Every time you go fishing, you can now help science. It's a net benefit for conservation.
The bigger the pool of information, the deeper the public benefit for fish stocks and fishing enthusiasts. A new app will allow each catch to be recorded in a nationwide database where the scientists and government biologists of the land can assemble the best information on fish that Canada has ever seen - fresh off the line.
Angler's Atlas already helps fishers find their way, and they are the ones behind this new invention to help fishing itself stay the course. When you go to the Angler's Atlas website (you can also download the app on your smartphone), there is a new heading called MyCatch and that's how everyday fishing stories can become vital fishing statistics.
MyCatch is an easy-to-use checklist that allows fishers to fill out what they caught and where they caught it. The information will show fisheries biologists and other scientists exactly what the fishing patterns are in real-world, common sense terms.
If a species is having a great year, that will show up in the data.
If a species is struggling to survive, that will show up in the data.
If a species is creeping into new territory, that will show up in the data.
If a particular area is getting unusual fishing pressure, that will show up in the data.
No one's fishing hole will ever be revealed, however. Angler's Atlas publisher Sean Simmons has been in the fishing information game for a very long time, and he knew that the first order of business was build the app so no one's secret spot would ever be compromised.
"We need people to tell us their fishing stories in this way, and we knew that wouldn't happen if we were just telling everyone your secrets. We know that's a no-go," he said. "The main thing is, the more people who use MyCatch the better. It will provide an enormous value to the future of fishing, the sustainability of fishing, and even value to communities. Fishing touches the economy, the environment, our way of life in so many different ways, and this helps all of that. And it's free."
You can do it on the spot, feet still in the water, as a reward for reeling each fish in. Or you can do it later when you get back from the fishing trip and want to type it all up in the comfort of your slippers and pyjamas.
What's important to scientists is getting the info, one way or another.
Helping Angler's Atlas get the new app underway is the Polar Coachmen. This decades-old flyfishing group is the premier angler's association in Prince George, where Angler's Atlas is headquartered.
"The membership of Polar Coachman Flyfishers wishes to offer our support in your endeavors to take the next steps to making a 'fishing app' an integral part of a fisherman's tackle box," said club president Brian Smith in a written statement of support. "Technology has become a vital part of every (fisher's) life. Not only will the 'app' become another (weapon in the) arsenal, it has the added benefit of providing important statistics otherwise not available to the government for managing the fisheries resource. It is the voice of the consumer that will be heard."
Whenever Simmons talks about the new app with anyone who has a rod and a reel, he sees a fire in their eyes. Who doesn't love telling a fishing story? But to tell that story and have it build a wall of useful information for scientists and conservation causes - that's too much to resist.
"It touches something deep inside," said Simmons, who knows better than most the connection between fish and fact. His publication now has nine regional editions for B.C. alone, plus others in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and past versions in other provinces as well, plus the online presence. Each one is infused with maps, lure suggestions, species information, and much more.
"This is really something that's part of who we are," Simmons said. "If you fish, you love it and appreciate it, and you want to help. It's still new, we've only done our soft launch of MyCatch, but we have already seen the passion and the excitement from anglers about this."
Scientists like Fiona Johnston and Eduardo Martins are examples of researchers with an interest in how on-the-water input can help the academics who crunch the numbers from the wilderness. They are early adopters of the MyCatch idea and hope to see it used to help their own work.
"Scientists collect data already," said Simmons. "The most common methods are aerial surveys, netting and camera surveys, and creel surveys (people stopping to talk to fishers out on the water or at boat launches and other gathering points) which is commonly done but really expensive. It can easily cost $30,000 for just a basic body of water. This isn't to take the place of that kind of science, but this can really augment the science in a big way. It's citizen science."
The technology is already available and operational (go to the Angler's Atlas website to get underway) and it will be officially unveiled in Toronto during an upcoming World Wildlife Fund conference on reversing wildlife declines.
