Interesting study on smallmouth bass removal

[fishinwrench]

51 minutes ago, Flysmallie said:

It’s not usually a biologist that screws things up, it’s the people with the money, or more importantly the people that hope to profit off what they do. Those are called politicians and most Americans will follow them blindly off a cliff. The control is needed for them. Scientists don’t profit by screwing over the natural resources. 

I just don't know about that.   I've personally known 4 of them, and one is still a very close friend.....even though I rip on him regularly 😅 and oddly enough he almost always agrees, or at least can't dispute my position.    I get to hear about projects that will never make the "news", but out of respect and confidentiality I can't just go blabbing about it. 

I gotta give them credit for their enthusiasm once they get settled into a decent position. They seem to be anxious to make a name for themselves, or do something they feel like they can "hang their hat on".

Funding be darn, if they feel like they are doing something remarkable they'll figure out a way to DO IT.   No politicians or profit margin required.    Having connections through Colleges is how it's done.....and they all seem to have those connections.  There's very little oversight or concerns about funding if a college class is involved. 

The world is full of Anthony Fauchi's on every level.   

[fishinwrench]

1 hour ago, Flysmallie said:

Scientists don’t profit by screwing over the natural resources

They aren't making errors/causing problems on purpose!   

It's like tripping over the hose at a carwash and breaking a bone.   All you were TRYING TO DO was CLEAN THE CAR !    And now you can't even wipe your butt without help. 

[Quillback]

12 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

I   I get to hear about projects that will never make the "news", but out of respect and confidentiality I can't just go blabbing about it. 

 

The reason that stuff doesn't make the "news" is most people don't care what those folks are doing.  A good chunk of the fishermen out there don't know or care about a lot of that research.  

[fishinwrench]

8 hours ago, Quillback said:

The reason that stuff doesn't make the "news" is most people don't care what those folks are doing.  A good chunk of the fishermen out there don't know or care about a lot of that research.  

True. Most of it is nothing more than a waste of time and has no detrimental effects.  But some of it surely does.  CWD in deer is a prime example.....Just look at all the crap that has caused, and there's no reversing it.  It started in high-fence operations w/selective assisted breeding, then got out of control....and now we're stuck with it. 

[Quillback]

CWD is a bad one for sure.  

I could go on and on about salmon research and restoration in the PAC NW.  $1 billion per year is spent on the Columbia River system per year and it's been going on for something like 30 years.  Salmon numbers have bottomed out and are not rebounding.  It can't be turned off as people think the answers are right around the corner.  I'd like to see the fish come back, but I don't see it happening.  That money does provide income for people and businesses, doesn't do much for the fish.  

You can't swing a dead cat up there without hitting a biologist/fisheries researcher.  The feds have them, the states have them, the tribes have them, and you've got consultants that are bios.  Lawyers get some employment too; there are always lawsuits going on concerning fish.  It's crazy.

 

[Al Agnew]

5 hours ago, Quillback said:

CWD is a bad one for sure.  

I could go on and on about salmon research and restoration in the PAC NW.  $1 billion per year is spent on the Columbia River system per year and it's been going on for something like 30 years.  Salmon numbers have bottomed out and are not rebounding.  It can't be turned off as people think the answers are right around the corner.  I'd like to see the fish come back, but I don't see it happening.  That money does provide income for people and businesses, doesn't do much for the fish.  

You can't swing a dead cat up there without hitting a biologist/fisheries researcher.  The feds have them, the states have them, the tribes have them, and you've got consultants that are bios.  Lawyers get some employment too; there are always lawsuits going on concerning fish.  It's crazy.

 

Yeah, the salmon thing is a big deal, with a simple answer but a near impossible solution.  Everybody knows that as long as all the dams are there, the salmon aren't coming back.  But the dams are too sacred, so they keep trying to nibble around the edges of the problem with things they think they can do something about, like invasive smallmouth eating salmon fingerlings.