MrsDucky

This is interesting. It explains some of the regulations we all follow, and the ethical debate about CNR. The article came up as one of the headlines when I logged onto Yahoo! http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/200901...lutionofanimals Super-Predators: Humans Force Rapid Evolution of Animals Robert Roy Britt Editorial Director LiveScience.com robert Roy Britt editorial Director livescience.com – Mon Jan 12, 5:17 pm ET Acting as super-predators, humans are forcing changes to body size and reproductive abilities in some species 300 percent faster than would occur naturally, a new study finds. Hunting and fishing by individual sportsmen as well as large-scale commercial fishing are also outpacing other human influences, such as pollution, in effects on the animal kingdom. The changes are dramatic and may put the survival of some species in question. In a review of 34 studies that tracked 29 species across 40 different geographic systems, harvested and hunted populations are on average 20 percent smaller in body size than previous generations, and the age at which they first reproduce is on average 25 percent earlier. "Harvested organisms are the fastest-changing organisms of their kind in the wild, likely because we take such high proportions of a population and target the largest," said lead researcher Chris Darimont of the University of California, Santa Cruz. "It's an ideal recipe for rapid trait change." Darimont told LiveScience that while he considers the changes to be evolutionary, some biologists consider them phenotypic and, without evidence of genetic shifts, would not call them evolution. The study found dramatic change in several fish species and creatures as small as snails and as large as bighorn sheep and caribou. Dominant force The results, published online today in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, are similar to a host of other scientific conclusions dating back nearly two decades. In 1990, Douglas Chadwick wrote in National Geographic magazine how trophy hunting - the practice of selecting only the largest beasts to kill -"has caused a decline in the average size of Kodiak Bears [in Alaska] over the years." By harvesting vast numbers and targeting large, reproductively mature individuals, human predation is quickly reshaping wild populations, leaving smaller individuals to reproduce at ever-earlier ages, Darimont explained. "The pace of changes we're seeing supercedes by a long shot what we've observed in natural systems, and even in systems that have been rapidly modified by humans in other ways," Darimont said. The study found the changes outpace by 50 percent those brought on by pollution and human introduction of alien species. "As predators, humans are a dominant evolutionary force, he said. Others agree the problem is serious. Columbia University biologist Don Melnick recently said trophy hunting is akin to selective breeding and is "highly likely to result in the end of a species." Surprising ability to change One surprise: The capacity of creatures to change. "These changes occur well within our lifetimes," Darimont said. "Commercial hunting and fishing has awoken the latent ability of organisms to change rapidly." Changes occur in two ways. One is sheer genetics: Evolution can favor smaller fish able to pass through the mesh of gill nets and survive to reproduce, thereby passing on genes for smaller offspring. Another change process is called plasticity. Shifts to earlier reproduction, for example, can occur because there is a lot of food and fewer fish to dine on it. The fish eat more and reach maturity sooner. "Whatever the underlying process, shifts to earlier breeding spell trouble for populations," Darimont said. "Earlier breeders often produce far fewer offspring. If we take so much and reduce their ability to reproduce successfully, we reduce their resilience and ability to recover." One specific example: the overfished Atlantic cod on the eastern coast of Canada. Less than two decades ago, they began mating at age 6. Now they start at age 5. Government problem In some cases, as other studies have found, the problem results from decades of big-game hunting and, more recently, poaching. Some populations of African elephants, for example, have unnatural percentages of tusk-free animals among them now, because hunters and poachers favor the ivory. But some government rules contribute to the problem. "Fishing regulations often prescribe the taking of larger fish, and the same often applies to hunting regulations," Darimont said. "Hunters are instructed not to take smaller animals or those with smaller horns. This is counter to patterns of natural predation, and now we're seeing the consequences of this management." Darimont thinks new policies are in order. "While wolves might prey on 20 animals, humans prey on hundreds of thousands of species," he points out. "We should be mimicking natural predators, which take far less and target smaller individuals." Policy shifts may or may not save a species, however. "It's unknown how quickly the traits can change back, or if they will," Darimont said. * Original Story: Super-Predators: Humans Force Rapid Evolution of Animals LiveScience.com chronicles the daily advances and innovations made in science and technology. We take on the misconceptions that often pop up around scientific discoveries and deliver short, provocative explanations with a certain wit and style. Check out our science videos, Trivia & Quizzes and Top 10s. Join our community to debate hot-button issues like stem cells, climate change and evolution. You can also sign up for free newsletters, register for RSS feeds and get cool gadgets at the LiveScience Store.

Come on DD'sMC, let him go! You went without him, remember? Just make sure he brings some ones if you're going to the Stripper's Club at the Brass Pole...or Rebar Hole... I don't like the weather report...it's fixing to get COLD! And windy...I know the fish are already wet, but are they also frozen? Have fun!

Once you decide what to do, you can always sell them on here, in the Buy/Sell/Trade part. It looks like you have plenty of interest! (Everyone would give you fair price, but don't rush into anything! You may decide that the sentimental value is worth more than the fair price anyway.) I know my husband would be interested, but he knows less about guns than anyone else I know.

WOW! So, for the next fly swap... Or maybe not...If I did succeed in tying one, it would NEVER be attached to a line! It would be on display.

I thought it was LMW? But maybe it should be LMS (lost my spouse). LOL at the horn...yep, that's his signal to make time up the hill! And then the Perma Phart...or worse...and he comes home without his underwear...

#1. I think this was started as a public announcement, not to begin a debate. It's a very emotional issue, apparently, so let's be careful with phrasing to keep our feet off others toes. #2. The biggest complaint that I see isn't necessarily the waste in the water (although that is a concern); it's the smell, and how that will affect our happy fishing days. We all should agree that animal farms do not smell pleasant, particularly during the summer. #3. A lot of us spend at least a little time in the water, bringing a fish to hand or trying to see what's going on, and I think there's a small fear of what we might get into and bring home with us. Chicken carry diseases, and those can be passed in the feces. I think that's also a valid concern. Pet stores no longer sell turtles as pets for the same reason. #4. We all have to eat. Although some of us may be vegetarians, I doubt there are many on here. That food, especially meat, must come from somewhere. That place is not a magical, mystical place far, far away. #5. When you come along after something is already in place, you don't think about the changes that were made to put it there. It's only when you see the changes as they occur that you realize what happens, and how drastic it can be sometimes. All in all, I think there are valid concerns and points on both sides. You can make statistics say whatever you want, for either side. You can argue either side, and be correct. You can also argue either side and sound like a moron. If you have something to say, and want it to be heard and do the most good, attend the hearing. I believe you'll find the details in the original post. (Please take what I say as meant to be middle of the road, and try to diffuse some of the tenseness I feel in some of these posts. )

I represent and resemble some of these! I was glad to see that when some of these went in the blog, you fixed the gender, Trav. (Keeper can be male or female, for example!) I'm sure Mr Ducky and Flysmallie are glad not to be named as the examples of the Perma Phart...this time... I also noticed that you acknowledge the existence of the GMETS (I don't think I got that right...the squid...) Ah, well, these are great! This will be a big help to newbies to the site. Maybe it should be permanently tacked at the top of the intro section! No, we don't want to scare off the normals...

I have seen those "bumper stickers" from the state, I believe, that have a measuring tape on one side and the formulas for trout and bass on them...there are several stuck to the Empire Access fishing dock, or at least there were in 2007. (I really didn't get out much in 2008, which stinks, but new year, new rules!) Let me check and see if I can find out where to get them...If I don't respond again, it means I didn't find them! It was a gorgeous fish, and I believe 7 lbs! But then again, I fish too. http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/Documents/227.pdf This is the best I can do. There is a "stick on 18 inch ruler" listed under Fish/Fishing, but I can't find anywhere to see exactly what it looks like! It says you have to print it out and then mail it in...At least it saves you raiding your mom's old sewing kit!

I love it! just connect two tubes to two bags, one in each boot, and if you get cold, have another drink! Next time we have a get together, I can just see everyone watching everyone else for that "aaaaaahhhhhh" moment...just make sure if it's you, you don't say, "Wow, my feet are warm again!" or we'll all know! I saw a clip of David Sedaris on Letterman discussing the use and attractiveness of the Stadium Pal...It's pretty funny! (I found it doing a Google search for the Sheewee, and found a blog entry that has it on there...) I think the point of this whole thread is make sure your flyboxes and other equipment is firmly attached to your vest/pack/clothing/person in some manner when you hear that OTHER call of nature! Also, carry at least one pair of rubber gloves!

Hey, there's a SheWee survival box, thanks MC! Valentine's Day is coming up...Let's see, I'll get John some duct tape (the camo, just in case), a funnel, some tubing, a Mountain Dew, and a link to that website! Duct tape fixes everything, doesn't it??? So, if it hurts, just tape it up! Ok, so maybe no duct tape...how about some non skid stickers, like the flowers you used to put in the bathtub? Actually, you will all be happy to know, I've just located the Stadium Pal and Stadium Gal. Self adhesive (I think duct tape sounds better!) and drains "discreetly" into a bag attached to your inner calf. Happy Valentine's Day, ya'll!

Now, knowing fisherman as I think I do, you subtract about 3 inches from the length of the fish they say they caught, and with online stories you divide by 3, so...I notice none of the wives have commented... I just want to say that you guys have it easy! You could always use some duct tape, a funnel, some tubing, and a plastic bottle...only have to leave after 2 liters. May I suggest a Mountain Dew bottle? This is EXACTLY why women wait 4 hours to go to the restroom, and then go in pairs. It's so we can just throw everything at the other person to watch while the one who is about to bust first can GO! It's also why I have boots, not waders. And now, to get back on track...wait, where were we headed?

Duals are the Gatorade Duals, as in NASCAR, which definitely gets more attention than me! As for the latter part...yeah, right! He's tired, and his back hurts, and it's too windy to bbq, and he doesn't know how to fold the shirts, and... Besides, I think he's allergic to roses...I haven't gotten any since we got married!

Happy late birthday, Don. And it looks like Leonard is already losing it...he posted the same thing 3 times! The mind is the first thing to go...or maybe he's a little sleep deprived, too!

All very true! I think all you men should be wearing your fancy lingerie tonight...hahahahaha I've also seen it summed up in one word-LIVE! Don't wait, don't wonder, don't goof off, just LIVE!

I'm taking care of the one month old! The baby IS John's present, right? John is bringing home dinner, since I am going on only 5 hours sleep... After that, I'm letting John watch the duals he recorded today.