Published March 23, 2020 by Katherine Sullivan.
As the COVID-19 outbreak becomes a rapidly growing crisis in the U.S. and beyond, folks are arming themselves with necessities, including knowledge. The outbreak has caused us all to become more familiar with terms like “novel coronavirus,” “self-quarantine,” and—here’s a new one—“wet market.”
What is a wet market?
Experts believe that the novel coronavirus originated at the Huanan Seafood Market, a wet market in Wuhan, China. A wet market (sometimes referred to as a “wildlife market”) sells live and dead animals—including fish, birds, badgers, bats, pangolins (scaly anteaters), and turtles—for human consumption.
The term is pretty on point: These markets are wet. Water splashes over the sides of open tubs filled with live sea animals who will inevitably be killed, countertops and floors are streaked red with the insides of gutted fish and slaughtered animals’ blood, and turtles crawl over each other before their shells are cut off while they’re still alive:
It’s no wonder that a deadly virus flourished in such an environment. These markets—crammed full of stressed, likely terrified animals—are breeding grounds for diseases like COVID-19. But what about the live-animal markets that exist here in the U.S.—or any animal agriculture operation, really? What’s the difference between these chickens at a wet market in Taiwan and the ones at the more than 80 live-animal markets and slaughterhouses operating in New York City? How are the restaurants in Los Angeles that mutilate and serve live animals to customers any better than wet markets in Asia? Zoonotic viruses don’t originate exclusively in wet markets. The types of animals most commonly connected to viral outbreaks in humans are chickens and pigs. And the U.S. is home to countless farms where chickens are crammed together in small cages and pigs are packed in feces-ridden sheds as well as slaughterhouses where chickens and pigs are killed on floors soaked with blood, urine, and other bodily fluids. So while current events have many calling for an end to wet markets and the wildlife trade in Asia, it’s simply not enough.
To prevent pandemics like coronavirus, we must end the demand for animal flesh entirely.
It’s been widely speculated that bats (some of whom build friendships in ways similar to humans) sold for soup could be COVID-19’s origin point. But since previous influenza viruses have originated in chickens and pigs, we can’t blame bats or other wild animals for these outbreaks.
ZOONOTIC VIRUSES AREN’T A WET MARKET OR WILDLIFE-TRADE PROBLEM—THEY’RE A HUMAN PROBLEM. HUMANS’ ACTIONS TOWARD OTHER ANIMALS CREATED COVID-19, AND IT’S UP TO US TO SHAPE UP.
Deadly diseases like COVID-19 will keep breaking out until the world stops eating animals. If we were all vegan, COVID-19—along with SARS and MERS—likely wouldn’t exist. Plus, animals deserve better than this:
Just as we don’t want to become infected with or die of COVID-19, animals don’t want to suffer or be killed for food. Pigs, for example, just want to be left in peace to nurse their young, protect their friends, and relax in the sun (much like humans).
BIRD FLU, CORONAVIRUS, HEART DISEASE, SALMONELLA … WHEN WILL PEOPLE REALIZE THAT EATING ANIMALS KILLS IN SO MANY WAYS?
Yes, wet markets should be banned. But please, ban meat, eggs, and dairy from your plate—before the next deadly zoonotic disease hits.
Showing posts with label fish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fish. Show all posts
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Malaysian Fresh Water Fish
Sebarau
(Hampala macrolepidota)
This is probably our liveliest sportfish! Weight for weight, I personally rank it as the hardest fighting freshwater fish in Malaysia! From the sudden thumping strike till the last seconds before it is landed, the sebarau just never gives up fighting the angler!
In comparing it to the fish of the temperate climates, I'd say its traits are similar to the rainbow trout. The sebarau readily takes artificial lures with its aggressive character. The habitat too is very similar.
It can be found in the larger streams, rivers, old mining ponds with streams running in, lakes and dams. They will lurk around structure in the flowing water. Using the eddies of fallen trees, branches and rocks to wait for passing prey. In still waters, the smaller sebarau can be found in and around shallow weedbeds. However the bigger sebarau will take up residence in deep waters. Areas with submerged tree trunks or fallen logs will produce sizable sebarau that sit in these deep waters.
Sebarau up to a kilo give great sport on light casting tackle. Bigger sebarau require heavier tackle especially in snaggy areas. A sebarau over 2 kilos would be regarded as a rewarding catch. Sebarau as big as 5-7 kilos have been caught.
Artificial lures like spoons, soft plastics, spinners, spinnerbaits and minnow profile plugs readily account for most of the sebarau caught. Flies like poppers, clouser minnow and deceivers will work for the fly fisherman
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Trout Fishing Almost Heaven - 09
Hye everybody..
Trout for dinner
Toss this offering out upstream and drift it through deep runs, pools and eddies. Rocks and log-jams that offer shelter from the flow for pot-gutted hatchery fish suddenly faced with the rigors of a wild stream are also worth casting to. A sharp tap-tapping should telegraph up the rod if you're fishing good water. Strike quickly to drive the barb home and there may be trout for dinner.
Artificials such as Panther Martins and Flatfish will also take stocked trout when cast upstream and across and retrieved down through the current. Small marabou jigs crawled along the bottom can fool whoppers at times when the flashy spinners don't produce.
The fly fisherman can take his share of trout at this time as well, since many holdover fish from earlier plantings will be accustomed to feeding on natural insects. Some of the newly stocked fish also learn quickly that a mayfly or beetle tastes every bit as good as the brown pellets they were fed throughout their lives in the concrete troughs of a hatchery.
Most West Virginia streams are on the acidic side and lack heavy aquatic insect hatches. This makes the fish particularly fond of land insects such as beetles, ants, grasshoppers and crickets. Toss imitations of these bugs along the banks with a light splat or softly to any rises you see in midstream. If no takers show, tie on a weighted nymph and float it "dead drift" through the fishy-looking runs and deep pools.
And if all else fails, pick up the scattergun and go chase a grouse or woodcock through the bright autumn woods. That's sure to take the sting out of a poor trout fishing day.
See u all guys in next post..
Looking for an excuse to visit West Virginia in the fall? Here are three good ones: Trout fishing, hunting and viewing fall's foliage.
If ever there was a time to head for the Mountain State, it's in October to do some trout fishing. This is also the time that several small game seasons, plus turkey and archery deer hunting are all open. Fall foliage is nearing its sunburst peak. And 70,000 trout are being stocked during the second and third weeks of October -- a time when the state truly lives up to its "wild, wonderful" slogan.
Combine trout fishing with hunting for fun
Saturday morning, grouse, squirrel, raccoon and woodcock seasons open; duck and dove seasons continue; turkeys become legal game; and the bow-and-arrow deer season begins. Prospects for hunting virtually all of these game animals should be excellent.
The state's deer herd is growing, a record spring gobbler harvest was posted this year, and grouse are in the midst of a modest upswing. West Virginia has always been a top woodcock state, and huge flights of these long-beaked birds drop into the Canaan Valley, near Davis during the fall.
And while the brightly painted leaves clinging to deciduous trees are a hindrance in viewing game, they add an esthetic value that few sportsmen would want to forego. The foliage usually reaches its peak of color intensity during the second and third week of October in the Eastern Panhandle, where most Washington-based visitors will spend their time.
While most cabins and lodge rooms at state parks and forests have been reserved well in advance, a few are still available. Phone 800/642-9058 toll-free in Charlestown for information on what's left.
If ever there was a time to head for the Mountain State, it's in October to do some trout fishing. This is also the time that several small game seasons, plus turkey and archery deer hunting are all open. Fall foliage is nearing its sunburst peak. And 70,000 trout are being stocked during the second and third weeks of October -- a time when the state truly lives up to its "wild, wonderful" slogan.
Combine trout fishing with hunting for fun
Saturday morning, grouse, squirrel, raccoon and woodcock seasons open; duck and dove seasons continue; turkeys become legal game; and the bow-and-arrow deer season begins. Prospects for hunting virtually all of these game animals should be excellent.
The state's deer herd is growing, a record spring gobbler harvest was posted this year, and grouse are in the midst of a modest upswing. West Virginia has always been a top woodcock state, and huge flights of these long-beaked birds drop into the Canaan Valley, near Davis during the fall.
And while the brightly painted leaves clinging to deciduous trees are a hindrance in viewing game, they add an esthetic value that few sportsmen would want to forego. The foliage usually reaches its peak of color intensity during the second and third week of October in the Eastern Panhandle, where most Washington-based visitors will spend their time.
While most cabins and lodge rooms at state parks and forests have been reserved well in advance, a few are still available. Phone 800/642-9058 toll-free in Charlestown for information on what's left.
Streams stocked with trout
If the foliage and opening of hunting seasons weren't enough to draw one to West Virginia, 30 of the state's best trout streams will receive some 70,000 new trout. While it's frowned upon by purists, stocking is often necessary in streams where the natural spawning isn't enough to establish a viable trout fishery. Such, sadly, is the case in manyWest Virginia streams where the waters are cold and clear enough to hold trout, but reproduction is poor.
If there must be stocking of adult trout, West Virginia does a good job of it, often raising fish to a husky 11 to 14 inches before releasing them. The trout are stocked on a weekly basis during spring in some of the more popular creeks. The state also has no closed-season and opening-day fiasco concentrating droves of anglers in a carnival-like atmosphere along the banks.
During October, the state's yearly effort concludes with a bang. Not only are 70,000 trout being placed in the streams, 5,000 of them are brood fish ranging from 15 to 22 inches.
All of the waters listed under the "F" code in the current fishing regulations (except the Summersville Lake tail waters) will receive fish. Some of the more popular streams within a day's driving distance of Washington include Edward's Run and Pond in Hampshire County; Opequon Creek in Berkeley and Jefferson counties; and Rock Cliff Lake, Lost River and Trout Pond in Hardy County. Slightly farther (three to six hours) are Shaver's Fork, Knapps Creek, Buffalo Fork Lake, Beaver Creek and the Cranberry River in Pocahontas County. The Buckhanon and Blackwater rivers in Tucker County and North Fork of the South Branch in Pendleton and Grant counties are also good streams. The locations of these waters are shown in theWest Virginia Stream Map, available from the Department of Natural Resources, 1800 Washington Street East, Charleston 25305.
If the foliage and opening of hunting seasons weren't enough to draw one to West Virginia, 30 of the state's best trout streams will receive some 70,000 new trout. While it's frowned upon by purists, stocking is often necessary in streams where the natural spawning isn't enough to establish a viable trout fishery. Such, sadly, is the case in manyWest Virginia streams where the waters are cold and clear enough to hold trout, but reproduction is poor.
If there must be stocking of adult trout, West Virginia does a good job of it, often raising fish to a husky 11 to 14 inches before releasing them. The trout are stocked on a weekly basis during spring in some of the more popular creeks. The state also has no closed-season and opening-day fiasco concentrating droves of anglers in a carnival-like atmosphere along the banks.
During October, the state's yearly effort concludes with a bang. Not only are 70,000 trout being placed in the streams, 5,000 of them are brood fish ranging from 15 to 22 inches.
All of the waters listed under the "F" code in the current fishing regulations (except the Summersville Lake tail waters) will receive fish. Some of the more popular streams within a day's driving distance of Washington include Edward's Run and Pond in Hampshire County; Opequon Creek in Berkeley and Jefferson counties; and Rock Cliff Lake, Lost River and Trout Pond in Hardy County. Slightly farther (three to six hours) are Shaver's Fork, Knapps Creek, Buffalo Fork Lake, Beaver Creek and the Cranberry River in Pocahontas County. The Buckhanon and Blackwater rivers in Tucker County and North Fork of the South Branch in Pendleton and Grant counties are also good streams. The locations of these waters are shown in theWest Virginia Stream Map, available from the Department of Natural Resources, 1800 Washington Street East, Charleston 25305.
With this immense quantity of naive hatchery trout in the streams, bait is the most potent offering. Salmon eggs, minnows, redworms and nightcrawlers all will fool their share of trout, but they'll fool a lot more when fished in a natural fashion, rather than being plunked down with a heavy weight so they hang unrealistically on the bottom.
A light spinning outfit and four-to six-pound line will handle all trout, even those big breeder fish over 20 inches, if the reel's drag works smoothly. For holding the bait and snatching the fish, use gold hooks in sizes 6 to 10. Depending on the depth of water and rate of current, attach one to three very small split shot on the line a foot above the bait.
A light spinning outfit and four-to six-pound line will handle all trout, even those big breeder fish over 20 inches, if the reel's drag works smoothly. For holding the bait and snatching the fish, use gold hooks in sizes 6 to 10. Depending on the depth of water and rate of current, attach one to three very small split shot on the line a foot above the bait.
Toss this offering out upstream and drift it through deep runs, pools and eddies. Rocks and log-jams that offer shelter from the flow for pot-gutted hatchery fish suddenly faced with the rigors of a wild stream are also worth casting to. A sharp tap-tapping should telegraph up the rod if you're fishing good water. Strike quickly to drive the barb home and there may be trout for dinner.
Artificials such as Panther Martins and Flatfish will also take stocked trout when cast upstream and across and retrieved down through the current. Small marabou jigs crawled along the bottom can fool whoppers at times when the flashy spinners don't produce.
The fly fisherman can take his share of trout at this time as well, since many holdover fish from earlier plantings will be accustomed to feeding on natural insects. Some of the newly stocked fish also learn quickly that a mayfly or beetle tastes every bit as good as the brown pellets they were fed throughout their lives in the concrete troughs of a hatchery.
Most West Virginia streams are on the acidic side and lack heavy aquatic insect hatches. This makes the fish particularly fond of land insects such as beetles, ants, grasshoppers and crickets. Toss imitations of these bugs along the banks with a light splat or softly to any rises you see in midstream. If no takers show, tie on a weighted nymph and float it "dead drift" through the fishy-looking runs and deep pools.
And if all else fails, pick up the scattergun and go chase a grouse or woodcock through the bright autumn woods. That's sure to take the sting out of a poor trout fishing day.
See u all guys in next post..
Friday, July 31, 2009
Fish Conservation
The Freshwater Fish Keystone focuses on species and habitats species that occur in the U.S. or its territories and that have been identified as high priorities for the nation. Freshwater fish (anadromous and catadromous) and associated aquatic life such as mussels, crayfish, and other invertebrates are included in this Keystone. Our goal in the Freshwater Fish Keystone is to find the best conservation investments, fund the best solutions, and deliver measurable results for fish conservation. Under this mission statement we have selected Initiatives that focus on making a measurable impact on the status of specific species and their habitats. Individual Initiatives are listed to the right and are focused under the three themes below that we believe are critical for conserving freshwater fish, aquatic organisms, and their habitats.
Water Flows
Climate Change and Adaptation
Imperiled Fish: Apache Trout and Upper Klamath Basin
Goldfish and Snails Is it Worth the Risk?
Hello readers, happy weekend..
Over the past few days, there has been much discussion over the sustainability of keeping goldfish and various species of snails together in an aquarium setting. Though it is certainly a combination that can work, there are many reasons why caution is necessary. The purpose of this article is not to dissuade one from trying to attempt such a combination, but to explore the risks present to the health and well being of both animals when such a mix is being considered.
Very often, when this topic is discussed, it is framed only in terms of the danger snails face in the presence of goldfish. Generally ignored however, is the fact that goldfish also face debilitating, even mortal injury at the hands of their snail tankmates. A quick google search with the words goldfish, stuck, and mouth, will return all sorts of hits, involving everything from pebbles to cory cats, even otocinclus. The simple fact is, if it fits in your goldfish’s mouth, there is a very real possibility that it will at some point, end up in there. The problems occur when something is small enough to get in, but just big enough not to be easily extricated. Often in these cases, if the fish is unable to free the object itself, keeper intervention becomes necessary. Pulling the object out via tweezers is usually the only solution, and items can sometimes cause even greater damage on the way out. It is not uncommon for fish who have been through such traumas to die, even after the blockages have been removed. Thus, for the safety of your goldfish, they should only be kept with snails small and smooth enough not to pose a threat (read: no MTS), or entirely too large to feasibly fit into their mouths. Additionally, one must be just as cognizant of spreading disease when adding new snails to a system as with new fish. The same quarantine rules must apply. Though snails bred and raised by responsible hobbyists are safer than pond raised snails, one must always be cautious when adding new stock.
So one can see that keeping goldfish safe in the company of snails is a relatively easy task. Unfortunately, keeping snails safe in the company of goldfish can be significantly more complicated. The danger that goldfish present to snails is not one borne of a desire to eat them, but rather a desire to find out if they are indeed edible. Goldfish explore their worlds through their mouths, and new or unfamiliar things are often nipped at. This does not equate to aggression on the goldfish’s part, but it is difficult to picture a snail rationalizing why it is being bitten. Beyond that, and perhaps more importantly, is the issue of ensuring that both parties get enough to eat. Goldfish are notoriously greedy, powerful, and efficient feeders. This might equate to an abundance of food for obligate algae eaters, but for the pomacea type snails, who have pretty serious metabolic needs, this can be a double edged sword. Beyond being unable to compete effectively against the goldfish for the same food resources, their stress reactions to rough treatment can also come into play. “Stress in general, especially for bridgesii snails really limits their quality of life. I would be concerned the boisterous and energetic qualities of goldfish as well as their tendency to explore with their mouths would make cohabitating a more beneficial experience for the goldfish than the snail. I don't even really recommend keeping snails with boisterous tankmates like barbs, danios, etc, because the snails tend to be less outgoing (MsJinkzd).” Most importantly, stressed snails are also much less likely to be able/willing to feed properly, even further exacerbating concerns over getting them the proper nutrition they require.
As you can see, the issues involved in keeping goldfish and snails together are a bit more complicated than they might seem to the novice. One cannot simply throw a few snails in with a few goldfish, wait a couple weeks, and proclaim that all is well and will always be as such. “But I watch my tank all the time, and have never seen my goldies harass their snaily friends!” It’s important to remember that most of the time we are near our goldfish tanks, their attention is quite fixated on us, and the possibility of an impending meal. Just because one does not witness goldfish on snail harassment, does not mean it does not happen. A fish that has just been fed may have little to no interest in his snail tankmates, but the same fish after a day or two of fasting might have a very different reaction to a brig’s waving antennae. Though it is quite unlikely that a goldfish would simply predate on a snail beyond a given size, the possibility for harassment is very much there, and considering the quality of life issues that snails face when housed with goldfish, as well as the danger issues goldfish face when housed with snails, one really has to ask themselves: Is it worth the risk?
Over the past few days, there has been much discussion over the sustainability of keeping goldfish and various species of snails together in an aquarium setting. Though it is certainly a combination that can work, there are many reasons why caution is necessary. The purpose of this article is not to dissuade one from trying to attempt such a combination, but to explore the risks present to the health and well being of both animals when such a mix is being considered.
Very often, when this topic is discussed, it is framed only in terms of the danger snails face in the presence of goldfish. Generally ignored however, is the fact that goldfish also face debilitating, even mortal injury at the hands of their snail tankmates. A quick google search with the words goldfish, stuck, and mouth, will return all sorts of hits, involving everything from pebbles to cory cats, even otocinclus. The simple fact is, if it fits in your goldfish’s mouth, there is a very real possibility that it will at some point, end up in there. The problems occur when something is small enough to get in, but just big enough not to be easily extricated. Often in these cases, if the fish is unable to free the object itself, keeper intervention becomes necessary. Pulling the object out via tweezers is usually the only solution, and items can sometimes cause even greater damage on the way out. It is not uncommon for fish who have been through such traumas to die, even after the blockages have been removed. Thus, for the safety of your goldfish, they should only be kept with snails small and smooth enough not to pose a threat (read: no MTS), or entirely too large to feasibly fit into their mouths. Additionally, one must be just as cognizant of spreading disease when adding new snails to a system as with new fish. The same quarantine rules must apply. Though snails bred and raised by responsible hobbyists are safer than pond raised snails, one must always be cautious when adding new stock.
So one can see that keeping goldfish safe in the company of snails is a relatively easy task. Unfortunately, keeping snails safe in the company of goldfish can be significantly more complicated. The danger that goldfish present to snails is not one borne of a desire to eat them, but rather a desire to find out if they are indeed edible. Goldfish explore their worlds through their mouths, and new or unfamiliar things are often nipped at. This does not equate to aggression on the goldfish’s part, but it is difficult to picture a snail rationalizing why it is being bitten. Beyond that, and perhaps more importantly, is the issue of ensuring that both parties get enough to eat. Goldfish are notoriously greedy, powerful, and efficient feeders. This might equate to an abundance of food for obligate algae eaters, but for the pomacea type snails, who have pretty serious metabolic needs, this can be a double edged sword. Beyond being unable to compete effectively against the goldfish for the same food resources, their stress reactions to rough treatment can also come into play. “Stress in general, especially for bridgesii snails really limits their quality of life. I would be concerned the boisterous and energetic qualities of goldfish as well as their tendency to explore with their mouths would make cohabitating a more beneficial experience for the goldfish than the snail. I don't even really recommend keeping snails with boisterous tankmates like barbs, danios, etc, because the snails tend to be less outgoing (MsJinkzd).” Most importantly, stressed snails are also much less likely to be able/willing to feed properly, even further exacerbating concerns over getting them the proper nutrition they require.
As you can see, the issues involved in keeping goldfish and snails together are a bit more complicated than they might seem to the novice. One cannot simply throw a few snails in with a few goldfish, wait a couple weeks, and proclaim that all is well and will always be as such. “But I watch my tank all the time, and have never seen my goldies harass their snaily friends!” It’s important to remember that most of the time we are near our goldfish tanks, their attention is quite fixated on us, and the possibility of an impending meal. Just because one does not witness goldfish on snail harassment, does not mean it does not happen. A fish that has just been fed may have little to no interest in his snail tankmates, but the same fish after a day or two of fasting might have a very different reaction to a brig’s waving antennae. Though it is quite unlikely that a goldfish would simply predate on a snail beyond a given size, the possibility for harassment is very much there, and considering the quality of life issues that snails face when housed with goldfish, as well as the danger issues goldfish face when housed with snails, one really has to ask themselves: Is it worth the risk?
Friday, January 16, 2009
Monday, April 21, 2008
African Angler Top Twenty
The largest reliably record Nile perch from Lake Nasser weighed 176kg (392lb). The largest Nile perch caught on an African Angler safari was 6'2" long and had a girth of 4'11". Gerald Eastmure, a 78-year-old tea planter from India, landed this huge perch. The available scales measured up to 220lb which was not enough; this perch has been estimated to weigh 275lb plus.
Marked IGFA on chart - These are the three largest fresh water fish ever caught on rod & line that have been ratified by the IGFA (International Game Fishing Association) as world records. The 230lb fish is the existing all tackle world record Nile perch and the 213Lb and 210lb Nile perch are preceding all tackle world records.
Marked IGFA on chart - These are the three largest fresh water fish ever caught on rod & line that have been ratified by the IGFA (International Game Fishing Association) as world records. The 230lb fish is the existing all tackle world record Nile perch and the 213Lb and 210lb Nile perch are preceding all tackle world records.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. | Line | Angler Bill Toth Adrian Brayshaw Franz Retzinger Darren Lord Peter Bond Darren Lord Wilma McDermid Larry Dhalberg Dietmar Rittscher Robert Fry Colin Campbell Olivier Portrat Paul Burnside Rory Collins Roger Durham Tim Baily Olivier Portrat David MacIntyre Hans Emmenegger Barrie Sayers | Country USA England Germany England England England Scotland USA Germany England England Germany English English English English Germany England Switzerland England | Weight 230lb IGFA 213lb IGFA 211lb 210lb IGFA 205lb 202lb 200lb 200lb 200lb 200lb 195lb 192lb 190lb 190lb 186lb 186lb 185lb 184lb 180lb 180lb |   |
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