Saturday, August 13, 2022

Fishing Tips and Tricks: Make Sure your Tackle is Labeled up..

 Fishing Tips and Tricks:

Make sure your labeled up and you know what line is on your reels or rods. 

One Cool Tuna Has the Best labeling system out there to help you do just that. 

Line Labels are printed with all the standard Line weights. that cover a wide range of fishing styles. 

WWW.onecooltuna.com

FRESHWATER

Saltwater

Heavy

Spectra ( Braid)

Mixed 








Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Fatty Katsuo Sushi - In Trouble in Japan

https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/fatty-katsuo-fish-may-foreshadow-climate-change-threat-japans-sushi-2022-07-12/ 

 

 

Fatty 'katsuo' fish may foreshadow climate change, threat to Japan's sushi.

 

By  

 

NAKATOSA, Japan, July 12 (Reuters) - For half a century, Takeo Nakajo has been catching katsuo, or skipjack tuna - indispensable in Japanese cuisine whether eaten raw, dried or used as a base for the broth.

But he and other fishermen in Kure, in Kochi prefecture in southwest Japan, have seen something worrying in the past two years - an unprecedented number of unusually fatty katsuo.

While heavier katsuo means more money, locals and experts say it indicates climate change and a risk for katsuo numbers already under threat due to growing demand and overfishing.

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com   Photo essay:

NAKATOSA, Japan, July 12 (Reuters) - For half a century, Takeo Nakajo has been catching katsuo, or skipjack tuna - indispensable in Japanese cuisine whether eaten raw, dried or used as a base for the broth.

But he and other fishermen in Kure, in Kochi prefecture in southwest Japan, have seen something worrying in the past two years - an unprecedented number of unusually fatty katsuo.

While heavier katsuo means more money, locals and experts say it indicates climate change and a risk for katsuo numbers already under threat due to growing demand and overfishing.

Advertisement · Scroll to continue

"The fatty katsuo must have something to do with the water temperature," said the 70-year-old Nakajo. "I have a sense of urgency thinking what if katsuo doesn't come to the bay some day." (Photo essay: https://reut.rs/3AFtYSQ)

Noriaki Ito, the head chef at a century-old restaurant Tsukasa in Kochi City, said he too had "never seen such fatty katsuo during this season of the year".

This is worrying as changes in the sea and climate have already wiped out some other fish "including a shellfish called chambara-gai that used to be Kochi's speciality", Ito added.

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Photo essay:

NAKATOSA, Japan, July 12 (Reuters) - For half a century, Takeo Nakajo has been catching katsuo, or skipjack tuna - indispensable in Japanese cuisine whether eaten raw, dried or used as a base for the broth.

But he and other fishermen in Kure, in Kochi prefecture in southwest Japan, have seen something worrying in the past two years - an unprecedented number of unusually fatty katsuo.

While heavier katsuo means more money, locals and experts say it indicates climate change and a risk for katsuo numbers already under threat due to growing demand and overfishing.

Advertisement · Scroll to continue

"The fatty katsuo must have something to do with the water temperature," said the 70-year-old Nakajo. "I have a sense of urgency thinking what if katsuo doesn't come to the bay some day." (Photo essay: https://reut.rs/3AFtYSQ)

Noriaki Ito, the head chef at a century-old restaurant Tsukasa in Kochi City, said he too had "never seen such fatty katsuo during this season of the year".

This is worrying as changes in the sea and climate have already wiped out some other fish "including a shellfish called chambara-gai that used to be Kochi's speciality", Ito added.

Advertisement · Scroll to continue

Originally from tropical waters, some Pacific katsuo migrate northward on a warm ocean current every spring, making Kochi's arc-shaped bay a fertile fishing ground.

The average surface temperature of the bay in winter has risen by 2 degrees Celsius in the four decades to 2015, local fisheries lab data shows, and the fatter katsuo may be due to ample prey in the warmer sea.

But longer term, this warming may prevent mineral-rich water from rising to the surface, resulting in a drop in plankton and smaller fish to feed on, leading to fewer katsuo, said Hiroyuki Ukeda, an agroscientist and vice president of Kochi University.

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com

NAKATOSA, Japan, July 12 (Reuters) - For half a century, Takeo Nakajo has been catching katsuo, or skipjack tuna - indispensable in Japanese cuisine whether eaten raw, dried or used as a base for the broth.

But he and other fishermen in Kure, in Kochi prefecture in southwest Japan, have seen something worrying in the past two years - an unprecedented number of unusually fatty katsuo.

While heavier katsuo means more money, locals and experts say it indicates climate change and a risk for katsuo numbers already under threat due to growing demand and overfishing.

Advertisement · Scroll to continue

"The fatty katsuo must have something to do with the water temperature," said the 70-year-old Nakajo. "I have a sense of urgency thinking what if katsuo doesn't come to the bay some day." (Photo essay: https://reut.rs/3AFtYSQ)

Noriaki Ito, the head chef at a century-old restaurant Tsukasa in Kochi City, said he too had "never seen such fatty katsuo during this season of the year".

This is worrying as changes in the sea and climate have already wiped out some other fish "including a shellfish called chambara-gai that used to be Kochi's speciality", Ito added.

Advertisement · Scroll to continue

Originally from tropical waters, some Pacific katsuo migrate northward on a warm ocean current every spring, making Kochi's arc-shaped bay a fertile fishing ground.

The average surface temperature of the bay in winter has risen by 2 degrees Celsius in the four decades to 2015, local fisheries lab data shows, and the fatter katsuo may be due to ample prey in the warmer sea.

But longer term, this warming may prevent mineral-rich water from rising to the surface, resulting in a drop in plankton and smaller fish to feed on, leading to fewer katsuo, said Hiroyuki Ukeda, an agroscientist and vice president of Kochi University.

Advertisement · Scroll to continue

This comes as Japan's ageing population is threatening the sustainability of local fishing and related businesses such as the production of dried and fermented katsuo, and wasabi horseradish - an eye-watering condiment tucked under fish in a piece of sushi. read more

In Kure, a district in Nakatosa town, many fishermen have gone out of business in the past three decades, said Takahiro Tanaka, a fourth-generation owner of a fishmonger who calls himself a "katsuo sommelier".

"We can distinguish different tastes of katsuo, just like ordinary French farmers may savour subtleties of wine ... this place might be one of Japan's last communities where katsuo is part of the daily culture," he added.

"But without fishers, this won't last," Tanaka said.

Fisherman Nakajo also rued the ageing community and fewer successors. "I asked my grandson if he would take over, but he's now studying to work at a government office," Nakajo said.

SUSHI CULTURE AT RISK

Overfishing has already hit catch numbers and dealt a blow to the fishermen in Kochi who have stuck to traditional single pole fishing methods versus large-scale seine fishing across the western Pacific.

Government data shows catch numbers in Kochi are only at a quarter of their 1980s peak.

"We have observed a catastrophic decline in landings over the last 10 years or so," said Ukeda.

"A growing number of people fear we may no longer be able to eat katsuo in the near future if things continue like this."

Production of katsuobushi, dried and fermented katsuo, often used as a shaved condiment over traditional Japanese dishes or as a broth base, is already suffering.

The number of katsuobushi manufacturers in Kochi has plunged from dozens some forty years ago to only a few, said Taichi Takeuchi, who runs one in the town of Usa.

"I'm really unsure if we can continue this," said Takeuchi.

Wasabi, the tangy horseradish that is an essential for Japanese food, especially sashimi and sushi, is facing similar production challenges. read more

Typhoons and rising temperatures have hurt production in Okutama, a mountainous area to the west of Tokyo, said Masahiro Hoshina, 72, head of the local wasabi growers' association.

"I am extremely worried about the future of our farming," Hoshina said.

The number of farmers in the area is down 75% from the 1950s due to depopulation, and unless something changes, some worry sushi itself could be endangered.

"The combination of raw fish and spice, as in katsuo and wasabi, is an art, and we must maintain both," said Ukeda. "I never want to think about a future" without them, he added.

(The story corrects name in paragraph 8, Hiroyuki Ukeda not Hideyuki Ukeda)

 

 

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

10 Unusual Things You Need in a Survival Kit These must-have items you probably already have laying around the house can save your life.

 

10 Unusual Things You Need in a Survival Kit

These must-have items you probably already have laying around the house can save your life.

 

Field & Stream


If you fire up your favorite search engine and hunt for a list of survival kit components, you’ll find that most of them repeat the same things over and over. Knife, fire starter, and cordage are among the most commonly suggested items, and for good reason, as each of them could prove vital in many situations.

However, there are a bunch of things that could be very handy to have that few people think to add to their kit. These aren’t all true life-or-death items. Rather, they can help make the job of surviving a little easier. When everything seems to be going awry, anything you can do to smooth things out, even if only by a little, will be welcome.


1. Binder Clips

These are commonly used in offices. They’re sort of like paper clips on steroids and come in six sizes, from 1/2 inch wide to two inches, though the most common are 1¼ inches and 1⅝ inches. If you can squirrel a few away from the office manager, these clips have several uses out in the field. They work well for affixing a tarp to a guy line or for building other types of shelters. They can also help secure cordage to a branch or tree. The clips will rust over time when used in damp conditions, so it is important not to leave them out for days or weeks at a time.

2. Zip Ties

These are another good helper for shelter construction, albeit a bit more permanent than the binder clips. They can also be used to hang things in camp for the night. Secure items to your pack for safekeeping or use one to “lock” the zippers on your bug out bag so nobody rifles through it when you’re not around. If you plan to use snares or similar types of traps, a zip tie can keep the wire securely attached to a tree or weight. They can be used to cinch pant legs to help prevent ticks, too.

3. Dental Floss

Cordage is always useful for a variety of things and adding dental floss to the kit is a great way to extend your supply. While thin, it is very strong and it has the bonus of an easy-to-use container with built-in cutter. Perhaps the most common suggestion is to use floss as fishing line, which will certainly work. But, it can also serve as snare line, sewing thread, or even a tripwire, if you’re in need of some sort of primitive alarm system.

4. Trash Bags

Spend the extra few dollars for the contractor-grade bags as they’re going to be thicker and tougher than their kitchen counterparts. Use one to keep your pack contents dry on days when the rain just won’t stop. Cut a hole in the bottom and one on each side to turn it into a makeshift poncho. Fill one with pine boughs, dry grass, and leaves to have a cushion against the ground. Or, cut it all the way open and use it as a layer in the roof of your shelter to keep the rain out.

5. Pencil Sharpener

In the wild, you need to conserve your resources. This extends to the wear and tear on your gear. Every time you use your knife, the edge is dulled to some degree. Anything you can do to conserve that edge is beneficial. For example, rather than chopping branches for the fire, wedge them between two trees and snap them. A pencil sharpener makes wonderful shavings for tinder without dulling your knife and adds almost nothing to the weight of your pocket or pack.

6. Deck of Cards

Not everything in your kit needs to have a pure survival purpose. Cards are a great way to occupy your time, whether playing solitaire by yourself or poker with the others in your group. Of course, there are a number of specialized decks on the market that can contribute more than just gameplay. A simple search online will find decks devoted to wild edibles, knots, animal tracks, and similar topics. These decks can then serve the dual purposes of educating and entertaining.

7. Notepad and Pencil

These allow you to make notes, such as your observations or thoughts while on the trail. They also give you the ability to leave a message for someone or draw a map as you move, helping to prevent wrong turns on your way back. Go for a pencil over a pen as it’ll be less affected by temperature and weather conditions. You can easily sharpen it with the pencil sharpener you’ve already added to your kit. You might consider springing for a Rite in the Rain notepad, as they hold up far better than standard paper pads.

8. Sewing Kit

A small tear in your clothes, coat, or tent isn’t going to stay small when you’re on the move. Make repairs as soon as you can, before the damage gets worse. A small sewing kit like the ones sold for travelers is a great addition to your kit. If you run out of thread, you can use some of the dental floss mentioned earlier. You don’t need to be a true seamstress to use a needle and thread, though a little practice at home can help you to learn the basics before you truly need to know what you’re doing.

9. Duct Tape

This might be the heaviest item on the list, but in some instances, it’ll be worth its weight in gold. You can cut the weight by rolling it onto a pencil or something similar, rather than packing the whole roll you’ve purchased at the store. Use this to patch a hole in your pack or even your pants until you have time to sew them properly. You can also use it to repair a cracked water bottle. Attach a ferrocerium rod to your knife sheath if it doesn’t have a loop built into it. Speaking of which, duct tape happens to be very flammable, so you could even use it for tinder.

10. Morale Booster

This is the most subjective one on our list. Survival is as much mental as it is physical. Depending on what’s happening, you may want or need a little encouragement, something that will keep you moving forward instead of giving up. This could be a photo of your spouse and children or perhaps a pocket-sized version of your chosen religious text. Anything that might bring a positive or more determined outlook will be welcome if you find yourself in a survival situation. 

 

 F&S Link Credit

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

What Are Scientists Learning About the Deepest Diving Creatures in the Ocean?

Deep Dive - Ocean animals 

 

Animals-turned-oceanographers are helping biologists find out what they do when they get to the cold, dark depths

 There’s only one word for it: indescribable. “It’s one of those awesome experiences you can’t put into words,” says fish ecologist Simon Thorrold. Thorrold is trying to explain how it feels to dive into the ocean and attach a tag to a whale shark — the most stupendous fish in the sea. “Every single time I do it, I get this huge adrenaline rush,” he says. “That’s partly about the science and the mad race to get the tags fixed. But part of it is just being human and amazed by nature and huge animals.”

Whale sharks are one of a select group of large marine animals that scientists like Thorrold, of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts, have signed up as ocean-going research assistants. Fitted with electronic tags incorporating a suite of sensors, tracking devices and occasionally tiny cameras, they gather information where human researchers can’t. They have revealed remarkable journeys across entire oceans, and they have shown that diving deep is pretty much ubiquitous among large marine predators of all kinds.

Many regularly plunge hundreds and sometimes thousands of meters — to depths where the water can be dangerously cold and short of oxygen, there’s little or no light except for the flickers and flashes of bioluminescent organisms, and the pressure is immense, putting some animals at risk of fatal decompression sickness.

 

Click the link above for the complete Articular. 

Great Read.. 

Deepest Diving Animals 

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

MAIL DROP! What did Blue Dot Outfitters Send Us? (UNBOXING)

Great Video - Roman Castro - Review on Blue Dot Outfitters Cooler.