Fun facts, articles, and much much more...
Take some time to discover interesting videos and informative articles about the marine world.
Brought to you by the wonderful research team here at MarineandSports.com!
Enjoy :)
November 12, 2009
HOW TO MEASURE A FISH
GUIDELINES TO SALT WATER FISH MEASUREMENTS
In order to measure most finfish, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) use either Total Length or Fork Length. These measurement methods provide a consistent as well as a defined measurement technique. These methods encourage angler compliance with fishery management regulations.
TOTAL LENGTH MEASUREMENT
The total length is measured from the most forward point of the head, with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.
| Total Length Species Include: |
|
| Snapper Family |
Tripletail |
| Grouper Family |
Bonefish |
| Red Drum |
Sheepshead |
| Black Drum |
Flounder |
| Snook |
Several Ornamentals |
| Spotted Seatrout |
Angelfish |
| Weakfish |
|
Fish regulated by fork length are measured from the tip of the jaw or tip of the snout with closed mouth to the center of the fork in the tail.
| Fork Length Species Include: |
|
|
| Amberjacks |
|
Bluefish |
| Rudderfish |
|
King Mackerel |
| Hog Fish |
|
Spanish Mackerel |
| Dolphin |
|
Permit |
| Cobia |
|
Pampano |
| Mullet |
|
African Pompano |
LOWER JAW FORK LENGTH MEASUREMENTS(BILLFISHES)
Fish regulated by lower jaw fork length are measured in a straight line from the anterior most part of the lower jaw (tip of the lower jaw) to the fork in the tail.
| Lower Jaw Fork Length Species Include: |
|
| Sailfish |
Blue Marlin |
| White Marlin |
|
Stone Crab claws must measure at least 2 3/4-inches in length measured by a straight line from the elbow to the tip of the lower immovable finger. The forearm (propodus) shall be deemed to be the largest section of the claw assembly that has both a moveable and immovable finger and is located farthest from the body of the crab.
Spiny Lobster must have a minimum carapace length of greater than 3-inches and the measurement must take place in the water. The carapace is measured beginning at the forward edge between the rostral horns, excluding any soft tissue, and proceeding along the middle to the rear edge of the carapace.
IN FRESHWATER RULES, ONLY TOTAL LENGTH IS USED. MEASUREMENT IS TAKEN FLAT, NOT ALONG THE CURVE OF THE FISH
The above image depicts the most commonly used measurements for fish. The total length is the maximum length of the fish with the mouth closed and the tail fin pinched together. The best way to obtain this length is to push the fish's snout up against a vertical surface with the mouth closed and the fish laying along a tape measure, then pinch the tail fin closed and determine the total length (see animated illustration), do NOT pull a flexible tape measure along the curve of the fish.
Conversely, most marine (saltwater regulations) refer to the "fork length", and scientists often use "standard length" which is to the end of the fleshy part of the body. "Standard
length" has the advantage of not being affected by minor damage to the tail fin, nor does it give too much credit to a fish for the relatively lightweight tail when calculating a fish's condition.
"Girth" is best measured with a fabric ruler, such as tailors use. It can also be determined by drawing a string around the fish at its widest point marking where the string overlaps and then measuring the distance between the overlapping points on a conventional ruler. Knowing the girth is important when trying to certify a fish for a record, and provides useful information to biologists about the relative condition of a fish.
Using total length and girth you can get a rough estimate of a fish's weight using various formulas.
Length-Weight Formulas to Estimate Fish Weights
Log (weight in grams)= -4.83 + 1.923 x Log (total length in millimeters) + 1.157 x Log (girth in millimeters).
**Source: Pictures and information from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission & Duane Ravers Jr.
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November 11, 2009
TWELVE IMPORTANT MARINE SAFETY TIPS
If you live in Florida or you plan a boating / fishing journey in the State of Florida you may like to obtain information on Florida
Boating Laws and Regulations by contacting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
1. Take a boating safety education course.
2. Dress to survive bad weather.
3. Wear a Life jacket/flotation device.
4. Become familiar with marine federal regulations.
5. Before you start your fishing journey, obtain information regarding fishing permits according to the state you plan to fish in.
6. Always carry a fire extinguisher in your boat.
7.Always carry a First-Aid-Kit for emergencies in your boat.
8. Assign a responsible adult or adults to keep track of the whereabouts and safety of each child and pet on board.
9. If you are night cruising with your boat, slow down since at night you do not have high visibility and one cannot judge distances nor objects.
10. Adjust your interior lighting so that you are not blinded by your own illumination.
11. Use your hearing to your best advantage, by avoiding loud noises so you can hear approaching vessels, rushing water and horns in your immediate surroundings. Most important, while boating, use common sense to avoid any unwanted accidents.
12. Most important, while boating, use common sense to avoid any unwanted accidents.
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November 10, 2009
HEALTHY COOKING FOR HEALTHY LIVING
At Marine and Sports we care for your safety and your well-being. Therefore, we decided to look
into some healthful cooking recipes for healthy living. We hope that you find
the following seafood recipes satisfyingly delicious.
MARINE GROUPER WITH ROASTED PEPPERS, ONIONS AND HONEY MUSTARD
Ingredients:
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch squares
1 green bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch squares
1 medium red onion, cut into 1/2- inch squares
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1/2-teaspoon salt
1/2-teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
2 teaspoon of Honey Mustard
2 pounds grouper fillets, cut to make 4 pieces
Preparation:
Heat the oven to 450 degrees F in a large roasting
pan, combine the red and green bell peppers, the onion, 1 tablespoon of olive
oil, and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of honey mustard.
Roast in the oven until the peppers and onions start to brown, about 12
minutes, stirring twice.
Rub the remaining tablespoon oil over both sides of the grouper.
Sprinkle the grouper with the remaining 1/4-teaspoon each salt, pepper, and 1
teaspoon of honey mustard. Remove the roasting pan from the oven and push the
pepper and onion mixture to the sides of the pan. Put the grouper in the center
of the pan, skin-side down, and cook until just done, about 15 minutes for
1-inch-thick grouper fillets. Serve the fish with the peppers and onions.
MEDITERRANEAN STYLE MAHI MAHI, WITH TOMATO, BASIL, OREGANO SAUCE
Ingredients:
16 oz Mahi Mahi fillets
2 ½-cups diced tomatoes
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/3 cup red shallots, sliced
1/4 cup red onion, diced
1/4-cup garlic, chopped (approx. 6 cloves)
2-tablespoons tomato paste
1-teaspoon oregano
1-tablespoon sugar
Preparation:
Coat pan with olive oil and pan fry Mahi Mahi
fillets until golden brown. To prepare sauce, saute garlic, red onions and
shallots in pan. Add olive oil, garlic, oregano, tomato paste, and sugar. Stir
and simmer until sauce thickens. Remove from heat and add basil. To serve, top
Mahi Mahi fillets with generous helping of tomato basil and oregano
sauce.
ORIENTAL SAUTEE SALMON WITH TERIYAKI SAUCE
Ingredients:
4 or 5 filets salmon
Cornstarch
3 tbsp. Vegetable Oil
Dipping Sauce:
2 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tbsp. sake (Japanese rice wine)
Teriyaki Sauce:
2 tbsp. sugar
2 tbsp. soy sauce
2 tbsp. sake
Preparation:
Mix dipping sauce ingredients and steep salmon in the mixture for 1 hour. Pat salmon dry with a paper towel and coat thinly with cornstarch. Heat vegetable oil in frying pan and sauté salmon until well cooked and take out. In clean frying pan, heat teriyaki sauce mixture to a boil. Then reduce heat and simmer for 1 minute. Put the salmon into the frying pan and flavor with teriyaki sauce.
MARINE BAKED RED SNAPPER WITH TOMATO, GREEN AND BLACK OLIVES
Ingredients:
6-ounce red snapper
1/4-cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 sprigs of fresh oregano
3 tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup chopped green olives
1/2 cup chopped black olives
1/4 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes (optional)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
1-tablespoon fresh limejuice
Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Oil lightly a shallow baking dish large enough to hold the snapper fillets in one layer.
In a bowl stir together the oil, the oregano, the tomatoes, the green and black olives, the red pepper flakes, the garlic, the onion, and the limejuice. In the prepared baking dish arrange the
snapper fillets, skin sides down, season them with salt, and spoon the tomato mixture over them. Bake the snapper, uncovered, in the middle of the oven 15 to
20 minutes, or until it just flakes.
TROPICAL GRILLED MARLIN WITH MANGO AND PINEAPPLE SAUCE
Ingredients:
Olive oil, as needed
1/4 cup red onion
6 slices of fresh pineapple, peeled and diced
1 each mango, peeled, seeded, diced
1/4 cup roasted red pepper, diced
1/4 cup of Rum
1 each lime juice, fresh squeezed
1 Tbs. fresh chopped basil
6 6-oz Marlin steaks (or fresh sword, tuna, halibut, shark)
Preparation:
Lightly brush or spray marlin steaks with a little
oil. Place the marlin steaks on a clean hot char-broiler. Grill the
marlin steaks to desired temperature.
Mango Pineapple Sauce:
Can be done ahead of time. Sauté onions in small amount of olive oil until translucent and sweet, then add the diced mango and pineapple. Sauté for a few more minutes to bring out the natural sugars. Next toss in the roasted red peppers. Remove pan from the heat and add in the Rum. Slowly bring back to heat and flame the dish. Add in the fresh limejuice and finish with fresh chopped basil. Save in glass or stainless dish until marlin time.
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November 09, 2009
LEADING MARINE MANUFACTURERS IN TODAY'S MARKET
ACR ELECTRONIC
ACR Electronics has been determined to provide the best electronic life support and signaling
equipment since 1956. ACR's continuing commitment to excellence and the high
quality of its equipment have made the company a world leader in the field of
safety and survival. From the heights of the NASA space program to the boater,
flier and outdoorsman, ACR products have led the way in design, development,
and durability.
AIRHEAD WATER SPORTS
You'll really slice up the water with these towables. Find out for yourself why Airhead is
the quality leader in watersports. Peak performance, enjoyment and value are
guaranteed. Kwik Tek Airhead towables are durable and accessible for quick
inflating and deflating.
BAJA PRODUCTS
Baja Products invites you to browse the products and check out the Electro Wipes, a one step,
anti-static, alcohol free handi-wipe for use in cleaning all of your marine equipment.
Electro Wipes safely remove fingerprints, salt residue, dust and grime from all
marine electronics without removing the Ultra Violet coating. Safe for all
electronics.
BLUE SEA SYSTEMS
Blue Sea Systems is committed to the improvement of marine electrical products and
systems, such as panel systems, circuit breakers, connectors, and insulators.
Blue Sea wants to satisfy their distributors, dealers and ultimately the retail
customer by designing and manufacturing electrical products engineered to withstand
the harsh marine environment.
CANNON
Cannon Downriggers is a division of Johnson Outdoors Inc., a dominant force in
recreation products. Cannon carries a full line of electric and manual
downriggers, rod holders and accessories, and downrigger accessories. A Cannon
downrigger will instantly give you controlled depth and more accurately
positioned bait presentation, no matter what species you're after.
DELORME
DeLorme is a leading provider of mapping products, technologies, and data for the consumer
and professional markets. Located in Yarmouth, Maine, DeLorme headquarters is
home to corporate offices, a state-of-the-art research and development
facility, the DeLorme Map Store, and Eartha, the world's largest rotating and
revolving globe.
FURUNO
Furuno is a world-renowned manufacturer and leader of marine electronics that produces an
abundance of products. With a large selection of high-end, commercial grade
sonar to the compact Black Box sonar, Furuno has one to fit almost any vessel.
When it comes to communications, top performance and total reliability are
necessities. That's why Furuno radio equipment is tough and dependable.
GARMIN
Garmin is a leader in Global Positioning System GPS technology and an innovator in consumer
electronics. Garmin serves both the aviation and consumer markets. Garmins
products are used in flying, boating, driving, hiking, and many other
activities. Specifically, Garmin aims to enrich the lives of customers,
suppliers, distributors, and employees by providing the very best products that
offer superior quality, safety, and operational features at affordable prices.
HUMMINBIRD
Humminbird is America's Favorite Fishfinder brand. For over 30 years we've been a leader in
providing the recreational angler exciting, innovative fishfinders, depth
sounders, marine radios and GPS systems. Humminbird introduced many of the
exciting innovative products and features that are in wide use today, and will
continue to introduce cutting edge smart technology products in the future.
JENSEN
Jensen brand electronics are specifically engineered to operate smoothly even under the
harshest conditions. Whether extreme hot or cold temperatures, condensation and
humidity, Jensen develops electronics to stand up to almost anything. Jensen
stocks a full line of LCD TV's, marine stereos, and speakers and accessories.
KVH INDUSTRIES, INC
KVH Industries, Inc., based in Middletown, Rhode Island, is an international leader in
developing and manufacturing innovative, mobile, high-bandwidth satellite
communications systems, tactical navigation products, and fiber optic products.
KVH offers access to live mobile media ranging from satellite TV to telephone
and high-speed internet for vehicles and vessels. KVH also supplies an award-winning
line of marine digital compasses.
LOWRANCE
Lowrance Electronics, Inc., has been a world leader in the design, manufacture and
marketing of high-quality sport fishing SONAR and Global Positioning System GPS
mapping instruments for over 45 years. With nearly 45 years continuous
manufacturing experience, Lowrance designs products that provide the ultimate
in high-performance features at highly competitive prices. Lowrance products
are used by both sport fisherman and recreational boaters.
MAGELLAN
Magellan is the consumer brand of Thales Navigation, one of the world's leading developers and
manufacturers of positioning, navigation, and guidance equipment. Magellan was
the brand that introduced the first consumer handheld GPS solution in 1989, and
it has maintained its place as a leading global GPS brand for consumers. Their
products give individual consumers the security of knowing where they're going
and how to get there.
MARETRON
Maretron's products, from GPS receivers to transducers, are engineered to withstand the harshest
marine conditions. Maretron carefully protects all of our electronics, even
below-deck equipment, in watertight housings to ensure years of reliable
performance. Superior engineering, maximum accuracy, consistent reliability
three reasons why Maretron's products are among the best worldwide.
NAVIONICS
Navionics quickly established an early lead in electronic cartography followed by a
series of technological innovations, and continues to be a leader in quality,
coverage and value. The benefits of electronic charting to the safety of
navigation have created a large and enthusiastic market that continues to grow
each year. Navionics has a superb cartographic database, comprising more than
25,000 charts and port plans.
NORTHSTAR
Northstar has established itself as a leader in marine navigation equipment, including
radars, displays, chartplotters, and fishfinders. Customer loyalty usually
results from issues like ease of use, product performance, and product
longevity. At Northstar, product longevity is supported by warranty and update
programs that assure customers and build their faithfulness.
OCEANLED
OceeanLED's initial concept was to produce a simple underwater light that never needed a
new bulb. Since then the product has evolved dramatically to where it is today,
as the most advanced underwater lighting solution available. With offices
spanning onto three continents, the company continues to move from strength to
strength.
OTTER BOX
It all began with a very simple concept of a box. OtterBox cases are dedicated to all the
klutzy and chaotic individuals who have broken a device or valuable due to
their active lifestyle. Otterbox products safeguard the hottest technologies
such as iPods, smartphones, PDAs,Tablet PCs, laptops, and more. Customers can
find the ideal solution for any work environment or adventure.
RAM SYSTEMS
RAM stands for Round-A-Mount and got its start in 1995. Utilizing the finest assembly
hardware, durable composites, steel, stainless steel, rubber, and aluminum, our
mounting bases and complete kits are manufactured to perform above expectations
and remain cost effective. For your next mounting application, choose wisely.
RARITAN
Raritan manufactures equipment for pleasure boats throughout the world. Products
include marine toilets, waste treatment systems, icemakers and water heaters.
Committed to the environment and preserving sea life, Raritan designs products
to help maintain an environmental balance and ensure the quality of marine waters.
RAYMARINE
Raymarine, the world leader in marine electronics, develops and manufactures the most
comprehensive range of electronic equipment. Raymarine is dedicated to the
design, manufacture and distribution of the highest quality marine electronic
products and services to the worldwide recreational and light commercial
markets. Whether it be stand-alone units or fully integrated systems, Raymarine
understands boating and what it takes to make it safer.
SCOTTY
Scotty carries a full line of downriggers, rod holders, line releases, fishing and boating
accesories, and safety equipment. The Scotty trademark has become recognized to
mean one thing - product excellence. The total commitment to quality, fair
pricing and unmatched service means our customers everywhere can expect
reliability and satisfaction from every product that carries the Scotty name.
TURNING POINT PROPELLERS
Turning Point Propellers manufactures high performance aluminum and stainless steel
propellers. Turning Point was the first to introduce the interchangeable hub
system to the market. This MasterGuard Hub System helps protect engines, drives
from shift shock, impact shock, and harsh vibrations. It is also the most
durable hub system available.
UNIDEN
Uniden America Corporation manufactures
and markets wireless consumer electronic products including cordless
telephones, business telecommunications systems, Bearcat scanners, FRS GMRS
radios, marine radios and other wireless personal communications products.
Uniden sells its products through dealers and distributors throughout North,
Central and South America.
VEI OCEANVIEW
For twenty
years VEI has been manufacturing marine electronics and is the industry
standard. The equipment is commonplace on mega yachts, sport fish, cruisers,
commercial and military and cruise ships alike. Check out the full line of
displays, computers, night vision cameras, display switches, electronics, and
accessories.
XTREME HEATERS
Xtreme Heater
is the must have accessory for the serious boater who wants to enjoy their boat
year-round. Don't spend time and money to winterize your boat and miss out on
enjoying your boat during the fall and winter months. Don't let the small size
fool you, our bilge heaters generate more heat than any other boat heater on
the market in a shorter time period. Less run time saves you money.
ZODIAC BOMBARD
Take a look at an inflatable boat. You see fabric, a wooden transom, the fittings... but you
forget the air contained in the inflatable keel or in the buoyancy tubes which
gives the boat its shape. Looked at this way, it is hardly surprising that a
Zodiac fully inflated can be up to 3 times lighter than a comparable
traditional boat making launching or pulling onto the beach so much easier.
