Socioeconomic effects of intensive cage culture

The paper discusses the socioeconomic effects of intensive aquaculture which is in conflict with other forms of coastal development, such as industrial development, natural fisheries, tourism and recreation, and nature conservation.

Green Guide to the Cayman Islands 1: The marine environment

In the Cayman Islands we are enriched with a wonderful natural environment. In this Green Guide to our Marine Environment we hope to show you how all of our lives on these three magical islands are intimately connected to the land and the sea that surrounds it. Like many of our Caribbean neighbours, a large proportion of our economy depends on reef-based fishing, diving and tourism. The beauty of our coral reefs, our beaches and our lagoons is that it is part of our heritage, and it draws many thousands of overseas visitors to our shores. It is our responsibility, as stakeholders sharing this beautiful environment, to do what we can to minimise our impact upon it. Ogier has sponsored the Green Guide, and through this publication, is helping us to preserve our natural and cultural heritage.... [PDF contains 32 pages]

Resource management of dynamic coastal environments using synoptic measures from remote sensing

In addition to providing vital ecological services, coastal areas of North Carolina provide prized areas for habitation, recreation, and commercial fisheries. However, from a management perspective, the coasts of North Carolina are highly variable and complex. In-water constituents such as nutrients, suspended sediments, and chlorophyll a concentration can vary significantly over a broad spectrum of time and space scales. Rapid growth and land-use change continue to exert pressure on coastal lands. Coastal environments are also very vulnerable to short-term (e.g., hurricanes) and long-term (e.g., sea-level rise) natural changes that can result in significant loss of life, economic loss, or changes in coastal ecosystem functioning. Hence, the dynamic nature, effects of human-induced change over time, and vulnerability of coastal areas make it difficult to effectively monitor and manage these important state and national resources using traditional data collection technologies such as discrete monitoring stations and field surveys. In general, these approaches provide only a sparse network of data over limited time and space scales and generally are expensive and labor-intensive. Products derived from spectral images obtained by remote sensing instruments provide a unique vantage point from which to examine the dynamic nature of coastal environments. A primary advantage of remote sensing is that the altitude of observation provides a large-scale synoptic view relative to traditional field measurements. Equally important, the use of remote sensing for a broad range of research and environmental applications is now common due to major advances in data availability, data transfer, and computer technologies. To facilitate the widespread use of remote sensing products in North Carolina, the UNC Coastal Studies Institute (UNC-CSI) is developing the capability to acquire, process, and analyze remotely sensed data from several remote sensing instruments. In particular, UNC-CSI is developing regional remote sensing algorithms to examine the mobilization, transport, transformation, and fate of materials between coupled terrestrial and coastal ocean systems. To illustrate this work, we present the basic principles of remote sensing of coastal waters in the context of deriving information that supports efficient and effective management of coastal resources. (PDF contains 4 pages)

River Camel SAP Consultation

This is the River Camel Salmon Action Plan produced by the Environment Agency in 2002. The report focuses on the River Camel Salmon Action Plan (SAP). The River Camel SAP follows the format of those completed for the Rivers Tamar, Lynher and Tavy. It is the 4th of 7 action plans that will be produced for salmon rivers managed by the Cornwall Area Fisheries, Recreation and Biodiversity Team. This strategy represents an entirely new approach to salmon management within the UK and introduces the concept of river-specific salmon spawning targets as a salmon management tool. In addition, for the first time, Salmon Action Plans have attempted to evaluate in economic terms, all of the contributory components of the salmon fishery. The River Camel Salmon Action Plan contains a description of the river catchment and highlights particular features that are relevant to the salmon population and associated fishery.

River Fowey SAP Consultation

This is the River Fowey Salmon Action Plan Consultation document produced by the Environment Agency in 2003. The report pays attention on the external consultation of the River Fowey Salmon Action Plan (SAP). The River Fowey SAP follows the format of those completed for the Rivers Tamar, Lynher, Tavy and Camel. It is the 5th of 7 action plans that will be produced for salmon rivers managed by the Cornwall Area Fisheries, Recreation and Biodiversity Team. This strategy represents an entirely new approach to salmon management within the UK and introduces the concept of river-specific salmon spawning targets as a salmon management tool. The River Fowey SAP contains a description of the river catchment and highlights particular features that are relevant to the salmon population and the associated fishery. Notably, there are historic workings for copper and china clay and two significant potable supply reservoirs (Siblyback and Colliford) which have been constructed within the catchment during the past 35 years. The whole of the Fowey catchment is set at the highest water quality grading of RE1 and this standard is met in all reaches of the River Fowey and its tributaries.

The River Teign SAP Consultation Document

This is the River Teign Salmon Action Plan Consultation document produced by the Environment Agency in 2003. The report pays attention on the external consultation of the River Teign Salmon Action Plan (SAP). This approach to salmon management within the England and Wales introduces the concept of river-specific Conservation Limits as a method of assessing the status of the salmon stock. The River Teign Salmon Action Plan follows the format of those completed for the Rivers Torridge, Taw and Dart. It is the fourth of eight action plans that will be produced for salmon rivers within the Devon Area Fisheries, Recreation and Biodiversity Team. The River Teign SAP contains a description of the river catchment and highlights particular features that are relevant to the salmon population and the associated fishery. The Teign salmon stock is currently failing to meet its conservation limit. This failure is largely attributed to the reduction in the survival rate during the marine phase of the salmon life cycle. This is likely to constrain stocks to lower levels than have existed historically. Still further catch controls may contribute to a reduction in exploitation rates and allow stocks to recover to meet their conservation limit. Other important actions include the continuation of habitat improvement works which aim to maximise spawning habitat utilisation, spawning success, and juvenile survival and production.

An ecological characterization of the marine resources of Vieques, Puerto Rico. Part I: Historical data synthesis

From the 1940s until 2003, portions of the island of Vieques, a municipality within the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, were used by the US Navy as a base and training facility, resulting in development and zoning history that differ in comparison to other Caribbean islands. The majority of former Navy lands are now under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service as a National Wildlife Refuge, while a smaller percentage of land was transferred to the Vieques municipality and the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust. An analysis of the distribution and status of the marine resources is timely in light of the recent land transfer, increases in development and tourism, and potential changes in marine zoning around the island. To meet this need, NOAA’s Biogeography Branch, in cooperation with the Office of Response and Restoration and other local and regional partners, conducted Part I of an ecological characterization to integrate historical data and research into a synthesis report. The overall objective of this report is to provide resource managers and residents a comprehensive characterization of the marine resources of Vieques to support research, monitoring, and management. For example, knowledge of the spatial distribution of physical features, habitats, and biological communities is necessary to make an informed decision of the establishment and placement of a marine protected area (MPA). The report is divided into chapters based on the physical environment (e.g., climate, geology, bathymetry), habitat types (e.g., reefs and hardbottom, seagrasses, mangroves) and major faunal groups (e.g. fish, turtles, birds). Each section includes five subsections: an overview, description of the relevant literature, methods of analysis, information on the distribution, status and trends of the particular resource, and a discussion of ecological linkages with other components of the Vieques marine ecosystem and surrounding environment. The physical environment of Vieques is similar to other islands within the Greater Antilles chain, with some distinctions. The warm, tropical climate of Vieques, mediated by the northeasterly trade winds, is characterized by a dry season (December-April) and a rainy season (May-November), the latter of which is characterized by the occasional passage of tropical cyclones. Compared to mainland Puerto Rico, Vieques is characterized by lower elevation, less annual precipitation, and higher average temperatures. The amount of annual precipitation also varies spatially within Vieques, with the western portion of the island receiving higher amounts of rainfall than further east. While the North Equatorial Current dominates the circulation pattern in the Greater Antilles region, small scale current patterns specific to Vieques are not as well characterized. These physical processes are important factors mitigating the distribution and composition of marine benthic habitats around Vieques. In general, the topography of Vieques is characterized by rolling hills. Mt. Pirata, the tallest point at 301 m, is located near the southwest coast. In the absence of island wide sedimentation measurements, information on land cover, slope, precipitation, and soil type were used to estimate relative erosion potential and sediment delivery for each watershed. While slope and precipitation amount are the primary driving factors controlling runoff, land use practices such as urban development, military activity, road construction, and agriculture can increase the delivery of pollution and sediments to coastal waters. Due to the recent land transfer, increased development and tourism is expected, which may result in changes in the input of sediments to the coastal environment.

Managing environmental impacts in aquaculture

The article presents the environmental impacts of aquaculture and the ways to manage them. The environmental impacts include issues of recreation and aesthetics, and the usage of resources and discharge of nutrients and organic matter into the environment. Likewise, the results are also discussed, such as reduced production, disease outbreak in cultured and wild populations, and an increase of regulatory restrictions being placed on aquaculture operations.

The challenge of Lake Chilwa

Lake Chilwa and its environs present a unique challenge to science for two reasons: 1. The welfare of its people and the fish and crops on which they depend on incomes as well as subsistence are dominated by the vagaries of the periodic rise and fall of the lake. Inyears of high level the lake provides a relatively good living for the people of the plain and the fish is a major source of dietary protein for the densely populated Shire Highlands. Fish catches and fish consumption decline in years of low lake level. Could knowledge of the biology of the lake and the hydrology of the lake basin assist in stabilizing the fishing industry? 2. The area is underdeveloped, with the traditional matrilineal way of life, but it has considerable potential for a fishing industry, for agriculture, for livestock, for bird preservation and tourism and possibly, at some future date, for minerals. How can these interests be reconciled and in what order should developments take place?