Re: NANFA-- Natives should get TV exposure

DasArm_at_aol.com
Wed, 13 Sep 2000 13:52:55 EDT

In a message dated 9/13/00 11:41:48 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
darterman_at_hotmail.com writes:

<< This should be a relatively simple project. The subject matter in the
program could include an introduction to the fish and habitat, lifestyles of
fishes, destruction of habitat, and conservation efforts of the habitat. It
is essential that the first goal this program should attempt to achieve is
to have the audience be captivated by these fish and habitats. This would be
aided in as much quality underwater photography as possible, and
explanations as to why these animals are crucial to the health of water and
other eco systems. People need to know WHY WE NEED THESE FISH, and it has to
be interesting as well as entertaining... The end result is educating more
people >>

I think that it's cool that you took my musings on the idea of a native fish
program being on Discovery Channel and others seriously. You've got some good
ideas for the overall approach to take in putting the program together and
the type of content it should have. I agree that the first goal this program
should attempt to achieve is to have the audience be captivated by the fish
and these habitats, and that it would be aided by as much quality underwater
filming as possible. If this is done right, that will defintiley happen. A
lot of people like the bright colors of coral reef fish, and a lot of NANFA
members have referred to the coloration intensity of breeding and spawning
natives such as various minnow, darter,and sunfish species as being
equivalent to coral reef fish. I have seen photos of some of these natives
and I would agree with that assessment. So I think that the program should
have footage of these fishes in spawning mode to appeal to people who like
brightly colored fish; I think that they would be surprised to learn that
fishes such as these exist in this country and that they are so brightly
colored. A lot of people also get into unusual-looking fish, and I think that
it would help to show some of these, such as sculpins, sturgeons, and
alligator gars. A little invertebrate footage would be useful too, such as
spawning mussels with their conglutinate lures with mussel larvae inside
which mimic moving prey that native fish feed on, since a lot mussel species
are endangered and they have a lot of interactions with native fish species.
I think that video footage of stuff like this would blow people's minds if
they saw it. They would be surprised at not only the existence of these
creatures in our country but also their behaviours and interactions with each
other. I think that it would heighten people's potential interest and
awareness of native fishes and more people would check out NANFA's web site
if the address were displayed on the program.I also think that the new
visitors checking out the site would not be able to help but become more
interested in native fishes. I really feel that all of the elements I
mentioned earlier would be integral to making a successful native fish
program.I think that it is very important that we try to make the first video
the best we possibly can, so that the Discovery Channel and others will be
willing to air other programs we make.Who knows, we may be able to carve out
our own niche amongst nature programs; along with the several "lions, zebras,
and wildebeasts on the Serengeti", coral reef life, shark, crocodile, and
"grizzly bears in the woods" -type shows we could eventually start seeing
several native fish shows.

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