Coral Remote Sensing Workshop: Proceedings and Recommendations, 17-18 September, Sheraton, Brickell Ave, Miami FL

Coral reefs exist in warm, clear, and relatively shallow marine waters worldwide. These complex assemblages of marine organisms are unique, in that they support highly diverse, luxuriant, and essentially self-sustaining ecosystems in otherwise nutrient-poor and unproductive waters. Coral reefs are highly valued for their great beauty and for their contribution to marine productivity. Coral reefs are favorite destinations for recreational diving and snorkeling, as well as commercial and recreational fishing activities. The Florida Keys reef tract draws an estimated 2 million tourists each year, contributing nearly $800 million to the economy. However, these reef systems represent a very delicate ecological balance, and can be easily damaged and degraded by direct or indirect human contact. Indirect impacts from human activity occurs in a number of different forms, including runoff of sediments, nutrients, and other pollutants associated with forest harvesting, agricultural practices, urbanization, coastal construction, and industrial activities. Direct impacts occur through overfishing and other destructive fishing practices, mining of corals, and overuse of many reef areas, including damage from souvenir collection, boat anchoring, and diver contact. In order to protect and manage coral reefs within U.S. territorial waters, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce has been directed to establish and maintain a system of national marine sanctuaries and reserves, and to monitor the condition of corals and other marine organisms within these areas. To help carry out this mandate the NOAA Coastal Services Center convened a workshop in September, 1996, to identify current and emerging sensor technologies, including satellite, airborne, and underwater systems with potential application for detecting and monitoring corals. For reef systems occurring within depths of 10 meters or less (Figure 1), mapping location and monitoring the condition of corals can be accomplished through use of aerial photography combined with diver surveys. However, corals can exist in depths greater than 90 meters (Figure 2), well below the limits of traditional optical imaging systems such as aerial or surface photography or videography. Although specialized scuba systems can allow diving to these depths, the thousands of square kilometers included within these management areas make diver surveys for deeper coral monitoring impractical. For these reasons, NOAA is investigating satellite and airborne sensor systems, as well as technologies which can facilitate the location, mapping, and monitoring of corals in deeper waters. The following systems were discussed as having potential application for detecting, mapping, and assessing the condition of corals. However, no single system is capable of accomplishing all three of these objectives under all depths and conditions within which corals exist. Systems were evaluated for their capabilities, including advantages and disadvantages, relative to their ability to detect and discriminate corals under a variety of conditions. (PDF contains 55 pages)

Análise de dados colhidos a bordo da embarcação Cassiopeia de 7 a 15 de Maio de 1999

This paper aims to analyse the results of a cruise aboard the vessel Cassiopeia, held from 7 to 15 May 1999. These results relate mainly to the Quissico area and have as an objective to verify different features: total fish catch, predominance of caught species, dimensions of captured fish and fishing effort.

Análise dos efeitos económicos das opções de gestāo da pescaria de camarāo de águas pouco profundas

The paper deals with the proper management of fishing resources of shrimps in shallow waters, those currently constitute the main source of foreign currency trade of the country. The analysis of the level of the productive sector is presented by the local Institute of Fisheries Research.

Análise dos efeitos da introduçāo de medidas de gestāo na pescaria de camarāo do Banco de Sofala

Biological effects of management measures introduced in the shrimp fishery from 1985 to 1990 are analysed as well as the results from simulation of different closed seasons. Observed changes in recruitment, total catch, biomass and average individual weight during 1985 to 1990 for Penaeus indicus and Hetapenaeus Monoceros are also analysed. Further studies on a stock-recruitment relationship are important due to decline of recruitment levels in this period. A three-month closed season starting in January is recommended, without increases in the monthly fishing effort. The TAC shall be fixed according to the recruitment level each year.

A fauna acompanhante de camarāo no Banco de Sofala: análise preliminar

An estimation of the total industrial catch of the shallow water shrimp by-catch for the period 1986-1990 is presented. By-catch species compositions based on landings and onboard samples at ex-Emopesca/Beira (Marbeira) and Pescamar are also presented. The by-catch is essentially composed by 2nd and 3rd commercial fish categories, other crustaceans and cephalopods appearing in varying proportions in the catch. The total catch of shrimp by-catch estimated for the period is approximately 17 to 25 thousand tons per year.

Ensaio sobre a forma de comunicaçāo dos resultados da investigaçāo de recursos pesqueiros à administraçāo pesqueira. Tema 1: Síntese dos resultados e métodos de análise utilizado na avaliaçāo do recurso de camarao de águas pouco profundas do Banco de Sofala.

The main goal of this paper is to provide samples of fishing methods analyses applied to studies on shrimps stock assessment in the Sofala Bank. Especially the authors provide the administrators with the main limits of application of described methods.