This study aims to examine the effect of modified longline fishing nets on waved albatross bycatch rates among Ecuadorian fishermen. The critically endangered waved albatross population has sharply declined due to disproportionate deaths of male birds from longline fishing. Providing modified nets to 5 boats and recording interactions with albatrosses will determine if this method can reduce bycatch, as was successful in Chile. Involving fishermen could help restore relationships with scientists and support conservation of this iconic Galapagos species.
This study examines the reproductive biology and age structure of Pterygoplichthys armored catfish in Landa Lake, New Braunfels TX. The objectives are to determine when they spawn, evaluate fecundity, determine age by examining otoliths, and compare findings to other studies. Armored catfish were collected monthly from April 2013 to December 2014. Gonads were examined to study reproduction, and otoliths were extracted and examined under a microscope to determine age. The data collected on reproduction and age will be compared to previous studies on armored catfish in the southern US to help understand the impacts and expansion of these invasive species.
Growth patterns, sex ratios and fecundity estimates in blue crab (callinectes...Alexander Decker
- The study investigated growth patterns, sex ratios, and fecundity estimates in blue crab (Callinectes amnicola) from Yewa River in southwest Nigeria between June 2011 and May 2012.
- A total of 250 crabs were collected ranging from 5.2-14.8 cm in length and 8.2-165 g in weight. Growth was negative allometric for both sexes. The sex ratio was 1 male to 1.45 females.
- Fecundity estimates ranged from 260,000 to 2,150,692 eggs. Relationships between fecundity and carapace length and weight were determined. The study provides baseline data on the population dynamics of blue crab
This document summarizes a study that compiled an updated checklist of 337 species of decapod crustaceans found in the marine and estuarine environments of Ceará, Brazil. These species were identified using previous records and collections, as well as new sampling between 2011-2014. Twenty-three species, including shrimp, ghost shrimp, and crab species, represent new records for Ceará. One newly recorded shrimp, Lysmata lipkei, was previously only known from Japan, indicating potential invasion of the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. While species richness of Ceará decapods is high and comparable to other areas, further sampling is needed of subtidal zones to obtain a more complete understanding of the fauna
This document analyzes beaked whale strandings around Australia compared to other cetaceans. It finds that 90% of beaked whale strandings involve a single animal, while the maximum for other species was much higher, up to 250. Beaked whale strandings were more common in southern Australia and January to April, following sea temperature cycles. The trends are similar worldwide. The document aims to understand spatial and temporal patterns of beaked whale strandings to inform decisions about potential impacts from human activities like naval sonar.
This study examined three species of aquatic freshwater turtles in Costa Rica for haemogregarine infections. All turtles sampled were positive for intraerythrocytic haemogregarines, representing the first report of these parasites in turtles from Central America. Black river turtles had a significantly higher average parasitemia (0.34%) than white-lipped mud turtles (0.05%). Parasites in the single scorpion mud turtle examined were smaller and did not displace the host cell nucleus like those in the other two species. This is the first report of haemogregarines in the white-lipped mud turtle, scorpion mud turtle, and any Rhinoclemm
Scientists from the Census of Marine Life have cataloged species found in various ocean regions globally. They documented over 25,000 species, with Australian and Japanese waters being the most biodiverse. The study combined historical records with new data to create an inventory of species distributions across biologically diverse areas from the Antarctic to the Arctic.
Puffer fish belonging to the family tetraodontidae are usually distributed in the shallow waters. During investigation in stations viz. Marina Park, Chidiyatapu and Burmanullah, around Andaman, five species from genus Arothron and two from Canthigaster have been recorded and were mostly found to prefer coral reefs and rock crevices, with the exception of Arothron immaculatus, which was found to be present in the open waters and it confined to sandy bottom substrate with patches of sea grasses around them. These fishes were found to be most diverse and abundant in Chidiyatapu with the Margelef’s Richness Index of 2.49, Shannon-Wiener index of 1.05 and Pielou’s evenness index of 0.96. Biometric analysis results demonstrate that they have shown an isometric growth. The individuals collected were mostly lying in the length group of 120-160 mm. Gut content analysis of A. Immaculatus reveals that the fish feed mainly on molluscs and sea urchin and the other food items were shrimps, crabs, sponges, micro algae, foraminiferans etc. gastro-somatic index, hepato-somatic index and gonado-somatic indices were also calculated to throw light upon the feeding behavior and reproductive maturity of the fishes. Most of the individuals were found to be in the developing stage of maturity.
This literature review examines the deep-sea red tree coral, Primnoa pacifica. It discusses P. pacifica's role as a habitat-forming octocoral and focuses on its sexual reproduction, which includes both broadcast spawning and asexual budding. The review finds that P. pacifica populations in both deep-sea and shallow-water fjord habitats exhibit similar reproductive strategies and cycles, despite environmental differences. It also notes that P. pacifica is slow-growing and recruitment occurs decadally, making it vulnerable to fishing impacts. Further research is needed to better understand threats to P. pacifica from human activities.
This study examines the reproductive biology and age structure of Pterygoplichthys armored catfish in Landa Lake, New Braunfels TX. The objectives are to determine when they spawn, evaluate fecundity, determine age by examining otoliths, and compare findings to other studies. Armored catfish were collected monthly from April 2013 to December 2014. Gonads were examined to study reproduction, and otoliths were extracted and examined under a microscope to determine age. The data collected on reproduction and age will be compared to previous studies on armored catfish in the southern US to help understand the impacts and expansion of these invasive species.
Growth patterns, sex ratios and fecundity estimates in blue crab (callinectes...Alexander Decker
- The study investigated growth patterns, sex ratios, and fecundity estimates in blue crab (Callinectes amnicola) from Yewa River in southwest Nigeria between June 2011 and May 2012.
- A total of 250 crabs were collected ranging from 5.2-14.8 cm in length and 8.2-165 g in weight. Growth was negative allometric for both sexes. The sex ratio was 1 male to 1.45 females.
- Fecundity estimates ranged from 260,000 to 2,150,692 eggs. Relationships between fecundity and carapace length and weight were determined. The study provides baseline data on the population dynamics of blue crab
This document summarizes a study that compiled an updated checklist of 337 species of decapod crustaceans found in the marine and estuarine environments of Ceará, Brazil. These species were identified using previous records and collections, as well as new sampling between 2011-2014. Twenty-three species, including shrimp, ghost shrimp, and crab species, represent new records for Ceará. One newly recorded shrimp, Lysmata lipkei, was previously only known from Japan, indicating potential invasion of the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. While species richness of Ceará decapods is high and comparable to other areas, further sampling is needed of subtidal zones to obtain a more complete understanding of the fauna
This document analyzes beaked whale strandings around Australia compared to other cetaceans. It finds that 90% of beaked whale strandings involve a single animal, while the maximum for other species was much higher, up to 250. Beaked whale strandings were more common in southern Australia and January to April, following sea temperature cycles. The trends are similar worldwide. The document aims to understand spatial and temporal patterns of beaked whale strandings to inform decisions about potential impacts from human activities like naval sonar.
This study examined three species of aquatic freshwater turtles in Costa Rica for haemogregarine infections. All turtles sampled were positive for intraerythrocytic haemogregarines, representing the first report of these parasites in turtles from Central America. Black river turtles had a significantly higher average parasitemia (0.34%) than white-lipped mud turtles (0.05%). Parasites in the single scorpion mud turtle examined were smaller and did not displace the host cell nucleus like those in the other two species. This is the first report of haemogregarines in the white-lipped mud turtle, scorpion mud turtle, and any Rhinoclemm
Scientists from the Census of Marine Life have cataloged species found in various ocean regions globally. They documented over 25,000 species, with Australian and Japanese waters being the most biodiverse. The study combined historical records with new data to create an inventory of species distributions across biologically diverse areas from the Antarctic to the Arctic.
Puffer fish belonging to the family tetraodontidae are usually distributed in the shallow waters. During investigation in stations viz. Marina Park, Chidiyatapu and Burmanullah, around Andaman, five species from genus Arothron and two from Canthigaster have been recorded and were mostly found to prefer coral reefs and rock crevices, with the exception of Arothron immaculatus, which was found to be present in the open waters and it confined to sandy bottom substrate with patches of sea grasses around them. These fishes were found to be most diverse and abundant in Chidiyatapu with the Margelef’s Richness Index of 2.49, Shannon-Wiener index of 1.05 and Pielou’s evenness index of 0.96. Biometric analysis results demonstrate that they have shown an isometric growth. The individuals collected were mostly lying in the length group of 120-160 mm. Gut content analysis of A. Immaculatus reveals that the fish feed mainly on molluscs and sea urchin and the other food items were shrimps, crabs, sponges, micro algae, foraminiferans etc. gastro-somatic index, hepato-somatic index and gonado-somatic indices were also calculated to throw light upon the feeding behavior and reproductive maturity of the fishes. Most of the individuals were found to be in the developing stage of maturity.
This literature review examines the deep-sea red tree coral, Primnoa pacifica. It discusses P. pacifica's role as a habitat-forming octocoral and focuses on its sexual reproduction, which includes both broadcast spawning and asexual budding. The review finds that P. pacifica populations in both deep-sea and shallow-water fjord habitats exhibit similar reproductive strategies and cycles, despite environmental differences. It also notes that P. pacifica is slow-growing and recruitment occurs decadally, making it vulnerable to fishing impacts. Further research is needed to better understand threats to P. pacifica from human activities.
The document summarizes research being conducted on barred sand bass by the Fisheries Independent/Scuba Assessment Project. The project is studying barred sand bass spawning movements and habitat use through acoustic tagging of fish and analysis of historical tagging data. They are also characterizing barred sand bass spawning habitat and seeking to determine spawning frequency by examining ovaries for evidence of recent spawning. The goal is to improve understanding of barred sand bass biology and behavior to better inform management of this important recreational fishery.
The document discusses biodiversity, which refers to genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity within a region. It notes that biodiversity has declined rapidly due to human activities like habitat loss, overexploitation, invasive species, pollution, and climate change. This is resulting in high extinction rates, with amphibians being particularly threatened. The document outlines some strategies for biodiversity conservation, including protected areas, ex situ conservation methods, and international agreements like CITES.
The document summarizes recent news articles related to freshwater biology and conservation from around the world. It discusses the following:
1) A study finding that freshwater creatures were less affected by the asteroid impact that killed the dinosaurs than other habitats, as many freshwater species are adapted to periods of low oxygen.
2) Efforts in the UK to install bristly boards and eel passes on rivers to help endangered eel populations recover in lakes like Windermere.
3) Research demonstrating that ecosystems can change long before species are actually lost, using studies of dragonflies and diving beetles.
24752-D, RSG Grantee Stephanie J. Rousso Conference Poster, Western Society N...StephanieRousso1
Citizen science data from the Sea Turtle Spotter project on iNaturalist.org is being analyzed to understand sea turtle spatial distributions. The project collects sightings from observers to map locations and identify species. An honors thesis found over 300 observers submitted 800 turtle sightings between 1996-2017, mostly of green and hawksbill turtles near the U.S. and Mexico Pacific coast. Researchers download and analyze the data in ArcGIS to identify areas of research interest and map turtle habitat use.
Pelagic predators such as sharks, tuna, dolphins, squid, sea turtles, seabirds and marine mammals congregate in productive regions of the open ocean where there is abundant food. These predators have high metabolic rates and energy needs. They include large predatory fish, sharks, squid and marine mammals. Some common pelagic prey species they feed on include anchovies, sardines, herring, mackerel and menhaden. Pelagic predators play an important role in ocean ecosystems.
Across New Jersey, more than 80 species—from birds to bobcats—are imperiled by loss of habitat and other man-made threats. Wildlife advocates and state agencies are rushing to their rescue, but funds are limited.
The document discusses monitoring the local White-tailed Kite population in Santa Barbara. It notes that past informal monitoring efforts have fizzled out after a few years due to a lack of dedicated observers and a standardized database. Experts emphasize the need for an accurate database and consistent long-term monitoring to understand the kite's nesting patterns, habitat usage, and population trends over time. Monitoring the kites is important because it can help protect the open spaces that they and other wildlife depend on.
Macroinvertebrates associated in sargassum sppJulius Manolong
The study identified 24 species of macroinvertebrates from 4 phyla living in Sargassum beds near Maribago, Cebu. The most abundant species were the mollusk Astraea calcar and the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla. Many of the macroinvertebrates collected were juveniles, indicating the Sargassum beds provide an important habitat and protection from predators during early development. The beds also help maintain coastal biodiversity by supplying food and shelter for juvenile organisms.
Species Diversity of Mangroves in Catarman, Northern Samarijtsrd
This study identified mangrove species in Catarman, Northern Samar which was categorized into families, genera and species. The researcher utilized transect line plot to determine the species composition of mangroves. A 10m x 10m plot was laid along calibrated rope were mangrove species were located. The mangroves were identified and classified taxonomically up to the species level using the Field Guide Manual to Philippine Mangroves. The researcher able to sampled nine true mangrove species and eight mangrove associates from the study area. Beberlie L. Medrano-Dangkeo "Species Diversity of Mangroves in Catarman, Northern Samar" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-5 | Issue-1 , December 2020, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd35857.pdf Paper URL : https://www.ijtsrd.com/other-scientific-research-area/other/35857/species-diversity-of-mangroves-in-catarman-northern-samar/beberlie-l-medranodangkeo
The Galápagos tortoise is the largest living species of tortoise, native to the Galápagos Islands. They can weigh up to 250 kg and live over 100 years. Their shell size and shape vary between populations on different islands, contributing to Darwin's theory of evolution. While their numbers declined to only 3,000 by the 1970s due to human exploitation and introduction of invasive species, conservation efforts have helped increase the population to over 19,000 today.
This is the presentation by Dr. Rob Toonen of Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, "What is Connectivity and Why Should you Care?" given during the Spring 2011 session of Ocean Awareness Training on Maui.
The Galápagos tortoise is the largest living species of tortoise, native to the Galápagos Islands. Their sizes vary based on the island they inhabit, with some weighing over 400 kg. Their numbers declined dramatically due to human exploitation and introduction of invasive species, but conservation efforts have helped increase their population to over 19,000. They have domed or saddle-shaped shells adapted to their environment, and behaviors like grazing for many hours each day and seasonal migration.
Studies the physico-chemical parameters of water, soil and the nutritional va...ijtsrd
India is a high speed population growing country and present population of India is about 127 crores. Among them a huge number of our children have been suffering from mal-nutritional diseases. They need protein feed and molluscs meat especially cephalopods meat is a good source of protein. India harvested 1.73 lakh tones of cephalopods, 0.04 lakh tones of bivalves and 0.02 tones of gastropods from Indian marine resources like Arabian sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean in the year 2013-2014. The people of southern states of India consume molluscs meat in huge quantity as their everyday protein resource food. The local poor people at Digha eat occasionally only cephalopods meat. From our study for about last 4 years we get 12 bivalves species belonging to 5 orders, 6 families and 8 genera out of 54 available bivalves species, 2 gastropods species belonging to 2 orders, 2 families and 2 genera out of 35 available gastropods species and 4 cephalopods species belonging to 3 orders, 3 families and 4 genera out of 4 available cephalopods species are edible. Manotosh Das | Maity Joydev"Studies the physico-chemical parameters of water, soil and the nutritional values of edible cephalopods found at Digha coast, West Bengal, India" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-1 | Issue-6 , October 2017, URL: http://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd2253.pdf http://www.ijtsrd.com/other-scientific-research-area/other/2253/studies-the-physico-chemical-parameters-of-water-soil-and-the-nutritional-values-of-edible-cephalopods-found-at-digha-coast-west-bengal-india/manotosh-das
V8 Supercar Race, Sydney Olympic Park and Waterbird Impacts.Dr Stephen Ambrose
The document summarizes the results of waterbird surveys conducted before, during, and after a V8 Supercar race event near the Waterbird Refuge wetland in Sydney Olympic Park. The surveys found that waterbird species richness and abundances were similar across survey periods and showed expected daily and tidal patterns. Numbers of key species like teals and shorebirds at roost were generally stable or higher during the race event compared to before. This demonstrated that the race event did not significantly disturb or impact waterbird use of this important habitat.
This article examines the gregarious behavior of the little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) at Hassar Dam in Morocco from 2013-2014. It found that in January 2013, the population at the dam was unusually high at 1,492 individuals concentrated in an area of 1 km2. However, the numbers dropped sharply later in 2013, likely due to pollution-caused mortality. In 2014, numbers increased again to 577 individuals in August. During breeding season, the little grebes showed no gregarious behavior and were only found in pairs. But outside of breeding, they exhibited flocking behavior, with groups of up to 180 individuals observed at times.
The document summarizes information about three endangered animals: the grizzly bear, manatee, and hawksbill turtle. For all three animals, hunting and environmental disruption have reduced populations to near extinction levels. The grizzly bear is a large, gray bear known for its hump and curved claws. The manatee is a slow-moving, seal-like animal that lives in shallow water and eats plants. The hawksbill turtle faces threats from hunting for its shell, incidental fishing catches, pollution, and degradation of its coral reef habitat.
University Of Glasgow Iceland Expedition 2008Skalanes
The document summarizes research conducted by the University of Glasgow Iceland Expedition at Skalanes Nature Reserve in 2008. The expedition aimed to study the reserve's flora and fauna to support sustainable tourism and education. Projects included creating bird guides, monitoring seabird populations like Arctic terns, and investigating vegetation like Arctic lupine. Methodologies were tested to routinely survey bird populations and monitor changes over time. The research helped develop the reserve's management plan and provided educational materials for visitors.
Neurobiology of Social Sensory Integration and BehaviorRayna Harris
This presentation is from my guest lecture in the Graduate Course "Principles of Neuroscience" at The University of Texas at Austin on October 21, 2014. My talk was part of a series of talks on visual and auditory processing. My goal was to expand the discussion to context specific processing of social stimuli and conserved neural mechanisms that regulate behavioral responses to social stimuli.
Time and Money: Techniques for Neural Gene Expression ProfilingRayna Harris
This was the very first talk I gave in front of a classroom based heavily on my research own personal research. It was 2013, and my audience was a group of students at the Marine Biological Lab in Woods Hole, MA and a group of students who Skyped in from Uruguay. The goal of this talk is to help students better understand when candidate gene approaches are preferred of whole genome approaches and vice versa.
You can watch this talk here: http://videocenter.mbl.edu/videos/video/630/in/channel/21/
A empresa anunciou um novo produto que combina hardware e software para fornecer uma solução completa para clientes. O produto oferece recursos avançados de inteligência artificial e aprendizado de máquina para ajudar os usuários a automatizar tarefas complexas. Analistas acreditam que o produto pode ser um sucesso comercial se for fácil de usar e tiver um preço acessível.
The document summarizes research being conducted on barred sand bass by the Fisheries Independent/Scuba Assessment Project. The project is studying barred sand bass spawning movements and habitat use through acoustic tagging of fish and analysis of historical tagging data. They are also characterizing barred sand bass spawning habitat and seeking to determine spawning frequency by examining ovaries for evidence of recent spawning. The goal is to improve understanding of barred sand bass biology and behavior to better inform management of this important recreational fishery.
The document discusses biodiversity, which refers to genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity within a region. It notes that biodiversity has declined rapidly due to human activities like habitat loss, overexploitation, invasive species, pollution, and climate change. This is resulting in high extinction rates, with amphibians being particularly threatened. The document outlines some strategies for biodiversity conservation, including protected areas, ex situ conservation methods, and international agreements like CITES.
The document summarizes recent news articles related to freshwater biology and conservation from around the world. It discusses the following:
1) A study finding that freshwater creatures were less affected by the asteroid impact that killed the dinosaurs than other habitats, as many freshwater species are adapted to periods of low oxygen.
2) Efforts in the UK to install bristly boards and eel passes on rivers to help endangered eel populations recover in lakes like Windermere.
3) Research demonstrating that ecosystems can change long before species are actually lost, using studies of dragonflies and diving beetles.
24752-D, RSG Grantee Stephanie J. Rousso Conference Poster, Western Society N...StephanieRousso1
Citizen science data from the Sea Turtle Spotter project on iNaturalist.org is being analyzed to understand sea turtle spatial distributions. The project collects sightings from observers to map locations and identify species. An honors thesis found over 300 observers submitted 800 turtle sightings between 1996-2017, mostly of green and hawksbill turtles near the U.S. and Mexico Pacific coast. Researchers download and analyze the data in ArcGIS to identify areas of research interest and map turtle habitat use.
Pelagic predators such as sharks, tuna, dolphins, squid, sea turtles, seabirds and marine mammals congregate in productive regions of the open ocean where there is abundant food. These predators have high metabolic rates and energy needs. They include large predatory fish, sharks, squid and marine mammals. Some common pelagic prey species they feed on include anchovies, sardines, herring, mackerel and menhaden. Pelagic predators play an important role in ocean ecosystems.
Across New Jersey, more than 80 species—from birds to bobcats—are imperiled by loss of habitat and other man-made threats. Wildlife advocates and state agencies are rushing to their rescue, but funds are limited.
The document discusses monitoring the local White-tailed Kite population in Santa Barbara. It notes that past informal monitoring efforts have fizzled out after a few years due to a lack of dedicated observers and a standardized database. Experts emphasize the need for an accurate database and consistent long-term monitoring to understand the kite's nesting patterns, habitat usage, and population trends over time. Monitoring the kites is important because it can help protect the open spaces that they and other wildlife depend on.
Macroinvertebrates associated in sargassum sppJulius Manolong
The study identified 24 species of macroinvertebrates from 4 phyla living in Sargassum beds near Maribago, Cebu. The most abundant species were the mollusk Astraea calcar and the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla. Many of the macroinvertebrates collected were juveniles, indicating the Sargassum beds provide an important habitat and protection from predators during early development. The beds also help maintain coastal biodiversity by supplying food and shelter for juvenile organisms.
Species Diversity of Mangroves in Catarman, Northern Samarijtsrd
This study identified mangrove species in Catarman, Northern Samar which was categorized into families, genera and species. The researcher utilized transect line plot to determine the species composition of mangroves. A 10m x 10m plot was laid along calibrated rope were mangrove species were located. The mangroves were identified and classified taxonomically up to the species level using the Field Guide Manual to Philippine Mangroves. The researcher able to sampled nine true mangrove species and eight mangrove associates from the study area. Beberlie L. Medrano-Dangkeo "Species Diversity of Mangroves in Catarman, Northern Samar" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-5 | Issue-1 , December 2020, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd35857.pdf Paper URL : https://www.ijtsrd.com/other-scientific-research-area/other/35857/species-diversity-of-mangroves-in-catarman-northern-samar/beberlie-l-medranodangkeo
The Galápagos tortoise is the largest living species of tortoise, native to the Galápagos Islands. They can weigh up to 250 kg and live over 100 years. Their shell size and shape vary between populations on different islands, contributing to Darwin's theory of evolution. While their numbers declined to only 3,000 by the 1970s due to human exploitation and introduction of invasive species, conservation efforts have helped increase the population to over 19,000 today.
This is the presentation by Dr. Rob Toonen of Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, "What is Connectivity and Why Should you Care?" given during the Spring 2011 session of Ocean Awareness Training on Maui.
The Galápagos tortoise is the largest living species of tortoise, native to the Galápagos Islands. Their sizes vary based on the island they inhabit, with some weighing over 400 kg. Their numbers declined dramatically due to human exploitation and introduction of invasive species, but conservation efforts have helped increase their population to over 19,000. They have domed or saddle-shaped shells adapted to their environment, and behaviors like grazing for many hours each day and seasonal migration.
Studies the physico-chemical parameters of water, soil and the nutritional va...ijtsrd
India is a high speed population growing country and present population of India is about 127 crores. Among them a huge number of our children have been suffering from mal-nutritional diseases. They need protein feed and molluscs meat especially cephalopods meat is a good source of protein. India harvested 1.73 lakh tones of cephalopods, 0.04 lakh tones of bivalves and 0.02 tones of gastropods from Indian marine resources like Arabian sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean in the year 2013-2014. The people of southern states of India consume molluscs meat in huge quantity as their everyday protein resource food. The local poor people at Digha eat occasionally only cephalopods meat. From our study for about last 4 years we get 12 bivalves species belonging to 5 orders, 6 families and 8 genera out of 54 available bivalves species, 2 gastropods species belonging to 2 orders, 2 families and 2 genera out of 35 available gastropods species and 4 cephalopods species belonging to 3 orders, 3 families and 4 genera out of 4 available cephalopods species are edible. Manotosh Das | Maity Joydev"Studies the physico-chemical parameters of water, soil and the nutritional values of edible cephalopods found at Digha coast, West Bengal, India" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-1 | Issue-6 , October 2017, URL: http://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd2253.pdf http://www.ijtsrd.com/other-scientific-research-area/other/2253/studies-the-physico-chemical-parameters-of-water-soil-and-the-nutritional-values-of-edible-cephalopods-found-at-digha-coast-west-bengal-india/manotosh-das
V8 Supercar Race, Sydney Olympic Park and Waterbird Impacts.Dr Stephen Ambrose
The document summarizes the results of waterbird surveys conducted before, during, and after a V8 Supercar race event near the Waterbird Refuge wetland in Sydney Olympic Park. The surveys found that waterbird species richness and abundances were similar across survey periods and showed expected daily and tidal patterns. Numbers of key species like teals and shorebirds at roost were generally stable or higher during the race event compared to before. This demonstrated that the race event did not significantly disturb or impact waterbird use of this important habitat.
This article examines the gregarious behavior of the little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) at Hassar Dam in Morocco from 2013-2014. It found that in January 2013, the population at the dam was unusually high at 1,492 individuals concentrated in an area of 1 km2. However, the numbers dropped sharply later in 2013, likely due to pollution-caused mortality. In 2014, numbers increased again to 577 individuals in August. During breeding season, the little grebes showed no gregarious behavior and were only found in pairs. But outside of breeding, they exhibited flocking behavior, with groups of up to 180 individuals observed at times.
The document summarizes information about three endangered animals: the grizzly bear, manatee, and hawksbill turtle. For all three animals, hunting and environmental disruption have reduced populations to near extinction levels. The grizzly bear is a large, gray bear known for its hump and curved claws. The manatee is a slow-moving, seal-like animal that lives in shallow water and eats plants. The hawksbill turtle faces threats from hunting for its shell, incidental fishing catches, pollution, and degradation of its coral reef habitat.
University Of Glasgow Iceland Expedition 2008Skalanes
The document summarizes research conducted by the University of Glasgow Iceland Expedition at Skalanes Nature Reserve in 2008. The expedition aimed to study the reserve's flora and fauna to support sustainable tourism and education. Projects included creating bird guides, monitoring seabird populations like Arctic terns, and investigating vegetation like Arctic lupine. Methodologies were tested to routinely survey bird populations and monitor changes over time. The research helped develop the reserve's management plan and provided educational materials for visitors.
Neurobiology of Social Sensory Integration and BehaviorRayna Harris
This presentation is from my guest lecture in the Graduate Course "Principles of Neuroscience" at The University of Texas at Austin on October 21, 2014. My talk was part of a series of talks on visual and auditory processing. My goal was to expand the discussion to context specific processing of social stimuli and conserved neural mechanisms that regulate behavioral responses to social stimuli.
Time and Money: Techniques for Neural Gene Expression ProfilingRayna Harris
This was the very first talk I gave in front of a classroom based heavily on my research own personal research. It was 2013, and my audience was a group of students at the Marine Biological Lab in Woods Hole, MA and a group of students who Skyped in from Uruguay. The goal of this talk is to help students better understand when candidate gene approaches are preferred of whole genome approaches and vice versa.
You can watch this talk here: http://videocenter.mbl.edu/videos/video/630/in/channel/21/
A empresa anunciou um novo produto que combina hardware e software para fornecer uma solução completa para clientes. O produto oferece recursos avançados de inteligência artificial e aprendizado de máquina para ajudar os usuários a automatizar tarefas complexas. Analistas acreditam que o produto pode ser um sucesso comercial se for fácil de usar e tiver um preço acessível.
The poster was made during a 2.5 day NSF sponsored workshop on August 5th – 7th on the University of Washington, Seattle campus, which brought together 100 graduate students from diverse domain sciences and engineering with Data Scientists from industry and academia to discuss and collaborate on Big Data / Data Science challenges. In addition to keynote presentations from high profile speakers, the participants presented posters covering their own research and worked collaboratively to begin to solve some of the Grand Challenge problems facing Data Enabled Science & Engineering disciplines.
This presentation was made by 10 graduate students, whose united them was high-dimensional biological data.
For more info, see http://depts.washington.edu/dswkshp/
Ultra smooth and lattice relaxed zn o thin films [eid]Eid Elsayed
The crystal structure and quality of ZnO thin films were enhanced by high temperature vacuum annealing. 150 nm thick ZnO films were deposited on a-plane sapphire substrates by RF sputtering at 600°C and then annealed in situ at temperatures from 700°C to 900°C. Higher annealing temperatures produced smoother films with root mean square roughness reaching 0.3 nm at 850°C. Raman spectroscopy showed the A1(TO) mode at all annealing temperatures and the A1(LO) mode appeared above 800°C, indicating improved crystal quality. X-ray diffraction revealed narrower diffraction peaks and a relaxed lattice constant matching bulk ZnO at 900°C annealing, demonstrating high quality c-axis oriented epit
This document summarizes the life and reign of King Edward I of England from 1272 to 1307 through a presentation. It covers his early years, crusade to the Holy Land, domestic policies establishing England's administration, foreign policies including invasions of Wales and Scotland and wars with France, and his death. The presentation provides details on Edward's appearance, character, parents, marriage, coronation, and conquests and conflicts during his reign.
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- Key findings include that similar brain regions regulate social behaviors across species, including the mesolimbic reward system and social behavior network, and that similar genes and molecules like dopamine and vasopressin influence social behaviors in all animals.
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The document discusses various techniques for cleaning and shaping root canals, including step-back, crown-down, and rotary instrumentation. It describes the step-back technique involving progressively larger file sizes used in 1 mm increments shorter than the previous file. The crown-down technique involves coronal enlargement followed by apical preparation with smaller files. Rotary instrumentation offers advantages like uniform shaping and reduced operator fatigue but can suddenly fracture. The document outlines characteristics of different rotary file systems like Lightspeed, Profile, K3, and ProTaper.
1
Tourist
(Main)
246 May–June
2010
Self-administered
questionnaire
Demographic characteristics; motivations to visit Palau; satisfaction and expenditures on: diving, shark
diving, accommodation, other activities and living costs while in Palau; knowledge of the shark sanctuary and
influence on decision to visit
Dive operator 10 May–June
2010
Face-to-face
interview
Business profile; number of clients; shark-diving activities; revenues and costs; employment; perceptions of
the shark-diving industry and shark sanctuary
Dive guide 20 May–June
2010
Face-to-face
interview
Employment profile; number
This document discusses shark finning, which involves removing sharks' fins and discarding their bodies at sea. Shark finning is driven by demand for shark fin soup, especially in Asia, and results in the deaths of 73 million sharks annually. While laws banning shark finning have been implemented in many places, the practice continues illegally and threatens shark populations due to sharks' slow reproduction. Both conservationists and some cultural groups debate these laws, which aim to preserve shark ecosystems while some see them as discriminatory. The document argues awareness of threats to sharks could help reduce demand and protect shark populations.
Background Sea otters are one of the few cute and cuddly creature.pdfshakeelkhan911
Background Sea otters are one of the few cute and cuddly creatures in the ocean. Visitors to the
coast of the Pacific Northwest love to watch their antics as they float effortlessly on their backs
among the floating fronds of kelp (large algae) or frolic with one another in play. They also have
some human-like skills. Sea otters place rocks on their chests and crack mussels and clams on
them, one of the few examples of tool use by animals other than primates. They also roll spiny
sea urchins between their paws to make them easier to eat. Part I. Around 1991, Dr. James Estes
and his colleagues at the University of Califomia, Santa Cruz, noticed that the otter populations
they had been studying for over 20 years were beginning to shrink. Sea otter populations
inhabiting several of the Aleutian Islands had declined as much as 90 percent in fewer than 10
years (Figure 1). What could cause such a sharp drop in sea otter numbers in this island chain of
Alaska? Alakla (Rtedrume fiom Euse ental, 190t)
A. How would you test a bypothesis? Dr. Fstes and his group hypothesired that increased
predation by killer whales was the cause of the sea otter decline. This was an unusual idea, since
killer whales and sea otters had been observed together in Alaska for decades with no obvious
interactions occurring between them. The first time a killer whale was observed attacking a sea
otter was in 1991. Nine more attacks were observed in the next seven years and it was these
attacks that finally led Dr. Estes and his colleagues to propose their hypothesis. To test this
hypothesis, the scientists needed to have infomation about the killer whale. 1. Make a list of the
types of information about killer whales: you believe the scientists might need to test their
hypothesis that increased predation by the whales was the cause of the sea otter decline. B. What
do the data tell you? Estes and his colleagues estimated the impact of killer whales on sea otter
populations by comparing trends in population size and survival rates of individually marked
otters between two adjacent locations on Adak Island--Clam Lagoon and Kuluk Bay, Kuluk Bay
is on an open coast, so sea otters there are exposed to killer whales. In Clam Lagoon, the
entrance from the open sea is too narrow and shallow for killer whales to get in.
2. Based on Figures 3 and 4 , what can you conclude about the effects of killer whales on sea
otter populations? 3. What level of ecology are the researchers studying? 4. Why do you think
the scientists both counted all the sea otters and did the tagging and radio tracking? Why didn't
they do just one or the other? 5. What are three abiotic factors in the environment that otters
interact with that may affect their survival? 6. What type of ecology experiment is this?
(observational, controlled, modeled)
Figure 2. Map of the North Pacific Ocean showing the Aleutian Islands and some specific sea
otter study sites. (From Estes, J.A., and D.O. Duggins. 1995. "Sea otters a.
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Environmental impact of fishing and carbon footprinting due to fishingJEEVAN GOWDA
The document discusses the environmental impacts of fishing, including overfishing, bycatch, and effects on marine habitats. It provides details on how different fishing techniques can damage habitats and remove large amounts of seabed life. Bycatch is a major issue, with nets capturing mammals, sea turtles, sharks, and seabirds. The carbon footprint of fishing is also examined, with global fisheries estimated to emit 134 million tons of CO2 annually. The document concludes by stating that individuals and corporations can help mitigate climate change by reducing their carbon footprints through actions like purchasing carbon offsets.
The Pacific walrus is a semi-aquatic mammal found in Arctic regions. It can grow up to 7-11 feet long and weigh up to 3,700 pounds. Walruses have been historically hunted for their ivory tusks. While populations declined over 20% in the past due to overhunting, their biggest threat is now the loss of Arctic sea ice habitat from climate change. Due to sea ice loss, the USFWS listed the Pacific walrus as threatened in 2011. Continued sea ice loss could severely impact walrus populations unless action is taken to limit human interference and hunting.
The document discusses 10 endangered ocean species and marine animals. It notes that 368 marine species are endangered or vulnerable according to the IUCN. Examples provided include the Hawksbill Turtle, whose population has declined 80% due to harvesting of eggs and shells, despite bans in many countries. The Steller Sea Lion population has dropped 60% from threats like predation and hunting. Hammerhead sharks are targeted for their fins, though finning is banned, the practice continues due to demand in Asian markets. The Vaquita is the world's smallest cetacean, with its population falling up to 15% annually due to gill-net fishing, leaving only 500-600 remaining. Blue whales were commercially hunted, reducing their numbers
The document analyzes the impacts of drift gillnet fishing off the California coast. It finds that the fishery produces high rates of bycatch, catching over 17,000 marine animals from 2005-2015 while only keeping around 11,000. Though the size of the fishery and rates of bycatch have decreased in recent years, 30% bycatch is still considered high. Data from National Observer Program reports show the fishery catches many species of concern, including endangered whales, sea turtles, sharks and dolphins. While regulations have aimed to reduce impacts, conflicts remain due to the fishery's threats to biodiversity and protected species.
1. This document describes a study that developed a protocol using underwater videography to quantify trout populations. Video recordings were taken and analyzed from multiple cameras suspended in pools in Pauma Creek, part of the San Luis Rey River system in Southern California. This provided more accurate population data than other survey methods and was less detrimental to the imperiled fish populations.
2. The goal was to establish a lightweight camera system that could be easily deployed in remote areas to survey trout populations in less than an hour, as an alternative to electrofishing, netting, or snorkel surveys which can stress or harm the fish. The study focused on quantifying the native trout population in Pauma Creek, which historically contained coastal steelhead
This document discusses the importance of the global ocean. It covers three main points:
1. The ocean covers over 70% of Earth's surface and is critical to regulating the planet's climate and supplying oxygen. It holds most of the world's biodiversity.
2. However, the ocean is under increasing pressure from threats like overfishing, pollution, and habitat loss. Overfishing has reduced fish stocks significantly and is putting food security at risk.
3. Some positive efforts to promote sustainable ocean management are highlighted, such as marine protected areas, bycatch reduction programs, and initiatives to recognize sustainable seafood practices. However, more urgent action is still needed to reverse ocean degradation.
Fisheries harvest Antarctic Krill in the Southern Ocean where the krill both breed and live. The krill can become six centimeters long and weigh up to two grams. They have large black eyes and translucent pink shells.
This document discusses developing a mathematical model to assess the collision risk of fish and marine mammals with horizontal tidal stream turbines in Scottish waters. The model calculates collision risk in two stages: 1) estimating the number of animals swimming through the rotor area, and 2) calculating the probability of animals being hit while passing through. Key factors influencing collision risk are species behaviors and distributions, turbine characteristics, hearing sensitivity, and visibility conditions. Further research is still needed, especially for large species and slow swimmers. Mitigation options like site selection and device visibility may help reduce risks.
The document discusses the threats facing the endangered Bank Cormorant population in southern Africa and potential implications of its extinction. It outlines several threats driving the species' decline, including oil spills, shifts in prey distribution from overfishing, and increased predation from seals. Conservation efforts discussed include marine protected areas, rehabilitation of oiled birds, population surveys, and attempts to establish an ex situ breeding population to supplement wild numbers. The loss of Bank Cormorants could trigger a trophic cascade affecting other species through reduced control of mesopredators like lobsters and gobies. With continued conservation actions, the document argues it is possible to halt their decline.
The fecundity of brackish river prawn (macrobrachium macrobrachion, herklots,...Alexander Decker
I. This study examined the fecundity of the brackish river prawn (Macrobrachium macrobrachion) from the Great Kwa River in Nigeria over a six month period.
II. The number of eggs ranged from 63 to 14,531 with a mean of 4,420.58 eggs per female. Egg diameters ranged from 0.26 to 0.38mm.
III. A strong positive correlation was found between female body size (weight, length, carapace length) and number of eggs. Fecundity increased linearly with body size.
This document summarizes a meeting to discuss protecting wild brook trout populations in Rhode Island. It outlines the decline of brook trout populations due to threats like degraded habitat and introduced species. It proposes establishing an experimental management area in the upper Wood River watershed to protect brook trout by restricting fishing methods and ending stocking of non-native trout. Public opinion surveys and existing trout conservation models in other states support this approach. Protecting brook trout could also provide economic benefits from increased tourism. Action is needed to prevent brook trout from becoming further endangered in Rhode Island.
(FINAL) ROUGH DRAFT FOR SENIOR RESEARCH Jennifer Edit 4-14-15Jennifer Cherry
This document is a senior research paper that analyzes temporal and spatial trends in sea turtle strandings and nesting in Volusia County, Florida from 1989-2012. It finds that sea turtle strandings in Volusia County have increased over time and are correlated with increases in both the county and state human populations. Strandings are dominated by loggerhead and green sea turtles. Despite rising strandings, nesting numbers have also increased, likely due to the county's aggressive nest protection programs. The analysis aims to better understand relationships between strandings, nesting, human activities, and environmental factors like temperature to inform sea turtle conservation efforts.
(FINAL) ROUGH DRAFT FOR SENIOR RESEARCH Jennifer Edit 4-14-15
Angelica Morales - Final Proposal
1. Hook, Line, and Sinker: The Impact of Alternate Fishing Methods on Waved Albatross
(Phoebastria irrorata) Conservation
Angelica Morales
Project Summary
Industrial fishing practices have had a variety of detrimental effects on a wide array of marine
species. One such species, the waved albatross of the Galapagos Islands, went from being classified
as “near threatened” to “critically endangered” by the IUCN within a decade. Research has shown
the biggest impact on their declining population has come from longline fishing. This practice causes
disproportionate deaths of male waved albatrosses, which makes it difficult for their population to
recover because females are left without mates to reproduce and this species has obligate bi-parental
care.
Ideally, the best method to protect the waved albatross population will be to ban longline fishing in
the waters off of Ecuador. This, however, will be very difficult to enforce as the fishing industry is an
important part of Ecuador’s culture and economy. These fishermen have invested money on their
ships, as well as time lobbying against government regulations. An alternative option will be to
modify their equipment to minimize bycatch. This method was successfully utilized in nearby Chile.
The redesigned longline netting was created to prevent the catch from being stolen by sperm whales,
which had been concerning the fishermen, and had the added benefit of eliminating avian bycatch as
well.
This study aims to examine the effect of modified netting on the rate of waved albatross bycatch of
Ecuadorian fishermen. The experiment will take place between June to December when albatrosses
are most likely to be foraging near the Galapagos Islands to feed their chicks. Modified equipment
will be provided for five boats who regularly fish in the area, and two researchers on each boat will
record the interactions of waved albatross and the fishing nets during this time. The interactions will
be categorized and be analyzed using Chi-square Contingency Tests to compare the observed
interactions to the estimates. This data will be further compared to the interactions produced by
fishermen utilizing standard equipment on an additional five fishing boats in the area. The amount of
fish caught on all ten boats will also be compared to determine if the modified netting has any impact
on the amount of fish caught.
Intellectual Merit:
This study will provide researchers the opportunity to study how the modified netting will impact
Waved Albatross foraging behavior. Additional study will determine how the mechanics of fishing
equipment can be better improved to minimize bycatch rates. This study could help determine
conservation methods for other species of interest who are affected by industrial fishing methods.
Broader Impacts
Fishermen in Ecuador have been opposed to regulations imposed upon their work, and are mistrustful
of scientists, who they believe work with the government, as a result. This experiment seeks to
involve the fishermen in the process of conserving an endangered species, and could help restore the
relationships between the locals and the scientists. The fishermen could provide a unique insight into
the ethology of the waved albatrosses. This study will also provide the fishermen with an opportunity
to learn about scientific practices. The Waved Albatross is a long-lived and charismatic species, and
conserving it could result in increased tourism for the community.
2. Specific Aims
This study aims to compare the mortality rate and foraging behavior of waved albatrosses
interacting with longline fishing boats with standard and modified equipment. The results of this
study could determine if the modified netting is an effective method of reducing albatross
bycatch, which is the most important factor known to lead to albatross decline.
Rationale and Significance
Relevant Biology
The waved albatross is a critically endangered seabird endemic to the Galapagos region
of Ecuador. It is a sexually dimorphic and medium-sized bird that measures nearly three feet in
length and has a wingspan that can reach eight feet. Studies have shown that its morphology,
specifically its large wingspan, limits its distribution to windy oceans (Suryan et al. 2008). The
species lives for 40 to 45 years and begins breeding between four and six years of age. This
monogamous species displays obligate bi-parental care, and mated pairs usually return to the
same nesting site annually. It has specific nesting requirements, preferring areas that have little
vegetation, typically surrounded by lava and boulders (BirdLife International, 2015). It subsists
on a diet of mainly squid, fish, and crustaceans. During the breeding season, it spends the
majority of its time foraging in an area known as the Peruvian Upwelling, and during the non-
breeding period, it prefers to forage within the Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR). Unlike some
species of albatrosses, the waved albatross is not known to follow fishing boats to scavenge bait,
however it is still vulnerable to becoming bycatch because it scavenges dead fish from the ocean
surface (Anderson et al. 2003).
The last global population estimate in
2001 showed 34,694 adults, and smaller
surveys conducted in 2007 demonstrated that
the population has declined since then. This
sharp decline in population caused the
species to go from being classified as “near
threatened” to “critically endangered” within
a decade. Due to their central location on the
Island of Española, the waved albatross
breeding colonies are treated as one
population. Population estimates are
calculated on a yearly basis by counting the
number of banded and unmarked adults and
fledglings at the Punta Suárez and Punta Cevallo colonies. The albatrosses have established a
smaller breeding colony of 10-20 pairs on Isla la Plata off of the coast of Ecuador (Agreement on
the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 2007). Of their current 1,100,000 square km
distribution range, a total of 5.6 square km is used for breeding (BirdLife International, 2015).
Conservation Efforts
Several factors are affecting the decline of the waved albatross population. It has limited
breeding space, nesting sites which are frequently disturbed, and a vulnerability to El Niño
Figure 1: Map of Breeding Colonies on Española. The gray is
historic colonies, and X's mark known extirpated colonies.
(from Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and
Petrels, 2007)
3. events. However, the biggest impact on the population decline has come from longline fishing.
In this practice several smaller hooks are baited and attached to one main line which is cast from
the boat. The live or frozen bait often floats near the top of the water as the main line is cast,
attracting seabirds like the waved albatross. Estimates show that longline fishing boats near the
Galapagos catch up to five waved albatrosses per boat per day (Alava and Haase, 2011). Male
albatrosses, which are larger, have been shown to require a diet with a higher trophic level than
females. This makes males more likely than females to attempt to steal bait from fishing ships to
support their higher energy costs. Increased interactions with fishing boats has led to a
disproportionate rate of male waved albatrosses being caught by longline nets. (Awkerman et al.,
Feb. 2007) Additional studies have confirmed that the breeding population is female-biased, and
that this bias only arises after fledging. The disproportionate death of breeding-aged male waved
albatrosses due to longline fishing has directly impacted the population due to a lack of available
mates for breeding females and starvation of chicks that require care from both parents. The
gender imbalance in the breeding population leaves the species unable to recuperate from its
population decline (Awkerman et al., 2006, Awkeman et. al Oct. 2007).
Current conservation efforts for the waved albatross focus mainly on protecting the
natural breeding grounds. Española is part of the Galápagos National Park and Marine Reserve,
where fishing is highly regulated. The Agreement for the Conservation of Albatrosses and
Petrels, an international group that seeks to “conserve albatrosses and petrels by coordinating
international activity to mitigate known threats to their populations,” has realized the impact
longline fishing has had on the waved albatross population. In response, they have proposed
modifying existing marine zoning areas to better protect albatross foraging grounds and
experimenting with fishing techniques that minimize bycatch (Agreement on the Conservation of
Albatrosses and Petrels, 2007).
Longline Fishing in Ecuador
The most effective method to protect the waved albatross population would be to ban
longline fishing in the waters off of Ecuador and Peru. This, however, would be very difficult to
enforce because the fishing industry is an integral part of Ecuador’s culture and economy.
Fishermen in Ecuador earn as much as $875 million from shrimp farming alone, and the industry
provides jobs for thousands in local communities. Since 1998, the industry has suffered due to
disease and diminishing returns, and many jobs have been lost (Schwarz, 2005). This decline has
increased tensions between the fishermen, who have invested money on their ships, and the
government which has set strict regulations regarding fishing near the Galapagos. In March
2004, a group of angry fishermen seeking to use semi-industrial fishing methods near the
Galapagos Islands took a group of 30 scientists hostage; the Ecuadorian government was forced
to relent (The Economist, 2004). This tension has also impacted scientific studies seeking to
determine the impact of bycatch from these boats. Many studies focus on using the number of
albatrosses reported by fishermen after they hauled in their nets to determine bycatch rates.
However, one study found that these reports only accounted for 48% of the actual bycatch. In
addition to more complex situations such as scavenging predators and birds escaping the hooks,
it was found that some fishermen purposefully misreported the number of waved albatrosses
killed by the netting. (Brothers et al., 2010)
4. Rather than banning longline fishing altogether, an alternative option would be to modify
fishing equipment to minimize bycatch. This method was successfully utilized by a partnership
between nearby Chilean fishermen and scientists from the University of Chile. The redesigned
longline netting was created to prevent the catch from being stolen by sperm whales (which
concerned the fishermen) and had the added benefit of eliminating avian bycatch as well. The
new lines prevent the albatrosses and whales from reaching the catch by surrounding the
individual hooks with smaller nets and using sinkers to make sure they spend less time floating
where they can easily be reached. (Moreno et al. 2008, Southern Seabird Solutions Trust, 2013)
Research Questions
The proposed research aims to determine if modified fishing equipment and waved albatross
decreases of, and beneficially impacts foraging by, the waved albatross. The goals of this
research are to:
A. Examine the amount of albatross bycatch associated with modified and standard longline
netting.
Figure 3: Longline netting redesigned to reduce seabird bycatch compared to standard longline netting floating at the top of the ocean
(Inset) (from Southern Seabird Solutions Trust, 2013)
Figure 2: Sea Bird interactions with longline netting involves more than getting caught. This chart shows the number of seabird
interactions with baited hooks by interaction category and region. (from Brothers et al., 2010) The team observed 32.89%
interactions in category (i), 57.11% interactions in category (ii), 2.95% interactions in category (iii), 1.32% interactions in
category (iv), and 5.73% interactions in category (v).
(i) (ii) (iv)(iii) (v)
5. B. Examine changes to albatross foraging behavior caused by the modified and standard
longline netting.
C. Determine if the modified netting reduces the amount of fish caught by the longline
boats.
I hypothesize that the modified netting will significantly reduce the amount of waved
albatross bycatch without reducing the amount of fish caught by fishermen. I also hypothesize
that the modified netting will change the foraging behavior of waved albatrosses by reducing the
number of attempts made to steal bait from longline nets.
Experimental Plan
Materials and Methods
This study aims to examine the effect of modified netting on the rate of waved albatross
bycatch of Ecuadorian fishermen. The experiment will take place between June to December
when albatrosses are most likely to be foraging near the Galapagos Islands to feed their chicks.
The modified longline equipment described by Moreno et al. will be provided for five boats who
regularly fish in the area, with the smaller singular nets painted red so they are easily identified.
Using a modified version of the methods described in Brothers et al., 2010, two researchers
aboard each boat will record seabird-netting interactions into one of the following categories: (i)
successful, where it takes the bait and does not get caught; (ii) unsuccessful, where it fails to take
the bait and does not get caught; (iii) caught, when the seabird gets caught or hooked and is
killed; (iv) possibly caught, when it appears to get caught but this is not entirely clear, or the bird
gets caught and escapes; and (v) unsure, when the outcome is uncertain. This data will be
compared to the behavior of albatrosses interacting with boats utilizing standard longline
equipment on an additional five fishing boats in the area. The amount of fish caught on all ten
boats will also be compared, to determine if the modified netting has an impact on livelihoods.
Data Analysis
By using the estimate that five albatrosses were reported caught per day (Alava and
Haase, 2011), and the total proportion of birds of the different categories provided by Brothers et
al. 2010, we estimate that waved albatrosses interact with fishing boats approximately 353 times
per day ((5 albatrosses per day/.48 reported catch)/ .0295 Category iii interaction = 353 total
interactions per day). Further analysis yields estimates for each of the five categories previously
described. (Fig. 4) Chi-square Contingency Tests to determine whether the number of albatrosses
in each bait-attempt category varied significantly between the observed and estimated number on
a month-by-month basis. Statistical tests will be done using Number Crunching Statistical
Analysis through NCSS Statistical and Power Analysis software.
6. Broader Impacts
The tensions between fishermen and the government of Ecuador have made it difficult to
study in that region. This experiment seeks to involve the fishermen in the process of conserving
an endangered species, and could help restore the relationships between the locals and the
scientists. Results that show that the modified netting reduces the number of albatrosses caught
without reducing the number of fish caught would support the modifications as a sustainable
method to protect the species without decreasing the amount of money the fishermen are able to
earn. Because the fishermen spend more time at sea in the foraging area of the waved albatross,
they could provide a unique insight into the ethology of this species. This study could provide
the fishermen with an opportunity to improve their education in biology and mathematics. The
results of this study could be used to implement a more efficient conservation effort for the
waved albatross, and potentially establish conservation plans for other species in decline due to
longline fishing. Ecuador is well known for ecotourism due to the variety of species found on
the Galapagos Islands. The waved albatross is a long-lived and charismatic species due to their
mating displays, and increasing its population size could result in increased tourism for the
community, and thus aid their economy. This makes them a great candidate for sponsorship, as a
person could come and watch the displays (or videos of the displays), and see the offspring of a
single albatross for many years. As with other charismatic species such as pandas and tigers,
sponsoring albatrosses would both increase awareness of the harmful effects of human
interference while simultaneous raising funds that could be used to implement other conservation
efforts.
58
101
5 3
10
1
166
0 0
10
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
i ii iii iv v
NumberofAlbatrossInteractionsPerDay
Interaction Category
Albatross Interactions with Fishing Boats - Dec
Standard Longline Netting Modified Longline Netting
116
202
10 5
20
10
321
2 0
20
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
i ii iii iv v
NumberofAlbatrossInteractionsPerDay
Interaction Category
Albatross Interactions with Fishing Boats - Jun
Standard Longline Netting Modified Longline Netting
Figure 4: Comparison of estimated albatross interactions in each category in June and December. (Assumes a 50% decrease in total interactions
in December.)
7. REFERENCES
Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels. “Report of the Waved Albatross
Workshop.” Third Meeting of Advisory Committee Valdivia, Chile. Jun. 2007. Web. 3
Mar. 2016. <http://bit.ly/1I7lyEi>
Alava, Juan José and Ben Haase. “Waterbird Biodiversity and Conservation Threats in Coastal
Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.” Ecosystems Biodiversity. InTech. Dec. 2011 Web. 24 Mar.
2016 <http://bit.ly/1RwENpx>
Anderson, David J, Kathryn P Huyvaert, Dana R Wood, Cynthia L Gillikin, Barrie J Frost,
Henrik Mouritsen. “At-sea distribution of waved albatrosses and the Galapagos Marine
Reserve.” Biological Conservation. Volume:110 Issue:3 Pages:367-373 Article Number:
PII S0006-3207(02)00238-0 Apr. 2003. Web of Knowledge. 12 Feb. 2016
<http://bit.ly/1QqMlhQ>
Awkerman, Jill A., Kathryn P. Huyvaert, Jeffrey Mangel, Joanna Alfaro Shigueto, David J.
Anderson. “Incidental and intentional catch threatens Galapagos waved albatross.”
Biological Conservation. Volume:133 Issue:4 Pages:483-489 Dec. 2006 Web of
Knowledge. 9 Feb. 2016 <http://bit.ly/1IVgH9i>
Awkerman, Jill A., Mark A. Westbrock, Kathryn P. Huyvaert, and David J. Anderson. “Female-
Biased Sex Ratio Arises After Parental Care in The Sexually Dimorphic Waved
Albatross. (Phoebastria Irrorata).” The Auk. Volume:124 Issue: 4 Pages: 1336-1346.
Oct. 2007. Web of Knowledge. 9 Feb. 2016 <http://bit.ly/1UuV0OY>
Awkerman, Jill A., Hobson, Keith A., Anderson, David J. “Isotopic (delta N-15 and delta C-13)
evidence for intersexual foraging differences and temporal variation in habitat use in
waved albatrosses.” Canadian Journal of Zoology. Volume: 85 Issue: 2 Pages: 273-279.
Feb. 2007. Web of Knowledge. 15 Apr. 2016 <http://bit.ly/1NjZysj>
BirdLife International. “Phoebastria irrorata.” The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015.
Web. 2 Feb. 2016. <http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015->
Brothers Nigel, Alan R Duckworth., Carl Safina, Eric L. Gilman. Seabird Bycatch in Pelagic
Longline Fisheries Is Grossly Underestimated when Using Only Haul Data. PLoS ONE
5(8): e12491. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0012491. Aug. 2010. Web. 27 Mar. 2016
<http://bit.ly/1RwEfQA>
"Fishing for trouble." Economist. 6 Mar. 2004: 56. The Economist Historical Archive, 1843-
2012. Web. 5 Mar. 2016. <http://bit.ly/1TG0x7R>
Moreno C.A., Castro R., Mujica L.J. & Reyes P. “Significant conservation benefits obtained
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