.svg){kind=logo}
Transcript: Bowfin
(music plays)
Against a white screen, the TVOKids and FifthGround Entertainment logos appear.
(giggling)
A caption reads "Original."
(theme music plays)
An animated blue sign that reads "FishHeads" falls into the sea.
Leo is an animated blue and orange catfish.
Leo says WE ARE THE FISHHEADS
EXPLORER CLUB,
SAYAT, CHRISTIAN,
AND ME, LEO.
Sayat and Christian are about 12 years old. Sayat has curly black hair and wears a blue sweater and a green lifejacket. Christian has short brown hair and wears glasses, an orange jacket and a blue T-shirt.
Leo continues TOGETHER, WE'RE GETTING WET
AND MUCKY
WORKING WITH EXPERTS AND
HELPING OUR AQUATIC FRIENDS.
EACH DAY WE'RE ON A NEW MISSION
EXPLORING WHAT'S GOING ON
ALONG THE SHORELINES
AND UNDER THE WAVES.
SPLISH, SPLASH, GRAB YOUR BOOTS
AND YOU CAN BE A FISHHEAD TOO.
Fast clips in split screens show Sayat and Christian sailing, exploring river eco-systems and learning about their creatures.
(water burbles)
The title of the show reads "FishHeads, Explorer Club."
Leo swims near two tablets at the bottom of a lake.
Leo says WHAT'S TOUGHER THAN A T-REX,
BARKS LIKE A DOG
AND CAN GULP AIR?
A BOWFIN!
AND TODAY, THEY'RE AT THE TOP
OF OUR FISH FINDER LIST.
THIS FRESHWATER BONY FISH
LIVED ALONGSIDE THE DINOSAURS,
BUT THEY ARE STILL AROUND
TODAY, UNLIKE THE T-REX.
THOUGH BOWFIN ARE NOT
A SPECIES AT RISK,
THEY ARE A TOP PREDATOR,
SO THAT MAKES THEIR STUDY
AND CONSERVATION
REALLY IMPORTANT.
SAYAT IS HEADED OUT
WITH RESEARCH SCIENTISTS
JON AND JESSE,
FROM THE DEPARTMENT
OF FISHERIES AND OCEANS
AT THE TORONTO ISLANDS,
TO CHECK UP ON THESE
FASCINATING FISH.
An animated map homes in on Toronto Islands, Ontario.
Leo continues THEY'LL BE SCOOPING UP A BOWFIN
AND THEN CHRISTIAN WILL
ATTACH AN ACOUSTIC TAG
SO THEY CAN KEEP TRACK
OF THIS DINOSAUR FISH.
SAFETY CHECK!
(whistle blows)
IF YOU'RE A FISHHEAD,
YOU ALREADY KNOW ABOUT
WEARING A LIFEJACKET
BEFORE EVER GETTING
INTO A BOAT,
BUT IT'S GOOD TO MAKE SURE
YOU HAVE THE REQUIRED
SAFETY EQUIPMENT.
WHEN TRAVELLING IN A BOAT,
YOU SHOULD HAVE A WATERPROOF
FLASHLIGHT,
BAILER BUCKET, PADDLES,
BUOYANT HEAVY ROPES,
AND A WHISTLE.
ARR! NOW SAFELY SET SAIL
AND ENJOY THEM HIGH SEAS,
ME MATEYS!
OR, IN THIS CASE,
THE HIGH LAKE.
Sayat and Jon travel in a boat. He is in his mid-thirties, clean-shaven with short hair. He wears sunglasses, a cap, a purple T-shirt and a lifejacket.
Sayat says BOWFIN ARE PRETTY COOL FISH.
WHY ARE WE LOOKING FOR ONE
TODAY?
A caption reads "Jon Midwood."
Jon says WELL, IT'S A REALLY
INTERESTING SPECIES,
LIKE YOU SAID. UH, THEY'VE
ACTUALLY BEEN AROUND
FOR OVER 200 MILLION YEARS,
SO THEY WERE AROUND AT THE SAME
TIME AS THE DINOSAURS.
AND THEY REALLY HAVEN'T CHANGED
MUCH SINCE THEN.
SO, WHAT WE'RE HOPING TO DO
TODAY IS GO AND CATCH THEM
WITH OUR ELECTRIC
FISHING BOATS.
WE CAN ACTUALLY PUT AN ACOUSTIC
TAG INTO THE FISH,
AND SO WE CAN TRACK IT.
Sayat says AN ACOUSTIC TAG?
IT WILL EMIT SOUND?
Jon says EXACTLY.
YES, THE TAG SENDS OUT
A SERIES OF LITTLE PINGS
THAT WE CAN PICK UP
AT 60 DIFFERENT RECEIVERS
THAT ARE SPREAD ALL THROUGHOUT
TORONTO HARBOUR.
Sayat says SO, WE'RE SPYING ON THEM?
Jon says BASICALLY, YEAH.
Sayat says SO, HOW DOES THE ELECTRIC
FISHER WORK?
Jon says WELL, ON THE BOAT HERE,
WE ACTUALLY HAVE A GENERATOR
THAT PRODUCES ELECTRICITY.
WHEN WE START GOING
WE'LL MOVE THESE BOOMS OUT
AND THEY'LL ACTUALLY SHOCK
THE WATER AT THE FRONT
THAT FLOWS THE CURRENT BACK
TO THE BOAT.
AND SO, ANY FISH THAT GETS
CAUGHT IN OUR LITTLE FIELD
OF ELECTRICITY IS, IS STUNNED,
AND THAT MAKES IT A LOT EASIER
FOR US TO NET THEM
AND CAPTURE THEM.
Sayat says I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HOW MANY
BOWFIN WE WILL CATCH!
Jon says I KNOW, LET'S GO!
SO I'VE GOT A GOOD FEELING
ABOUT THIS AREA.
IT LOOKS LIKE REALLY GOOD
BOWFIN HABITAT.
Sayat says WHY DO YOU THINK
WE'LL FIND THEM HERE?
Jon says WELL, BOWFIN,
THEY LIKE SHALLOW WATER
WITH LOTS OF AQUATIC
VEGETATION,
SO THAT'S PLANTS THAT GROW
UNDER THE WATER.
AND YOU CAN SEE OVER HERE,
THERE'S SOME VEGETATION,
AND THAT'S SOME REALLY NICE
HABITAT FOR THE BOWFIN.
Jon catches a fish with a net.
Sayat says WHOA, BABY! THAT'S HUGE!
Jon says SO, THIS IS A COMMON CARP.
SO, IT'S NOT A NATIVE SPECIES
TO CANADA
BUT IT'S BEEN HERE FOR QUITE
A LONG TIME.
Sayat says YEAH, THAT'S HUGE!
Jon says IT'S NOT ONE OF THE FISH
WE'RE LOOKING FOR TODAY.
UM, WE SHOULD PROBABLY
LET IT GO.
Sayat says OKAY. BYE, BYE, CARP!
Jon says ONE RIGHT THERE! GO GET THAT!
Sayat says WHERE? OH!
Jon says GOOD WORK. ALRIGHT,
GET NICE AND UNDER HIM.
Sayat says YAY!
Jon says NOW, CAREFUL WHEN YOU
COME UP. WATCH.
Sayat says OH YEAH, I DID IT!
Jon says YOU GOT HIM. GOOD WORK!
Sayat says THANKS!
Jon says ALRIGHT.
Sayat says CATFISH. A COUSIN OF LEO'S.
Jon says EXACTLY. COUSIN OF LEO'S!
Leo says MHMM.
Jon says ALRIGHT, WE GOT ONE!
Sayat says WHOA!
Jon says WE GOT IT!
THAT'S OUR FIRST BOWFIN.
Sayat says WHOA! THAT'S HUGE!
Jon says YEAH, IT'S A NICE, BIG FISH.
Sayat says IS THAT MALE OR FEMALE?
Jon says I THINK IT'S PROBABLY A MALE
BASED ON THOSE COLOURS.
SEE THE GREEN ON ITS FIN
AND ITS BELLY?
ALRIGHT, SO WE'VE GOT
OUR FIRST BOWFIN HERE.
THIS IS A MALE.
Jon places the fish in a container with water.
Sayat says WHOA. OH, IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL.
Jon says AND WHAT DO YOU SEE
ON THE TAIL, THERE?
Sayat says A SPOT.
Jon says A SPOT.
SO WE CALL THAT A EYESPOT,
AND THE BOWFIN ACTUALLY USES
THAT TO TRICK PREDATORS.
SO, A PREDATOR WILL SEE
THE EYESPOT
AND THINK IT'S HEAD OF
THE FISH, AND THEY'LL COME
AND ATTACK THE TAIL, WHICH
ALLOWS THE BOWFIN TO ESCAPE.
Sayat and Christian meet in a deck.
Sayat says HEY, CHRISTIAN!
Christian says HEY, SAYAT!
DID YOU CATCH ANY?
Sayat says YEP.
A man holds the fish on a wooden surface.
Jon says SO, I'M GONNA TURN ON
JESSE'S E-FISHING GLOVES,
AND THAT HELPS TO KEEP IT
SEDATED, OR SO IT DOESN'T MOVE,
BASICALLY.
HELPS TO KEEP IT IN POSITION.
Christian says GOT IT.
Jon says THIS IS GONNA GIVE US A GOOD
CHANCE TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT.
WHAT WE CAN SEE IS,
IT'S GOT THESE REALLY NICE,
BEAUTIFUL COLOURS,
NICE, GREEN COLOURS,
SO THAT'S ACTUALLY AN
INDICATION THAT THIS FISH
HAS BEEN RAISING YOUNG
RECENTLY, OR HAVING BABIES.
Leo says FUN FACT:
THE BOWFIN ARE SUPER DADS!
THEY ACTUALLY BUILD A NEST
IN THE WETLANDS.
THEN, AFTER MAMA BOWFIN
LAYS HER EGGS,
THE DAD WILL SIT ON THE NEST
8 TO 10 DAYS,
GUARDING THE EGGS.
AFTER THE FRY HATCH,
HE'LL STAY WITH THEM AND KEEP
THEM TOGETHER IN A GROUP,
OR WHAT WE FISHHEADS REFER
TO AS A BALL OF YOUNG.
PAPA BOWFIN STAYS WITH THEM
UNTIL THEY ARE READY TO SWIM
AWAY AND HUNT ON THEIR OWN.
I THINK THE BOWFIN ARE THE BEST
FIN DADS I KNOW. AW!
Jon says SO, THIS IS A MALE. THE MALES
GET THIS LOVELY COLOURATION.
Sayat says YEAH, IT'S REALLY BEAUTIFUL.
Christian says WOW! THAT'S REALLY COOL!
Jon says AND IF YOU LOOK UP
AT THE FRONT HERE,
IT'S GOT A NEAT FEATURE
WHICH KIND OF LETS US KNOW
THAT IT'S ONE OF THOSE
ANCIENT FISHES, RIGHT?
WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER HOW IT'S
ALMOST 200 MILLION YEARS OLD.
THIS TYPE OF SPECIES
IS THAT OLD.
SO, IT HAS SOMETHING CALLED
THE GULAR PLATE,
WHICH IS THIS BONY SECTION HERE
UNDERNEATH THE JAW,
AND THAT'S REALLY ONLY
WE SEE THAT
IN FISHES FROM A LONG TIME AGO.
SO, IF WE COME AROUND
TO THE FRONT,
WE COULD SEE WHERE IT GETS
ONE OF ITS NICKNAMES.
SO, ONE OF ITS NICKNAMES
IS ACTUALLY THE DOGFISH.
Sayat chuckles.
Jon says SO, WHY DO YOU THINK IT'S
CALLED A DOGFISH, SOMETIMES?
Christian says UM, BECAUSE IT BARKS?
Jon says THAT'S A REALLY GOOD GUESS.
IT DOES ACTUALLY MAKE SOME
NOISES SOMETIMES,
BUT IT DOESN'T REALLY BARK
LIKE A DOG.
WHAT YOU CAN SEE IS,
IT'S GOT REALLY SHARP TEETH.
Sayat says IT'S REALLY TINY.
Jon says YEAH, SMALL, LITTLE,
SHARP TEETH,
AND WE THINK THAT'S PROBABLY
THE REASON
IT'S NICKNAMED THE DOGFISH.
IT'S GOT A PRETTY NASTY BITE.
ARE YOU GUYS READY TO DO
OUR FISH TAGGING?
Christian says YEAH!
Jon says OKAY, SO WE'RE GONNA BE USING
AN ACOUSTIC TRANSMITTER,
WHICH IS RIGHT HERE.
SO, WE'RE GONNA PUT THIS TAG
INSIDE THE FISH,
AND IT'S GONNA EMIT A LITTLE
BIT OF A SOUND, A PING,
THAT WE CAN THEN PICK UP AND
FIND OUT WHERE THE FISH IS.
The man says HERE WE GO.
Jon says OKAY, SWITCH.
PUT IT ON ITS BACK LIKE THAT.
SO, WE'RE ACTUALLY GONNA MAKE
A SMALL INCISION,
RIGHT ON ITS BELLY HERE AND
THE TAG'S GONNA POP RIGHT IN,
AND WE'LL CLOSE IT UP
WITH A COUPLE SUTURES.
Now, Christian holds the fish.
The man says OKAY, I'M GONNA TURN ON
YOUR GLOVES NOW.
Christian says OKAY.
The man says JUST HOLD ON TO IT.
Sayat says WILL IT HURT THEM?
Jon says UH NO, BECAUSE IT HAS
THE ELECTRICITY,
IT'S NOT FEELING ANY PAIN
RIGHT NOW.
Christian says SO, WHAT'S THAT TUBE FOR, JON?
Jon says SO, THIS TUBE'S ACTUALLY
GONNA PUMP WATER
OVER THE FISH'S GILLS FOR
THE DURATION OF THE SURGERY,
WHICH WILL MAKE
THE FISH HAPPIER.
WE CAN POP IT IN LIKE THAT.
YOU CAN SEE IT FLOWING RIGHT
THROUGH INTO ITS GILLS.
SAYAT, CAN YOU PLEASE PASS ME
THE TRANSMITTER?
Sayat says SURE.
Jon says SO, REALLY QUICKLY NOW,
WE'LL JUST POP IT INTO
THE BODY CAVITY.
AND LAST STEP IS,
I'M ACTUALLY GOING TO CLOSE IT
UP USING SOME SUTURES.
Leo says REMEMBER, FISHHEADS,
THIS PROCEDURE IS ONLY
SOMETHING EXPERTS GET TO DO.
Christian says HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE
FOR THE STITCHES TO HEAL?
Jon says WELL, SINCE THESE SUTURES
ARE ACTUALLY MADE FOR PEOPLE,
IT TAKES A LITTLE BIT
OF TIME IN THE WATER
BECAUSE INSIDE OUR BODIES IT'S
MUCH WARMER THAN THE WATER.
SO, WE'RE ALL DONE.
THIS FISH IS READY TO GO BACK
IN THE WATER
AND WE CAN START TRACKING IT.
SOUND GOOD?
Christian says YEAH.
Sayat says AWESOME!
Jon says CHRISTIAN, THIS IS BREANNA.
The caption changes to "Breanna Hallman." Breanna is in her early thirties, with brown hair tied-up. She wears a cap, a black T-shirt and a lifejacket.
Breanna says HEY, CHRISTIAN.
Christian says HEY.
Jon says SHE'S FROM THE TORONTO REGION
CONSERVATION AUTHORITY,
AND THEY WORK WITH US
REALLY CLOSELY
ON THE PROJECT HERE IN TORONTO.
SHE'S THE ONE WHO GOES OUT
AND COLLECTS ALL THE RECEIVERS.
UM, THAT'S HOW WE ACTUALLY
DETECT THE FISH
WHEN THEY'RE MOVING
AROUND THE HARBOUR.
SHE'S GONNA COME OUT WITH US
WHILE WE RELEASE THE FISH.
In a boat, Christian says WHY ARE WE RELEASING IT HERE?
Jon says WELL, THIS IS RIGHT AROUND
WHERE WE CAUGHT IT,
AND IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT
TO RELEASE THESE FISH BACK
TO CLOSE TO WHERE WE CAPTURED
THEM. SO, FOR EXAMPLE,
IF THIS MALE WAS GUARDING
A NEST,
LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER,
IT CAN THEN SWIM BACK AND
MAYBE GUARD THE NEST AGAIN.
THAT'S THE GOAL.
Christian says YEAH.
Jon says SHOULD WE GET IT OUT?
Christian says YEAH!
Jon says ALRIGHT.
Christian says THE ONLY THING BETTER
THAN CATCHING A BOWFIN
IS RELEASING ONE.
HAVE A GOOD ADVENTURE! BYE!
Breanna says NOW THAT YOU GUYS
HAVE IT TAGGED,
DO YOU WANNA SEE
IF WE CAN FIND IT?
Christian says HOW?
Breanna says WE CAN USE ONE OF OUR
ACOUSTIC HYDROPHONES
AND PUT IT AT THE BOTTOM
OF THE LAKE,
AND SEE IF WE CAN PICK UP
THE SOUND OF THE TAG
IN THAT BOWFIN,
WHEN IT SWIMS BY.
Christian says BUT HOW DO YOU PICK UP
THAT TAG?
Breanna says EACH TAG IN THE FISH
HAS A UNIQUE SOUND.
SO, WHEN THAT FISH SWIMS
BY WE'LL HEAR THAT SOUND
WITH OUR MICROPHONE
THAT'S UNDER THE WATER,
AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT
WHICH FISH IT WAS.
Christian says YOU KNOW THAT IT SWIMS BY,
AND THAT'S ALL?
Breanna says WELL, THAT'S NOT EXACTLY ALL.
THE TAGS THAT YOU GUYS
IMPLANTED IN THAT BOWFIN
EARLIER ALSO GIVE US A LITTLE
BIT MORE INFORMATION.
SO, FOR EXAMPLE,
WE'LL BE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT
THE DEPTH OF THE FISH, SO WHERE
IT'S SITTING IN THE WATER.
WE'LL ALSO BE ABLE TO FIGURE
OUT THE WATER TEMPERATURE.
AND THIS DATA GIVES US A
LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION
ABOUT THE HABITAT THAT THEY
LIKE TO BE IN.
Christian says SO, WE ARE SPYING ON
THE FISH!
Breanna says YEAH, IN A WAY YOU ARE,
YOU'RE SPYING ON THE FISH.
Christian says SO, LET'S SEE IF WE CAN FIND
THE ONE THAT WE JUST TAGGED.
Breanna says ALRIGHT! YOU CAN TAKE THIS
END, THIS IS OUR MICROPHONE.
YOU'RE JUST GONNA STICK IT OVER
THE BOAT, RIGHT INTO THE WATER.
NICE JOB, NICE AND SLOW.
PERFECT.
(Radio buzzes)
Jon says SO, WE HAVE TO BE PATIENT
AS WELL.
THIS COULD TAKE A LITTLE TIME.
Christian says WHAT'S THE MOST INTERESTING
THING YOU'VE LEARNED
ABOUT THE BOWFIN
BY SPYING ON THEM?
Breanna says WELL, WE THOUGHT THAT
THE BOWFIN
WAS KIND OF A RESIDENT FISH
AND WOULD STICK AROUND A LOT,
BUT WHAT WE'RE FINDING IS THAT,
THEY'RE ACTUALLY MOVING AROUND
A LOT MORE THAN WE THOUGHT.
SO, THEY'RE TRAVELLING.
(Radio clicks)
Jon says HEY, THERE'S A SOUND
RIGHT THERE!
Christian says WHOA! YEAH!
Breanna says DID YOU HEAR THAT? YEAH!
HE'S CLOSER THAN YOU THOUGHT.
Christian says YEP.
Jon points to a machine display and says SEE, IT SAYS RIGHT HERE
THAT'S THE FISH ID NUMBER
OF THE BOWFIN WE TAGGED
EARLIER TODAY.
Christian says OH, WOW!
Breanna says PRETTY COOL, HUH?
Christian says YEAH, THAT'S REALLY COOL!
HIGH FIN!
Breanna says HIGH FIN!
Jon says HIGH FIN.
Christian says HIGH FIN.
They all high-five.
Later, in a deck, Sayat says HEY, CHRISTIAN!
Christian says HEY, SAYAT.
Sayat says WERE THE BOWFINS OKAY
WHEN YOU RELEASED THEM?
Christian says YEAH, AND WE GOT TO SEE
WHERE THEY WENT
BECAUSE THE TRACKERS WORKED.
Sayat says I HOPE THEY DON'T MIND
US SPYING ON THEM
FOR A LITTLE WHILE.
Christian says YEAH, THEY ARE SUCH COOL FISH.
WE'VE GOTTA DO WHATEVER IT
TAKES TO HELP THEM.
Leo says ATTENTION FELLOW FISHHEADS!
THE BEST WAY TO HELP THE BOWFIN
IS TO PROTECT OUR WETLANDS.
OUR WETLANDS ARE DISAPPEARING
AND THAT HAS TO STOP.
OF COURSE, LEAVE AQUATIC PLANTS
GROWING ALONG THE SHORELINE,
BUT MORE THAN THAT,
MAKE SURE YOU USE
ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY SALT
TO KEEP FROM SLIPPING
ON THE ICE.
ALL THAT SALT ENDS UP
IN THE LOCAL RIVERS
WHEN THE SNOW MELTS,
AND IT CREATES A LOT OF DAMAGE.
THE BOWFIN,
LIKE LOTS OF OTHER FISHES,
USE THE WETLANDS TO LAY EGGS
AND HAVE BABIES,
AND WE NEED THIS FISH NURSERY
TO STAY INTACT.
NOW, I'M NO DINOSAUR,
BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE
THAT THE BOWFIN
HAVE BEEN AROUND SINCE T-REX
STOMPED THE EARTH,
SO LET'S MAKE SURE
WE KEEP IT THAT WAY.
YOU WITH ME? MHMM.
(theme music plays)
The end credits roll.
Copyright 2019, All Rights Reserved.
Against a white screen, the TVOKids and FifthGround Entertainment logos appear.
(giggling)
A caption reads "Original."
(theme music plays)
An animated blue sign that reads "FishHeads" falls into the sea.
Leo is an animated blue and orange catfish.
Leo says WE ARE THE FISHHEADS
EXPLORER CLUB,
SAYAT, CHRISTIAN,
AND ME, LEO.
Sayat and Christian are about 12 years old. Sayat has curly black hair and wears a blue sweater and a green lifejacket. Christian has short brown hair and wears glasses, an orange jacket and a blue T-shirt.
Leo continues TOGETHER, WE'RE GETTING WET
AND MUCKY
WORKING WITH EXPERTS AND
HELPING OUR AQUATIC FRIENDS.
EACH DAY WE'RE ON A NEW MISSION
EXPLORING WHAT'S GOING ON
ALONG THE SHORELINES
AND UNDER THE WAVES.
SPLISH, SPLASH, GRAB YOUR BOOTS
AND YOU CAN BE A FISHHEAD TOO.
Fast clips in split screens show Sayat and Christian sailing, exploring river eco-systems and learning about their creatures.
(water burbles)
The title of the show reads "FishHeads, Explorer Club."
Leo swims near two tablets at the bottom of a lake.
Leo says WHAT'S TOUGHER THAN A T-REX,
BARKS LIKE A DOG
AND CAN GULP AIR?
A BOWFIN!
AND TODAY, THEY'RE AT THE TOP
OF OUR FISH FINDER LIST.
THIS FRESHWATER BONY FISH
LIVED ALONGSIDE THE DINOSAURS,
BUT THEY ARE STILL AROUND
TODAY, UNLIKE THE T-REX.
THOUGH BOWFIN ARE NOT
A SPECIES AT RISK,
THEY ARE A TOP PREDATOR,
SO THAT MAKES THEIR STUDY
AND CONSERVATION
REALLY IMPORTANT.
SAYAT IS HEADED OUT
WITH RESEARCH SCIENTISTS
JON AND JESSE,
FROM THE DEPARTMENT
OF FISHERIES AND OCEANS
AT THE TORONTO ISLANDS,
TO CHECK UP ON THESE
FASCINATING FISH.
An animated map homes in on Toronto Islands, Ontario.
Leo continues THEY'LL BE SCOOPING UP A BOWFIN
AND THEN CHRISTIAN WILL
ATTACH AN ACOUSTIC TAG
SO THEY CAN KEEP TRACK
OF THIS DINOSAUR FISH.
SAFETY CHECK!
(whistle blows)
IF YOU'RE A FISHHEAD,
YOU ALREADY KNOW ABOUT
WEARING A LIFEJACKET
BEFORE EVER GETTING
INTO A BOAT,
BUT IT'S GOOD TO MAKE SURE
YOU HAVE THE REQUIRED
SAFETY EQUIPMENT.
WHEN TRAVELLING IN A BOAT,
YOU SHOULD HAVE A WATERPROOF
FLASHLIGHT,
BAILER BUCKET, PADDLES,
BUOYANT HEAVY ROPES,
AND A WHISTLE.
ARR! NOW SAFELY SET SAIL
AND ENJOY THEM HIGH SEAS,
ME MATEYS!
OR, IN THIS CASE,
THE HIGH LAKE.
Sayat and Jon travel in a boat. He is in his mid-thirties, clean-shaven with short hair. He wears sunglasses, a cap, a purple T-shirt and a lifejacket.
Sayat says BOWFIN ARE PRETTY COOL FISH.
WHY ARE WE LOOKING FOR ONE
TODAY?
A caption reads "Jon Midwood."
Jon says WELL, IT'S A REALLY
INTERESTING SPECIES,
LIKE YOU SAID. UH, THEY'VE
ACTUALLY BEEN AROUND
FOR OVER 200 MILLION YEARS,
SO THEY WERE AROUND AT THE SAME
TIME AS THE DINOSAURS.
AND THEY REALLY HAVEN'T CHANGED
MUCH SINCE THEN.
SO, WHAT WE'RE HOPING TO DO
TODAY IS GO AND CATCH THEM
WITH OUR ELECTRIC
FISHING BOATS.
WE CAN ACTUALLY PUT AN ACOUSTIC
TAG INTO THE FISH,
AND SO WE CAN TRACK IT.
Sayat says AN ACOUSTIC TAG?
IT WILL EMIT SOUND?
Jon says EXACTLY.
YES, THE TAG SENDS OUT
A SERIES OF LITTLE PINGS
THAT WE CAN PICK UP
AT 60 DIFFERENT RECEIVERS
THAT ARE SPREAD ALL THROUGHOUT
TORONTO HARBOUR.
Sayat says SO, WE'RE SPYING ON THEM?
Jon says BASICALLY, YEAH.
Sayat says SO, HOW DOES THE ELECTRIC
FISHER WORK?
Jon says WELL, ON THE BOAT HERE,
WE ACTUALLY HAVE A GENERATOR
THAT PRODUCES ELECTRICITY.
WHEN WE START GOING
WE'LL MOVE THESE BOOMS OUT
AND THEY'LL ACTUALLY SHOCK
THE WATER AT THE FRONT
THAT FLOWS THE CURRENT BACK
TO THE BOAT.
AND SO, ANY FISH THAT GETS
CAUGHT IN OUR LITTLE FIELD
OF ELECTRICITY IS, IS STUNNED,
AND THAT MAKES IT A LOT EASIER
FOR US TO NET THEM
AND CAPTURE THEM.
Sayat says I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HOW MANY
BOWFIN WE WILL CATCH!
Jon says I KNOW, LET'S GO!
SO I'VE GOT A GOOD FEELING
ABOUT THIS AREA.
IT LOOKS LIKE REALLY GOOD
BOWFIN HABITAT.
Sayat says WHY DO YOU THINK
WE'LL FIND THEM HERE?
Jon says WELL, BOWFIN,
THEY LIKE SHALLOW WATER
WITH LOTS OF AQUATIC
VEGETATION,
SO THAT'S PLANTS THAT GROW
UNDER THE WATER.
AND YOU CAN SEE OVER HERE,
THERE'S SOME VEGETATION,
AND THAT'S SOME REALLY NICE
HABITAT FOR THE BOWFIN.
Jon catches a fish with a net.
Sayat says WHOA, BABY! THAT'S HUGE!
Jon says SO, THIS IS A COMMON CARP.
SO, IT'S NOT A NATIVE SPECIES
TO CANADA
BUT IT'S BEEN HERE FOR QUITE
A LONG TIME.
Sayat says YEAH, THAT'S HUGE!
Jon says IT'S NOT ONE OF THE FISH
WE'RE LOOKING FOR TODAY.
UM, WE SHOULD PROBABLY
LET IT GO.
Sayat says OKAY. BYE, BYE, CARP!
Jon says ONE RIGHT THERE! GO GET THAT!
Sayat says WHERE? OH!
Jon says GOOD WORK. ALRIGHT,
GET NICE AND UNDER HIM.
Sayat says YAY!
Jon says NOW, CAREFUL WHEN YOU
COME UP. WATCH.
Sayat says OH YEAH, I DID IT!
Jon says YOU GOT HIM. GOOD WORK!
Sayat says THANKS!
Jon says ALRIGHT.
Sayat says CATFISH. A COUSIN OF LEO'S.
Jon says EXACTLY. COUSIN OF LEO'S!
Leo says MHMM.
Jon says ALRIGHT, WE GOT ONE!
Sayat says WHOA!
Jon says WE GOT IT!
THAT'S OUR FIRST BOWFIN.
Sayat says WHOA! THAT'S HUGE!
Jon says YEAH, IT'S A NICE, BIG FISH.
Sayat says IS THAT MALE OR FEMALE?
Jon says I THINK IT'S PROBABLY A MALE
BASED ON THOSE COLOURS.
SEE THE GREEN ON ITS FIN
AND ITS BELLY?
ALRIGHT, SO WE'VE GOT
OUR FIRST BOWFIN HERE.
THIS IS A MALE.
Jon places the fish in a container with water.
Sayat says WHOA. OH, IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL.
Jon says AND WHAT DO YOU SEE
ON THE TAIL, THERE?
Sayat says A SPOT.
Jon says A SPOT.
SO WE CALL THAT A EYESPOT,
AND THE BOWFIN ACTUALLY USES
THAT TO TRICK PREDATORS.
SO, A PREDATOR WILL SEE
THE EYESPOT
AND THINK IT'S HEAD OF
THE FISH, AND THEY'LL COME
AND ATTACK THE TAIL, WHICH
ALLOWS THE BOWFIN TO ESCAPE.
Sayat and Christian meet in a deck.
Sayat says HEY, CHRISTIAN!
Christian says HEY, SAYAT!
DID YOU CATCH ANY?
Sayat says YEP.
A man holds the fish on a wooden surface.
Jon says SO, I'M GONNA TURN ON
JESSE'S E-FISHING GLOVES,
AND THAT HELPS TO KEEP IT
SEDATED, OR SO IT DOESN'T MOVE,
BASICALLY.
HELPS TO KEEP IT IN POSITION.
Christian says GOT IT.
Jon says THIS IS GONNA GIVE US A GOOD
CHANCE TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT.
WHAT WE CAN SEE IS,
IT'S GOT THESE REALLY NICE,
BEAUTIFUL COLOURS,
NICE, GREEN COLOURS,
SO THAT'S ACTUALLY AN
INDICATION THAT THIS FISH
HAS BEEN RAISING YOUNG
RECENTLY, OR HAVING BABIES.
Leo says FUN FACT:
THE BOWFIN ARE SUPER DADS!
THEY ACTUALLY BUILD A NEST
IN THE WETLANDS.
THEN, AFTER MAMA BOWFIN
LAYS HER EGGS,
THE DAD WILL SIT ON THE NEST
8 TO 10 DAYS,
GUARDING THE EGGS.
AFTER THE FRY HATCH,
HE'LL STAY WITH THEM AND KEEP
THEM TOGETHER IN A GROUP,
OR WHAT WE FISHHEADS REFER
TO AS A BALL OF YOUNG.
PAPA BOWFIN STAYS WITH THEM
UNTIL THEY ARE READY TO SWIM
AWAY AND HUNT ON THEIR OWN.
I THINK THE BOWFIN ARE THE BEST
FIN DADS I KNOW. AW!
Jon says SO, THIS IS A MALE. THE MALES
GET THIS LOVELY COLOURATION.
Sayat says YEAH, IT'S REALLY BEAUTIFUL.
Christian says WOW! THAT'S REALLY COOL!
Jon says AND IF YOU LOOK UP
AT THE FRONT HERE,
IT'S GOT A NEAT FEATURE
WHICH KIND OF LETS US KNOW
THAT IT'S ONE OF THOSE
ANCIENT FISHES, RIGHT?
WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER HOW IT'S
ALMOST 200 MILLION YEARS OLD.
THIS TYPE OF SPECIES
IS THAT OLD.
SO, IT HAS SOMETHING CALLED
THE GULAR PLATE,
WHICH IS THIS BONY SECTION HERE
UNDERNEATH THE JAW,
AND THAT'S REALLY ONLY
WE SEE THAT
IN FISHES FROM A LONG TIME AGO.
SO, IF WE COME AROUND
TO THE FRONT,
WE COULD SEE WHERE IT GETS
ONE OF ITS NICKNAMES.
SO, ONE OF ITS NICKNAMES
IS ACTUALLY THE DOGFISH.
Sayat chuckles.
Jon says SO, WHY DO YOU THINK IT'S
CALLED A DOGFISH, SOMETIMES?
Christian says UM, BECAUSE IT BARKS?
Jon says THAT'S A REALLY GOOD GUESS.
IT DOES ACTUALLY MAKE SOME
NOISES SOMETIMES,
BUT IT DOESN'T REALLY BARK
LIKE A DOG.
WHAT YOU CAN SEE IS,
IT'S GOT REALLY SHARP TEETH.
Sayat says IT'S REALLY TINY.
Jon says YEAH, SMALL, LITTLE,
SHARP TEETH,
AND WE THINK THAT'S PROBABLY
THE REASON
IT'S NICKNAMED THE DOGFISH.
IT'S GOT A PRETTY NASTY BITE.
ARE YOU GUYS READY TO DO
OUR FISH TAGGING?
Christian says YEAH!
Jon says OKAY, SO WE'RE GONNA BE USING
AN ACOUSTIC TRANSMITTER,
WHICH IS RIGHT HERE.
SO, WE'RE GONNA PUT THIS TAG
INSIDE THE FISH,
AND IT'S GONNA EMIT A LITTLE
BIT OF A SOUND, A PING,
THAT WE CAN THEN PICK UP AND
FIND OUT WHERE THE FISH IS.
The man says HERE WE GO.
Jon says OKAY, SWITCH.
PUT IT ON ITS BACK LIKE THAT.
SO, WE'RE ACTUALLY GONNA MAKE
A SMALL INCISION,
RIGHT ON ITS BELLY HERE AND
THE TAG'S GONNA POP RIGHT IN,
AND WE'LL CLOSE IT UP
WITH A COUPLE SUTURES.
Now, Christian holds the fish.
The man says OKAY, I'M GONNA TURN ON
YOUR GLOVES NOW.
Christian says OKAY.
The man says JUST HOLD ON TO IT.
Sayat says WILL IT HURT THEM?
Jon says UH NO, BECAUSE IT HAS
THE ELECTRICITY,
IT'S NOT FEELING ANY PAIN
RIGHT NOW.
Christian says SO, WHAT'S THAT TUBE FOR, JON?
Jon says SO, THIS TUBE'S ACTUALLY
GONNA PUMP WATER
OVER THE FISH'S GILLS FOR
THE DURATION OF THE SURGERY,
WHICH WILL MAKE
THE FISH HAPPIER.
WE CAN POP IT IN LIKE THAT.
YOU CAN SEE IT FLOWING RIGHT
THROUGH INTO ITS GILLS.
SAYAT, CAN YOU PLEASE PASS ME
THE TRANSMITTER?
Sayat says SURE.
Jon says SO, REALLY QUICKLY NOW,
WE'LL JUST POP IT INTO
THE BODY CAVITY.
AND LAST STEP IS,
I'M ACTUALLY GOING TO CLOSE IT
UP USING SOME SUTURES.
Leo says REMEMBER, FISHHEADS,
THIS PROCEDURE IS ONLY
SOMETHING EXPERTS GET TO DO.
Christian says HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE
FOR THE STITCHES TO HEAL?
Jon says WELL, SINCE THESE SUTURES
ARE ACTUALLY MADE FOR PEOPLE,
IT TAKES A LITTLE BIT
OF TIME IN THE WATER
BECAUSE INSIDE OUR BODIES IT'S
MUCH WARMER THAN THE WATER.
SO, WE'RE ALL DONE.
THIS FISH IS READY TO GO BACK
IN THE WATER
AND WE CAN START TRACKING IT.
SOUND GOOD?
Christian says YEAH.
Sayat says AWESOME!
Jon says CHRISTIAN, THIS IS BREANNA.
The caption changes to "Breanna Hallman." Breanna is in her early thirties, with brown hair tied-up. She wears a cap, a black T-shirt and a lifejacket.
Breanna says HEY, CHRISTIAN.
Christian says HEY.
Jon says SHE'S FROM THE TORONTO REGION
CONSERVATION AUTHORITY,
AND THEY WORK WITH US
REALLY CLOSELY
ON THE PROJECT HERE IN TORONTO.
SHE'S THE ONE WHO GOES OUT
AND COLLECTS ALL THE RECEIVERS.
UM, THAT'S HOW WE ACTUALLY
DETECT THE FISH
WHEN THEY'RE MOVING
AROUND THE HARBOUR.
SHE'S GONNA COME OUT WITH US
WHILE WE RELEASE THE FISH.
In a boat, Christian says WHY ARE WE RELEASING IT HERE?
Jon says WELL, THIS IS RIGHT AROUND
WHERE WE CAUGHT IT,
AND IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT
TO RELEASE THESE FISH BACK
TO CLOSE TO WHERE WE CAPTURED
THEM. SO, FOR EXAMPLE,
IF THIS MALE WAS GUARDING
A NEST,
LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER,
IT CAN THEN SWIM BACK AND
MAYBE GUARD THE NEST AGAIN.
THAT'S THE GOAL.
Christian says YEAH.
Jon says SHOULD WE GET IT OUT?
Christian says YEAH!
Jon says ALRIGHT.
Christian says THE ONLY THING BETTER
THAN CATCHING A BOWFIN
IS RELEASING ONE.
HAVE A GOOD ADVENTURE! BYE!
Breanna says NOW THAT YOU GUYS
HAVE IT TAGGED,
DO YOU WANNA SEE
IF WE CAN FIND IT?
Christian says HOW?
Breanna says WE CAN USE ONE OF OUR
ACOUSTIC HYDROPHONES
AND PUT IT AT THE BOTTOM
OF THE LAKE,
AND SEE IF WE CAN PICK UP
THE SOUND OF THE TAG
IN THAT BOWFIN,
WHEN IT SWIMS BY.
Christian says BUT HOW DO YOU PICK UP
THAT TAG?
Breanna says EACH TAG IN THE FISH
HAS A UNIQUE SOUND.
SO, WHEN THAT FISH SWIMS
BY WE'LL HEAR THAT SOUND
WITH OUR MICROPHONE
THAT'S UNDER THE WATER,
AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT
WHICH FISH IT WAS.
Christian says YOU KNOW THAT IT SWIMS BY,
AND THAT'S ALL?
Breanna says WELL, THAT'S NOT EXACTLY ALL.
THE TAGS THAT YOU GUYS
IMPLANTED IN THAT BOWFIN
EARLIER ALSO GIVE US A LITTLE
BIT MORE INFORMATION.
SO, FOR EXAMPLE,
WE'LL BE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT
THE DEPTH OF THE FISH, SO WHERE
IT'S SITTING IN THE WATER.
WE'LL ALSO BE ABLE TO FIGURE
OUT THE WATER TEMPERATURE.
AND THIS DATA GIVES US A
LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION
ABOUT THE HABITAT THAT THEY
LIKE TO BE IN.
Christian says SO, WE ARE SPYING ON
THE FISH!
Breanna says YEAH, IN A WAY YOU ARE,
YOU'RE SPYING ON THE FISH.
Christian says SO, LET'S SEE IF WE CAN FIND
THE ONE THAT WE JUST TAGGED.
Breanna says ALRIGHT! YOU CAN TAKE THIS
END, THIS IS OUR MICROPHONE.
YOU'RE JUST GONNA STICK IT OVER
THE BOAT, RIGHT INTO THE WATER.
NICE JOB, NICE AND SLOW.
PERFECT.
(Radio buzzes)
Jon says SO, WE HAVE TO BE PATIENT
AS WELL.
THIS COULD TAKE A LITTLE TIME.
Christian says WHAT'S THE MOST INTERESTING
THING YOU'VE LEARNED
ABOUT THE BOWFIN
BY SPYING ON THEM?
Breanna says WELL, WE THOUGHT THAT
THE BOWFIN
WAS KIND OF A RESIDENT FISH
AND WOULD STICK AROUND A LOT,
BUT WHAT WE'RE FINDING IS THAT,
THEY'RE ACTUALLY MOVING AROUND
A LOT MORE THAN WE THOUGHT.
SO, THEY'RE TRAVELLING.
(Radio clicks)
Jon says HEY, THERE'S A SOUND
RIGHT THERE!
Christian says WHOA! YEAH!
Breanna says DID YOU HEAR THAT? YEAH!
HE'S CLOSER THAN YOU THOUGHT.
Christian says YEP.
Jon points to a machine display and says SEE, IT SAYS RIGHT HERE
THAT'S THE FISH ID NUMBER
OF THE BOWFIN WE TAGGED
EARLIER TODAY.
Christian says OH, WOW!
Breanna says PRETTY COOL, HUH?
Christian says YEAH, THAT'S REALLY COOL!
HIGH FIN!
Breanna says HIGH FIN!
Jon says HIGH FIN.
Christian says HIGH FIN.
They all high-five.
Later, in a deck, Sayat says HEY, CHRISTIAN!
Christian says HEY, SAYAT.
Sayat says WERE THE BOWFINS OKAY
WHEN YOU RELEASED THEM?
Christian says YEAH, AND WE GOT TO SEE
WHERE THEY WENT
BECAUSE THE TRACKERS WORKED.
Sayat says I HOPE THEY DON'T MIND
US SPYING ON THEM
FOR A LITTLE WHILE.
Christian says YEAH, THEY ARE SUCH COOL FISH.
WE'VE GOTTA DO WHATEVER IT
TAKES TO HELP THEM.
Leo says ATTENTION FELLOW FISHHEADS!
THE BEST WAY TO HELP THE BOWFIN
IS TO PROTECT OUR WETLANDS.
OUR WETLANDS ARE DISAPPEARING
AND THAT HAS TO STOP.
OF COURSE, LEAVE AQUATIC PLANTS
GROWING ALONG THE SHORELINE,
BUT MORE THAN THAT,
MAKE SURE YOU USE
ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY SALT
TO KEEP FROM SLIPPING
ON THE ICE.
ALL THAT SALT ENDS UP
IN THE LOCAL RIVERS
WHEN THE SNOW MELTS,
AND IT CREATES A LOT OF DAMAGE.
THE BOWFIN,
LIKE LOTS OF OTHER FISHES,
USE THE WETLANDS TO LAY EGGS
AND HAVE BABIES,
AND WE NEED THIS FISH NURSERY
TO STAY INTACT.
NOW, I'M NO DINOSAUR,
BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE
THAT THE BOWFIN
HAVE BEEN AROUND SINCE T-REX
STOMPED THE EARTH,
SO LET'S MAKE SURE
WE KEEP IT THAT WAY.
YOU WITH ME? MHMM.
(theme music plays)
The end credits roll.
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