Biology Project:
Gone Fishing

Introduction:

You have been selected to join the staff as the new writer of the hit fishing magazine “Gone Fishing” Your job is to write an article that will help fisherman predict where fish should be found in the coastal ocean off of New Jersey. You will be provided with a variety of scientific data to help you decide where the fish are and then write an article to share your predictions with fishing enthusiasts.

The Task

Your task is to:

1. Find out how and where fish can be found in the ocean
2. Investigate and predict where the fish might be off the coast of NJ based on data you collect from the COOLroom.
3. Write an article for Gone Fishing magazine that explains how you can use scientific data to find fish and a prediction on where the fish are based on the real-time data you collect from the COOLroom.

The Process:

Your team (2-3 members) will:

1. Form a hypothesis on what you think influences where to find fish populations in the ocean.
2. Research the ocean food web.
3. Learn where to find phytoplankton in the ocean.
4. Practice analyzing satellite, fluorometry and CTD data to determine where phytoplankton are in the ocean.
5. Collect real-time data over a 3-4 day period to make your prediction on where the fish are located.
6. Write an article for "Gone Fishing" magazine that explains how you can use scientific data to find fish. You will make a prediction on where the fish are based on the real-time data you collect from the COOLroom. Your article can include maps and pictures from COOL Classroom or the COOLroom.
7. Make a presentation of your article to your class. The class may even select the best article for submission on the COOL Classroom “Gone Fishing” virtual magazine.