Boat for field research on fish behaviour and physiology

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The researchers involved in this RTI application (Drs. Cooke, Gilmour, and Godin) are all biologists, with varied and overlapping interests in the fields of fish ecology, behaviour, and physiology.  Their research programmes are all entrenched in the notion that the natural environment is their laboratory.  Dr. Cooke's research is focused on the study of the inter-relationships between physiology, behaviour and reproductive success in centrarchid fishes.  This research requires the coupling of behavioural and physiological approaches to understand ecological processes in the wild.  This interest is shared with Dr. Gilmour (co-applicant and leader in the field of integrating behaviour and physiology).  To date, the work in the Gilmour lab has relied upon controlled laboratory experiments investigating the physiological significance of social status in trout.  Working collaboratively, Dr. Cooke and Dr. Gilmour intend to apply this collective interest to field environments and wild populations.  Dr. Godin's research focuses on the behavioural ecology of fishes, with particular emphasis on understanding ecological and social factors shaping behavioural adaptations in mating, group living (shoaling) and predation / antipredation in fishes.  Particularly relevant to the current RTI application are his ongoing studies of shoaling and risk-taking behaviour in lake-dwelling temperate fishes.  A boat (19 ft aluminum boat and trailer with a 40 hp motor and an electric trolling motor) for research on fish behaviour and physiology is requested to support these field studies.  One of the primary purposes of the boat is for collection of wild fish with nets or rod and reel.  At times, fish will be held aboard for marking (elastomer, PIT tags) or implantation of biotelemetry devices (for parental care and winter biology research).  The boat will also serve as a sampling platform for tissues required for physiological and energetic analyses.  This boat will provide a platform for collecting, sampling, studying, and tracking fish at various sites.  Because the applicants study different models, the boat can be shared such that it is used continuously between ice out and ice in without conflict.  This request is urgent as several student thesis projects require this boat for field research.