Is risk consistent across tier‐based harvest control rule management systems? A comparison of four case‐studies

There can be substantial differences in data quality and quantity among fished species. Consequently, the quality and type of assessments can also vary substantially. However, all species, especially those that are targeted, need to be managed. Several jurisdictions have developed hierarchical tier systems that categorize stocks based on, for example, the data available for assessment purposes and/or the extent to which quantities on which management advice is based can be estimated. Four case‐studies (Australia's Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery, the USA west coast groundfishery, the USA Alaskan crab fishery and EU fisheries) are used to contrast the types of hierarchical tier systems available, and to assess the extent to which each system constrains risk to be equivalent among the tiers (termed risk equivalency). Only the Australian system explicitly aims to achieve risk equivalency. However, this intent has not been fully operationalized. Our review reveals that best practice is not to define tiers simply on data availability, but also on what the assessments based on those data are capable of estimating. In addition, clearly differentiating the quantification of uncertainty from how decision‐makers wish to address that uncertainty would simplify justification of buffers (the gap between the assessment‐produced target catch or effort and the final management decision that accounts for uncertainty and risk). Risk equivalency can be achieved using management strategy evaluation to select the values for control variables, which determine the buffer given the uncertainty associated with the assessment.     

The impact of a community-based food skills intervention on cooking confidence, food preparation methods and dietary choices - an exploratory trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of undertaking a food skills intervention study in areas of social deprivation aimed at altering cooking confidence, food preparation methods and dietary choices. DESIGN: A standardised skills programme was implemented in community-based settings. Pre- (T1) and post-intervention (T2) and 6-month follow-up (T3) measures (7-day diaries and self-administered questionnaires) were undertaken in intervention and comparison groups. SETTING: Eight urban communities in Scotland. SUBJECTS: One hundred and thirteen adults living in areas of social deprivation. RESULTS: It was clear that many subjects led fragmented lives and found commitment to intervention classes problematic. Sixty-three subjects completed the final (T3) assessments. The response to each component varied due to inability to attend sessions, illness, study requirements, employment, moving out of the area, change in circumstances, loss of interest and loss of postal questionnaires. At baseline, reported consumption of fruit and vegetables was low (mean frequency 8.1 +/- 4.78 times per week). Fruit intake increased significantly (P < 0.05) between T1 and T2 in the intervention group (1.7 +/- 2.36 to 2.7 +/- 3.28 times per week) only. Between T1 and T3, there was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in intervention subjects who reported confidence in following a recipe (67-90%,). CONCLUSIONS: This exploratory trial shows that a food skills intervention is likely to have a small but positive effect on food choice and confidence in food preparation. A full-scale randomised controlled trial in this hard-to-reach group would require a range of flexible approaches rather than a fully defined intervention, and presents challenges for trial design.     

Identifying Wildlife Species Believed to be Deserving of Protection From Hunting by U.S. Residents

This article examines the perceptions of individuals toward protecting animals from hunting. Researchers surveyed 825 U.S. residents in an online survey about their views of whether 17 species of mammals should be protected from hunting. Over 85% of respondents believed elephant, white rhino, black rhino, hippo, leopard, lion, and polar bear species should be protected from hunting. Conversely, only 55% of respondents believed mountain lion and coyote should be protected. Cross tabulations and logit analysis were employed to explore relationships between believing an animal species should be protected from hunting and demographics. Older and female respondents more often agreed that species should be protected from hunting. Those who hunted or knew a hunter less frequently agreed that the species surveyed should be protected from hunting. Demographics and previous exposure to hunting appear to influence beliefs about what species should be protected from hunting.     

Catching sharks: recreational saltwater angler behaviours and attitudes regarding shark encounters and conservation

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Ocular anomalies and holoprosencephaly in a lamb

The brain and eyes from a 1-day-old, male mixed-breed lamb with bilateral microphthalmia were examined. Bilateral ventral colobomata of choroid, sclera, retina and optic nerve were accompanied by agenesis of the optic nerve, and dilated lateral and third ventricular cavities that communicated with the subarachnoid space. Abundant neuroretinal tissue extending through the colobomatous defect to retro-orbital connective tissue, the meningeal surface and ventricular system were identified by histologic examination. Positive immunolabeling of these structures for recoverin (a photoreceptor marker) established the retinal origin of ectopic structures. The optic nerve was replaced by a short fibrous stalk containing glial nests. Sections of brainstem revealed extensive architectural disorganization. A developmental abnormality resulting from defective optic nerve and retina compartmentalization, accompanied by abnormalities of midline development consistent with the holoprosencephaly syndrome, was diagnosed. These lesions are consistent with signaling defects in the sonic hedgehog signaling pathway. Genetic and toxic causes of sonic hedgehog signaling defects are discussed.     

Difficulties associated with modeling growth in the Atlantic angel shark (Squatina dumeril)

Several methods were used in an attempt to develop an age and growth model for the Atlantic angel shark (Squatina dumeril). Band counts from vertebral sections, which were fit to the traditional von Bertalanffy growth equation, the Gompertz growth equation, and the two-parameter von Bertalanffy growth equation, did not produce realistic parameter estimates. Additionally, a length-based Bayesian model was applied to fishery-independent length–frequency data, and a full Bayesian model was fitted to length-at-age data to estimate parameters for von Bertalanffy growth equation. Both the length-based and full Bayesian models failed to converge; the length–frequency data showed high bimodality unrelated to season, year, or other factors, and band counts were not predictable by length. Vertebral band counts were not valid for ageing Atlantic angel sharks, and length-based methods, which require normally distributed length–frequencies, were not appropriate for this data set. This study represents the first attempt at modeling age and growth for this species and provides research guidelines for future research initiatives.     

Mesoscale eddies and survival of late stage Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax) larvae

We examined the distribution of sardine larvae relative to environmental conditions with the purpose of identifying and characterizing habitat that encourages high larval growth and survival, based on the 1983–1998 surveys of the California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI). Long-term averages show that sardine 'survivors' (spatially aggregated larvae ≥ 18 days old) were most abundant offshore, whereas sardine egg density, chlorophyll biomass and zooplankton volume were greatest inshore. In contrast, mesoscale eddies, observed in remotely sensed sea surface temperature imagery, were found only in offshore regions. To further examine the link between eddies – which often result in locally elevated chlorophyll and zooplankton – and sardine survival, we compared the distribution of larvae and eddies survey by survey. Sardine survivors were most abundant offshore in only one-quarter of the research surveys, and when they were most abundant offshore they were associated with eddies. This indicates that the offshore eddy habitat produced exceptionally large numbers of survivors, as evidenced by the disproportionate effect on the long-term average.     

Diagnosis of Taxus (yew) poisoning in a horse.

A 2-year-old bay Thoroughbred colt was found dead overnight in its stall without a known history of any illness, existing disease, or toxicant exposure. No information on the clinical signs before this animal's death was reported. A full necropsy was performed the next morning and revealed a mild to moderate degree of endocardial hemorrhages in both ventricles. Microscopic examination of the heart showed an acute mild multifocal necrosis of papillary muscles and ventricles. The stomach content contained approximately 2% Taxus alkaloids as determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. In the past, diagnosis of Taxus poisoning has been mainly based on history of exposure and the presence of plant parts in the gastrointestinal tract. Pathological lesions associated with Taxus poisoning have not been published for horses. Therefore, this is the first report of cardiac lesions in a horse after lethal exposure to Taxus. On the basis of these findings, it is suggested that Taxus exposure needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis of horses that die suddenly or have cardiac lesions suggestive of Taxus exposure, even if intact plant parts are not identified in the stomach by the naked eye.