Management from the viewpoint of Lake Victoria fisheries

Fisheries science is concerned with ultimate yield prediction and control. The subject deals with the study of natural history of stocks and the dynamics of fish populations. The multiple species fisheries of Lake Victoria are undergoing rapid development. Already, some of the highly valued fish species have been reduced to very low population levels. The most abundant but less relished Haplochromis spp. remain underutilized. The real problem in management is to win acceptance for regulations that foster increasing productivity in the industry, without slavish adherence to status quo.

La reproducción de la merluza en el Mar Argentino (Merlucciidae, Meluccius merluccius hubbsi) : 2. La reproducción de la merluza y su relación con otros aspectos biológicos de la especie

The paper deals with the spawning cycle of the hake, Merluccius merluccius hubbsi in the fishing area of the Argentine fleet, SW Atlantic (35°- 46° L. S.: 53°- 63° L.W.; 30-160 fathoms depth). It was made on the basis of the weekly sampling of the commercial catch in the period January 1965 - March 1968. The results have been compared with those of the exploratory surveys made by the United Nations Fisheries Development Program (República Argentina - FAO). The histological study, which was made with 741 specimens, was most intensive in females than in males. The results have been compared with the sexual stage determinations of both sexes in the total samples during the period before mentioned. The conclusions are: 1. The analysis of the ovocytes frequency distributions showed a period of resting or slow recuperation (April - August) with a mode of 120 ~k and one of rapid transformation (October - December) from 120 μ tíll 830 ~k. After December it appears again the mode of 120 ~k which indicated the reserve stock. 2. The maturity factor shows in both sexes a period of low values , 0,52 to 2% (April - September) and, another with higher values (October - March). In the first period the values are concentrated, while in the second one a large dispersion is observed produced by the rapidity of the growth process of the gonads. It is more evident between November and December. 3. The liver weight variations, compared with the degree of ingestion and the values of the maturity factor, in time, demonstrated that: a) after two periods of abundant ingestion (March - April and October- November) there are two increases of the liver index; b) the increase of the Iiver index has a direct relation to the maturity factor; c) at the end of the summer season, when the values of the maturity factor decrease, those of the liver index are still high. This demonstrates that the hake does not arrive exhausted at the end of the spawning season and that a rapid recuperation for a new spawning by part of the stock is possible. 4. Females predominate in the samples during most of the year. In the period October - December, when sexual activation occurs, as it is demonstrated by the high values of the maturity factor, proportions are nearly 1 :1, and males at times are more numerous than females. 5. The analisys of the advaneed maturity stages, in relation to total length shows that in the hake, Iike in other fishes, the largest ones mature first. This applies for both sexes. 6. The study of the maturity factor values and the sexual stages of the samples allows the recognition of two spawning periods, the main one in summer (October - March) and another in winter (June - July). 7. Part of the summer spawners, with a rapid recuperation, should be able to spawn again in winter. This indicates that the hake population, acording to our samples, has two different possibilities of spawning. 8. After analysis of the frequency percentages composition of mature specimens it is concluded that during the summer season, when hake is fished in shallow waters and in a wide area (38°– 43° L.S.) the fleet is fishing on the spawning stocks. Some winter spawners specimens have been found at 37°- 38° L.S. and in waters of more than 100 fathoms depth. 9. A new maturity scale of seven stages is proposed, instead of the one of six stages now in use. The new added stage corresponds to the postspawners during its resting period.

Growth rates of juvenile Nile perch, Lates niloticus L. in lakes Victoria, Kyoga and Nabugabo

The growth rates of Nile perch, Lates niloticus L. of 20 cm to 40 cm total length were estimated in lakes Victoria and Kyoga in 1991 and 1992 and Nabugabo in 1992 and 1993 by tagging. Fish grew faster in Lake Kyoga (mean growth rate 28.7 ± 1.3 cm S.E. per year, N = 49) than in Lake Victoria (18.9 ± 1.4 cm per year, N = 20) and Lake Nabugabo (19.0 ± 0.7 cm per year, N = 43). There were significant differences in growth rates between the lakes (F2 109 = 24.037, P < 0.001). Growth rates in Lake Kyoga were significantly higher than those of lak'es Victoria and Nabugabo (p < 0.001) but those of lakes Victoria and Nabugabo were not significantly different from each other (p = > 0.05). The faster growth rates in Lake Kyoga were attributed to improvement in food supply due to increases in stocks of haplochromine prey. Growth rates in Lake Kyoga were significantly higher, but those of lakes Victoria and Nabugabo were within the ranges of those reported in several native habitats of Nile perch.

The steel scrap age.

Steel production accounts for 25% of industrial carbon emissions. Long-term forecasts of steel demand and scrap supply are needed to develop strategies for how the steel industry could respond to industrialization and urbanization in the developing world while simultaneously reducing its environmental impact, and in particular, its carbon footprint. We developed a dynamic stock model to estimate future final demand for steel and the available scrap for 10 world regions. Based on evidence from developed countries, we assumed that per capita in-use stocks will saturate eventually. We determined the response of the entire steel cycle to stock saturation, in particular the future split between primary and secondary steel production. During the 21st century, steel demand may peak in the developed world, China, the Middle East, Latin America, and India. As China completes its industrialization, global primary steel production may peak between 2020 and 2030 and decline thereafter. We developed a capacity model to show how extensive trade of finished steel could prolong the lifetime of the Chinese steelmaking assets. Secondary steel production will more than double by 2050, and it may surpass primary production between 2050 and 2060: the late 21st century can become the steel scrap age.

Age structure, growth and mortality estimates of an endemic Ptychobarbus dipogon (Regan, 1905) (Cyprinidae: Schizothoracinae) in the Lhasa River, Tibet

Ptychobarbus dipogon is an endemic fish in the Yarlung Tsangpo River, but its biology is poorly known. We sampled 582 specimens (total length, TL, between 70.6 and 593.0 mm) from April 2004 to August 2006 in the Lhasa River, Tibet. We estimated ages based on the counts of alternating opaque and translucent zones (annuli) in thin transverse sections of lapilli otoliths. Ages ranged from 1(+) to 23(+) years for males and 1(+) to 44(+) for females. The observed 44(+) years was the oldest reported for schizothoracine fishes. Females attained a larger size than males. The TL weight relationship was W=7.12 x 10(-6)TL(3.006) for combined sexes. The growth parameters fitted von Bertalanffy growth functions were L-infinity = 598.66 mm, k=0.0898 year(-1), t(0)=-0.7261 year and W-infinity = 1585.38 g for females and L-infinity = 494.23mm, k=0.1197 year(-1), t(0)=-0.7296 year and W-infinity = 904.88g for males. The longevities of 32.7 year for females and 24.3 year for males were similar to the observed ages. Using an empirical model we estimated the instantaneous rate of total mortality (Z) at 0.28 per year in the lower reaches. Z in the upper and middle stocks was close to the M because of unexploited or lightly exploited stock. Protracted longevity, slow growth, low natural mortality and large body size were typical characteristics of P. dipogon. The current declining trend of P. dipogon could be prevented by altering fishing regulations.

Spatial and seasonal variations in benthic algal assemblages in streams in monsoonal Hong Kong

Samples from stone surfaces were collected in pools within four unpolluted hillstreams (two shaded and two unshaded) in monsoonal Hong Kong (lat. 23 degrees N) to elucidate the extent of spatial (within and among streams) and temporal (seasonal) variations in algal biomass and assemblage composition. Sampling continued for over 12 months, incorporating the dry season when streams were at baseflow, and the wet season when spates were frequent. We anticipated that algal biomass would be lower in shaded streams and during the wet season, with associated seasonal differences in assemblage composition or relative abundance of different growth forms (e. g. erect versus prostrate). Benthic chlorophyll a (a proxy for algal biomass) varied among streams from an annual mean of 11.0-22.3 mg m(-2). Dry-season standing stocks were 18% higher than during the wet season when spate-induced disturbance reduced algal standing stocks. Algal biomass varied significantly at the stream scale, but not at the pool scale, and was lower in unshaded streams, where standing stocks may have been limited by high densities of algivorous balitorid loaches (mainly Pseudogastromyzon myersi). An overriding effect of grazers on algal biomass could also have reduced variations resulting from spate-induced disturbance. Significant differences in assemblage composition among streams, which were dominated by diatoms and cyanobacteria (totally 82 taxa) were not systematically related to shading conditions. Seasonal variations in algal assemblages were statistically significant but rather minor, and did not involve major shifts in composition or growth form caused by spate-induced disturbance. The abundance of filamentous cyanobacteria in all the streams may have been due to 'gardening' by balitorid loaches that removed erect or stalked diatoms and favoured cyanobacteria that persist through basal regeneration of filaments. This explanation requires validation through manipulative experiments.

Acoustic Observation of the Spawning Aggregation of Megalobrama hoffmanni in the Pearl River

Using the Simrad EY60 split-beam echosounder, the spawning aggregation of Megalobrama hoffmanni was observed at the Luopang spawning grounds in the Pearl River, China, from April 19 to 22 2006. With the boat anchored, the transducer was stationary and was aimed horizontally to monitor the migration of the fish. Using fishery information, the echoes of M. hoffmanni were identified. The results showed that the spawning aggregation of M. hoffmanni at Luopang was obvious and easy to discriminate. The target strength of M hoffmanni in situ ranged from -33.8 dB to -52.3 dB (average 42.2dB). The aggregation of M. hoffmanni was obviously affected by light. With a speed of -0.31 m/s, 88.9% of the spawning stocks migrated upstream. Most M hoffmanni were recorded moving near the bottom. Their distinctive acoustic signature demonstrated the suitability of the stationary acoustic observation for M. hoffmanni identification and discrimination.

Multiple cohorts of juvenile jack mackerel Trachurus japonicus in waters along the Tsushima Warm Current

The jack mackerel, Trachurus japonicus, has a prolonged spawning season and widely spread spawning grounds. The population in the coastal waters of Japan seems to be composed of several cohorts spawned seasonally from different waters. To understand its population structure along the Tsushima Warm Current, we analysed hatchdates and growth histories of fish from Kunda Bay, the southern, central and northern East China Sea (ECS), the southern Sea of Japan, and Maizuru Bay. Seven cohorts were detected from fish collected between June 2005 and June 2006 in Kunda Bay. Comparing hatchdate distributions and growth trajectories of the seven cohorts with those of the other five regional samples, we did not find that cohorts collected in Kunda Bay originated in the southern ECS. Therefore, these coastal waters of Japan appear to be significant spawning grounds for juvenile jack mackerel. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Macrozoobenthic community of Fuxian Lake, the deepest lake of southwest China

Located in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau in southwest China, Fuxian Lake covers an area of 211 km(2), with maximum depth of 155 m. It is known to have a unique fauna, including 14 described endemic species. In order to describe the zoobenthic community of the lake more completely, the present study was conducted from August 2002 to August 2003. Altogether 62 benthic taxa, including 22 oligochaetes, 21 molluscs and 18 insects were identified, of which the dominant taxa belonged to Potamothrix, Procladius and Paraprososthenia. The standing stocks of benthos were much higher in the littoral (824 ind/m(2) in density, 3.72 g/m(2) in biomass) than in the profundal region (23 ind/m(2) in density, 0.10 g/m(2) in biomass). Species richness was greatest in summer and standing stocks were larger in spring and summer than in other seasons. Analyses of functional feeding groups indicated that collector-gatherers and scrapers were predominant in entire lake. Stepwise multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the water depth is the most important factor affecting the distribution of macrozoobenthos. (C) 2008 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Transport-determined early growth and development of jack mackerel Trachurus japonicus juveniles immigrating into Sagami Bay, Japan

Oceanographic conditions and transport processes are often critical factors that affect the early growth, survival and recruitment of marine fishes. Sagittal otoliths were analysed to determine age and early growth for 381 jack mackerel (Trachurus japonicus) juveniles from Sagami Bay on the Pacific coast of Japan. Two separate hatching periods ( December and February-March) were identified. They originated from the spawning grounds in the East China Sea. Early growth and developmental rates of December-hatching fish were lower than those for February-March-hatching fish. It is likely that these differences were determined in the Kuroshio Current during transport from the spawning grounds to Sagami Bay, and the lower December water temperatures in the bay. Origin and hatch dates of juveniles in Sagami Bay were in contrast to previous research on Fukawa Bay, where April-or-later-hatching fish from spawning grounds in the coastal waters of southern Japan constituted about half of the juvenile population. Management of these two jack mackerel stocks needs to consider these differences in hatch date composition and spawning origins, as these differences could affect early growth and subsequent mortality.

Impact of lubricant composition on low-speed pre-ignition

One of the limits on the maximum fuel efficiency benefit to be gained from turbocharged, downsized gasoline engines is the occurrence of pre-ignitions at low engine speed. These pre-ignitions may lead to high pressures and extreme knock (megaknock or superknock) which can cause severe engine damage. Though the mechanism leading to megaknock is not completely resolved, pre-ignitions are thought to arise from local autoignition of areas in the cylinder which are rich in low ignition delay "contaminants" such as engine oil and/or heavy ends of gasoline. These contaminants are introduced to the combustion chamber at various points in the engine cycle (e.g. entering from the top land crevice during blow-down or washed from the cylinder walls during DI wall impingement). This paper presents results from tests in which model "contaminants", consisting of engine lubricant base stocks, base stocks mixed with fuel and base stocks mixed with one or more additives were injected directly into a test engine to determine their propensity to ignite. The ignition tendency was found to be lower for less reactive base stocks and for base stocks mixed with certain additives. Further, when small amounts of fuel were mixed with relatively non-ignitive lubricant base stocks the ignition tendency was found to increase significantly. These results may guide development of new lubricants which could be used to reduce megaknock in downsized engines. Copyright © 2014 SAE International.

Population genetic structure of the Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientalis): Implications for management and conservation

Understanding the population genetic structure is a prerequisite for conservation of a species. The degree of genetic variability characteristic of the mitochondrial DNA control region has been widely exploited in studies of population genetic structure and can be useful in identifying meaningful population subdivisions. To estimate the genetic profile of the Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientalis), an endangered freshwater population endemic to China, the complete mtDNA control region was examined in 39 individuals belonging to seven different stocks inhabiting the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Very low genetic diversity was found (nucleotide diversity 0.0011 +/- 0.0002 and haplotypic diversity 0.65 +/- 0.05). The mtDNA genetic pattern of the Yangtze population appears to indicate a founder event in its evolutionary history and to support the marine origin for this population. Analyses by F-st and Phi(st) yielded statistically significant population genetic structure (F-st = 0.44, P < 0.05; phi(st) = 0.36, P < 0.05). These results may have significant implications for the management and conservation of the Yangtze finless porpoise in the future.

Microsatellites assessment of Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis Gray) genetic variability

Four microsatellites were used to examine the genetic variability of the spawning stocks of Chinese sturgeon, Acipenser sinensis, from the Yangtze River sampled over a 3-year period (1999-2001). Within 60 individuals, a total of 28 alleles were detected over four polymorphic microsatellite loci. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 4 to 15, with an average allele number of 7. The number of genotypes per locus ranged from 6 to 41. The genetic diversity of four microsatellite loci varied from 0.34 to 0.67, with an average value of 0.54. For the four microsatellite loci, the deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was mainly due to null alleles. The mean number of alleles per locus and the mean heterozygosity were lower than the average values known for anadromous fishes. Fish were clustered according to their microsatellite characteristics using an unsupervised 'Artificial Neural Networks' method entitled 'Self-organizing Map'. The results revealed no significant genetic differentiation considering genetic distance among samples collected during different years. Lack of heterogeneity among different annual groups of spawning stocks was explained by the complex age structure (from 8 to 27 years for males and 12 to 35 years for females) of Chinese sturgeon, leading to formulate an hypothesis about the maintenance of genetic diversity and stability in long-lived animals.

Effects of several organic acids on the feeding behavior of Tilapia nilotica

Automatic recording of the frequency of feeding 'bites' was used to evaluate the effects of several organic acids (citric, metacectonic, lactic, acetic, and oxalic) on the stimulatory feeding behavior of Tilapia nilotica . Some of these acids are added to food stocks to retard spoilage. The results showed that citric acid at a concentration of 10(-2) to 10(-6) m, metacetonic acid at 10(-4) to 10(-6) m, and lactic acid at 10(-2) to 10(-5) m stimulated feeding. Fish tended to avoid metacetonic acid at 10(-3) m and acetic acid at 10(-3) m. Acetic acid at 10(-5) m and oxalic acid at 10(-6) m had no significant effects on fish feeding.

熔盐电解法制备Al-Li合金的应用基础研究及其工艺初探

Al-Li合金是近年发展起来的新型航空材料，具有低密度、高强度的特点。目前世界上正就如何进一步提高其断裂韧性，使Al-Li合金尽早走出实验室，获得实际用进行广泛，深入的研究。熔盐电解法就是在这种情况下发展起来的。虽然此法现在尚处于研究的初级阶段，但已以其能够在较简单的设备上制备低Na高纯Al-Li合金的特点受到广泛的重视，是一种很有前途的发展方向。针对我国的技术、设备现状，在参考国外研究结果的基础上，采用熔盐电解法制备Al-Li母合金 → 应用合金的制备方法是可以尽快赶上世界发步伐的有效途径。因此，本文作为整个熔盐电解制备Al-Li合金系统研究的一部分，针对目前在此领域中很多应用基础问题，诸如：作为新的电解体系正在探索中的LiCl-KCl-LiF三元相图，Li在液体Al阴极中的扩散系数，利用熔盐电解法制备低Na高纯Al-Li合金的热力学基础及如何克服LiCl强烈的吸水性给电解工艺带来的种种不便等均未得到系统研究的现状，设计完成了一系列有关熔盐电化学和热力学实验，填补了本领域的一些研究空白，并为进一步系统研究工艺条件提供了重要的参考数据。1．用NH_4Cl氯化Li_2CO_3的研究 根据热力学从理论上论证了在200 ℃左右下述氯化反应：Li_2CO_3 + 2NN_4Cl = 2LiCl + 2NH_3~↑ + H_2O~↑ + CO_2~↑可以进行完全。利用DSC方法测定反应产物LiCl的纯度，并用离子色谱法分析反应产物中CO_3~=的含量，结果均证明：在Li_2CO_3:NH_4Cl = 1:4 (mol)时，Li_2CO_3可以定量转化为LiCl，剩余的NH_4Cl完全分解。根据热重分析结果推测NH_4Cl氯化Li_2CO_3的反应历程为：Li_2CO_3 + 2NH_4Cl = 2LiCl + 2NH_3~↑ + H_2O~↑ + CO_2~↑ NH_4Cl = HCl~↑ + NH_3~↑ 而并非是想像中的：NH_4Cl = HCl~↑ + NH_3~↑ 2HCl + Li_2CO_3 = 2LiCl + H2O~↑ + CO_2~↑利用X－射线衍射方法分析产物，结果亦说明氯化可以成功。将1:4（mol）= Li_2CO_3:NH_4Cl混合样品在差热分析反应炉中直接加热测定反应产物LiCl的溶点，并与纯LiCl样品熔点的测定结果相比较，二者完全一致。以上结果说明：不仅可用此氯化反应产物代替LiCl应用于熔盐电解制备Al-Li合金中，而且还可将其应用于LiCl体系的相图测定中。因Li_2CO_3，NH_4Cl均不吸水，极易处理，因此以上研究结果无论对于Al-Li合金的工艺研究还是其他有关LiCl体系的基础研究都是很有价值的。2．直接氯化法制备LiCl-KCl-LiF三元相图的研究。LiCl-KCl-LiF三元相图是研究此体系电解机制的重要基础。为将以上直接氯化法应用于差热分析中制作此三元体系相图，首先用直接氯化法测定了三个已知二元LiCl体系相图：LiCl－KCl；LiCl-LiF；LiCl-NaCl。与文献结果吻合很好。说明将此法应用于差热分析中制作LiCl体系相图结果是可靠的。在LiCl-KCl-LiF三元相图的测定中共做出七个垂直截面，在各截面上读出等温条件下的相界点投影到浓度三角形中，得到等温投影图。结果说明LiCl-KCl-LiF是固态完全不互溶的三元共晶体系，共有三个液－固两相区；三个液－固－固三相区；一个液－固－固－固四相区，（三元共晶平面）和一个固－固－固三相区。四相点温度为348 ℃，其组成在三相平衡线的交点处，在实验上测出近似等于：41.4KCl + 57.3LiCl + 1.3LiF (mol)。3．氯化物体系中Li~+, Na~+析出电位的比较及其去极化作用的研究。在正常电化序中，Li~+应先于Na~+析出。但在以Al作阴极电解LiCl体系时，则由于Li~+在Al上有较强的去极化作用而提前析出。这是熔盐电解法可以制备低Na，高纯Al-Li合金的基础。本文在理论上对此问题进行了较深入的研究。具体内容包括（1）。测定Li~+, Na~+在二元氯化物体系中的析出电位。通过在Al阴极，Mo阴极上二离子析出电位的比较，确认了Li~+在Al阴极上产生很强的去极化作用是能利用电解法制备低Na高纯Al-Li合金的根本原因。并为在工艺研究中选择合适的电流密度提供了参考依据。（2）．根据热力学理论推导出合金化反应产生的自由焓变化与去极化作用的关系：ΔG_x + ΔG_m = -nFΔE。揭示了产生去极化作用的原因。并根据ΔG_x（偏摩尔过剩自由焓）与合金结构的关系提出可以利用二元合金相图推测极化类型及极化大小。并根据动力学原理对温度对极化的影响提出了自己的看法。（3）．求出合金化反应的热效应，认为在一定条件下亦可利用此值作为判断去极化作用大小的标准。（4）．测定Li~+, Na~+在Al-Cu, -Al-RE合金上的析出电位。结果表明Cu，RE的存在均可加强Li~+在阴极上的去极化作用，进一步加大了Li~+, Na~+析出电位之间的差别，有利于制备更纯的Al-Li 使金。为直接生产Al-Cu-Li, Al-RE-Li三元母合金奠定了基础。（5）测定Li~+在不同组成配比的LiCl-KCl熔体中，在Al阴极上的析出电位，并求出LiCl的离子平均活度系数γ＝0.71 (T = 740 ℃), 熔体对理想状态产生负偏离。4．利用阳极计时电位法测定T＝720 ℃时Li在液体Al中的扩散系数D_(Li/Al) = 4.94 * 10~(-5)cm~2·s~(-1)，与利用Stocks-Einstan公式计算出的理论值D_(Li/Al) = 4.85 * 10~(-5)cm~2·s~(-1)吻合较好。5．在上述理论研究的基础之上进行了工艺初探，所得初步结论有：（1）．加入LiF可以提高电效。（2）．采用电流密度为1 A/cm~2时，不加搅拌亦可制备出成份均匀，含Li量为10％（w.f）的Al-Li合金。（3）．根据实验结果提出 Li在熔体中的熔解可能是影响电流效果的主要原因。