Ecolabels and certification for small-scale operators

(PDF has 16 pages.)

Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of management strategies and regulations of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary by commercial fishers, dive operators, and environmental group members: A baseline characterization and 10-year comparison

This research is part of the Socioeconomic Research & Monitoring Program for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS), which was initiated in 1998. In 1995-96, a baseline study on the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of proposed FKNMS management strategies and regulations of commercial fishers, dive operators and on selected environmental group members was conducted by researchers at the University of Florida and the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Atmospheric and Marine Science (RSMAS). The baseline study was funded by the U.S. Man and the Biosphere Program, and components of the study were published by Florida Sea Grant and in several peer reviewed journals. The study was accepted into the Socioeconomic Research & Monitoring Program at a workshop to design the program in 1998, and workshop participants recommended that the study be replicated every ten years. The 10-year replication was conducted in 2004-05 (commercial fishers) 2006 (dive operators) and 2007 (environmental group members) by the same researchers at RSMAS, while the University of Florida researchers were replaced by Thomas J. Murray & Associates, Inc., which conducted the commercial fishing panels in the FKNMS. The 10-year replication study was funded by NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program. The study not only makes 10-year comparisons in the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of FKNMS management strategies and regulations, but it also establishes new baselines for future monitoring efforts. Things change, and following the principles of “adaptive management”, management has responded with changes in the management plan strategies and regulations. Some of the management strategies and regulations that were being proposed at the time of the baseline 1995-96 study were changed before the management plan and regulations went into effect in July 1997. This was especially true for the main focus of the study which was the various types of marine zones in the draft and final zoning action plan. Some of the zones proposed were changed significantly and subsequently new zones have been created. This study includes 10-year comparisons of socioeconomic/demographic profiles of each user group; sources and usefulness of information; knowledge of purposes of FKNMS zones; perceived beneficiaries of the FKNMS zones; views on FKNMS processes to develop management strategies and regulations; views on FKNMS zone outcomes; views on FKNMS performance; and general support for FKNMS. In addition to new baseline information on FKNMS zones, new baseline information was developed for spatial use, investment and costs-and-earnings for commercial fishers and dive operators, and views on resource conditions for all three user groups. Statistical tests were done to detect significant changes in both the distribution of responses to questions and changes in mean scores for items replicated over the 10-year period. (PDF has 143 pages.)

Effect of type of otolith and preparation technique on age estimation of larval and juvenile spot (Leiostomus xanthurus)

Otoliths of larval and juvenile fish provide a record of age, size, growth, and development (Campana and Neilson, 1985; Thorrold and Hare, 2002). However, determining the time of first increment formation in otoliths (Campana, 2001) and assessing the accuracy (deviation from real age) and precision (repeatability of increment counts from the same otolith) of increment counts are prerequisites for using otoliths to study the life history of fish (Campana and Moksness, 1991). For most fish species, first increment deposition occurs either at hatching, a day after hatching, or after first feeding and yolksac absorption (Jones, 1986; Thorrold and Hare, 2002). Increment deposition before hatching also occurs (Barkmann and Beck, 1976; Radtke and Dean, 1982). If first increment deposition does not occur at hatching, the standard procedure is to add a predetermined number to increment counts to estimate fish age (Campana and Neilson, 1985).

Charter and Party Boat Operators in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico: A Social Structure Perspective

To better address the charter and party boat fishery needs in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, fishery managers must understand the linkages between the industry and other groups and organizations that affect its success. Gulf state charter and party boat operators were interviewed to ascertain the extent of their social network linkages, membership in community organizations, business community relationships, and linkages to information sources. Approximately one-third to one-half of the charter and party boat operators did not belong to local community organizations that could assist their business through tourism promotion or natural resource protection. Despite their limited integration in the community, the vast majority of operators gave and received referrals from other businesses. Of four major information sources, the National Weather Service and the County Marine Extension agents were rated highest and lowest, respectively, in mean importance to charter and party boat operators. Results suggest that business success can be enhanced by strengthening network ties between operators and local businesses, chambers of commerce, and tourism organizations. For this to occur, individual operators and charter/party boat organizations need to become more effective in representing industry interests. Informational linkages between industry and govemment agencies also need improvement.

Studies on the preparation of fish silage. 1. Effect of quality of raw material and type of acid

An experiment was undertaken in which silver bellies (Leiognathus splendens) of different quality were used to produce silages using different concentrations of hydrochloric acid and formic acid. The quality and storage life of the various preparations are reported. Silages which keep for at least 30 days can be produced from silver belly held for 3 or 12 hours at 28°C by: 1) reducing the pH by addition of hydrochloric acid; 2) adding 0.5% formic acid and reducing the pH to 3.5 with hydrochloric acid; or 3) adding 2.5% formic acid.

Incidence of ulcer type of disease in wild fishes of Bangladesh

Disease occurred in wild fish species investigated in different water bodies like canals, ditches, beel, haor, flood plain in 17 districts of Dhaka division. Haemorrhagic lesions were observed on the body surface of affected fishes. Incidence of the disease in the investigated water bodies ranged from 0 to 100%. In total 19 fish species were found to be affected and prevalence of infection ranged from 0.0 to 100.0%. Channa punctatus and Puntius ticto were severely affected in all locations. Percentage of infection in these fishes ranged from 0.0 to 100.0. The highest infection was observed in Netrokona, Kishoreganj, and Mymensingh districts. Bacterial genera isolated from the lesions of these affected fishes were Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Micrococcus, and Staphylococcus. Among these isolates Aeromonas was the dominant. Abundance of Aeromonas in the lesions among the investigated bacteria ranged from 75 to 90%. Five identified Aero monas lrydrophila were examined for their pathogenicity and were able to infect the experimental fish, silver barb (Puntius gonionotus). The pathogen Aeromonas hydrophila was thus considered to have an association with the outbreak of ulcer type of disease in the investigated fish species.

Modification to the bilge and sea water pumps fitted in 17.5 metre Jingha type trawlers

This paper brings out the difficulties encountered with the Bilge and sea water circulating pumps which are fitted and drawn in series along with a fresh water pump in the 17.5 m fishing trawlers.

Evolution of suitable type of bottom trawls for the medium size steel trawlers of Orissa Fisheries Department

This paper deals with the results of fishing operations conducted with conventional trawls of size 22.3 - 25.6 m and gear of 32 m long wing and bulged belly designed and developed at the Central Institute of Fishery Technology, from four medium size trawlers of Orissa Fisheries Department during 1970-71 and 1971-72 fishing seasons. By employing suitable and standard size gear there was proper utilisation of the engine power with resultant increase in the total landings of shrimps and bottom and off bottom fishes.

Design of a detachable type fish drier

The paper describes the design of a detachable type fish drier which has been designed to operate on commercial scale. The drier with a raw material capacity of one tons has been designed after effecting all improvements on the design of the existing tunnel driers available in India. The cost of one drier works out to Rs. 2,16,700/- approximately.