A bio-economic indicators suite for the appraisal of the demersal trawl fishery in the Southern Adriatic Sea (Central Mediterranean)

The state of demersal fishery in the Southern Adriatic Sea (GFCM-GSA 18, Central Mediterranean), years 1996–2003, from a biological, social and economic point of view was analysed using 47 indicators: 22 biological indicators obtained from fishery-independent data through yearly experimental bottom trawl surveys (“Medits” Programme), and 25 socio-economic indicators estimated from fishery-dependent data, available from the monitoring system of the Italian Institute for Economic Research on Fisheries and Aquaculture (IREPA). Biological indicators were applied for “single-species” (Eledone cirrhosa, E. moschata, Illex coindetti, Merluccius merluccius, Mullus barbatus, Nephrops norvegicus, Parapenaeus longirostris, Raja clavata, Zeus faber) and for “multi-species” analysis. Economic indicators describing economic performance, productivity, costs and prices, and the overall economic sustainability of fishery were estimated. Social indicators and a general indicator summarising social sustainability were also considered. Indicators’ values were displayed using the Traffic Light system. Both fishery-independent and fishery-dependent indicators highlighted a progressive decline of the trawl fishery system in the GSA 18. This decline was mainly related to the ongoing depletion of the traditional fishery target species (mostly long-living, late-maturing species) partially replaced by the increase of traditional accessory species (generally short-living species), as well as to the reduction of productivity and increasing costs. The whole procedure was proposed as a contribution to the identification and applicability of bio-economic indicators for fishery management purposes.     

Verification of mean volume backscattering strength obtained from acoustic Doppler current profiler by using sound scattering layer

ABSTRACT:   Acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) have recently been used to estimate the dynamic characteristics and biomass of sound scattering layers (SSLs) or swimming speed of fish schools and to analyze SSL spatial distribution or various behavior patterns. This paper shows that it is necessary to verify mean volume backscattering strength (MVBS, dB) values acquired from each beam for quantitative analysis of the spatial distribution or the biomass estimates of such specific targets as SSL or a fish school when using an ADCP. In this study, the SSL was selected to be a homogeneous density layer over a large area and two methods were used to verify the MVBS values from each beam of the ADCP. First, a mutual comparison among four beams was conducted after calculating MVBS from the measured echo intensity. Second, the MVBS values were verified using comparison between the calculated MVBS from the 153.6 kHz ADCP and MVBS from three frequencies of a well-calibrated scientific echosounder. Moreover, the dominant scatterers (euphausiids) were collected by a framed midwater trawl. From these samples, biological data were used to identify the different frequency characteristics between two systems, using a distorted-wave Born approximation (DWBA) theoretical backscattering model in order to assess the averaged target strength and target strength TS differences for the three frequencies.     

Increasing experimental approaches in stream trout research – 1987–2006

Abstract –  This review of stream trout research literature for the 1987–2006 period covered >1300 papers dealing with 22 relevant topics, when compared with <400 papers on 18 topics in the previous one (1967–1986). The percentage of experimental approaches here quantified for both research reviews was 18% in the 1967–1976 period, increased to 21% in 1977–1986, to 39% in 1987–1996, and up to 43% in 1997–2006. Particular journals in the recent two decadal period published high percentages of experimental papers ( The Journal of Animal Ecology and Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ; 62.9% and 62.4%, respectively), others, intermediate percentages ( Nordic Journal of Fisheries Research , Transactions of the American Fisheries Society , North American Journal of Fisheries Management and Ecology of Freshwater Fish : 44.1%, 42.4%, 40.5%, and 35.6%, respectively); the remainder covered ≤33%. Research papers on stream 'trouts' published over the last two decades were classified into 22 subject areas for nine major journals separately and combined for 55 other journals. Subject areas dealing with the biology and ecology of trout redds, egg development, alevin emergence and onto fry and parr were the most heavily reported in nine major journals, as well as in all other journals combined. Habitat characteristics and cover use by trout were the next. Atlantic salmon and brown trout were the species with highest publication coverage in nearly all subject areas, with low coverage for all salvelinid (charr) species except brook charr. Research on Atlantic salmon in the UK used experimental approaches in nearly 60% of publications and in mid to high 30% for those on Atlantic salmon and brown trout in Scandinavian countries. Consideration is given to future research needs for stream trouts.     

Management challenges of small-scale fishing communities in a protected reef system of Veracruz, Gulf of Mexico

Abstract  Socioeconomic characterisation of fishing activities in the Veracruz Reef System National Park was used to develop a management system which balances the community's livelihood, and the conservation needs of the protected area. A survey was applied to four sectors of the fishing community: the fishers, fishers' wives, retailers and local population. The survey determined their perceptions about: (1) fishing as a lifestyle; (2) economic alternatives; (3) perspectives about the future; (4) environment; and (5) knowledge of the National Park as a protected area. Fishers devoted an average of 27 years fishing, investing an average of 12 h per day giving a regular income of 15–20 US$. Most interviewed (60%) were full-time fishers, with fishing the only family income source. Fishers are predominately educated to primary school level (64%).The main problem faced by fishers and the communities were economic opportunities but 89% believed that mariculture could be an alternative income source. There was strong ecological awareness, with 75% aware of the decline in fisheries resource and 62% knowing about the role of protected areas. There was divided opinion about future perspectives. Inefficient organisation and communication between authorities and fishers were identified as obstacles to co-management. Discussion on alternative incomes and a proposal involve fishers in co-management initiatives are presented.     

舟山渔区海洋捕捞渔民养老保障体系研究

针对我国捕捞渔民养老保障体系研究的空缺,笔者对海洋渔业重点渔区——舟山渔区的捕捞渔民养老保障问题进行了专题调查,对存在的主要问题及原因进行了分析,探讨建立捕捞渔民养老保障体系的可行性,提出建立捕捞渔民养老保障体系的指导思想和政策导向、范围和对象、养老保险制度的总体设想等,可供有关方面参考。     

四川生态公益林建设刍议

对生态公益林的区划布局、经营管理、资金筹措等问题作了初步探讨.     

35技术在城市森林研究中的应用

总结国内外3s技术在城市森林研究领域应用现状,分析其不足,即遥感学家与植物生态学家缺乏沟通、被动遥感优势尚未挖掘、生态系统服务制图滞后、生态系统管理中忽视信息系统建设,以及景观规划的精确性与客观性有待提高等,在此基础上提出相应改进建议,以期为我国城市森林的3S技术应用和城市森林建设工作提供借鉴。     

“永林公司”不同森林经营模式林分结构比较研究

对“永林公司”经营区9种森林经营模式林分结构比较研究,结果表明：应用Weibull分布、正态分布、对数正态分布、贝塔分布、伽玛分布等方法,对9种不同经营模式下的林分直径分布进行拟合,贝塔分布拟合效果较为理想,说明由于受到了人为的干扰破坏,林分结构发生了显著的变化.林分总体混交度均小于0.8,林分结构的均匀程度要优于整齐程度,在样地中封禁保护模式、集约经营模式的均匀度已经十分接近5,也就是接近一般均匀林的程度.     

环保视阈下恩施州肥料利用问题及对策

指出了提高肥料利用率,减少肥料损失和对农业环境的污染是目前农业生产中急需解决的重要问题,针对恩施州有机肥用量不足、肥料投入结构不合理、肥料流失量较大、农业环境污染加重和边际效益下降等问题,提出了有机肥资源高效利用、采用新型科学施肥技术和减少环境污染的施肥技术等提高肥料利用率的建议。     

国外保护地生态旅游评价研究进展

保护地是世界生态旅游活动的主要场所,近年来,随着对生态研究的深入,国外有关保护地生态旅游评价的研究逐步增多。本文通过对相关文献的梳理,发现国外有关保护地生态旅游评价的研究可以概括为三方面：（1）保护地生态旅游评价原则与标准的探讨;（2）保护地生态旅游评价主体内容研究;（3）保护地生态旅游的评价方法与指标体系。综合来看,国外保护地生态旅游评价研究具有5方面显著特点值得国内学者学习和借鉴：（1）评价研究逐步深入;（2）多种方法综合应用;（3）强调一手资料的获取和使用;（4）重视社区在评价研究中的参与;（5）保护地生态旅游评价的根本指导思想为可持续发展理论。