Padal fishing - a unique fishing method in the Ashtamudi Estuary of Kerala (south India)

Bush park fishing / padal fishing is an indigenous fishing method widely employed in the Ashtamudi estuary of Kerala (south India). An artificial reef made from twigs and leaves of trees is planted in the shallow areas of the estuary. The aim is to harvest fish that find shelter in these structures for the purpose of feeding and breeding. Though the State Department of Fisheries has banned this method of fishing in the inland waters of Kerala, 400 padals are operating in this estuary. About 300 of them are anchored in the western parts of the estuary (west Kayal). Fish are harvested in the padals at monthly intervals almost round the year and this results in the destruction of a sizeable quantity of juveniles and sub-adults of the commercially important fishes, such as Pearl spot and mullets, from the estuary. These padals pose a major threat to the sustainability of the fishery resources of this estuary and, therefore, need to be phased out by providing alternative occupations for the fishermen who are dependant on the padals.

Preliminary use of oxygen stable isotopes and the 1983 El Niño to assess the accuracy of aging black rockfish (Sebastes melanops)

Black rockfish (Sebastes melanops) range from California to Alaska and are found in both nearshore and shallow continental shelf waters (Love et al., 2002). Juveniles and subadults inhabit shallow water, moving deeper as they grow. Generally, adults are found at depths shallower than 55 meters and reportedly live up to 50 years. The species is currently managed by using information from an age-structured stock assessment model (Ralston and Dick, 2003).

Preliminary evidence of increased spawning aggregations of mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis) at Riley’s Hump two years after establishment of the Tortugas South Ecological Reserve

In this note we describe the re-formation of a spawning aggregation of mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis). A review of four consecutive years of survey data indicates that the aggregation may be increasing in size. Mutton snapper are distributed in the temperate and tropical waters of the western Atlantic Ocean from Florida to southeastern Brazil (Burton, 2002). Juveniles and subadults are found in a variety of habitats such as vegetated sand bottoms, bays, and mangrove estuaries (Allen, 1985). Adults are found offshore on coral reefs and other complex hardbottom habitat. They are solitary and wary fish, rarely found in groups or schools except during spawning aggregations (Domeier et al., 1996). Spawning occurs from May through July at Riley’s Hump (Domeier et al., 1996) and peaks in June, as indicated by gonadosomatic indices (M. Burton, unpubl. data). Mutton snapper are highly prized by Florida fishermen for their size and fighting ability, and the majority of landings occur from Cape Canaveral, through the Florida Keys, including the Dry Tortugas (Burton, 2002).

Age validation, growth modeling, and mortality estimates for striped trumpeter (Latris lineata) from southeastern Australia: making the most of patchy data

Age estimates for striped trumpeter (Latris lineata) from Tasmanian waters were produced by counting annuli on the transverse section of sagittal otoliths and were validated by comparison of growth with known-age individuals and modal progression of a strong recruitment pulse. Estimated ages ranged from one to 43 years; fast growth rates were observed for the first five years. Minimal sexual dimorphism was shown to exist between length, weight, and growth characteristics of striped trumpeter. Seasonal growth variability was strong in individuals up to at least age four, and growth rates peaked approximately one month after the observed peak in sea surface temperature. A modified two-phase von Bertalanffy growth function was fitted to the length-at-age data, and the transition between growth phases was linked to apparent changes in physiological and life history traits, including offshore movement as fish approach maturity. The two-phase curve was found to represent the mean length at age in the data better than the standard von Bertalanffy growth function. Total mortality was estimated by using catch curve analysis based on the standard and two-phase von Bertalanffy growth functions, and estimates of natural mortality were calculated by using two empirical models, one based on longevity and the other based on the parameters L∞ and k from both growth functions. The interactions between an inshore gillnet fishery targeting predominately juveniles and an offshore hook fishery targeting predominately adults highlight the need to use a precautionary approach when developing harvest strategies.

Larval development of estuary perch (Macquaria colonorum) and Australian bass (M. novemaculeata) (Perciformes: Percichthyidae), and comments on their life history

Morphological development of the larvae and small juveniles of estuary perch (Macquaria colonorum) (17 specimens, 4.8−13.5 mm body length) and Australian bass (M. novemaculeata) (38 specimens, 3.3−14.1 mm) (Family Percichthyidae) is described from channel-net and beach-seine collections of both species, and from reared larvae of M. novemaculeata. The larvae of both are characterized by having 24−25 myomeres, a large triangular gut (54−67% of BL) in postflexion larvae, small spines on the preopercle and interopercle, a smooth supraocular ridge, a small to moderate gap between the anus and the origin of the anal fin, and distinctive pigment patterns. The two species can be distinguished most easily by the different distribution of their melanophores. The adults spawn in estuaries and larvae are presumed to remain in estuaries before migrating to adult freshwater habitat. However, larvae of both species were collected as they entered a central New South Wales estuary from the ocean on flood tides; such transport may have consequences for the dispersal of larvae among estuaries. Larval morphology and published genetic evidence supports a reconsideration of the generic arrangement of the four species currently placed in the genus Macquaria.

Early life history of the Argentine sandperch Pseudopercis semifasciata (Pinguipedidae) off northern Patagonia

The Argentine sandperch Pseudopercis semifasciata (Pinguipedidae) sustains an important commercial and recreational fishery in the northern Patagonian gulfs of Argentina. We describe the morphological features of larvae and posttransition juveniles of P. semifasciata and analyze the abundance and distribution of early life-history stages obtained from 19 research cruises conducted on the Argentine shelf between 1978 and 2001. Pseudopercis semifasciata larvae were distinguished from other larvae by the modal number of myomeres (between 36 and 38), their elongated body, the size of their gut, and by osteological features of the neuro- and branchiocranium. Pseudopercis semifasciata and Pinguipes brasilianus (the other sympatric species of pinguipedid fishes) posttransition juveniles were distinguished by their head shape, pigmentation pattern, and by the number of spines of the dorsal fin (five in P. semifasciata and seven in P. brasilianus). The abundance and distribution of P. semifasciata at early stages indicate the existence of at least three offshore reproductive grounds between 42−43°S, 43−44°S, and 44−45°S, and a delayed spawning pulse in the southern stocks.

The Bay Scallop, Argopecten irradians, in Florida Coastal Waters

The bay scallop, Argopecten irradians, supported a small commercial fishery in Florida from the late 1920’s through the 1940’s; peak landings were in 1946 (214,366 lbs of meats), but it currently supports one of the most popular and family-oriented fisheries along the west coast of Florida. The primary habitat of the short-lived (18 months) bay scallop is seagrass beds. Peak spawning occurs in the fall. Human population growth and coastal development that caused habitat changes and reduced water quality probably are the main causes of a large decline in the scallop’s abundance. Bay scallop restoration efforts in bays where they have become scarce have centered on releasing pediveligers and juveniles into grass beds and holding scallops in cages where they would

Ecotoxicidade aguda, crônica e genotoxicidade de solo contaminado por óleo lubrificante usado e biorremediado para Eisenia andrei.

O objetivo do presente deste trabalho foi avaliar a toxicidade aguda, crônica e a genotoxicidade sobre E. andrei causadas por solo recém-contaminado com óleo lubrificante usado e após biorremediação por diferentes estratégias, após 22 meses, e paralelamente ao estudo de ecotoxicidade, foi conduzida uma investigação comparativa de três métodos de extração de HTP e HPA de solos para análise cromatográfica. A comparação das técnicas de extração evidenciou que para HTP, a técnica de extração acelerada por solvente-ASE foi a que melhor recuperou n-alcanos; já para as frações HRP e MCNR as técnicas soxhlet e micro-ondas-MARS não apresentaram diferenças significativas e foram melhores que ASE. Para HPA, a técnica de extração por soxhlet foi a que apresentou melhor recuperação em todos os solos. O teste de mortalidade apresentou, aos 14 dias, taxas crescentes de mortalidade de 10 6%, 20 0%, 73 25%, 93 12% e 100 0% para amostras de CONT (solo controle, sem contaminação artificial), BIOS (solo contaminado com 5% de OLU e biorremediado por bioestimulo), BIOA1 (solo contaminado com 5% de OLU e biorremediado por bioestimulo + bioaumento com adição de 10% de RSU maturado), e BIOA2 (solo contaminado com 5% de OLU e biorremediado por bioestimulo + bioaumento com adição de 10% de RSU semi-maturado) e OLU (solo contaminado com 5% de OLU), respectivamente. Aos 28 dias, entretanto, BIOS e OLU apresentaram taxas de mortalidade de 97 % 6 % e de 100 % 0 % respectivamente, valores estes significativamente superiores ao CONT. Foram observadas deformações anatômicas nos indivíduos mantidos em BIOS e OLU, assim como diminuição da biomassa em todas as amostras, evidenciando efeitos crônicos. O teste de reprodução, aos 28 dias, foram observadas grandes quantidades de indivíduos jovens nos solos biorremediados e recém-contaminado. No entanto, aos 56 dias houve uma diminuição dessas formas e o controle (CONT) exibiu uma quantidade maior de formas juvenis. O teste de densidade e viabilidade celular mostrou ser indicador sensível para toxicidade crônica apresentando queda nos solos BIOS e OLU em relação ao CONT com diferenças significativas (p <0.05). Não foram observados micronúcleos nos solos em estudo. Tal observação reforça a necessidade de testes de ecotoxicidade para avaliar a real eficácia de tecnologias de tratamento.

Ecotoxicidade aguda, crônica e genotoxicidade de solo contaminado por óleo lubrificante usado e biorremediado para Eisenia andrei.

O objetivo do presente deste trabalho foi avaliar a toxicidade aguda, crônica e a genotoxicidade sobre E. andrei causadas por solo recém-contaminado com óleo lubrificante usado e após biorremediação por diferentes estratégias, após 22 meses, e paralelamente ao estudo de ecotoxicidade, foi conduzida uma investigação comparativa de três métodos de extração de HTP e HPA de solos para análise cromatográfica. A comparação das técnicas de extração evidenciou que para HTP, a técnica de extração acelerada por solvente-ASE foi a que melhor recuperou n-alcanos; já para as frações HRP e MCNR as técnicas soxhlet e micro-ondas-MARS não apresentaram diferenças significativas e foram melhores que ASE. Para HPA, a técnica de extração por soxhlet foi a que apresentou melhor recuperação em todos os solos. O teste de mortalidade apresentou, aos 14 dias, taxas crescentes de mortalidade de 10 6%, 20 0%, 73 25%, 93 12% e 100 0% para amostras de CONT (solo controle, sem contaminação artificial), BIOS (solo contaminado com 5% de OLU e biorremediado por bioestimulo), BIOA1 (solo contaminado com 5% de OLU e biorremediado por bioestimulo + bioaumento com adição de 10% de RSU maturado), e BIOA2 (solo contaminado com 5% de OLU e biorremediado por bioestimulo + bioaumento com adição de 10% de RSU semi-maturado) e OLU (solo contaminado com 5% de OLU), respectivamente. Aos 28 dias, entretanto, BIOS e OLU apresentaram taxas de mortalidade de 97 % 6 % e de 100 % 0 % respectivamente, valores estes significativamente superiores ao CONT. Foram observadas deformações anatômicas nos indivíduos mantidos em BIOS e OLU, assim como diminuição da biomassa em todas as amostras, evidenciando efeitos crônicos. O teste de reprodução, aos 28 dias, foram observadas grandes quantidades de indivíduos jovens nos solos biorremediados e recém-contaminado. No entanto, aos 56 dias houve uma diminuição dessas formas e o controle (CONT) exibiu uma quantidade maior de formas juvenis. O teste de densidade e viabilidade celular mostrou ser indicador sensível para toxicidade crônica apresentando queda nos solos BIOS e OLU em relação ao CONT com diferenças significativas (p <0.05). Não foram observados micronúcleos nos solos em estudo. Tal observação reforça a necessidade de testes de ecotoxicidade para avaliar a real eficácia de tecnologias de tratamento.

The Bay Scallop, Argopecten irradians, Massachusetts Through North Carolina: Its Biology and the History of Its Habitats and Fisheries

This article covers the biology and the history of the bay scallop habitats and fishery from Massachusetts to North Carolina. The scallop species that ranges from Massachusetts to New York is Argopecten irradians irradians. In New Jersey, this species grades into A. i. concentricus, which then ranges from Maryland though North Carolina. Bay scallops inhabit broad, shallow bays usually containing eelgrass meadows, an important component in their habitat. Eelgrass appears to be a factor in the production of scallop larvae and also the protection of juveniles, especially, from predation. Bay scallops spawn during the warm months and live for 18–30 months. Only two generations of scallops are present at any time. The abundances of each vary widely among bays and years. Scallops were harvested along with other mollusks on a small scale by Native Americans. During most of the 1800’s, people of European descent gathered them at wading depths or from beaches where storms had washed them ashore. Scallop shells were also and continue to be commonly used in ornaments. Some fishing for bay scallops began in the 1850’s and 1860’s, when the A-frame dredge became available and markets were being developed for the large, white, tasty scallop adductor muscles, and by the 1870’s commercial-scale fishing was underway. This has always been a cold-season fishery: scallops achieve full size by late fall, and the eyes or hearts (adductor muscles) remain preserved in the cold weather while enroute by trains and trucks to city markets. The first boats used were sailing catboats and sloops in New England and New York. To a lesser extent, scallops probably were also harvested by using push nets, picking them up with scoop nets, and anchor-roading. In the 1910’s and 1920’s, the sails on catboats were replaced with gasoline engines. By the mid 1940’s, outboard motors became more available and with them the numbers of fishermen increased. The increases consisted of parttimers who took leaves of 2–4 weeks from their regular jobs to earn extra money. In the years when scallops were abundant on local beds, the fishery employed as many as 10–50% of the towns’ workforces for a month or two. As scallops are a higher-priced commodity, the fishery could bring a substantial amount of money into the local economies. Massachusetts was the leading state in scallop landings. In the early 1980’s, its annual landings averaged about 190,000 bu/yr, while New York and North Carolina each landed about 45,000 bu/yr. Landings in the other states in earlier years were much smaller than in these three states. Bay scallop landings from Massachusetts to New York have fallen sharply since 1985, when a picoplankton, termed “brown tide,” bloomed densely and killed most scallops as well as extensive meadows of eelgrass. The landings have remained low, large meadows of eelgrass have declined in size, apparently the species of phytoplankton the scallops use as food has changed in composition and in seasonal abundance, and the abundances of predators have increased. The North Carolina landings have fallen since cownose rays, Rhinoptera bonsais, became abundant and consumed most scallops every year before the fishermen could harvest them. The only areas where the scallop fishery remains consistently viable, though smaller by 60–70%, are Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Mass., and inside the coastal inlets in southwestern Long Island, N.Y.

Application of Suction-cup-attached VHF Transmitters to the Study of Beluga, Delphinapterus leucas, Surfacing Behavior in Cook Inlet, Alaska

Suction-cup-attached VHF radio transmittes were deployed on belugas, Delphinapterus leucas, in Cook Inlet, Alaska, in 1994 and 1995 to characterize the whales' surfacing behavior. Data from video recordings were also used to characterize behavior of undisturbed whales and whales actively pursued for tagging. Statistics for dive intervals (time between the midpoints of contiguous surfacings) and surfacing intevals (time at the surface per surfacing) were estimated. Operations took place on the tidal delta of the Susitna and Little Susitna Rivers. During the 2-yr study, eight whales were successfully tagged, five tags remained attached for >60 min, and data from these were used in the analyses. Mean dive interval was 24.1 sec (interwhale SD=6.4 sec, n=5). The mean surfacing interval, as determined from the duration of signals received from the radio transmitters, was 1.8 sec (SD=0.3 sec, n=125) for one of the whales. Videotaped behaviors were categorized as "head-lifts" or "slow-rolls." Belugas were more likely to head-lift than to slow-roll during vessel approaches and tagging attempts when compared to undisturbed whales. In undisturbed groups, surfacing intervals determined from video records were significantly different between head-lifting (average = 1.02 sect, SD=0.38 sed, n=28) and slow-rolling whales (average = 2.45 sec, SD=0.37 sec, n=106). Undisturbed juveniles exhibited shorter slow-roll surfacing intervals (average = 2.25 sec, SD=0.32 sec, n=36) than adults (average = 2.55 sec, SD=0.36 sec, n=70). We did not observe strong reactions by the belugas to the suction-cup tags. This tagging method shows promise for obtaining surfacing data for durations of several days.

An Index of Abundance for Coastal Species of Juvenile Sharks from the Northeast Gulf of Mexico

A fishery-independent assessment of juvenile coastal shark populations in U.S. waters of the northeast Gulf of Mexico was conducted using two methods: gillnets and longlines. Surveys were conducted monthly during April–October in two fixed sampling areas from 1996 to 1998. The Atlantic sharpnose shark, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae, and the blacktip shark, Carcharhinus limbatus, were the most common species captured with either longlines or gillnets. An additional 14 shark species were captured, and juvenile indices of abundance were developed for 8 species with gillnets and 6 species of sharks with longlines. Trends in catch-per-unit-effort were found to vary depending on species. Length-frequency information revealed that the majority of sharks captured were juveniles. Given the direct relationship between stock and recruitment for sharks, continued monitoring of juvenile abundance will aid in determining the strength of the parental stock size and for predicting future population strength.

Homarid Lobster Hatcheries: Their History and Role in Research, Management, and Aquaculture

This paper provides an historical review of homarid lobster fisheries, the development and usage of lobster hatcheries, and much of the research influenced by hatchery-initiated studies on natural history, physiology, and morphological development of the lobster, Homarus spp. Few commercial lobster hatcheries exist in the world today, yet their potential usage in restocking efforts in various countries is constantly being reexamined, particularly when natural stocks are considered “overfished.” Furthermore, many individual researchers working on homarid lobsters use smallscale hatchery operations to provide the animals necessary for their work as well as animals reared and provided by various governmental agencies interested in specific projects on larvae, postlarvae, or juveniles. Such researchers can benefi t from the information in this review and can avoid many pitfalls previously documented. The development of hatcheries and the experimental studies that were generated from their activities have had a direct impact on much of the research on lobsters. The past work arising from hatchery operations—descriptions of life stages, behavior, physiology, etc.—has generally been confirmed rather than refuted and has stimulated further research important for an understanding of the life history of homarid lobsters. The connections between homarid fisheries and hatchery operations (i.e. culturing of the lobsters), whether small- or large-scale for field and laboratory research, are important to understand so that better tools for fishery management can be developed. This review tries to provide such connections. However, the rearing techniques in use in today’s hatcheries—most of which are relics from the past—are clearly not effi cient enough for large-scale commercial aquaculture of lobsters or even for current restocking efforts practiced by several countries today. If hatcheries are to be used to supplement homarid stocks, to restock areas that were overfished, or to reintroduce species into their historical ranges, there is a clear need to further develop culture techniques. This review should help in assessments of culturing techniques for Homarus spp. and provide a reference source for researchers or governmental agencies wishing to avoid repeating previous mistakes.

Manicomialidade hoje no ensino e na pesquisa em Psicologia no Rio de Janeiro: reflexões sobre o cuidado

Esta dissertação é produto de meu percurso no Mestrado em Psicologia Social e apresenta as diferentes modulações do trajeto desenvolvido durante dois anos. Descreve de que modo um projeto que buscava conhecer a experiência dos usuários de Saúde Mental se modificou, passando a questionar as relações entre a Universidade, a Reforma Psiquiátrica e o cuidado na pesquisa com pessoas. A partir da metodologia da História Oral, foram realizadas entrevistas com diversos atores pesquisadores, professores, militantes, estudantes, residentes e coordenadores de residências que se somaram, na qualidade de trabalho de campo, à participação em eventos promovidos por grupos de usuários e ao estágio docente na disciplina Políticas e Planejamento em Saúde Mental, do curso de graduação em Psicologia. Também se recorreu à pesquisa bibliográfica e à utilização do diário de campo. A partir desta última ferramenta, primordialmente, foi possível realizar a análise de implicações que permeia todo o trabalho, na perspectiva da Análise Institucional. Esta dissertação descreve e reflete, em especial, sobre os dilemas com os quais me defrontei, desde o início da pesquisa, quando quis entrevistar participantes dos coletivos de usuários de saúde mental. Meu interesse era conhecer como tinha sido a experiência desses usuários dentro da chamada Reforma Psiquiátrica; porém, em face da insistência, por parte dos coordenadores dos grupos, de que solicitasse a autorização do Comitê de Ética e obtivesse o respectivo consentimento informado, comecei a me interessar pela origem dessa demanda e sua atual função. Tomei como analisador o dispositivo Consentimento Informado ou Esclarecido tal como é requisitado hoje, ou seja, algo cada dia mais exigido no campo da pesquisa com seres humanos, em ciências sociais. Apresentando-se como um discurso de proteção de direitos, ele permite colocar em discussão a questão do cuidado e da ética na pesquisa: certos aspectos priorizados pelos Comitês de Ética, tais como riscos, benefícios e desfecho primário, supõem a antecipação dos resultados de um processo que, ao contrário, está em construção. Extrapolam-se modelos do campo biomédico, obstaculizando pesquisas que contemplem as subjetividades dos participantes (pesquisadores e pesquisados). Nesse sentido, a presente dissertação questiona a que cuidado (e ao cuidado de quem) tais dispositivos efetivamente respondem. Também se coloca um outro analisador em pauta, o dispositivo apresentação de doentes, a fim de refletir sobre a manicomialidade presente, ainda hoje, no ensino universitário de psicologia. Tanto pela experiência no campo como mediante a bibliografia consultada, percebe-se uma cisão entre Universidade e Reforma. Certos espaços acadêmicos e disciplinas ligadas à prática clínica permanecem intactos frente ao processo da Reforma, mesmo depois de uma recente mudança no currículo. Novos espaços e disciplinas emergem sem conseguir dialogar com os antigos, que transmitem ao jovem psi uma prática atemporal, científica, objetiva, fundada nos manuais psiquiátricos (DSM, CID) e em discursos psicanalíticos descontextualizados. Percebe-se, assim, que temas fundamentais, como as condições de cuidado em saúde mental, são escassamente, discutidos no curso psicologia hoje.

Menhaden: The Resource, The Industry, and a Management History

PREFACE: Four species of menhaden, Brevoortia spp., are found along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts of the United States. The Atlantic menhaden, B. tyrannus, is found from Nova Scotia, Can., to West Palm Beach, Fla.; the yellowfin menhaden, B. smithi, is found from Cape Lookout, N. C., to the Mississippi River Delta, La.;the Gulf menhaden, B. patronus, is found from Cape Sable, Fla., to Veracruz, Mex.; and the finescale menhaden, B. gunteri, is found from the Mississippi River Delta, La., to Campeche, Mex. Menhaden are euryhaline species that inhabit coastal and inland tidal waters. Spawning occurs principally at sea (in northern areas some spawning occurs in bays and sounds). Eggs hatch at sea and the larvae are moved to estuaries by ocean currents where they metamorphose and develop as juveniles.