Population structure and variance effective size of red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) in the northern Gulf of Mexico*

We assayed allelic variation at 19 nuclear-encoded microsatellites among 1622 Gulf red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) sampled from the 1995 and 1997 cohorts at each of three offshore localities in the northern Gulf of Mexico (Gulf). Localities represented western, central, and eastern subregions within the northern Gulf. Number of alleles per microsatellite per sample ranged from four to 23, and gene diversity ranged from 0.170 to 0.917. Tests of conformity to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium expectations and of genotypic equilibrium between pairs of micro-satellites were generally nonsignificant following Bonferroni correction. Significant genic or genotypic heterogeneity (or both) among samples was detected at four microsatellites and over all microsatellites. Levels of divergence among samples were low (FST ≤0.001). Pairwise exact tests revealed that six of seven “significant” comparisons involved temporal rather than spatial heterogeneity. Contemporaneous or variance effective size (NeV) was estimated from the temporal variance in allele frequencies by using a maximum-likelihood method. Estimates of NeV ranged between 1098 and >75,000 and differed significantly among localities; the NeV estimate for the sample from the northcentral Gulf was >60 times as large as the estimates for the other two localities. The differences in variance effective size could ref lect differences in number of individuals successfully reproducing, differences in patterns and intensity of immigration, or both, and are consistent with the hypothesis, supported by life-history data, that different “demographic stocks” of red snapper are found in the northern Gulf. Estimates of NeV for red snapper in the northern Gulf were at least three orders of magnitude lower than current estimates of census size (N). The ratio of effective to census size (Ne/N) is far below that expected in an ideal population and may reflect high variance in individual reproductive success, high temporal and spatial variance in productivity among subregions or a combination of the two.

Movements and spawning of white marlin (Tetrapturus albidus) and blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) off Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

With a focus on white marlin (Tetrapturus albidus), a concurrent electronic tagging and larval sampling effort was conducted in the vicinity of Mona Passage (off southeast Hispaniola), Dominican Republic, during April and May 2003. Objectives were 1) to characterize the horizontal and vertical movement of adults captured from the area by using pop-up satellite archival tags (PSATs); and 2) by means of larval sampling, to investigate whether fish were reproducing. Trolling from a sportfishing vessel yielded eight adult white marlin and one blue marlin (Makaira nigricans); PSAT tags were deployed on all but one of these individuals. The exception was a female white marlin that was unsuitable for tagging because of injury; the reproductive state of its ovaries was examined histologically. Seven of the PSATs reported data summaries for water depth, temperature, and light levels measured every minute for periods ranging from 28 to 40 days. Displacement of marlin from the location of release to the point of tag pop-up ranged from 3l.6 to 267.7 nautical miles (nmi) and a mean displacement was 3.4 nmi per day for white marlin. White and blue marlin mean daily displacements appeared constrained compared to the results of other marlin PSAT tagging studies. White marlin ovarian sections contained postovulatory follicles and final maturation-stage oocytes, which indicated recent and imminent spawning. Neuston tows (n=23) yielded 18 istiophorid larvae: eight were white marlin, four were blue marlin, and six could not be identified to species. We speculate that the constrained movement patterns of adults may be linked to reproductive activity for both marlin species, and, if true, these movement patterns may have several implications for management. Protection of the potentially important white marlin spawning ground near Mona Passage seems warranted, at least until further studies can be conducted on the temporal and spatial extent of reproduction and associated adult movement.

O Amálgama: especulações acerca da proposta colaborativa Atrocidades Maravilhosas

A presente dissertação trata de propostas artísticas destinadas ao espaço público e que se organizam enquanto trabalhos colaborativos. Pretendemos situar a ação Atrocidades Maravilhosas (2000) enquanto proposta modificada e modulada conforme o interesse dos artistas participantes, bem como as condições ambientais as quais a ação estava sujeita. Por essa via, a investigação problematiza contextos culturais dos anos 1990 e 2000, mais especificamente, às unidades discursivas que contribuem para refletirmos sobre as ações coletivas. Pelas considerações de autores como Clair Bishop, MiwonKwon, André Mesquita e Steward Home, pretende-se pensar o espaço artístico contemporâneo ante à mercantilização da cultura vigente. Nesse ínterim, será questionada a identificação e a identidade entre atores sociais, bem como a relação entre os artistas e os espaços culturais os quais se destinam algumas propostas artísticas. Essa investigação adentra o território brasileiro do início do anos 2000 e, aponta por esse contexto, as afinidades de alguns coletivos com propostas artísticas em outras partes do mundo. Essa pesquisa trata ainda de assuntos tangente às negociações e conflitos inerentes aos projetos colaborativos a partir deles pretendemos repensar o espaço comunicacional ativado por esses grupos, buscando na descentralização dos discursos, a potência dos dissensos. Pretendemos, com esse panorama iluminar nas ações de participação efetiva, não as novas respostas ao projeto de democratização ou inclusão de culturas periféricas, mas novas perguntas sobre o antigo problema acerca da colonização cultural da arte

Effects of harvesting methods on sustainability of a bay scallop fishery: dredging uproots seagrass and displaces recruits

Fishing is widely recognized to have profound effects on estuarine and marine ecosystems (Hammer and Jansson, 1993; Dayton et al., 1995). Intense commercial and recreational harvest of valuable species can result in population collapses of target and nontarget species (Botsford et al., 1997; Pauly et al., 1998; Collie et al. 2000; Jackson et al., 2001). Fishing gear, such as trawls and dredges, that are dragged over the seafloor inflict damage to the benthic habitat (Dayton et al., 1995; Engel and Kvitek, 1995; Jennings and Kaiser, 1998; Watling and Norse, 1998). As the growing human population, over-capitalization, and increasing government subsidies of fishing place increasing pressures on marine resources (Myers, 1997), a clear understanding of the mechanisms by which fishing affects coastal systems is required to craft sustainable fisheries management.

Survey- and fishery-derived estimates of Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) biomass: implications for strategies to reduce interactions between groundfish fisheries and Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus)

Survey- and fishery-derived biomass estimates have indicated that the harvest indices for Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) within a portion of Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) critical habitat in February and March 2001 were five to 16 times greater than the annual rate for the entire Bering Sea-Aleutian Islands stock. A bottom trawl survey yielded a cod biomass estimate of 49,032 metric tons (t) for the entire area surveyed, of which less than half (23,329 t) was located within the area used primarily by the commercial fishery, which caught 11,631 t of Pacific cod. Leslie depletion analyses of fishery data yielded biomass estimates of approximately 14,500 t (95% confidence intervals of approximately 9,000–25,000 t), which are within the 95% confidence interval on the fished area survey estimate (12,846–33,812 t). These data indicate that Leslie analyses may be useful in estimating local fish biomass and harvest indices for certain marine fisheries that are well constrained spatially and relatively short in duration (weeks). In addition, fishery effects on prey availability within the time and space scales relevant to foraging sea lions may be much greater than the effects indicated by annual harvest rates estimated from stock assessments averaged across the range of the target spec

An assessment of scup (Stenotomus chrysops) and black sea bass (Centropristas striata) discards in the directed otter trawl fisheries in the Mid-Atlantic Bight

This study was undertaken to re-assess the level of scup (Stenotomus chrysops) discards by weight and to evaluate the effect of various codend mesh sizes on the level of scup discards in the winter-trawl scup fishery. Scup discards were high in directed scup tows regardless of codend mesh — typically one to five times the weight of landings. The weight of scup discards in the present study did not differ significantly from that recorded in scup-targeted tows in the NMFS observer database. Most discards were required as such by the 22.86 cm TL (total length) fish-size limit for catches. Mesh sizes ≤12.7 cm, including the current legal mesh size (11.43 cm) did not adequately filter out scup smaller than 22.86 cm. The median length of scup discards was about 19.83 cm TL. Lowering the legal size for scup from 22.86 to 19.83 cm TL would greatly reduce discard mortality. Scup discards were a small fraction (0.4%) of black sea bass (Centropristis striata) landings in blacksea-bass−targeted tows. The black sea bass fishery is currently regulated under the small-mesh fishery gearrestricted area plan in which fishing is prohibited in some areas to reduce scup mortality. Our study found no evidence to support the efficacy of this management approach. The expectations that discarding would increase disproportionately as the trip limit (limit [in kilograms] on catch for a species) was reached towards the end of the trip and that discards would increase when the trip limit was reduced from 4536 kg to 454 kg at the end of the directed fishing season were not supported. Trip limits did not significantly affect discard mortality.

Transboundary Movement of Atlantic Istiophorid Billfishes Among International and U.S. Domestic Management Areas Inferred from Mark-Recapture Studies

Billfish movements relative to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas management areas, as well as U.S. domestic data collection areas within the western North Atlantic basin, were investigated with mark-recapture data from 769 blue marlin, Makaira nigricans, 961 white marlin, Tetrapturus albidus, and 1,801 sailfish, Istiophorus platypterus. Linear displacement between release and recapture locations ranged from zero (all species) to 15,744 km (mean 575, median 119, SE 44) for blue marlin, 6,523 km (mean 719, median 216, SE 33) for white marlin, and 3,845 km (mean 294, median 98, SE 13) for sailfish. In total, 2,824 (80.0%) billfish were recaptured in the same management area of release. Days at liberty ranged from zero (all species) to 4,591 (mean 619, median 409, SE 24) for blue marlin, 5,488 (mean 692, median 448, SE 22) for white marlin, and 6,568 (mean 404, median 320, SE 11) for sailfish. The proportions (per species) of visits were highest in the Caribbean area for blue marlin and white marlin, and the Florida East Coast area for sailfish. Blue marlin and sailfish were nearly identical when comparing the percent of individuals vs. the number of areas visited. Overall, white marlin visited more areas than either blue marlin or sailfish. Seasonality was evident for all species, with overall results generally reflecting the efforts of the catch and release recreational fishing sector, particularly in the western North Atlantic. This information may be practical in reducing the uncertainties in billfish stock assessments and may offer valuable insight into management consideration of time-area closure regulations to reduce bycatch mortality of Atlantic billfishes.

Atlantic Blue Marlin, Makaira nigricans, and White Marlin, Tetrapterus albidus, Bycatch of the Japanese Pelagic Longline Fishery, 1960–2000

ABSTRACT—Since the late 1950’s, a multi-national longline fishery has operated throughout the Atlantic Ocean to supply the growing global demand for tunas (Scombridae) and swordfish, Xiphias gladius. Two species caught as bycatch include Atlantic blue marlin, Makaira nigricans, and white marlin, Tetrapterus albidus, referred to in this paper as “Atlantic marlin.” Pelagic longlining has consistently been the principal source of adult mortality for both species, which are currently depleted and have been so for more than two decades. In this paper, we examined aspects of the Atlantic marlin bycatch of the Japanese pelagic longline fishery from 1960 to 2000. Temporal and spatial patterns in effort, target catch (species combined), marlin bycatch, marlin catch-per-unit-effort (nominal CPUE), and ratios of marlin bycatch to target catch (B: T ratios) were analyzed. An objective was to reveal changes, if any, in marlin bycatch associated with the fishery’s target species “switch” (ca. 1980–87) from mostly surface-associated tunas to mostly the deeper-dwelling bigeye tuna, Thunnus obesus. The highest values of all variables examined occurred during the 1960’s and then fell by the second half of that decade. Since 1970, mean levels of fishing effort, target fish catches, and blue marlin landings have increased significantly, while blue marlin CPUE and B:T ratios have remained relatively stable. Concurrently, white marlin landings, CPUE, and B:T ratios have all declined. While results suggest the fishery’s target species change may have been a factor in lowering white marlin bycatch, the same cannot be said for blue marlin. Relative increases in blue marlin B:T ratios off the northeastern coast of South America and in the wider eastern Atlantic are cause for concern, as are continuing trends of CPUE decline for white marlin in this data set as well as others.

Historical Exploitation of the California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus, in México

The exploitation of California sea lions, Zalophus californianus, in Mexican waters can be divided into four periods as defined by political characteristics of the country: Prehispanic, Colonial, Independent, and Postrevolutionary. During the first period (pre 1533), Native Americans took sea lions at low levels. During the second (1534–1821) and the third (1822–1911) periods, most exploitation was by foreigners and was incidental to other marine mammal harvests. During the Postrevolutionary period (after 1911), sea lions were exploited by Mexican and U.S. citizens for several commercial uses. Exploitation officially ended in 1982, although some small-scale poaching still occurs.

Telhados verdes para habitações de interesse social: retenção das águas pluviais e conforto térmico.

O crescimento populacional aliado à migração tem aumentado a pressão sobre o uso do solo urbano perpetuando sucessivos problemas de assentamentos informais e saneamento ambiental nos grandes centros. Esta situação se agrava ainda mais em épocas de chuvas intensas devido à ocorrência de enchentes. Este projeto faz parte de um conjunto de ações integradas de cidadania e inclusão social na região hidrográfica da baixada de Jacarepaguá, especificamente envolvendo a Comunidade da Vila Cascatinha, em Vargem Grande, a fim de gerar subsídios para políticas públicas em áreas de assentamentos informais, integrado ao projeto HIDROCIDADES (CNPq/CTHIDRO/CTAGRO), que visa a conservação da água em meios urbanos e periurbanos associado à cidadania, inclusão social e melhoria da qualidade de vida nas grandes cidades. Este projeto utilizou uma tecnologia adaptada dos telhados verdes para edificação popular (telhado de fibrocimento), com o objetivo de verificar aspectos construtivos, possíveis espécies com potencial de geração de renda, custos, efeitos no retardo do escoamento superficial das águas pluviais e outros benefícios associados a questões climáticas locais e de conforto do ambiente interno. Os resultados gerados demonstraram, entre outros, o estabelecimento de metodologia para implantação dos telhados verdes em habitações populares, o valor dos custos e resultados preliminares de espécies com potencial para geração de renda. Ainda, a implantação dos telhados verdes demonstrou ser promissora no controle do escoamento superficial, na aplicação do sistema de irrigação. Na simulação das chuvas, observou-se uma retenção de até 56% do volume precipitado. Observou-se o retardo da ocorrência do pico de até 8 minutos no telhado vegetado em relação ao telhado testemunho (convencional telhas fibrocimento). Foi observada a eficiência tanto no comportamento térmico interno como também no externo, uma redução da amplitude térmica interna em dia característico de verão (35,9 C), sendo capaz de r eduzir a temperatura interna em cerca de 2,0 C nos períodos mais quentes do dia e cerca de 4,0 C no ambiente externo em comparação com o telhado-testemunha (sem plantio), com potencial de modificação do microclima local.

Quase imperceptível: arte participativa e ficção

Esta dissertação levantou um conjunto de questões relacionadas à reflexão do meu processo artístico, tendo como ponto de partida as imagens poéticas da casa, do dormir, do desabrigo, da invisibilidade e da visibilidade que culminaram em trabalhos acerca dos moradores de rua, da acessibilidade e do uso da cidade. Para analisar as experiências artísticas participativas realizadas em âmbito urbano, foi apresentado um estudo da produção de artistas como Flávio de Carvalho, Lygia Clark e Hélio Oiticica, assim como os conceitos de site specific e site oriented (KWON 1998). Acerca dos trabalhos que envolvem relações e propostas de convivência, foi acessado o livro Estética Relacional (BOURRIAUD 2009) e o texto Antagonismos e Estética Relacional (BISHOP 2004). O ato de ouvir e as histórias narradas durante as propostas participativas aproximaram o estudo da ideia de autoficção (DOUBROVSKY 1977) e da escrita de si (FOULCAULT 2002). A relação com o desenho foi observada como produção de sentido, assim como foi problematizado o papel do artista a partir da observação do papel do mediador, revelando possibilidades outras de definição com base nos conceitos de participação total (OITICICA 1967), e artista-etc. (BASBAUM 2013).

Caribbean corals in crisis: record thermal stress, bleaching, and mortality in 2005

Background: The rising temperature of the world’s oceans has become a major threat to coral reefs globally as the severity and frequency of mass coral bleaching and mortality events increase. In 2005, high ocean temperatures in the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean resulted in the most severe bleaching event ever recorded in the basin. Methodology/Principal Findings: Satellite-based tools provided warnings for coral reef managers and scientists, guiding both the timing and location of researchers’ field observations as anomalously warm conditions developed and spread across the greater Caribbean region from June to October 2005. Field surveys of bleaching and mortality exceeded prior efforts in detail and extent, and provided a new standard for documenting the effects of bleaching and for testing nowcast and forecast products. Collaborators from 22 countries undertook the most comprehensive documentation of basin-scale bleaching to date and found that over 80% of corals bleached and over 40% died at many sites. The most severe bleaching coincided with waters nearest a western Atlantic warm pool that was centered off the northern end of the Lesser Antilles. Conclusions/Significance: Thermal stress during the 2005 event exceeded any observed from the Caribbean in the prior 20 years, and regionally-averaged temperatures were the warmest in over 150 years. Comparison of satellite data against field surveys demonstrated a significant predictive relationship between accumulated heat stress (measured using NOAA Coral Reef Watch’s Degree Heating Weeks) and bleaching intensity. This severe, widespread bleaching and mortality will undoubtedly have long-term consequences for reef ecosystems and suggests a troubled future for tropical marine ecosystems under a warming climate

A Igreja no Brasil e o zelo pastoral de D. José Joaquim Justiniano Mascarenhas Castelo Branco: breve olhar sobre a implementação do catolicismo colonial e seus reflexos no sétimo episcopado carioca do século XVIII

A presente pesquisa aborda a formação da identidade da religião católica no Brasil colonial e seus reflexos nos desregramentos recorrentes na segunda metade do século XVIII, na diocese de São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro durante o episcopado de D. José Joaquim Justiniano Mascarenhas Castelo Branco (1773 1805) tendo sido este o primeiro bispo a assumir o comando de sua diocese natal. O tema proposto aborda diretamente a complexa relação entre os poderes temporal, representado pelo Estado português personificado na figura da realeza , e o espiritual, pertencente à Igreja sua representatividade máxima no local varia de acordo com a posição ocupada pelos clérigos, respeitando-se, assim, a hierarquia eclesiástica (monges, freiras, padres, bispos etc.). Apesar da obrigatoriedade do catolicismo na colônia, a coroa metropolitana não foi capaz de dar o suporte necessário para o estabelecimento de uma religiosidade fiel às determinações do Concilio de Trento, conforme determinava o direito de Padroado. Isso levou à formação de um catolicismo colonial por vezes aparente. A miscigenação étnico-cultural deu brecha para o surgimento de praticas sincréticas e diferentes comportamentos sociais reprovados pela Igreja. O desvio de conduta era um problema que afetava, não só os fiéis, mas também o clero, sendo este composto na época por sacerdotes mal formados e alguns estrangeiros de índoles duvidosas. Assim, os bispos do Brasil do século XVIII tiveram que lidar com problemas que eram, na verdade, reflexo da realidade da estrutura colonizadora local onde, apesar de ter sido a Igreja uma importante aliada do Estado lusitano, e vice-versa, havia também grande rivalidade entre ambos. Dessa forma, ocorriam na época constantes embates entre as autoridades civil e religiosa, as quaisuniam-se e desuniam-se de acordo com seus interesses.