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)

An evaluation of pinniped-fishery interactions in California. A report to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC)

(PDF has 47 pages.)

Some relationships of meteorological, hydrographic, and biological variables in the Gulf of Panama

ENGLISH: An average of 78 m. of water was vertically displaced by wind-driven upwelling during the dry season (January-April) in Panama Bay at the head of the Gulf of Panama. The standing crop of phytoplankton and its productivity were significantly greater during the months of upwelling than during the rainy season. Equivalent results were found by three different methods used to calculate photosynthesis: direct measurement with radiocarbon; increase of dissolved oxygen in the water column; and decrease of phosphate-phosphorus in the water column. About 90 g. of carbon per square meter of sea surface were fixed by the phytoplankton during each upwelling season (January-April) and about 90 g. of carbon were fixed during each rainy season (May-December) resulting in an annual production of about 180 g. of carbon per square meter of sea surface SPANISH: Un promedio de 78 m. de agua fué desplazado verticalmente por la fuerza de los vientos que ocasionan el fenómeno conocido por afloramiento durante la estación seca (enero a abril) en la Bahía de Panamá, a la cabeza del Golfo de Panamá. La cosecha estable de fitoplancton y su productividad fueron significativamente mayores durante los meses de afloramiento, que durante la estación lluviosa. Se obtuvieron resultados equivalentes por medio de tres diferentes métodos usados para calcular la fotosíntesis: medición directa con radiocarbono, aumento del oxígeno disuelto en la columna de agua, y disminución del fosfato-fósforo en la columna de agua. Por medio del fitoplancton durante cada estación de afloramiento (enero-abril), se fijaron alrededor de 90 g. de carbono por metro cuadrado de la superficie del mar, y durante cada estación lluviosa (mayo-diciembre) se fijaron 90 g. de carbono lo que resulta en una producción anual de aproximadamente 180 g. de carbono por metro cuadrado de la superficie del mar.

Index numbers and productivity measurement in multispecies fisheries: an application to the Pacific Coast Trawl Fleet

This study is concerned with the measurement of total factor prodnctivity in the marine fishing industries in general and in the Pacific coast trawl fishery in particular. The study is divided into two parts. Part I contains suitable empirical and introductory theoretical material for the examination of productivity in the Pacific coast trawl Deet. It is self-contained, and contains the basic formulae, empirical results, and discussion. Because the economic theory of index numbers and productivity is constantly evolving and is widely scattered throughout the economics literature, Part D draws together the theoretical literature into one place to allow ready access for readers interested in more details. The major methodological focus of the study is upon the type of economic index number that is most appropriate for use by economists with the National Marine Fisheries Service. This study recommends that the following types of economic index numbers be used: chain rather than fIxed base; bilateral rather than multilateral; one of the class of superlative indices, such as the Tornqvist or Fisher Ideal. (PDF file contains 40 pages.)

Parasitology and pathology of marine organisms of the world ocean

The Symposium in which the communications, as they were called during the meeting, comprising this volume were presented was held at the Zoological Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the U.S.S.R. in Leningrad during 13 to 16 October 1981. Conducted as part of the cooperative program of the U.S.A.-U.S.S.R. Working Group on Biological Productivity and Biochemistry of the World Ocean, the Leningrad meeting was sponsored by the Academy of Sciences of the U.S.S.R. (the Zoological Institute) and the Ministry of Fisheries of the U.S.S.R. (The Scientific Council on Fish Diseases of the Ichthyological Commission). It was an extremely interesting and successful Symposium, offering all participants the opportunity to describe the results of their studies and reviews during the course of the formal presentations and direct interchange between scientists during breaks in the program and the organized and casual social activities. The facilities provided by the Zoological Institute were quite adequate and the assistance offered by its Director, O. A. Scarlato and his staff in organization,logistics, and translation was excellent. Several of our Soviet colleagues presided over the proceedings, as did I. All were businesslike and efficient, yet graceful and accommodating. To O. N. Bauer Jell the brunt of programmatic detail and follow-up. He bore his burdens well and, with Director Scarlato and his staff, including A. V. Gussev and others of the professional and technical staffs of the Zoological Institute, helped make our stay pleasant and the Symposium productive. These organizations and individuals deserve much credit and praise as well as the thanks of their American and British colleagues. (PDF file contains 141 pages.)

Enhancing fishery productivity in small reservoir in India: technical manual

This document is part of a series of 5 technical manuals produced by the Challenge Program Project CP34 “Improved fisheries productivity and management in tropical reservoirs”. Inland capture fisheries in India have declined in recent years, leaving thousands of fishers to sink deeper into poverty. Freshwater aquaculture in small water bodies like ponds now contributes 80% of the country¡¯s inland fish production. This manual outlines the use of small reservoir for freshwater aquacultureas a means of providing rural areas with food and livelihoods and protecting aquatic ecosystems, in particular by facilitating the conservation of indigenous fish species. (PDF contains 22 pages)

A quantitative analysis of the phytoplankton of the Gulf of Panama III. General ecological conditions and the phytoplankton dynamics at 8°45'N, 79°23'W from November 1954 to May 1957

Bi-weekly phytoplankton samples were collected at 0, 10, and 20 m and enumerated by the Utermöhl sedimentation technique; 14C productivity measurements at 10 m, oblique zooplankton tows, and routine hydrographic observations were also made. Northerly winds induce upwelling during December-April, followed by a rainy season; a slight resurgence in upwelling may occur during July and/or August. Annual variations in upwelling intensity and rainfall occur. During upwelling, the upper 50 m, about 30 per cent of the total volume of the Gulf of Panama, is replaced with water 5 to 10 C colder than the more stratified, turbid and nutrient impoverished watermass present during the rainy season. The mean annual runoff accompanying an average annual precipitation of 2731 mm is estimated to equal a layer of fresh water 3.2 m thick. About 10 per cent of the phytoplankton phosphate and inorganic nitrogen requirements during the rainy season are accreted. (PDF contains 260 pages.)

On the physical and biological oceanography near the entrance of the Gulf of California, October 1966-August 1967

ENGLISH: A study of the temporal and spatial distribution of larval tunas and the concomitant oceanic conditions was made in cooperation with the Direccion General de Pesca e Industrias Conexas of Mexico. Field work consisted of eight hydrographic cruises made from October 1966 through August 1967 near the entrance of the Gulf of California. From January through April, surface currents were southerly at velocities up to 20 cm/sec; currents in June were variable in direction and mostly less than 10 cm/sec; by August the surface current was northerly at 10-15 cm/sec. Surface winds were usually secondary to the distribution of mass as an influence on the surface circulation. Currents at 100 m were generally similar in direction to those at the surface, but the water moved more slowly. Between the surface and 100 m, southbound currents crossed the entrance of the Gulf at velocities of 5-10 cm/sec during January and April, forming frontal boundaries with the California Current water, which often occurred south of the entrance. From April to August, the median concentration of surface chlorophyll a increased from 0.65 to 0.97 mg/m3, while the median productivity increased from 5.6 mgC/m3/day in April to 17.8 mgC/m3/day in June before returning to 2.6 mgC/m3/day in August. Primary productivity was closely correlated with the concentration of surface chlorophyll a. Productivity was generally higher in the vicinity of the Gulf than that found for water in the open Pacific. Productivity was highest near Islas Las Tres Marias and second highest near Cabo San Lucas, both locations of local upwelling. The standing crop of phytoplankton was shown to be subjected to progressively heavier grazing pressure in the spring and summer by zooplankton. SPANISH: Un estudio de la distribución temporal y espacial de las larvas de atún y de las condiciones oceánicas concomitantes fue realizado en cooperación con la Dirección General de Pesca e Industrias Conexas de México. El trabajo experimental consistió en ocho cruceros hidrográficos realizados desde octubre 1966 hasta agosto 1967, cerca a la entrada del Golfo de California. De enero a abril, las corrientes superficiales fueron meridionales alcanzando velocidades hasta de 20 cm/seg; las corrientes en junio fueron variables en dirección y la mayoría con una velocidad de menos de 10 cm/seg; en agosto la corriente superficial fue septentrional a 10-15 cm/seg, Los vientos superficiales fueron por lo común secundarios a la dístríbucíón de la masa, como una influencia de la circulación superficial. Las corrientes a 100 m fueron generalmente similares en dirección a las de la superficie, pero el agua se movió más lentamente. Entre la superficie y los 100 m, las corrientes que se dirigen hacia el sur cruzaron la entrada del Golfo a velocidades de 5-10 cm/seg durante enero y abril formando límites frontales con el agua de la Corriente de California, que apareció a menudo al sur de la entrada. De abril a agosto, la concentración media de la clorofila a superficial aumentó de 0.65 a 0.97 mg/m3, mientras que la productividad mediana aumentó de 5.6 mgC/m3/día en abril hasta 17.8 mgC/m3/día en junio antes de regresar a 2.6 mgC/m3/día en agosto. La productividad primaria se correlacionó estrechamente con la concentración de clorofila a superficial. La productividad fue generalmente más alta en la vecindad del Golfo que aquella encontrada en el agua de alta mar del Pacífico. La productividad fue más alta cerca a las Islas Tres Marías, y el segundo máximo fue cerca al Cabo San Lucas, ambas localidades de afloramiento local. Se indicó que la reserva permanente de fitoplancton estaba sujeta por el zooplancton a una fuerta presión progresiva de apacentamiento en la primavera y el verano. (PDF contains 116 pages.)

Nutrient-phytoplankton interrelationships in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean

ENGLISH: Near surface nutrient distributions in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, using data from the EASTROPAC Expedition of 1967-68 and pre~EASTROPAC data, are described. Nutrient concentrations were maximal along the equator, in the Peru Current and its offshore extension, and in the Costa Rica Dome and westward tensions of this feature. Nutrient-poor water was found north of the equator well offshore. In this water nitrate was often undetectable (<0.1 µg-at/liter) at the surface, but phosphate and silicic acid concentrations were moderate. Enrichment experiments showed that nitrogen was the primary limiting nutrient in poor water even though large amounts of organic N were found. Half saturation constants (K s ) were determined for ammonium-supported phytoplankton growth. These data were used to calculate near-surface primary productivity values which compared favorably with 14C values. Assimilation ratio measurements indicated that algae were not extremely nitrogen-deficient. Laboratory-determined K, values for phosphate and silicic acid indicated that these nutrients were rarely limiting. In rich water, chlorophyll levels were less than expected from nutrient levels, and this anomaly may be related to limitation by nutrients other than nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), or silicon (Si), or to grazing. SPANISH: Se describe la distribución subsuperficial de los nutrientes en el Océano Pacífico oriental tropical, empleando los datos de la Expedición EASTROPAC de 1967~68 y datos anteriores a éstos. La concentración de nutrientes fue máxima a lo largo del ecuador, en la Corriente del Perú, en su prolongación mar afuera, en el Domo de Costa Rica y en las prolongaciones occidentales de esta característica. Se encontraron aguas pobres en nutrientes al norte del ecuador y bastante mar adentro. En estas aguas el nitrato era casi imperceptible (<0.1 µg-at/litro) en la superficie, pero las concentraciones de fosfato y ácido silícico fueron moderadas. Los experimentos de enriquecimiento indicaron que el nitrógeno era el principal nutriente limitante en aguas pobres, aun cuando se encontraron grandes cantidades de nitrógeno orgánico. Se determinaron las constantes de saturación media (K s ) para el desarrollo del fitoplancton sostenido por el amonio. Estos datos se emplearon para calcular los valores de la productividad primaria cerca a la superficie que pueden compararse favorablemente con los valores del 14C. Las medidas de la proporción de asimilación indican que las algas no tenían una deficiencia extremada de nitrógeno. Los valores determinados en el laboratorio de K, para el fosfato y ácido silícico indicaron que estos nutrientes limitaron rara vez la producción. En aguas ricas, los niveles de clorofila fueron inferiores a lo esperado según los niveles nutritivos y esta anomalía puede relacionarse a la alimentación o a la escasez de otros nutrientes distintos al nitrógeno (N), fósforo (P) o silicio (Si).

Effects of different types of fertilizers on plankton productivity in earthen ponds

Three fertilizer types (NPK, Super-phosphate and cow dung) were applied at two levels (Low, 0.3 kg/25m super(2)/2weeks and High, 0.7kg/25 m super(2)/2weeks) to 12 ponds with two ponds serving as control. Each pond had an area of 25 m super(2). Application of fertilizers and monitoring of plankton productivity and water quality parameters continued fortnightly for 52 days. Results obtained were subjected to Statistical Variance Analysis. The abundance of phytoplankton was in the order: Chlorophyceae > Bacillariophyceae > Cyanophyceae > Desmideaceae. While that of zooplankton followed the order: Crustacean > Rotifer > Protozoan. Primary productivity showed a variation between treatments with lowest value of 5592 mg/O sub(2)/m super(3)/day obtained in the control and cow dung low application rates (1.5 kg/25 m super(2)/2weeks). The highest value for primary productivity was obtained at M sub(2) (0.7 kg/25 m super(2)/2weeks, N.P.K) with primary productivity value of 7200 mg/O sub(2)/m super(3)/day, closely followed by M sub(4) (0.7 kg/25 m super(2)/2weeks, super phosphate) with 6792 mg/O sub(2)/m super(3)/day.

Die Ostsee-Fischereikommission setzt stärker auf biologische Vorsorge. Ergebnisse der Internationalen Ostsee-Fischereikommission (International Baltic Sea Fishery Commission - IBSFC) vom 7. bis 11. September 1998 in Warschau

Die Tagung setzte den während der vorigen Jahrestagung zu beobachtenden Kurs einer Schwerpunktverlagerung generell fort. Diese ist durch die stärkere Berücksichtigung des Vorsorgeansatzes im Fischereimanagement auf der Grundlage wissenschaftlicher Empfehlungen des ACFM (Management-Komitee für Fischerei) des ICES gekennzeichnet. Damit traten die in der Vergangenheit fischereipolitisch dominierten nationalen Managementinteressen weitestgehend in den Hintergrund und trugen somit zu einer sachlichen Tagungsatmosphäre bei. Wichtigste Tagungsthemen waren die Ausnutzung der nationalen Quoten für 1997 und 1998 (1. Halbjahr), die Festlegung der zulässigen Gesamtfangmengen (TAC) für die internationalen Fischereien 1999, aber auch Strategien zur Nutzung der lebenden Ressourcen der Ostsee unter den Bedingungen des Vorsorgeansatzes im Fischereimanagement. An den Beratungen nahmen Ländervertreter und Experten Estlands, der EU, Lettlands, Polens und der Russischen Föderation sowie Beobachter des ICES (Internationaler Rat für Meeresforschung) und der HELCOM (Helsinki-Kommission) teil.

Productivity estimation of Ologe Lagoon, Lagos

One of the paradigms in the management of fish resources is that annual yield is a function of water quality. Consequently, the use of shorthand methods for predicting yields from morphological and /or edaphic factors of the water body are most appropriate for tropical multi-species fisheries. In this study, the morpho-edaphic index (MEI) was used to estimate the productivity of Ologe lagoon (Nigeria). The predicted yield was 73.8 kg ha super(-1) yr super(-1) and a comparison with yields in other African waters showed that Ologe lagoon is highly productive. However, its potential is not fully harnessed due to the traditional nature of the fishing

Report on the electrophoretic and morphometric studies conducted at the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission from 1969 to 1978

Knowledge of the population structure of an exploited stock is necessary for the effective management of a fishery. For this reason the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) has sponsored numerous genetic, morphometric, and migration studies of yellowfin, Thunnus albacares, and skipjack, Katswonus pelamis, in a concerted effort to determine the structure of these stocks in the eastern Pacific Ocean. (PDF contains 171 pages.)

An evaluation of the pelagic primary productivity and potential fish yield of Kainji Lake, Nigeria

The environmental conditions of Kainji Lake from 1971/72 to date appear to have stabilized to a large extent, judging from the similarity of physico-chemical parameters investigated in this study over the period. Solar radiation (as reflected in variation in temperature) and pH have remained largely constant over the years, while conductivity (index of nutrient enrichment), though significantly higher in 1995/96, could be described as sporadic and needs further monitoring to ascertain its trend in the lake. While water transparency and dissolved oxygen were higher in 1971/72 compared to the other years, these increases cannot be said to be overwhelming. The lower transparency in 1995/96 was due to the exceptional flood of that year and may have also accounted for the poorer dissolved oxygen concentration compared to the other years due to its impact on photosynthesis. There is no evidence from this study to indicate that primary productivity has increased over the years. Consequently, the observed increase in fish yield by the KLFPP from CAS, which is corroborated by estimates from the MEI, cannot be supported on the basis of improved photosynthetic production. The phenomenal high levels of conductivity recorded during certain periods in 1995 (600 mu mhos cm super(-1)) are hitherto unknown in the lake and may indicate a trend towards nutrient enrichment. However, it is premature at this stage to conclude on its long-term impact on primary production and consequently, on fish yield. Secondly, the notion of overfishing in the 80s (Ita, 1993), may need to be further examined as low or dwindling catches could be due to a number of factors among which are the level of fishing effort, the type and efficiency of gears and the intensity of sampling. It would appear that with the intervention of KLFPP, the better management of the lake's fisheries would increase the current level of catch. It also needs to be examined how much of the clupeid fisheries, which is now known to account for a substantial proportion of the total fish yield in Kainji Lake, was included in the sampling of the 80s. (PDF contains 43 pages)

Coastal plant growth and CO2 enrichment: Can the productivity of black needle rush keep pace with sea level rise?

The rate of sea level change has varied considerably over geological time, with rapid increases (0.25 cm yr-1) at the end of the last ice age to more modest increases over the last 4,000 years (0.04 cm yr-1; Hendry 1993). Due to anthropogenic contributions to climate change, however, the rate of sea level rise is expected to increase between 0.10 and 0.25 cm year-1 for many coastal areas (Warrick et al. 1996). Notwithstanding, it has been predicted that over the next 100 years, sea levels along the northeastern coast of North Carolina may increase by an astonishing 0.8 m (0.8 cm yr-1); through a combination of sea-level rise and coastal subsidence (Titus and Richman 2001; Parham et al. 2006). As North Carolina ranks third in the United States with land at or just above sea level, any additional sea rise may promote further deterioration of vital coastal wetland systems. (PDF contains 4 pages)