Use of telemetric tracking to examine environmental influences on catch/effort indices. A case study of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.)in the R. Tywi, S. Wales

A case study of Atlantic Salmon runs into the R. Tyvi (S. Wales) is presented. Radio tracking of over 200 salmon in 1988 and 1989 has demonstrated that flow is an important factor in modifying both run timing and migratory success. Entry of salmon into the river is typically in response to flow events, and periods of low falling flows delay entry and may directly result in reduced runs into the river. Delayed entry may also increase the proportion of the run migrating after the end of both rod and net fishing seasons. The implications of these results for net and rod catch and catch/effort data are discussed, using both statutory reported catch data and data from specific catch/effort studies. Flow is demonstrated to be a dominant factor in determining the within-season distribution of rod catch and catch/effort during low-flow years. Estuarial seine net catch and catch/effort tend to be controlled more by time of return than by flow although low flows may delay runs. Annual reported rod catch is correlated with flow, which controls in season availability, catchability and consequently the amount of fishing effort. Use of catch or catch/effort data should take account of inter-year variations in flow and other environmental factors. Although catch and catch/effort are valuable indicators of fishery performance, they are inadequate to represent changing stock levels.

Biological response to changes in climate patterns: population increases of gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus) in Texas bays and estuaries

The increase in the abundance of gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus) in Texas bays and estuaries over the past 30 years is correlated to increased wintertime surface water temperatures. Trends in the relative abundance of gray snapper are evaluated by using monthly fishery-independent monitoring data from each of the seven major estuaries along the Texas coast from 1978 through 2006. Environmental conditions during this period demonstrated increasing annual sea surface temperatures, although this increase was not seasonally uniform. The largest proportion of temperature increases was attributed to higher winter temperature minimums since 1993. Positive phases of the North Atlantic Oscillation, resulting in wetter, warmer winters in the eastern United States have occurred nearly uninterrupted since the late 1970s, and unprecedented positive index values occurred between 1989 and 1995. Increases in water temperature in Texas estuaries, beginning in the early 1990s, are postulated to provide both favorable over-wintering conditions for the newly settled juveniles and increased recruitment success. In the absence of cold winters, this species has established semipermanent estuarine populations across the entire Texas coast. A shift to negative phases of the North Atlantic Oscillation will likely result in returns to colder winter temperature minimums that could reverse any recent population gains.

Effects of rapid decompression and exposure to bright light on visual function in black rockfish (Sebastes melanops) and Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis)

Demersal fishes hauled up from depth experience rapid decompression. In physoclists, this can cause overexpansion of the swim bladder and resultant injuries to multiple organs (barotrauma), including severe exophthalmia (“pop-eye”). Before release, fishes can also be subjected to asphyxia and exposure to direct sunlight. Little is known, however, about possible sensory deficits resulting from the events accompanying capture. To address this issue, electroretinography was used to measure the changes in retinal light sensitivity, flicker fusion frequency, and spectral sensitivity in black rockfish (Sebastes melanops) subjected to rapid decompression (from 4 atmospheres absolute [ATA] to 1 ATA) and Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) exposed to 15 minutes of simulated sunlight. Rapid decompression had no measurable influence on retinal function in black rockfish. In contrast, exposure to bright light significantly reduced retinal light sensitivity of Pacific halibut, predominately by affecting the photopigment which absorbs the green wavelengths of light (≈520–580 nm) most strongly. This detriment is likely to have severe consequences for postrelease foraging success in green-wavelength-dominated coastal waters. The visual system of Pacific halibut has characteristics typical of species adapted to low light environments, and these characteristics may underlie their vulnerability to injury from exposure to bright light.

Indicators for management of coral reefs and their applications to marine protected areas

Informed planning and decision-making in the management of natural resources requires an ability to integrate complex interactions in ecosystems and communicate these effectively to stakeholders. This involves coping with three fundamental dilemmas. The first comes from the irregular pulse of nature. The second is the recognition that there are no strictly objective criteria for judging the well-being of an ecosystem. The third is posed by the quest for indicators with some integrative properties that may be used to analyze an ecosystem and impart the information to the relevant resource users. This paper presents some examples of indicators used to: 1) assess the status of a coral reef and, in particular, the state of its fisheries resources; 2) identify reefs that are most threatened by human activities; and 3) evaluate the likelihood of success of management interventions. These indicators are not exhaustive, but illustrate the range of options available for the management of coral reef ecosystems.

Indicators for management of coral reefs and their applications to marine protected areas

Informed planning and decision-making in the management of natural resources requires an ability to integrate complex interactions in ecosystems and communicate these effectively to stakeholders. This involves coping with three fundamental dilemmas. The first comes from the irregular pulse of nature. The second is the recognition that there are no strictly objective criteria for judging the “well-being” of an ecosystem. The third is posed by the quest for indicators with some integrative properties that may be used to analyze an ecosystem and impart the information to the relevant resource users. This paper presents some examples of indicators used to: 1) assess the status of a coral reef and, in particular, the state of its fisheries resources; 2) identify reefs that are most threatened by human activities; and 3) evaluate the likelihood of success of management interventions. These indicators are not exhaustive, but illustrate the range of options available for the management of coral reef ecosystems.

Factors determining spawning success in Penaeus monodon Fabricius

Spawning success in relation to the size of spawner, clumping of eggs, percentage of spawning and frequency of spawning was studied in Penaeus monodon collected off Tamil Nadu, India. The results indicated positive correlation between the size of spawner and the fecundity and hatching percentage, but not the start of hatching. Hatching characteristics were influenced by clumping of eggs or abortive spawning; the greater the clumping, the longer the time taken for hatching, resulting in a lower hatching percentage. The start of hatching time increased when the frequency of spawning increased. Lower hatching rate was observed as the frequency of spawning increased.

A gestão em saúde e as ferramentas gerenciais: a experiência com o SISPLAN do Instituto Nacional de Câncer

A gestão na área de saúde vem sofrendo modificações ao longo do tempo. As últimas duas décadas foram voltadas para o crescimento e implementação da gestão profissional neste setor, com o suporte do uso de sistemas de planejamento informatizados como apoio à gestão. Assim, este estudo tem como principal fio condutor as premissas da Gestão e do uso de ferramentas gerenciais. Embora não seja um estudo de caso, apoia-se em uma experiência concreta de gestão no Instituto Nacional de Câncer do Rio de Janeiro. Nesta pesquisa é observado que as organizações de saúde sempre estiveram voltadas para a assistência sem preocupação com a gestão em si, mas que a partir da crise econômica mundial dos anos 80 houve mudanças neste cenário. Estas alterações ocorreram não somente na gestão da saúde, como também na profissionalização do gestor. O uso de ferramentas gerenciais também é contemplado nesta pesquisa, porquanto hoje se debate a sua importância no auxílio do planejamento e da estratégia a ser orientada para estas organizações. Paralelamente à discussão sobre os sistemas mais usados nas empresas e organizações de saúde, é discutida como ferramenta gerencial principal nesta tese o Sistema de Planejamento (SISPLAN) do Instituto Nacional de Câncer do Rio de Janeiro, um instrumento desenvolvido na Instituição e que vem redesenhando os espaços institucionais de decisão e de discussão de políticas. Este estudo demonstra que a aplicação desta ferramenta gerencial possibilitou a implementação dos projetos prioritários e mais relevantes. Como ferramenta gerencial, o SISPLAN facilitou o desenvolvimento de uma gestão participativa e compartilhada em todos os níveis. Apesar das melhorias que ainda são necessárias para o aperfeiçoamento deste instrumento, são inegáveis as conquistas obtidas no transcorrer deste processo. Percebe-se, contudo, que apesar das suas características o SISPLAN não parece ser a ferramenta gerencial que expresse a estratégia da instituição, pois ele se comporta como uma ferramenta de planejamento. Assim, conclui-se que pelas características apresentadas durante o estudo, que o balanced scorecard deva ser associado ao SISPLAN como uma ferramenta gerencial complementar para permitir a construção da estratégia, baseada em uma cadeia de relações de causa e efeito e de fatores impulsionadores. Esta tese vem demonstrar que a disponibilização de uma ferramenta gerencial é fundamental para o sucesso da gestão.