A proposal for sea otter protection and research and request for the return of management to the State of California

v.1 - Text and Summaries (272 page document)

Physical circulation measurements in Pamlico Sound, used to locate new oyster sanctuaries

The population of eastern oyster, C. virginica, has declined over the last century on most areas of the east and gulf coasts. North Carolina’s restoration efforts depend on the construction of subtidal oyster reefs to be used as broodstock sanctuaries in Pamlico Sound, NC. Successful restoration of the oyster population requires several thriving reefs connected as a meta-population. C. virginica has a 2-3 week larval stage, during which it gradually settles through the water column. Larvae that can travel from one reef to another during that stage form the basis of a meta-population. (PDF contains 3 pages)

Untersuchungen an V-Form-Scherbrettern

Seit ihrer Einführung in die Fischerei haben sich gerade V-Form-Scherbretter unter den verschiedensten Einsatzbedingungen vielfach bewährt. Insbesondere ihr leichter Gang auf rauhem Boden und die geringe Gefahr des Festlaufens haben zur Verbreitung dieses Scherbrett-Typs beigetragen.

Morphological variation with interspecific implications in a population of Sigara dorsalis (Leach) (Hemiptera Heteroptera: Corixidae), and a request for British specimens

Sigara dorsalis belongs to a very closely related group of six species forming the sub-genus Sigara sensu strictu. Each of the six species has a distinct allopatric geographical distribution in Europe. Studies were started on a series of populations in the north west Midlands of England. All the populations examined, except one, contained only males with the typical diagnostic features of S. dorsalis, albeit with considerable variation. One pond near Congleton, Cheshire situated in a permanent-ley pasture and apparently free from pollution contained typical S. dorsalis males but, in addition, many atypical individuals. From one sample of forty-six males, all possessed left parameres with the slight point on the dorsal surface characteristic of S. dorsalis. However, almost half possessed additional morphological features intermediate between S. dorsalis and S. striata.

Megacylops viridis Jurine, abyssal form in Lake Maggiore. [Translation of: Memorie dell'Istituto Italiano di Idrobiologia Dott.Marco de Marchi 17 57-79, 1964]

Megacyclops viridis Jurine, noticed in Lago Maggiore in 1912 by De Marchi from the littoral vegetation of Pallanza, is a normal member of the littoral plankton of the lake. The subgenus Megacyclops, created by Kiefer in his revision of the viridis-vernalis group, contains european and american species some of which are today considered as varieties of the species viridis. This paper examines morphology and of the distribution of the Italian viridis in Lake Maggiore.

Benthic invertebrates that form habitat on deep banks off southern California, with special reference to deep sea coral

There is increasing interest in the potential impacts that fishing activities have on megafaunal benthic invertebrates occurring in continental shelf and slope ecosystems. We examined how the structure, size, and high-density aggregations of invertebrates provided structural relief for fishes in continental shelf and slope ecosystems off southern California. We made 112 dives in a submersible at 32−320 m water depth, surveying a variety of habitats from high-relief rock to flat sand and mud. Using quantitative video transect methods, we made 12,360 observations of 15 structure-form-ing invertebrate taxa and 521,898 individuals. We estimated size and incidence of epizoic animals on 9105 sponges, black corals, and gorgonians. Size variation among structure-form-ing invertebrates was significant and 90% of the individuals were <0.5 m high. Less than 1% of the observations of organisms actually sheltering in or located on invertebrates involved fishes. From the analysis of spatial associations between fishes and large invertebrates, six of 108 fish species were found more often adjacent to invertebrate colonies than the number of fish predicted by the fish-density data from transects. This finding indicates that there may be spatial associations that do not necessarily include physical contact with the sponges and corals. However, the median distances between these six fish species and the invertebrates were not particularly small (1.0−5.5 m). Thus, it is likely that these fishes and invertebrates are present together in the same habitats but that there is not necessarily a functional relationship between these groups of organisms. Regardless of their associations with fishes, these invertebrates provide structure and diversity for continental shelf ecosystems off southern California and certainly deserve the attention of scientists undertaking future conservation efforts.

Travel Characteristics of Marine Anglers Using Oil and Gas Platforms in the Central Gulf of Mexico

This study was designed to evaluate the travel characteristics of avid marine anglers off Louisiana in the Central Gulf of Mexico. It focuses on the complex marine travel patterns involving the extensive assemblage of oil and gas structures. In an intercept approach, marine recreationalf isherman were asked to identify near and offshore travel patterns on the day of the interview. Information was also solicited regarding how respondents selected and located fishing destinations as well as what method of fishing was undertaken that day. Petroleum platforms were a principal fishing destination, and platform anglers traveled an average distance of 75.5 km (40.7 n.mi.) to and from offshore fishing locations. In fishing an average of 6.5 platforms per trip, these anglers traveled about 21.3 km (11.5 n.mi.) between the first and last platform visited. Mean total distances for platform anglers were 96 km (51.8 n.mi). Travel distances for bay, nearshore, and bluewater anglers were also obtained.

Agriculture, irrigation and poverty reduction in Cambodia: Policy narratives and ground realities compared

This report is a contribution to an assessment of the current status of agriculture in Cambodia, focusing on the linkages between agriculture and water, mainly in the form of irrigation. It seeks to view current government policies on agriculture and irrigation in the context of experiences on the ground, as communicated through the many field studies that cover varied aspects of performance in the agriculture sector and irrigation schemes. In an effort to identify future research areas, this review examines the status quo, and connects or disconnects with stated policy through a broad lens to capture strengths and challenges across crop production, irrigation management and post-harvest contexts. It places irrigation under scrutiny in terms of its value as a major area of government expenditure in recent years, and asks whether it presents the best potential for future gains in productivity, when compared with the prospects offered by investments in other aspects of agriculture. The fieldwork and review of current literature that form the basis of this report were undertaken at the request of, and partly funded by, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). It is also intended to contribute knowledge to the CGIAR Research Program on Aquatic Agricultural Systems (AAS) led by WorldFish, who co-funded the activities.