Over the course of this season we have contacted a lot of experts from all around the country. Here is a list of the experts we contacted.
Don Jeske
Don is a Port Engineer in Seattle. He told us that he hasn’t heard or seen anything like our idea before. He also informed us that the US has banned drift netting. This will help loads of dolphins because it is a large factor towards the dolphins getting stuck in nets. A lot of foreign countries do not have this ban.
- Denver Zoo
- Hogle Zoo
- Bass Pro Shop
- Cabelas
- Alaskan Fishery
- Loveland Living Aquarium
- National Aquarium
- Sea-world San Antonio
- San Diego Zoo
- Disney World
- Sea World San Diego
- Dolphin Research Center
- Bruce Borrowman, 8th and 9th grade science teacher at Syracuse Arts Academy
- Steffi Lietzke, an engineer
- Don Jeske, A Port Engineer in Seattle, WA.
Don Jeske
Don is a Port Engineer in Seattle. He told us that he hasn’t heard or seen anything like our idea before. He also informed us that the US has banned drift netting. This will help loads of dolphins because it is a large factor towards the dolphins getting stuck in nets. A lot of foreign countries do not have this ban.
Sandy Hook Sea Life Foundation
The Sandy Hook Sea Life Foundation gave us some valuable information. They sent us a link that has all the US fisheries and what by-catch they have. This website was very useful for us because it also showed where what by-catch was getting caught. The website is http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/interactions/fisheries/2017_list_of_fisheries_lof.html in case you would like to go visit it.
The Sandy Hook Sea Life Foundation gave us some valuable information. They sent us a link that has all the US fisheries and what by-catch they have. This website was very useful for us because it also showed where what by-catch was getting caught. The website is http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/interactions/fisheries/2017_list_of_fisheries_lof.html in case you would like to go visit it.
Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary
The Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary responded to us with some helpful facts. They told us that our idea was interesting and could work. They told us of two different things that other researchers have tried, but failed. First they told us about how people attached reflective plates to the nets so dolphins could detect them with their sonar, and then avoid them. The other thing researchers have tried is using "pingers" to alert the dolphins to the presence of the nets. Both these ideas have failed, but the sanctuary believes our idea could work.
The Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary responded to us with some helpful facts. They told us that our idea was interesting and could work. They told us of two different things that other researchers have tried, but failed. First they told us about how people attached reflective plates to the nets so dolphins could detect them with their sonar, and then avoid them. The other thing researchers have tried is using "pingers" to alert the dolphins to the presence of the nets. Both these ideas have failed, but the sanctuary believes our idea could work.
Ric O'Barry
The Cookie Bots reached out and contacted Ric O’Barry. Ric is a well known American activist who works hard saving dolphins. He was a dolphin trainer for years and actually trained the original Flipper! He responded to us on Facebook telling us that he thought our idea was excellent and this is what he said, “Excellent! Keep us informed. Education equals empowerment!”
The Cookie Bots reached out and contacted Ric O’Barry. Ric is a well known American activist who works hard saving dolphins. He was a dolphin trainer for years and actually trained the original Flipper! He responded to us on Facebook telling us that he thought our idea was excellent and this is what he said, “Excellent! Keep us informed. Education equals empowerment!”
Sea Sheapheard Conservation Society
We contacted this organization in regards to sharing and feedback. We got back a reply saying that they loved our idea. They told us that this idea, if it worked, would be very useful and they could actually use it. They were also talking about how one day it could be possible that commercial fishing would be required to have our product on it. This is a big step and we are very thankful to them for giving us an amazing reply.
While telling us about using our product they told us why. They have been working hard to preserve the lives of a type of Porpoise from extinction. These porpoises are called Vaquita Porpoise. There are only about thirty left on the planet. They hope that if ECHO was made then it would help them a lot.
We contacted this organization in regards to sharing and feedback. We got back a reply saying that they loved our idea. They told us that this idea, if it worked, would be very useful and they could actually use it. They were also talking about how one day it could be possible that commercial fishing would be required to have our product on it. This is a big step and we are very thankful to them for giving us an amazing reply.
While telling us about using our product they told us why. They have been working hard to preserve the lives of a type of Porpoise from extinction. These porpoises are called Vaquita Porpoise. There are only about thirty left on the planet. They hope that if ECHO was made then it would help them a lot.
Professionals Pt 2.
Cami Tucker, Marine Biologist
Questions and Answer
Cami Tucker, a marine biologist at Loveland Living Aquarium, gave us some input about Echo. Below are the questions we gave her and the answers we received.
1) Do you think this product will help prevent dolphins and sea animals from being stuck in fishing nets?
- Yes! I definitely think this product has potential, and I love the ingenuity of the idea.
2) Is it a big concern for marine biologists that dolphins and other sea animals are being harmed by fishing nets?
- It definitely is. Organisms that are caught unintentionally while fishing for other species are called by-catch, and it is estimated that around 25% of the worldwide catch is by-catch. (This is equivalent to about 25 million tons). This is of course a big threat to those species that are already endangered or protected species, but by-catch even includes juveniles of valuable species sought in other fisheries. Fishing is very important, and provides millions of people food and employment, so it is not reasonable to stop fishing altogether. Therefore, a solution that improves fishing by reducing the by-catch would be an incredible and very significant invention.
(Castro, Peter and Michael E. Huber. Marine Biology. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. Print.)
3) Are you aware of a battery that could be used for a product immersed in sea water?
- I am not aware of one at the moment, but I have sent an email to a contact of mine who has more information. As soon as I hear back from him I will let you know!
4) Are there colors that would attract fish?
- Yes and no. This is probably the most difficult question and the most complex. The problem is that fishes have all sorts of adaptations to their eyes depending on where they live and how they eat. For example, Marlins, a fast-swimming open ocean fish, have huge eyes and special adaptations that enable them to have an increased sensitivity to light and see prey better in faint light. Some fish, such as Barracudas, are attracted to shiny objects and will attack when they see it. Fishermen use all sorts of bright colored fish bait to attract many fish to their lines, if you have ever seen powerbait or walked into a fishing store. But what attracts some will scare away others.There is a lot of research being done on the vision of open water fishes to solve the exact same problem you guys are, that of reducing by-catch, but I am not sure of any details that have come of it.
5,6,) What do you think of this product? What would you do to make this product better?
- I think you have a great product and an excellent idea! I would recommend making it a little more specific, for now, by choosing one species that you would like to target. Because by-catch includes the entire spectrum of ocean life, and each organism is different in what attracts and detracts them, which animal is your device targeted to keep away from the nets? You can then research the specific sounds for that one species. I don't know how technical or involved you would like to get, but I would start there. Narrowing your device to complete one task will enable you to better reach your objective.
Cami Tucker, Marine Biologist
Questions and Answer
Cami Tucker, a marine biologist at Loveland Living Aquarium, gave us some input about Echo. Below are the questions we gave her and the answers we received.
1) Do you think this product will help prevent dolphins and sea animals from being stuck in fishing nets?
- Yes! I definitely think this product has potential, and I love the ingenuity of the idea.
2) Is it a big concern for marine biologists that dolphins and other sea animals are being harmed by fishing nets?
- It definitely is. Organisms that are caught unintentionally while fishing for other species are called by-catch, and it is estimated that around 25% of the worldwide catch is by-catch. (This is equivalent to about 25 million tons). This is of course a big threat to those species that are already endangered or protected species, but by-catch even includes juveniles of valuable species sought in other fisheries. Fishing is very important, and provides millions of people food and employment, so it is not reasonable to stop fishing altogether. Therefore, a solution that improves fishing by reducing the by-catch would be an incredible and very significant invention.
(Castro, Peter and Michael E. Huber. Marine Biology. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. Print.)
3) Are you aware of a battery that could be used for a product immersed in sea water?
- I am not aware of one at the moment, but I have sent an email to a contact of mine who has more information. As soon as I hear back from him I will let you know!
4) Are there colors that would attract fish?
- Yes and no. This is probably the most difficult question and the most complex. The problem is that fishes have all sorts of adaptations to their eyes depending on where they live and how they eat. For example, Marlins, a fast-swimming open ocean fish, have huge eyes and special adaptations that enable them to have an increased sensitivity to light and see prey better in faint light. Some fish, such as Barracudas, are attracted to shiny objects and will attack when they see it. Fishermen use all sorts of bright colored fish bait to attract many fish to their lines, if you have ever seen powerbait or walked into a fishing store. But what attracts some will scare away others.There is a lot of research being done on the vision of open water fishes to solve the exact same problem you guys are, that of reducing by-catch, but I am not sure of any details that have come of it.
5,6,) What do you think of this product? What would you do to make this product better?
- I think you have a great product and an excellent idea! I would recommend making it a little more specific, for now, by choosing one species that you would like to target. Because by-catch includes the entire spectrum of ocean life, and each organism is different in what attracts and detracts them, which animal is your device targeted to keep away from the nets? You can then research the specific sounds for that one species. I don't know how technical or involved you would like to get, but I would start there. Narrowing your device to complete one task will enable you to better reach your objective.