Conservation activity expands captive breeding

From a special issue: A Brief History of the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands 1959-1988

Early attempts at Galapagos conservation

From a special issue: A Brief History of the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands 1959-1988

Planning conservation

From a special issue: A Brief History of the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands 1959-1988

Use of biological reference points for the conservation of atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)in the River Lune, North West England.

This paper deals with the development and use of biological reference points for salmon conservation on the River Lune, England. The Lune supports recreational and net fisheries with annual catches in the region of 1,000 and 1356 salmon respectively. Using models transported from other river systems, biological reference points exclusive to the Lune were developed; specifically the number of eggs deposited and carrying capacity estimates for age 0+ and 1+ parr. The conservation limit was estimated at 11.9 million eggs and between 1989 and 1998 was exceeded in two years. Comparison of juvenile salmon densities in 1991 and 1997 with estimates of carrying capacity indicated that 0+ and 1+ parr densities were at around 60 % of carrying capacity and may relate to the number of eggs deposited in 1990 and 1996 being approximately 70% of the target value. The paper discusses the management actions taken in order to ensure that the management target of the conservation limit being met four years out of five is delivered. It also discusses the balance between conservation and exploitation and the socio-economic decisions made in order to ensure parity of impacts on the rod and net fisheries. The regulations have been enforced since 1999 and the paper concludes with an assessment of the actions taken to deliver the management targets, over the last five years.

Asymmetric conservation benefits of circle hooks in multispecies billfish recreational fisheries: a synthesis of hook performance and analysis of blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) postrelease survival

We evaluated the conservation benefits of the use of circle hooks compared with standard J hooks in the recreational fishery for Atlantic istiophorid billfishes, noting hooking location and the presence of trauma (bleeding) for 123 blue marlin (Makaira nigricans), 272 white marlin (Kajikia albida), and 132 sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) caught on natural baits rigged with one of the two hook types. In addition, we used pop-up satellite archival tags (PSATs) to follow the fate of 61 blue marlin caught on natural baits rigged with circle hooks or on a combination of artificial lure and natural bait rigged with J hooks. The frequencies of internal hooking locations and bleeding were significantly lower with circle hooks than with J hooks for each of the three species and were significantly reduced for blue marlin caught on J hooks than for white marlin and sailfish taken on the same hook type. Analysis of the data received from 59 PSATs (two tags released prematurely) indicated no mortalities among the 29 blue marlin caught on circle hooks and two mortalities among the 30 blue marlin caught on J hooks (6.7%). Collectively, the hook location and PSAT data revealed that blue marlin, like white marlin and sailfish, derive substantial conservation benefits from the use of circle hooks, and the negative impacts of J hooks are significantly reduced for blue marlin relative to the other two species.

Economic assessment of shrimp (Penaeus monodon) hatchery industry in Panay Island, Philippines

Results of the economic assessment of shrimp hatchery industry in Panay Island, Philippines are presented. In order to ensure continuous viability of hatcheries, the critical areas of concern are: financing of operating capital and improvement of facilities; collective marketing efforts through cooperatives; updating of technology especially in disease prevention and control; and diversification strategies.

Growth of spiny lobster (Panulirus penicillatus) caught off San Vicente, Cagayan, Philippines

Estimates of growth parameters for male and female Panulirus penicillatus caught in coral reef areas off San Vicente, Cagayan, Philippines are presented. Length-weight relationship parameters are also given. The results indicate that the slope (b) is significantly below 3.0 and does not differ significantly between males and females.

Population parameters of small pelagic fishes caught off Tawi-Tawi, Philippines

Growth and mortality parameters, exploitation rates and annual recruitment patterns were estimated from monthly length-frequency samples for Sardinella longiceps, S. fimbriata, S. Albella, Decapterus macrosoma, Dipterygonatus balteatus, Rastrelliger faughni and Encrasicolina heteroloba. These results provide the first sets of stock parameter estimates for these species off Tawi-Tawi, Philippines. The growth parameters derived were found comparable with previous estimates available for the same species from other localities. Recruitment was noted to be year-round and bimodal. Estimates of fishing mortality and exploitation rate were found to be presently above appropriate levels.

Collaborative training program in coastal management in the Philippines: a local initiative with a global perspective

A collaborative project in developing a broad-based coastal management training program in the Philippines is being undertaken by a group of government and nongovernment agencies. It addresses the lack of expertise in planning an implementation for coastal management in the country. The process will be documented to serve as a guide in starting and maintaining the process of collaborative training in coastal management in the region. Other training initiatives are outlined including regional and global efforts.

Problems for the conservation of freshwater fish genetic resources in India and some possible solutions

Many interconnected problems involved for the conservation of freshwater fish genetic resources of India are enumerated. Some possible solutions to the problems are also discussed.