the body. If you eat a fish that was not properly cooled after it was caught, you may react to the histamine that is released into your body.

Okay, lets say you got poisoned. What exactly are the symptoms? The first symptoms of ciguatera poisoning include abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms can then progress to headache, muscle aches and skin that is itchy, numb or tingly. You may notice a change in your ability to feel hot or cold temperatures. For example, you may think something feels hot when it is actually cold.

Symptoms of scombroid poisoning will usually develop 20 to 30 minutes after you eat the affected fish. They can include flushing (turning red) of the face, nausea, vomiting, hives and abdominal pain. These symptoms are similar to other allergic reactions. However, getting scombroid poisoning does not mean you are allergic to fish.

Do not be alarmed. Do not panic. Ciguatera and scombroid poisoning are rarely fatal. Rarely :D. So how do you get treatment? Ciguatera poisoning is treated with medicines that help ease your symptoms. There is no medicine that will cure ciguatera poisoning. The symptoms will go away on their own over time. Phew! The symptoms of ciguatera poisoning can last for 1 to 2 weeks. Exactly how long they last will depend on the amount of poison you have in your body. The symptoms can come back any time you eat an affected fish.

Scombroid poisoning on the other hand is treated using an antihistamine (one brand name: Benadryl). An antihistamine is a medicine that blocks the histamine in your blood. The symptoms of scombroid poisoning usually last for 24 hours or less. The symptoms can come back any time you eat fish that has not been refrigerated properly.

To avoid getting poisoned, there is a few simple steps. To avoid ciguatera poisoning, don't eat the fish that commonly carry the poison. This includes Amberjack, Grouper, Snapper, Sturgeon, King Mackerel, Barracuda and Moray Eel. The poison is more concentrated in a fish’s internal organs, so you should never eat those parts of a fish. Why do you wanna eat those things anyway?

To avoid scombroid poisoning, don't eat any fish that has not been refrigerated properly. Be especially careful when you eat fish such as Tuna, Sardines, Mackerel, Mahi-Mahi or Anchovies. So refrigerate your fish properly and your safe!

River Fishing Tips

2011-03-30T21:24:00.000+09:00

In my opinion, the most important thing to remember while river fishing is not to spook the water that you're about to fish. I've seen entirely too many anglers do this very thing. They're standing in the very water they probably should have fished first.

The first tip is: When river fishing, remember to work the area that you want to fish in "sections". Don't just jump in and start fishing in the spot that you think looks the best or just fish the water directly below where you're wading.

The second tip is: When river fishing, while using live bait, the bottom is your friend. As my mentor used to say, "if you're not getting snagged, you're not fishing in the right place!" The goal is to bounce you're live bait off of the bottom as it drifts naturally through the current.

The third tip is: Look for deeper water. For the most part you'll want to spend 80% of your time on any given river fishing trip, fishing the deeper parts of the river. Deeper edges and riffles and of course pools are where a majority of the fish will congregate(especially in hotter weather).

The fourth tip is: Match your fishing gear to the type of fish that your fishing for. I've seen all too many anglers out on my local stream fishing for rainbow trout with gear that would enable them to hook and land a small mako shark!

These tips should save you time, and with any luck, help you catch more fish as well. So get out there and do just that. And remember what a very wise person once said, "a bad day fishing is better than a good day at work."

Choosing The Right Food For Your Tilapia

2011-03-25T18:49:00.000+08:00

Do you know that there are 3 types of food pellet used for Tilapia breeding? You can get this from your local supermarket.

Starter Fish Pellet - For small Tilapia (1 to 2 inches) or at least 100 grams in weight.

Grower Fish Pellet - For medium size Tilapia or at least 100 to 500 grams in weight.

Finisher Fish Pellet - For large size Tilapia, above 500 grams in weight.

Fun Facts About Fish

2011-03-23T10:40:00.000+08:00

Its been a while since I posted anything here. Ran into trouble with google but thats settled now. Got a better sponsor. Today I want to share some really funny fact about our underwater friends. Some of us like to keep pet fish, while others prefer to go out and spend the day catching fish. Either way fish are definitely one of God's unique creations. One piece of fun fact which seems to be under some debate is whether fish feel pain? I would tend to think they do. After all they are a living creatures. In this piece we will try and find some fun facts on fish. The next time you watch the fish in your tank maybe these little tidbits will go through your mind and make you think or at least smile.

Some fun fish facts:

-fish breath water

-they eat their own kind- that can't be very pleasant...sheeshhh

-aquarium fish are the most popular with 12 million households owning fish

-dental offices have tanks in order to reduce anxiety in patients

-goldfish can outlive dogs and cats- they can live up over 40 years

-there is a weird name for people who study fish it sounds like someone who has a rash! - they are called ichthyologists

-a group of fish is referred to as a "school

Did you know that they are actually fish who stalk other fish? One such fish is the "Pike". Apparently it likes to hide under logs and other areas and stalks other fish. Now that is weird and funny at the same time!

Since most people me included just have a family tank at home filled with goldfish, I thought it would be fun to take a look at some fun facts about goldfish:

-the oldest goldfish recorded was 43 years old!

-they don't have stomachs

-goldfish can actually see ultra-violet and infra-red colors

-they can survive in freezing water

-goldfish have been pets well over 1000 years

One fact I found amazing was that fish can actually drown! Okay, you are probably wondering how is that possible? Well a fish needs oxygen just like we do. So when they are taken out of the water they get a lethal dose of oxygen because their gills can't handle the intake.

I will never forget when I found out the fact that lipstick actually contained fish scales! That was a sad day for me and I even considered never using lipstick again. Yeah, right! Fish or no fish, I am NOT giving up my lipstick!

So we have covered some fun and interesting facts about fish. It is always nice to know more about these silent creatures whether you love them as pets or interact with them in the wild.

World Smallest Fish

2011-02-23T10:44:00.000+08:00

Scientists have discovered a fish living in forest swamps on the Indonesian island of Sumatra that is only 7.9mm long. The species of fish belongs to the carp family and is called Paedocypris progenetica . It is the world's smallest vertebrate or backboned animal and believe it or not, is living in acid.

The tiny, see-through Paedocypris fish have the appearance of larvae and have a reduced head skeleton, which leaves the brain unprotected by bone. They live in dark tea-coloured waters with an acidity of pH3, which is at least 100 times more acidic than rainwater.

'This is one of the strangest fish that I've seen in my whole career', said Ralf Britz, zoologist at the Natural History Museum.

'It's tiny, it lives in acid and it has these bizarre grasping fins. I hope we'll have time to find out more about them before their habitat disappears completely.'

The new fish was discovered by fish experts Maurice Kottelat (from Switzerland) and Tan Heok Hui from the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research in Singapore. They were working with their colleagues from Indonesia and with Kai-Erik Witte from the Max Planck Institute in Germany. Ralf Britz, at the Natural History Museum , helped analyse its skeleton and the complex structure of the pelvic fin.

The previous record for smallest vertebrate was held by an 8mm species of Indo Pacific goby. The UK's smallest fish is the marine Guillet's goby, Lebetus guilleti , reaching 24mm in length.

How Japanese Solved Stale Fish Problem

2011-02-17T13:50:00.000+08:00

It is interesting to know how Japanese solved the problem of stale fish. It could be a true event or a typical case study - whatever may be it could be an eye opener to all of us - to know that "for every problems, there are solutions"

The Japanese have a great liking for fresh fish. But the waters close to Japan have not held many fish for decades. So, to feed the Japanese population, fishing boats got bigger and went farther than ever. The farther the fishermen went, the longer it took to bring back the fish.

The longer it took them to bring back the fish, the staler they grew. The fish were not fresh and the Japanese did not like the taste.

To solve this problem, fishing companies installed freezers on their boats. They would catch the fish and freeze them at sea. Freezers allowed the boats to go farther and stay longer. However, the Japanese could taste the difference between fresh and frozen fish. And they did not like the taste of frozen fish. The frozen fish brought a lower price. So, fishing companies installed fish tanks. They would catch the fish and stuff them in the tanks, fin to fin. After a little hashing around, the fish stopped moving. They were tired and dull, but alive. Unfortunately, the Japanese could still taste the difference. Because the fish did not move for days, they lost their fresh-fish taste. The Japanese preferred the lively taste of fresh fish, not sluggish fish. The fishing industry faced an impending crisis!

But today, it has got over that crisis and has emerged as one of the most important trades in that country! How did Japanese fishing companies solve this problem? How do they get fresh-tasting fish to Japan?

To keep the fish tasting fresh, the Japanese fishing companies still put the fish in the tanks. But now they add a small shark to each tank. The shark eats a few fish, but most of the fish arrive in a very lively state. The fish are challenged and hence are constantly on the move. And they survive and arrive in a healthy state! They command a higher price and are most sought-after. The challenge they face keeps them fresh!

The Blue Whale Joke

2011-02-10T14:40:00.000+08:00

A Blue Whale produces over 400 gallons of sperm when it ejaculates but only 10% of that actually makes it into his mate. So 360 gallons are spilled into the ocean every time one unloads. You wonder why the ocean is so salty.... Don't swallow the water!!!

Is There A Such Thing As Organic Fish?

2011-02-01T19:14:00.000+08:00

As far as I know, fish caught in the wild cannot be marketed as organic. However, several supermarkets and many independent organic retailers now stock organic fishes produced in fish farms. Several types of farmed mussels and shellfish are also likely to become more widely available in the future. I know some people who farmed freshwater lobster but I'm not sure whether its organic or not.

In organic fish farming, many of the pesticides, dyes and antibiotics widely used in conventional fish farming are not permitted and so these fish products are generally accepted to be credible organic products by both the soil association and consumers.

However, from an animal welfare point of view, there is some controversy about allowing farmed fish to be labelled as organic. Organic principles demand that livestock (which includes fish) should be able to express its ‘natural’ behaviour pattern and be kept as close to natural stocking densities as possible. How can this be when they are kept in cages in either inland or in fish farms out at sea?

Is there such a thing as organic fish? Surely all fish comes from the sea and eats whatever fish eat? How can we control that? What makes fish organic and how can organic fish be grown on fish farms?

Fish farming seems like a practical solution to the problem of overfishing. Fish farming, however, is the cause of many problems. Public demand for cheaper food means that farmed fishes are often kept, for financial reasons, very densely stocked, with huge numbers of fish crammed into very little space. In this state, the fish can more easily become diseased, and these diseases can spread to wild fish. Huge amounts of antibiotics are required to keep the fish moderately healthy.

So is organic fish sustainable? Other problems are escapes, when farmed fish interbreed with wild fish and potentially weaken wild stocks, as well as pollution to the water and seabed around fish farms. For example farmed marble goby, which are carnivorous, given fish feed which is made from other fish - not the best use of resources from an environmental point of view.

Child Slave of the deep sea

2011-01-24T13:48:00.000+08:00

Child slave labor refers to the illegal employment of children below 18 years of age in hazardous occupations. Underage children are being forced to manual labor to help their families mainly due to poverty.

Child labor has many ill effects in children who are supposed to be in the environment of a classroom rather than roaming the streets and risking every chance, time and time again, to earn money. Although most do get the privilege of education, most end up being dropouts and repeaters because they are not able to focus on their studies. Because of child labor, children suffer from malnutrition, hampered growth, and improper biological development.

One of the most common jobs for a child slave to carry out is fishing. Dynamites, Molotov cocktails, and cyanide are frequently used. But others use something else. They use young enslaved boys who are usually brought home dead along with their catch.

This illegal fishing practice, called Muro ami. A similar fishing process which is as destructive and as dangerous is Paaling, which compels young divers to use hoses attached to a surface air compression to form a virtual bubble curtain which forces fish into the nets. Typically, a Paaling operation uses four boats, each carrying 25 divers. Yes, Paaling methods did a great job in not destroying the reefs but what of he children?

Below are documented statements made by 129 children who escaped from a fishing vessel using Muro ami and Paaling methods in July 2000.

Eddie, 14 used to help his father farm but ran away wanting to earn money. "I started my work as a diver on the FB Unity. The boat has 350 divers with four managers. We had a ten month contract to work with the company. The company said we would be paid at the end of the contract. Our food was deducted from our salary. We were treated like animals and when we committed mistakes were whipped and beaten. Workers were compelled to work despite illness. We made seven dives a day and could catch fifty to seventy tubs of fish in every dive".

"We had to work from 6a.m. in the morning until 5 p.m. in the evening. Sometimes when we made mistakes, our supervisor whipped us with a rope almost the size of a wrist. On one occasion I was whipped because I misplaced the hose. Due to the maltreatment we suffered we decided to escape. While we can endure the diving we cannot withstand the lashing and physical brutality."

These document are long. It talks of miserable life, suffering and death in the sea often unknown by authorities. It shows that these type of fishing practices have not only become desperate but dangerous.

Muroami : Child Exploitation and Murder

2011-01-19T11:23:00.000+08:00

Muro-ami fishing trawlers, mostly unseaworthy, stay out at sea for up to ten months. They roam the seas and drop anchor in areas of coral reefs and atolls. The stinking, unsanitary, and cramped quarters are often packed with as many as 400 to 500 adult crew and little boys as young as 7 years old.

The net is cast anywhere between 7 and 10 times a day, with the children working from 6am to 5pm. The harsh adult crew would whip and lash at the kids if the nets didn’t produce fifty to seventy big containers of fish in every dive. In some occasions, the boys are made to stand under the sun for hours as punishment. When these fishing trawlers encounter Navy patrols out at sea, the children are confined and hidden in the engine room for days. The kids are made to work even on days that they are ill.

The children divers, usually on a ten-month contract, are promised to be paid at the end of the contract. Their food budget on board, however, is deducted from their salary of 20 pesos a day, even if food is extremely limited on most days. The kids and their families find out after the ten-month contract, when the trawler comes back to the island to discharge the kids, that they have no payment left.

In 1986, Muroami fishing was banned in the Philippines after a national outcry when bodies of 100 children divers, unable to escape from the closing net, came up with the catch. This child exploitation and environmental degradation, let’s hope the ban actually works and truly eradicates it, not just mitigates it.

Muroami : The Destruction

2011-01-12T14:16:00.000+08:00

The Muroami fishing technique, employed on coral reefs in Southeast Asia, uses an encircling net together with pounding devices. These devices usually comprise large stones fitted on ropes that are pounded onto the coral reefs. They can also consist of large heavy blocks of cement that are suspended above the sea by a crane fitted to the vessel. The pounding devices are repeatedly and violently lowered into the area encircled by the net, literally smashing the coral in that area into small fragments in order to scare the fish out of their coral refuges. The "crushing" effect of the pounding process on the coral heads has been described as having long lasting and practically totally destructive effects.

Muroami netting is a dangerous fishing practice that has led to extensive coral reef deterioration in the region. In many countries that use this practice, as many as 300 young boys, 10 to 15 years old, are used to set the nets and bang on the coral. They are called Muro-Ami or Reef Hunter. This is also one of the worst forms of child labor in the illegal fishing system. The divers, who consist mostly of children, usually have to take at least few dives a day.

Muroami or Kayakas is a Japanese-inspired fishing technique that once devastated the fragile marine life of the country. The procedure comprises groups of swimmers particularly children that are harnessed to a waiting net loaded down with scarelines like coconut leaves or plastic streamers attached to it at 1 meter intervals to create the illusion of a wall and dragged across the ocean floor as it slowly traps in on the fish. It also involves sending a large group of divers to depths of 30-90 feet, without protective clothing or gear save for homemade wooden goggles. These divers plunge into the waters below armed with metal weights or large stones fitted on ropes to vigorously pound or bang on corals to drive fish out and into the waiting nets. Corals are eventually smashed in the process.

This one of the cruelest, most cataclysmic forms of illegal fishing that destroys the coral reefs and exploits children. This practice consequently destroys corals which take whole lifetimes to form and causes the deaths of some of these unfortunate children. For casualties ensuing from these practices (either a kid gets caught in the big net that they use), bodies are left in the shoreline because they are too expensive to return to their homes.

Note: I will be posting more about Muroami in the next few post. I really hope we can do something about this dangerous way of fishing that have taken many lives and destroyed our ecosystem for the sake of greed. So stay tune.

Fish Bombing Is Stupid

2011-01-07T11:49:00.000+08:00

During the Second World War, a number of navy personnel operating in Asia made use of grenades to catch fish. The blast from a single grenade killed many fish, large and small, and the ones that floated to the surface were easily netted in quantity. The technique of catching fish using underwater explosions quickly caught on with local fishermen as it is simple and ruthlessly efficient, at least as far as the time taken to catch the fish is concerned.

In more peaceful times after World War II, local fishermen learnt how to make their own explosives, or in some cases made use of caches of ordinance from military conflicts. Initially, the fishermen would target shallow coral reef areas, causing widespread damage to the coral structures that support the reef fish. As a consequence, fish populations rapidly declined in many areas and to maintain their catch fishermen moved on to fresh areas, further and further from their home villages. Large regions of once productive coral reefs have been decimated by the migration of blast fishing and although most countries have passed laws to prohibit it, the practice continues largely unchecked.

Enforcement of anti-blast fishing regulations has proved to be difficult. Many of the fishing areas are remote and the blasts go unnoticed. (Although blasts produce a lot of sound, it is trapped underwater and little escapes to reach the ears of the authorities.) In addition, it is difficult to prove that a fisherman used blasting in a court of law, as the evidence – fish and explosives – are readily disposed of once the fisherman see a patrol boat coming.

Whilst it is sometimes the case that artisinal fishermen are driven to such destructive techniques through poverty, much blast fishing activity is undertaken for profit. Even if the economy of coastal regions could be improved by governments or other agencies, there is a requirement for more effective enforcement of the law.

Do you know that the damage and poison takes like sooo many years to grow back the corals. Aaaargh, this makes me sad. The whole thing sounds so terrible, so stupid, so foolish, so senseless. Wouldn’t it be great if there is no bombing and all the fishermen were educated? Or there is a strict law and enough manpower to build some kind of worldwide joint-forces army to tackle these destructive way of fishing. It is one of our world’s asset. The fish needs coral to live. Human needs fish to live. We need each other. We should educate more of the people. Before it’s too late. Remember, only together we can tackle these threats.

Top 5 Catfish Baits Part 5 - Crawfish

2011-01-04T22:16:00.000+08:00

If chicken livers are the best known of all catfish baits, crawfish may be the most overlooked. All major species of catfish feed on crawfish, although most flatheads caught on craws weigh 20 pounds or less.

Crawfish rank among the best baits of all for fishing in creeks and small rivers. You can either bounce live crawdads near the bottom in the current using split shot rigs or add a little heavier weight and fish crawfish tails right on the bottom. Dead crawfish produce mostly channel catfish. Live ones -- especially big craws -- also attract modest-sized flatheads. Anglers who specifically want flatheads should put baits close to the thickest cover they can find and be ready to pull with everything they have upon setting the hook.

Crawfish are not purely stream baits, though. They are important forage in many ponds, lakes and reservoirs and, therefore, make great catfish bait in waterways of all sizes. Fresh crawfish, whether dead or alive, work great for putting cats in the boat whether they are placed atop rocky points or humps on summer nights, or fished in the deeper open water along the edge of a grass bed.

A live crawfish can be hooked through the base of the tail from the bottom up. Some anglers like to remove the pincers, but the cats probably do not care either way. Anglers using dead craws often pinch off the head and string the body on the hook, inserting it under the tail and impaling as much of the crawfish as possible. This kind of rig can spin in the water if there is any current, so adding a swivel between the weight and the hook is a good idea.

Some bait stores do sell live crawfish. However, anglers who want to bait up with fresh craws generally have to catch their own. Simply turning rocks can accomplish that in some streams. In many rivers and most lakes, anglers have to put down some type of crawfish trap, which can be baited with chicken parts.

Catfish purists should consider one warning about using crawfish -- especially live crawfish: Virtually everything that swims likes to eat crawfish, so expect to sort through a bunch of bluegills, bass and other "undesirables" between prized catfish bites.

Top 5 Catfish Baits Part 4 - Night Crawlers

2011-01-03T11:48:00.000+08:00

Stringing a worm on a hook is the essence of fishing simplicity. In fact, it almost seems too simple. That said, night crawlers remain some of the finest baits available for coaxing catfish into biting. They smell natural, because they are natural, and they seem to taste mighty good to catfish.

Generally speaking, the rule for night crawlers and catfish is, the bigger the better. Even small cats like big, juicy worms. It is generally a good idea to wad two or three on a hook if you only can find small or medium-sized worms. Unlike other species, catfish typically do not care how night crawlers are strung on the hook. They feed mostly by smell and taste, not by sight, so the more worm that is wrapped around and sewn onto the hook, the better your chances are of hooking cats that bite.

One very effective and often overlooked method for catfishing with worms is to suspend a worm beneath a float, hanging the bait barely off the bottom. This works really well when cats are holding around stumps, the bases of flooded trees or beside downed trees along the edges of rivers. The float allows you to present a bait precisely and move it around easily to locate cats that are using cover.

Night crawlers also work great when fished on the bottom with Carolina rigs, bounced just off the bottoms of tailwaters or other swift rivers with three-way rigs, or dragged across points or flats at night when the cats move shallow to feed.

Because they do not have to be cut up and are not quite as messy as livers or dip bait, night crawlers also make a terrific bait choice for trips with youngsters. Children quickly learn how to string worms on hooks so the bait will not come off. Also, cats tend to slurp in night crawlers, so hook-up ratios tend to be good.

Another great thing about night crawlers and other worms as baits to use during family catfish outings is that the children can dig their own worms, often from their own backyards and sometimes from the lakeshore when there's a break in the action. There is an indisputable extra pride that comes from catching a fish on a hand-dug worm -- somewhat akin to the pride of a fly-fisherman catching a fish on a hand-tied fly.

Top 5 Catfish Baits Part 3 - Dip Bait

2010-11-30T11:16:00.001+08:00

Some folks make their own dips from well-guarded secret recipes that have been passed from generation to generation. Others have favored commercially manufactured blends that they buy by the case. Whether home brewed or store bought, dip baits are gooey concoctions that usually smell horrible, but catfish absolutely cannot resist them.

While all dip baits smell bad, a foul odor is not enough to make a tub of bait attractive to cats. A dip must have a cheese base or some kind of protein content. Dough balls, no matter how sour or smelly they are, do not offer much appeal to most cats.

A bait's consistency also is critical. A good dip is soft enough that it breaks up gradually, but solid enough that it does not wash away quickly. In current, where dip baits are really at their best, that can be a delicate balance.

Dip baits work best when fished in the current, because the moving water carries bait particles downstream as the dip breaks up creating a chum line of sorts that leads directly to the hook. Dips often out-produce other baits in rivers or in sections of reservoirs that have plenty of current running through them. However, reservoir fisheries can turn on and off as if someone was flipping a light switch based on power-generation schedules.

Anglers should consider how cats are likely to relate to a river hole or other structure and set up with their baits on the up-current side of where they expect the cats to hold. It is also wise to make repeated casts to the same general area, because doing so strengthens the line of scent to the area where the bait settles.

Dips generally do not stay on hooks -- even treble hooks -- on their own. There is nothing solid to put a hook through. Instead, anglers buy "catfish worms," most of which are tubes with holes in them or ringworm-style rubber worms. All are designed to hold the bait initially, but release it gradually. Most come pre-rigged with treble hooks on leaders, and sometimes a worm or two is included with a can of dip. An alternative is to string a piece of sponge onto the shank of the treble hook.

Dip baits are generally best kept in the shade during mid-summer days. Most get thinner in the heat, and keeping the bait on the hook can become challenging. Some manufacturers sell additives that help thicken dip baits that get too thin on toasty afternoons.

A final important accessory, similar to the liver fisherman's hand towel, is some sort of a dipstick to push the worm or sponge down into the bait without actually touching the goop.

Top 5 Catfish Baits Part 2 - Chicken Livers

2010-11-18T11:53:00.001+08:00

Arguably, no bait is more closely associated with catfishing than a chicken liver. The reason is simple: livers produce catfish and lots of them. With their strong, meaty smell, chicken livers draw cats from broad areas. Once the cats find the bait, they have trouble resisting them.

Livers typically do not produce many huge catfish. However, for channel cats up to about 10 pounds, chicken livers are extremely productive. They also are inexpensive and available from any grocery store. One major caveat of baiting up with chicken livers is that they initially can be difficult to keep on the hook. They toughen up once they have been in the water a few minutes. But if you are not careful, casting this bait much farther than your hook travels is common.

Among the best ways to keep livers hooked is to use treble hooks and relatively small pieces of bait, and wrap the liver onto the hook. That allows the bait to be hooked in a few different places, and the bends of the three hooks work together to keep the offering in place. Beyond that, you simply need to make lob casts instead of fast-action snapping casts.

Livers also tend to work best for the first 15 or 20 minutes they are on a hook. They lose a lot of their natural juices over time as well as much of their appeal. Anglers are wise, therefore, to re-bait rigs periodically and to always begin with a fresh piece of liver after moving to a new spot. Chicken livers work well any where channel cats or smaller blues are the main attraction and where currents are not too overpowering. Extra strong current such as in tailraces of dams, for example, often tear livers off hooks before the cats get the opportunity to find the bait and eat it.

For ponds or other small-water settings, all you typically need to add to the line is a split shot or two. In bigger lakes or rivers, more weight typically is needed.

A couple of final considerations about livers are worth noting. First, when cats are active, livers go quickly. It is wise to bring two or three containers of bait for a day of catfishing. Also you should always bring a hand towel or two and be prepared to make a mess out of them. Chicken livers are incredibly sticky.