Solomon Islands: Essential aspects of governance for Aquatic Agricultural Systems in Malaita Hub

In late 2012, a governance assessment was carried out as part of the diagnosis phase of rollout of the CGIAR Aquatic Agricultural Systems Program in Malaita Hub in Solomon Islands. The purpose of the assessment was to identify and provide a basic understanding of essential aspects of governance related to Aquatic Agricultural Systems in general, and more specifically as a case study in natural resource management. The underlying principles of the approach we have taken are drawn from an approach known as “Collaborating for Resilience” (CORE), which is based on bringing all key stakeholders into a process to ensure that multiple perspectives are represented (a listening phase), that local actors have opportunities to influence each other’s understanding (a dialogue phase), and that ultimately commitments to action are built (a choice phase) that would not be possible through an outsider’s analysis alone. This report begins to address governance from an AAS perspective, using input from AAS households and other networked stakeholders. We attempt to summarize governance issues that are found not only within the community but also, and especially, those that are beyond the local level, both of which may need to be addressed by the AAS program.

Biogeographic characterization of essential fish habitats affected by human activities in the coastal zone of Puerto Rico

The overall purpose of this project was to collect available information on the characteristics of essential fish habitats in protected and non-protected marine areas around the islands of Puerto Rico. Specifically, this project compiled historical information on benthic habitats and the status of marine resources into a Geographic Information System (GIS) by digitizing paper copies of existing marine geologic maps that were developed for the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (CFMC) for areas around the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. In addition, information on benthic habitat types, Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) requirements, and fishing and non-fishing impacts to marine resources were compiled for two priority areas: La Parguera and Vieques. The information obtained will help to characterize and select habitats for future monitoring of impacts of fishing and non-fishing activities and to develop management recommendations for conservation of important marine habitats. The project focused specifically on areas identified as priorities for conservation by the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) and the Local Action Strategy Overfishing Group.

A habitat-use model to determine essential fish habitat for juvenile brown shrimp (Farfantepenaeus aztecus) in Galveston Bay, Texas

A density prediction model for juvenile brown shrimp (Farfantepenaeus aztecus) was developed by using three bottom types, five salinity zones, and four seasons to quantify patterns of habitat use in Galveston Bay, Texas. Sixteen years of quantitative density data were used. Bottom types were vegetated marsh edge, submerged aquatic vegetation, and shallow nonvegetated bottom. Multiple regression was used to develop density estimates, and the resultant formula was then coupled with a geographical information system (GIS) to provide a spatial mosaic (map) of predicted habitat use. Results indicated that juvenile brown shrimp (<100 mm) selected vegetated habitats in salinities of 15−25 ppt and that seagrasses were selected over marsh edge where they co-occurred. Our results provide a spatially resolved estimate of high-density areas that will help designate essential fish habitat (EFH) in Galveston Bay. In addition, using this modeling technique, we were able to provide an estimate of the overall population of juvenile brown shrimp (<100 mm) in shallow water habitats within the bay of approximately 1.3 billion. Furthermore, the geographic range of the model was assessed by plotting observed (actual) versus expected (model) brown shrimp densities in three other Texas bays. Similar habitat-use patterns were observed in all three bays—each having a coefficient of determination >0.50. These results indicate that this model may have a broader geographic application and is a plausible approach in refining current EFH designations for all Gulf of Mexico estuaries with similar geomorphological and hydrological characteristics.

Preservation of fish by freezing and glazing. Pt. 3. Effect of freezing, glazing and frozen storage on the B-vitamins and essential minerals present in the fish flesh

The changes occurring in moisture, thiamine, riboflavin niacin, phosphorus, iron and calcium in pomfret, surmai and frozen mackerel, glazed with ascorbic acid, citric acid, sodium chloride, glucose, sodium nitrite and kept under frozen storage were studied up to 6 months and results reported.

Training of Trainers (ToT) in essential EAFM, 30 June - 3 July, 2013, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

This built upon the previous Essential EAFM course. Participants were exposed to concepts about adult learning, course preparation,, participation engagement and how to deliver and manage interactive training sessions.

Effects of essential oil of Satureja bachtiarica, Satureja khuzestanica and Mentha longifolia on the growth of Actococcus garvieae in rainbow trout fillet

The present research was done with the aim of studing the effects of some medicinal plant essential oils against Lactococcus garvieae and on some spoilage indexes in rainbow trout fillets in 4°C during 18 days. Essential oils of Mentha longifola (20, 40 and 80 μg g-1), Satureja bachtiarica (0.125, 0.25 and 0.50 μg g-1) and Satrureja khuzestanica (0.06, 0.12, 0.25 and 0.50 μg g-1) were used for this study. According to the results, the highest and the lowest microbial load were observed in control group and the groups contained 80 and 40 μg g-1 of Mentha longifola, respectively (P≤0.05). The spoilage indexes were increased after 18 days showing a statistical difference for protein, fat, TVN, FFA and TBA (P≤0.05). The most and the least changes were observed in the the control group and the fillets containing 80 μg g-1 of Mentha longifola, respectively (P≤0.05). The results indicated that, in comparison with control group, using herbal essential oils leads to reduction of Lactococcus garvieae population and spoilage process of the fillets through decreasing in TVN, FFA and TBA. Meanwhile, Mentha longifola having 80 μg g-1 was found to be more effective