Transitions in the morphological features, habitat use, and diet of young-of-the-year goosefish (Lophius americanus)

This study was designed to improve our understanding of transitions in the early life history and the distribution, habitat use, and diets for young-of-the-year (YOY) goosefish (Lophius americanus) and, as a result, their role in northeastern U.S. continental shelf ecosystems. Pelagic juveniles (>12 to ca. 50 mm total length [TL]) were distributed over most portions of the continental shelf in the Middle Atlantic Bight, Georges Bank, and into the Gulf of Maine. Most individuals settled by 50−85 mm TL and reached approximately 60−120 mm TL by one year of age. Pelagic YOY fed on chaetognaths, hyperiid amphipods, calanoid copepods, and ostracods, and benthic YOY had a varied diet of fishes and benthic crustaceans. Goosefish are widely scattered on the continental shelf in the Middle Atlantic Bight during their early life history and once settled, are habitat generalists, and thus play a role in many continental shelf habit

Padal fishing - a unique fishing method in the Ashtamudi Estuary of Kerala (south India)

Bush park fishing / padal fishing is an indigenous fishing method widely employed in the Ashtamudi estuary of Kerala (south India). An artificial reef made from twigs and leaves of trees is planted in the shallow areas of the estuary. The aim is to harvest fish that find shelter in these structures for the purpose of feeding and breeding. Though the State Department of Fisheries has banned this method of fishing in the inland waters of Kerala, 400 padals are operating in this estuary. About 300 of them are anchored in the western parts of the estuary (west Kayal). Fish are harvested in the padals at monthly intervals almost round the year and this results in the destruction of a sizeable quantity of juveniles and sub-adults of the commercially important fishes, such as Pearl spot and mullets, from the estuary. These padals pose a major threat to the sustainability of the fishery resources of this estuary and, therefore, need to be phased out by providing alternative occupations for the fishermen who are dependant on the padals.

Year-class formation in Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) estimated from spawning-date distributions of juveniles in San Francisco Bay, California

Inter and intra-annual variation in year-class strength was analyzed for San Francisco Bay Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) by using otoliths of juveniles. Juvenile herring were collected from March through June in 1999 and 2000 and otoliths from subsamples of these collections were aged by daily otolith increment analysis. The composition of the year classes in 1999 and 2000 were determined by back-calculating the birth date distribution for surviving juvenile herring. In 2000, 729% more juveniles were captured than in 1999, even though an estimated 12% fewer eggs were spawned in 2000. Spawning-date distributions show that survival for the 2000 year class was exceptionally good for a short (approximately 1 month) period of spawning, resulting in a large abundance of juvenile recruits. Analysis of age at size shows that growth rate increased significantly as the spawning season progressed both in 1999 and 2000. However, only in 2000 were the bulk of surviving juveniles a product of the fast growth period. In the two years examined, year-class strength was not predicted by the estimated number of eggs spawned, but rather appeared to depend on survival of eggs or larvae (or both) through the juvenile stage. Fast growth through the larval stage may have little effect on year-class strength if mortality during the egg stage is high and few larvae are available.

Simulation of Tail Weight Distributions in Biological Year 1986–2006 Landings of Brown Shrimp, Farfantepenaeus aztecus, from the Northern Gulf of Mexico Fishery

Size distribution within re- ported landings is an important aspect of northern Gulf of Mexico penaeid shrimp stock assessments. It reflects shrimp population characteristics such as numerical abundance of various sizes, age structure, and vital rates (e.g. recruitment, growth, and mortality), as well as effects of fishing, fishing power, fishing practices, sampling, size-grading, etc. The usual measure of shrimp size in archived landings data is count (C) the number of shrimp tails (abdomen or edible portion) per pound (0.4536 kg). Shrimp are marketed and landings reported in pounds within tail count categories. Statistically, these count categories are count class intervals or bins with upper and lower limits expressed in C. Count categories vary in width, overlap, and frequency of occurrence within the landings. The upper and lower limits of most count class intervals can be transformed to lower and upper limits (respectively) of class intervals expressed in pounds per shrimp tail, w, the reciprocal of C (i.e. w = 1/C). Age based stock assessments have relied on various algorithms to estimate numbers of shrimp from pounds landed within count categories. These algorithms required un- derlying explicit or implicit assumptions about the distribution of C or w. However, no attempts were made to assess the actual distribution of C or w. Therefore, validity of the algorithms and assumptions could not be determined. When different algorithms were applied to landings within the same size categories, they produced different estimates of numbers of shrimp. This paper demonstrates a method of simulating the distribution of w in reported biological year landings of shrimp. We used, as examples, landings of brown shrimp, Farfantepenaeus aztecus, from the northern Gulf of Mexico fishery in biological years 1986–2006. Brown shrimp biological year, Ti, is defined as beginning on 1 May of the same calendar year as Ti and ending on 30 April of the next calendar year, where subscript i is the place marker for biological year. Biological year landings encompass most if not all of the brown shrimp life cycle and life span. Simulated distributions of w reflect all factors influencing sizes of brown shrimp in the landings within a given biological year. Our method does not require a priori assumptions about the parent distributions of w or C, and it takes into account the variability in width, overlap, and frequency of occurrence of count categories within the landings. Simulated biological year distributions of w can be transformed to equivalent distributions of C. Our method may be useful in future testing of previously applied algorithms and development of new estimators based on statistical estimation theory and the underlying distribution of w or C. We also examine some applications of biological year distributions of w, and additional variables derived from them.

First Annual Report for the year ended 31st March, 1966

This is the first Annual report of the Cumberland River Authority on information of its activities and responsibilities on river management in its area between the beginning of April 1965, to the end of March 1966. The report contains 5 main sections on water resources, land drainage, fisheries, pollution, and finally the expenditure and income for the 12 month period. The first area that the report deals with is water resources, which includes periodical surveys, hydrometric schemes, acceptable flows, conservation works and a review of rainfall and river flow. The section on land drainage looks at work on improvement schemes, floods, charges and information on maintenance work carried out on rivers including Wampool, Waver, Marron, Irt, Esk, Eden, Caldew, Petteril, Eamont and Annas. The fisheries section covers 5 districts of the River Eden, Esk, Ellen, Derwent, and South West Cumberland. It includes angling information and a general report for salmon and sea trout, brown trout and freshwater fish. It also looks at fish hatchery, fisheries protection and byelaws including licence numbers issued for the different districts. The fourth section on pollution deals with water quality of the rivers and their tributaries from the same 5 areas mentioned above. It also covers information on sewage and trade effluents. The River Authorities preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Second Annual Report for the year ended 31st March, 1967

This is the second Annual report of the Cumberland River Authority on information of its activities and responsibilities on river management in its area between the beginning of April 1966, to the end of March 1967. The report contains 5 main sections on water resources, land drainage, fisheries, pollution, and finally the expenditure and income for the 12 month period. The first area that the report deals with is water resources, which includes periodical surveys, hydrometric schemes, acceptable flows, conservation works and a review of rainfall and river flow. The section on land drainage looks at work on improvement schemes, floods, charges and information on maintenance work carried out on rivers including Wampool, Waver, Marron, Ellen, Derwent, Esk, Eden, Caldew, Petteril, Eamont, Gelt and Annas. The fisheries section covers 5 districts of the River Eden, Esk, Ellen, Derwent and South West Cumberland. It includes angling information and a general report for salmon and sea trout, Brown trout and freshwater fish. Fish disease and fish hatchery are also included as well as fisheries protection and byelaws. The fourth section on pollution deals with water quality and the results of samples taken from rivers Eden, Eamont, Caldew, Calder, Derwent, Ehen, Ellen, Wampool and Waver are also given. It also covers information on sewage and trade effluents. The River Authorities preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Third Annual Report for the year ended 31st March, 1968

This is the third Annual report of the Cumberland River Authority on information of its activities and responsibilities on river management in its area between the beginning of April 1967, to the end of March 1968. The report contains 5 main sections on water resources, land drainage, fisheries, pollution, and finally the expenditure and income for the 12 month period. The first area that the report deals with is water resources, which includes periodical surveys, hydrometric schemes, acceptable flows, conservation works and a review of rainfall and river flow. The section on land drainage looks at work on improvement schemes, floods, charges and information on maintenance work carried out on rivers including Wampool, Waver, Glenderamackin, Marron, Eden, Caldew, and Lyvennet. The fisheries section covers 5 districts of the River Eden, Esk, Ellen, Derwent and South West Cumberland. It includes angling information and a general report for salmon and sea trout, brown trout and freshwater fish. Fish disease and fish hatchery are also covered as well as fisheries protection and licence duties. The fourth section on pollution deals with water quality, and the results of samples taken from rivers Eden, Eamont, Petteril, Caldew, Calder, Derwent, Ehen, Ellen, Wampool and Waver are also given. It also covers information on sewage and trade effluents. The River Authorities preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Fourth Annual Report for the year ended 31st March, 1969

This is the fourth Annual report of the Cumberland River Authority on information of its activities and responsibilities on river management in its area between the beginning of April 1968, to the end of March 1969. The report contains 5 main sections on water resources, land drainage, fisheries, pollution, and finally the expenditure and income for the 12 month period. The first area that the report deals with is water resources, which includes periodical surveys, hydrometric schemes, acceptable flows, conservation works and a review of rainfall and river flow. The section on land drainage looks at work on improvement schemes, floods, charges and information on maintenance work carried out on rivers including Wampool, Waver, Marron, Ellen, Eden, Caldew, Esk, Annas, Irt and Glenderamackin. The fisheries section covers 5 districts of the River Eden, Esk, Ellen, Derwent and South West Cumberland. It includes angling information and a general report for salmon and sea trout, Brown trout and freshwater fish. Fish disease and fish hatchery are also covered as well as fisheries protection and licence duties. The fourth section on pollution covers water quality, and the results of samples taken from rivers Eden, Eamont, Petteril, Caldew, Calder, Derwent, Ehen, Ellen, Wampool and Waver are also given. It also covers information on sewage and trade effluents. The River Authorities preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Fifth Annual Report for the year ended 31st March, 1970

This is the fifth Annual report of the Cumberland River Authority on information of its activities and responsibilities on river management in its area between the beginning of April 1969, to the end of March 1970. The report contains 5 main sections on water resources, land drainage, fisheries, pollution, and finally the expenditure and income for the 12 month period. The first area that the report deals with is water resources, wich includes periodical surveys, hydrometric schemes, acceptable flows, conservation works and a review of rainfall and river flow. The section on land drainage looks at work on improvement schemes, floods, charges and information on maintenance work carried out on rivers including Wampool, Waver, Derwent, Ellen, Mite, Bleng, Eden, Caldew and Petteril. The fisheries section covers 5 districts of the River Eden, Esk, Ellen, Derwent and South West Cumberland. It includes angling information and a general report for salmon and sea trout, brown trout and freshwater fish. Fish disease and fish hatchery are also covered as well as fisheries protection and licence duties. The fourth section on pollution deals with water quality, and the results of samples taken from rivers Eden, Eamont, Petteril, Caldew, Calder, Bleng, Derwent, Ehen, Ellen, Wampool and Waver are also given. It also covers information on sewage and trade effluents. The River Authorities preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Sixth Annual Report for the year ended 31st March, 1971

This is the sixth Annual report of the Cumberland River Authority on information of its activities and responsibilities on river management in its area between the beginning of April 1970, to the end of March 1971. The report contains 5 main sections on water resources, land drainage, fisheries, pollution, and finally the expenditure and income for the 12 month period. The first area that the report deals with is water resources, which includes periodical surveys, hydrometric schemes, acceptable flows, conservation works and a review of rainfall and river flow. The section on land drainage looks at work on improvement schemes, floods, charges and information on maintenance work carried out on rivers including Wampool, Waver, Derwent, Eden, Mite, Bleng, Annas and Irt. The fisheries section covers 5 districts of the River Eden, Esk, Ellen, Derwent and South West Cumberland. It includes angling information and a general report for salmon and sea trout, brown trout and freshwater fish. Fish disease and fish hatchery are also covered as well as fisheries protection and licence duties. The fourth section on pollution deals with water quality, and the results of samples taken from rivers Eden, Eamont, Petteril, Caldew, Calder, Irt, Derwent, Ehen, Ellen, Wampool and Waver are also given. It also covers information on sewage and trade effluents. The River Authorities preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Seventh Annual Report for year ended 31st March, 1972

This is the seventh Annual report of the Cumberland River Authority on information of its activities and responsibilities on river management in its area between the beginning of April 1971, to the end of March 1972. The report contains 5 main sections on water resources, land drainage, fisheries, pollution, and finally the expenditure and income for the 12 month period. The first area that the report deals with is water resources, which includes periodical surveys, hydrometric schemes, acceptable flows, conservation works and a review of rainfall and river flow. The section on land drainage looks at work on improvement schemes, floods, charges and information on maintenance work carried out on rivers including Wampool, Waver, Derwent and Eden. The fisheries section covers 5 districts of the River Eden, Esk, Ellen, Derwent and South West Cumberland. It includes angling information and a general report for salmon and sea trout, brown trout and freshwater fish. Fish disease and fish hatchery are also covered as well as fisheries protection and licence duties. The fourth section on pollution deals with water quality, and the results of samples taken for chemical analysis from rivers Eden, Eamont, Petteril, Caldew, Calder, Irthing, Esk, Irt, Mite, Derwent, Ehen, Wampool and Waver are also given. It also covers information on sewage and trade effluents. The River Authorities preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Eighth Annual Report for year ended 31st March, 1973

This is the eighth Annual report of the Cumberland River Authority on information of its activities and responsibilities on river management in its area between the beginning of April 1972, to the end of March 1973. The report contains 5 main sections on water resources, land drainage, fisheries, pollution, and finally the expenditure and income for the 12 month period. The first area that the report deals with is water resources, including periodical surveys, hydrometric schemes, acceptable flows, conservation works and a review of rainfall and river flow. The section on land drainage looks at work on improvement schemes, floods, charges and information on maintenance work carried out on rivers including Wampool, Waver, Derwent, Eden and Caldew. The fisheries section covers 5 districts of the River Eden, Esk, Ellen, Derwent and South West Cumberland. It includes angling information and a general report for salmon and sea trout, brown trout and freshwater fish. Fish disease and fish hatchery are also covered as well as fisheries protection and licence duties. The fourth section on pollution deals with water quality, and the results of samples taken for chemical analysis from rivers Eden, Eamont, Leith, Lowther, Lyne, Petteril, Caldew, Calder, Irthing, Esk, Irt, Mite, Derwent, Ehen, Ellen, Annas, Wampool and Waver are also given. It also covers information on sewage and trade effluents. The River Authorities preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Ninth Annual Report for year ended 31st March, 1974

This is the ninth Annual report of the Cumberland River Authority on information of its activities and responsibilities on river management in its area between the beginning of April 1973, to the end of March 1974. The report contains 5 main sections on water resources, land drainage, fisheries, pollution, and finally the expenditure and income for the 12 month period. The first area that the report deals with is water resources, which includes periodical surveys, hydrometric schemes, acceptable flows, conservation works and a review of rainfall and river flow. The section on land drainage looks at work on improvement schemes, floods, charges and information on maintenance work carried out on rivers including Wampool, Waver, Glenderamackin and Lyvennet. The fisheries section covers 5 districts of the River Eden, Esk, Ellen, Derwent and South West Cumberland. It includes angling information and a general report for salmon and sea trout, brown trout and freshwater fish. Fish disease and fish hatchery are also covered as well as fisheries protection and licence duties. The fourth section on pollution deals with water quality, and the results of samples taken for chemical analysis from rivers Eden, Eamont, Leith, Lowther, Lyne, Petteril, Caldew, Calder, Marron, Irthing, Esk, Irt, Mite, Derwent, Ehen, Ellen, Annas, Wampool and Waver are also given. It also covers information on sewage and trade effluents. The River Authorities preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Ninth Annual Report for the year ended 31st March, 1960

This is the ninth Annual report of the Cumberland River Board on information of its activities and responsibilities on river management in its area between the beginning of April 1959, to the end of March 1960. The report contains 5 main sections on water resources, land drainage, fisheries, pollution, and finally the expenditure and income for the 12 month period. The first area that the report deals with is water resources, which includes information on the completion of a gauging station on the River Eden, and an approval for a similar station on the River Derwent. It also gives information on rainfall and river flow. The section on land drainage looks at work on improvement schemes and information on maintenance work carried out on rivers including Wampool, Waver, Wiza, Ellen, Cocker, Irt, Esk, Annas, Marron, Eden, Eamont, Caldew and Petteril. The fisheries section covers 4 districts of the River Eden, Esk, Derwent and South West Cumberland. It includes angling information and a general report for salmon and sea trout, brown trout and freshwater fish. Fish disease and fish hatchery are also covered as well as re-stocking and fisheries protection. The fourth section on pollution deals with water quality and information on sewage and trade effluents. The River Boards preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.