Written by Max Geller, undergraduate summer intern hosted by FWC Fisheries Independent Monitoring Program
What is FIM?
State agencies such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are tasked with balancing the productivity of our rich ecosystems and the economic interests associated with recreational and commercial fishing. This is no easy task and requires the hard work of the many researchers stationed at FIM labs across Florida. The Fisheries Independent Monitoring program collects data to assess the health of our numerous coastal and freshwater species. The objective is to provide other researchers, fisheries managers, and policymakers with the tools to make educated regulatory decisions. In addition, FIM researchers are on the front lines in protecting our estuarine habitats- observing changes in species behavior, disease occurrence, and novel interaction.
Tools of the Trade
If it touches saltwater, you better count on it breaking. Thus, a good researcher is measured by how many redundancies they bring. These are a few maxims I took from my time with the FIM team. The success of a FIM survey relies on the constant maintenance of a fleet of shallow-running mullet boats, the primary one this season being the trusty “Billie Lyne.” This 18-foot skiff carries our crew, measuring tools, water-quality instruments, and an assortment of seine nets. These different nets allow us to selectively sample fish species based on life stage, size, and habitat preference. The 70-foot net is used to target juvenile estuarine or freshwater species, while the 600-footer is our tool of choice to sample mature fishes in open water. A normal field day consists of pulling both the 70’ and 600’ at multiple sampling sites. The team measures, identifies, counts, and then releases each captured individual (unless destined for a trip to the lab). If you are not tired by the end of this process, then you haven’t pulled enough nets, or a storm has chased you off the water.
Wet Work
To complete FIM’s objectives, time spent on the water is a small part of the equation. A significant amount of work is completed back in the lab. One responsibility is completing representative and identification samples. We select a portion of our catches to analyze in the lab, using dissection microscopes to count fin rays or observe diagnostic features. These are then sent to other labs to confirm the accuracy of our identifications. Some fish species are quite cryptic and are extremely difficult to Identify. Even the professionals need to be checked!
The idea of getting shoulder-deep in a frozen cobia may not seem appealing to some, but “wet lab” can yield some of the most interesting findings. Some game fish caught during our surveys are culled for further study and are “worked up in wet lab.” The specimen emerges from an ice bath to be weighed, then the technician opens the gut cavity to determine the sex. Finally, the braincase is cracked open to remove the otolith for later aging (like how the rings of a tree are counted). For some select species, we collect histological samples to determine factors such as mercury concentration or fecundity.
Thank You
In my short time at the FIM lab, I worked with an incredibly knowledgeable, passionate, and inspiring team. I thank Caleb Purtlebaugh and Anthony Knapp of FWC for hosting me, as well as NCBS for providing this opportunity. I would like to give a special thanks to Hunter Barrand, Will Ray, Jennie Miller, and Brian Klimek for pulling the nets by my side and suffering through my questions. I came away from the experience with a wealth of practical knowledge in marine studies, a deeper understanding of the scientific process, a few good stories, and many more questions.
| Follow the link to learn more about the UF/IFAS NCBS Undergraduate Summer Internship program. Read more intern blogs here. |
Featured image credit: UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones
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