Coral Remote Sensing Workshop: Proceedings and Recommendations, 17-18 September, Sheraton, Brickell Ave, Miami FL

Coral reefs exist in warm, clear, and relatively shallow marine waters worldwide. These complex assemblages of marine organisms are unique, in that they support highly diverse, luxuriant, and essentially self-sustaining ecosystems in otherwise nutrient-poor and unproductive waters. Coral reefs are highly valued for their great beauty and for their contribution to marine productivity. Coral reefs are favorite destinations for recreational diving and snorkeling, as well as commercial and recreational fishing activities. The Florida Keys reef tract draws an estimated 2 million tourists each year, contributing nearly $800 million to the economy. However, these reef systems represent a very delicate ecological balance, and can be easily damaged and degraded by direct or indirect human contact. Indirect impacts from human activity occurs in a number of different forms, including runoff of sediments, nutrients, and other pollutants associated with forest harvesting, agricultural practices, urbanization, coastal construction, and industrial activities. Direct impacts occur through overfishing and other destructive fishing practices, mining of corals, and overuse of many reef areas, including damage from souvenir collection, boat anchoring, and diver contact. In order to protect and manage coral reefs within U.S. territorial waters, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce has been directed to establish and maintain a system of national marine sanctuaries and reserves, and to monitor the condition of corals and other marine organisms within these areas. To help carry out this mandate the NOAA Coastal Services Center convened a workshop in September, 1996, to identify current and emerging sensor technologies, including satellite, airborne, and underwater systems with potential application for detecting and monitoring corals. For reef systems occurring within depths of 10 meters or less (Figure 1), mapping location and monitoring the condition of corals can be accomplished through use of aerial photography combined with diver surveys. However, corals can exist in depths greater than 90 meters (Figure 2), well below the limits of traditional optical imaging systems such as aerial or surface photography or videography. Although specialized scuba systems can allow diving to these depths, the thousands of square kilometers included within these management areas make diver surveys for deeper coral monitoring impractical. For these reasons, NOAA is investigating satellite and airborne sensor systems, as well as technologies which can facilitate the location, mapping, and monitoring of corals in deeper waters. The following systems were discussed as having potential application for detecting, mapping, and assessing the condition of corals. However, no single system is capable of accomplishing all three of these objectives under all depths and conditions within which corals exist. Systems were evaluated for their capabilities, including advantages and disadvantages, relative to their ability to detect and discriminate corals under a variety of conditions. (PDF contains 55 pages)

Pesca de Arrasto e Linha na Baia de Inhambane: 1998

The fishing activity in Inhambane Bay is still strictly artisanal, with predominance of trawl and line fishing among other methods. Trawl fishing in particular, is considered to be the most important fishing method in terms of revenue and potential for the future.

Reproductive biology of male franciscanas (Pontoporia blainvillei) (Mammalia: Cetacea) from Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil

The reproductive biology of male franciscanas (Pontoporia blainvillei), based on 121 individuals collected in Rio Grande do Sul State, southern Brazil, was studied. Estimates on age, length, and weight at attainment of sexual maturity are presented. Data on the reproductive seasonality and on the relationship between some testicular characteristics and age, size, and maturity status are provided. Sexual maturity was assessed by histological examination of the testes. Seasonality was determined by changes in relative and total testis weight, and in seminiferous tubule diameters. Testis weight, testicular index of maturity, and seminiferous tubule diameters were reliable indicators of sexual maturity, whereas testis length, age, length, and weight of the dolphin were not. Sexual maturity was estimated to be attained at 3.6 years (CI 95% =2.7���4.5) with the DeMaster method and 3.0 years with the logistic equation. Length and weight at attainment of sexual maturity were 128.2 cm (CI 95%=125.3���131.1 cm) and 26.4 kg (CI 95% =24.7���28.1 kg), respectively. It could not be verified that there was any seasonal change in the testis weight and in the seminiferous tubule diameters in mature males. It is suggested that at least some mature males may remain reproductively active throughout the year. The extremely low relative testis weight indicates that sperm competition does not occur in the species. On the other hand, the absence of secondary sexual characteristics, the reversed sexual size dimorphism, and the small number of scars from intrassexual combats in males reinforce the hypothesis that male combats for female reproductive access may be rare for franciscana. It is hypothesized that P. blainvillei form temporary pairs (one male copulating with only one female) during the reproductive period.

Pesca de atum no indico: seu desenvolvimento recente e consequ��ncias para os Pa��ses da Subregi��o Sul Ocidental

In this study the author provided a synthesis of the most relevant aspects of fisheries in Mozambique and Indo-Pacific Region, discussed at the ���Seminario sobre avalia����o de mananciais de atum na regi��o indo-pacifiqa-jacarta��� held in Jakarta from 20 to 22 August 1984. Tens of documents belonging to the Department of Documentation and Information of the Fisheries Research Institute of Maputo and containing valuable information on the tuna fishing in Indo-Pac��fic Region were studied in preparation of this seminar.

Estado actual das principais pescarias da Baia de Maputo

This report presents an analysis of existing information on fisheries of shad and shrimp. It explains the use of Schaefer model and based on this and other available information, the author suggests the measures to be implemented for a better management of these resources.

Pesca experimental de corrico na zona sul da costa de Mocambique

Based on the proven existence of large pelagic fish resources in the southern coast of Mozambique, an experimental fishing trolling program has been designed to study the possibility of resources exploitation through the introduction of trolling technique on artisanal vessels (Project FAO/TCP/MOZ/5653). Although operational problems occurred, the program carried out during the year 1957, provided a collection of data and knowledge. It allowed the preparation of present paper, which could serve as an indicator for a possible implementation of this fishing method in the Mozambican artisanal sector. Sharing this study, the author expects to give a further contribution to the development of a greater pelagic fishery in the waters of Mozambique.

Effect of sulphide on Admiralty brass in seawater

The corrosion behaviour of Admiralty brass in putrified seawater has been studied. It was observed that when the dissolved oxygen in the putrified seawater medium has attained very low value (<0.53 p.p.m) the corrosion rate of admiralty brass showed decreasing trend in spite of increased level of sulphide from 21.2 to 228 p.p.m. Significant correlations (negative) were observed between corrosion rates and log period of exposure.

Seminario sobre ciencias b��sicas como prerequisito para la ense��anza de la oceanograf��a (1-2 octubre de 1962)- Seminario sobre biogeograf��a de los organismos marinos (3-6 octubre de 1962)

Por acuerdo del Seminario Latinoamericano sobre Estudios Oceanogr��ficos realizado en la Universidad de Concepci��n, Chile, 20-25 noviembre de 1961, se recomend�� la realizaci��n en Argentina de un Seminario sobre Biogeograf��a de Organismos Marinos, indic��ndose al Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales Bernardino Rivadavia como sede del mismo. Luego de varias conversaciones en Buenos Aires (Argentina), entre autoridades del Centro de Cooperaci��n Cient��fica para Am��rica Latina, del CONICET (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cient��ficas y T��cnicas), del Servicio de Hidrograf��a Naval, del mencionado Museo y del Instituto de Biolog��a Marina de Mar del Plata, se acord�� realizar los seminarios en ��ste ��ltimo instituto del 1 al 6 octubre de 1962. Del 1 al 2 de octubre, se realiz�� el Seminario sobre Ciencias B��sicas como prerrequisito para la Ense��anza de la Oceanograf��a, pero los documentos no fueron inclu��dos en este Bolet��n. Del 3 al 6 de octubre, tuvo lugar el Seminario sobre Biogeograf��a de Organismos Marinos, con la participaci��n de investigadores de: Brasil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Mexico, Per��, Uruguay, Venezuela y de Argentina, y se incluyeron los siguientes trabajos publicados: Joly, A. - Extensao da flora marinha no sul do Brasil- nota preliminar; Etcheverry Daza, H. - Distribuci��n geogr��fica de las algas del Pac��fico; Diaz-Piferrer, M. - Biogeograf��a de las algas marinas tropicales de la costa Atl��ntica de America, Resumen,; Kuhneman, O. - Importancia de la vegetaci��n en biogeograf��a marina; Boschi, E.E. - Los peneidos de Brasil, Uruguay y Argentina; Bernasconi, I. - Distribuci��n geogr��fica de los equinoideos y asteroideos de la extremidad austral de Sudam��rica; Szidat, L. - La parasitolog��a como ciencia auxiliar para la biogeograf��a de organismos marinos; L��pez, R.B. - Problemas de la distribuci��n geogr��fica de los peces marinos sudamericanos; Xim��nez, I. - Estudio preliminar de la distribuci��n geogr��fica actual de los pin��pedos en Am��rica Latina; Balech, E. - La divisi��n zonal en biolog��a marina y su nomenclatura; Stuardo, J. - Distribuci��n de los moluscos marinos litorales en Latinoam��rica; Boltovskoy, E. - Provincias zoogeogr��ficas de Am��rica del Sur y su sector Ant��rtico seg��n los foramin��feros bent��nicos; Rioja, E. - Caracteres de la biogeograf��a marina de M��xico y de Centro Am��rica; Balech, E. - Caracteres biogeogr��ficos de la regi��n de Argentina y Uruguay; Vannucci, M. - Zoogeograf��a marinha do Brasil.