A method to improve size estimates of walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) Atka mackerel (Pleurogrammus monopterygius) consumed by pinnipeds: digestion correction factors applied to bones and otoliths recovered in scats

The lengths of otoliths and other skeletal structures recovered from the scats of pinnipeds, such as Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), correlate with body size and can be used to estimate the length of prey consumed. Unfortunately, otoliths are often found in too few scats or are too digested to usefully estimate prey size. Alternative diagnostic bones are frequently recovered, but few bone-size to prey-size correlations exist and bones are also reduced in size by various degrees owing to digestion. To prevent underestimates in prey sizes consumed techniques are required to account for the degree of digestion of alternative bones prior to estimating prey size. We developed a method (using defined criteria and photo-reference material) to assign the degree of digestion for key cranial structures of two prey species: walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) and Atka mackerel (Pleurogrammus monopterygius). The method grades each structure into one of three condition categories; good, fair or poor. We also conducted feeding trials with captive Steller sea lions, feeding both fish species to determine the extent of erosion of each structure and to derive condition-specific digestion correction factors to reconstruct the original sizes of the structures consumed. In general, larger structures were relatively more digested than smaller ones. Mean size reduction varied between different types of structures (3.3−26.3%), but was not influenced by the size of the prey consumed. Results from the observations and experiments were combined to be able to reconstruct the size of prey consumed by sea lions and other pinnipeds. The proposed method has four steps: 1) measure the recovered structures and grade the extent of digestion by using defined criteria and photo-reference collection; 2) exclude structures graded in poor condition; 3) multiply measurements of structures in good and fair condition by their appropriate digestion correction factors to derive their original size; and 4) calculate the size of prey from allometric regressions relating corrected structure measurements to body lengths. This technique can be readily applied to piscivore dietary studies that use hard remains of fish.

Annual Report of the Game and Fisheries Department for the period Ist July, 1957 to 30th June, 1958

This report follows the now established practice of covering the financial year although, as before, for the sake of continuity and accuracy many of the statistics refer to the calendar year. This year has again been an outstanding one in the field of research on wildlife conservation problems, and culminated in one of the largest short-term biological projects yet carried out in the Protectorate. The latter involved the removal by shooting of nearly 500 hippo from badly over-grazed areas in the Queen Elizabeth National Park, but every carcass was examined by a team of scientists, a variety of scientific data collected, and the meat disposed of for local consumption. Not one animal was wasted.

Annual Report of the Game and Fisheries Department for the period 1st July 1956 to 30th June, 1957

This report continues to cover the period of the financial year. Although, as before, for the sake of continuity and accuracy many of the statistics refer to the calendar year. The year has been notable in particular for the launching of extensive research projects on wild-life conservation problems, and much progress has already been made. This has been rendered possible by the greatly appreciated help and interest of the Fulbright Commission, who arranged for three experienced American wild-life scientists to work on these problems in Uganda. The latter have been working in conjunction with The Game and Fisheries Department's Biologist, as a team under the general Direction of the recently created Fauna Research Committee.

Comparison of effectiveness of heat and cold shocks applied in the induction of gynogenesis in Clarias gariepinus (Burchell)

An experiment was conducted to optimize the procedure of gynogenesis in African catfish, Clarias gariepinus by suppressing meiotic and mitotic cell divisions in fertilized eggs. Gynogensis was conducted by fertilizing normal eggs with UV-irradiated sperm followed by either heat or cold shocking Irradiation of spermatozoa was given for a duration of 1 min and the eggs were fertilized in vitro. Cold shock at a temperature of 3± 1°C for a duration of 30 and 60 min and heat shock at a temperature of 39± 1°C for a duration of 1 and 2 min was applied to induce diploidy. Higher percentage of hatching (68.66) was observed for meiotic gynogens at a shock temperature of 39± 1°C for a duration of 1 min, 5 min after fertilization (af). Higher percentage of mitotic gynogenetic induction (15.33) was observed at a temperature shock of 39± 1°C for a duration of 1 min, 30 min af.

Shrimp (Penaeus monodon Fabricius) production in brackishwater ponds applied varying fertilizer combinations

Details are given of the production of Penaeus monodon in the Philippines reared in brackishwater earthen ponds applied with different fertilizer combinations, namely diammonium phosphate, urea and chicken manure. Results show that the shrimp showed higher yields in fertilized ponds, but increasing the concentration of fertilizers did not give a marked increase in yield - the excess fertilizer was wasted.

Annual Report of the Game and Fisheries Department for the year ended 31st December 1952

The annual report presents information on Lake Victoria, Lake Albert (including tbe Albert Nile and associated Fisheries)-Report by Lake Albert Fisheries Officer,Lake Kyoga and Waters of Eastern Uganda-Report by Fisheries Officer, Serere. Lakes George, Edward and Waters of Western Uganda -Report by the Fisheries Officer, Kichwamba Fish Farming-Report by the Fisheries Officer, Fish Fanning,dams,crocodiles. It presents information on angaling, Trouting, Nile Perch and Ripon Falls Barbel

Annual Report of the Game and Fisheries Department for the year ended 31st December, 1953

Summary of fish production on main lakes of Uganda 1953, consumption of fish in Uganda 1953, imports and exports of fish, including reports from the different regions Fisheries by Regions (1) Lake Victoria (2) Lake Albert (3) Lake Kyoga and Waters of Eastern Uganda Lakes George, Edward, Fish Farming, Dams and miscellaneous minor waters. It includes information on: Angling which includes Trouting, Nile Perch fishing and Tiger Fishing, Ripon Falls Barbel and Tailpiece.