Socioeconomic characteristics of payang seine (lampara) and driftnet fisheries in West Sumatra, Indonesia

A proportionate random sample survey of 10 percent of the driftnet and Payang seine fishers in West Sumatra was carried out in 1998. A total of 45 driftnet and 66 lampara fishers were interviewed to obtain socioeconomic data on the fisheries. About 40 percent of the driftnet and 76 percent of the lampara fishers owned and operated their fishing vessels and gears indicating a high level of ownership of fishing assets by these small scale fishers. The lampara catches consisted mainly of eastern little tuna, skipjack tuna, yellow fin tuna and mackerel, while the driftnets caught mainly Spanish mackerel, Indian mackerel, eastern little tuna and scad.

Resiliencia en crestas de arrecifes coralinos del este del golfo de Batabanó, Cuba, y factores determinantes probables

RESUMEN Se comparó el grado de resiliencia de seis crestas arrecifales del este del golfo de Batabanó, Cuba. Tres fueron del norte del golfo de Cazones (Tramo Norte) y las restantes, del oeste de Cayo Largo (Tramo Sur). Las del primer tramo fueron las de faro Cazones, Norte de la cresta de cayo Diego Pérez y de faro Diego Pérez. Las otras tres fueron las de cayo Rico, arrecifes Los Ballenatos y arrecifes Hijos de Los Ballenatos. Se emplearon los indicadores biológicos del Protocolo AGRRA. El Tramo Norte presentó las crestas más resilientes, sobre todo la de faro Cazones. Las del Tramo Sur no exhibieron resiliencia. Fueron varios e interrelacionados, los factores aparentemente más determinantes en la resiliencia. Entre estos, cuatro se consideraron como fuerzas motrices: resguardo contra el oleaje, circulación habitual giratoria ciclónica en la ensenada de Cazones, entrada de nutrientes provenientes tanto de la ciénaga de Zapata como de aguas profundas, y abundancia del erizo herbívoro Diadema antillarum. Los demás factores, desencadenados por los anteriores y también interrelacionados, fueron, al parecer la menor afectación por oleaje y sedimentos, estabilización de fragmentos vivos de coral, índices favorables de macroalgas bentónicas, cierta retención de nutrientes y plancton, más alimentación heterotrófica de los corales, mayor auto reclutamiento de corales y del erizo Diadema; mejores condiciones para el asentamiento y viabilidad de los reclutas, y para el recapamiento de corales; mayor crecimiento y recuperación de los corales y mejores condiciones térmicas contra el blanqueamiento de corales ABSTRACT The degree of resilience of six reef crest sites was compared at the east of the Gulf of Batabano, Cuba. Three of them were located north of the Gulf of Cazones (Northern Stretch), while the remaining ones were west of Cayo Largo (Southern Stretch). Those of the Northern Stretch were “Faro Cazones”, north of the crest of cayo Diego Pérez and “Faro Diego Pérez”. The remaining sites were those of the cayo Rico, Los Ballenatos reefs, and Hijos de Los Ballenatos reefs. The AGRRA biological indicators were applied. The Northern Stretch presented the most resilient crests, mainly that of “Faro Cazones”. Those of the Southern Stretch did not reveal signs of resilience. Several interrelated factors were apparently more linked to resilience. Four of them were considered as driving forces: shelter from waves, usual cyclonic revolving water circulation in the Ensenada de Cazones, nutrient input from the Zapata swamp and deep water, and the abundance of the herbivore sea urchin Diadema antillarum. Triggered by these driving forces, the remaining factors apparently were less effect of waves and sediments, stabilization of live coral fragments, favorable benthic macro-algae indices, some retention of nutrient and plankton, increased coral heterotrophic feeding; better conditions for recruit settlement and viability, and for coral re-sheeting; faster coral growth and recuperation and better thermal conditions against coral bleaching.

Acute toxicity of metasystox to wedge clam, Donax cuneatus from west coast

96h acute toxicity tests were performed using commercial grade metasystox on the marine wedge clam, Donax cuneatus during summer 1985. The behaviour and mortality rates were recorded periodically. Most of the dams responded in opening the shell valves and extending the siphons quicker in low test concentrations (0.004-0.0052 p.p.m) but this was slow and late in high concentrations (0.0056-0.008 p.p.m). Mortality began to occur in 0.008 p.p.m. from 12 h, whereas, in 0.0052 p.p.m. from 60 h onwards. The observed LC sub(0) value was 0.004 p.p.m. and LC sub(50) 0.0064 p.p.m. The regression equation established was Y = 79.0891 + 33.4523 X. The rate of oxygen concentration increased at LC sub(0) and LC sub(50) values compared to control indicating the disturbed physiological adjustment. The results are correlated with physico-chemical parameters of seawater and discussed in the light of pesticide toxicity to the dam.