Towards better Understanding of Successful Management of the Gulf of Riga Herring Stock

The Baltic herring is one of the key elements of the pelagic ecosystem of the Baltic Sea, being of the most important commercial species of the sea. The structure and dynamics of herring populations (stocks) have been assessed and managed on international level since 1970s. Since 1990, all local herring populations have been combined and assessed as one stock (Central Baltic Herring in Sub-divisions 25–29 and 32). However, the continuously decreasing trend in stock biomass throughout almost 30-years period of observations indicates the failure of the stock management implementation of the scientific advice. The separate assessments of different stocks and results of hydro-acoustic surveys of different sub-units (herring in Sub-divisions 25–27, Sub-divisions 28, 29 and 32 and the Gulf of Riga herring) have revealed rather different situation within combined assessment unit: e.g. fishing mortality of the Gulf of Riga herring has decreased while a sharp increase in mortality is observed in the herring stocks of the North-eastern Baltic (Sub-divisions 28, 29 and 32). At the same time stock abundance and biomass of the Gulf of Riga herring have increased to record high in early 2000s allowing also higher catches. It is concluded that only separate analytical assessment of local populations combined with regular acoustical surveys and following different protection measures have proved to be a successful way in managing the herring stocks. Joint assessment and management of several populations with different structure and dynamics as one combined stock do not allow revealing the real situation and trends in its parts.     

Rights-based Fisheries Management: An Environmentalist Perspective

Fisheries management regimes take many forms, but most fail to designate shares of the catch. This failure creates strong incentives for individuals to maximize their share without regard to long-term sustainability, because the benefits of conservation actions do not accrue to individuals. The competition to maximize catch usually entails excessive capital investments in fishing vessels and gear and intense fishing pressure, resulting in overfishing, high bycatch rates, and the use of large, efficient types of gear that can harm habitat. Managers respond by increasing regulations, but this often exacerbates perverse incentives. In addition, many fisheries could be producing more value than the current system permits, i.e. large quantities of fish are landed during short seasons, forcing fishermen to sell for low prices. Conservation and economic problems facing fisheries can be addressed in an integrated way, by designating access privileges (specifying shares of the catch) to individuals, harvest cooperatives, fishing sectors, communities, or other appropriate entities. Designated Access Privilege (DAP) systems demonstrably end the competition to maximize catch and often result in better conservation and financial performance. The cost of implementing these systems can be relatively high and has been a barrier to better management. However, this doesn’t have to be so. Fisheries could accept investments from a variety of sources and use a portion of the increased financial performance to repay recoverable grants and loans. The key to protecting fish stocks, habitats, and the communities that depend on them will be to implement DAPs that are appropriate for each fishery or community, making investments in sustainability, and creating financing mechanisms that are themselves sustainable, drawing on the increased value that DAP fisheries can produce.     

The genus phymatolithon in the Gulf of Maine

Summary New information on anatomy, cytology and the development of reproductive structures is presented to show that Phymatolithon is a genus distinct from both Clathromorphum and the branching members of Lithothamnium. Also, a new species of Phymatolithon, Ph. rugulosum, is described. The reproductive cycles and geographic and bathymetric distributions of Ph. laevigatum and Ph. rugulosum in the Gulf of Maine are presented and discussed. There is strong indication that the geographic distribution of crustose corallines in the region is controlled primarily by maximum summer temperatures. The depth distributions are apparently controlled primarily by decrease of light with depth, though temperatures and substrate are also factors.Now at Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado, U.S.A. The necessary field work for this study was made possible through the generous support of: The American Petroleum Institute, The Geological Society of America, the ONR (through the Department of Geology and Geophysics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and the Woods Hole Oceanographie Institution (Contr. No. 1500).     

Customary Management of Indigenous Species—a Maori Perspective

In addressing the issue of customary management of indigenous species, we begin by defining the rights of Maori and the responsibilities of the Crown under Article 2 of the Treaty of Waitangi. We then criticise the status quo by demonstrating what we see as cultural bias in native bird management. This is followed by an outline of the approach we believe is needed to better serve the requirements of the Treaty. We conclude that existing unfair management emphases produce outcomes that are both culturally and ecologically counterproductive.     

The Importance of Stakeholder Engagement in Invasive Species Management: A Cross-jurisdictional Perspective in Ireland

The management of invasive non-native species is a frequent cause of conflict in the field of biodiversity conservation because perceptions of their costs and benefits differ among stakeholder groups. A lack of cohesion between scientific researchers, the commercial sector and policy makers lies at the root of a widespread failure to develop and implement sustainable management practices for invasive species. The crisis of this situation is intensified by drivers stemming from international conventions and directives to address invasive species issues. There are further direct conflicts between legislative instruments promoting biodiversity conservation on the one hand while liberalizing trade at the national, European and global level on the other. The island of Ireland provides graphic illustration of the importance of cross-jurisdictional approaches to biological invasions. Using primarily Irish examples in this review, we emphasize the importance of approaching risk assessment, risk reduction and control or eradication policies from a cost-efficient, highly flexible perspective, incorporating linkages between environmental, economic and social objectives. The need for consolidated policies between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is particularly acute, though few model cross-border mechanisms for such consolidation are available. The importance of engaging affected stakeholders through positive interactions is discussed with regard to reducing the currently fragmented nature of invasive species management between the two jurisdictions.     

试论现代医院发展中护理管理的新视角

护理工作是医院工作的重要组成部分。文章从现代医院整体功能出发,提出现代护理管理的三大要求,即“科学”护理管理、“现代”护理管理、“文化”护理管理,并通过临床实践,阐述其对临床护理健康发展的现实意义。     

Low paraoxonase in Persian Gulf War Veterans self-reporting Gulf War Syndrome

Exposure to organophosphate (OP's) insecticides and nerve gases during the Persian Gulf War has been implicated in the development of Gulf War Syndrome. Paraoxonase (PON1) present in human serum detoxifies OP's. We determined the levels of PON1 in the serum of Gulf War Veterans and compared these to those found in a control population. One hundred fifty-two Gulf War Veterans from the UK who self-reported the presence of Gulf War Syndrome via a questionnaire and 152 age and gender matched controls were studied. PON1 activity, concentration, and genotype were determined. In the Gulf War Veterans, paraoxon hydrolysis was less than 50% of that found in the controls (100.3 (14.8-233.8) vs 214.6 (50.3-516.2) nmol/min/ml, P < 0.001). This low activity was independent of the effect of PON1 genotype. The serum PON1 concentration was also lower in the Gulf War Veterans (75.7 (18.1-351.3) vs 88.2 (34.5-527.4) microg/ml, P < 0.00025), which was again independent of PON1 genotype. There was no difference in the rate of diazoxon hydrolysis between the groups (10. 2 +/- 4.1 micromol/min/ml vs 9.86 +/- 4.4, P = NS). A decreased capacity to detoxify OP insecticides resulting from low serum PON1 activity may have contributed to the development of Gulf War Syndrome.     

The genus Clathromorphum (Corallinaceae) in the Gulf of Maine

Summary This paper is the second of a series covering the crustose corallines of the Gulf of Maine. Information on anatomy, cytology and the development of the reproductive structures is presented to show that Clathromorphum is a genus distinct from both Phymatolithon and the branching members of Lithothamnium. Also, for the two species of this genus present in the region, reproductive cycles and geographic and bathymetric distributions are presented and discussed.Part of a study undertaken while working on a Ph. D. program at the University of Michigan. The necessary field work was made possible by the generous support of: the American Petroleum Institute (Grant-in-aid No. 85), the Geological Society of America (Penrose Grant No. 912-62), the Office of Naval Research (Nonr 1841 (74), through the Department of Geology and Geophysics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.     

The genus Pseudolithophyllum (Corallinaceae) in the Gulf of Maine

Summary This is the third of a series of papers covering the anatomy, morphology, systematics and ecology of the crustose corallines of the Gulf of Maine. Pseudolithophyllum orbiculatum, the only species of this genus in the region, is treated in this paper.Part of a study undertaken while working on a Ph. D. program at the University of Michigan. The necessary field work was made possible by the generous support of: the American Petroleum Institute (Grant-in-aid No. 85), the Geological Society of America (Penrose Grant No. 912-62), the Office of Naval Research (Nonr 1841-74), through the Department of Geology and Geophysics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.     

北部湾北部水母类群集结构与数量分布

根据"908"专项北部湾2006—2007年四个季节的调查数据,分析了北部湾北部(20°N以北海域)水母类的种类组成、数量分布、优势种和群集结构特征及其环境影响因子。该区共记录水母类4类125种,分别为水螅水母类99种、管水母类17种、钵水母类4种和栉水母5种;以沿岸暖水种为主,占本区水母总种数的61.6%,其次是大洋暖水种,占37.6%,沿岸暖温种仅占0.8%。种数季节变化呈单峰型,夏季83种,冬季56种,秋季和春季各49种,四季均以水螅水母类为主。周年丰度变化呈单峰型,夏季(943.0个/m3)春季(572.4个/m3)冬季(548.2个/m3)秋季(427.6个/m3)。拟细浅室水母、双生水母、球型侧腕水母、四叶小舌水母、半口壮丽水母、两手筐水母、异摇篮水母、双小水母、单囊美螅水母、疣真囊水母、半球美螅水母、六幅和平水母、八囊摇篮水母、刺胞真囊水母、黑球真唇水母、端粗范式水母和细颈和平水母共17种全年出现,为四季种;其中,前7种为四季优势种,优势度(Y)分别为0.25、0.19、0.09、0.08、0.05、0.03和0.03,各季节的优势种演替模式不尽相同。依据水母种类和数量分布情况,北部湾北部水母类可划分2个群集:栖息在受沿岸流影响的20 m以浅的低盐群集,代表种有拟细浅室水母和双生水母等;栖息在受外海水影响的20 m以深的高盐群集,代表种有四叶小舌水母、半口壮丽水母和两手筐水母等。海流与水团的消长是影响水母类群集结构和水平分布格局的重要影响因素。     

Sediments in Marsh Ponds of the Gulf Coast Chenier Plain: Effects of Structural Marsh Management and Salinity

Physical characteristics of sediments in coastal marsh ponds (flooded zones of marsh associated with little vegetation) have important ecological consequences because they determine compositions of benthic invertebrate communities, which in turn influence compositions of waterbird communities. Sediments in marsh ponds of the Gulf Coast Chenier Plain potentially are affected by (1) structural marsh management (levees, water control structures and impoundments; SMM), and (2) variation in salinity. Based on available literature concerning effects of SMM on sediments in emergent plant zones (zones of marsh occasionally flooded and associated with dense vegetation) of coastal marshes, we predicted that SMM would increase sediment carbon content and sediment hardness, and decrease oxygen penetration (O₂ depth) and the silt-clay fraction in marsh pond sediments. Assuming that freshwater marshes are more productive than are saline marshes, we also predicted that sediments of impounded freshwater marsh ponds would contain more carbon than those of impounded oligohaline and mesohaline marsh ponds, whereas C:N ratio, sediment hardness, silt-clay fraction, and O₂ depth would be similar among pond types. Accordingly, we measured sediment variables within ponds of impounded and unimpounded marshes on Rockefeller State Wildlife Refuge, near Grand Chenier, Louisiana. To test the above predictions, we compared sediment variables (1) between ponds of impounded (IM) and unimpounded mesohaline marshes (UM), and (2) among ponds of impounded freshwater (IF), oligohaline (IO), and mesohaline (IM) marshes. An a priori multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) contrast indicated that sediments differed between IM and UM marsh ponds. As predicted, the silt-clay fraction and O₂ depth were lower and carbon content, C:N ratio, and sediment hardness were higher in IM than in UM marsh ponds. An a priori MANOVA contrast also indicated that sediments differed among IF, IO, and IM marsh ponds. As predicted, carbon content was higher in IF marsh ponds than in ponds of other impounded marsh types. In contrast to our predictions, C:N ratio and sediment hardness were lowest and silt-clay fraction and O₂ depth were highest in IO and IM marsh ponds. Our results indicated that SMM has affected physical properties of sediments in coastal marsh ponds. Moreover, sediments in IF marsh ponds were affected more so than were those in IO and IM marsh ponds. Our results, in conjunction with those of previous studies, indicated that sediments of marsh ponds and emergent plant zones differed greatly. We predict that changes in pond sediments due to SMM will promote greater epifaunal macroinvertebrate biomass, which in turn should attract larger populations of wintering waterbirds. However, waterbirds that filter or probe soft sediments may be negatively affected by SMM because of the expected decrease in infaunal invertebrate biomass.     

The fish grazing of rocky shore algae in the Gulf of Guinea

There is a conspicuous absence of large algae on five breakwater systems surveyed along the northern shore of the Gulf of Guinea. Such algae are a distinctive feature of most natural, rocky areas in the region and their absence on these artificial structures may be accounted for by heavy sedimentation and pollution inside the harbours, and as a result of fish grazing on the outside. Herbivorous pomacentrids (Abudefduf, Pomacentrus), parrot fish (Pseudoscarus) and surgeon fish (Acanthurus) are common along parts of the breakwaters sheltered from direct wave action. Preliminary experiments and observations show the importance of fish grazing and indicate diurnal differences in its intensity. The ‘broken-up’ nature of the breakwaters with moderate wave action is the probable reason for the occurrence of large fish populations and hence the presence largely of grazing-tolerant algae.     

Redefinition and Elaboration of River Ecosystem Health: Perspective for River Management

This paper critically reviews developments in the conceptualization and elaboration of the River Ecosystem Health (REH) concept. Analysis of literature shows there is still no consistent meaning of the central concept Ecosystem Health, resulting in models (i.e. elaborations) that have unclear and insufficient conceptual grounds. Furthermore, a diverse terminology is associated with describing REH, resulting in confusion with other concepts. However, if the concept is to have merit and longevity in the field of river research and management, unambiguous definition of the conceptual meaning and operational domain are required. Therefore a redefinition is proposed, based on identified characteristics of health and derived from considering semantic and conceptual definitions. Based on this definition, REH has merit in a broader context of river system health that considers societal functioning next to ecological functioning. Assessment of health needs integration of measures of multiple, complementary attributes and analysis in a synthesized way. An assessment framework is proposed that assesses REH top-down as well as bottom up by combining indicators of system stress responses (i.e. condition) with indicators identifying the causative stress (i.e. stressor). The scope of REH is covered by using indicators of system activity, metabolism (vigour), resilience, structure and interactions between system components (organization). The variety of stress effects that the system may endure are covered by using biotic, chemical as well as physical stressors. Besides having a unique meaning, the REH metaphor has added value to river management by being able to mobilize scientists, practitioners and publics and seeing relationships at the level of values. It places humans at the centre of the river ecosystem, while seeking to ensure the durability of the ecosystem of which they are an integral part. Optimization of the indicator set, development of aggregation and classification methodologies, and implementation of the concept within differing international frames are considered main aims for future research.