Curriculum Resources for the Alaskan Environment
Subject Areas: resource
management, biology, math, vocational
education
Timeline: summer, early
fall
Grade Levels:
9-12
Purpose: to analyze
variables involved in fish runs in order to
determine the best net placement
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Hart Allex and
Gary Shriver
Netting
Fish
Efficiently
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Activities
- In the classroom, teach the fundamentals of fish
migrations, highlighting local types of fish; use movies of spawning
salmon.
- Visit fish wheels or nets in the region:
ask local fishermen about the types, numbers,
and sizes of fish caught; try to correlate with weather, time
of day, and time of year
discuss which places on the river would be
best for catching fish; consider current, depth, shadows, etc.
keep a record of all the information.
- Have the students analyze the information to
determine the best way to catch the most fish under different conditions.
- Have the students place small nets in areas away
from the village, so that they will have to judge productivity of
the spot themselves:
keep records of catch.
- Have students prepare a final summation, indicating
any changes in their beliefs about the best fishing tactics.
Resources
- local fishing fleets; fish processing plants
- University and State film libraries
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game
- Salmonid Enhancement Newsletter, 1090
West Pender Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6E2P1 (free)
- Salmonids in the Classroom, B.C. Teachers'
Federation, Lesson Aids Service 105-2235 Burrard Street, Vancouver,
B.C. V6J 3H9
- Bering Sea Fisherman Newsletter and Bering
Sea Fisherman's Association, 805 W. 3rd Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501
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Variations
- Study the salmon cycle:
set up an aquarium/hatchery in the
classroom; maintain it throughout the year; observe the
cycle from fertilization to the release of fry in the
fall
visit a hatchery
place students in work/study
apprenticeships in hatcheries.
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