Testing our DNA collection methodologies
Collecting our DNA samples
One of the most important elements of our project is ensuring that all our data collection methodologies are efficient and effective. As you may have read in our , we are collecting DNA from Smoothhounds and Skates so we can identify them using their genetic profiles. However, DNA collection is notoriously messyparticularly when you are dealing with fishing boats that are not only covered in bait, hands, dirty shoes, etc., but also move about considerably!
We went out onto the water
Weve been testing some of our data collection methodologies in order to fully prepare ourselves for when the competitive fishing season opens later in the year. Today was the day to test out our DNA swabbing techniques, which include trying different methods to reduce contamination from other sources.
Its too early in the season for most of our target species, so even though dogfish arent on our list, theyre a great little shark currently abundant in the Solent to test our methodologies on.
So on a rare sunny day in March we took the opportunity to get out onto the water and try our hand at fishing for dogfish
Ross from Angling Spirit and Dogfish Dave (hailed as The best dogfish fisherman in the South!) managed to haul in quite a few beautiful specimens for us. We took a number of swabs from the surface of their skin using slightly different techniques and will send these off for analysis. We look forward to seeing the results in a few weeks!
Animal welfare is top of our list of priorities. The fish are all handled as little as possible before releasing back into the water.
Please keep tuned to hear more about our research.