Whales and Sonar: Environmental Exemptions for the Navy’s Mid-Frequency Active Sonar Training

Mid-frequency active (MFA) sonar emits pulses of sound from an underwater transmitter to help determine the size, distance, and speed of objects. The sound waves bounce off objects and reflect back to underwater acoustic receivers as an echo. MFA sonar has been used since World War II, and the Navy indicates it is the only reliable way to track submarines, especially more recently designed submarines that operate more quietly, making them more difficult to detect. Scientists have asserted that sonar may harm certain marine mammals under certain conditions, especially beaked whales. Depending on the exposure, they believe that sonar may damage the ears of the mammals, causing hemorrhaging and/or disorientation. The Navy agrees that the sonar may harm some marine mammals, but says it has taken protective measures so that animals are not harmed. MFA training must comply with a variety of environmental laws, unless an exemption is granted by the appropriate authority. Marine mammals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and some under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The training program must also comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and in some cases the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA). Each of these laws provides some exemption for certain federal actions. The Navy has invoked all of the exemptions to continue its sonar training exercises. Litigation challenging the MFA training off the coast of Southern California ended with a November 2008 U.S. Supreme Court decision. The Supreme Court said that the lower court had improperly favored the possibility of injuring marine animals over the importance of military readiness. The Supreme Court’s ruling allowed the training to continue without the limitations imposed on it by other courts. (pdf contains 20pp.)

A review of manpower training for Nigeria's fishing industry

An examination is made of the organization and administration of fisheries training institutes in Nigeria, highlighting their inadequacies in achieving required goals. A systems approach to fisheries manpower training is described which is based on 4 principles: 1) wholeness; 2) systematization; 3) compatibility; and 4) optimization

Investment in the training of technologists for commercial aquaculture

The protein shortage in Nigeria is noted and the role of aquaculture (=fish farming) as a complement in increasing the dwindling food supply is registered. In addition, the manpower shortage especially in the technology cadre is noted and attributed to the lack of co-ordination and standard curricula especially in aquaculture. An inventory of tasks performed in the aquaculture industry was taken and these were classified and validated, then their final priority level was used to assess which ones were critical, important or desirable and which ones would result in disaster or not with inadequate mastery. Based on the above, recommendations are made that all critical and important tasks be included in the teaching curriculum for aquaculture in both theory and practicals: while it is advocated that all tasks listed be undertaken in fish farm operations. This will raise the competence of technologists to run the commercial aquaculture projects

Whales and Sonar: Environmental Exemptions for the Navy's Mid-Frequency Active Sonar Training.

Mid-frequency active (MFA) sonar emits pulses of sound from an underwater transmitter to help determine the size, distance, and speed of objects. The sound waves bounce off objects and reflect back to underwater acoustic receivers as an echo. MFA sonar has been used since World War II, and the Navy indicates it is the only reliable way to track submarines, especially more recently designed submarines that operate more quietly, making them more difficult to detect. Scientists have asserted that sonar may harm certain marine mammals under certain conditions, especially beaked whales. Depending on the exposure, they believe that sonar may damage the ears of the mammals, causing hemorrhaging and/or disorientation. The Navy agrees that the sonar may harm some marine mammals, but says it has taken protective measures so that animals are not harmed. (PDF contains 20 pages)

The development of the South Carolina Coastal Information Network and portal site: Bringing training opportunities and educational resources to coastal community officials and the public

The South Carolina Coastal Information Network (SCCIN) emerged as a result of a number of coastal outreach institutions working in partnership to enhance coordination of the coastal community outreach efforts in South Carolina. This organized effort, led by the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium and its Extension Program, includes partners from federal and state agencies, regional government agencies, and private organizations seeking to coordinate and/or jointly deliver outreach programs that target coastal community constituents. The Network was officially formed in 2006 with the original intention of fostering intra-and inter- agency communication, coordination, and cooperation. Network partners include the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium, S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control – Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management and Bureau of Water, S.C. Department of Natural Resources – ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve, North Inlet-Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service and Carolina Clear, Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments, Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments, Urban Land Institute of South Carolina, S.C. Department of Archives and History, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – Coastal Services Center and Hollings Marine Laboratory, Michaux Conservancy, Ashley-Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium, the Coastal Waccamaw Stormwater Education Consortium, the S.C. Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, and the Lowcountry Council of Governments. (PDF contains 3 pages)

Penaeus indicus H. Milne Edwards, 1837: resumo das conclusões dos cruzeiros de pesca exploratória entre 1979 e 1983 no banco de Sofala em Moçambique

From 1979 to 1983, several surveys were carried out with research and fishing vessels at Sofala Bank in Mozambique. Their main objective was the assessment of shallow water prawn stocks, as this resource is of great economic importance for the country. A summary of the conclusions of these surveys regarding the species Penaeus indicus is presented. During the rainy season the species occurs closer to the shore than during the dry season. Estimates of biomass are very variable. The spawning peak seems to occur at the beginning of the rainy season (September-October). The spawning areas are located very close to the shore in the northern part of Sofala Bank and South of 17 degree 10'S in the 15-25 m depth interval.

Guia para a captura e o aproveitamento artesanal do tubarão em Moçambique

A summary is given of practical recommendations on materials and methods for the capture and main utilization of shark in Mozambique.

Apontamentos para a elaboração de um catálogo das artes de pesca em Moçambique

A contribution to the preparation of a catalogue on fishing gear in use in Mozambique is given. The set of plans presented complies with the methodology adopted by FAO and is classified according to the International Standard Statistical Classification of Fishing Gear (ISSCFG - 1980).

Biomassa dos principais recursos de peixe de Boa-Paz, Moçambique

Data collected during a survey conducted by the Soviet trawler Sebastopolsky rybak , in January 1987, covering the Boa-Paz area, Mozambique, were analysed. The biomass of demersal fish was found to be higher than the one of pelagic fish. The most representative group among the demersals was the first grade fish, where the families Sparidae, Lethrinidae, Lutjanidae and Serranidae were included, corresponding to a biomass of about 3,500 tonnes. In the pelagics the family Carangidae was the most important one and the species Decapterus russelli and Trachurus trachurus showed the highest biomass estimates in this family.

Processamento artesanal de pescado em Moçambique

The artisanal processing of fish from artisanal, semi-industrial or industrial fisheries is described and the production costs of fishery products processing in significant artisanal fishing zones of Mozambique were studied.

Programa de pesca experimental de atum com vara e isca viva. Moçambique - 1982/1985

An account is given of activities undertaken during the project, which was concerned with the development of tuna fisheries using rod and live bait, in Mozambique. Major tuna species present in the area are described, and fishing gear and methods used outlined, detailing also catch composition and live bait utilized.

Elementos basicos de teledetecção. Possibilidades da sua aplicação na investigação pesqueira em Moçambique

Mozambique has a large Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Satellite remote sensing combined with ground observation would help in the research undertaken for fisheries purposes. NOAA could be applied for sea surface temperature mapping of the open sea water as the thermal gradient is high enough here. Coastal zone dynamics would be remotely sensed by visible passive radiance, since colour contrast is here the relevant pattern. Landsat/MSS seems to be economically advantageous for this purpose. This knowledge would contribute to locate the areas adequate for the concentration of fisheries resources.

Collaborative training program in coastal management in the Philippines: a local initiative with a global perspective

A collaborative project in developing a broad-based coastal management training program in the Philippines is being undertaken by a group of government and nongovernment agencies. It addresses the lack of expertise in planning an implementation for coastal management in the country. The process will be documented to serve as a guide in starting and maintaining the process of collaborative training in coastal management in the region. Other training initiatives are outlined including regional and global efforts.