Subsurface Fish Handling to Limit Decompression Effects on Deepwater Species

A method of handling hooked fish at intermediate depth was developed for species which occur deeper than conventional scuba depths. Juvenile pink snappers, Pristipomoides filamentosus, were hauled from 65-100 m to a depth of only 30 m, where the ambient pressure change was a fraction of that produced by hauling fish to the sea surface. This method afforded a unique opportunity to acoustically tag deepwater, physoclistous fish without the need to alter the fish's original swim bladder volume and without the high risk of further injury associated with surface handling. Tagged P. filamentosus survived and behaved well and were tracked successfully. This basic method could be applied to a variety of deepwater species in a number of research approaches, including tagging and dietary studies.

Estimulando a consciência fonológica em jovens com deficiência intelectual

O desenvolvimento da consciência fonológica vem ganhando muito destaque quando se discute o processo de aquisição da leitura e da escrita de jovens com dificuldades de aprendizagem. Distinguir os sons das palavras, compreender e manipular as sílabas parece afetar a capacidade para ler e escrever qualquer palavra. O presente estudo tem como objetivos verificar os efeitos de um programa de ensino para favorecer o desenvolvimento da consciência fonológica. Esse programa de ensino foi elaborado com base em estudos e nas atividades realizadas por Capovilla e Capovilla (2000), Valério (1998), Moussatché (2002), Nunes (2009), dentre outros. A pesquisa está composta por dois estudos: estudo piloto e esstudo 1. O estudo piloto, iniciado em 2012 ? foi formado por dois jovens com deficiência intelectual que frequentavam uma escola regular e apresentavam dificuldade na leitura e escrita. Um estava no início e o outro já havia passado pelo processo de alfabetização. O estudo 1 iniciado em 2013, foi formado por quatro jovens com deficiência intelectual que estavam no processo de alfabetização e frequentavam uma escola especial. A pesquisa foi realizada nas escolas onde esses alunos estavam matriculados. A análise dos testes de Prova de Consciência Fonológica proposta por Capovilla e Capovilla (2000) o pré-teste - mostrou que os sujeitos do estudo piloto apresentavam na primeira testagem bom rendimento em tarefas como aliteração e rima, mas demonstraram dificuldade na parte de segmentação, síntese e manipulação fonêmica.Com a segunda testagem, o pós-teste - realizada após a implementação de um programa para favorecer o desenvolvimento de habilidades de consciência fonológica pode-se observar uma melhora no desempenho dessas habilidades. No estudo 1, o pré-teste mostrou que os alunos apresentavam dificuldades nas atividades que envolviam as habilidades de adição, subtração e transposição fonêmica e um melhor desempenho em atividades de rima e aliteração. Na prova de leitura oral de palavras e pseudopalavras, observou-se maior dificuldade na leitura das pseudopalavras. No pós-teste, aplicado após o período de intervenção com o programa supracitado, observou-se que nas questões de rima, adição e subtração silábica, adição e subtração fonêmica e transposição silábica, os sujeitos apresentaram aumento na porcentagem de acerto das atividades. Nas atividades de aliteração, transposição fonêmica e trocadilho os sujeitos mantiveram os mesmos resultados do pré-teste ou apresentaram queda na porcentagem de acertos. Nas provas de leitura de palavras e pseudopalavras os sujeitos não demonstraram aumento na porcentagem de leitura correta, com exceção apenas de Ana Clara, que apresentou pequeno aumento no seu resultado. Na parte de compreensão de leitura, os participantes apresentaram pequena alteração no resultado, mas não temos como associar essa melhora ao desempenho nas provas de consciência fonológica. Na avaliação de ditado de palavras e pseudopalavras os alunos demonstraram aumento nos resultados

Scales of spatial variation in demography of a large coral-reef fish: an exception to the typical model?

Spatial variation in demographic parameters of the red throat emperor (Lethrinus miniatus) was examined among 12 coral reefs in three geographic regions (Townsville, Mackay, and Storm Cay) spanning over 3° of latitude of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Estimates of demographic parameters were based on age estimates from counts of annuli in whole otoliths because there was no significant difference in age estimates between whole and sectioned otoliths. There were significant regional differences in age structures, rates of somatic and otolith growth, and total mortality. The Townsville region was characterized by the greatest proportion of older fish, the smallest maximum size, and the lowest rates of otolith growth and total mortality. In contrast the Mackay region was characterized by the highest proportion of younger fish, the largest maximum size, and the highest rates of otolith growth and total mortality. Demographic parameters for the Storm Cay region were intermediate between the other two regions. Historic differences in fishing pressure and regional differences in productivity are two alternative hypotheses given to explain the regional patterns in demographic parameters. All demographic parameters were similar among the four reefs within each region. Thus, subpopulations with relatively homogeneous demographic parameters occurred on scales of reef clusters. Previous studies, by contrast, have found substantial between-reef variation in demographic parameters within regions. Thus spatial variation in demographic parameters for L. miniatus may differ from what is assumed typical for a coral-reef fish metapopulation.

Influence of size, station time and satiation amount on prey handling time in Anabas testudineus (Bloch)

Satiation amount, satiation time and handling time of Anabas testudineus (Bloch), an air breathing predatory fish was experimentally estimated using guppy (Lebistes reticulatus) as prey. Weight of the fish and satiation time influenced prey handling time. As satiation time is related to the level of hunger, level of hunger was found to influence handling time of prey.

Socio-cultural influences on sanitation, fish handling and artisanal fish processing within the fishing communities

The fishery sector in Uganda has seen important changes in the last two decades. Among the changes registered, is the expansion of fish markets locally, regionally and internationally. Upon which, remarkable benefits have been realized at local and national levels, for instance, it is estimated that an average of 40m$ is being earned annually as foreign exchange. Besides, presently fish accounts for over 50% of total animal protein in take. However, it is argued that sustaining these gains has become an up hill task due to failure to maintain fish quality as a result of the rudimentary and inappropriate sanitary, fish handling and artisanal fish processing practices that both directly and indirectly affect the quality of fish and fish products. Therefore, against this background, a study of 507 respondents was undertaken among the Lake Victoria Communities specifically in Wakiso, Mayuge and Mukono districts. The study examined the perceptions of fishers on the social cultural practices of sanitation, fish handling and artisanal fish processing and consequently identified factors that influenced these practices.

Sanitation, fish handling and artisanal fish processing within fishing communities: socio-cultural influences

postive transformation of the fisheries sector in Uganda has of recent been scatted by failure to mountain fish quality and safety,akey prerequiste for retaining and gaining fish markets. The social cultural study established the extent to which social cutural practices had affected the levels and the use of sanitation facilities,fish handling facilities and artisanal fish processing techniques and the factors that influenced these practices in the fishing communities of lake victoria. This information is of significance for the purpose of advocacy and mobilization of fishers in order to improve sanitation, fish handling and artisanal fishing processing situation in the fishing communities.