Fishing and Health

Fishing is the activity of trying to catch fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping.
The term fishing may be applied to catching other aquatic animals such as molluscs, cephalopods, crustaceans, and echinoderms. The term is not normally applied to catching aquatic mammals, such as whales, where the term whaling is more appropriate, or to farmed fish.
According to FAO statistics, the total number of commercial fishermen and fish farmers is estimated to be 38 million. Fisheries and aquaculture provide direct and indirect employment to over 500 million people. In 2005, the worldwide per capita consumption of fish captured from wild fisheries was 14.4 kilograms, with an additional 7.4 kilograms harvested from fish farms. In addition to providing food, modern fishing is also a recreational pastime.

Recreational fishing
Recreational and sport fishing describe fishing primarily for pleasure or competition. Recreational fishing has conventions, rules, licensing restrictions and laws that limit the way in which fish may be caught; typically, these prohibit the use of nets and the catching of fish with hooks not in the mouth. The most common form of recreational fishing is done with a rod, reel, line, hooks and any one of a wide range of baits or lures such as artificial flies. The practice of catching or attempting to catch fish with a hook is generally known as angling. In angling, it is sometimes expected or required that fish be returned to the water (catch and release). Recreational or sport fishermen may log their catches or participate in fishing competitions.
Big-game fishing describes fishing from boats to catch large open-water species such as tuna, sharks and marlin. Sport fishing (sometimes game fishing) describes recreational fishing where the primary reward is the challenge of finding and catching the fish rather than the culinary or financial value of the fish's flesh. Fish sought after include marlin, tuna, tarpon, sailfish, shark and mackerel although the list is endless.

The Health Benefits of Fishing
There are many reasons that people fish. Some fish for pleasure, some fish for food, and some fish to make a living.Of all the possible reasons for fishing, fishing for pleasure is probably the most enjoyable because
people do it as a matter of personal choice. There is no pressure in pleasure fishing. There are no adverse consequences for not catching fish. Maybe a small measure of disappointment, but that's it. In addition to the pleasure of actually catching fish, there are many other benefits. Most of these are good for one's physical health as well as one's mental health.

Physically, fishing is not all that demanding. It doesn't take a lot of strength and stamina to fish. However, fishing does incorporate the exercising of the lungs, heart and various muscle groups. After all, one does have to get to a place from which they can fish. That generally includes walking, possibly some minor climbing, and carrying one's gear to the favorite fishing spot. These are all physical activities which burn calories and exercise various muscle groups, all of which is good for one's health. The various activities involved in readying oneself for fishing are also good exercise for the muscles of the fingers, hands, wrists and forearms. Assembling a reel to one's rod, attaching hooks, sinkers, bobbin's and even the bait are all activities which work these muscles to some degree. Then, there is the casting of the bait into the water. This activity exercises the muscles of the upper arm, shoulder and back. One probably won't get a good cardio workout from fishing, but one will get enough exercise to maintain a degree of dexterity and maybe some muscle tone.
Fishing is also good for the lungs and skin. After all, fishing is mostly an outdoor sport. Being outdoors gives one an opportunity to get plenty of fresh air into one's lungs. Fresh air is healthy air. It contains
plenty of oxygen which is fundamental to a healthier physical and mental state. Sunshine is another health benefit derived from fishing. Although some people like fishing enough to brave inclement weather, most prefer a nice sunny day to fish. Sunshine, in moderation, is good for one's health. It produces a number of beneficial attributes for maintaining a healthy body and appearance.

Mentally, fishing requires very little effort. Attach some form of bait to a hook, cast it into the water, and wait for the fish to bite. That doesn't sound like it requires the use of many brain cells, does it? Certainly not, and that is the biggest health benefit of all. Because fishing doesn't require a huge amount of brain power, all those brain cells get to kick back and relax for a while. Fishing allows one to rest and relax one's mind. No pressure, no deadlines, nobody wanting this or that, no noisy machines or people; just fresh air, sunshine and plenty of rest and relaxation. A brain vacation! Of course, one needn't lapse into a comatose state while fishing. It is sufficient to just clear one's mind and wonder or daydream. All that's lacking is a couple of sandwiches, a thermos of coffee or a jug of iced tea, and maybe a few other snacks to keep one's appetite in check. Fresh air, sunshine and exercise work on one's appetite, so it is always a good idea to take some appetite appeasing food on any fishing trip.

In conclusion, fishing is a great recipe for a healthier body and mind. Take a little exercise, mix it with sunshine and fresh air, and add a few snacks and something to wash them down with, then do it frequently and enjoy better health. And there is one more benefit. With a little luck, one may catch a fish for dinner, and everyone knows that eating fish is very healthy.

Fishing for health - eliminating isolation
The Department of Health describes social isolation and exclusion, as a ‘breeding ground for poor heath.’ In Charleville a group of health professionals is working to overcome that.

Jill Carroll was part of a team who instigated the Charleville District Health Service Fishing Club. The project helps socially isolated people to participate in group activities, by providing a small group setting - culturally appropriate to the area.

Participants chose fishing as their group activity, and the project hasn’t faltered.
“It was what they wanted to do. It was purely client driven.”

Jill says mainstream activities only reach those who are socially competent and self-motivated. “It’s an opportunity for those who don’t ‘fit’ in general social situations to gain a social comfort zone.

“Fishing was the perfect choice. It was something they had been involved in during the days when they used to be included in society; something they had in common.”

She said Club members’ enthusiasm was encouraging, and the catches were typically ‘big!’

“The social implications of the project have been great. The fishing trips are giving these people a more positive outlook on life, and there’s been a decrease in doctor and hospital admissions.”

And despite limited health funding, Jill said the fishing group was sustainable. “If it’s a small project, it works. A lot of programs find it difficult getting funding. We’re sustainable because it doesn’t cost much for us to keep going.”

Local indigenous women elders will be the next group to take to the river, and plans are in the making to expand the project to include mental health and disability patients.

Pitaya or Dragon Fruit

A Pitaya (pronounced /pɨˈtaɪ.ə/) or pitahaya (English pronunciation: /ˌpɪtəˈhaɪ.ə/) is the fruit of several cactus species, most importantly of the genus Hylocereus (sweet pitayas). These fruit are commonly known as dragon fruit – cf. Chinese huǒ lóng guǒ 火龍果/火龙果 "fire dragon fruit" and lóng zhū guǒ "dragon pearl fruit", or Vietnamese thanh long (green dragon). Other vernacular names include strawberry pear.
If not otherwise stated, this article's content refers specifically to the pitayas of Hylocereus species, or "dragon fruit".

Distribution
The vine-like epiphytic Hylocereus Pitaya producing cacti are native to Mexico, Central America, and South America. They are also cultivated in Asian countries such as Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and more recently Bangladesh. They are also found in Okinawa, Hawaii, Israel, northern Australia and southern China.
Hylocereus blooms only at night; the large white fragrant flowers of the typical cactusflower shape are among those called "moonflower" or "Queen of the Night". Sweet pitayas have a creamy pulp and a delicate aroma. It is also grown as an Ornamental plant, used in gardens as a flowering vine, and a house plant indoors.

Varieties
Stenocereus fruit (sour pitayas) are of more local importance, being commonly eaten in the arid regions of the Americas. They are more sour and refreshing, with juicier flesh and a stronger taste, and are relished by hikers. The common Sour Pitaya or pitaya agria (S. gummosus) in the Sonoran Desert has been an important food source for Native American peoples. The Seri people of northwestern Mexico still harvest the highly appreciated fruit,[3] and call the plant ziix is ccapxl – "thing whose fruit is sour". The fruit of related species, such as S. queretaroensis and Dagger Cactus (S. griseus),[4] are also locally important food. Somewhat confusingly, the Organ Pipe Cactus (S. thurberi) fruit (called ool by the Seris) is the pitahaya dulce ("sweet pitahaya") of its native lands, as dragon fruit are not grown there in numbers. It still has a more tart aroma than Hylocereus fruit, described as somewhat reminiscent of watermelon; it has some uses in folk medicine.
Fruits of some other columnar cacti (mainly Cereeae) are also called "pitayas" – for example those of the Peruvian Apple Cactus (Cereus repandus), which are very rare.

Cultivation
After thorough cleaning of the seeds from the pulp of the fruit, the seeds may be stored when dried. Ideally, the fruit must be unblemished and overripe. Seeds grow well in a compost or potting soil mix - even as a potted indoor plant. Pitaya cacti usually germinate between 11 and 14 days after shallow planting. As they are cacti, overwatering is a concern for home growers. As their growth continues, these climbing plants will find something to climb on, which can involve putting aerial roots down from the branches in addition to the basal roots. Once the plant reaches a mature 10 lbs weight, one may see the plant flower.
Pitaya cacti flower overnight, usually wilting by the morning. They rely on nocturnal creatures such as bats or moths for fertilization by other pitaya. Self-fertilization will not produce fruit. This limits the capability of home growers to produce the fruit. However, the plants can flower between three and six times in a year depending especially on growing conditions. Like other cacti, if a healthy piece of the stem is broken off, it may take root in soil and become its own plant. This is a much shorter route to reproduction. The plants handles up to 104oF and very short periods of frost, but does not survive long exposure to freezing temperatures. The cacti thrive most in USDA zones 10-11, but may survive outdoors in zone 9a or 9b.
Hylocereus has adapted to live in dry tropical climates with a moderate amount of rain. The dragon fruit sets on the cactus-like trees 30–50 days after flowering and can sometimes have 5-6 cycles of harvests per year. There are some farms in Vietnam that produce 30 tons of fruit per hectare every year.

Pests and diseases
Overwatering or excessive rainfall can cause the flowers to drop and fruit to rot. Birds can be a nuisance. The bacterium Xanthomonas campestris causes the stems to rot. Dothiorella fungi can cause brown spots on the fruit, but this is not common.
Fruit
Sweet pitayas come in three types, all with leathery, slightly leafy skin:
Hylocereus undatus (red pitaya) has red-skinned fruit with white flesh. This is the most commonly-seen "dragon fruit".
Hylocereus costaricensis (Costa Rica pitaya, often called H. polyrhizus) has red-skinned fruit with red flesh
Hylocereus megalanthus (yellow pitaya, formerly in Selenicereus) has yellow-skinned fruit with white flesh.
Early imports from Colombia to Australia were designated Hylocereus ocampensis (supposedly red fruit) and Cereus triangularis (supposedly yellow fruit). It is not quite certain to which species these taxa refer, though the latter is probably the red pitaya.
The fruit can weigh from 150 to 600 grams; some may reach one kilogram.

Consumption
To prepare a pitaya for consumption, the fruit is cut open to expose the flesh.
The fruit's texture is sometimes likened to that of the kiwifruit due to the presence of black, crunchy seeds. The flesh, which is eaten raw, is mildly sweet and low in calories.[10] Dragon fruit should not be used to accompany strong-tasting food, except to "cleanse the palate" between dishes. The seeds are eaten together with the flesh, have a nutty taste and are rich in lipids, but they are indigestible unless chewed. The fruit is also converted into juice or wine, or used to flavour other beverages. The flowers can be eaten or steeped as tea. The skin is not eaten, and in farm-grown fruit it may be polluted with pesticides.
Ingestion of significant amounts of red-fleshed dragon fruit (such as Costa Rica Pitaya) may result in pseudohematuria, a harmless reddish discoloration of the urine and faeces.

Nutritional information
The typical nutritional values per 100 g of raw pitaya (of which 55 g are edible) are as follows:
Water 80-90 g
Carbohydrates 9-14 g
Protein 0.15-0.5 g
Fat 0.1-0.6 g
Fiber 0.3-0.9 g
Ash 0.4-0.7 g
Calories: 35-50
Calcium 6–10 mg
Iron 0.3-0.7 mg
Phosphorus 16 – 36 mg
Carotene (Vitamin A) traces
Thiamine (Vitamin B1) traces
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) traces
Niacin (Vitamin B3) 0.2-0.45 mg
Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 4–25 mg
-The aforentioned figures are subject to change as per cultivation conditions.-
The fatty acid compositions of two pitaya seed oils were determined as follows:
• Particularly red-skinned pitayas are a good source of Vitamin C.
• Pitayas are rich in fiber and minerals, notably phosphorus and calcium. Red pitayas seem to be richer in the former, yellow ones in the latter.
• The seeds are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, and in particular Red Pitayas contain very little saturated fat.
• Pitahayas also contain significant quantities of phytoalbumin antioxidants, which prevent the formation of cancer-causing free radicals.
• In Taiwan, diabetics use the fruit as a food substitute for rice and as a source of dietary fibre.