entry 5

Week two of classes has come to an end... Wednesday.  My four day weekend got off to a good start last night with a tasty BBQ... But once again, I'm getting a bit ahead of myself.

I began the in class portion of my Comparative Animal Physiology unit Wednesday morning.  This unit is offered exclusively online for Melbourne and Burwood campuses, but Warrnambool gets the chance to hear our professor lecture (about every other week) and get our hands wet with some more goldfish.  Dr. Paul Jones teaches this class, as well as Aquaculture and the Environment.  As a 300 level course, I'm anticipating the majority of my study time being devoted to Animal Phys.  Although I feel as if I'm re-learning topics from last year, I'm looking forward to gaining insight on the presence of aquatic pollution in "pristine" Antarctica and an Australian fish species (two paper topics I'll be writing on in the near future).

When I think of aquaculture, I think primarily of human consumption.  It turns out, the practice is used for a variety of different purposes, including:

- food production
- conservation stocking/rehabilitation
- maintenance or replenishment of wild-capture fisheries of commercial value
- recreation fishing enhancement stocking
- ornamentals for the aquarium industry (cosmetic/aesthetic sector)
- specialist foods for human and domestic animals
- microalgae for energy production
- bait, and...
- research

What hit home was the effort to recover or enhance the wild Pacific Salmon species under threat.  It made me think of our grand trips to Woodman's, mom.  The beautiful orange fillets, vacuum packed in neat, little crystal clear cocoons, eliciting visions of the morsel covered in herbs, veggies, and lemon-pepper, hot and juicy off a summer grill.  A guilty pleasure, indeed...

Speaking of which, we decided to have a BBQ last night, so a trip (yesterday) to the grocery store was in order.  I was determined to find fish, outside of the canned variety.  The only frozen "whitefish" I came across was wild-caught pink ling.  I was intrigued as I recalled when you and I, Ang, (with a little help) pulled in our first deep sea fish off South Padre Island, TX.  Do you think we'll ever get over our reluctance to put money in the pot?  For those of you who may have never heard the story, two adolescent girls (Ang and I) reeled in the largest fish on the boat because our bait happened to be in the right place and the right time.  They informed us it was a ling...  So there it hung, alongside men's sharks and a few dolphin fish.  And there we were, proud... yet, empty handed.

http://www.coastaltexas.com/fish/fish.asp?fid=11

I never thought I would have an almost forced opportunity to indulge in the species... Although, it may be a different species with the same common name.  Along with cheese-filled burgers, kangaroo steaks, and snags, Ryan grilled my impromptu aluminum package of fish and veggies, smothered in garlic and lemon pepper, to complete perfection.  It was one of the best fish I've ever tasted, but is it being over fished?

http://goodfishbadfish.com.au/?fish=ling

I did cave in and buy a fishing pole and license a couple days ago.  With the river just a few steps out my backdoor, I couldn't resist.

I must say I am pretty impressed with the cows' ability to not roll down the side of the steep hill on the opposite side of the river... They can get pretty loud sometimes.  I wonder if they are telling each other to watch their step...  It's quite a lovely picture I will have to show you sometime.

I attended an Environmental and Sustainability Club meeting on Monday.  For three dollars, I am officially a member and am excited to take part in future projects.  They introduced the club and chatted about present/future endeavors, along with themes for the upcoming science ball, over beer, cider, and pizza at the uni's bar.  I managed to go two rounds against four people, undefeated in ping-pong; reigning champ even in Australia.  It was whales of fun and reminded me of home.

One thing I like about the bars here, is that they tend to play a good amount of 90's music, whether live covers or playlists.  Wonderwall is a very popular one.  A one man guitarist is a popular theme and reminds me a bit of piano bars back home.  

I am happy to note that I noticed a Christian bookstore downtown, as well as a used bookstore on the way out of town.  I'm sure I'll be rummaging through the stacks as soon as those lazy summer days arrive...