Juvenile and small resident fishes of Florida Bay, a critical habitat in the Everglades National Park, Florida

This compendium presents information on the life history, diet, and abundance and distribution of 46 of the more abundant juvenile and small resident fish species, and data on three species of seagrasses in Florida Bay, Everglades National Park. Abundance and distribution of fish data were derived from three sampling schemes: (1) an otter trawl in basins (1984–1985, 1994–2001), (2) a surface trawl in basins (1984–1985), and (3) a surface trawl in channels (1984–1985). Results from surface trawling only included pelagic species. Collections made with an otter trawl in basins on a bi-monthly basis were emphasized. Nonparametric statistics were used to test spatial and temporal differences in the abundance of species and seagrasses. Fish species accounts were presented in four sections – Life history, Diet, Abundance and distribution, and Length-frequency distributions. Although Florida Bay is a subtropical estuary, the majority of fish species (76%) had warm-temperate affinities; i.e., only 24% were solely tropical species. The five most abundant species collected, in descending order, by (1) otter trawl in basins were: Eucinostomus gula, Lucania parva, Anchoa mitchilli, Lagodon rhomboides, and Syngnathus scovelli; (2) surface trawl in basins were: Hyporhamphus unifasciatus, Strongylura notata, Chriodorus atherinoides, Anchoa hepsetus, and Atherinomorus stipes; (3) surface trawl in channels were: Hypoatherina harringtonensis, A. stipes, A. mitchelli, H. unifasciatus, and C. atherinoides. (PDF file contains 219 pages.)

KE Useage Statistics Guidelines

A Knowledge Exchange workshop took place in March 2010 to bring together technical experts working in partner projects collecting usage statistics including PIRUS2, OAstatistik and SURFsure projects. Experts from other related projects (RePec and NeeO) were also involved. Following the workshop, experts came to the conclusion that it would be valuable for institutions in all four Knowledge Exchange partner countries as well as countries outside of KE, to have an agreed set of guidelines which could be used when collecting and comparing data on usage statistics. This work connects with work already planned in projects already funded in three of the countries. Together they have set up a set of guidelines which will be tested and refined by Autumn 2010. An element in these guidelines is an agreed robotlist. This list extends on the COUNTER list of robots which should be excluded when counting downloads.

Combined useage statistics as a basis for Research intelligence

Knowledge Exchange hosted a workshop in March 2010 with the aim to bring together technical experts working in partner projects collecting usage statistics including PIRUS2, OAstatistik and SURFsure projects. Experts from other related projects (RePec and NeeO) were also involved. The workshop produced a briefing paper on combined usage statistics as a basis for research intelligence. In this paper, the experts make a cause for collecting and exchanging usage statistics as this can provide valuable insight in how research is being used, not only by the research community, but also by business and society in general. This would provide a basis for 'Research Intelligence', an intelligent use of reliable numerical data which can be used as a basis for decision making in higher education and research. Usage statistics are a clear example of data which can offer a valuable contribution to the information required to make informed decisions. To allow for the meaningful collection, exchange and analysis of usage statistics, a number of challenges and opportunities need to be addressed and further steps need to be taken.

Tagging and recovery of tropical tunas 1955-1959

ENGLISH: Yellowfin and skipjack tuna occur in commercial quantities in the Eastern Pacific Ocean from California to Chile. They are captured in the high seas at distances from the mainland up to several hundred miles (see Alverson, 1960). The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission has been engaged for several years in research on the biology, ecology, and population dynamics of the stocks of these species supporting the commercial fishery, in order to elucidate the effects of the fishery and of fishery independent factors on their abundance and behavior, to provide the scientific basis for rational management of the fishery. An important aspect of this research is the investigation of the migrations of these species in the Eastern Pacific, and the determination of whether each consists of but a single population or is composed of various sub-populations. One direct means of approaching these problems is the tagging, and subsequent recovery, of specimens in the region of the commercial fishery. This also provides direct information on growth rates, by comparison of sizes of specimens at tagging and upon later recovery, and can furnish the basis of estimating rates of mortality. These are two of the important elements of the vital statistics of the tuna populations. SPANISH: El atún aleta amarilla y el barrilete se encuentran en cantidades comerciales en el Océano Pacífico Oriental, desde California hasta Chile. Estos peces son capturados en alta mar a varios cientos de millas de distancia de tierra firme (ver Alverson, 1960). La Comisión Interamericana del Atún Tropical ha estado dedicada durante varios años a la investigación de la biología, ecología y dinámica de las poblaciones de los stocks de las indicadas especies que mantienen la pesquería comercial, a fin de elucidar los efectos de ésta y de los factores independientes de la explotación sobre la abundancia y hábitos de estos peces, para obtener una base científica que permita una administración racional de la pesquería. Un aspecto importante de esta investigación es el estudio de los movimientos migratorios de estas especies en el Pacífico Oriental, y la determinación de que si cada una constituye una sola población o está compuesta de varias subpoblaciones. Un medio directo de abordar estos problemas es el de la marcación, y subsecuente recuperación, de especímenes en la región de la pesquería comercial. Esto también proporciona una información directa sobre la tasa de crecimiento, por la comparación de los tamaños de los especímenes al ser marcados y recuperados más tarde y puede proveer la base para estimar las tasas de mortalidad. Estos son dos de los elementos importantes de las estadísticas vitales de las poblaciones de atún.

A Note on Wavelet Correlation and Cointegration

In a recent paper Leong-Huang:2010 {Journal of Applied Statistics 37, 215–233} proposed a wavelet-correlation-based approach to test for cointegration between two time series. However, correlation and cointegration are two different concepts even when wavelet analysis is used. It is known that statistics based on nonstationary integrated variables have non-standard asymptotic distributions. However, wavelet analysis offsets the integrating order of nonstationary series so that traditional asymptotics on stationary variables suffices to ascertain the statistical properties of wavelet-based statistics. Based on this, this note shows that wavelet correlations cannot be used as a test of cointegration.

Illustrated key to the genera of free-living marine nematodes of the Order Enoplida

A pictorial key to US genera of free-living marine nematodes in the order Enoplida is presented. Specific morphological and anatomical features are iUustrated to facilitate use of the key. The purpose of this work is to provide a single key to the genera of enoplid nematodes to facilitate identification of these organisms by nematologists and marine biologists working with meiofauna. (PDF file contains 32 pages.)

Sampling statistics in the Atlantic menhaden fishery

Atlantic menhaden, Brrvoortia tyrannus, the object of a major purse-seine fishery along the U.S. east coast, are landed at plants from northern Florida to central Maine. The National Marine Fisheries Service has sampled these landings since 1955 for length, weight, and age. Together with records of landings at each plant, the samples are used to estimate numbers of fish landed at each age. This report analyzes the sampling design in terms of probablity sampling theory. The design is c1assified as two-stage cluster sampling, the first stage consisting of purse-seine sets randomly selected from the population of all sets landed, and the second stage consisting of fish randomly selected from each sampled set. Implicit assumptions of this design are discussed with special attention to current sampling procedures. Methods are developed for estimating mean fish weight, numbers of fish landed, and age composition of the catch, with approximate 95% confidence intervals. Based on specific results from three ports (port Monmouth, N.J., Reedville, Va., and Beaufort, N.C.) for the 1979 fishing season, recommendations are made for improving sampling procedures to comply more exactly with assumptions of the sampling design. These recommendatlons include adopting more formal methods for randomizing set and fish selection, increasing the number of sets sampled, considering the bias introduced by unequal set sizes, and developing methods to optimize the use of funds and personnel. (PDF file contains 22 pages.)

An analysis of methods of sampling to determine the size composition of commercial landings of yellowfin tuna, Neothunnus macropterus, and skipjack, Katsuwonus pelamis

ENGLISH: The staff of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission is collecting and analyzing catch statistics of the Eastern Pacific fishery for yellowfin tuna (Neothunnus macropterus) and skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) in order to provide the factual information required for maintaining the catch of these species at maximum sustainable levels (Shimada and Schaefer, 1956). Careful, systematic and continued studies of the population structure, life history, and ecology of these species are needed for a proper and adequate interpretation of the catch statistics so that a sound conservation program may be achieved (Schaefer, 1956). SPANISH: El personal científico de la Comisión Interamericana del Atún Tropical cumple, entre sus tareas, la de reunir y analizar las estadísticas de pesca del atún aleta amarilla (Neothunnus macropterus) y del barrilete (Katsuwonus pelamis) de la pesquería del Pacífico Oriental, a fin de adquirir la información necesaria para mantener la pesca de estas especies a niveles de producción máxima sostenible (Shimada y Schaefer, 1956). Estudios cuidadosos, sistemáticos y continuos de la estructura de la población y ciclo de vida y ecología de estas especies, son necesarios para lograr una interpretación adecuada de las estadísticas de pesca, de modo que éstas, a su vez, permitan realizar un programa conservacionista serio (Schaefer, 1956). (PDF contains 73 pages.)

Geographical catch distribution of yellowfin and skipjack tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, 1967-1970, and fleet and total catch statistics, 1962-1970

ENGLISH: Logbook records of tuna vessels fishing in the eastern Pacific Ocean were used to prepare charts showing the distribution of yellowfin tuna and skipjack catches by i-degree area, by quarter of the year, and by gear, for the years 1967-1970. Recent changes in the geographical distribution of yellowfin catch are illustrated. Also given are annual catch statistics and the composition of the international tuna fishing fleets which operated in the Commission's Yellowfin Regulatory Area each year, 1962-1970. SPANISH: Los registros de los cuadernos de bitácora de los barcos pesqueros de atún en el Océano Pacífico oriental se usaron para preparar gráficos que presentan para los años de 1967-1970, la distribución de captura del atún aleta amarilla y barrilete por área de 1 grado, trimestre del año y, por las artes. Se ilustran los recientes cambios en la distribución geográfica de la captura del atún aleta amarilla. Se presentan también las estadísticas de captura anual y la composición de la flota internacional de pesca, que explota cada año el Area Reglamentaria de la Comisión, 1962-1970. (PDF contains 95 pages.)

Geographical distribution of yellowfin and skipjack tuna catches in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, and fleet and total catch statistics, 1971-1974

ENGLISH: Logbook records of purse seiners and baitboats fishing for yellowfin and skipjack tunas in the eastern Pacific Ocean were used to prepare charts showing the distribution of catches by l-degree area and quarter of the year for each gear and regulation status, for the years 1971-1974. Changes in geographical distribution of the catch over the four-year period are discernible. Information on annual catch statistics and fleet composition by country is presented. SPANISH: Los registros de bitácora de los cerqueros y clíperes (barcos de carnada) que pescan atún aleta amarilla y barrilete en el Océano Pacífico oriental se emplearon para preparar los diagramas en los que se indica la distribución de las capturas por área de 1 grado y trimestre, correspondiente a cada arte y condición reglamentaria en los años de 1971 a 1974. Se pueden distinguir los cambios en la distribución geográfica de la captura durante el período de cuatro años. Se presenta la información por país sobre las estadísticas de la captura anual y la composicón de la flota. (PDF contains 116 pages.)

Short-range-order effects on intrinsic plasticity of metallic glasses

Through a systematical analysis of the elastic moduli for 137 metallic glasses (MGs) and 56 polycrystalline metals, we use a simple model developed by Knuyt et al. [J. Phys. F: Met. Phys. 16 (1986) p.1989; Phil. Mag. B 64 (1991) p.299] based on a Gaussian distribution for the first-neighbor distance to reveal the short-range-order (SRO) structural conditions for plasticity of MGs. It is found that the SRO structure with dense atomic packing, large packing dispersion and a significant anharmonicity of atomic interaction within an MG is favorable for its global plasticity. Although these conditions seem paradoxical, their perfect matching is believed to be a key for designing large plastic bulk MGs not only in compression but also in tension.

Geographical distribution of yellowfin and skipjack tuna catches in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, and fleet and total catch statistics, 1975-1978

ENGLISH: Logbook records of purse seiners and baitboats fishing for yellowfin and skipjack tunas in the eastern Pacific Ocean were used to prepare charts showing the distribution of catches by one-degree area and quarter of the year for each gear and regulation status, for the years 1975-1978. Changes in geographical distribution of the catch over the four-year period are described. Information on annual catch statistics and fleet composition by country is presented. SPANISH: Se emplearon los registros de bitácora de las embarcaciones cerqueras y de carnada que pescan atún aleta amarilla y barrilete en el Océano Pacífico oriental, para preparar los diagramas que indican la distribución de captura por zonas de un grado y trimestres del año de cada arte y condición de las reglamentaciones, en los años de 19'75 a 1978. Se describen los cambios de la distribución geográfica de la captura durante un período de cuatro Se presenta la información, por país, de las estadísticas de captura y de la composición de la flota. (PDF contains 120 pages.)