Abundance of cetatceans in the southern U.S. North Atlantic Ocean during summer 1998

The U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act requires that the abundance of marine mammals in U.S. waters be assessed. Because this requirement had not been met for a large portion of the North Atlantic Ocean (U.S. waters south of Maryland), a ship-based, line-transect survey was conducted with a 68 m research ship between Maryland (38.00°N) and central Florida (28.00°N) from the 10-m isobath to the boundary of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. The study area (573,000 km2) was surveyed between 8 July and 17 August 1998. Minimum abundance estimates were based on 4163 km of effort and 217 sightings of at least 13 cetacean species and other taxonomic categories. The most commonly sighted species (number of groups) were bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus (38); sperm whales, Physeter macrocephalus (29); Atlantic spotted dolphins, Stenella frontalis (28); and Risso’s dolphins, Grampus griseus (22). The most abundant species (abundance; coeffi cient of variation) were Atlantic spotted dolphins (14,438; 0.63); bottlenose dolphins (13,085; 0.40); pantropical spotted dolphins, S. attenuate (12,747; 0.56); striped dolphins, S. coeruleoalba (10,225; 0.91); and Risso’s dolphins (9533; 0.50). The abundance estimate for the Clymene dolphin, S. clymene (6086; 0.93), is the first for the U.S. Atlantic Ocean. Sperm whales were the most abundant large whale (1181; 0.51). Abundances for other species or taxonomic categories ranged from 20 to 5109. There were an estimated 77,139 (0.23) cetaceans in the study area. Bottlenose dolphins and Atlantic spotted dolphins were encountered primarily in continental shelf (<200 m) and continental slope waters (200−2000 m). All other species were generally sighted in oceanic waters (>200 m). The distribution of some species varied north to south. Striped dolphins, Clymene dolphins, and sperm whales were sighted primarily in the northern part of the study area; whereas pantropical spotted dolphins were sighted primarily in the southern portion.

Fish for the future: Fisheries development and food security for Kiribati in an era of global climate change

The Republic of Kiribati is a vast South Pacific island group with one of the largest exclusive economic zones (EEZs) in the world. Kiribati waters support a wealth of marine fisheries activities. These activities occur in oceanic, coastal and inshore environments and range from large, foreign, industrial-scale oceanic fishing operations to small-scale, domestic, inshore subsistence fisheries, aquaculture and recreational fisheries. Kiribati has developed a framework of domestic and international governance arrangements that are designed to sustainably manage its wealth of marine resources. The report provides background information for fisheries projects in Kiribati that aim to build food security, improve artisanal livelihoods and strengthen community engagement in fisheries governance. It provides information on the current status of Kiribati fishery resources (oceanic and coastal), their current governance and future challenges. Fish and fisher alike pay little heed to maritime boundaries and bureaucratic distinctions. This report covers both sides of the oceanic/coastal boundary because of the I-Kiribati communities’ interest in oceanic fisheries such as tuna and their heavy dependence on its fisheries resources for food security and economic development. The report focuses on two potential pilot sites for community-based fisheries management projects: North Tarawa and Butaritari.

Role of fisheries extension officers in FFDA at Balasore

The first FFDA in Orissa state was established in the year 1976. The study was conducted in Balasore district of the State. The findings revealed that all of the FEOs were not well qualified but trained and experienced. The duration of training obtained varied from 3 to 10 months. An FEO has a large area under his jurisdiction. Cycle was used by most of the FEOs to visit the fish farmers which resulted in infrequent visits. The FEOs were not satisfied with the working conditions, promotion avenues and conveyance facilities. There was interference of political bodies in leasing out ponds. The amount of loan sanctioned was not adequate to start fish farming. They also revealed that marketing aspects were totally neglected by the FFDA.

Monsoon trawl ban and its effects on the livelihood of trawl labourers: the case with Versova fishing village in Maharashtra

Indian fisheries sector in view of its potential contribution to national income, nutritional security, employment opportunities, social objectives and export earnings, plays an important role in the socio-economic development of the country. Fisheries sector contributes 4.3% to the agricultural GDP and export earnings are presently valued at over INR 68 billion from a volume of 460,000 tons. In addition, it provides direct and indirect employment and dependency for over seven million people in the country. With an estimated production potential of 8.4 million tons, the present level of production in the country is 5.9 million tons with almost equal contribution from both marine and inland sectors. The estimated fisheries potential from the Indian exclusive economic zone was found to be 3.9 million tons. But in spite of the increased efforts in fish production, the catch stagnates around 2.9 million tons. The stagnation in catches, mainly due to the over exploitation of dwindling marine resources, forced the government to impart some management measures to regulate the fishery and for the sustenance of the marine resources. The monsoon trawl ban in fisheries was one of the major reforms, which had created a substantial increase in fish production in the past few years. The ban on trawling during monsoon season was introduced in Maharashtra, after a series of studies, from 1992 for a period of 65 days from 10 June to 15 August or Naralipoornima, whichever is earlier. A notable increase in production from the marine sector of the country occurred in the post-ban period. Nevertheless, it had created problems in employment, poverty and income distribution of fishermen during the ban period and was always a matter of unrest between mechanized and traditional sectors of fishing. The aim of this study was to understand the impact of the ban on monsoon trawling in employment pattern, poverty and income distribution of fishermen along the coast of Maharashtra. The study was conducted at the Versova fishing village, Mumbai, and provides reflections on the possible impact of monsoon ban in the livelihood and standard of living of the fishermen in the state.

Stock assessment of the demersal offshore fishery resources off the Karnataka coast

The total biomass of the demersal stocks in the depth range of 30-200m between 12°401 and 15°N latitudes in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone is estimated to be a:round 1,23,000 metric tons (t). There is scope for doubling the present catch of about 40,000 t from demersal resources by extending exploitation to 50-200m depth zone. About 78% of this increase is expected to come from four species, namely, Nemipterus japonicus, Priacanthus macracanthus, Saurida tumbil and Arius spp.

Studies on two unexploited fish species: Peristedion adeni and Peristedion weberi

The chemical composition and nutritional quality of Peristedion adeni and Peristedion weberi, two unexploited fish species available in abundance in the Exclusive Economic Zone of India are reported. Size of the fish is small and separation of edible meat is difficult. Best method of utilization of the fish is conversion into meal. Meals having crude protein content varying from 55.0 to 57.0%, ash content from 17.0 to 19.6% and fat content from 17.7 to 18.1% can be prepared from the two species of fish. PER values of the meals are lower than that of casein. Amino acid analysis showed that isoleucine, leucine and valine are not present in the meals in adequate quantities compared to the FAO/WHO (1973) prescribed pattern.

Fish sauce from two species of unexploited deep sea fish Peristedion adeni and Peristedion weberi

Two species of unexploited deep sea fish Peristedion adeni and Peristedion weberi caught from the Exclusive Economic Zone of India were subjected to fermentation at ambient temperature (30 ± 2°C) in the presence of salt in 4:1 ratio. Periodical analysis of the fermented product was carried out up to one year. The sauces had brownish yellow colour and conformed to special grade of the standards prescribed by the Food and Drug Administration. Further solubilization of protein after 9 month's maturation was not appreciable.

Fisheries catches for the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem since 1950

Marine fisheries catch data is presented on spatially allocated basis for the Exclusive Economic Zones of the member countries as well as the high seas for the period 1950-2008.

Performance in managing marine resources in the Bay of Bengal

The eight member countries were assessed as to their sustainable use of resources within their Exclusive Economic Zones(EEZs). Indicators included; investment in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), impact of trawling, mariculture sustainability, protection of seabirds and marine mammals,ecosystem impacts, economic health and levels of reporting and compliance.