Field Ecology of Fish

Field Ecology of Fish

As a comprehensive Badge the Field Ecology of Fish is earned upon successful completion of the three badges:

Participants experience supervisor-led exploration of characteristics and techniques used to identify a group 100 fish species that are economically significant or of conservation interest to regional natural resource agencies. Participants will learn to use the following dichotomous key to facilitate fish identification and natural history requirements of each species: Kansas Fishes; Kansas Fishes Committee –Illustrations by Joseph Tomelleri; University Press of Kansas, Lawrence. In addition, Participants use of active and passive netting techniques that include the most common gears. Participants will learn to execute proper safety protocols while conducting electrofishing techniques. All activities will be consistent with IACUC approved handling protocols. Capture and data gathering will adhere to professional standards as described in Fisheries Techniques, 3rd Edition, American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland. The badge is earned through the accumulation of three techniques-based badges: 1) Fish Identification: Sportfishes, 2) Fish Identification: Native Fishes,and 3) Field Ecology: Fish Capture Techniques.

Field Ecology: Fish Capture Techniques

Participants experience supervisor-led exploration and participation in the use of active and passive netting techniques. In addition, participants will learn to execute proper safety protocols in the execution of electrofishing techniques. All activities will be consistent with IACUC approved handling protocols. Capture and data gathering will adhere to professional standards as described in Fisheries Techniques, 3rd Edition, American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland. Although much of the preliminary material can be assimilated remotely, the badge requires a minimum of 16 contact hours working with fish and equipment in field conditions. A final practical exam score of 85% is required to earn the badge.

Fish Identification: Sportfishes

Participants experience supervisor-led exploration of characteristics and techniques used to identify a group 50 fish species that have been designated as sportfish or invasive species by regional natural resource agencies. Participants will learn to use the following dichotomous keys to facilitate fish identification and natural history requirements of each species: Kansas Fishes; Kansas Fishes Committee –Illustrations by Joseph Tomelleri; University Press of Kansas, Lawrence. It is anticipated that participants will gain the confidence to independently identify species not listed in the course. Although much of the preliminary material can be assimilated remotely, a minimum of 8 contact hours working with fish specimens in the lab is required and 4 contact hours working to identify live “catch and release” specimens. A final exam score of 85% is required to earn the badge.

Fish Identification: Native fish

Participants experience supervisor-led exploration of characteristics and techniques used to identify a group 50 fish species that are regionally significant or of conservation interest to regional natural resource agencies. Participants will learn to use the following dichotomous keys to facilitate fish identification and natural history requirements of each species: Kansas Fishes; Kansas Fishes Committee –Illustrations by Joseph Tomelleri; University Press of Kansas, Lawrence. Although much of the preliminary material can be assimilated remotely, a minimum of 8 contact hours working with fish specimens in the lab is required and 4 contact hours working to identify live “catch and release” specimens. A final exam score of 85% is required to earn the badge.