Fish and Friends

This week the research team and I went to the Panther Island Mitigation Bank to conduct bimonthly fish sampling. The process of fish sampling is rather simple given our use of throw trapping methodology accompanied by the use of minnow traps. Throw trapping specifically is the method of throwing a large square trap into an undisturbed area with at least a few inches of water. Next, seines and nets are used to remove all of the fish and other aquatic organisms from the area within the trap. This methodology allows for  brief insight into the ecology of sampled wetlands as the traps help demonstrate the biodiversity, population sizes, and variability of species between wetland habitats.

A division of the research team throw traps a
shallow marsh in the Panther Island Mitigation Bank

Throw trapping can be a rather exciting field activity as you get to interact directly with the fish and be in the back-country, embracing and studying the environments that we, as researchers, have all come to love so much. Sometimes rare fish, reptiles, and amphibians are even caught in these traps fostering our need to learn more about our environment and the crazy critters that inhabit it. However, despite these great attributes, my favorite part about throw trapping are the conversations and bonds that are formed over the nets.

With each trap taking an hour or so to process, throw trapping creates the time and space for researchers to connect not only through their work, but through their conversations as well. During throw trap sampling I have gotten to know more about my coworkers music tastes, movie preferences, and past experiences than I ever thought I would. As we spend time hunched over the seine pulling fish after fish out of the trap, we joke about the shows we watch on Netflix. Or while sifting through mud and vegetation for organisms we discuss our past college courses and our future goals, making the time spent in the field fly by. This has taught me that, while research practices and work may seem mundane at times, these days spent out in the field not only embrace our love of the environment that we study, but the love for the people that we study it with.  

Two members of the research team and I finish up a
throw trap at the Panther Island Mitigation bank

I look forward to our next sampling event where we will continue to improve our knowledge of wetland ecology and fishes, as well as continue to grow our friendships!

- Evan, Conservation Intern