Coastal and marine protected areas in Mexico

This study on marine protected areas (MPAs) in Mexico relies on a variety of data sources as well as the authors’ longstanding field experience, particularly in the Yucatan Peninsula, to analyze the design, establishment and operation of protected areas. It discusses two case studies of MPAs in detail and summarizes the findings from four others, focusing primarily on the role played by local communities in managing coastal and marine resources. The study also draws on the perspective of key informants, namely, Mexican experts on coastal and ocean management issues, including government officials, decisionmakers, researchers, members of non governmental organizations (NGOs), and consultants. (97 pp.)

Peces continentales de la Argentina: Iconografía. Gymnocharacinus bergii.

Espanol: Este trabajo tiene como objetivo la recopilación de dibujos y diferentes figuras de las especies presentes en nuestro territorio. Para ello, hemos utilizado como principales fuentes de información la obra de Ringuelet et al. (1967), Reis et al. (2003), López et al. (2003; 2006) y las bases de datos on-line de W. N. Eschmeyer y Fish Base. El tratamiento incluye una ficha individual con imágenes seleccionadas de la especie tratada y las que eventualmente hayan surgido por trabajos de índole anatómica. Se adjuntan las referencias de los trabajos utilizados en la confección de cada ficha. Esta es una publicación abierta, por lo que requerirá de actualización permanente, para lo cual sería necesario se sume a nuestra tarea la buena voluntad y colaboración de la comunidad ictiológica. Los compiladores entendemos que esta contribución, además de aportar valiosa información, rescata el trabajo de mujeres y hombres que son parte de la rica historia de la ictiología nacional y regional. (Texto en Espanol y PDF tiene viente dos paginas) English: The goal of this work is to present a collection of drawings and figures depicting the species present in our country. To achieve this, our main sources of information have been the works of Ringuelet et al. (1967), Reis et al. (2003), and López et al. (2003; 2006), as well as the online databases of W. N. Eschmeyer and Fish Base. Each species has an individual factsheet with selected images, including some from anatomical research works. All the works referenced are mentioned in each factsheet. This is an open-ended publication. As such, it will require permanent updating, which will depend on the good will and collaboration of the ichthyological community. As compilers, we understand that this contribution not only provides valuable information, but also highlights the work of men and women who are part of the rich history of our national and regional ichthyology. (Text is in Spanish. PDF contains 22 pages.)

Peces continentales de la Argentina: Iconografía. Lepidosiren paradoza.

Spanish: Este trabajo tiene como objetivo la recopilación de dibujos y diferentes figuras de las especies presentes en nuestro territorio. Para ello, hemos utilizado como principales fuentes de información la obra de Ringuelet et al. (1967), Reis et al. (2003), López et al. (2003; 2006) y las bases de datos on-line de W. N. Eschmeyer y Fish Base. El tratamiento incluye una ficha individual con imágenes seleccionadas de la especie tratada y las que eventualmente hayan surgido por trabajos de índole anatómica. Se adjuntan las referencias de los trabajos utilizados en la confección de cada ficha. Esta es una publicación abierta, por lo que requerirá de actualización permanente, para lo cual sería necesario se sume a nuestra tarea la buena voluntad y colaboración de la comunidad ictiológica. Los compiladores entendemos que esta contribución, además de aportar valiosa información, rescata el trabajo de mujeres y hombres que son parte de la rica historia de la ictiología nacional y regional. English: The goal of this work is to present a collection of drawings and figures depicting the species present in our country. To achieve this, our main sources of information have been the works of Ringuelet et al. (1967), Reis et al. (2003), and López et al. (2003; 2006), as well as the online databases of W. N. Eschmeyer and Fish Base. Each species has an individual factsheet with selected images, including some from anatomical research works. All the works referenced are mentioned in each factsheet. This is an open-ended publication. As such, it will require permanent updating, which will depend on the good will and collaboration of the ichthyological community. As compilers, we understand that this contribution not only provides valuable information, but also highlights the work of men and women who are part of the rich history of our national and regional ichthyology. (Texto en espanol y PDF tiene cuatorce paginas.)

Peces continentales de la Argentina: Bibliografía. Gymnocharacinus bergii.

Espanol: Este trabajo tiene como objetivo la recopilación de la información existente sobre las especies presentes en nuestro territorio. Para ello, se elaboraron fichas que contienen las referencias argentinas y de aquellas revisiones de autores extranjeros que involucran taxas de nuestro país. Como principales fuentes de información se consultaron Ringuelet et al. (1967), CLOFFSCA (2003), López et al. (2003; 2006), Liotta (2006) y las bases de datos on-line de W. N. Eschmeyer y Fish Base. Esta es una publicación abierta, por lo que requerirá de actualización permanente, para lo cual sería necesario se sume a nuestra tarea la buena voluntad y colaboración de la comunidad ictiológica. Esperamos con este aporte colaborar en la construcción de una base de datos de los peces continentales de la Argentina. La concreción de esta herramienta dará soporte a los planes generados desde los diferentes sectores involucrados en el tema, además de fomentar la difusión de la disciplina y la reafirmación de los derechos soberanos sobre nuestros recursos naturales. English: The goal of this work is to compile the existing information about the species present in our country. This has been done by means of datasheets that list both local references and reviews by foreign authors that include Argentine taxa. The main information sources consulted were Ringuelet et al. (1967), CLOFFSCA (2003), López et al. (2003; 2006), Liotta (2006) and the online databases of W. N. Eschmeyer and Fish Base. This is an open-ended publication. As such, it will require permanent updating, which will depend on the good will and collaboration of the ichthyological community. With this contribution, we hope to help to build a database of the freshwater fish of Argentina. The completion of this project will provide support to diverse plans emanating from different sectors, as well as promote the diffusion of this field of research and reaffirm Argentina’s sovereign rights over our natural resources. (Texto en Espanol Y English. PDF tiene nueve paginas.)

Peces continentales de la Argentina: Bibliografía. Lepidosiren paradoxa.

Espanol: Este trabajo tiene como objetivo la recopilación de la información existente sobre las especies presentes en nuestro territorio. Para ello, se elaboraron fichas que contienen las referencias argentinas y de aquellas revisiones de autores extranjeros que involucran taxas de nuestro país. Como principales fuentes de información se consultaron Ringuelet et al. (1967), CLOFFSCA (2003), López et al. (2003; 2006), Liotta (2006) y las bases de datos on-line de W. N. Eschmeyer y Fish Base. Esta es una publicación abierta, por lo que requerirá de actualización permanente, para lo cual sería necesario se sume a nuestra tarea la buena voluntad y colaboración de la comunidad ictiológica. Esperamos con este aporte colaborar en la construcción de una base de datos de los peces continentales de la Argentina. La concreción de esta herramienta dará soporte a los planes generados desde los diferentes sectores involucrados en el tema, además de fomentar la difusión de la disciplina y la reafirmación de los derechos soberanos sobre nuestros recursos naturales. English: The goal of this work is to compile the existing information about the species present in our country. This has been done by means of datasheets that list both local references and reviews by foreign authors that include Argentine taxa. The main information sources consulted were Ringuelet et al. (1967), CLOFFSCA (2003), López et al. (2003; 2006), Liotta (2006) and the online databases of W. N. Eschmeyer and Fish Base. This is an open-ended publication. As such, it will require permanent updating, which will depend on the good will and collaboration of the ichthyological community. With this contribution, we hope to help to build a database of the freshwater fish of Argentina. The completion of this project will provide support to diverse plans emanating from different sectors, as well as promote the diffusion of this field of research and reaffirm Argentina’s sovereign rights over our natural resources. (Texto en English y Espanol. PDF tiene ocho paginas.)

Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary: Proceedings of the 1998 Research Workshop, Seattle, Washington

The Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (OCNMS or Sanctuary) planned and organized the 1998 Research Workshop as part of its mission to protect and improve understanding of its marine resources through research and education programs. The Sanctuary is also mandated to coordinate and facilitate information exchanges and sponsors periodic research workshops to that end. The goals of the 1998 Research Workshop were as follows: A. Highlight and prioritize research needs for the Sanctuary relative to the development of a framework for a five-year research plan; B. Build on results from the Olympic Coast Marine Research Workshop of 1996; C. Present recent/ongoing research; D. Share multi-disciplinary information; E. Select priority sites for multi-disciplinary studies; and F. Promote student participation and research. (PDF contains 93 pages.)

Catch rates and demographics of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) captured from the Charleston, South Carolina, shipping channel during the period of mandatory use of turtle excluder devices (TEDs)

Trawling was conducted in the Charleston, South Carolina, shipping channel between May and August during 2004–07 to evaluate loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) catch rates and demographic distributions. Two hundred and twenty individual loggerheads were captured in 432 trawling events during eight sampling periods lasting 2–10 days each. Catch was analyzed by using a generalized linear model. Data were fitted to a negative binomial distribution with the log of standardized sampling effort (i.e., an hour of sampling with a net head rope length standardized to 30.5 m) for each event treated as an offset term. Among 21 variables, factors, and interactions, five terms were significant in the final model, which accounted for 45% of model deviance. Highly significant differences in catch were noted among sampling periods and sampling locations within the channel, with greatest catch furthest seaward consistent with historical observations. Loggerhead sea turtle catch rates in 2004–07 were greater than in 1991–92 when mandatory use of turtle excluder devices was beginning to be phased in. Concurrent with increased catch rates, loggerheads captured in 2004–07 were larger than in 1991–92. Eighty-five percent of loggerheads captured were ≤75.0 cm straight-line carapace length (nuchal notch to tip of carapace) and there was a 3.9:1 female-to-male bias, consistent with limited data for this location two decades earlier. Only juvenile loggerheads ≤75.0 cm possessed haplotypes other than CC-A01 or CC-A02 that dominate in the region. Six rare and one un-described haplotype were predominantly found in June 2004.

Day and night abundance, distribution, and activity patterns of demersal fishes on Heceta Bank, Oregon

Most shallow-dwelling tropical marine fishes exhibit different activity patterns during the day and night but show similar transition behavior among habitat sites despite the dissimilar assemblages of the species. However, changes in species abundance, distribution, and activity patterns have only rarely been examined in temperate deepwater habitats during the day and night, where day-to-night differences in light intensity are extremely slight. Direct-observation surveys were conducted over several depths and habitat types on Heceta Bank, the largest rocky bank off the Oregon coast. Day and night fish community composition, relative density, and activity levels were compared by using videotape footage from a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) operated along paired transects. Habitat-specific abundance and activity were determined for 31 taxa or groups. General patterns observed were similar to shallow temperate day and night studies, with an overall increase in the abundance and activity of fishes during the day than at night, particularly in shallower cobble, boulder, and rock ridge habitats. Smaller schooling rockfishes (Sebastes spp.) were more abundant and active in day than in night transects, and sharpchin (S. zacentrus) and harlequin (S. variegatus) rockfish were significantly more abundant in night transects. Most taxa, however, did not exhibit distinct diurnal or nocturnal activity patterns. Rosethorn rockfish (S. helvomaculatus) and hagfishes (Eptatretus spp.) showed the clearest diurnal and nocturnal activity patterns, respectively. Because day and night distributions and activity patterns in demersal fishes are likely to influence both catchability and observability in bottom trawl and direct-count in situ surveys, the patterns observed in the current study should be considered for survey design and interpretation.

Classification of Coastal Communities Reporting Commercial Fish Landings in the U.S. Northeast Region: Developing and Testing a Methodology

The National Marine Fisheries Service is required by law to conduct social impact assessments of communities impacted by fishery management plans. To facilitate this process, we developed a technique for grouping communities based on common sociocultural attributes. Multivariate data reduction techniques (e.g. principal component analyses, cluster analyses) were used to classify Northeast U.S. fishing communities based on census and fisheries data. The comparisons indicate that the clusters represent real groupings that can be verified with the profiles. We then selected communities representative of different values on these multivariate dimensions for in-depth analysis. The derived clusters are then compared based on more detailed data from fishing community profiles. Ground-truthing (e.g. visiting the communities and collecting primary information) a sample of communities from three clusters (two overlapping geographically) indicates that the more remote techniques are sufficient for typing the communities for further in-depth analyses. The in-depth analyses provide additional important information which we contend is representative of all communities within the cluster.

Die vertikale Verteilung von Heringslarven im Greifswalder Bodden

Kurzfassung Im Rahmen einer Bachelorarbeit wurde untersucht, ob die Larven des frühjahrslaichenden Herings der westlichen Ostsee im Greifswalder Bodden eine inhomogene vertikale Verteilung aufweisen, da in bisherigen Studien aufgrund der niedrigen Gewässertiefe des Boddens von hydrografischer Durchmischung und somit homogener Ichthyoplanktonverteilung ausgegangen wurde. Dazu wurden zwei Nullhypothesen überprüft, eine, die annimmt, dass Heringslarven allgemein im Greifswalder Bodden homogen verteilt sind, eine zweite, nach der auch verschiedenen Längenklassen der Heringe homogen verteilt sind. Die Proben, die Mitte April an drei verschiedenen Stationen im Greifswalder Bodden genommen wurden, zeigten signifikante Unterschiede der Larvenabundanzen allgemein zwischen den beprobten Tiefenstufen als auch der Längenklassen zwischen den Tiefenstufen, sodass beide Nullhypothesen abzulehnen sind. Eine homogene Verteilung der Heringslarven kann ausgeschlossen werden. Abstract Larvae of the Western Baltic Spring Spawning Herring were sampled in the Greifswalder Bodden in the course of a Bachelor Thesis to investigate whether they are inhomogeneously vertically distributed. Previous research assumed homogeneous vertical distribution because of the shallowness of the Greifswalder Bodden due to hydrographical mixing of the water and the ichthyoplankton. Two null hypotheses were tested, one which presumes even vertical distribution of the herring larvae and another which presumes even vertical distribution within different length classes in the Greifswalder Bodden. Sampling took place at three different stations in the Greifswalder Bodden during April and results showed significant differences of the larvae abundances between the sampled depths and also significant differences of the length classes between the sampled depths. Therefore both null hypotheses can be rejected and a homogeneous vertical distribution of the herring larvae in the Greifswalder Bodden can be excluded.

Peces continentales de la Argentina: Iconografía. Cheirodon interruptus

The goal of this work is to present a collection of drawings and figures depicting the species present in our country. To achieve this, our main sources of information have been the works of Ringuelet et al. (1967), Reis et al. (2003), and López et al. (2003; 2006), as well as the online databases of W. N. Eschmeyer and Fish Base. Each species has an individual factsheet with selected images, including some from anatomical research works. All the works referenced are mentioned in each factsheet. This is an open-ended publication. As such, it will require permanent updating,which will depend on the good will and collaboration of the ichthyological community. As compilers, we understand that this contribution not only provides valuable information, but also highlights the work of men and women who are part of the rich history of our national and regional ichthyology.

Peces continentales de la Argentina: Bibliografía. Cheirodon interruptus

The goal of this work is to compile the existing information about the species present in our country. This has been done by means of datasheets that list both local references and reviews by foreign authors that include Argentine taxa. The main information sources consulted were Ringuelet et al. (1967), CLOFFSCA (2003), López et al. (2003; 2006), Liotta (2006) and the online databases of W. N. Eschmeyer and Fish Base. This is an open-ended publication. As such, it will require permanent updating,which will depend on the good will and collaboration of the ichthyological community. With this contribution, we hope to help to build a database of the freshwater fish of Argentina. The completion of this project will provide support to diverse plans emanating from different sectors, as well as promote the diffusion of this field of research and reaffirm Argentina’s sovereign rights over our natural resources.

Temporal trends (2000–2011) and influences on fishery-independent catch rates for loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) at an important coastal foraging region in the southeastern United States

Seasonal trawling was conducted randomly in coastal (depths of 4.6–17 m) waters from St. Augustine, Florida, (29.9°N) to Winyah Bay, South Carolina (33.1°N), during 2000–03, 2008–09, and 2011 to assess annual trends in the relative abundance of sea turtles. A total of 1262 loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) were captured in 23% (951) of 4207 sampling events. Capture rates (overall and among prevalent 5-cm size classes) were analyzed through the use of a generalized linear model with log link function for the 4097 events that had complete observations for all 25 model parameters. Final models explained 6.6% (70.1–75.0 cm minimum straight-line carapace length [SCLmin]) to 14.9% (75.1–80.0 cm SCLmin) of deviance in the data set. Sampling year, geographic subregion, and distance from shore were retained as significant terms in all final models, and these terms collectively accounted for 6.2% of overall model deviance (range: 4.5–11.7% of variance among 5-cm size classes). We retained 18 parameters only in a subset of final models: 4 as exclusively significant terms, 5 as a mixture of significant or nonsignificant terms, and 9 as exclusively nonsignificant terms. Four parameters also were dropped completely from all final models. The generalized linear model proved appropriate for monitoring trends for this data set that was laden with zero values for catches and was compiled for a globally protected species. Because we could not account for much model deviance, metrics other than those examined in our study may better explain catch variability and, once elucidated, their inclusion in the generalized linear model should improve model fits.

Fisheries assessment of Biscayne Bay 1983

Creel and trawl surveys of Biscayne Bay were carried out in 1982-1983 to assess commercial fish and macro-invertebrate habitats and fisheries. Dredged and/or barren bottom was dramatically less productive than seagrass, algae or hard bottom areas. Low fish abundance and diversity in north Biscayne Bay appeared to be correlated with high turbidity and low seagrass abundance. Substantive increases in fish and crustacean productivity in north Biscayne Bay will occur only if seagrass communities can be re-established. Deeper dredged areas in North Bay will not likely become recolonized with seagrass even if turbidity levels are reduced. Hard bottom areas in South Bay are associated with high diversity of fish fauna and serve as nursery areas for several highly desirable species (e.g. hogfish, yellowtail snapper, lane snapper). The area between Julia Tuttle and 79th Street Causeways, which had very dense seagrass abundance, was the richest area on either North or South Biscayne Bay for juvenile fish and shrimp. This basin can serve as a model for the potential of the remainder of North Bay.

Bycatch of lined seahorses (Hippocampus erectus) in a Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl fishery

Bycatch studies have largely ignored population level effects on fish species of little commercial interest. Here we analyze bycatch of the lined seahorse (Hippocampus erectus) in the bait-shrimp trawl fishery in Hernando Beach, Florida, providing the first fisheries data for this species. Based on catch per unit of effort (CPUE), size, sex, and reproductive status of trawled H. erectus, 1) approximately 72,000 seahorses were caught annually by this fleet, from a population of unknown size, 2) trawling affected population cohorts differentially because of temporal and spatial variation in CPUE and population size, and 3) a greater proportion of females than males was removed in trawling. Our findings suggest that trawling may affect seahorse populations through direct mortality, social disruption, and habitat damage. However, the lack of specific abundance or catchability estimates for H. erectus means that the precise impact of trawling on this fish remains uncertain. This paper focuses attention on the need for research and monitoring of small fishes that are caught incidentally in nonselective gear.