A quantitative survey of the benthic infauna of northern Monterey Bay, California: Annual report, Part 8, 1973

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Reducing non-point DOC and nitrogen exports from rice fields: A pilot study and quantitative survey to determine the effects of different hydrologic management practices : Deliverable 15.3 Final Report

Rice cultivation at any level in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta (existing or expanded) compels the need to quantify surface and subsurface loads of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), disinfection byproduct precursors (DBPPs) and nitrogen. This information can be used to develop Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce export of these constituents in order to improve drinking water quality. Although rice cultivation in the Delta is relatively limited, several factors outside of this research could contribute to increased rice acreage in the Delta: • Recently developed rice varieties seem more suitable for the Delta climate than earlier varieties which required warmer conditions; • Previous economic analyses (Appendix A.10) suggest rice is more profitable than corn, a dominant land use in the Delta; • Recent studies on wetlands at Twitchell Island suggest rice production can help mitigate oxidative subsidence (Miller et al. 2000); • The different oxidative states that result from flooding in rice as compared to those found in crops that require drained soils may help control crop specific weeds and nematodes when rice is incorporated into a crop rotation; and • Providing flooded conditions during a greater part of the year than other crops may benefit water birds. ... (PDF contains 249 pages)

Quantitative composition and distribution of the macrobenthic invertebrate fauna of the Continental Shelf ecosystems of the Northeastern United States

From the mid-1950's to the mid-1960's a series of quantitative surveys of the macrobenthic invertebrate fauna were conducted in the offshore New England region (Maine to Long Island, New York). The surveys were designed to 1) obtain measures of macrobenthic standing crop expressed in terms of density and biomass; 2) determine the taxonomic composition of the fauna (ca. 567 species); 3) map the general features of macrobenthic distribution; and 4) evaluate the fauna's relationships to water depth, bottom type, temperature range, and sediment organic carbon content. A total of 1,076 samples, ranging from 3 to 3,974 m in depth, were obtained and analyzed. The aggregate macrobenthic fauna consists of 44 major taxonomic groups (phyla, classes, orders). A striking fact is that only five of those groups (belonging to four phyla) account for over 80% of both total biomass and number of individuals of the macrobenthos. The five dominant groups are Bivalvia, Annelida, Amphipoda, Echninoidea, and Holothuroidea. Other salient features pertaining to the macrobenthos of the region are the following: substantial differences in quantity exist among different geographic subareas within the region, but with a general trend that both density and biomass increase from northeast to southwest; both density and biomass decrease with increasing depth; the composition of the bottom sediments significantly influences both the kind and quantity of macrobenthic invertebrates, the largest quantities of both measures of abundance occurring in the coarser grained sediments and diminishing with decreasing particle size; areas with marked seasonal changes in water temperature support an abundant and diverse fauna, whereas a uniform temperature regime is associated with a sparse, less diverse fauna; and no detectable trends are evident in the quantitative composition of the macrobenthos in relation to sediment organic carbon content. (PDF file contains 246 pages.)

A quantitative analysis of the phytoplankton of the Gulf of Panama: I. Results of the regional phytoplankton surveys during July and November 1957 and March 1958

ENGLISH: 1. Quantitative phytoplankton samples were collected by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission at the surface and ten meters in the Gulf of Panama, as follows: a) 18-21 March, 1958 (31 stations)-during the height of the upwelling season, b) 10-12 July, 1957 (10 stations)-during the transition to the rainy season at a time when mild upwelling winds reappear, c) 7-8 November, 1957 (15 stations)-during the height of the rainy season. 2. Maximum phytoplankton populations occurred during the upwelling season, followed by a considerable decline during July, and a further Subsidence during November. 3. A remarkable regional uniformity in species composition was observed during the surveys despite regional differences in growth conditions. Diatoms overwhelmingly dominated the communities. 4. During all surveys, the innermost regions, generally north of 8°30'N, were the most productive. The least productive areas were in the offing of San Miguel Bay and Parita Bay, suggesting that nutrient accretion via runoff is inadequate to sustain sizeable autotrophic plant populations in those regions. 5. During all surveys, phytoplankton growth appeared to be limited by nutrient availability. 6. During all surveys, phytoplankton growth appeared to be related to depth of the water column. 7. Although below average rainfall contributed to unusually favorable growth conditions (reduced stability, increased transparency and, presumably, nutrient reserves) during the November survey relative to November 1955 and 1956 at 8°45'N, 79°23'W, the anticipated heightened phytoplankton response was not observed. 8. During the November survey, the local diatom responses and their regional fluctuations could be satisfactorily related to the accompanying surface salinity conditions. However, this correspondence is undoubtedly attributable to factors associated with the observed salinity levels, probably nutrients, rather than salinity directly. 9. Unusually warm conditions occurred during the March survey, attributable to considerably weaker upwelling winds than normally occurring then, which contributed to a considerably lower standing crop and a retardation in succession of three to five weeks relative to that observed during 1955-1957 at 8°45'N, 79°23'W in the Gulf of Panama. 10. During the March survey, a well defined inverse relationship existed between mean temperature and mean diatom abundance in the upper ten meters, and between transparency and mean diatom abundance. A direct relationship occurred between surface salinity and mean diatom abundance in the upper ten meters. These relationships are interpreted to indicate that diatom abundance primarily reflected the nutrient concentrations associated with a given upwelling intensity, rather than describing casual relationships. 11. The survey results indicate that the phytoplankton dynamics observed at 8°45'N, 79°23'W from November, 1954 through May, 1957 are generally representative of the Gulf of Panama. 12. The following new forms, to be described in a later publication, were observed during the surveys: Actinoptychus undulatus f. catenata n.f., Asterionella japonica f. tropicum n.f., Leptocylindrus maximus n. sp., Skeletonema costatum f. tropicum n.f. SPANISH: 1. La Comisión Interamericana del Atun Tropical recolectó en el Golfo de Panama muestras cuantitativas de fitoplancton en la superficie y a los diez metros, como sigue: a) Del 18 al 21 de marzo de 1958 (31 estaciones)-durante el maximum de la estación de afloramiento. b) Del 10 al 12 de julio de 1957 (10 estaciones)-durante la epóca de transición a la estación lluviosa cuando reaparecen los vientos ligeros que causan el afloramiento. c) Del 7 al 8 de noviembre de 1957 (15 estaciones)-durante el maximum de la estación lluviosa. 2. Las poblaciones maximas de fitoplancton aparecieron durante la estación de afloramiento, seguido por una considerable disminución durante el mes de julio y una calma durante noviembre. 3. Durante la investigación se observó una remarcable uniformidad regional en la composición de las especies a pesar de las diferencias regionales en las condiciones de crecimiento. Las diatomeas predominaban en gran numero en las comunidades. 4. Durante todas las investigaciones, las regiones mas cerca de la costa, generalmente al norte de los 8°30'N, eran las mas productivas. Las areas menos productivas fueron las mar afuera de las Bahias de San Miguel y Parita, lo que sugiere que el aumento en las sales nutritivas causado por las escorrentias es inadecuado para sostener poblaciones grandes de plantas autotróficas en estas regiones. 5. Durante todas las investigaciones, el crecimiento del fitoplancton parecio estar limitado por la disponibilidad de las. sales nutritivas. 6. Durante todas las investigaciones el crecimiento del fitoplancton parecio estar relacionado con la profundidad de la columna de agua. 7. Aunque las precipitacion por debajo del promedio normal contribuyo a condiciones desusadamente favorables de crecimiento (estabilidad reducida, aumento de la transparencia y, presumiblemente, de la reserva de sales nutritivas) durante la investigación de noviembre en relación a noviembre de 1955 y de 1956 en los 8°45'N, 79°23'W, no se observo-la alta reacción de fitoplancton que se esperaba. 8. Durante la investigación de noviembre, las reacciones locales de las diatomeas y sus fluctuaciones regionales pudieron relacionarse en forma satisfactoria con condiciones asociadas con la salinidad de la superficie. Sin embargo, esta correspondencia puede atribuirse sin duda a factores asociados con los niveles observados de salinidad, probablemente con las sales nutritivas, en lugar de directamente con la salinidad. 9. Condiciones calurosas no comunes ocurrieron durante la investigación de marzo, las que pueden atribuirse a que los vientos que ocasionan el afloramiento fueran mas debiles que los normales, lo que contribuyó a que la cosecha estable fuera considerablemente mas baja y a la demora de tres a cinco semanas en la sucecion relativa a la que se observó durante 1955-1957 en los 8°45'N, 8°23'W, en el Golfo de Panama. 10. Durante la investigación de marzo, existió una relación inversa bien definida entre la temperatura y la abundancia media de las diatomeas en los diez metros superiores, y entre la transparencia y la abundancia media de las diatomeas. Una relación directa ocurrio entre la salinidad de superficie y la abundancia media de las diatomeas en los diez metros superiores. Estas relaciones se interpretan como indicadoras de que la abundancia de diatomeas refleja primeramente las concentraciones de las sales nutritivas asociadas con una intensidad de afloramiento dada, en lugar de describir relaciones causales. 11. Los resultados de la investigacion indican que la dinamica del fitoplancton observada en los 8°45'N, 79°23'W, desde noviembre de 1954 a mayo de 1957, es generalmente representativa del Golfo de Panama. 12. Durante las investigaciones se observaron las siguientes formas nuevas, las que seran descritas en una publicación posterior: Actinoptychus undulatus f. catenata n.f., Asterionella japonica f. tropicum n.f., Leptocylindrus maximus n. sp., Skeletonema costatum f. tropicum n.f.

A quantitative analysis of the phytoplankton of the Gulf of Panama II. On the relationship between C14 assimilation and the diatom standing crop

ENGLISH: The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission has maintained a hydro-biological station in the Gulf of Panama located at 8°45'N, 79°23'W in connection with their ecological investigation of the anchoveta (Cetengraulis mysticetus), a tuna baitfish (see Peterson, 1961, for references) . The depth is approximately 42 meters at mean low water at this station. Routine hydrographic and biological observations have been made (Schaefer, Bishop and Howard, 1958; Schaefer and Bishop, 1958; Forsbergh, 1963), including the collection of quantitative phytoplankton samples from November 1954 through May 1957 (Smayda, 1959; unpublished). The seasonal and regional variations in phytoplankton growth in the Gulf of Panama have also been investigated (Smayda, 1963). The relationships existing between C1 4 assimilation as determined by 24 hour in situ experiments and diatom standing crop at 10 meters when expressed as cell numbers, cell volume, cell surface area and cell plasma volume have been assessed for 30 observations made between November 1954 and May 1957 at 8°45'N, 79°23'W. The average cell volume and cell surface area characteristics for 110 diatom species and varieties are presented. SPANISH: Las relaciones existentes entre la asimilación del C14 , determinadas después de 24 horas de experimentos in situ, y la cosecha estable de las diatomeas a 10 metros, expresando el número de células, volumen celular, área de la superficie celular y volumen del plasma celular, han sido determinadas por medio de 30 observaciones hechas entre noviembre de 1954 y mayo de 1957, a los 8°45'N, 79°23'W. Se presenta, para 110 especies y variedades de diatomeas, el promedio de las características del volumen celular y del área de la superficie celular. (PDF contains 67 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.)

A quantitative analysis of demand for fish in Nigeria

The paper discusses the relevant theoretical considerations and specifies a model in an attempt to quantify those variables, the changes of which affect the internal demand for fish in Nigeria. Regression analyses carried out show that a generally rising trend in per capita income will increase the demand for fish, other things being equal. It is further revealed that even as the price of fish goes on increasing, consumers' demand for fish also tend to rise. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for a fish consumption survey in the country's fish demand

Analyse der Beifangreduktion durch Gitternetze in der kommerziellen Garnelenfischerei

Trials for the determination of the magnitude of bycatch reduction by sorting grids used in the commercial brown shrimp fishery were carried out from September to December 1997. Trawls with 9 m beam length were used on different fishing grounds in the estuary of the Elbe River near Cuxhaven. The sorting grids tested were made of stainless steel bars spaced at 18, 20, 22, 26 and 30 mm, built into a cylindrical stainless steel frame with a diameter of 65 cm at an angle of attack of 45 degrees. This frame was positioned between the forenet and codend. Simultaneous hauls were made with a trawl of equal construction but without a sorting grid, and the weighed catch components (fish, discard shrimps and commercial size shrimps) separated by means of a riddle were compared. The composition of the sorted out part of the catch of the sorting grid net could be calculated by comparise the corresponding catch components in both the standard trawl and the sorting grid trawl. According to this the total catch of the beam trawl with the sorting grid is reduced by 18 to 38 % depending on the space between the bars. 7 to 31 % of the sorted out part of the catch consists of fish. The use of the sorting grid, however, also leads to losses of 4 to 12 % in Oktober. Per hour of towing this means a loss of 10,3 % commerical size shrimps with a sorting grid of 18 mm space between the bars and of 12,4 % for a 26 mm grid.

Analyse der Beifangreduktion durch Trichternetze in der kommerziellen Garnelenfischerei

Trials for the determination of the magnitude of bycatch reduction by the sievenets used in the commercial brown shrimp fishery were carried out from September to December 1997. Trawls with 9 m beam length were the subjected to the investigation. They were used on different fishing grounds in the estuary of the Elbe near Cuxhaven. Sievenets with 50, 60 and 80 mm mesh opening were tested in 29 hauls and 31.6 h total duration. A trawl of equal construction without sievenets fished synchronously was used for comparison. The proportional catch composition in the codend was determined by weighing the catch components (fish, discard shrimps and commercial size shrimps) as separated by means of a riddle. The composition of the sorted out part of the catch could be calculated by comparison of the corresponding catch components both in standard trawl and sievenettrawl. According to this the total catch of a beam trawl with sievenet is diminished by 9 to 34 % depending on the mesh opening of the sievenet. 32 to 58 % of the sorted out part of the catch consists of fish. Use of a sievenet, however, also leads to a loss of 6 to 15 % of commercial size shrimps. Per hour of towing this means a loss of 8.7 kg commercial size shrimps with a sievenet of 60 mm mesh opening and of 1.8 kg for a mesh size of 80 mm.

Differenzierung roher und geräucherter Aale durch Protein- und DNA-Analyse

Raw or smoked eel was analysed by isoelectric focusing of sarcoplasmic proteins. For raw fish specific protein patterns were obtained for A. anguilla/A. rostrata, A. japonica and A. australis, but in case of smoked fish differentiation was only possible between Atlantic and Pacific species. Differentiation of raw or smoked eel was possible by PCR-SSCP, but patterns of ssDNA showed some intra-specific variability depending on the type of amplicon.

A quantitative analysis of demand for fish in Nigeria

The paper discusses the relevant theoretical considerations and specifies a model in an attempt to quantify those variables, the changes of which affect the internal demand for fish in Nigeria. Regression analyses carried out show that a generally rising trend in per capita income will increase the demand for fish, other things being equal. It is further revealed that even as the price of fish goes on increasing, consumers' demand for fish also tend to rise. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for a fish consumption survey in the country's fish demand

Fischartbestimmung von Caviar durch Protein- und DNA-Analyse

Deutscher Caviar, made from roe of lumpfish or capelin, gives species specific patterns in protein electrophoresis. The same techniques can be used to differentiate caviar from salmon and trout. The differentiation of sturgeon caviar (beluga, osietra, sevruga) is possible by isoelectric focusing, but not by SDS-PAGE. PCR-based methods of DNA-analysis for identification of the origin of sturgeon caviar are under development.

Analyse des Fluchtverhaltens von Fischen auf Schiffsgeräusche mit hydroakustischen Methoden

Investigations on the avoidance reactions of pelagic schooling fish (herring and sprat) released by an approaching fishery vessel were carried out during the 378th cruise of FRC "Solea" from 25 September to 3 October 1995 in the Arkona Sea, southern Baltic. An echosounder system EK 500/BI500 with a 38 kHz transducer mounted on a towed body as weIl as a 120 kHz hull mounted transducer were used. Fish densities were measured synchronously as well as under the ship as at a laterally distances from the ship by the transducer of the towed body. By these means the variation of fish densities up to a certain distance from the ship is possible. The advantage of using an echo integrating system for these measurements is, that it works also for not schooling fish and under conditions where schooling fish disperse (e.g. at night).

Quantitative Larvenanalyse des Rügenschen Frühjahrsherings in den Laichsaisons 1991 und 1992

Das bereits vom ehemaligen Institut für Hochseefischerei, Rostock, routinemäßig durchgeführte Heringslarvenprogramm im Greifswalder Bodden wird als Beitrag zur Bestandsschätzung des Rügenschen Frühjahrsherings (RFH) zunehmend unter ökologischen Gesichtspunkten im Institut für Ostseefischerei (IOR) in Kooperation mit der Universität Rostock (Fachbereich Biologie) weitergeführt. Die quantitative Larvenanalyse ermöglicht über den Anteil des aus dem Greifswalder Bodden stammenden Nachwuchses eine Voraussage über den Erfolg der in einem weitaus größeren Seegebiet (ICES SD 22+24) produzierten Nachwuchsjahresklassen. Vorliegende Publikation dokumentiert erste Ergebnisse hinsichtlich der Heringslarvenverteilung im Saisonverlauf 1991 und 1992.