Regional variation in the annual feeding cycle of juvenile walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) in the western Gulf of Alaska

Juvenile fish in temperate coastal oceans exhibit an annual cycle of feeding, and within this cycle, poor wintertime feeding can reduce body growth, condition, and perhaps survival, especially in food-poor areas. We examined the stomach contents of juvenile walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) to explain previously observed seasonal and regional variation in juvenile body condition. Juvenile walleye pollock (1732 fish, 37–250 mm standard length) of the 2000 year class were collected from three regions in the Gulf of Alaska (Kodiak, Semidi, and Shumagin) representing an area of the continental shelf of ca. 100,000 km2 during four seasons (August 2000 to September 2001). Mean stomach content weight (SCW, 0.72% somatic body weight) decreased with fish body length except from winter to summer 2001. Euphausiids composed 61% of SCW and were the main determinant of seasonal change in the diets of fish in the Kodiak and Semidi regions. Before and during winter, SCW and the euphausiid dietary component were highest in the Kodiak region. Bioenergetics modeling indicated a relatively high growth rate for Kodiak juveniles during winter (0.33 mm standard length/d). After winter, Shumagin juveniles had relatively high SCW and, unlike the Kodiak and Semidi juveniles, exhibited no reduction in the euphausiid dietary component. These patterns explain previous seasonal and regional differences in body condition. We hypothesize that high-quality feeding locations (and perhaps nursery areas) shift seasonally in response to the availability of euphausiid

Using productivity and susceptibility indices to assess the vulnerability of United States fish stocks to overfishing

Assessing the vulnerability of stocks to fishing practices in U.S. federal waters was recently highlighted by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as an important factor to consider when 1) identifying stocks that should be managed and protected under a fishery management plan; 2) grouping data-poor stocks into relevant management complexes; and 3) developing precautionary harvest control rules. To assist the regional fishery management councils in determining vulnerability, NMFS elected to use a modified version of a productivity and susceptibility analysis (PSA) because it can be based on qualitative data, has a history of use in other fisheries, and is recommended by several organizations as a reasonable approach for evaluating risk. A number of productivity and susceptibility attributes for a stock are used in a PSA and from these attributes, index scores and measures of uncertainty are computed and graphically displayed. To demonstrate the utility of the resulting vulnerability evaluation, we evaluated six U.S. fisheries targeting 162 stocks that exhibited varying degrees of productivity and susceptibility, and for which data quality varied. Overall, the PSA was capable of differentiating the vulnerability of stocks along the gradient of susceptibility and productivity indices, although fixed thresholds separating low-, moderate-, and highly vulnerable species were not observed. The PSA can be used as a flexible tool that can incorporate regional-specific information on fishery and management activity.

Tuna research and monitoring in the South Pacific

The island countries of the South Pacific have adopted a regional approach to the development and management of tuna resources, through 2 organizations based in the region - the Forum Fisheries Agency and the South Pacific Commission. Details are given of the Tuna and Billfish Assessment Programme, which involves tropical tunas and albacore.

Ghana coastal fisheries governance dialogue: Presentations, discussions and outcomes from a stakeholder forum on issues for reforming governance of Ghana’s coastal fisheries

This meeting, the second national Fisheries Governance Dialogue, aimed to help stakeholders in the fisheries sector generate a shared understanding of critical lessons and pathways for fisheries co-management success in Ghana. This was a direct response to the call from both fisheries communities and the government of Ghana for a radical change from the way fisheries resources are currently being managed. The meeting was attended by 60 men and women from stakeholder organizations and communities, and commenced with presentations on co-management experiences from local, regional and international participants. This was followed by panel discussions to extract lessons that specifically related to successfully implementing co-management in Ghana’s fisheries. Finally, breakout groups addressed in greater detail some issues of importance to fisheries governance reform in Ghana. While fisheries co-management is not a new concept in Ghana, participants heard that previous attempts to initiate these systems proved unsustainable. A number of lessons were drawn from these past experiences.

Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee 29th April, 1974

This is the first report from the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 29th April, 1974. The report looks at sections on estimates for the anticipated income and expenditure on fisheries for the current year, the structure of fisheries in the region, and a list of the fisheries in the ownership of the North West Water Authority. Also covered is information relating to fishery and sea fishery byelaws, license duties and a summary of the current activity and the future plans for the committee. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee 21st July, 1975

This is the report from the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 21st July 1975. The report contains information on the appointment of the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee (1975-1976), the appointment of the Local Fisheries Advisory Committee (1975-1976), and the land drainage representation on Local Fisheries Committees. Also included in the report is information on fishery byelaws, fishing at Jumble Reservoir and a progress report on a proposed Coarse Fish Unit and coarse fish stock pools. Licence duties, long term angling leases on Authority Waters and radio equipment for Bailiffting Staff are also covered. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee 30th September, 1974

This is the report from the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 30th September, 1974. The report covers the minutes from the previous meetings of the Local Fisheries Advisory Committees, the income from licence duties, and an interim report on the establishment of a coarse fish unit. Also included is the regional fish hatchery requirements and information on the ban of imports of wild freshwater fish due to fish disease. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee 3rd November 1975.

This is the report from the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 3rd November 1975. The report contains information on the proceedings of the Local Fisheries Advisory Committee and recommendations for these committees, proposed Coarse Fish Unit, netting on the Solway Firth, fishing licence duties, fisheries improvement works on the River Leven and fishing at Jumbles Reservoir. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee 6th January, 1975

This is the report from the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 6th January, 1975. The report covers the minutes from the previous meetings of the Local Fisheries Advisory Committees, information on the proceedings of the Fishery Licensing Sub-Committe and fisheries improvement work on the River Leven. Also included is information on the ban of imports of wild freshwater fish due to fish disease. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee 9th February, 1976.

This is the report from the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 9th February 1976. The report contains information on the proceedings of the Local Fisheries Advisory Committee and recommendations for these committees and Worthington Coarse Fish Unit. It also covers fishing licence duties, fisheries improvement work on the River Leven, proposed new code of fisheries byelaws, the seminar on water conditions harmful to fish life and Heysham and Lancaster sewage disposal. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee 3rd May, 1976.

This is the report from the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 3rd May 1976. The report contains information on the regional fisheries organization, the review of the Water Industry in England and Wales, fisheries improvement work on the River Leven, Mitton Hatchery, new code of fishery byelaws, proposed byelaws (Coniston) and temporary licences. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee 24th February, 1975

This is the report from the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 24th February, 1975. The report covers the minutes from the previous meetings of the Local Fisheries Advisory Committees, Licence duties and regional fish hatchery requirements. Also included is the consolidation of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Acts, fishery byelaws and a brief note on fisheries improvement work on the River Leven. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee 25th April, 1977.

This is the report from the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 25th April 1977. The report contains the minutes of the previous meetings of the Local Fisheries Advisory Committees, fisheries income and expenditure and information on the distribution of licences. The report also includes the National Water Council Review of Discharge Consent Conditions Consultation Paper, and information on fishery byelaws and netting on the Solway Firth. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee 12th May, 1975

This is the report from the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 12th May, 1975. The report covers the minutes from the previous meetings of the Local Fisheries Advisory Committees, licence duties, fishery byelaws, and regional fish hatchery requirements. Also included is information on the long term angling leases on Authority waters. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee 18th July, 1977

This is the report from the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 18th July 1977. The report contains the minutes of the last meetings of the Local Fisheries Advisory Committees, information on fisheries income and expenditure and fisheries byelaws. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.