From the drawing board to the field: an example for establishing an MPA in Penghu,Taiwan

• 1. In order to promote the establishment of the first marine protected area (MPA) in Taiwan, the conservation values of 12 reef sites in the Penghu Islands were evaluated. The results together with a 6‐year surveillance programme revealed that the Chinwan Inner Bay (CIB) possesses the best coral community in the Penghu Islands with the highest coral cover, high species diversity and habitat types, as well as a high conservation value.
• 2. Utilization of biological resources and socio‐economic factors of CIB were investigated by intensive field surveys and a complete visit‐and‐poll survey respectively. Most of the fishing at CIB is for recreational purposes and is characterized by low investment, low harvest rates, high dependence on weather conditions, and self‐consumption.
• 3. The socio‐economic data showed that there was basically no direct conflict of interests with local communities at two neighbouring villages, and most local residents indicated that they would support the MPA proposal.
• 4. A blueprint for a CIB MPA based on the results of these biological and socio‐economic investigations is proposed. Environmental threats including anchor damage and the predation of Drupella snails need to be ameliorated and monitored through the implementation of appropriate management. The involvement of local communities is key to the success of this MPA and environmental education is recommended to promote public awareness.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

中国主要海洋底层鱼类生物学研究的回顾与展望

回顾了中国海洋主要底层经济鱼类资源生物学的研究历史和科研成果,并重点叙述了带鱼、小黄鱼、大黄鱼和绿鳍马面鲀等重要经济鱼类资源生物学研究概况.概述的内容包括地理种群及其产卵群体的鉴别和划分、生活史型的演变、种群和群体结构、种群数量变动、年龄组成和生长特性、摄食习性、性成熟周期、性腺成熟指数(GSI)、产卵群体生殖力、产卵场、索饵场、越冬场及洄游路线、资源量和渔获量、各种作业渔船的调整及其捕捞力量的限制措施等,并展望了中国海洋底层经济鱼类资源生物学研究的前景.     

Economies of scale for juvenile production of common snook (Centropomus undecimalis Bloch)

Abstract

Construction and operating costs for three common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) hatcheries in Florida, USA, are illustrated. Hypothetical capacities and targets of the three hatcheries (Scenarios I, II and III respectively) were 615, 000 juveniles (8 ‐ 10 g in weight) for stock enhancement, and 1, 275, 000 and 3, 000, 000 juveniles (1‐g in weight) for commercial grow‐out. Estimated production costs were lower than for many marine finfish species. The 20‐year mean costs per 1, 000 juveniles were estimated to be $324, $215, and $159, for hatcheries I, II, and III respectively, and the initial capital investments were $731, 660, $1, 162, 460, and $1, 896, 030¹, respectively. Major cost items of annual production were labor (22 ‐ 33%), supplies (14 ‐ 20%), fixed costs (15 ‐ 17%), and interest (13 ‐ 15%). The most profitable hatchery was the 3 million 1‐g juvenile hatchery due to the hatchery size effect, with a net present value (NPV) of $1, 760, 000, an internal rate of return (ERR) of 81%, a payback period of 3.6 years, and a profitability index of $2.86 for every dollar invested. Possible cost reductions to increase financial profitability were discussed.     

Changing how we approach fisheries: A first attempt at an operational framework for ecosystem approaches to fisheries management

The increasing need to account for the many factors that influence fish population dynamics, particularly those external to the population, has led to repeated calls for an ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAFM). Yet systematically and clearly addressing these factors, and hence implementing EAFM, has suffered from a lack of clear operational guidance. Here, we propose 13 main factors (shift in location, migration route or timing, overfishing (three types), decrease in physiology, increase in predation, increase in competition, decrease in prey availability, increase in disease or parasites and a decline in habitat quality or habitat quantity) that can negatively influence fish populations via mechanisms readily observable in ~20 population features. Using these features as part of a diagnostic framework, we develop flow charts that link probable mechanism(s) underlying population change to the most judicious management actions. We then apply the framework for example case studies that have well‐known and documented population dynamics. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to provide a clearly defined matrix of all the probable responses to the most common factors influencing fish populations, and to examine possible diagnostics simultaneously, comparatively and relatively in an attempt to elucidate the most probable mechanisms responsible. The framework we propose aims to operationalize EAFM, thereby not only better diagnosing factors influencing fish populations, but also suggesting the most appropriate management interventions, and ultimately leading to improved fisheries. We assert the framework proposed should result in both better use of limited analytical and observational resources and more tailored and effective management actions.     

Biological implications of recreational shore angling and harvest in a marine reserve: the case of Cape Creus

• 1. Recreational shore fishing along the coast of the marine reserve of Cap de Creus (NW Mediterranean) was studied in 2007 and 2009 based on roving creel surveys (on‐site angler surveys during which anglers' harvests are examined by the survey clerk). The study aimed to assess the biological impacts of this leisure activity on coastal fish stocks and the potential risks arising from the use of exotic baits.
• 2. Recreational shore fishers employ seven different fishing techniques, of which the bottom fishing rod (a fishing rod whose hooks, together with the bait, lie on the bottom or near it by means of a heavy weight) is by far the most widely used method (nearly 90% of observations). In total, 25 fish species were identified in the catch from the bottom fishing rod.
• 3. The estimated annual shore fishing catches (c.3 tons) are much lower than those obtained by recreational boat and spear fishing (c.20 tons each), and those from commercial (artisanal) fishing (c.50 tons). The weighted mean vulnerability index and trophic level values in the catch from the bottom fishing rod are 52.2 and 4.03, respectively.
• 4. A minimum of 43% of the baits used by the shore anglers were live, non‐native species (mostly polychaetes).
• 5. Overall, results highlight the impact of shore angling on coastal fish communities of a protected area and the increasing environmental risks arising from the use of exotic marine baits, which constitute a potential and unregulated vector of introduction of non‐native species in the Mediterranean. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

     

Effects of no‐take area size and age of marine protected areas on fisheries yields: a meta‐analytical approach

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are often promoted as tools for biodiversity conservation as well as for fisheries management. Despite increasing evidence of their usefulness, questions remain regarding the optimal design of MPAs, in particular concerning their function as fisheries management tools, for which empirical studies are still lacking. Using 28 data sets from seven MPAs in Southern Europe, we developed a meta‐analytical approach to investigate the effects of protection on adjacent fisheries and asking how these effects are influenced by MPA size and age. Southern European MPAs showed clear effects on the surrounding fisheries, on the ‘catch per unit effort’ (CPUE) of target species, but especially on the CPUE of the marketable catch. These effects depended on the time of protection and on the size of the no‐take area. CPUE of both target species and the marketable catch increased gradually by 2–4% per year over a long time period (at least 30 years). The influence of the size of the no‐take area appeared to be more complex. The catch rates of the entire fishery in and around the MPA were higher when the no‐take areas were smaller. Conversely, catch rates of selected fisheries that were expected to benefit most from protection increased when the no‐take area was larger. Our results emphasize the importance of MPA size on its export functions and suggest that an adequate, often extended, time frame be used for the management and the evaluation of effectiveness of MPAs.     

几种海藻中溴过氧化物酶的筛选及酶学性质

溴过氧化物酶(BrPOD)是具有特殊功能的过氧化物酶,海藻是其主要来源。对几种中国海域的红藻如角叉菜(Chondrus ocellatus)、龙须菜(Gracilaria sjoestedtii)、珊瑚藻(Corallina officinalis)进行了溴过氧化物酶的藻种筛选,并对酶活较高的珊瑚藻进行溴过氧化物酶分离纯化及性质的研究。通过硫酸铵沉淀、DEAE-cellulose 52离子交换层析、Sephadex G-100凝胶层析等方法,从珊瑚藻中分离得到溴过氧化物酶。对该酶性质研究表明,该酶分子量较大,表观分子量为64 kD;溴化单氯甲酮的最适pH值为6.0;pH在5.0-9.0时酶活性稳定;在30-70℃温度范围内酶活性稳定;Ca2 、Co2 、Cu2 、Mn2 、NaF和EDTA等化合物使溴过氧化物酶活性下降,钒酸盐能提高酶活性。反应动力学实验表明,该酶对Br-、H2O2的Km分别为7.40 mmol/L和96.09μmol/L。     

The Pelagos Sanctuary for Mediterranean marine mammals

• 1. In February 2002, France, Italy and Monaco agreed to establish an international sanctuary for Mediterranean marine mammals. The resulting Pelagos Sanctuary encompasses over 87500 km² of the north‐western Mediterranean Sea, extending between south‐eastern France, Monaco, north‐western Italy and northern Sardinia, and surrounding Corsica and the Tuscan Archipelago.
• 2. The Pelagos Sanctuary illustrates how the tenets of Marine Protected Area (MPA) design can be reconciled with the dynamic nature of oceanic systems, because its spatial scale was defined by oceanographic and ecological considerations, specifically the location of the Ligurian permanent frontal system.
• 3. By expanding protective measures beyond national waters, the Pelagos Sanctuary also sets a precedent for the implementation of pelagic protected areas in the high seas. The Pelagos Sanctuary will contribute to the conservation of the Mediterranean Sea at two scales: (i) locally, by protecting important cetacean foraging and breeding grounds in the Ligurian Sea, and by providing ‘umbrella’ protection to other marine predators in this area; and (ii) regionally, by empowering other conservation measures, such as the Specially Protected Areas Protocol of the Barcelona Convention and the wider goals of the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black and Mediterranean Seas (ACCOBAMS).
• 4. However, because few cetacean species are resident within the Sanctuary, their effective long‐term conservation will require large‐scale management and coordinated monitoring throughout the Mediterranean basin.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Combining fishers’ knowledge and cost‐effective monitoring tools in the management of marine recreational fisheries: A case study of the squid and cuttlefish fishery of the Ría of Vigo (NW Spain)

A new methodology based in the use of fishers’ knowledge and cost‐effective tools to obtain information about marine recreational fisheries (MRF) is presented. The squid and cuttlefish fishery of the Ría of Vigo (NW Spain) was selected because it is managed in a data‐poor environment. In‐depth interviews (57) were conducted with fishers, collecting ecological and socio‐economic information. A cartography of fishing grounds based on their knowledge was obtained, while the intensity of effort and catches was mapped by the monitoring of two vessels with low‐cost GPS data loggers. The 102 shore anglers and 248 recreational boats catch 8 t/year of European squid Loligo vulgaris and 11 t/year of common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis (11% of total catches on these species in the area). Shore anglers fish from 11 ports, while boat fishers use 14 fishing grounds (covering 30 km²). Most of the catches (86%) are landed by boats, and their CPUE is higher in the outer part of the Ría of Vigo. The use of fishers’ knowledge and cost‐effective monitoring is encouraged to obtain information for the management of MRF. Given the economic contribution of MRF (260,000 €/year in direct expenses), this activity should be considered in the regulations.