Abnormal question...

[Externet]

Hi all.

Sort of scientific/off topic:280: content question, opinions and educated guesses welcome:

If batteries/cells are dumped in the sea, there will be a (minor) electrical current due to the seawater conductivity until they get spent.

Would that electric field attract or repel fish, or attract up to a certain distance and then repel, or what?

 

[marku]

I hope you're NOT planning to dump batteries in the ocean! :no

The current from one pole to the other (+ to -) would follow the shortest path so as long as fish don't get caught in that current I think they'll be fine. I think. I don't think i know enough about electricity so I'm just guessing. I know fish are quite sensitive to electricity though; their lateral line is a series of electro-receptors, I think.

Anyway the biggest concern for batteries in the water is if they start leaking. I don't think the chemicals in them are eco-friendly at all, so please dispose of your batteries properly.

 

[drbill]

Might attract certain species of sharks which sense electrical fields.

 

[David P]

might also increase calcerous coral growth as well, thought I think they use slightly higher DC voltage than 1.5v...

 

[under water]

Black Box Techniques | Pro-Troll Online How-To Books

I would take their explanation with a grain of salt though, since they seem to be selling something.

 

[T-Dog]

Black Box Techniques | Pro-Troll Online How-To Books

I would take their explanation with a grain of salt though, since they seem to be selling something.

Electrofishing is very efficient at catching fish. In SC the DNR uses it to collect specimens to monitor the health of river and lake populations (ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve).
However, it is illegal for recreational fisherman to use these devices, at least in SC (https://www.dnr.state.sc.us/regs/pdf/fishing.pdf).