Shark catches from selected fisheries off the U.S. East Coast

(PDF file contains 28 pages.)

Taxonomy and distribution of the boring sponges (Clionidae) along the Atlantic coast of North America

Covers the history of the study of boring sponges, taxonomy and distributions. Also includes identification of species, descriptions, key, references and plates. (PDF contains 30 pages)

Migrations of yellowfin tuna tagged off the southern coast of Mexico in 1960 and 1969

ENGLISH: The map method, the Jones method, the variance-covariance method, and the Skellam method were used to study the migrations of tagged yellowfin tuna released off the southern coast of Mexico in 1960 and 1969. The first three methods are all useful, and each presents information which is complementary to that presented by the others. The Skellam method, as used in this report, is less useful. The movements of the tagged fish released in 1960 appeared to have been strongly directed, but this was probably caused principally by the distribution of the fishing effort. The effort was much more widely distributed in 1970, and the movements of the fish released in 1969 appeared to have been much less directed. The correlation coefficients derived from the variance-covariance method showed that it was not random, however. The small fish released in the Acapulco and 10°N-100°W areas in 1969 migrated to the Manzanillo area near the beginning of February 1970. The medium and large fish released in the same areas in the same year tended to migrate to the southeast throughout the first half of 1970, however. SPANISH: El método de mapas, el de Jones, el de la variancia-covariancia y el de Skellam fueron empleados para estudiar las migraciones del atún aleta amarilla marcado y liberado frente a la costa meridional de México en 1960 y 1969. Los tres primeros métodos son todos útiles, y cada uno presenta información que complementa la presentada por los otros. El método de Skellam, conforme se usa en este informe, es menos útil. Parece que los desplazamientos de los peces marcados y liberados en 1960 hubieran sido fuertemente orientados, pero ésto probablemente fue causado principalmente por la distribución del esfuerzo de pesca. El esfuerzo se distribuyó más extensamente en 1970, y parece que los desplazamientos de los peces liberados en 1969 fueran menos orientados. Los coeficientes de correlación derivados del método variancia-covariancia indicaron, sin embargo, que no eran aleatorios. Los peces pequeños liberados en las áreas de Acapulco y los 10°N-100°W en 1969 migraron al área de Manzanillo a principios de febrero 1970. Los peces medianos y grandes liberados en las mismas áreas en el mismo año tuvieron, sin embargo, la tendencia a desplazarse al sudeste durante el primer semestre de 1970. (PDF contains 64 pages.)

Techno-economic considerations of shark driftnet fishery, off Lagos coast, Nigeria

Experimental fishing operations with driftnets were conducted in Lagos coastal waters with a view to finding out appropriate gear for effective exploitation of sharks and other pelagic fish species that are not normally caught in trawls. The design and fabrication of the driftnets as well as the fishing trials were undertaken between May, 1977 and April, 1978. Six baited driftnet sets of equal panels with three stretched mesh sizes of 190.5mm; 228.6mm and 241.3mm were used. Analysis were carried out on species composition of catches, weight and number of species/group of fish, catch efficiency of the driftnets as well as on operating costs and financial returns

Lead accumulation by hammerhead shark, Sphyrna couardi (C.) off Lagos coast, Nigeria

Levels of concentration of lead in the hammerhead shark, Sphyrna couardi, off the Lagos Coast of Nigeria were investigated. The standard length of the specimens examined ranged from 31.4cm to 47.2cm while the weights ranged from 451.5 to 1,667g. The lead concentration ranged from 0.11 degree kg/G to 0.38 degree kg/G. The mean lead concentration was 0.56 degree kg/G (dry weight). The gill has the highest lead concentration. There was no linear correlation between the length and weight and the amount of lead concentrated

Socio-economic vulnerability of African Americans in the Gulf coast counties

The states bordering the Gulf of Mexico i.e. Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida have been historically devastated by hurricanes and tropical storms. A large number of African Americans live in these southern Gulf States which have high percentages of minorities in terms of total population. According to the U.S. Census, the total black population in the United States is about 40.7 million and about one-fourth of them live in these five Gulf States (U.S. Census, 2008). As evidenced from Hurricane Katrina and other major hurricanes, lowincome and under-served communities are usually the hardest hit during these disasters. The aim of this study is to identify and visualize socio-economic vulnerability of the African American population at the county level living in the hurricane risk areas of these five Gulf States. (PDF contains 5 pages)

Assessing tourist demand for traditional coastal dependent businesses on the South Carolina coast

Tourism driven development and coastal gentrification have resulted in a notable decline in traditional coastaldependent businesses on the South Carolina (SC) coast. We examined the sustainability of these businesses by assessing tourists’ demand for local, traditional, and marine related products and services. The research integrated focus groups and an intercept-based mail survey. This paper reports selected survey results and discusses how the findings will be incorporated into small-business training materials. (PDF contains 4 pages)

A simple approach for the estimation of food consumption from growth rates at different environmental conditions and its application to juvenile cod (Gadus morhua L.) of a fjordic sea loch on the west coast of Scotland

Abstract Growth and condition of fish are functions of available food and environmental conditions. This led to the idea of using fish as a “consumption sensor” for the measurement of food intake over a defined period of time. A bio-physical model for the estimation of food consumption was developed based on the von Bertalanffy model. Whereas some of the input variables of the model, the initial and final lengths and masses of a fish and the temperature within the time period considered can easily be measured, internal characteristics of the species have to be determined indirectly. Three internal parameters are used in the model: the maintenance consumption at 0°C, the temperature dependence of this consumption and the food efficiency, the percentage of the ingested food utilized. Estimates of the parameters for a given species can be determined by feeding experiments. Here, data from published feeding experiments on juvenile cod, Gadus morhua L., were used to validate the model. The average of the relative error for the food intake predicted by the model for individual fish was about 24 %, indicating that fish used the food with different efficiencies. However, grouping the fish according to size classes and temperature lowered the relative error of the predicted food intake for the group to typically 5 %. For a group containing all fish of the feeding experiment the relative prediction error was about 2 %. Zusammenfassung Wachstum und Kondition der Fische sind von der verfügbaren Nahrung und von Umweltbedingungen abhängig. Dies führte zur Idee, Fisch als „Konsum-Sensor“ für die Messung der Nahrungsaufnahme über einen definierten Zeitraum zu verwenden. Auf Grundlage des von Bertalanffy-Modells wurde ein bio-physikalisches Modell zur Schätzung der Futteraufnahme entwickelt. Während einige der Eingangsgrößen des Modells leicht gemessen werden können (Anfangs- und Endlänge und -körpermasse der Fische und die Temperatur innerhalb des betrachteten Zeitraum), können interne Parameter der betrachteten Art nur indirekt bestimmt werden. Drei interne Parameter werden in dem Modell verwendet: Die Erhaltungskonsumtion bei 0° C, die Temperaturabhängigkeit dieser Rate und der Wirkungsgrad der Nahrung (der Anteil der Nahrung ,der aufgenommen und verwendet und nicht ungenutzt wieder ausgeschieden wird). Die Modellparameter für eine bestimmte Art können durch Fütterungsversuche bestimmt werden. Um das Modell zu validieren wurden Daten aus veröffentlichten Fütterungsversuchen mit juvenilen Kabeljau (Gadus morhua L.) verwendet. Modell und Wirklichkeit weichen in der Regel voneinander ab. Der durchschnittliche relative Fehler der durch das Modell vorhergesagten Nahrungsaufnahme betrug für Einzelfische etwa 24%, was darauf hinweist, dass einzelne Fisch die Nahrung mit unterschiedlichen Wirkungsgraden verwerten. Allerdings senkte die Gruppierung der Fische nach Größenklassen und Temperatur den relativen Vorhersagefehler für die Nahrungsaufnahme der Gruppe auf etwa 5%. Für alle Fische im Fütterungsversuch ist der relative Vorhersagefehler etwa 2%.

Artisanal fisheries status and sustainable management options in Teknaf coast, Bangladesh

The study was an endeavor to bring forward a concise, factual description of the salient features of the present status of artisanal fisheries resources and its management for sustainable development of fishing communities in Teknaf coast, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. This study was conducted through 14 fishing villages of 4 Unions in Teknaf Upazila. As a hub of various fisheries deeds, a comprehensive coastal fisheries census, conducted on the coast during the study period, revealed that about 566 fishing fleet of two types, 1263 fishing gears of seven kinds, 6466 fishermen were being involved in fishing at Naaf river estuary. The catch composition of the coastal fishing was found 52 finfish species, 10 shrimp and 3 crabs. The unique potentialities provided by mostly affluent fisheries resources are needed to be tapped and channelized in the appropriate direction for maintaining a paragon of these fisheries resources of coastal area and for pursuing ecologically sustainable development via environment friendly intrinsic exploration and exploitation. “Community Based Fisheries Co-management” program should initiate immediately for the fisherman community of Naaf river estuary of Teknaf coastal region. This will go along way to help sustain the coastal fisheries resources with active participation of the fishermen

The role of ciliates in the pelagic life cycle of the Mediterranean [Translation from: Rapports et Proces Verbaux des Reunions-Conseil International pour l'Exploration de la Mer 17, 511-512, 1963]

During hydrographic and plankton studies carried out since 1960 in the coastal zone between the Ebro and Castellon (western Mediterranean), data has been collected which confirms the importance of ciliates in the composition and activity of the plankton. The ciliates in 413 samples of 100 ml of water were counted, having been examined with the Utermohl microscope after sedimentation. The samples studied were distributed according to the density of their population. subject for study. The author concludes that recognition of the role of ciliates as an important link in the food chain of the sea would simplify the interpretation of certain problems posed by the nutrition of certain groups of planktonic animals.

Concerning the current conditions and transport of sand in the shallow water areas off the coast of the south-eastern North Sea [Translation from: Hamburger Kustenforschung 29 [pages 41-43 only], 1974]

With the aid of the German Research Association in the central programme 'Sand movements in the German coastal region', an investigation into the current conditions in the shallow water areas of the coasts of the south-eastern North Sea between Sylt and the Weser estuary was carried out by the author. Foundations of the work are 19 continuous current recordings in five profiles normal to the coast from years 1971 to 1973. Off the coasts of the south-eastern North Sea varying tidal currents impinge; they are currents whose directions may vary periodically through all points of the compass. They are caused by the circulating tides in the North Sea (Amphidromien). The turning flow movement experiences a deformation in the very shallow coastal waters, and as it happens the flow turning movement in the case of high tide continues right up onto the outer flats, while here and in the fore-lying shallow water areas around the time of low water (on account of the small depths of waters), there prevails a more variable current. A result of this hydrodynamical procedure is the development of counter currents. This partial translation of the original paper provides the summary of this study of of the mudflat areas between the Elbe and Weser.

The Science Café Movement on the Mississippi Gulf Coast

Science Cafes present a casual meeting place where people who may have little or no science background can learn about a current scientific topic in an informal and friendly environment. The coffee shop setting is designed to be inviting and informal so that students, faculty, and community members can feel comfortable and engage in lively and meaningful conversations. The café is organized around an interesting scientific topic with a brief presentation by a scientist and may include a short video clip. A Science Café can (1) provide an opportunity and venue for increasing science literacy, (2) publicize local scientific endeavors, and (3) identify the library as an epicenter of informal education on the campus and in the community. This presentation will describe the development of the Science Café at the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast campus Library in Long Beach and plans for future cafes on the Mississippi coast.

Physiological Determinants of Invasive Success Linking Distribution Patterns to Metabolic Physiology in Native and Invasive Blue Mussels (genus Mytilus)

In the early 20th century, a blue mussel species from the Mediterranean invaded the California coast and subsequently out-competed the native species south of Monterey Bay. Like other invasive species, Mytilus galloprovincialis has physiological traits that make it successful in habitats formerly occupied by the native M. trossulus, namely its adaptation to warm sea surface temperatures. This study looks at the current genotype distributions and enzymatic activities of field-acclimatized mussels within the hybrid zone where the species co-occur as well as mussels that have been acclimated for four weeks to different temperature and salinity conditions. In the field-acclimatized and laboratory-acclimated mussels, the native species exhibited significantly higher enzyme rates, which may reflect an evolutionary adaptation to compensate to low habitat temperatures. Indeed, the results of the laboratory acclimation indicate that these differences are genetically based. Whether an acclimation capacity exists may require even longer-term acclimation to different temperatures. Current findings suggest that the further spread of the invasive species is likely to be governed in large measure by the potentially counteracting effects of rising temperatures, which would favor the northerly spread of M. galloprovincialis, and increased winter precipitation, which would favor the persistence of M. trossulus. However, the success of M. galloprovincialis during acclimation to ‘dilute’ salinity (25 ppt) suggests that the invasive species can tolerate a greater salinity range than previously thought. Thus, further investigation is needed to build a comprehensive predictive model of the movement of M. galloprovincialis and the hybrid zone along the California coast.