Cosmological constrains on fast transition Unified Dark Matter models

In this work we show the results obtained applying a Unified Dark Matter (UDM) model with a fast transition to a set of cosmological data. Two different functions to model the transition are tested, and the feasibility of both models is explored using CMB shift data from Planck [1], Galaxy Clustering data from [2] and [3], and Union2.1 SNe Ia [4]. These new models are also statistically compared with the ACDM and quiessence models using Bayes factor through evidence. Bayesian inference does not discard the UDM models in favor of ACDM.

The eggs of marine crabs - an unexploited resource

Marine crabs belonging to the family Portunidae form bycatch of shrimp trawlers in India. They are sold at low prices and consumers discard eggs and consume the meat. The paper details the nutritional value of eggs of Portunus pelagicus.

Waste minimisation in fishing operations

Sources of wastes in fishing operations mainly include bycatch discards; processing wastes where catch is processed onboard; plastic wastes due to abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear; bilges and other wastes from the vessel operations. Fishing systems in general have an associated catch of nontargeted organisms known as bycatch. Non-selective fishing gear that is not modified or equipped to exclude non-targeted organisms, may take a significant quantity of bycatch of non-targeted finfish, juvenile fish, benthic animals, marine mammals, marine birds and vulnerable or endangered species that are often discarded. Average annual global discards, has been estimated to be 7.3 million t, based on a weighted discard rate of 8%, during 1992-2001 period. Trawl fisheries for shrimp and demersal finfish account for over 50% of the total estimated global discards. Plastic materials are extensively used in fisheries, owing to their durability and other desirable properties, contributing to the efficiency and catchability of the fishing gear. However, plastics biodegrade at an extremely slow rate compared to other organic materials. Abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) and related marine debris have been recognized as a critical problem in the marine environment and for living marine resources. Prevention of excess fishing capacity by appropriate management measures could lead to enormous savings in terms of fuel consumption, emissions and bycatch discards from the excess fishing fleet, capital and operational investments and labour deployment in capture fisheries, with significant economic gains. In this paper, wastes originating from fishing operations are reviewed, along with their environmental impacts and possible mitigation measures

An assessment of scup (Stenotomus chrysops) and black sea bass (Centropristas striata) discards in the directed otter trawl fisheries in the Mid-Atlantic Bight

This study was undertaken to re-assess the level of scup (Stenotomus chrysops) discards by weight and to evaluate the effect of various codend mesh sizes on the level of scup discards in the winter-trawl scup fishery. Scup discards were high in directed scup tows regardless of codend mesh — typically one to five times the weight of landings. The weight of scup discards in the present study did not differ significantly from that recorded in scup-targeted tows in the NMFS observer database. Most discards were required as such by the 22.86 cm TL (total length) fish-size limit for catches. Mesh sizes ≤12.7 cm, including the current legal mesh size (11.43 cm) did not adequately filter out scup smaller than 22.86 cm. The median length of scup discards was about 19.83 cm TL. Lowering the legal size for scup from 22.86 to 19.83 cm TL would greatly reduce discard mortality. Scup discards were a small fraction (0.4%) of black sea bass (Centropristis striata) landings in blacksea-bass−targeted tows. The black sea bass fishery is currently regulated under the small-mesh fishery gearrestricted area plan in which fishing is prohibited in some areas to reduce scup mortality. Our study found no evidence to support the efficacy of this management approach. The expectations that discarding would increase disproportionately as the trip limit (limit [in kilograms] on catch for a species) was reached towards the end of the trip and that discards would increase when the trip limit was reduced from 4536 kg to 454 kg at the end of the directed fishing season were not supported. Trip limits did not significantly affect discard mortality.

Census of Active Commercial Fishermen in Puerto Rico: 2008

The implementation of Puerto Rican Regulation No. 6768, which overhauled the existing fishery management framework, generated considerable hostility towards local managers. Among the controversial management measures adopted in 2004 were the assignment of fishing licenses based on fishing income, the establishment of closed seasons, and new minimum size restrictions for commercially valuable species. Though tensions have subsided, considerable opposition to these regulations remains. This paper provides a characterization of the current population of active small-scale fishermen, discusses their perceptions about the biological and socio-economic condition of the fishery, and describes their attitudes towards the new management framework. This study revealed that the number of active fishermen decreased from 1,731 in 1988 to 868 in 2008. Although a declining resource base was one of the main drivers behind these waning participation statistics, rising fuel costs and burdensome regulations exacerbated the rate of attrition. The majority of the fishermen were middleaged men (50 years) with moderate levels of formal education and high levels of fishing dependence which limited their employment opportunities outside the fishery. Most of the vessels were small (20 ft) and outfitted with a single outboard engine (80 hp). Hook and line and SCUBA were dominant gears because of their versatility and cost effectiveness. Fishermen suggested that their opposition to the regulations would continue unless they were afforded greater regulatory flexibility and provided with a larger role in the decision-making process. Fishermen were adamant about the need to reconsider the income reporting requirements to secure a fishing license because of the potential for losing public assistance benefits. They also objected to increasing the minimum size of many deepwater snapper (Lutjanidae) and grouper (Serranidae) species because it forced them to discard dead fish, a practice they consider wasteful since these species do not survive the ascent to the surface once hooked.

Characteristics of Shark Bycatch Observed on Pelagic Longlines off the Southeastern United States, 1992–2000

Data collected by fisheries observers aboard U.S. pelagic longline vessels were examined to quantify and describe elasmobranch bycatch off the southeastern U.S. coast (lat. 22°–35°N, long. 71°–82°W). From 1992 to 2000, 961 individual longline hauls were observed, during which 4,612 elasmobranchs (15% of the total catch) were documented. Of the 22 elasmobranch species observed, silky sharks, Carcharhinus falciformis, were numerically dominant (31.4% of the elasmobranch catch). The catch status of the animals (alive or dead) when the gear was retrieved varied widely depending on the species, with high mortalities seen for the commonly caught silky and night, C. signatus, sharks and low mortalities for rays (Dasyatidae and Mobulidae), blue, Prionace glauca; and tiger, Galeocerdo cuvier; sharks. Discard percentages also varied, ranging from low discards (27.6%) for shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus, to high discards for blue (99.8%), tiger (98.5%), and rays (100%). Mean fork lengths indicated the majority of the observed by-catch — regardless of species — was immature, and significant quarterly variation in fork length was found for several species including silky; dusky, C. obscurus; night; scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini; oceanic whitetip, C. longimanus; and sandbar, C. plumbeus; sharks. While sex ratios overall were relatively even, blue, tiger, and scalloped hammerhead shark catches were heavily dominated by females. Bootstrap methods were used to generate yearly mean catch rates (catch per unit effort) and 95% confidence limits; catch rates were generally variable for most species, although regression analysis indicated significant trends for night, oceanic whitetip, and sandbar sharks. Analysis of variance indicated significant catch rate differences among quarters for silky, dusky, night, blue, oceanic whitetip, sandbar, and shortfin mako sharks.

Diagnóstico ambiental dos Rios da Prata e Catumbi e balneabilidade da praia: estudo de caso em Muriqui, Mangaratiba RJ.

A constante exploração da água de forma descontrolada tem comprometido a sua qualidade e quantidade para os seus diversos fins, dentre os quais se destaca o uso recreativo por contato primário. O presente estudo levanta um problema frequente no litoral brasileiro: cidades que recebem um elevado número de visitantes em determinados períodos do ano e sofrem crises ambientais por conta da mudança drástica no volume populacional, já que a população flutuante dificulta a gestão de insumos públicos como o abastecimento de água potável, os serviços de saúde, o descarte de lixo e o tratamento de esgoto, sendo muitas vezes responsável por uma poluição local. Nesse sentido, utilizou-se como modelo o balneário de Muriqui, distrito de Mangaratiba, no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, e objetivou-se diagnosticar a poluição hídrica e a balneabilidade da praia. A metodologia empregada para o desenvolvimento desta pesquisa foi baseada em pesquisas bibliográficas, por trabalhos técnico-científicos publicados, livros e instrumentos legais, e em um plano de amostragem. . Foram também realizadas visitas às secretarias municipais para recolher dados atuais sobre o município. Por fim, para confrontar os resultados analíticos obtidos em campo, realizou-se uma investigação da série histórica da pluviosidade das estações pluviométricas mais próximas ao distrito de Muriqui. Para verificar a qualidade da água da praia e dos dois rios que desembocam nela, foi realizado um plano de amostragem com coletas quinzenais, às segundas-feiras pela manhã, entre setembro de 2012 e agosto de 2013, totalizando 25 campanhas. Em cada campanha foram coletados cinco pontos de amostragem: três na praia de Muriqui, um no Rio da Prata e outro no Rio Catumbi. Assim, realizou-se o monitoramento de parâmetros físicos, químicos e biológicos, com o intuito de compará-los aos valores permitidos pelas legislações vigentes e correlacioná-los entre si para verificar o nível de degradação dos corpos hídricos da região. Constatou-se com o estudo que o ponto no Rio da Prata é o mais deteriorado e impactado pela ação antrópica, já que estava localizado mais próximo à sua foz. A avaliação da qualidade da água da praia indicou que o local apresentava condições excelentes de balneabilidade em 96% do período monitorado, apresentando apenas um episódio impróprio para banho. De modo geral, verificou-se com a pesquisa que alguns parâmetros demonstraram episódios característicos de poluição difusa por esgoto sanitário, aparentemente em estado inicial de degradação.

Observations of the 1992 U.S. Pelagic Pair Trawl Fishery in the Northwest Atlantic

Pelagic pair trawling for tuna, Thunnus spp., and swordfish, Xiphias gladius, was introduced in U.S. Northwest Atlantic waters in 1991. During autumn (October-November) of 1992 under the authority oft he Federal Atlantic Swordfish Regulations, the National Marine Fisheries Service placed observers aboard pelagic pair trawl vessels to document the catch, bycatch, discard, and gear used in this new fishery. The fishery is conducted primarily at night along shelf-edge waters from June to November. In late 1991, revised regulations restricted swordfish to bycatch in this fishery resulting in pelagic pair trawl vessels targeting tuna throughout 1992. Analyses of 1992 data indicate that albacore, T. alalunga, was the predominant species caught, although yellowfin tuna, T. albaeares, and bigeye tuna, T. obesus, were the preferred target species. Bycatch also included swordfish, large sharks, pelagic rays and other pelagic fishes, other tunas, and marine mammals.

Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee 30th September, 1974

This is the report from the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 30th September, 1974. The report covers the minutes from the previous meetings of the Local Fisheries Advisory Committees, the income from licence duties, and an interim report on the establishment of a coarse fish unit. Also included is the regional fish hatchery requirements and information on the ban of imports of wild freshwater fish due to fish disease. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee 6th January, 1975

This is the report from the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 6th January, 1975. The report covers the minutes from the previous meetings of the Local Fisheries Advisory Committees, information on the proceedings of the Fishery Licensing Sub-Committe and fisheries improvement work on the River Leven. Also included is information on the ban of imports of wild freshwater fish due to fish disease. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Distribuição da caspase-3 clivada no cerebelo de ratos durante o desenvolvimento em um modelo de hipóxia-isquemia sistêmica pré-natal

A Hipóxia-isquemia (HI) perinatal é um problema de saúde pública, e ocorrem aproximadamente 1,5 casos de encefalopatias por HI por 1000 nascidos vivos. Dos que sobrevivem 25-60% sofrem de deficiências permanentes do desenvolvimento neurológico, incluindo paralisia cerebral, convulsões, retardo mental, e dificuldade de aprender. Neurônios e oligodendrócitos, especialmente os progenitores, são os mais afetados pela HI. Existem vários modelos de HI, no entanto, poucos levam em consideração as intercorrências maternas, a importância da atividade placentária, e as trocas entre mãe-filho, que são clinicamente observadas em humanos. Robinson estabeleceu um modelo de HI sistêmica pré-natal transitório, onde o fluxo das artérias uterinas da rata grávida era obstruído por 45 minutos no décimo oitavo dia (E18) de gestação. Neste modelo foram observadas alterações que são similares às observadas em cérebros humanos que passaram por hipóxia perinatal, dentre as quais foram relatados aumento no nível de apoptose. Caspase-3 é descrita como uma enzima que atua na apoptose, e é amplamente utilizada como marcador para células apoptóticas. Vários autores vêm mostrando, entretanto, que a enzima caspase-3 pode estar ativada para fins não apoptóticos. No modelo de HI sistêmica pré-natal, foram observados astrogliose na substância branca, morte de oligodendrócitos, lesão em axônios tanto na substância branca como no córtex cerebral, e danos motores. Pouco se sabe da influencia do insulto HI no desenvolvimento do cerebelo, considerando que o cerebelo junto com o córtex motor, contribui para o controle motor. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a distribuição da caspase-3 clivada durante o desenvolvimento do cerebelo em um modelo de HI pré-natal. Os resultados deste trabalho demonstram que as células caspase-3 clivadas apresentaram duas morfologias distintas em ambos os grupos. Uma onde a caspase-3 foi observada apenas no núcleo, oscilando entre células com imunorreatividade fraca a intensa, e de células com a presença da caspase-3 no corpo celular, nos prolongamentos condensados e presença de fragmentos ao redor do soma, morfologia típica de célula em apoptose. A HI pré-natal, assim como nos hemisférios cerebrais, levou ao aumento de células caspase-3 clivadas com morfologia de progenitores de oligodendrócitos no cerebelo do grupo HI em P2, mas não em P9 e P23. Também foi demonstrado que a HI pré-natal não levou a uma ativação da apoptose em oligodendrócitos, neurônios e microglia (identificados por seus respectivos marcadores, CNPase, NeuN e ED1) apresentando marcação no núcleos de células GFAP+, na substância branca, camada granular e nas células da glia de Bergmann, em P9 e P23 no cerebelo. Podemos concluir que a HI pré-natal aumentou o número de células imunorreativas para a caspase-3 em um período crítico do desenvolvimento da oligodendroglia no cerebelo, e que a diminuição de progenitores de oligodendrócitos no cerebelo decorrente do insulto pré-natal visto em trabalhos anteriores, pode estar relacionada a morte celular por apoptose, embora não se possa descartar a hipótese da participação dessas células que apresentam caspase-3 clivada em outros eventos não apoptóticos desencadeados pela hipóxia-isquemia.

Co-occurrence of bycatch and target species in the groundfish demersal trawl fishery of the U.S. west coast; with special consideration of rebuilding stocks

Bycatch and resultant discard mortality are issues of global concern. The groundfish demersal trawl fishery on the west coast of the United States is a multispecies fishery with significant catch of target and nontarget species. These catches are of particular concern in regard to species that have previously been declared overfished and are currently rebuilding biomass back to target levels. To understand these interactions better, we used data from the West Coast Groundfish Observer Program in a series of cluster analyses to evaluate 3 questions: 1) Are there identifiable associations between species caught in the bottom trawl fishery; 2) Do species that are undergoing population rebuilding toward target biomass levels (“rebuilding species”) cluster with targeted species in a consistent way; 3) Are the relationships between rebuilding bycatch species and target species more resolved at particular spatial scales or are relationships spatially consistent across the whole data set? Two strong species clusters emerged—a deepwater slope cluster and a shelf cluster—neither of which included rebuilding species. The likelihood of encountering rebuilding rockfish species is relatively low. To evaluate whether weak clustering of rebuilding rockfish was attributable to their low rate of occurrence, we specified null models of species occurrence. Results indicated that the ability to predict occurrence of rebuilding rockfish when target species were caught was low. Cluster analyses performed at a variety of spatial scales indicated that the most reliable clustering of rebuilding species was at the spatial scale of individual fishing ports. This finding underscores the value of spatially resolved data for fishery management.

Translocation as a strategy to rehabilitate the queen conch (Strombus gigas) population in the Florida Keys

Queen conch (Strombus gigas) stocks in the Florida Keys once supported commercial and recreational fisheries, but overharvesting has decimated this once abundant snail. Despite a ban on harvesting this species since 1985, the local conch population has not recovered. In addition, previous work has reported that conch located in nearshore Keys waters are incapable of spawning because of poor gonadal condition, although reproduction does occur offshore. Queen conch in other areas undergo ontogenetic migrations from shallow, nearshore sites to offshore habitats, but conch in the Florida Keys are prevented from doing so by Hawk Channel. The present study was initiated to determine the potential of translocating nonspawning nearshore conch to offshore sites in order to augment the spawning stock. We translocated adult conch from two nearshore sites to two offshore sites. Histological examinations at the initiation of this study confirmed that nearshore conch were incapable of reproduction, whereas offshore conch had normal gonads and thus were able to reproduce. The gonads of nearshore females were in worse condition than those of nearshore males. However, the gonadal condition of the translocated nearshore conch improved, and these animals began spawning after three months offshore. This finding suggests that some component of the nearshore environment (e.g., pollutants, temperature extremes, poor food or habitat quality) disrupts reproduction in conch, but that removal of nearshore animals to suitable offshore habitat can restore reproductive viability. These results indicate that translocations are preferable to releasing hatchery-reared juveniles because they are more cost-effective, result in a more rapid increase in reproductive output, and maintain the genetic integrity of the wild stock. Therefore, translocating nearshore conch to offshore spawning aggregations may be the key to expediting the recovery of queen conch stocks in the Florida Keys.

Distribution and co-occurrence of rockfishes (family: Sebastidae) over trawlable shelf and slope habitats of California and southern Oregon

The rockfishes of the sebastid genus Sebastes are a very important fishery resource off the coasts of California and southern Oregon. How-ever, many of the 54 managed stocks of west coast rockfish have recently reached historically low population levels, leading fishery managers to re-examine current management practices. Management of rockfish stocks as multispecies aggregates, as opposed to independent stocks within the ground-fish fishery, can be more desirable when nontargeted bycatch, discard, and management complexity are considered. Rockfish assemblage structure and species co-occurrences were determined by using data from the Alaska Fisheries Science Center triennial continental shelf bottom trawl survey. The weight of rockfish species in trawl catches was expressed as a catch-per-unit-of-effort (CPUE) statistic, from which species spatial distributions, overlaps, diversity, and richness were analyzed. Multidimensional scaling of transformed CPUE data was employed in indirect gradient and multivariate partitioning analyses to quantify assemblage relationships. Results indicated that rockfish distributions closely match the bathymetry of coastal waters. Indirect gradient analysis suggested that depth and latitude are the principal factors in structuring the spatial distributions of rockfish on trawlable habitat. In addition, four assemblages were identified through the joint evaluation of species’ distributions and multivariate partitioning analyses: 1) deep-water slope; 2) northern shelf; 3) southern shelf; and 4) nearshore. The slope, shelf, and near-shore groups are found in depth ranges of 200–500 m, 100–250 m, and 50–150 m, respectively. The division of northern and southern shelf assemblages occurs over a broad area between Cape Mendocino and Monterey Canyon. The results of this analysis are likely to have direct application in the management of rockfish stocks off the coasts of southern Oregon and California.

Ictiólogos de la Argentina: Claudio Rafael Mariano Baigún.

This series will include all those people who, by means of their contributions, great and small, played a part in the consolidation of ichthyology in Argentina. The general plan of this work consists of individual factsheets containing a list of works by each author, along with reference bibliography and, whenever possible, personal pictures and additional material. The datasheets will be published primarily in chronological order, although this is subject to change by the availability of materials for successive editions. This work represents another approach for the recovery and revalorization of those who set the foundations of Argentine ichthyology while in diverse historical circumstances. I expect this to be the beginning of a major work that achieves the description of such a significant part of the history of natural sciences in Argentina.