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NANFA Regional Outreach Program Michael Thennet Reports: Q&A with Mike Thennet NANFA: Can you tell us about your background and interests, and why you volunteered to be a regional representative? Mike: I had been an avid tropical freshwater and marine hobbyist for over 12 years. I never thought I'd find an interest in native American fishes, but that's what all tropical fish hobbyists think. Several years ago, after reading an article by Robert Rice on collecting and keeping the central Longear Sunfish, a native American fish that easily rivals and surpasses tropical discus in coloration, I wrote to Mr. Rice, who at the time was president of NANFA. He provided me with the NANFA information I required. At that point I was only interested in keeping native fishes. When I received my first issue of American Currents, I read an article written by Bob Bock concerning local stream collecting in Maryland just 30 minutes from where I lived in Virginia. That was just too close to pass up. Now I was interested in collecting native fish. A few weeks later, after thorough investigation of Virginia's collecting laws, I purchased all the necessary legal equipment--4'x10' seine, dip net, fishing license-- and recruited a few tropical fish hobbyist friends to sample at a local stream flowing into the Potomac River. We caught Spotfin Shiners, Blacknose Dace, Greenside Darters and Mottled Sculpins. I was hooked (no pun intended). Since that day my aquariums have only supported native American fishes. Following our field trip I was able to contact Bob Bock via who suggested I take on the role of Virginia's regional representative. After a few days of consideration, I felt that my interest in the environment, love for fishkeeping, interpersonal skills and motivation were enough to qualify me for the position of NANFA's regional representative of Virginia. When I communicated this to Bob he responded by welcoming me on board the good ship NANFA. What a tough interview ;-) NANFA is a great organization which brings together people from all over North America and other parts of the world to share knowledge , information and experiences sampling, maintaining, breeding and preserving our North American native fishes. One of the best things about NANFA is the people I have met and the friendships which have developed via e-mails and local field trips. You don't have to be an expert to get involved, interest is enough. I will provide local members with notifications of upcoming activities such as field trips/meetings, restoration and conservation projects concerning local watersheds and native fishes. Your access to these activities is limited only by a phone call or an e-mail to your regional representative. The level of involvement is up to you. The sky--or should I say the ocean--is the limit. NANFA: What would you say to a person who is considering joining NANFA? Mike: For starters, there are a few national groups associated with the conservation of our Native fishes and environments such as the North American Native Fishes Association (NANFA) and The Native Fish Conservancy (NFC). Make an attempt to research these types of groups to determine what they promote and how they promote it. Once you determine which group fits your preferences and your budget, pay their membership dues. In many cases, the group will provide you with information and if you're really lucky, a publication from which to gather information and make contacts. I prefer NANFA due to the group's policies, the people in its membership and of course its publication, American Currents. Local area groups such as "Save A Stream" and "Friends of Four Mile Run", provide members an easy cost free opportunity to voluntarily help clean and improve a local waterway. They also provide a medium to meet others with similar interests. When people work together to discuss and coordinate how to improve habitats for Native fishes, an impact on the environment will be noticed that much sooner. NANFA: Many NANFA members value their interactions with other members greatly, as well as their interactions with fishes in their native habitats. How important do you think these interactions are? Mike: In order for yourself and others to become familiar with environment where Native fishes are found, one must literally jump into the waterways, to sample and investigate what the habitat has to offer the enthusiasts. Before jumping in, take the time to research state and local regulations. If you have a chance, try to speak with state and local officials concerning the collection of Native fishes in your area. Then, determine if the targeted sampling site is private or public land. Be aware that there are also regulations concerning the tools of the trade which should also be researched. Certain states have size requirements for seines, casting nets and dip nets. Regarding the fish, some species are threatened or endangered and therefore protected by law to provide for their security. Some states have limits on the number of certain types of fishes you can collect. Others require special documentation, such as scientific collection permits, to collect certain fishes or just to collect. It will also benefit you to determine what species you might want to collect before you attempt a field trip. Find out about their habitat, size, demeanor and food requirements before you head out to sample the local creek. Once you have researched native fish, try to talk a few friends in to checking out your local waterways. The actual experience of collecting and sampling will be exhilarating. I promise, the sight of those little metallic jumping slivers in your seine, some of them sporting a myriad of colors and hues, will be etched in your mind for quite some time. Do not forget to collect legally and conservatively following the local regulations and your good judgment, especially when the environment is concerned. When you are finally able to place a small portion of what you've sampled from the waterway into an aquarium at home, you will realize where I'm coming from. The experience should be more than enough to get the blood flowing through your veins like a freight train. NANFA: Would you recommend that NANFA members become involved in conservation issues? Mike: I invite anyone to ask themself: "What can I do to help preserve the these wonderful little creatures and their habitats?" My answer is, "Well, you've come to the right place. Using little personal time or money, we can all improve the environment and native fish habitats." Besides just collecting fishes with other enthusiasts, try protecting them and their habitats. This protection can take many forms such as advertising NANFA at your favorite local fish stores. Post some membership applications on their bulletin boards. If speech is your forte', try speaking at local aquarium fish conventions, conservation projects or aquarium society meetings. If you enjoy writing, sit down and put together a few articles. Always keep in mind that no one is going to be grading you in these areas. Just do it! The concept of conservation is a delicate one. Many people consider themselves a
conservationist but in many cases the only way they are contributing to the preservation
of our native waterways is by watching Animal Planet, recycling on a regular basis or by
ordering their hamburgers wrapped in paper as opposed to Styrofoam. Though these are
admirable acts of the conservation minded, they are extremely easy and convenient.
Come on, you can do better than that! Put down the remote and save that six-pack and those
corn chips for later! Jump in, get wet, and get involved! Now that you have metamorphosed into the incredible Native Fish Man or Woman, take your seine in hand, don those rubber waders and fight for justice with your newly acquired knowledge and skills. Pledge to protect native fishes at all costs. Deliver them from the clutches of evil pollution and diabolical habitat destruction! Sorry, I got a little carried away there for a second. Besides just collecting fishes with other enthusiasts, try protecting Native fish and their habitats. This protection can take many forms such as advertising your Native fish association
(i.e.. NANFA) at your favorite local fish stores. Post some of their membership
applications on their bulletin boards. If speech is your forte', try speaking at
local aquarium fish conventions, conservation projects or aquarium society meetings. If
you excel in writing, sit down and put together a few articles. Always keep in mind
that no one is going to be grading you in these areas. Just do it! NANFA: Please describe the boundaries of your region. Mike: The Virginia regions I am most familiar (in order) with are Northern VA, Central VA and Southeastern VA. I have not had the opportunity to hold a meeting or sample fish in Southwestern VA which, unluckily, is a Virginia hotspot for fishes and scientific members of NANFA, some attending Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Currently, there are only 9 to 10 members in VA. Of those members, only one seems interested enough to become more involved with NANFA. He is also a very busy person. The majority of those members are not active concerning NANFA meeting and field trips. This of course is most likely due to the regional membership being very widespread. Most meeting/field trip attendees are from the local aquarium club, Potomac Valley Aquarium Society (PVAS). In order to recommend other members in my region as potential representatives, I will have to look at this Summer's field trips and meetings turnouts. Those members which are involved typically only have a side interest in NANFA and do not seem as interested in working with NANFA as they would with PVAS. Their interest is mainly in collecting and keeping native fishes as a diversion from tropicals. During upcoming meetings and field trips, I will take the time to considered this year's participants to determine if anyone is interested in working with NANFA as a fellow regional representative. Also, I will interface with some of those members in Southwest VA to determine if there is any real interest in working with NANFA. NANFA: What regional activities have you been involved in? Mike: I am presently coordinating two meetings and field trips to a local stream and swamp respectively. I typically conduct both at the same time since it is very difficult to get attendees at a regional meeting if fish collecting is not scheduled. Therefore, I basically have a captive audience to which I can discuss NANFA membership, conventions, future meetings/field trips and distribute NANFA literature as well as applications. I will be coordinating two additional meeting/field trips during the latter part of the summer 2002. NANFA: Thanks, Mike! |