Wetlands and riparian zones as buffers and critical habitats for biotic communities in Lake Victoria

Despite their ecological and socio-economic importance, Lake Victoria's adjoining "swamps" and lake interface are among the least investigated parts of the lake. The "swamps" a term commonly equated to "wastelands" and the difficult working environment they present in comparison to open water, are major factors for the low level of attention accorded to shoreline wetlands. Moreover, definitions of wetlands highlighted for example in the Ramsar Convention as "areas of marsh, fern, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh or brackish, or salt, including areas of marine water, the depth of which does not exceed six metres" (Ramsar, 1971) were designed to protect birds (water fowl) of international importance. The Ramsar definition, which also includes oceans, has till recently been of limited use for Lake Victoria, because itdoes not fully recognise wetlands in relation to other public concerns such as water quality, biodiversity and the tisheries that are of higher socioeconomic priority than waterfowl. Prior to 1992, fishery research on Lake Victoria included studies of inshore shallow habitats of the lake without specific reference to distance or the type of vegetation at the shore. Results of these studies also conveniently relied heavily on trawl and gill net data from the 5-10 m depth zones as the defining boundary of shallow inshore habitats. In Lake Victoria, such a depth range can be at least one kilometre from the lake interface and by the 10m depth contour, habitats are in the sub-littoral range. Findings from these studies could thus not be used to make direct inferences on the then assumed importance of Lake Victoria wetlands in general.

Proposal to permit experimental artificial reefs inside and outside the Big Sycamore Canyon Ecological Reserve

(Document pdf contains 19 pages)

Agricultural Best Management Practices and Treatment Wetlands in the Gabilan Watershed: Project Asessment and Evaluation Plan

Several local groups have come together for this project to addresses water quality concerns in the Gabilan Watershed – also known as the Reclamation Ditch Watershed (Fig. 1.1). These are Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML), the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County (RCDMC), Central Coast Watershed Studies (CCoWS), Return of the Natives (RON), Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), and Coastal Conservation and Research (CC&R). The primary goal is to reduce non-point source pollution – particularly suspended sediment, nutrients, and pesticides – and thereby improve near-shore coastal waters of Moss Landing Harbor and the Monterey Bay. (Document contains 33 pages)

Proposal for improving fishing opportunities off Pt. Loma by construction of an artificial reef

(Document pdf contains 42 pages)

Report of Pendleton artificial reef studies with recommendations for constructing a kelp reef

(Document pdf contains 64 pages)

Beach surveys of South Carlsbad State Beach onshore of Carlsbad artificial reef

(Document pdf contains 9 pages)

A report of biological observations at Topanga artificial reef and Santa Monica Bay artificial reef

(Document pdf contains 25 pages)

Biological surveys of five southern artificial reefs: Oceanside #1, Oceanside #2, Carlsbad, Pacific Beach, and Mission Bay

(Document pdf contains 19 pages)

Observations of the biological communities at Bolsa Chica artificial reef

Bolsa Chica Artificial Reef (BCAR) was constructed in November 1986 with 10,400 tons of concrete rubble and eight concrete and steel barges. Prior to any additional augmentation of BCAR, the u.s. Army Corps of Engineers and the California Coastal Commission required the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) to survey the bioloqical communities on and around BCAR. In April 1992, qualitative surveys of the biological communities were conducted on one of the eight modules at BCAR and at a nearby sand-only site. One of the modules, Module D, located in 90 feet of water (MLLW), was surveyed for fish, macroinvertebrates, and turf community organisms (small plants and sessile animals). Twelve species of fish were observed, including kelp bass (Paralabrax clathratus) and barred sand bass (P. nebulifer). Eight macroinvertebrate species were observed, rock scallops (Crassedoma giganteum) being the most abundant. The turf community was comprised of thirteen invertebrate taxa, among which erect ectoprocts (Bugula spp.) were the most numerous. Two species of foliose red algae (Rhodymenia pacifica and Anisocladella pacifica) were also observed. The reef has reached an advanced stage of successional development with fish and invertebrate communities diverse and well established. However, due,.to its depth and the turbidity of surrounding waters, this reef is not likely to ever support a diverse algal community. The diversity and abundance of fish and macroinvertebrates were, as to be expected, much lower in the nearby sand-only site. Only two species of fish and seven macroinvertebrate species were observed. Of these, only the sea pen, Stylatula elongata, was common. Overall, when compared to nearby sand-only habitats, Bolsa Chica Artificial Reef appears to contribute substantially to the local biological productivity. In addition, the concrete rubble used in BCAR' s construction appears to be performing as well as the quarry rock used in all of CDFG's experimental reefs. (Document pdf contains 22 pages)

A report of biological observations at Pacific Beach artificial reef, Oceanside artificial reef, and Santa Monica Bay artificial reef

(Document pdf contains 16 pages)

A report of biological observations at Oceanside #1 and #2 artificial reefs, Carlsbad artificial reef, Pacific Beach artificial reef, and Mission Bay Park artificial reef

(Document pdf contains 22 pages)

Pendleton Artificial Reef: annual progress report presented to Southern California Edison Company

(PDF contains 82 pages.)

Artificial fertilization of the eggs, and rearing and identification of the larvae of the anchoveta, Cetengraulis mysticetus

ENGLISH: The anchoveta, Cetengraulis mysticetus (Günther), is an important bait fish used to capture tunas in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean. Contributions to the early life history of this species in the Gulf of Panama were made by Simpson (1959), who was able to identify deductively the planktonic egg of the anchoveta from 10 other anchovy eggs concurrently present. He also reared these planktonic eggs in the laboratory and described the resultant larvae to the age of 48 hours after hatching. Because of the lack of differences among the anchovy larvae, this description does not permit the identification of anchoveta larvae from those of other engraulid species. Furthermore, while adult specimens are easily recognized, up to the present it has not been possible to extend the identification of the juvenile anchoveta to specimens smaller than about 25 mm. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to identify anchoveta from the time of hatching to about 25 mm. SPANISH: La anchoveta, Cetengraulis mysticetus (Günther), es un importante pez de carnada que se emplea en la captura de los atunes en el Océano Pacífico Oriental Tropical. Simpson (1959) logró identificar deductivamente el huevo planctónico de la anchoveta al separarlo de otros diez huevos de anchoas que se encuentran al mismo tiempo, contribuyendo de esta manera a conocer los primeros estados de la historia natural de esta especie en el Golfo de Panamá. El también estableció un criadero en el laboratorio con estos huevos planctónicos y describió las larvas resultantes hasta la edad de 48 horas después de la eclosión. Debido a que no hay diferencias entre las larvas de las anchoas, esta descripción no permite identificar las larvas de la anchoveta de las otras especies de engráulidos. Más aun, a pesar de que los especímenes adultos son fácilmente reconocibles, hasta ahora no ha sido posible identificar la anchoveta juvenil de menos de unos 25 mm. Consecuentemente, el propósito del presente estudio ha sido el de identificar al anchoveta desde el momento de la eclosión hasta que tiene unos 25 mm.

Cooperative artificial propagation programs for salmon and steelhead, 1995-1996

Fifteen cooperative fish rearing and planting programs for salmon and steelhead were active from July 1, 1995 through June 30, 1996. For all programs, 134,213 steelhead trout,(Oncorhynchus mykiss), 7,742,577 chinook salmon,(~ tshawytscha),and 25,075 coho salmon(~ kisutch) were planted. (PDF contains 26 pages.)

Cooperative artificial propagation programs for salmon and steelhead, 1996-1997

Fourteen cooperative fish rearing and planting programs for salmon and steelhead were active from July 1, 1996 through June 30, 1997. For all programs, 208,922 steelhead trout, (Oncorhynchus mykiss), 10,334,457 chinook salmon,(O. tshawytscha),and 60,681 coho salmon(O. kisutch) were planted. (PDF contains 24 pages.)