Evaluating the social acceptability of Marine Protected Areas

Q methodology provides a novel, quantitative approach to reveal stakeholder perspectives and was used to assess social acceptance of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) with fisheries and conservation management goals using the Devon & Severn region, UK as a case study site. Participants sorted a set of statements (n=42) into a forced-choice frequency distribution and centroid analysis revealed three factors for interpretation: (1) ‘pro-conservation’, characterised by views that conservation should be prioritised over commercial and economic interests; (2) ‘pro-fisheries’ who saw fishing as the priority and expressed concerns over the uncertainty of management measures and the number of planned MPAs; and (3) ‘win–win’ who felt that the current approach to marine management using MPAs would allow both fisheries and conservation goals to be met. Despite some differences in opinion, social acceptability of MPAs was identified across all three discourses, but was limited by the knock-on effects of the exclusion of stakeholders from the implementation of MPAs and the development of management measures. This resulted in disenfranchisement and uncertainty over the future of their activities. The results suggest that social acceptability of MPAs is generated by effective and ongoing stakeholder engagement, transparency and honesty relating to the costs and benefits of designations and a certainty that once sites are in place the resources exist for their effective management. Understanding social acceptability will guide adaptive management and increase the chances of MPA success and the meeting of global targets.     

DNA条形码技术及其在海洋贝类种质资源保护中的应用

DNA条形码技术是一种新兴的分子鉴定方法,是指通过选择一段DNA基因序列片段作为条形码进行物种鉴定、系统发育研究和物种多样性保护等。海洋贝类种类丰富、数量众多,传统的形态分类方法有一定的局限性,对一些非常见及疑难物种不能快速、准确地鉴定。作为一种快速、高效的物种诊断技术,DNA条形码技术在海洋贝类种质资源保护与利用方面起到了至关重要的作用。本文就DNA条形码的产生、原理、分析步骤、优势、局限及在海洋贝类种质资源保护中的应用进展进行了综述,并对其未来的发展进行了分析展望。     

Using normative evaluations to plan for and manage shellfish aquaculture development in Rhode Island coastal waters

As shellfish aquaculture activities grow in the US, researchers, practitioners, resource users, and others have questioned how much development can be accommodated by natural and social systems. In a unique application of the normative evaluation approach to shellfish aquaculture development, this study uses data from a mail survey to (1) examine Rhode Islanders’ support for aquaculture in general and in RI waters; (2) investigate how different features of an aquaculture farm influence normative evaluations; and (3) explore areas of agreement and disagreement among stakeholder groups for social carrying capacities associated with aquaculture in RI coastal waters. Findings demonstrate that respondents do not strictly support or oppose aquaculture development; instead support depends on the waterbody where the aquaculture is occurring, the amount of area used for aquaculture, and ways in which aquaculture is conducted. Social norm curves show that levels of acceptabilities for shellfish aquaculture development in two RI waterbodies decline with increasing levels of aquaculture activities. Comparisons among sub-sets of respondents highlight disagreement among groups on the level beyond which shellfish aquaculture development is no longer acceptable (social carrying capacity). Results from normative evaluation studies can be used in combination with physical, ecological, and biological carrying capacities; management goals and objectives; other resource uses and values; and desired social and ecological conditions to inform policy discussions about shellfish aquaculture development in coastal waters.     

Marine conservation policy in Seychelles: Current constraints and prospects for improvement

The marine assets of Seychelles are fundamental to the national economy through generating income derived from tourism and fisheries. Marine management institutions and policies have undergone radical changes since 2008, reflecting a number of drivers and initiatives at international and national levels. Through using the example of Curieuse Marine National Park in the inner Seychelles, we demonstrate how these are affecting marine conservation with respect to coastal development, governance of marine protected areas and livelihood security within resource-dependent communities. These issues are of significance with respect to the current and future viability of marine conservation and resource management in Seychelles. Potential mitigating strategies are suggested which could lead to more effective governance and conservation of marine protected areas in Seychelles and similar small island developing states.     

Self-governance within a QMS framework—The evolution of self-governance in the New Zealand Bluff oyster fishery

This paper examines efforts to develop stakeholder led self-governance in the Bluff oyster fishery. The paper focuses on collaborative management and its ability to address some of the unintended consequences of management. The Bluff oyster fishery's administrative, biological, and economic performances are analysed to assess whether or not the participatory management model, in this case fisheries self-governance, complements individual transferable quota (ITQ) for this inshore shellfish fishery.The paper argues that the Bluff oyster fishery's current self-governance model, based on a fishery plan, aids in improving the performance of the fishery, and that the Bluff oyster fishery has the capacity to shift further towards a stakeholder led self-regulated fishery.     

贝类种群壳形态性状多态性研究进展

贝类壳形态具有丰富、复杂的多态性。壳形态作为贝类重要的数量性状是一种环境适应的进化,是不同生理功能适应其生活方式的结果,受环境和遗传因素影响,与贝类的生长、存活、代谢及繁殖等生态、生理行为密切相关。通过贝类可量可数性状建立的壳形态数值分类学方法已在贝类种群形态学比较及群体亲缘关系研究中广泛应用。本文对贝类种群壳形态性状的多态性研究进行了综述,并对壳形态分析方法在贝类种质资源评估（种群识别）及遗传育种（壳宽型/深凹型品系选育）中的应用提出展望,旨在为研究者较全面了解壳形态性状的多态性和分析方法提供参考。     

Striking the right balance? Applying the jurisprudence of international tribunals to coastal state innovations in international fisheries governance

While the coastal State has ‘sovereign rights’ with respect to the exploration, exploitation, conservation and management of the living resources of the exclusive economic zone, including the right to take the necessary enforcement measures, these rights are not as all-encompassing as they first appear. In practice, the geographic and substantive limitations on the coastal State's jurisdiction in the exclusive economic zone provide significant challenges to effective fisheries governance and enforcement. This paper considers the approaches that have been adopted – or could be adopted – by coastal States seeking to improve the reach and effectiveness of their jurisdiction over the living resources of the exclusive economic zone, by reference to the current state of jurisprudence from international courts and tribunals.     

Can Marine Protected Areas be developed effectively without baseline data? A case study for Burrunan dolphins (Tursiops australis)

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are increasingly used to protect marine mammals from anthropogenic threats despite limited studies that assess their efficacy. The small population of Burrunan dolphins (Tursiops australis) that inhabit Port Phillip Bay (PPB), Australia, are genetically isolated, listed as threatened and are exposed to dolphin-swim tourism. This study aimed to identify areas within PPB where dolphins are most likely to rest, forage and socialise, and whether these behaviours occur frequently within Ticonderoga Bay Sanctuary Zone (TBSZ), the only protected area designated for dolphins within PPB. Here, a comprehensive activity budget for Burrunan dolphins was established and critical habitat identified. Behavioural data were collected from 51 independent dolphin groups during 67 boat-based surveys conducted in southern PPB between December 2009 and May 2013. Travel (63.9%) and rest (1.8%) were the most and least frequently observed behaviours, respectively. Forage (16.4%), mill (10.8%) and social (7.2%) accounted for the remainder of the activity budget. Results indicate that the broader PPB region is important for foraging, socialising and nursing dolphins, while TBSZ has proven importance for foraging dolphins. Thus, the implementation of TBSZ was a correct management decision and MPAs developed without baseline data can be effective for marine mammal conservation. Three candidate MPAs were objectively identified in areas that are hotspots for foraging and socialising Burrunan dolphins in southern PPB. The findings of this study will be used to inform current conservation management strategies. If implemented, the aim of the proposed MPAs will be to reduce impacts from anthropogenic disturbance, namely dolphin-swim tour vessels.     

贝类净化技术研究现状与展望

随着养殖水域环境问题日益凸显,贝类食品安全问题越来越受到重视,贝类在进入流通环节前进行净化将成为不可缺少的处理环节.本文从贝类净化工艺类型、净化用水处理技术,以及贝类净化对风味的影响等方面对当前国内外研究进展进行了总结梳理,并提出下一步贝类净化应重点解决的问题,为深入开展贝类净化相关研究提供参考.     

Challenges on providing conservation advice for a growing network of English Marine Protected Areas

The UK network of Marine Protected Areas and the application of management measures to protect conservation features has grown over the past decade. Bodies that regulate activities within MPAs require advice from ‘statutory’ conservation bodies. Therefore to assess the developing MPA networks resilience it is important to assess the ability of bodies to provide effective conservation advice. Thus ‘Natural England’ officers were interviewed to assess their ability to provide scientific advice on the impacts of operations in English MPAs. Results highlight the opinions of UK statutory conservation advisors to be able to provide concrete evidence on the impact of MPA designations and management measures. Response scores were ranked from 1 to 5, with 1 representing a low score, and 5, high. For governance, there was a very positive response to the structures in place to provide conservation advice (4.5). However, in terms of the finance available to provide adequate scientific advice, responses scored lower at 3.1. The majority of NE respondents believe the budget available for ‘feature condition assessment’ to be insufficient for the current MPA network, with most advice derived from ‘expert judgement’ based on the precautionary principle rather than site-based observation of ‘cause-and-effect’ from different human activities. Yet although budgets are a problem, the relationship between Natural England and local fisheries regulators is very healthy, resulting in better joined-up communication over management measures applied to stakeholders. Hence this research recommends the development of private-public partnerships (co-management initiatives) to reduce costs, bring in affected stakeholders and their assets, and improve trust.     

Precious corals become more precious in the northwestern pacific: Urgent need for integrated policy

The limited precious coral (Coralliidae) resources in the Northwestern Pacific have been managed by Taiwan with a comprehensive management plan, by Japan with a strengthened set of management measures, and by China through the listing of such coral as a Category I national treasures. However, continuous increases in coral consumption and coral prices have stimulated overexploitation and poaching of the resource, and hence have undermined the effectiveness of these management schemes. This article discusses the current precious corals supply chain and suggests that the rise of China in purchasing substantial amounts of coral products was the underlying cause for overexploitation and poaching. Several gaps in the management schemes are also identified and discussed. The article finally concludes that there is an urgent need for establishing a cross-disciplinary integrated conservation policy and a regional management platform consisting of the three participating states to address all the relevant social and ecological issues.     

Comparative study on in vitro transformation of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins in different shellfish tissues

Dissected tissues of three shellfish species,the Chinese scallop,Chlamys farreri,Manila clam,Ruditapes philippinarum,and Razor shell,Solen strictu were evaluated for in vitro transformation of paralytic shellfish poisoning(PSP) toxins. Tissue homogenates were incubated with extraction from toxic algae Alexandrium minutum to determine toxin conversion. The effects of heating and addition of a natural reductant(glutathione) on toxin conversion were also assessed. The toxin profile was investigated through high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection(HPLC-FLD) . The evident variations in the toxin content were observed only in Chinese scallop viscera homogenates. The concentration of GTX4 was reduced by 45%(approximately 0.8 μmol/dm 3 ) and 25%(approximately 1 μmol/dm 3 ) for GTX1,while GTX2 and GTX3 increased by six times(approximately 1 μmol/dm 3 ) and 3 times(approximately 0.3 μmol/dm 3 ) respectively. Simultaneously,the total toxicity decreased by 38% during the 48 h incubation period,the final toxicity was 20.4 nmol STXeq/g. Furthermore,heated Chinese scallop viscera homogenates samples were compared with non-heated samples. The concentration of the GTX4 and GTX1 was clearly 28%(approximately 0.53 μmol/dm 3 ) and 17%(approximately 0.69 μmol/dm 3 ) higher in heated samples,GTX2 and GTX3 were four times(0.66 μmol/dm 3 ) and two times(0.187 μmol/dm 3 ) lower respectively. GSH(+) Chinese scallop viscera homogenates samples were compared with GSH(-) samples,the concentration in the GTX4 and GTX1 was 9%(approximately 0.12 μmol/dm 3 ) and 11%(approximately 0.36 μmol/dm 3 ) lower respectively,GTX2 and GTX3 was 17%(approximately 0.14 μmol/dm 3 ) and 19%(approximately 0.006 μmol/dm 3 ) higher respectively. In contrast,there was a little change in the concentration of PSP toxins of Manila clam and Razor shell tissue homogenates. These observations on three shellfish tissues confirmed that there were species-specific differences in PSP toxins transformation. PSP toxins transformation was more pronounced in viscera tissue than in muscle tissue. PSP toxins was possibly interfered by some carbamoylase enzyme,and the activity in Chinese scallop viscera tissue is more remarkable than in the other two species.     

SOFIA’S choices: Discourses,values, and norms of the World Ocean Regime

Some scholars have thought the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea would transform marine politics and policy by incorporating social values of equity and justice via the Common Heritage of Mankind and authentic conservation of an essential part of the biosphere, displacing the dominant commodification of the ocean. Likewise, the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization has claimed that the “productivity paradigm” of growth in fishery catch has been replaced by balanced norms of sustainability. This article tests these claims by asking “What is the ‘generative grammar’, or value-based blueprints, of governance for the World Ocean?” using a quantitative content analysis of all extant State of the World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) reports (1995–2016). Not only does the analysis disprove the FAO’s assertions, this research reveals an otherwise invisible, non-codified economistic regime governing the World Ocean that is guided by the norms of sheer volume production, named here simply the “World Ocean Regime.” This partially explains why the marine world is experiencing structural ecological changes, including massive biodiversity loss partly driven by overfishing. The analysis finds that overfishing, ecological life support, moral aesthetic values, social equity, and science are very minor concerns for the World Ocean Regime. Governance is the second-most important set of discourses, but this governance is clearly driven by economic values and norms. The World Ocean Regime has critical implications not only for the sustainability of the World Ocean, but the planetary system that depends on the World Ocean.     

Measuring what matters – Identifying indicators of success for Brazilian marine protected areas

The large increase in number and extent of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) over the last few decades has been an important step towards the conservation of marine environments. However, it is not clear whether these important conservation tools are effectively managed, especially in the developing world where resources are limited and there are frequent conflicts with traditional resource users. An innovative approach was used to identify the most important governance, socioeconomic and biophysical variables that are associated with the management effectiveness of Brazilian MPAs. Management effectiveness data was extracted from Rapid Assessment and Prioritization of Protected Areas Management (RAPPAM), applied by World Wildlife Fund-Brazil in 2005 and 2010. This comprehensive dataset was summarized in a single management effectiveness metric and related to a set of 15 explanatory variables using generalized linear models (GLMs). An innovative multi-model averaging approach was employed to identify the most important variables relating to management effectiveness. As a result, five main indicators showed high influence on management effectiveness: 1) higher levels of monitoring/research; 2) higher investment; 3) greater human resources; 4) greater social participation, and; 5) lower levels of conflicts between users and managers. managerial effectiveness of Brazilian MPAs could be significantly improved by adopting an indicator based approach to management prioritization. Specifically, MPA managers should dedicate special attention to the highlighted factors when choosing how to allocate available resources in order to boost the overall effectiveness of their protected area.     

Each fisherman is different: Taking the environmental perception of small-scale fishermen into account to manage marine protected areas

One of the reasons for the failure of some Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is the lack of respect for their boundaries and regulations, which intensifies the need to assess the attitudes of stakeholders affected by MPAs. To this end, it is necessary to know the perception and behavior of resource users in these areas in relation to the management process. This study addressed the perception of different groups of fishermen in three MPAs that allow sustainable use of resources on the Brazilian northeastern coast. The perception analysis was based on four aspects: biodiversity conservation, flexibility and adaptability of fishermen, participation in management and opinions about the MPA. The interviewed fishermen (n=100) were classified into natives or immigrants,≥than 40 years old or <40, predominant use of selective or nonselective fishing gear and part or full time fishermen. The results showed that younger fishermen and the ones who use selective fishing gear presented a more conservation prone perception; nonselective fishermen and part-time fishermen were more flexible and adaptable to changes; and younger fishermen tended to agree more with the establishment of the MPAs. Taking these differences in perceptions among fishermen into account could serve as a basis for improvements in the management and conservation of fishing resources, besides helping predict possible future behavior due to changes in management policies.     

Distributing the bigeye conservation burden in the western and central pacific fisheries

The Western and Central Pacific Ocean is home to the world's most productive tuna fisheries, with the majority of tuna catches occurring inside the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of the region's developing coastal States. It is important that these fisheries are managed effectively throughout their range, both within and between EEZs and on the high seas. Unrestrained exploitation in a particular EEZ or on the high seas has the potential to significantly impact on catches elsewhere with potentially devastating consequences for developing coastal States, some of which have few alternate resources. The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) was established in 2004 to manage the region's highly migratory tuna fisheries. However, the WCPFC has since repeatedly failed to adopt conservation and management measures that are sufficient to meet the WCPFC's conservation and sustainable use objectives. This paper analyses catch data from the WCPFC and suggests that the weak position of bigeye (in a strategic political context), the unwillingness of members to compromise their interests and the lack of a transparent framework for distributing the burden of conservation are key factors in the WCPFC's failure to adopt sufficiently strong conservation and management measures.     

应用实时定量PCR技术检测秦皇岛近岸海域褐潮原因种——抑食金球藻(Aureococcus anophagefferens)

Aureococcus anophagefferens, a small pelagophyte algae, has caused brown tide blooms in coastal waters of Qinhuangdao in recent years, presenting significant negative impacts on the shellfish mariculture industry. Under standard light microscopy, it is visually indistinguishable from other small algae in field samples due to its extremely small size. In this study, quantitative polymerase chain reaction(q PCR) based on 18 S r DNA sequences was developed and used to detect and enumerate A. anophagefferens. A linear regression(R2 = 0.91) was generated based on cycle thresholds value(Ct) versus known concentrations of A. anophagefferens. Twenty-two field samples collected in coastal waters of Qinhuangdao were subjected to DNA extraction and then analyzed using q PCR. Results showed that A. anophagefferens had a wide distribution in coastal waters along Qinhuangdao. Elevated A. anophagefferens abundance, category 3 brown tide blooms(200 000 cells/m L) occurred at Dongshan Beach and Tiger-stone Beach in August in 2013. In shellfish mariculture areas along coastal waters of Qinhuangdao, 4 stations had category 3 blooms, and 6 stations had category 2 blooms(35 000–200 000 cells/m L) in August and all stations had category 1 blooms(0 to ≤35 000 cells/m L) in October. Quantitative PCR allows for detection of A. anophagefferens cells at low levels in filed samples, which is essential to effective management and prediction of brown tide blooms.     

Modification of the polyethylene glycol 6000 precipitation method for recovering human and indicator viruses from oysters and mussels

Human viruses are a common contaminant of shellfish affected by human sewage wastes. They are difficult to detect as they are not easily separated from shellfish tissue. This paper describes a modification of the polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation technique for recovery of enteroviruses and F‐specific bacteriophages from the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) and the green‐lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus). Modifications adopted were the use of only the digestive gland tissue for virus extraction, resuspension of the primary PEG pellet in 4 volumes of eluent, and the introduction of a secondary PEG precipitation to reconcentrate the virus containing extract. The recovery rate of the virus extraction process was not affected by introduction of the secondary concentration step (overall recovery remained at 60–70% of the virus input). The advantages of reduction of tissue residue in the extract, smaller final volume, and the ability to process 2–3 times the number of individual shellfish for the same effort, improve the practicality of the method.     

渤海湾南部滩涂贝类群落结构特征及其环境因子相关性研究

本研究以渤海湾南部(滨州)滩涂为研究区域,设置6个断面共36个采样站位,覆盖潮间带(高潮带-中潮带-低潮带)和潮下带,研究该区域贝类资源群落结构特征及其环境因子相关性。结果表明:整个调查区域常见贝类总共有30种。潮间带共有23种常见贝类,优势种为光滑篮蛤(Potamocorbula laevis Hinds 1843)、四角蛤蜊(Mactra quadrangularis Reeve 1854)、短文蛤(Meretrix petechialis Lamarck 1799);潮下带共有26种常见贝类,优势种为中国蛤蜊(Mactra chinensisi Philippi 1846)、等边浅蛤(Gomphina aequilatera Sowerby 1825)、朝鲜笋螺(Terebra koreana Yoo 1976)、红带织纹螺(Nassarius succinctus A.Adams 1852)、纵肋织纹螺(Nassarius variciferus A.Adams 1851);潮间带贝类多样性指数(H'')和均匀度指数(J'')显著高于潮下带,而丰富度指数(D)则相反;潮间带贝类生物量(710.16 g/m²)和栖息密度(4 523个/m²)远高于潮下带(17.10 g/m²,35个/m²)。群落结构多元统计分析将贝类按照站位划分为5个组群,包括东侧潮下带、西侧潮下带、西侧潮间带、东侧潮间带以及D4站位。冗余分析(RDA)结果表明,对潮间带贝类影响较大的环境因子主要为沉积物的粒径以及砂、粉砂含量,而对潮下带贝类影响较大的主要为浮游植物密度、沉积物的粒径以及砂、粉砂和黏土含量。渤海湾南部(滨州)滩涂贝类资源较为丰富,但应从不同滩涂区域生态特性的角度出发,加强贝类的保护和资源修复,本研究可为该区域贝类的资源养护和可持续利用提供数据基础。     

Evaluating the basic elements of transparency of regional fisheries management organizations

This paper reports on the first global study of regional fisheries management organization (RFMO) transparency. It was prompted by recent scholarship that suggests that RFMOs are failing to meet their conservation and management mandates and that transparency is a critical element of this performance. In this study, 11 RFMOs were evaluated using 34 questions, divided into three sections: (i) access to full, up-to-date and accurate information; (ii) public participation in decision-making; and (iii) access to outcomes. Secretariats for all 11 RFMOs were contacted, and all responded, to correct and comment on initial findings and to share additional information. The total scores in this study reflect transparency as measured against current good practices in RFMOs as a whole, rather than some sort of idealistic benchmark. Each question should therefore be seen as a diagnostic tool that shows where some RFMO(s) fall short and how they can correct the shortfall based on the practices of their peers. These results have highlighted a number of good practices amongst RFMOs, with no single RFMO standing out as having particularly poor transparency practices. On the other hand, there also were not any RFMOs that had exemplary transparency practices in every respect and all RFMOs still have room to improve upon their basic transparency practices. This first transparency assessment is necessarily broad in nature and considers only very basic elements of transparency. It is to be expected that as RFMO practices become more sophisticated, so will the techniques and criteria of future transparency assessments.