Modern dinoflagellate cysts found in surface sediments of Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos

Modern dinoflagellate cysts in surface sediments collected on Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, are described, along with other palynomorphs such as microforaminiferal linings, tintinnid loricae, copepod eggs and acritarchs including Domasiella-like micro-remains and Halodinium spp. The dinoflagellate cyst assemblages mainly consisted of Spiniferites cf. scabratus (gonyaulacoid) followed by Brigantedinium spp. and Selenopemphix quanta (peridinioids). No gymnodinioid cysts were found. No remarkable differences in cyst composition and densities were recognized between stations. The cyst assemblages were characterized by low species diversity and low cyst concentrations in comparison with the Pacific coast of Guatemala and Peru. CDF Contribution Number 1019.

A modern pollen record from the central Gulf of California

As one facet of an effort to tie the pollen record of central Gulf of California deep cores to modern analogs, pollen was analyzed in the uppermost 150-200 years of varved core 7807-1410 taken nearby. Sampling at 2- to 8-year resolution yielded a noncomplacent record, suggesting pollen in these sediments may be a potential high resolution proxy record of short-term climatic events. The pollen spectrum as a whole matches that of upper-most DSDP Site 480 (means of all samples). Lack of a ratio or influx shift following damming of local rivers and a surplus of low-spine Compositae pollen relative to mainland sites support Baumgartner's theory that terrigenous influx to the site is largely aeolian and also suggest that a significant fraction of the pollen influx may come from Baja California.

Progress of modern aquaculture

The development of the aquaculture industry worldwide is discussed in detail with respect to activities conducted by various international organizations, considering in particular the leading role played by the FAO and its regional agencies. A brief examination is also made of the current situation regarding the industry in India and the potential for further development and improvement.

Utilization of treated wood, steel, fibreglass, ferrocement and aluminium in the construction of modern fishing boats and their comparative cost analysis

Modern fishing boats have to be built not only on perfect lines but also with sound and strong construction materials that will ensure a long lasting trouble free service commensurate with the heavy capital investment involved. Choice of construction materials for fishing boats need careful scrutiny as they have to perform too well under most aggressive environments-sea-water and marine atmosphere. A number of alternative boat-building materials are now available whose comparative merits and demerits as well as comparative costs are brought out in this paper.

A wider choice of construction materials for the modern fishing boats

An account of fishing vessel construction materials is given, with information on essential features, and a material account. Materials discussed in detail are steel, wood, aluminium, glass reinforced plastic, and ferro-cement.

Size distribution of heavy mineral grains in some modern Nile Delta coastal sands, Egypt

This study includes determination and discussion of the texture and heavy mineral compositions of some modem Nile Delta coastal sands (river, coastal dune, beach-face, and nearshore marine) in order to delineate the process and factors that regulate the size distribution of heavy mineral grains comprising these coastal sands. Textural analysis of unseparated bulk samples indicate that the examined four types of sands differ in their mean grain sizes and degree of sorting. However, analysis of size distribution curves of 10 heavy mineral species or group of species in the four environments having the same general shape and nearly similar in that general order of arrangement. However, these curves vary both in median sizes and sorting. The size distribution of a heavy mineral in the Nile Delta coastal sands appear to depend on: (1) range of grain size fractions in each sample, (2) relative availability of heavy mineral in each size grade of the sample, (3) specific gravity of minerals comprising these sands, and (4) some other unknown factor or factors. Results of size measurement of heavy minerals indicated that increasing specific gravity is accompanied by increasing fineness of the heavy minerals. This study may be useful in search for marine placers and understanding the processes of grain-sorting on the sea beaches.

Cambodia: towards a modern commons

The Community Fisheries organizations in Cambodia possess the basic framework and principles to be considered good examples of a created ‘modern commons’....