Science and the art of fish collecting

[Anonymous]

Just another example of how far removed science can be from fish collecting.

http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm ... zoom1.html

from National geographic


The Fog of Fish Collecting
Photograph by Paul Nicklen

Ichthyologist Jerry Allen squirts rotenone, a deadly organic powder derived from the root of the derris plant, into the waters near Kanton island, part of the South Pacific's Phoenix Group. The chemical stuns all fish within an area the size of a broom closet before dissipating, allowing him to collect specimens for study. "Usually I'm trying to flush out the fish that live back in crevices, that you never see," he says. During an expedition to survey the islands' biodiversity, Allen's team discovered four new fish species.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah and they use it on those deepsea 2 man submerseables too. Seen it on the Discovery channel several times.

 

[clarionreef]

WOW,
NICE PHOTOGRAPH!
It tells a lot about why the scientific community has long been hesitant to be against drug collecting. From researchers to public aquarium people, the lack of talent in collecting led them 'naturally' to using drugs,and expensive ones at that!
Its not as credible to be against drugs in commercial collecting when our role models and intelligencia are dopers themselves.
They've always been this way and are of their own culture.
Hundreds of poor divers can do what they cannot yet the lack of opportunity, initiative or just too much pride keeps them from learning.
Maybe we could run collecting classes/seminars to teach our heros to not kill so much of the coral micro systems they 'nuke' while exploring and looking for marinelife.
Steve