As a society we are obsessed with numbers. We have phone numbers, social security numbers, a number on our house, a license plate number, an age, our annual income and others.

These numbers give us a place to measure from — a gain or loss, up or down or right and left. It’s the same in biology.

Biologists need to know where something is before they can tell where it’s going. All science is based on having a place to measure from.

Every now and then we take a look backward with longing for a better time. Back when we were younger there weren’t so many regulations and fish just jumped into the boat, or so I’m told.

The water was pure, the air was clean and the sea held all the fish that anyone could want — all there for the taking. Since it’s impossible to attach numbers to our feelings surveys are needed to determine the health of the fish stocks and what the regulations should be.

Marine scientists spend an inordinate amount of their professional lives collecting data on marine species in order to manage them.

Surveys are used to sample fish in order to obtain data, which includes number and weight of the catch from recreational and commercial fishermen.

Fish are measured and body parts, like otoliths, are removed for analysis. Other surveys are done to sample juveniles to determine year class strength. When anglers are interviewed they are asked, among other things, how long they fished, where they fished and what gear they used.

All of these data are analyzed and put into reports called stock assessments. As part of these reports the analysts make recommendations for future fishing regulations to preserve the stock of fish and to prevent collapse.

These regulations usually involve a decrease in the numbers you’re allowed to catch, an increase in the length limit and a decrease in the fishing season. When you’re interviewed by survey personnel it may seem like you are giving them the rope to hang you with but you’re not.

Without adequate data the regulations will err on the conservative side, which will make them harsher. So, if a person comes up to you and asks you for information related to your fishing trip it is in your and the fish’s best interest to provide the data requested. The numbers tell it all.

These are some numbers you might find interesting. One third (30 million tons) of the world annual commercial catch is made up of anchovies and their cousins.

The north Atlantic cod fishery was closed over 15 years ago and will stay closed for the next 15 years due to over fishing.

Commercial and recreational anglers throw back 30 percent of the fish they catch — dead or dying (35 million tons). Alaskan salmon landings have decreased an average of 40 to 60 percent in the last 20 years.

Think Global – Act Local!

Dr. “Skip” Lazauski can be seen on the television show “Eco-Bites”, which airs on Mediacom’s channel 14 and Smartel’s channel 4. To reach Dr. Lazauski for questions and comments, send e-mail to IchiOrca@yahoo.com. For more information, see his Web site, www.drskiponline.com.