Assessing, demonstrating and capturing the economic value of marine & coastal ecosystem services in the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem

The objective of the study was to assess the economic value of ecosystem services in the Bay of Bengal.The manin aim was to support the development of a Strategic Action Plan (SAP). Findings included: economic consequences of ecosystem change; potential economic instruments to strengthen sustainable management; and recommendations on next steps in using economic valuation.

Investigation on the ecological impact of constructing and activities of petrochemical industries of petrochemical special economic zone of Mahshahr on the abundance and diversity of macrobenthic fauna in Jafari Creek, north-west of the Persian Gulf

The impact of Petrochemical Special Economic Zone (PETZONE) activities on the health status of Jafari Creek was studied by assessing the changes in macroinvertebrate assemblages in nine sites during September 2006- January 2008. Furthermore to evaluate the ecological status of the Jafari Creek the WFD indices (i.e. AMBI, M-AMBI) were used. The relationship between spatial pattern of macro invertebrate assemblages and ambient factors (i.e. water temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solid, total hardness, total nitrogen, ammonia, total phosphorous, chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand, sediment grain size distribution, sediment organic content, heavy metals contents) was measured. Background Enrichment indices, Contamination factor and Contamination degree, were used to assess the health status in the study area based on Nickel, Lead, Cadmium and Mercury contents of the sediments. The macrobenthic communities had a low diversity and were dominated by opportunistic taxa, and the AMBI and M-AMBI indices need to be calibrated before using in Persian Gulf and its coastal waters. The BIO-ENV analysis identified pH, dissolved oxygen, TDS, and the total organic content of sediments as the major environmental variables influencing the infaunal pattern. This suggests that management should attempt to ensure minimal disturbance to environmental variables underlying the spatial variation in macroinvertebrate assemblages. Background Enrichment indices showed that the health of Jafari Creek has declined over time due to the constant discharge of heavy metals to the Creek system. Furthermore WQS index shows that the quality condition of the water column in Jafari Creek, regard to the calculated number (3) is week. These indices also identified a significant degree of pollution in the study area. The decrease in the ecological potential of Jafari Creek was best highlighted by the alteration in macrobenthic assemblages.

Ecological impact of Mahshahr petrochemical activities on abundance and diversity of macrobenthic fauna in Zangi Creek (Persian Gulf)

The Moosa Creek extends from its opening into the Persian Gulf, with some sub narrow creeks leading to it. Zangi creek is one of the main branches of Moosa creek. The creek contains numerous sources of organic pollution, including sewage outlet flows and boat waste. After establishing the Petrochemical special Economic Zone (PETZONE) in 1997 near to the Zangi Creek, the pipelines, streets and railway made it distinct from eastern and western parts of this creek. Industrial activities have released sludge and effluents in this creek along these years. A survey of the Zangi creek was performed, assessing water properties, organic pollution, and the population density, distribution and diversity of macrobenthic fauna through bi-monthly sampling from July 2006 to September 2007. Samples were collected from water near the bottom and sediment at 7 stations include 2 stations inside the distinct Zangi creek and 4 stations along a transect with 1 km distances between them in eastern free part and one reference station located at the Persian Gulf entrance to the Moosa creek. The environmental parameters such as temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, COD, turbidity, EC and heavy metals include Hg, Cd, Pb, Ni as well as percentage silt-clay and total organic matter of the sediment were measured. The faunal population density and their distribution are discussed in relation to the environmental changes. Results showed spatial heterogeneity in faunal distribution of the Zangi creek. Nine groups of macrofauna were identified out of distinct zangi creek. Polychaets formed the dominant group (48%) followed by bivalves (13%), gastropods (10%), Decapods (2%), Tanaids (5%), and all other groups (22%). The distinct creek was heavily polluted without any macrofauna communities probably as a consequence of the high pH, COD, low salinity and heavy metals contamination specially Cd and Pb. The other stations near to the disposal site were found with macrofauna communities commonly tolerant to organic pollution, At 3 km east of the disposal site, macrofauna is comparable to the surrounded creek, whereas macrofauna still indicate environmental degradation. Farther a way, faunal density decreases and equilibrium taxa gradually replace opportunistic species, while the other stations were far from polluted area contained lower pollution and relatively healthy macrofauna. The mean biomass of macrobenthic fauna were estimated for the whole studied area. The results are considered in Minimum density and biomass in surrounded creek and maximum density and biomass in 3 km of surrounded area. Biodiversity Indices were low in surrounded creek. The Shanon-weaver information index was used to describe the spatially variations in diversity. Macrofauna density, shanon and simpson index were significantly variable between surrounded and free parts of Zangi creek (p<0.05). The numerical abundance of macrobenthose varied from 221. m-2 in polluted area to 4346 m-2 in free part of Zangi creek. The Shanon-weaver information index varied from 0.4 in distinct area to 2.9 in reference station. The physico- chemical changes between distinct and free creeks showed significant variations such as pH, salinity and EC. Salinity and EC were significantly positive correlate to macrofauna density, whereas pH and TOM percentage indicated significantly negative correlation to density. Heavy metals concentrations in sediments were higher than water samples. Concentration pattern of heavy metals in sediments and water samples were Ni>Pb>Cd>Hg. Salinity and pH were significantly correlated to metals in sediments (p<0.01). No significant correlation were found between Macrofauna density and heavy metals (p<0.05).

Biodiversity and socio-economic information of selected areas of Sri Lankan side of the Gulf of Mannar

Rapid biodiversity and socio-economic studies of the Gulf of Mannar were required as part of the process to propose the Sri Lankan side as a Biosphere Reserve. These included livelihoods; land use; infrastructure; biodiversity; agriculture; fisheries; archaeological and cultural significance; and development and environmental issues.

The value of mangroves

The article presents the forestry, fishery and ecological values of mangroves. Studies on the measurement of the economic value of mangroves that were conducted in Thailand, Indonesia and Ecuador are also presented.

Report of the socio-economic baseline assessment dissemination meeting, Yangon, Myanmar, 28 January, 2015

The Data Dissemination Stakeholder Meeting was was a means of disseminating data from a socio-economic baseline study undertaken in 2014 (Schneider at al 2014). Implications included: the importance of heterogeneity of communities; population structure and migration trends; livelihoods diversity and vulnerability; and stakeholder mobilisation.

Socio-economic baseline assessment: Thayawthatangyi and Langan Islands, Myeik Archipelago, Myanmar

This report details the methodology and results of a 2014 socio-economic baseline assessment of 4 villages in the Myeik Archipelago, Myanmar undertaken as part of a programme to build local stakeholders capacity to use data to inform marine resource planning and managemnt

Socio-economic monitoring report for St Martin's Island, Bangladesh

This report was based on fieldwork conducted by trainees at the Socio-economic Monitoring (SocMon) workshop held at St Martin's Island. Topics included: community infrastructure; educational services; health services; water and sewerage; coastal and marine activities; material style of life; status of women; governance; and perceptions

Report of the Socio-economic Monitoring (SocMon) Training Workshop for Mannar, Sri Lanka, 26 May-1 June, 2015

The Socio-economic Monitoring (SocMon) training workshop followed up from the capacity building workshop held in Mannar, 2015. It's aims were to validate information collected at the previous workshop, assist in filling in any gaps and develop a vision tree fro future actions. Planned outputs included: a detailed workplan; a workshop process report; and a final socioeconomic base line report for Vidathaltivu village.

Distribution and growth biology of rock oyster Saccostrea cucullata in the Oman Sea

Distribution and growth biology of rock oyster (Saccostrea cucullata) in the northern shores of Oman sea have been struied. During this one-year study, samples have been taken monthly from ten different stations. quantity of vertical distribution of this species was obseredl in the mid - intertidal zone. After determining the spread pattern, the following subjects were studied: - Growth parameters - Distionction of the "cohorts" - Determination of "spawning Season" - Condition of the "Gonado Somatic Index" - Sex ratio - Length of the species during the first year of maturation. - Identification and determination of percentage of "Biofouler Organisms." Results obtained from the above - mentioned studies show that considering a growth factor (k) of 0.52, the value of "Loo " for this species is equal to 114 (mm).Five to six different age groups were observed among the samples taken. In the areas where this study was conducted, this species grows 24 to 30 (mm) in the first year of its life this growth rate is lower in the higher - aged grpups relative to the lewer - aged groups, so that the longest size classes grow between 4 to 6 (mm) per year. • The maxinum Value of the "Condition Index" is in the pozm area and the minimum value of it belongs to Darak and Tang areas. Along with the increase in the growth of gonads the above mentioned condition index increases gradually simultaneous with the onset of spawning. Also, study of the influence of environmental factors on the maturation process suggests that the most important factors affecting maturation and spawing are temperature and salinity. The study of GSI shows that this species has a coordinated bimodal spawing trend, with its spring peak in june and its autumn peak, being still higher than the spring peak, in september. The recruitment curve confirms the above spawning peaks with its peaks occuring after a delay of one month or maximum two months in comparison to the spawning peaks. The results of calcuation of "Sex Ratio" of this species in each area show that sex ratio is 1:1. Among the first size classes that reach maturity, nearly 67% of the samples are male and the remaining 33% are female. with the increase in the shell size, the percentage of males decreases and the percentage of females increases. , The above facts prove the protandrous nature of this species the diagram showing the sizes of the first samples which reach maturity suggests that more than 50% of the samples mature after their length exceeds 36 (mm). The shortest mature sample was found to have a length of 22(mm). After studying "Biofouler Organism" nine different invertebrate groups were indentified. Barnacles and Tunicates have the highest and lowest percentages respectively. According to zonal observations, Barnacles and polychacta do the greatest damage to this species.

Investigation on biodiversity and population structure of Penaeus sernisulcatus [sic] in northern waters of Persian Gulf

Green tiger prawn, Penaeus sentisulcatus is one of the commercial species of Persian Gulf, which is distributed from north to Strait of I Iormoze. Concerning its role in fisheries economic, various research projects on stock assessment, biology and aquaculture has been conducted. This research is targeted the identification of various populations of green tiger prawn in northern waters of Persian Gulf. The area has been divided to five regions from north to south named; Bahrakan, Boushehr, Tangestan, Motaaf and Strait of Hormoz. In each region, numbers of sampling stations trawled, and live shrimp species carried in containers equipped with air pump, to coastal laboratories in Boushehr and Bandar Abbass Fisheries Research Centers. Biometeric, morphometeric and merestic measures for 45 factars done, and peices of muscles, eye and ovary tissues dissected, and stored in liquid nitrogen. Protein extraction, and polyacrylamid gel electrophoresis by SDS-PAGE technique for tissues samples conducted. Data of 45 morphometeric and merestic characteristics analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA), and clustering analysis methods. The results of analysis showed that, the populations of Bahrakan and Mota.af regions are differentiated, while population of Boushehr and Tangestan regions were mixed, and named as a single population. The analysis of electrophoretic data also confirmed this result, and showed a distinct population in Strait of Hormoz. Therefore, this research illustrated four distinct populations for P. semisulcatus in northern area of Persian Gulf, named Bahrakan (north of Boushehr), Boushehr and Tangesta.n (adjacent), Motaaf and it's south, and Strait of Hormoz. Study of morphometeric characteristics of carapace factors, genital organs, antenna and life cycle of samples of different regions resulting identification of a subspecies, which is named Penaeus seinisuleatus persicus.

The study of socio-economic aspects of Lake Kimira fisheries after the ban on fishing

Lake Kimira is a minor lake in Bugiri district one of the riparian district of Lake Victoria. It is an important source of livelihood to people living in the neighbouring sub counties; Iwemba in the southwest, Kapyanga in the South and Buluguyi in the East. At the request made to the District Fisheries Officer of Bugiri District, this study was conducted to gather information on the Socioeconomic aspects of lake kimira fisheries after the ban on fishing with regards to fish amounts, marketing, consumption and the perception of the people about the restocking and the ban

Fishery biology of Indian mackerel in Sri Lankan coastal waters

The objective of the project was to determine the reproductive biology of Indian Mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) using Gonado-Somatic Index (GSI); length at first maturity; spawning season; morphological characteristics; and stomach contents.

Biology and distribution of grouper (Epinephelus coioides) in province waters (Abadan Bhrakan)

This survay has been done from Januray 2000 till May 2002 in Khouzestan costal waters. Four species of grouper were identified from which orange spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) was the dominant species. For studing environmental parameters and reproductive biology, age, growth parameters and mortality rate samples were collected by fishing ship. Samples were taken montly in 4 days by fishing traps and trawls. In addition, some samples were obtained from Khozestan fish landing centres. Environmental factors such as PH, 02, salinity, water temperature and depth of traping areas, were measured. To identify species, morphometric characteries of 452 individal fishes were measured. Stomach contents of 394 fish were has survaid, from which stomach of 226 fish, and 168 fish had empty stomachs. Percentage of empty stomachs (cv) in males was more than females. Food items found in 73 percent of stomach were crab (11%), shrimps (8.8%) , squids (3.9%), gastropods (17%) and bivalves (0.4%). Feeding intensity in year classes did not obay logic trends The importance relatively indicator (I.R.I) were 81, 9.9, 4, 1.5 and 0.3 percent for fish, crab, shrimp, squid, gastropod and bivalve respectively. For age determination, sagita otoliths of 450 fish were taken and countable sections were obtained from 425 specimens. Relative frequency distribution of opaque and transparent rings showed that each opaque growth ring generates once a year from November to September. It seemed that generation of opaque rings is affected by temperature and photoperiod changes. Correlation between length and age was calculated using Von Bertalanffy's least square method. Following equasion was obtaind: L(t) : 122.27 (1 e 0.146 (t+0.482)) Growth parameters were determined through by Ford Walford equasion and Response Surface and Shepherd subcommands in Elefan program and L00 and K amounts were have determined. Correlation between length and age of 635 fish was determined by gender . Length and age correlation was calculated by exponential model and between total length and standard length by straghit line model. Correlation between age and weight of sagita was calculated by total length and age. The most Correlation was between sagita weight and fish age (r=0.876). Total mortality rate (z) was estimated by Length Converthed Method , Jones and Vanzaling and Powel Wetherall. Total mortality rate was z=0.39. Natural mortality rate, using Pauly method was calculated M=0.32. Fishing mortality (F) was 0.08. Gonads of 425 fishes were surveid within 18 month, from which 363 were female, 46 were male and 16 were sex reversing individuals .Total length of females varied from 26 to 95.5 centimeters while males length varied from 56.5 to 107 centimeters. Sex reversing individuals had a length of 47.5 centimeters, when two years old and 62.5 centimeters at age of 3 years. From the mentioned 425 fish, 401 individuals were matured, containing 339 females and 62 males, 5.47 females against each male. Montly changes of Gonadosomatic Index (GSI) by total body weight and standard length and total body length showed that this index increases from march to May and maximum increase was in May . This experiment was adapted in spawning season. Potential, relative, and absoulate fecundity was estimated by counting eggs in three samples. Total amount of traped fish using special traps was 16182.18 kg from which Epinephelus coioides provided catching 15353.43 kg of it (91.27 %) and By catch was 141.18 kg (8.24 %). Total average CPUE for whole catch was 123.33 kg/day/vessel. Total amount of catch was estimated 232.04 tons, considering CPUE of total catch and total Khuzestan trap ships effort.

Survey of marine turtles ecobiology in north of Persian Gulf

Sea turtles are counted as rare and extincting species. During the last century the population of sea turtles are drastically reducd and the remaining ones are considerd either threatend or endangerd because of some factors as sea pollution, economic benefits, intense fishing effort, beach man-made structures and so on. So, in recent years, more attention to conserving and surviving them is assumed. After a preliminary studies on some of the biological specifications in northern beach of Persian Gulf, three islands ; Hormoz, Hengam and Larak for the biometry of the turtles, a total number of 179, from 1999 to 2002 (4 years) are chosen. Some of the biological attributes as weight, length and their egg-laying are recorded, these items are then analyzed using SPSS software. The observed results are as follows . The lowest weight of the turtles was 35 kg, the highest 59 kg, and the average 45.24 kg. The lowest carapace length was 64 cm. the highest 86 cm and the average 76.79. the lowest number of laying eggs was 73, the highest 126, and the average 86.79. The results are discussed in three following sections: 1-A contrastive analysis of the biometric characteristics during 1999 in the three mentiond islands. 2-A contrastive analysis of the biometric characteristics in Hormoz island from 1999 to 2002. 3-A contrastive analysis of all the biometric characteristics in the three islands and other parts of the world. The results obtained from the turtles biometry in 1999 shows that the average of the turtles weight in Larak is lower than the other mentioned ones, and the heighest average is observed in Hormoz island. The turtles of Hengm have laid more eggs than the others. The results of Hengani turtles biometry during 1999-2002 indicates that the average of their weight in 2002 is more than the other three years in the same place. The least number of eggs laid during these years are 53 and the most are 126. The most number of eggs are laid in Hormoz in 2002, but the average number does not show any significant change.