NMFS / Interagency Working Group Evaluation of CITES Criteria and Guidelines.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: At present, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) criteria used to assess whether a population qualifies for inclusion in the CITES Appendices relate to (A) size of the population, (B) area of distribution of the population, and (C) declines in the size of the population. Numeric guidelines are provided as indicators of a small population (less than 5,000 individuals), a small subpopulation (less than 500 individuals), a restricted area of distribution for a population (less than 10,000 km2), a restricted area of distribution for a subpopula-tion (less than 500 km2), a high rate of decline (a decrease of 50% or more in total within 5 years or two generations whichever is longer or, for a small wild population, a decline of 20% or more in total within ten years or three generations whichever is longer), large fluctuations (population size or area of distribution varies widely, rapidly and frequently, with a variation greater than one order of magnitude), and a short-term fluctuation (one of two years or less). The Working Group discussed several broad issues of relevance to the CITES criteria and guidelines. These included the importance of the historical extent of decline versus the recent rate of decline; the utility and validity of incorporating relative population productivity into decline criteria; the utility of absolute numbers for defining small populations or small areas; the appropriateness of generation times as time frames for examining declines; the importance of the magnitude and frequency of fluctuations as factors affecting risk of extinction; and the overall utility of numeric thresh-olds or guidelines.

Brown trout habitat assessment on the River Bela catchment (as recommended by the strategic fisheries stock assessment task group 1995)

This is the Brown trout habitat assessment on the River Bela catchment produced by the Environment Agency North West in 1997. The Environment Agency (EA) and its predecessor the National Rivers Authority undertook strategic fish stock assessments in 1992 and 1995 on the River Bela catchment. These surveys found low numbers of brown trout {Salmo trutta) at some sites. Following this, habitat evaluation assessments were undertaken on the eleven poorest sites Factors probably responsible for declining trout populations on the three main tributaries of the Bela catchment include: Overgrazing by farm stock; Lack of suitable cover for parr; the absence of suitable spawning areas; existing potential of certain areas within the catchment not being utilised, due to poor dispersal. Habitat Improvement Schemes (H.I.S) are discussed and prioritised.

Role of vitamin E in growth of an Indian major carp, Catla (Catla catla)

A feeding trial was conducted to study the role of vitamin E in growth of Catla catla fry. Newly hatched larvae of Catla were fed with synthetic diet, supplemented with graded levels of vitamin E α0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 mg/Kg of diet. The spawn were fed with five times of their body weight for 30 days. Observation was made on the basis of survival, growth, daily weight gain and food conversion ratio. The significant weight gain and highest survival could be achieved by the diet supplemented with 150 mg of vitamin E per kg of the diet. The weight gain per day in 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mg vitamin F/kg supplemented diet were 4.0, 5.2, 6.5, 7.8, 6.8 and 6.3 mg, while survival was 50, 51.8, 52.4, 52.8, 52.2 and 52% respectively.

Effect of vitamin E (α-Tocopherol) on protein content of Labeo rohita (Ham.) fry

Increase in body protein concentration was noted in the fry of rohu fed vitamin E at 0.0 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg/kg of formulated diet. The protein content of fry was found to be significantly different between the different levels of vitamin E. It was found to be maximum (18.7%) in the case of vitamin E at 75 mg/kg diet followed by vitamin E at 100 mg/kg diet. On increasing of vitamin E above 100 mg per kilogram diet there was further decline in the protein content of the fry. The protein increase, from the initial value (12.5%), were recorded to be 14.4%, control; 21.6%, 25 mg level; 31.2%, 50 mg level; 49.6%, 75 mg level; 45.6%, 100 mg level; 14.4%, 150 mg level; 28% 200 mg level; 29.6%, 300 mg level and 13.6% for 400 mg level in different experimental groups.

Effects of physiological doses of vitamin D sub(3) (Cholecalciferol) on induced molting and growth in giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man)

Effects of three different doses of vitamin D sub(3) on molting, growth, and calcium and phosphate composition of tissue and molt during the grow-out of the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (average weight 10.56 ± 0.20 g), obtained from a grow-out pond, were studied. Intramuscular doses of vitamin D sub(3) (100, 500 and 2000 IU/kg body weight) were given on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 20th, 25th and 30th days. All the experimental animals were fed with a basal diet containing fish meal, shrimp meal, wheat flour, groundnut de-oiled cake, soybean meal and wheat bran at 3% of the body weight. The numbers of molts were recorded as 20±0.50, 29±1.16, 51±1.87, and 30±1.60 in control, 100, 500 and 2000 IU/kg body weight physiological doses, respectively. Maximum growth was recorded in prawns given 500 IU/ kg dose. Survival was between 58.33 ± 9.13 and 77.77 ± 8.61%. The ash content and calcium level increased significantly (p<0.05) and recorded the highest values in 500 IU/kg physiological dose. However, the inorganic phosphate (P sub(i)) content recorded the highest values in tissue in 2000 IU/kg dose (p<0.05, F = 50.60613). There is no significant difference in calcium contents (p>0.05) in both tissue and molt at 500 and 2000 IU/kg doses. It was found that a higher physiological dose (2000 IU/kg) of vitamin D sub(3) increased the rate of mortality. Results have shown that vitamin D sub(3) has a positive impact on the growth and survival of M. rosenbergii and it interferes with the metabolism of Ca and P sub(i), in tissue, and alters molting frequency. Results on physiological dose suggest an alternative and effective dietary supplementation method of vitamin D sub(3) in the grow-out phase of M. rosenbergii.

Distribution of vitamin B-12 in some fishes and marine invertebrates

Distribution of vitamin B-12 in the skeletal muscle of several marine and fresh water fish and marine invertebrates are reported. The vitamin B-12 content of white muscle of various fish ranges between 0.05 and 1.5 micrograms. The elasmobranch fish, such as sharks and rays, has a lower levels of vitamin B-12. The distribution of vitamin B-12 in the red muscle, heart, brain and liver of various fish is also shown. Content in red muscle varies between 3 and 22 micrograms, averaging 8 micrograms. The values show that the heart is a rich source of vitamin B-12. Internal organs are also rich in vitamin B

Effect of two green algae species (Chlorella sp. & Scenedesmus obliquus) enriched with B group vitamins on food chain of Rutilus frisii kutum (Kamensky, 1901) fry

The Effect of two freshwater green algae species Chlorella sp. & Scenedesmus obliquus enriched (from the beginning of culture and after 96 hours) with different dosages of B group vitamins (0, 0.5, 1, and 2 ml of enriching solution per each liter of algae medium) on fecundity of Daphnia magna and growth of Rutilus frisii kutum fry were investigated in a research from spring, 2008 to autumn, 2009. First, each of the green algae species were cultured purely and massively in the Zander (Z-8+N) medium and then the nutritional value (the amount of protein, lipid, and carbohydrate) of enriched algae were meausered. In this study, enriching of Chlorella sp. & S. obliquus with a suitable mix of B group vitamins significantly improved their nutritive value. So the highest amount of nutritional value of Chlorella sp. was obtained because of enriching with dosage 0.5 ml.l-1 (366.654Kcal) and for Scenedesmus obliquus with dosage of 1 ml.l-1 (376.95Kcal). The acquired amount from control group showed an increase of respectively 42% and 11%. According to the results, increased dosages of enriching solution caused Daphnia fecundity to increase (at both stages : enrichment from the beginning of culture and after 96 hours). So the highest average of D. magna reproduction rate was obtained through being fed with Chlorella sp. and S. obliquus enriched with dosage of 2 ml enriching solution per liter of algae medium. The average fecundity of D. magna fed with Chlorella sp. enriched with dosage of 2 ml.l-1 enriching solution from the beginning of culture and after 96 hours was obtained respectively 2.128 ± 0.375 and 2.1 ± 0.69 and the average fecundity of D. magna fed with S. obliquus enriched with dosage of 2 ml enriching solution from the beginning of culture and after 96 hours was obtained respectively 2.128 ± 0.375 and 2.1 ± 0.69 which showed respectively an increase of 61 ٪, 91٪, 77 ٪, and 83٪ in proportion to the acquired amount from control group. When enriching solution was added to either algae culture medium from the beginning of culture, showed statistically significant differences (P<0.05) between dosages of 0 and 2 ml.l-1, 1 and 2 ml.l-1, and 0.5 and 2 ml enriching solution per each liter of Chlorella sp. culture medium and between dosages of 0 and 1 ml.l-1, and 0 and 2 ml enriching solution per each liter of S. obliquus culture medium. The highest average of body weight gain percentage and specific growth rate of kutum fry was obtained respectively 21.19%, 26.63%, 1.92, and 2.34 from the beginning of culture and after 96 hours with dosage of 1 ml B group vitamins per each liter of Chlorella sp. culture medium, which showed respectively an increase of 50%, 70%, 46%, and 62% in proportion to the acquired amount from control group. In the cases which Chlorella sp. were grown in the medium containing vitamin, from point of view of the average percentage of weight and specific growth rate of kutum fry significant differences were observed on the basis of the result of One-way ANOVA between dosages of 0 and 1, 1 and 2 , 0.5 and 1 ml B group vitamins per each liter. The highest average of body weight gain percentage and specific growth rate of kutum fry was obtained respectively 32.02%, 29.42%, 2.78, and 2.34 from the beginning of culture and after 96 hours with dosage of 2 ml B group vitamins per each liter of S. obliquus culture medium, which showed respectively an increase of 32%, 19%, 28%, and 17% in proportion to the acquired amount from control group. In the cases which S. obliquus were grown in the medium containing vitamin, from point of view of the average percentage of weight and specific growth rate of kutum fry significant differences were observed on the basis of the result of One-way ANOVA between dosages of 0 and 1, 0 and 2. According to the results of the present research we can say that considerable enhancement in the quality of the food of D. magna can be made by manipulation of the nutritional value of fresh water unicellular green algae with suitable mixture of B group vitamins, so that both the fecundity of D. magna will increase and the nutritional requirements of the kutum fry will be filled in this way.

Report of the Marine Protected Areas Working Group meeting, Penang, Malaysia, 11-12 February, 2014

The objectives of the workshop were to review and update Marine Protected Area (MPA) data, finalise policy briefs for each country and recommend future actions and policies for sustainable management of MPAs.

Supply of Astaxanthin and its combinations through live feed (Moina micrura) enrichment affects the growth, survival and fatty acid profile of Macrobrachium rosenbergii larvae

A study was carried out with three replicates to determine the effects of feeding Moina micrura enriched with astaxanthin alone (M1) or astaxanthin in combination with either vitamin E (M2), vitamin D (M3) or Cod Liver oil (M4) on the growth, survival and fatty acid composition of giant fresh water prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) larvae. Growth rate was expressed as the time taken to the settlement of 95% post larvae. Maximum growth, the lowest time taken to the 95% PL settlement (38.5±0.50 days), was observed in larvae fed with M3 Moina. The highest survival rate (66.0±1.00%) was observed in those fed with M4 Moina and the second highest survival (61.0±1.00%) and growth rates (40.0±0.00 days) were shown with M2 Moina. The minimum values for both growth (42.5±0.50 days) and survival (33.0±1.50%) were observed in the group fed un-enriched Moina. Results also showed that the survival of prawn larvae increased as the quantities of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) increased in the dietary Moina. The highest levels of EPA (5.57±0.21%), DHA (3.50±0.21%) and highest total Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acids (HUFA) (13.87±0.68%) were seen in the Moina fed on astaxanthin and Cod Liver Oil (CLO). The results of the study showed that the nutritive quality of Moina, with respect to important fatty acids, can be increased by enrichment and will influence the growth, survival and the fatty acid composition of fresh water prawn larvae fed on them.