River-based artificial propagation of the African catfish Clarias gariepinus: an option for the small fish farmer

A cheap method of propagating the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, by incubating the fertilized eggs in a cage placed directly in a flowing river is described. Hatching ranged between 39 and 70%. This is not significantly different from the commonly used water recirculating flow through system. The economic advantages of the river hatching method are discussed with special emphasis on the rural fish farmers.

O Corpo, a Mente e o Espírito do Negro Brasileiro: raça, loucura e religião na obra de Nina Rodrigues

No final do século XIX, a preocupação em torno da raça e com os possíveis impactos que a composição racial do povo brasileiro traria ao futuro da nação (notadamente a mestiçagem enquanto causa da degenerescência da população) marcou profundamente o pensamento da intelectualidade brasileira. A constituição da psicologia social no Brasil se deu em um contexto em que essas e outras questões correlatas pautaram a agenda política, literária e científica dos intelectuais. Raimundo Nina Rodrigues (1862-1906), médico maranhense que exerceu suas atividades profissionais principalmente na Bahia, foi um dos principais pensadores da época a debruçar-se sobre esse conjunto de questões, a partir de parâmetros e paradigmas provenientes da medicina legal, da criminologia e da psiquiatria. O presente trabalho, focando-se nas detalhadas análises de casos empreendidas por Nina Rodrigues, que abarcaram temas tão diversos como a alienação, a religião, a criminalidade e a loucura, investiga como este autor dialogou com teorias médicas, psiquiátricas e jurídicas produzidas sobretudo na Europa e como elas foram apropriadas e adaptadas à realidade brasileira e às conclusões de seus estudos de caso, a partir das quais ele derivou suas ideias, proposições e teorias

African freshwater fisheries: what needs to be managed?

The management of African freshwater fisheries in Southern African Development Coordination (SADC) countries is discussed. Changes in catch and fishing effort in the SADC freshwater fisheries in the past 50 years, the main causes behind the patterns of change in fishing effort, the effects of fishing effort and environment on the regeneration of fish stocks, as well as existing and proposed fisheries management regulations are investigated.

Comparative study of hatching rates of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell 1822) eggs on different substrates

The hatching rates of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) eggs on four natural substrates: the roots of Nile cabbage (Pistia stratiotes), water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), pond weed (Ceratophyllum dermasum) and green grass leaves (Commelina sp.), and four artificial substrates: sisal mats, nylon mats, papyrus mats and kakaban mats, was assessed. Concrete slabs were used as control. The natural substrates performed better than the artificial ones. Pistia roots gave the best mean hatching rate of 66.2 ± 3.62%. Green grass leaves were second with a mean rate of 54.0 ± 3.46%, water hyacinth was third with 49.7 ± 3.16% and Ceratophyllum fourth with a mean of 13.0 ± 2.37%. Concrete slabs gave a mean rate of 18.6 ± 2.8%, sisal mats 18.6 ± 2.0%, papyrus 12.2 ± 1.2% and kakaban 11.8 ± 1.9%. Nylon mats were the last, with a mean rate of 4.0 ± 0.7%. The best performing natural substrates were those with the ability to float and thin fibrous roots that seemed to allow higher aeration of the eggs during incubation. The cost of using natural substrates was minimal.

The evolution of body muscle composition of the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) (Burchell 1822)

Changes in body muscle composition of Clarias gariepinus were studied in fish reared from 1.08 g to 383 g mean body weight in a 201-day culture period. Changes in the amount of protein content, dry matter and ash free dry matter in the muscle tissue can be described as a function of body weight. The percentage of protein content was observed to be higher in bigger fish. Fat content was low throughout the fingerling stage. Specific growth rate decreased significantly at 400 g mean body weight (P<0.05) while feed conversion rate increased. The conclusion, based on the culture conditions in this study, is that the optimal weight for harvesting C. gariepinus is 400 g.

Production of fingerlings and marketable size African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in ponds in northern Cameroon

A simple running water method of catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerling production in ponds in Northern Cameroon is outlined.

Training in fisheries planning and management: the case of the Southern African Development Community nations

This paper presents an evaluation of the 15-week course on Training in Fisheries Planning and Management being offered at the University of Namibia since 1991. This course includes instruction in fisheries technology, fisheries biology, fisheries law and law of the sea, fisheries economics, fisheries sociology, environment impact assessment, planning and management, the logical framework approach to planning and computer literacy. The participats in the course have rated the various elements in a range of 2.9 to 4.7 out of a maximum of 5 points.

European Union supports project to strengthen fisheries and biodiversity management in African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries

Proper resource management implies a better understanding of ecosystems and the conservation of biodiversity. Scientists from developing countries often have limited information on their aquatic resources because of many difficulties in accessing and exchanging information on a national and international level. The project described not only aims to strengthen the scientific capacity of fisheries scientists in ACP institutions but it is also expected to create an awareness among fisheries researchers and managers of the importance of conserving biodiversity for the sustainable use of living aquatic resources. This will be achieved through training, building a network of regional and transregional cooperation using modern communication facilities, the promotion of research and the distribution and improvement of fisheries management tools. It is hoped that these capabilities will enable fisheries scientists in ACP countries to actively contribute towards a discussion to solve common problems originating from the endangering of the ecological basis of their fisheries.

Trawling Operations and South African (Cape) Fur Seals, Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus

South African (Cape) fur seals, Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus, interact with the South African trawl fisheries-offshore demersal, inshore demersal, and midwater fisheries. These interactions take thef ollowing forms: Seals take or damage netted fish, on particular vessels they become caught in the propeller, seals drown in the nets, live seals come aboard and may be killed. Except in specific cases of seals damaging particular trawler propellers, interactions result in little cost to the offshore and midwater trawl fisheries. For the inshore fishery, seals damage fish in the net at an estimated cost in excess of R69, 728 (US$18,827) per year, but this is negligible (0.3%) in terms ofthe value of the fishery. Seal mortality is mainly caused by drowning in trawl nets and ranges from 2,524 to 3,636 seals of both sexes per year. Between 312 and 567 seals are deliberately killed annually, but this most likely takes place only when caught and they enter the area below deck, where they are difficult to remove, and pose a potential threat to crew safety. Overall, seal mortality during trawling operations is negligible (0.4-0.6%) in terms of the feeding population of seals in South Africa.

Terecô: uma tradição negro-brasileira

Esta pesquisa tem por objetivo fazer um estudo sobre uma tradição negro-Brasileira denominada de Terecô que existe no estado do Maranhão, especificamente na comunidade Santo Inácio, localizada no município de Pedro do Rosário (Baixada Maranhense). Não busco neste trabalho definir o que é o Terecô, mas o que faz o Terecô, tentando demonstrar a heterogeneidade e flexibilidade, características da tradição centro-africana, presentes também no Terecô. Tais características são dinâmicas, agregadoras e vitais para a preservação, continuidade e deslocamento desta tradição e não algo desagregador, pobre e inerte. Tomando como base a definição de reposição cultural negra Brasileira de Muniz Sodré haverá, inicialmente, uma breve revisão histórica sobre o processo de entrada de Africanos escravizados no Maranhão. Além disso, haverá uma apresentação geral doTerecô. Em seguida, debruço-me sobre a comunidade estudada: o Terecô que é brincado por aquela gente e a festa tradicional no terreiro. Por fim, um breve relato sobre a perseguição e o preconceito, por parte do Estado e da sociedade, em relação aos Terecozeiros, devido ao seu caráter flexível e heterogêneo. Por causa destas características, alguns intelectuais e estudiosos das tradições negras Brasileiras consideram o Terecô como sendo menos puro e menos africano.

Memória e Representações Sociais de Práticas Religiosas de Matriz Africana

Esta dissertação de mestrado realizou um estudo sobre a identificação de memórias e representações sociais das práticas religiosas de matriz africana na população negra do bairro Dom Bosco situado no município de Juiz de Fora - MG. Foram entrevistados 60 sujeitos, de ambos os sexos, que se auto identificavam como negros, pardos, mulatos e outras denominações que caracterizam a ascendência negra. Através dos dados levantados na pesquisa concluímos que as representações sociais que esta população possui, são de que as práticas de matriz africana são demoníacas, feitiçarias para o mal e ações que causam prejuízo para as pessoas. As lembranças se mesclam com esquecimento, e as representações e memórias dos sujeitos da pesquisa estão associados com as práticas de sincretismo religioso existentes no Brasil. Os entrevistados não possuem lembrança dos líderes religiosos negros e nem dos locais de memória do bairro. Os participantes da pesquisa não se associam com estas práticas religiosas e têm em relação a elas uma visão de distanciamento e desinteresse. Constatamos que isto ocorre devido à dificuldade de aceitação pela sociedade em geral que as desvaloriza e discrimina, sempre atribuindo negatividade a elas e aos praticantes. Estas práticas são estereotipadas, folclorizadas e menosprezadas socialmente. O que faz com que a população afrodescendente não queira ser identificada com as tradições históricas, culturais e religiosos dos seus ancestrais

Measurement of stressful postures during daily activities: An observational study with older people.

This study measured the postures of older people during cooking and laundry. A sample of men and women aged 75+ years (n=27) was recruited and observed in a home-like environment. Postures were recorded with a measurement system in an objective and detailed manner. The participants were videotaped to be able to see where 'critical' postures occurred, as defined by a trunk inclination of ≥60°. Analysis of data was facilitated by specially developed software. Critical postures accounted for 3% of cooking and 10% of laundry, occurring primarily during retrieving from and putting in lower cabinets, the refrigerator, laundry basket or washing machine as well as disposing into the waste bin. These tasks involve a great variation in postural changes and pose a particular risk to older people. The results suggest that the use of stressful postures may decrease efficiency and increase fatigue, eventually leading to difficulties with daily activities. The specific tasks identified during which critical postures occurred should be targeted by designers in order to improve the activities. A few examples are given of how better design can reduce or eliminate some of the postural constraints.

Life history of South African snoek, Thyrsites atun (Pisces: Gempylidae): a pelagic predator of the Benguela ecosystem

Snoek (Thyrsites atun) is a valuable commercial species and an important predator of small pelagic fishes in the Benguela ecosystem. The South African population attains 50% sexual maturity at a fork length of ca.73.0 cm (3 years). Spawning occurs offshore during winter−spring, along the shelf break (150–400 m) of the western Agulhas Bank and the South African west coast. Prevailing currents transport eggs and larvae to a primary nursery ground north of Cape Columbine and to a secondary nursery area to the east of Danger Point; both shallower than 150 m. Juveniles remain on the nursery grounds until maturity, growing to between 33 and 44 cm in the first year (3.25 cm/month). Onshore– offshore distribution (between 5- and 150-m isobaths) of juveniles is deter-mined largely by prey availability and includes a seasonal inshore migration in autumn in response to clupeoid recruitment. Adults are found through-out the distribution range of the species, and although they move offshore to spawn—there is some southward dispersion as the spawning season progresses—longshore movement is apparently random and without a seasonal basis. Relative condition of both sexes declined dramatically with the onset of spawning. Mesenteric fat loss was, however, higher in females, despite a greater rate of prey consumption. Spatial differences in sex ratios and indices of prey consumption suggest that females on the west coast move inshore to feed between spawning events, but that those found farther south along the western Agulhas Bank remain on the spawning ground throughout the spawning season. This regional difference in female behavior is attributed to higher offshore abundance of clupeid prey on the western Agulhas Bank, as determined from both diet and rates of prey consumption.