River Crake (at Bouthrey Bridge) freeze coring report

This is the River Crake (at Bouthrey Bridge) freeze coring report produced by Lancaster University in 1999. This study looks at fine materials in river Crake at Bouthrey Bridge that may have to be considered detrimental to successful salmonid spawning. Following an observed decline in quality of salmonid fisheries at the site an investigation was initiated to assess the extent of ingress of fine sediments into the spawning gravels. Fine sediments from one potential source, upstream riverbanks, are also compared to those isolated from the spawning gravels. The percentage by weight of fine sediments for the six freeze cores, was found to be lower than first expected, given the visual appearance of the reach. However the fines were found to be distributed evenly down the cores with a marked absence of an upper, coarse gravel armour layer. In addition the median grain size (D50) of the six samples was generally low, falling to 6mm for core 5. The low median grain size and the absence of coarse grained upper strata are considered detrimental to the success rate of salmonid spawning.

Cruise report: summer 2009 Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve ecological characterization (June 7 - June 13, 2009)

This cruise report is a summary of a field survey conducted within the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve (SINERR), located on the Georgia coastline, June 7 – June 13, 2009. Multiple indicators of ecological condition and human dimensions were sampled synoptically at each of 30 stations throughout SINERR using a random probabilistic sampling design. Samples were collected for the analysis of benthic community structure and composition; concentrations of chemical contaminants (metals, pesticides, PAHs, PCBs, PBDEs) in sediments and target demersal biota; nutrient and chlorophyll levels in the water column; bacterial contaminants in the water column; and other basic habitat characteristics such as depth, salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, total suspended solids, pH, sediment grain size, and organic carbon content. In addition to the fish samples that were collected for analysis of chemical contaminants relative to human-health consumption limits, other human-dimension indicators were sampled as well including presence or absence of fishing gear, vessels, surface trash, and noxious sediment odors. The overall purpose of the survey was to collect data to assess the status of ecosystem condition and potential stressor impacts throughout SINERR, based on these various indicators and corresponding management thresholds, and to provide this information as a baseline for determining how such conditions may be changing with time. While sample analysis is still ongoing a few preliminary results and observations are reported here. A final report will be completed once all data have been processed. The results will provide a comprehensive weight-of-evidence basis for evaluating current condition (aka a “state-of-the-SINEER environmental report”) and serve as a quantitative benchmark for tracking any future changes due to either natural or human disturbances. Another goal of the study is to demonstrate its utility as a possible model for assessing the status of condition at other NEERS sites using similar and consistent methods to promote system-wide regional and national comparisons.

The length-weight relationship in Sardinella sirm Wal from the Andaman Sea

Preliminary details are given of studies conducted regarding the length-weight relationship of Sardinella sirm from the Andaman Sea, a species of economic importance in the area. Results show that this species grows in proportion to length, weight and girth; the group of fish studied was composed of the same population and did not reveal any subspecies of sub-variety.

Length-weight relationship of Upeneus sulphureus (Cuvier) collected off Maharashtra coast

The length-weight relationship of Upeneus sulphureus was studied on the basis of 125 females and 103 males, collected during the 27th cruise of research vessel M.V. Saraswati in the month of September, 1984. The correlation coefficient was found significant at 5% and 1% level respectively for male and female. In both the sexes, the regression co-efficient was found higher than three. Analysis of covariance was also carried out for the F test and F distribution.

A note on morphometric and length-weight relationship of Upeneus moluccensis (Bleeker) off Veraval coast

Upeneus moluccensis were collected from the catches of bottom fish trawl of "M. V. Saraswati" off Veraval coast in the area lat. 20 degree 26 N and long. 70 degree 35 E. The fish were analysed for length-weight relationship and morphometric characters. The fishes were found to vary from 116 to 161 mm in length and 20.0 to 50.0 g in weight. The exponent value and correlation coefficient for length-weight relationship was found to be 2.73 and 0.991 respectively.

Condition factor and length-weight relationship of Nemipterus japonicus (Bloch) off Bombay coast

Fluctuations in the K values of Nemipterus japonicus (Bloch) off Bombay coast were interpreted regarding sex, month and females maturity stage. These indicate differential growth rates in males and females. Males and females attain first maturity at 145 mm and 115 mm respectively, second maturity is attained by both the sexes at 195 mm. First spawning occurs when both are of 155 mm length and at second spawning males and females attain 215 and 205 mm of length respectively. The fish mature and breed at "O" year; the main spawning period is from August to November with peak spawning activities in October. It grows about 155 mm in first year at 12.91mm per month and about 215 mm in the second year at 5.0 mm per month on an average. Length-weight relationships for males and females are given. The rate of growth of females by weight was found to be slower below 150 mm, but faster than that of males above 150 mm specimens.

Morphometric study and length-weight relationship of Therapon jarbua, Forsskal

The different morphometric characters of Therapon jarbua showed a linear relationship and uniformity in the various biometric measurements whereas the length-weight relationship showed a curvilinear graph. The studies also indicate that there is no significant difference, in the morphometric characters and length-weight relationship between the males and females. Ponderal index values for males and females was found to fluctuate between 1.3 to 1.5 for most of their life times with the peaks and crests appearing at different lengths for males and females.

Morphometry, length-weight relationship and food and feeding habits of Otolithoides biauritus (Cantor, 1850) of Bombay waters

Thirteen morphometric and seven meristic characters, length-weight relationship and food and feeding habits of Otolithoides biauritus of Bombay coast (Maharashtra, India) were studied. Compared morphometric characters revealed positive allometric growth and high correlation ("r" ranging 0.898 - 0.996) between each other. Meristic characters were observed to be B sub(vii), D sub(1) 8-10, D sub(2) 27-31, P 17-20, V 5-7 and 7-10. Number of gill rackers on the first left gill arch ranged from 15 to 19. Length-weight relationship for both sexes together worked out to be W = 0.026, L super(2.646). The species is a predator, feeding mainly on motile Acetes, small fish and Loligo in order of preference.

Length-weight relationship Megalaspis cordyla (Linnaeus, 1758) along north west coast of India

Total length and total weight relationship of Megalaspis cordyla (Linnaeus, 1758) a carangid fish, along north west coast of India has been worked out. The fish is an ideal one, growing by weight a cube of its length, isometrically, retaining its specific body shape throughout its life. The relationship is w = 0.00906279 L super(2.9024152) total weight of fish in g and "L" represents total length in cm.