4 ms·
Do you get the same 100 dumb fish?
by zellyn 3y ago
Do you get the same 100 dumb fish?
- egeozcan 3y agoCatching fish is theoretically not perfectly random (risk-averse fish are less likely to get selected/caught) but that's the best method in those circumstances and it's reasonable to argue that the effect is insignificant.
- nkurz 3y agoYou make a very weak argument, and are simply assuming the conclusion. What makes it the "best method"? Would it be better to use a seine, or a trap, or hook-and-line? How would we know if there are subpopulations that have different likelihood of capture by different methods? To say it's "reasonable to argue that the effect is insignificant" is purely assertion. Why is it unreasonable to argue that a fish could learn from the first experience and be less likely to be captured a second time? If what you mean is that it's better than a completely blind guess, then I'd agree. But it's not clearly the best method nor is it clearly unbiased.
- egeozcan 3y agoFair points. But, mark-recapture is about practicality. It's not perfect, but it's a solid compromise between accuracy and feasibility (so I mean best in these regards, to be 100% clear). Sure, different methods might skew results, but this technique is about getting a reliable estimate, not pinpoint accuracy. As for learning behavior in fish, that's considered in many studies (and many other things, like listed here: https://fishbio.com/fate-chance-encounters-mark-recapture-studies-open-fish-population/ https://fishbio.com/fate-chance-encounters-mark-recapture-st... ), but overall, it doesn't hugely skew the population estimates. So, again, it's about what works best in the field, not in theory.
- lanstin 3y agoIn my experience conservation biologists are really good at finding animals in the wild. Much better than a typical SWE or typical business person.
- soonwitdafishis 3y agoonly if you're within a 100 mile radius of me the ultimate dumb fish
- p1mrx 3y agoWhy are they dumb? Free tag.
- labster 3y agoImagine being the only fish without a tag. Everyone at school will know how lame you are.
- DeathArrow 3y agoIt would be illegal not to have a tag. If the fish has nothing to hide, it shouldn't worry about being tagged. And, also, the fish gets tagged for its own good.
- eek2121 3y agoThis comment. Please see here.
- DeathArrow 3y ago>Everyone at school will know how lame you are. They'll even call you tinfoil fish.
- panarky 3y agoWouldn't a previously caught fish be less likely to fall for the same trick a second time?