The Blue Fish Radio Show Blue Fish Radio

National Geographics Monster Fish TV hosts Zeb Hogan and Stefan Lovgren have just released their new book, Chasing Giants, In Search of the World’s Largest Freshwater Fish. Zeb Hogan is a research biologist at the University of Nevada, an advisor to the UN Convention of Migratory Species, and our guest on The Blue Fish Radio Show. Zeb’s adventures around the world researching and filming over 30 one-hour specials for Nat-Geo TV have both amazed viewers world-wide and identified the five most common threats to the world’s largest freshwater fishes. A scientist and TV host who enjoys fishing as much as he does researching fish, Zeb has probably checked off every fish on the bucket list.

Scotty and Lawrence discuss what it says about marine mammals when a large pod of dolphins surrounds a female whale about to give birth in order to protect her baby from sharks. Lawrence shares more news about the Future Angler Foundation, the rebounding Atlantic Cod stocks around Newfoundland, the important role of artisanal fishers, how commercial fishing should be regulated to address rapid advancements in fishing technology, DFO’s handle on ensuring our fisheries are sustainable, why fishing organizations are suing tire manufacturers, recently escaped Atlantic salmon from a fish farm in New Brunswick, the second year snow crab fishing off Alaska will be off limits, and the important role of the experimental lakes in north-west Ontario.

Scotty and Lawrence talk about the Ultimate Ice Fishing Show, and then Lawrence asks Scotty a series of questions on ice fishing preferences causing the CFN audience to wade in. Lawrence has several news items to share including a ban on fishing announced in certain national parks to control Whirling Disease, and news about the new Saskatchewan Fishing League App. Lawrence discusses his plans to take part in the coming year’s Tomcod ice fishing festival on the Lower St. Lawrence River.

Scotty and Lawrence talk about the Killer Whales off the coast of Spain that are routinely sinking pleasure boats, the hunting partnership between Killer Whales and Greenland hunters, Ontario’s MNRF fish species priorities, Watersheds Canada’s new direction and leadership with respect to fishing, the status of fish health on the Upper St. Lawrence River and the work of the River Institute, causes for the Muskie die-offs on the St. Lawrence, how pacific salmon adapted to the viruses in the Great Lakes after being introduced, recognition of new donors to the Blue Fish Exploration Centre, the Centre’s new Supreme Novo 38 woodstove, the Cabela’s store in Ottawa recent donation through their “round up for Conservation” program, why some people count down to retirement and their remaining fishing trips, what motivates us to go fishing, a conversation with the president of the Future Angler Foundation, the 148 million tons of seafood consumed by the world each year and how much of this is grown through aquiculture, and open pen fin-fish aquaculture versus closed containment.

Scotty and Lawrence discuss the Atlantic Glass Eel fishery, why conservation needs to be the corner-stone of all fishing regulations and enforcement, water abundance in the Great Lakes, the Alberta Conservation Associations yearly effort to aerate trout lakes and keep ice fishing safe, why Westcoast fish farms are being shut down but not east coast operations, and the threat to wild salmon from escaped farmed fish, .

Lawrence speaks with Future Angler Foundation President Patrick Neu about the origin, mission and future plans to get more youth out fishing. Pat describes how they were able to achieve TV broadcasting success on PBS, and why youth need to learn about boating safety and responsible fishing as part of their introduction to the sport. Lawrence and Pat also discuss the many new challenges facing fish and fishing, and why youth are the next generation of stewards of the resource.