Effects of a hook ring on catch and bycatch in a Mediterranean swordfish longline fishery: small addition with potentially large consequences

1. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a circle hook ring on catch rates of target fish species and bycatch rates of sea turtles, elasmobranchs, and non‐commercial fish in a shallow‐set Italian swordfish longline fishery.
2. Results were compared from 65 sets from six commercial fishing vessels totalling 50 800 hooks in which ringed and non‐ringed 16/0 circle hooks with a 10° offset were alternated along the length of the longline. In total, 464 individuals were caught in the 4 years of experiment, with swordfish (Xiphias gladius) comprising 83% of the total number of animals captured. Catch rates of targeted swordfish were significantly higher on ringed hooks (CPUE_{ringed hooks} = 8.465, CPUE_{non‐ringed hooks} = 6.654).
3. Results indicate that ringed circle hooks captured significantly more small‐sized swordfish than non‐ringed circle hooks (27.7% vs. 19.5%, respectively).
4. For species with sufficient sample sizes, the odds ratio (OR) of a capture was in favour of ringed hooks; significantly for swordfish (OR = 1.27 95%CI 1.04–1.57), and not significantly for bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) (OR = 1.50, 95%CI 0.68–3.42) nor for pelagic stingray (Pteroplatytrigon violacea) (OR = 1.13, 95%CI 0.54–2.36). All six loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) and three of the four blue sharks (Prionace glauca) were captured on ringed hooks, however, the small sample sizes prevented meaningful statistical analysis.
5. In summary, results from this study suggest that the addition of a ring to 16/0 circle hooks confers higher catchability for small‐sized commercial swordfish, and does not significantly reduce catch rate of bycatch species and protected species in a Mediterranean shallow pelagic longline fishery.
6. These findings should motivate fisheries managers to consider factors in addition to hook shape when aiming to promote sustainable fishing practices. The presence of a ring has the potential to negate some conservation benefits.

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Recreational fisheries in Portofino Marine Protected Area,Italy: Some implications for the management

Since the 1970s, recreational fishing has become a mass hobby in Italy, reaching a large number of people, who, using modern equipment, increased their harvesting capacity, provoking serious conflicts with the professional fisheries. Recreational fishing is strictly regulated inside Italian Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and is generally allocated to local residents, mainly to reduce the tensions caused by limitations of access to the resources. The aim of this study was to provide an analysis of recreational fishing activities within the Portofino MPA (Mediterranean Sea), to assess the possible impact on the local fish stocks and to plan potential management actions. Furthermore, some serious inconsistencies on the minimum lengths of fish caught as defined by law relative to the minimum size of first reproduction are discussed. Since 2014, all anglers exploiting the Portofino MPA have been obliged to fill out a logbook. The compilation of these was not completely satisfactory, when compared with a group of reliable anglers whose catches were accurately monitored, but allowed for estimated yields of about 24 kg/angler/yr. After 15 years of protection, the fish biomass has increased within the Portofino MPA, generating a positive spillover effect. At the same time, it has attracted many anglers whose gross harvesting was estimated at about 8 t/year, representing about the 8% of the total yield of the local small‐scale fishery.     

Does full protection count for the maintenance of β‐diversity patterns in marine communities? Evidence from Mediterranean fish assemblages

1. Although it is widely recognized that protection may enhance size, abundance, and diversity of fish, its effect on spatial heterogeneity of fish assemblages and species turnover is still poorly understood.
2. Here the effect of full protection within a Mediterranean marine protected area on β‐diversity patterns of fish assemblages along a depth gradient comparing a no‐take zone with multiple unprotected areas is explored. The no‐take zone showed significantly higher synecological parameters, higher β‐diversity among depths, and lower small‐scale heterogeneity of fish assemblages relative to unprotected areas.
3. Such patterns might likely depend on the high level of fishing pressure outside the no‐take zone, as also abundance‐biomass curves seemed to indicate. Results suggested that full protection could play a role in maintaining high β‐diversity, thus reducing the fragility of marine communities and ecosystems, and spatial heterogeneity may represent a reliable predictor of how management actions could provide insurance against undesirable phase shifts.

     

Quantifying subjective human dimensions of recreational fishing: does good health come to those who bait?

Recreational fishing is a popular sport and leisure activity in many countries worldwide. There has been growing interest by recreational fishing groups and researchers in the perceived physical and psychological health and social (or ‘biopsychosocial’) benefits of recreational fishing. However, quantifying the key subjective ‘human dimensions’ of fishing that satisfy both the needs of recreational fishing groups and fishery managers is a major obstacle. We propose the use of psychometrically valid health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) measures widely used in the medical and health sciences – namely the Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐36) – as rapid, reliable and cost‐effective instruments for quantifying HRQOL of recreational fishers. The widespread use of SF‐36 and availability of population normative data allows comparisons of the HRQOL of recreational fishers across multiple temporal and spatial scales, with participants of other activities, and the general population. The use of such measures in periodic surveys allows the biopsychosocial status of a recreational fishery's participants to be assessed using a modified Kobe plot, a graphical format that is easily interpretable and consistent with existing reporting formats used in fisheries stock assessment. Future biopsychosocial research in recreational fisheries can further benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration to develop a suite of standardized psychometrically valid and reliable instruments for assessing specific issues that commonly affect recreational fisheries from regional to international scales, such as drivers of fisher motivation, behaviour and satisfaction.     

Differential response to disturbance factors for the population of sympatric crocodilians (Gavialis gangeticus and Crocodylus palustris) in Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary,India

1. Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary along the Indo‐Nepal border in India harbours a well‐known breeding gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) population in its global distribution range together with a substantial population of breeding muggers (Crocodylus palustris). However, no systematic information on size and structure is available for either of the species' populations in the protected area.
2. This study was undertaken in winter and the ensuing summer of 2010–2011 to estimate the relative population density and structure of the two crocodilian species and to examine the effect of various disturbance factors, with the main focus on the effects of tourism and illegal fishing on the behavioural attributes of the two species.
3. Five daytime surveys were conducted from December 2010 to April 2011. Relative density based on encounter rate (number per 20 km) was highest for gharial juveniles followed by gharial adults and gharial sub‐adults in all the five surveys. Muggers, on the other hand, showed the opposite trend, with the lowest encounter rate being for juveniles, followed by sub‐adults and adults. The encounter rate of both species declined with increase in the mean ambient temperature from December to April.
4. The river habitat was divided into 2 km segments and disturbance factors were recorded at intervals of 100 m on both river banks. Wariness was taken as an indicator of response to disturbance caused by human beings and was measured from mechanized boats used for tourism and non‐mechanized boats used for illegal fishing.
5. Segments with sandbars, in spite of moderate to high disturbance rate, were preferred for basking by both species. In conclusion, with suitable habitat for basking, gharials and muggers were observed to tolerate moderate levels of disturbance. Wariness resulting from disturbances from the non‐mechanized boats was higher than that from the mechanized boats. Gharials tend to avoid humans, possibly with age/size acquired experience and knowledge, whereas muggers become more tolerant to human presence with increased age/size.
6. Despite many disturbance factors, the crocodilian population in Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary is doing relatively well compared with populations in other habitats in India. With the involvement of local stakeholders and strict implementation of forest laws, the habitat can be further improved and a healthy gharial population can be ensured.

     

2010—2019年江苏省渔业船舶水上安全事故分析及对策建议

依据中国渔政指挥系统江苏省渔业船舶水上安全事故的统计资料,对2010—2019年事故的发生时间、事故起数、死亡人数、事故类型和事故等级等方面进行了统计分析。结果表明,江苏省渔业船舶水上安全事故以一般等级事故居多,事故发生时间呈现一定规律性,渔船自身安全隐患突出,从业人员岗位技能不足,渔船安全管理责任不到位。基于分析结果,提出压降一般等级事故,遏制较大等级以上事故,提高风险管控和事故防范能力的对策建议。     

基于PLC的蟹笼渔船诱饵填盒与塞笼自动化流水线方案设计

蟹笼渔船诱捕饵料在使用过程需要经过破冰分离、切块、填盒、塞笼等工序,效率低、劳动强度大。为提升蟹笼渔船的生产效率,需要实现饵料使用自动化。提出了一种实现饵料使用自动化的流水线生产方案,并通过Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 5.0进行流水线的结构设计建模与原理分析,采用GX works3基于三菱FX5U系列PLC完成了流水线PLC控制梯形图程序设计,并在软件上进行在线模拟测试。结果显示:该流水线的结构设计理论上能满足蟹笼渔船饵料使用的自动化需求,控制系统的设计符合流水线的动作顺序控制,端口运行正常,未发生错误提示。该流水线生产方案的提出为蟹笼渔船诱捕饵料实现自动化提供了条件,同时也打破了蟹笼饵料的传统塞入方式,即由内部塞入改为外部挤入。控制系统的设计为蟹笼渔船诱捕饵料自动切块填盒与塞笼流水线的实际生产使用打下了理论基础。     

Square‐mesh codend length and selectivity in southeastern Australian stow nets

Abstract The relationship between the amount of square mesh in codends and selectivity was investigated for an Australian penaeid stow‐net fishery. Three lengths (3, 2 and 1 m) of square‐mesh codend made from 27‐mm mesh hung on the bar were alternately tested with a conventional 34‐mm diamond‐mesh design during two covered‐codend experiments. Compared with the conventional codend, the square‐mesh configurations incrementally selected school prawns, Metapenaeus macleayi (Haswell) across narrower selection ranges (SR) and mostly at greater sizes at 50% retention (L₅₀), while retaining fewer fish. Irrespective of the mesh configuration or square‐mesh codend length, there were significant differences between experiments (attributed to water flow) and impacts of catch weight on the selectivity of school prawns. Both variables had a negative relationship with L₅₀, while water flow similarly affected SR. This study reaffirms the utility of square‐mesh codends as a key input control for managing the selectivity of penaeid‐catching gears.     

基于《物权法》的中国捕捞权保护制度的探索

《物权法》明确了捕捞权和养殖权的用益物权属性,并规定其受法律保护。但依据我国现有渔业法律制度,实施《物权法》有关保护捕捞权的法律规定还存在一定困难。通过比较分析《物权法》和《渔业法》及相关法规对捕捞权的规定,考察造成捕捞权损害的主要原因,提出了我国捕捞权保护制度的路径选择:(1) 将近岸海洋渔场和内陆水域渔场按县级或县级以下基层行政区域进行划分,确定给所属区域内的传统捕捞渔民专属使用,从而明确捕捞权主体和客体,为建立捕捞权保护制度提供基础。(2) 建立捕捞权损害评估体系,制定捕捞权损害赔偿、补偿标准,规范捕捞权损害赔偿、补偿程序,健全和完善捕捞权损害赔偿、补偿制度。     

基于多元变量的南极磷虾拖网作业状态影响因素分析

拖网作业过程中的网位、网身状态、拖网整体状态是评价拖网性能优劣的重要指标。以南极磷虾拖网为例，通过测量拖网不同部位（上纲、第3~4节网身连接处和网囊口上部中点）深度，以部位间深度差表示拖网作业状态，分析捕捞操作、海洋环境和渔获量对拖网作业状态的影响，确定中层拖网作业过程中状态的变化趋势。结果表明：（1）上纲与第3~4节网身连接处深度差范围为-0.20~8.02 m，上纲与网囊口上部中点深度差范围为6.49~30.16 m；（2）曳纲长度、拖速、风速、150 m水层流速对磷虾拖网上纲深度影响显著（P< 0.05）；上纲深度与曳纲长度和150 m水层流速呈正相关关系，与拖速呈负相关关系，随风速增加，上纲深度先减小后增大；（3）拖速、200 m水层流速和浪高对上纲与第3~4节网身连接处深度差影响极显著（P< 0.05）；上纲与第3~4节网身连接处深度差具有随拖速和200 m水层流速的增加，先增大后减小的趋势；其中拖速2.6 kn和200 m水层流速0.3 kn时，上纲与网囊口上部中点深度差最大，2 m浪高时，深度差最小；（4）渔获量与上纲和网囊口上部中点深度差呈正相关关系；（5）曳纲长度是影响拖网作业状态的最重要因素，其次是拖网速度、风速、浪高和水流速度。