One Fish, Two Fish: New Technologies for Counting Fish

Dear New England Science Writers and other journalists:

On Saturday, June 18, 2011, join other journalists for what promises to be an interesting discussion at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. There continues to be disagreement over whether certain fish stocks are being overfished, not just in this part of the world but most everywhere. Case in point: On Massachusetts’ South Coast, fishermen and some scientists claim that reports of overfishing are “a myth,” while other marine scientists and government officials claim that certain species are dangerously overfished, which has led to the implementation of catch limits – limits that, according to the fishing community, are too harsh.

Assessing fish populations has always been an inexact science. However, new technologies are under development that will help to more accurately “count” fish and know whether or not fisheries are indeed healthy. Joining us to speak about these technologies are ocean engineer Hanumant Singh, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and marine biologist Kevin Stokesbury, School for Marine Science & Technology, UMass Dartmouth. Both scientists are at the forefront of new approaches, and they will describe why the old ways of counting fish can be so misleading and the advantages of these new technologies.

The talk starts at 2:00pm… Place: The New Bedford Whaling Museum, downtown New Bedford. Attendance: $10/per person at the door. After the talk, attendees will have a chance to tour the Whaling Museum, a phenomenal place unto itself. For those who have time, a beer networking hour (cash bar) from 4:30 to 5:30 will follow at a pub up the street.

To attend, please send an email to: parson-a@verizon.net. You’ll be sent more info about car/bus directions and parking. (Re: any questions, feel free to call me at 508-984-1955.) Hope to see you on Saturday, June 18th, close to the wharves.

Best wishes,

Ann Parson, for New England Science Writers

Appreciation goes to Heather Goldstone of NESW for helping with this event. NESW is extremely grateful to the New Bedford Whaling Museum for making its multi-media theater available.