Determination of ecological sensitive areas of the coastal areas of Caspian Sea (Boujagh Wetland National Park) based on ecological carrying capacity and economical valuation region

The coastal districts, as an intersection of two perfectly different ecosystems of dry land and sea, is one of the most complicated and the richest natural system on earth. Considering these areas are constantly exposed to aggregation of water pollutants and also consequence resulting from construction and development activities, they are very vulnerable. Therefore, "sensitive Coastal areas" has become a common word in the related subjects to marine environment recently. The said title relates to the areas of the coastal lines which are vulnerable to the natural condition or human actions because of ecological, social, economic, educational and research importance, also they need particular supports. The southern coasts of Caspian Sea, In Iran prominent samples are of these sensitive areas which their environment are exposed to demolition and destruction intensely, due to increasing and uncontrolled development. The first stage of protecting and managing the coastal areas is identifying sensitive Coastal areas and broadening the Coasts. In this survey, we attempted to examine a definite area in the southern coasts of Caspian Sea. In Iran, by profiting from the world experiences and concluded researches in Iran especially the concluded studies by marine environment office and the Environment protection organization on the subject of determination criteria of the sensitive ecological districts. For this purpose (In Gilan Province) Boujagh national park district which is located in the mouth of sefidroud river and also is possessed of the special ecological and environmental features and distinctions. In this survey, first they said district is divided proportionally on the basis of using a grid system in order to identify the sensitive ecological districts and broaden the coast, and then the desired indices have been determined and scored by numeral valuation method in each unit and then analysis has been done by using of the geography information system (GIS) and final has estimated economic valuation of sensitive ecological areas that is presented in this essay.

Berm cranes at Miraflores Locks

Leonard Carpenter Panama Canal Collection. Photographs: Dredging, Soldiers, and Ships. [Box 1] from the Special Collections & Area Studies Department, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida. Photo notation: These are most economical in handling concrete but not so elastic as the cable way method (ca. 1914)

Vertical transport and exchange of materials in the upper waters of the oceans (VERTEX): introduction to the program, hydrographic conditions and major component fluxes during VERTEX I

This paper introduces VERTEX, a multi-disciplinary research program dealing with various aspects of particle transport in the upper, high-energy layers (0-2000 m) of the ocean. Background information is presented on hydrography, biological composition of trapped particulates, and major component fluxes observed on a cruise off central California (VERTEX I). Organic C fluxes measured with two trap systems are compared with several other estimates taken from the literature. The intent of this overview paper is to provide a common setting in an economical manner, and avoid undue repetition of background and ancillary information in subsequent publications. (PDF is 43 pages).

Evaluation of macrophyte control in 38 Florida lakes using triploid grass carp

Florida’s large number of shallow lakes, warm climate and long growing season have contributed to the development of excessive growths of aquatic macrophytes that have seriously interfered with many water use activities. The introduction of exotic aquatic macrophyte species such as hydrilla ( Hydrilla verticillata ) have added significantly to aquatic plant problems in Florida lakes. The use of grass carp ( Ctenopharyngodon idella ) can be an effective and economical control for aquatic vegetation such as hydrilla. Early stocking rates (24 to 74 grass carp per hectare of lake area) resulted in grass carp consumption rates that vastly exceeded the growth rates of the aquatic plants and often resulted in the total loss of all submersed vegetation. This study looked at 38 Florida lakes that had been stocked with grass carp for 3 to 10 years with stocking rates ranging from < 1 to 59 grass carp per hectare of lake and 1 to 207 grass carp per hectare of vegetation to determine the long term effects of grass carp on aquatic macrophyte communities. The median PAC (percent area coverage) value of aquatic macrophytes for the study lakes after they were stocked with grass carp was 14% and the median PVI (percent volume infested) value of aquatic macrophytes was 2%. Only lakes stocked with less than 25 to 30 fish per hectare of vegetation tended to have higher than median PAC and PVI values. When grass carp are stocked at levels of > 25 to 30 fish per hectare of vegetation the complete control of aquatic vegetation can be achieved, with the exception of a few species of plants that grass carp have extreme difficulty consuming. If the management goal for a lake is to control some of the problem aquatic plants while maintaining a small population of predominately unpalatable aquatic plants, grass carp can be stocked at approximately 25 to 30 fish per hectare of vegetation.

Aktivitäten des nationalen Fischereidatenerhebungsprogramms im Jahr 2004

Based on the EU Regulation 1543/2000 for the improvement of quantity and quality of fishery data the Federal Ministry for Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture has initiated a national data collection programme, executed by three institutions, Federal Research Centre for Fisheries (BFAFi), Federal Agency for Ariculture and Food and the Federal Research Centre Agriculture, co-ordinated by BFAFi. In 2004 samples have been taken from 943 hauls during 29 commercial fishing trips; 357 000 fish have been measured. From 2002 to 2004 the number of length and weight and measurements, and age determinations could increased by 32, 65 and 156 % resp. Pilot inquiries have been carried out to prepare also the collection of economical date of fishing vessels and of fish processing plants from 2006.

Ökonomische Betrachtungen zu kurz- und langfristigen Maßnahmen in der Fischerei. Vorstellung von drei Forschungsprojekten

At present, there is practically no research on fisheries economics in Germany. Due to special interest of a research assistant in the field of land economics at the Institute of Botany of the University of Greifswald two projects on fisheries economics are being carried out, and a Ph. D. thesis on this topic has been finished. Basically two levels must be distinguished: business level and economics. Business economics relate mainly to operational and market analysis, but also to consequences of political measures for a single company. Economical considerations relate to long-term measures. It is important to find a compromise between short-term economical success and stable long-term conditions for the fishery.

Zum tierschutzgerechten Betäuben und Töten von Aal

Slaughtering of eels should be done not only under animal welfare aspects but as well under consumer protection and economical aspects with respect to technical feasibility. Methods must be practicable for enterprises slaughtering quantities of several kilograms up to several tons per day. Most methods applied up to now in whole Europe were (are) not in accordance with animal welfare mainly due to lacking prescriptions and alternative methods. The great number of experiments carried out within the frame of this project demonstrates the difficulties to combine optimal welfare demands with economical and technical fesibility aspects in one method. Measurements of EEG (electroencephalogram) and ECG (electrocardiogram) have shown that the method laid down in the german legislation does not perfectly stun all eels. This method was improved by applying a „prestun“ with 220 V for 1sec., followed by a 5 min phase at 45 V to prolongue the time of unconsciousness after the stun. Inflating nitrogen gas into the stunning bath additionally causes asphyxia during the stun. By this method 93% of the eels were stunned or even killed. Applying 220 V for bigger batches of eels (~400 kg) will cause big problems with the energy supply. Therefore this method is restricted to batches of 20 - 50 kg. The method laid down in the german legislation probably can be improved. Eels were stunned successfully without water, avoiding the problems of regional differences in the conductivity of the water. Other types of current and other frequencies and a combination of both should be tested as well as alternative electrode geometries also with respect to blood spots which occasionally occurred in the muscles preferably of bigger eels (>800 g). For the time being the method laid down in the german legislation is a reasonable compromise and under animal welfare aspects represents a considerable improvement.

Entwicklungstendenzen der Steinbuttfischerei in der Ostsee

The economical value of turbot (Psetta maxima) from the Baltic Sea has distinctly increased in the past decade. Compared to the eighties the catches of this species on the main fishing grounds increased threefold. Besides a more directed fishery on this species and an improved catch statistic the main reason for this fact is probably an increased stock size. Improved protection measures caused three consecutive strong year-classes. The main parameters of the turbot stock are presented.

A design for commercial production of catfish (Clarias lazera) in multiple cages

The findings are given of a preliminary study on the appropriate economical feeding rate which would enhance the growth of catfish (Clarias lazera) in cages in Lyi-ojoo Lake, Nike, Nigeria, providing also the details of the design of a practical floating platform that can be used for the culture of fish in multiple cages

Freshwater crabs in Africa

Freshwater crabs are a strangely neglected component of the world's inland aquatic ecosystems. Despite their wide distribution throughout the tropical and warm temperate zones of the world, and their great diversity, their role in the ecology of freshwaters is very poorly understood. This is nowhere more true than in Africa, where crabs occur in almost every freshwater system, yet even fundamentals such as their higher taxonomy are yet to be determined. This review will attempt to stimulate interest in this fascinating group of organisms by summarising what little we do know about freshwater crabs in Africa. The author describes habitat, reproduction, diet, population density, terrestrial activity and economical importance of African freshwater crabs. The article concludes with an assessment of threats and conservation. In an appendix the author describes the five families of freshwater crabs which are recognised in Africa.

Differenzierung von Pangasius (Pangasius hypophthalmus) und Asiatischem Rotflossenwels (Hemibagrus wyckioides) durch Protein- und DNA-Analyse

In the last years farmed Pangasius (Tra-Pangasius, Pangasius hypophthalmus) from Vietnam has reached a considerable market share, whereas aquaculture of Asian Redtail Catfish (Hemibagrus wyckioides) is in its infancy. Recently it has been detected by food control authorities in Hamburg, that Pangasius fillets have been mislabelled and sold as fillets produced from Asian Redtail catfish. The necessity to improve the analytical methods for differentiation of Pangasius and Redtail Catfish prompted us to evaluate the suitability of isoelectric focusing (IEF) and DNA-analysis for identification of the two species. IEF of water soluble proteins was found to be a fast, reliable and economical method for differentiation of raw fillets of Pangasius and Redtail Catfish, as long as reference material is available. PCR-based DNA analysis was performed as follows: (i) amplification of a 464 bp segment of the cytochrome b gene; (ii) sequencing of the PCR product; (iii) comparison of the sequence with entries in GenBank using BLAST. The sequences of both species differed considerably, allowing the unequivocal differentiation between P. hypophthalmus and H. wyckioides. Kurzfassung Pangasius (Schlankwels, Tra-Pangasius, Pangasius hypophthalmus) hat sich innerhalb weniger Jahre zu einem bedeutenden Zuchtfisch entwickelt, während die Aquakultur des Asiatischen Rotflossenwelses (Hemibagrus wyckioides) in Vietnam noch in einem relativ kleinen Maßstab stattfindet. Kürzlich wurde von der Lebensmittelüberwachung in Hamburg nachgewiesen, dass im Handel erhältliche Filets mit der Deklaration „Rotflossenwels“ aus Pangasius hergestellt worden waren. Vor diesem Hintergrund wurden zwei Methoden auf ihre Eignung zur Differenzierung von Pangasius und Rotflossenwels geprüft. Es zeigte sich, dass sowohl die isoelektrische Fokussierung (IEF) wasserlöslicher Proteine als auch die PCR-basierte DNA-Analyse zur Unterscheidung beider Arten gut geeignet ist. Die IEF stellt eine schnelle und kostengünstige Untersuchungsmethode dar, die allerdings Referenzmaterial benötigt. Mit Hilfe der PCR (Polymerase-Kettenreaktion) wurde ein Abschnitt des Cytochrom b-Gens vervielfältigt und sequenziert. Die Sequenzen von P. hypophthalmus und H. wyckioides wiesen beträchtliche Unterschiede auf. Es wird diskutiert, wie sich durch Vergleich dieser Sequenzen mit Einträgen in Gendatenbanken unbekannte Proben beider Arten sicher zuordnen lassen.

Survival and Growth of American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) hatchlings after artificial incubation and repatriation

Hatchling American Alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) produced from artificially incubated wild eggs were returned to their natal areas (repatriated). We compared artificially incubated and repatriated hatchlings released within and outside the maternal alligator’s home range with naturally incubated hatchlings captured and released within the maternal alligator’s home range on Lake Apopka, Lake Griffin, and Orange Lake in Florida. We used probability of recapture and total length at approximately nine months after hatching as indices of survival and growth rates. Artificially incubated hatchlings released outside of the maternal alligator’s home range had lower recapture probabilities than either naturally incubated hatchlings or artificially incubated hatchlings released near the original nest site. Recapture probabilities of other treatments did not differ significantly. Artificially incubated hatchlings were approximately 6% shorter than naturally incubated hatchlings at approximately nine months after hatching. We concluded that repatriation of hatchlings probably would not have long-term effects on populations because of the resiliency of alligator populations to alterations of early age-class survival and growth rates of the magnitude that we observed. Repatriation of hatchlings may be an economical alternative to repatriation of older juveniles for population restoration. However, the location of release may affect subsequent survival and growth.

Wirtschaftlichere Befischung des Patagonienhechtes wünschenswert?

Dueto the results of 2 exploratory cruises of R.V. "Walther herwig" and the findings of the M.S. "Weser" the hake population on the Patagonian shelf is estimated to be about 3 mill. ts. The maximum sustainable yield could be 1 mill. ts. From the population - dynamical point of view at the moment there is a need to increase the catches for the benefit of the whole stock. On the other hand it is necessary to use a minimum mesh size of 120 mm, for economical reasons too, based on selection-experiments, which were also found to be the most optimal for the SE-Atlantic hake. Remarks on distribution, age - length relationship are made.

Nôtre lagune en peril: l 'écosystème lagunaire Ebrié bouleversé par les interventions humaines

On their way to a better economical situation, developing countries are now starting taking advantage of the technologies, which made developed countries successful. In doing so, they are starting being confronted to the same ecological problems. Such is the case in Côte d'Ivoire of the Ebrié lagoon in the Abidjan region, the delicate ecosystem of which is now in danger.