Results tagged “fishing” from 60 Second Science

In 1919, fifty years after the yellow fever epidemic drove away much of Tampa’s population and a decade prior to the apex of the city's cigar industry, six young men were arrested for fishing out of season. Though impoverished anglers, they persuaded the area’s hottest young criminal defense attorney to represent them. The fee: a fish dinner. The ensuing case not only portended a brilliant legal and political career, it spawned an ichthyological footnote that well reflects the strange and often anarchic times of Tampa Bay in the early 20th century.

Partial to scotch and smoking, Patrick Crisp Whitaker, Sr. never made it past eighth grade, hiring a friend to forge his high school diploma in order to get into Georgetown law school. Once established, he performed at trials with the flair of a master showman, attracting hordes of curious spectators, and once, according to legend, commanded a jury’s attention by removing his false teeth during an opening statement. Before trading the courtroom for a seat on the state Senate, Whitaker is said to have deprived Old Sparky of more condemned men than any other lawyer in the history of Florida.

Continue reading 'The Curious Case of the Aquatic Fowl' >

Empty fishing trawls today could lead to lucky fisherman tomorrow.

If fishermen fished for profits, rather than for overflowing nets, both the fishermen and the oceans would be richer, according to a study by scientists at the Australian National University published today. Researchers suggest governments could invest in the fishy economic plan by compensating fishermen today for their losses, and taxing them later.

The study makes a strong case for the battle against overfishing. Plus, it's beneficial for fish, and their 'scaredy-fish'personalities.

But John Tierney at the New York Times points out that it's hard to sell fishermen on this long-term plan. Tragedy of the commons is a much more appealing deal for those trying to put fish on the table today.

Ya gotta hand it to jellyfish: For basically being a gelatinous conglomeration of nematocysts and ganglia, they sure know how to f*** s*** up. After getting all wicked on an Irish salmon farm earlier this month, wrecking their shizz to the tune of $2 million, they've decided to let Japan know who's ocean it really is. Giant jellyfish, some as large as 450 lbs and six feet in diameter, have invaded the coasts of Japan, clogging fishing nets, stinging fools, and generally treating the land of the rising sun like its bitch. Blame for the jellies rise could include global warming, overfishing, dropping oxygen levels in the ocean or, like everything, the Chinese. The Wall Street Journal's got video of the nastiest east-side gang since the Crips in action. Look out for the Japanese researcher who has to be "very careful" to not get jellyfish goo in his eye. These guys don't stand a chance — jellies on the east siiiiyeeeeed!

Continue reading 'Video: Giant jellyfish invade Japan, making it a 'gangsta' month for cnidarians' >