Recreational shore fishing in southern Portugal: biological and socio-economic aspects and perspectives for management

Although overfishing is a concern for many fish stocks, it was for a long time only associated with commercial fishing exploitation, with less or no attention being given to the recreational fisheries. Recent research has shown however that the impact of recreational fishing on particular species can be considerable, and that the recreational harvest needs to be taken into account if fisheries are to be accurately assessed and effectively managed. In Portugal, the first recreational fishing regulations were only recently implemented. However, mirroring other European countries, regulations lacked scientific support, and specific knowledge of the activity was limited to a few studies with limited coverage. This thesis aimed to characterize the biological and socioeconomic aspects of the recreational shore angling activity in southern Portugal, to investigate whether the regulations in place were adequate and effective, and to provide recommendations for improved management and conservation of the inshore fisheries resources. A combined aerial-roving survey was conducted to gather data on fishing effort, catch, fishing trips and socioeconomic aspects (including anglers’ perceptions of regulations) of the recreational angling activity. The analysis of anglers’ catches suggested that compliance with daily bag limits was high, with less than 0.5% of creels exceeding the 10 kg angler-1 day-1 bag limit. Overall, 11.5% of the retained fishes were undersized, but non-compliance with minimum size limits was found to be high for some species (e.g. seabass, 73% undersized). In terms of the impact of recreational shore angling, the total estimated catches corresponded to less than 1% of the commercial landings for the same period (shared species). However, shore angling catches for white sea bream (Diplodus sargus) were found to be considerable, corresponding to 65% of the commercial landings (39.4% of total catch). In terms of anglers’ perceptions about the recreational fishing regulations in Portugal, the present study has shown that the majority of anglers accepted the existence of some kind of SRF regulations, but in general there was a partial or total disagreement with the recreational fishing restrictions recently put in place. Most anglers perceived themselves as not being involved in the decision-making process and claimed that some restrictions lacked a meaningful rationale (e.g. prohibition of fishing from piers/jetties). Fishers’ awareness with regard to specific aspects of the restrictions (such as the rationale for minimum size limits) was found to be very limited. During the same period, catches from sport fishing competitions were examined to test for differences with the recreational activity in terms of catches, and evaluate long term trends in catch and mean size of fish. Catches of the sport fishing competitions were found to be different from those observed for recreational fishing, being dominated by different species (e.g. garfish, mullets), and suggesting different fishing strategies of the the two types of anglers. High percentages of undersized fish were observed to be captured (and retained) during the competitions (in particular seabass, with 100% undersized), probably as a result of a single allowable minimum size (AMS) of 15 cm for all species in use in competitions. Lastly, catch and release fishing experiments were carried out to assess post-release mortality of three recreationally important species: two banded sea bream Diplodus vulgaris; black sea bream Spondyliosoma cantharus; and gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata. Post-release mortalities were found to be low (0-12%). The main predictor of mortality for Sparus aurata was anatomical hooking location, with 63% of the fishes that died being deeply hooked. The results support the release of fish, either from mandatory (e.g. minimum landing sizes) or voluntary practices. In summary, this thesis has demonstrated that the impact of recreational fishing for particular species is significant and needs to be taken into account for more effective management and stock assessment purposes. It has also highlighted several management issues that should be addressed in order to promote more adequate regulations in the future and prevent noncompliance issues. A periodic monitoring of the recreational fishing activity including all fishing modes (i.e. spear fishing, boat, and shore angling) would also be beneficial to ensure a timely knowledge on the global recreational fishing activity and support future management actions.

Molecular characterization of Gla-rich protein (GRP) gene expression and function

Gla-rich protein (GRP) is a vitamin K-dependent protein related to bone and cartilage recently described. This protein is characterized by a large number of Gla (γ-carboxyglutamic acid) residues being the protein with the highest Gla content of any known protein. It was found in a widely variety of tissues but highest levels was found in skeletal and cartilaginous tissues. This small secreted protein was also expressed and accumulated in soft tissues and it was clearly associated with calcification pathologies in the same tissues. Although the biological importance of GRP remains to be elucidated, it was suggested a physiological role in cartilage development and calcification process during vertebrate skeleton formation. Using zebrafish, an accepted model to study skeletal development, we have described two grp paralog genes, grp1 and grp2, which exhibited distinct patterns of expression, suggesting different regulatory pathways for each gene. Gene synteny analysis showed that grp2 gene is more closely related to tetrapod grp, although grp1 gene was proposed to be the vertebrate ortholog by sequence comparison. In addition, we identified a functional promoter of grp2 gene and using a functional approach we confirmed the involvement of transcription factors from Sox family (Sox9b and Sox10) in the regulation of grp2 expression. In an effort to provide more information about the function of grp isoforms, we generated two zebrafish transgenic lines capable to overexpress conditionally grp genes and possible roles in the skeleton development were studied. To better understand GRP function a mammalian system was used and the analysis of knockout mice showed that GRP is involved in chondrocyte maturation and the absence of GRP is associated to proteoglycans loss in calcified articular cartilage. In addition, we detected differences in chondrogenesis markers in articular chondrocyte primary culture. Overall, our data suggest a main role for GRP on chondrocyte differentiation.

Caraterização dos supressores p20 e p23 do Citrus tristeza virus e avaliação da possibilidade da sua inibição

No presente trabalho pretendeu-se caracterizar a capacidade supressora das proteínas p20 e p23 de diferentes grupos filogenéticos do CTV e o possível silenciamento da p23 de forma a ser incluída numa estratégia de proteção. A atividade supressora local da proteína p23 de todos os grupos filogenéticos foi caracterizada em Nicotiana benthamiana da linha 16C. Todas as proteínas testadas foram capaz de suprimir o silenciamento local, mas não o silenciamento a curta distância. A supressão local mais eficiente verificou-se para a p23 do Gp 5 e a menos eficiente para os isolados dos Gps 2 e M. Surpreendentemente, a p23 do Gp 5 aboliu completamente o silenciamento sistémico, sugerindo que existe uma relação entre a intensidade do silenciamento local e sistémico. A capacidade supressora local conjunta das proteínas p20 e p23 foi avaliada. A coexpressão de ambas as proteínas revelou atividade supressora mais forte comparada com a capacidade de cada proteína individual, mesmo quando inoculada com metade da densidade ótica, sugerindo a existência de sinergismo entre as proteínas p20 e p23. Para analisar as propriedades supressoras a longo prazo, as proteínas p20 e p23 foram inseridas no vetor viral TRV que assegurou a sua disseminação pela planta e expressão por um período mais alargado. Foram observados sintomas em N. benthamiana para todas as modalidades testadas, tais como, nanismo da planta, lesões necróticas severas nas folhas inoculadas e nas folhas novas ligeiros sintomas de mosaico e enrolamento. Contudo, sistemicamente não foram registadas diferenças na capacidade supressora das proteínas p20 e p23. A possibilidade para silenciar sistemicamente a proteína p23 quando incluída num genoma viral foi avaliada através do uso de plantas e enxertos transgénicos para a p23. A estratégia que envolve o uso de enxertos transgénicos parece indicar resultados promissores que conduzem ao silenciamento da p23, contudo, são resultados que devem ser encarados como preliminares.

Molecular structure and functional analysis of runx3 in zebrafish

Tese de doutoramento, Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade do Algarve, Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, 2014

Ciência e alteridade na literatura de viagens : estudo de processos retóricos e hermenêuticos

Tese de Doutoramento, Literatura Portuguesa, Unidade de Ciências Exactas e Humanas, Universidade do Algarve, 2000

Development of non-viral vectors for gene therapy for pathologies of the retina

Tese de doutoramento, Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Universidade do Algarve, 2015

O aluno, a escola e a sociedade: o papel das ciências físico-químicas do 3º ciclo do ensino básico

Dissertação de mestrado, Ensino no 3º ciclo do Ensino Básico e no Ensino Secundário (Física e Química), Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, 2015

Falsificação/contrafação de medicamentos: riscos na saúde pública e estratégias de combate

Dissertação de mestrado, Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, 2014

A Palavra e a Imagem

Num quadro teórico-crítico, influenciado por teorias contemporâneas de classe, género e etnia, vamos considerar os confrontos entre culturas, materializados em diversas práticas discursivas e visuais, que estudaremos transdisciplinarmente, numa perspectiva formal e como documentos. São exemplos das referidas práticas, por um lado, a escrita jornalística, que as novas tecnologias estão a desenvolver exponencialmente, a ensaística, o conto, o relato de viagem e biográfico, o romance, o poema, o drama e, por outro lado, as múltiplas imagens em suporte digital, o design, a fotografia, o vídeo, o cinema, a arquitectura, a gravura. Os ensaios publicados avaliam os estudos da palavra, ou da imagem visual, ou das formas diferentes como elas interagem, em relação a temas cronologicamente localizados entre o século XVIII e o século XXI.

A sociedade romana aos olhos de Marcial : uma proposta didáctica de língua e cultura

Relatório da prática de ensino supervisionada, Mestrado em Ensino de Português e Línguas Clássicas, Universidade de Lisboa, 2011

Envolvimento dos Alunos na Escola: Relações com variáveis contextuais e pessoais: Uma revisão da literatura

Este artigo é financiado por Fundos Nacionais através da FCT-Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, no âmbito do Projeto PTDC/CPE-CED/114362/2009 - Envolvimento dos Alunos na escola: Diferenciação e Promoção, coordenado por Feliciano H. Veiga.

Processos de cuidar em enfermagem:idosos com hipertenção arterial

Tese de doutoramento, Enfermagem, Universidade de Lisboa, com a participação da Escola Superior de Enfermagem, 2014

New approaches for the diagnosis of human papillomavirus infection:relevance for clinical practice and cancer prevention

Tese de doutoramento, Biologia (Microbiologia), Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, 2014

Diatom-based characterization of iberian coastal environments at different time scales

Tese de doutoramento, Geologia (Geologia Económica e do Ambiente), Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, 2014

Para a história da educação de infância em Portugal : o caso de Bragança (1934-1986)

Tese de doutoramento, Educação (História da Educação), Universidade de Lisboa, Instituto de Educação, 2014