The first fifty years of the Freshwater Biological Association

A brief history of the Freshwater Biological Association is given in this article. The association has been in existence for fifty years, having been founded in 1929.

Joint research project on the aquatic ecotoxicity of organo-aluminium: Chemical reactions. First interim report

The overall goal of the joint research project is to relate the chemical reactions involved in the formation of organo-aluminium complexes under acid conditions to their toxic effects on the physiology of aquatic organisms. Finally, this research is intended to predict toxic effects arising from acidity and aluminium under varying environmental conditions. This interim report examines the chemical modelling of ion-binding by humic substances where a computer model has been developed and is being tested using field data, and conditions required for the precipitation of aluminium in surface waters.

Proceedings of the first world meeting on bigeye tuna

The annual catches of big eye are exceeded by those of only two other species of tuna, skipjack, Katsuwonus pelamis, and yellowfin, Thunnus albacares. However, because most of the bigeye caught are consumed fresh, whereas most of the skipjack and yellowfin caught are canned, the economic value of big eye exceeds that of any other species of tuna. Despite its importance, less is known of the biology of bigeye than of the biology of any of the other principal market species of tunas. Historically, bigeye have been harvested mostly by longlines, which take only medium to large fish. During recent years, however, greater amounts of small bigeye have been caught by purse seines and other surface gear. This is a matter of concern for several reasons. First, long line fishermen are concerned that the harvesting of small bigeye will decrease the amounts of medium to large bigeye available to them. Second, since small bigeye are canned, rather than eaten fresh, consumers are concerned about the possible decrease in the supply of high-quality fresh fish. Third, economists are concerned about the possible economic loss associated with harvesting fish at less than their maximum economic value. Fourth, biologists are concerned about the possibility that harvesting of small bigeye could decrease the overall catches of that species. These concerns cannot be properly addressed until more knowledge of the biology of big eye is available. The purposes of the meeting were to review and discuss the information available and to make recommendations for further research.

Lessons from Vietnam's first marine park

The recent establishment of a marine park in Vietnam offers lessons for future marine reserves in the country as well as for other countries considering their establishment. These lessons are contained in this brief article.

Size at first maturity of the anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) in Ghanaian waters and suggestions for appropriate mesh size in its fishery

The main length at first maturity of anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus in Ghanaian waters has been estimated using length-frequency and gonad data sampled between June 1983 and September 1986 off Accra and Tema, Ghana. The length at first maturity of these fish is around 5.7 cm (fork length). The minimum mesh size for rational exploitation of the resource in Ghanaian waters is put at about 20 mm (0.8 inch).

Changing traditions: first global look at the gender dimensions of fisheries

The Asian Fisheries Society and the WorldFish Center conducted the first ever Global Symposium on Gender and Fisheries in Penang, Malaysia, from 30 November to 4 December 2004. The two-day Symposium, held in conjunction with the 7th Asian Fisheries Forum, attracted 30 papers by over 100 authors and strong audience discussions that covered countries from Kiribati, through Asia Pacific, Africa, Europe and to the Arctic. The flavor of the Symposium was of changing traditions and recognition of the contributions of different groups to fisheries.

Freshwater Biological Association 1929-1979. The first fifty years

Booklet telling the story of the FBA from its founding in 1929 until its Golden Jubilee in 1979. The booklet aimed to produce a readable account of those aspects of freshwater biology that have been among the main themes of the Association's research, as well as some aspects of its history and the philosophy guiding its foundation. The publication includes many images of the FBA's work and history as well as images and illustrations on lake ecology and applied science.

First Record of the Ragged-tooth Shark, Odontaspis ferox, off the U.S. Atlantic Coast

On 11 September 1994, a large shark was captured and later identified as the ragged-tooth shark, Odontaspis ferox (Risso). The shark was captured during routine bottom trawl survey operations onboard the NOAA R/V Albatross IV, approximately 25 n.mi. south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, N.C. (lat. 34° 51' N, long. 75° 26' W) with a “36 Yankee” bottom trawl towed at 3.5 knots. Average water depth at the time of capture was 173 m, bottom temperature was 17.8°C, and salinity was 36.41‰. Total length (cm), fork length (cm), weight (kg), and sex were recorded, the specimen was tagged, photographed, and returned live to t

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.