Long-term monitoring of habitats and reef fish found inside and outside the U.S. Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument: a comparative assessment

The primary objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of the Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument (VICR), a marine protected area in St John, US Virgin Islands. Surveys of habitat and fishes inside and outside of VICR were conducted in 2003-2008. Areas outside the VICR had significantly more scleractinian corals, greater habitat complexity, and greater species richness and density of reef fishes than areas inside., Areas inside and outside the VICR exhibited significant decreases in percent scleractinian coral coverage over the study period. A contrasting trend of increasing macroalgal cover was also observed. No clear effect of the severe 2005 coral bleaching event was observed suggesting other causal factors. No obvious trends in the fish community were observed across the study period. The significant decline in habitat condition, coupled with the initial incorporation of some of the more degraded reefs into the marine protected area may result in a longer time period necessary to detect positive changes in the St. John coral reef ecosystem and associated reef fish abundance and community structure.

Northeast Fisheries Observer Program manual, 2013

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) Fisheries Sampling Branch (FSB) collects, maintains, and distributes data for scientific and management purposes in the northwest Atlantic Ocean. FSB manages three separate but related observer programs: the Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (NEFOP), the Industry Funded Scallop (IFS) Observer Program, and the At Sea Monitoring (ASM) Program. For the purposes of this manual, “observers” refers to any observer/monitor working for the FSB. In 2011, FSB trained and deployed over 200 observers, provided coverage on a variety of fisheries, and completed over 15,000 sea days. Observed trips are required under many of the region's fishery management plans, and for some fisheries by other federal laws and authorities such as Amendment 16 and Framework 44, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act, the and the Sustainable Fisheries Act. The purpose of this guide is to provide FSB observers, as well as end users of NEFSC Observer Program data, with a detailed description of each data field collected. In addition to this manual, the NEFSC Observer Program Biological Sampling and Catch Estimation Manual provides summaries and tables intended to enable observers to quickly determine the correct sampling protocols and methods while at sea. This manual represents a revision of the data forms, collection procedures, and protocols described in the 1996 NEFSC Observer Program Manual. For documentation of other changes see Documentation of changes made to the NEFSC Fisheries Observer Program Manual, 2013.

Atlas of the shallow-water benthic habitats of Majuro Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands

Digital maps of the shallow (<~30m deep) coral reef ecosystems of Majuro Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands, were created through visual interpretation of remote sensing imagery acquired between 2004 and 2006. Reef ecosystem features were digitized directly into a Geographic Information System. Benthic features were categorized according to a classification scheme with attributes including zone (location such as lagoon or forereef, etc.), structure (bottom type such as sand or patch reef, etc.) and percent hard bottom. This atlas consists of 27 detailed maps displaying reef zone and structure of coral ecosystems around Majuro. Adjacent maps in the atlas overlap slightly to ensure complete coverage. Maps and associated products can be used to support science and management activities on Majuro reef ecosystems including inventory, monitoring, conservation, and sustainable development applications. Maps are not to be used for navigation.

Snow accumulation time series and their climatic interpretation

EXTRACT (SEE PDF FOR FULL ABSTRACT): Several snow accumulation time series derived from ice cores and extending over 3 to 5 centuries are examined for spatial and temporal climatic information. ... A significant observation is the widespread depression of net snow accumulation during the latter part of the "Little Ice Age". This initially suggests sea surface temperatures were significantly depressed during the same period. However, prior to this, the available core records indicate generally higher than average precipitation rates. This also implies that influences such as shifted storm tracks or a dustier atmosphere may have been involved. Without additional spatial data coverage, these observations should properly be studied using a coupled (global) ocean/atmosphere GCM.

Relatório do cruzeiro realizado no Banco de Sofala pelo navio SRTM "Sebastopolsky ribak" de Setembro a Outubro de 1982: camarāo de águas pouco profundas

In September-October 1982, the Soviet ship "Sebastopolsky Rybak" conducted a cruise on the Sofala Bank in the area between 16°20'S and parallel 19°40'S. Two surveys were made, one from South to North (depth 10-110 meters) and vice versa. The type of coverage used was systematic. The Sofala Bank was divided into seven sub-areas. During this cruise sub-areas 3 and 4 were covered. Sub-area 5 has not been fully covered.

National report of the frame survey 2010 on the Uganda side of Lake Victoria

This is a report on the results of the Frame Survey conducted in the Uganda side of Lake Victoria during August 2010 by the LVFO Institutions, namely: the Department of Fisheries Resources (DFR) Uganda and the National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI) in close collaboration with the District Fisheries offices of Busia, Bugiri, Mayuge, Jinja, Mukono, Kampala, Wakiso, Mpigi, Masaka, Kalangala and Rakai. The authors are grateful to the LVEMP II, for providing funds for the survey and the LVFO secretariat coordination. Fisheries Frame surveys have been carried out on Lake Victoria biannually since 2000 to determine the number of fishers, fish landing sites, and facilities at the landing sites, as well as the composition of fishing crafts, their mode of propulsion, fishing gears and the fish species they target. This information is used to guide development and management of the lake’s fisheries. Following the reorganisation of landing sites into Beach Management Units (BMUs), the number of landing sites decreased from 597 in 2000 to 435 in 2008. The survey in 2010 showed an increase to 503 landing sites, an indication that new landing sites are coming up. The fish landing sites continue to have inadequate facilities such as fish shades, cold rooms to service the fisheries industry and very few (5%) have access to electricity and 32% had access to all weather roads. There has been some progressive improvement in the landing site coverage of basic hygiene and sanitation facilities, especially public toilet facilities from 17% in 2000 to 39% in 2010; and portable water from 4% to 17% respectively. However more effort is required to cover all landing sites. Most landing sites (83%) have access to mobile phone networks which eases communication. 46% of landing sites had access to a Health clinic and 64% had a Primary school within a radius of 2 km.

Evaluation of a summer institute on fish processing technology

The utility of Summer Institute Efficiency Index (SIEI) is demonstrated using data from evaluation of a summer institute in fish processing. The SIEI worked to 76.16 showing high efficiency rating. The acquisition of skills appears to be independent of coverage and utility perception. The three dimensions of evaluation correlate highly with SIEI.

On further improvement of the techinque of evaluating summer institutes

Data from an earlier study are reanalyzed to improve upon the evaluation measures of summer institutes. The Summer Institute Efficiency Index is improved by using weighted geometric mean using different ranks as weights for the several dimensions. The coverage utility index is improved by taking the ratings given by all the participants.

Ecological models and GIS maps of macroalgae, as bioindicator for ecological status of Hormozgan rocky shores

In this study a total of 75 species were identified, from which 17 species, 9 genes and 6 families; belonged to Green Algae, 18 species, 7 genes and 4 families; belonged to Brown Algae, and 40 species, 18 genes and 11 families; belonged to Red Algae. From total times spent for sampling, it was determined that at lengeh harbor with 6 species, had the lowest diversity of green algae. The species diversity of brown algae at Michael location with 10 species each; had the highest, and Tahooneh location with 5 species; had the lowest species diversity. Species diversity of red algae at Michael location with 28 species; had the highest, and Sayeh Khosh location with 13 species; had the lowest diversity. From all locations where sampling took place, the highest species diversity regarding Time and Space for all three groups of algae; were associated to Late February (20th. Feb. ), and late March(20th. March). Coverage data of macroalgae and Ecological Evaluation Index indicate a high level of eutrophication for the Saieh khosh, and Bostaneh, They are classified as zones with a bad and poor ecological status. It has been proved that concentrations of biogenic elements and phytoplankton blooming are higher in these zones. The best values of the estimated metrics at Tahooneh and Michaeil could be explained with the good ecological conditions in that zone and the absence of pollution sources close to that transect . The values of abundance of macroalgae and Ecological Evaluation Index indicate a moderate ecological conditions for the Koohin, Lengeh and Chirooieh.

A comparative ecological study on internationally important wetlands of Khoor-e-Kolahy and Tiab

Ecological study on Kolahy and 'flab estuaries were carried out during 1996-1997. Water and sediment sampling was done seasonally. In order to study the physical and chemical characteristic of the water, various animal fauna from different material niches including planktons and fish from water, benthousi from the sediment , and surface living animal such as Arthropod (Crabs) and Waterbirds were identified. I he result shoved, that water salinity of both estuaries was the same as the general salinity existing its the Persian Gulf water, and its variation is same IN those waters Minimum water salinity in both estuaries are seen during Bahairdan or early winter mooth(Jaa.), which is about 31ppt and Maximum is during .rirldlun.) or summer mouth at about 19 ppt. Dissolved otygen and pH are slime as the general Persian Gulf waters., Dissolve Oxygen being directly associated to temperature and its fluctuation is between 7- Sing/I and pH between 7.5-LS. The animals of both estuaries are almost similar having a sal factory species diversity . The birds of the region are often seasonal migrants , the maximum population of which occurs in winter season and the minimum during summer month. Nam coverage is richer in Tiab than Kolahy estuary, where in Kolahy a signal Mangrove tree is in exigence. 'Ile total coverage of Mangrove forest in Tiab is estimated about -29 hec.Both estuaries are included with in the international Ramsar Convention sites in 1971. Due to national importance of these estuaries inproviding refugee for various birds species and also hinting grounds and access traffic for local fishing vehicles, Actiog as an important access for various inhabitancy living with these area of the Persian Gulf. Due to importance or prawn aquacultur for the economical well being of local inhabitance, these areas provide a suitable grandees for prawn production. I-test statistics show, there are no significant difference among various invertebrate and vertebrate animals. In over all out look 21) phytoplankton genera, 21) zeoplankton genera 17 miafauna and 32 roaerofauna genera , 11 different species Carcineacearions and 119 species of walerbirds were identified with in the Tiab and Kolahy estuariesregioos. The X statistic show that the animal density is directly associated to season. Where density of miofauna and maerofauna in both estuaries are in maiticrourn during summer and the minimums existing during the winter season. In addition the bentic invertebrate population density in closlly association to birds population density since , the later, feeds on the former animals. Where the increasing in bird population density during the winter season, the bentic invertebrate animal population density decreases. The over all trend of animal population density in winter tend to increased towards the summer seasons, which this is due to climatic conditions of the region. The bird population on the contrary to other animals of both estuaries tend to increase from summer towards the winter seasons and which this bird population density is in maximum in winter with in the region.