Bluegill on Guard in Region's Water Supply

The Washington Post ^ | September 18, 2006 | Christopher Lee

[neverdem]

The bluegill is a freshwater fish of many talents, able to elude predators by hiding in submerged tree stumps and to survive for weeks without food.

Now, with the help of a scientific contraption developed by the U.S. Army and a private company, the fish also is keeping vigil over the Washington region's water supplies, where it might be able to save millions of lives in the event of a terrorist attack.

The scaly sentinels are a key component of the IAC 1090 Intelligent Aquatic Biomonitoring System, a new water-monitoring device that electronically analyzes the behavior of eight captive bluegills to detect the presence of chemical toxins or other contaminants. The system is also in use in New York City and San Francisco.

If the fish show signs of distress in response to something in the water, the system automatically trips an alarm, takes samples, and summons authorities by e-mail and pager so that they can investigate whether there is a threat to humans. It costs $45,000 to $110,000.

"We're basically using it as part of an early-warning contaminant-monitoring system for water in the national capital region," said Stuart A. Freudberg, director of environmental programs for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. "This is another tool in the arsenal, if you will, that water utilities use to make sure the water in this region is safe."

Freudberg said the system has been in place for at least six months and monitors water for a number of Washington area utilities serving 4.5 million people. He declined to reveal how many devices are in place, citing security needs.

Ever since Sept. 11, 2001, governments at all levels have sought ways to deter and defend against the next terrorist attack. One scenario that officials fear is an attempt by terrorists to dump chemicals...

[neverdem]

Stoked With Fish
A biomonitoring machine measures fish movement, swimming depth, cough rate and ventilation rate. A computer monitors the data along with physical water conditions to determine alert levels.

Stolen Map of NYC Water System May Put Supply in Jeopardy

[MadeInAmerica]

In OTHER news, the US is considering the use of Muslims for similar duty, but have yet to figure out how to get them out of the CODE YELLOW - agitated zone

[Toby06]

Bait thieves!

[PAMadMax]

Amen! nightcrawlers intended for bass, trout or walleye attact these rats with scales! So do small minnows and other terrestrials.

But they are good training for young anglers (like my 7-year old son(.

[miliantnutcase]

That's pretty sweet.

[kenth]

Is there anything they won't eat? We caught them on Certs once.

[Viking2002]

Remember: panfish are your friends. And they're the biggest bait-stealing little buggers in the North American waterways. They've elevated stealth hook-cleaning to an art form. I've found that, if you want a skilletful for dinner, a No. 8 snelled Eagle Claw and a red wiggler tend to get their attention. (Berkeley Power Baits ain't all they're cracked up to be, IMHO.)

[No Blue States]

Good idea, though the cost seems a little much.

I use fish as a tool too..by putting minnows in my koi pond to consume the mosquito larvae between the rocks that the koi cant reach.

[Tijeras_Slim]

What did one Bluegill say to another?

This is sure a Crappie job.

[Toby06]

Cigarette butts will work too, for a short time.

[No Blue States]

I once found a 3 lb smallmouth choking to the point of death from eating a bluegill that was just a little too big. They love them. So do stripers, bass, and catfish.

[MadeInAmerica]

Man I love ultralight fishing for panfish. Esp what we call bull brim....giant guys with an attitude. They make for some great eating.

[Toby06]

If you make the powerbait into BB sized balls and dry them in the sun, they can be effective with bluegill, but you have to be able to see the bait to know when to set the hook.

[chemicalman]

Tube jigs under cork, edge of grass line. Works for me. Tasty lil critters.

[KarlInOhio]

Will we get a Fox News Alert every time a bass swims by and agitates the bluegills?

[JackDanielsOldNo7]

Bluegills make great bait for this predator. The Flathead Catfish. Hehe.

[Viking2002]

Yup. A good light duty spinning rig and 8 lb. test mono does the trick. I was out playing the taunter/tauntee just a few days ago. Black crappies put up a good tussle if you hook one in the 8"+ range. Loads of fun if you're just looking to do some pure bank fishing and not load up a jon boat and $500 of tackle. :-)

[Viking2002]

I've found that if you use ultralight 3" foam torpedo bobbers, you can set the hook PDQ without too much drag. Otherwise I'll just Carolina-rig the line and let my bait float in the current.

[No Blue States]

Those mini casts are fun to fish with..I caught a few bass the other day,the 2 pounder was a blast on that little rod.

Wish a full size rod and reel it wouldnt have been half the fun.

[Viking2002]

Yeah, foam and cork are the best if you're plugging for a papermouth. I've gut-hooked a few with plastic bobbers. LOL