Ingestion of placenta in Hooker's Sea Lion (note)

The partial ingestion of the placenta by a newly parturient Hooker's sea lion, Phocarctos hookeri (Gray, 1844) (Pinnipedia: Otariidae), was seen on Enderby Island, Auckland Islands, in December 1972. This atypical behaviour may have resulted from the misdirection towards the placenta of pup protection activity.     

New Zealand sea lions,phocarctos hookeri,on the snares islands

Abstract

New Zealand sea lions, Phocarctos hookeri (Gray, 1844), on Main Island of the Snares Islands (48° S) are restricted to the eastern coastal region between Molly Bay and Punui Bay. In the 1970–71 summer, a maximum of 47 sea lions (36 ?, 11 ?) was counted in one day, 5 January 1971.

A female and pup were seen several times in January and February 1969, and a second mother‐pup pair in January 1971. These sightings, with a similar record in 1907, show that small numbers of sea lions may breed on the Snares Islands, north of the main breeding area at the Auckland Islands (51° S).     

Diets of Steller sea lions off the coast of Hokkaido,Japan: An inter‐decadal and geographic comparison

Inter‐decadal and geographic variations in the diets of Steller sea lion, Eumetopias jubatus, were examined based on the contents of 408 stomachs collected from coastal areas around Hokkaido Island during the periods 1994–1998 and 2005–2012. The most important prey species in the 1990s were gadid fishes (walleye pollock [Gadus chalcogrammus], Pacific cod [Gadus microcephalus] and saffron cod [Eleginus gracilis]). The frequency of occurrence and gravimetric contribution of gadids decreased in the 2000s latter period at three study sites (Rausu, Shakotan and Rebun) and were replaced by Okhotsk Atka mackerel (Pleurogrammus azonus) and smooth lumpsucker (Aptocyclus ventricosus). However, analysis based on gravimetric composition indicated that the dietary diversity of prey showed only a slight inter‐decadal difference, reflecting the wide diversity of prey ingested during both study periods. These results indicate that Steller sea lions along the Hokkaido coast are opportunistic feeders that utilize a wide variety of prey, and appear to feed mainly upon prey that is easily obtained.     

Perceptions and attitudes of stakeholders towards the wildlife refuge of Ilha dos Lobos,a marine protected area in Brazil

At the north coast of Rio Grande do Sul state, southern Brazilian coast, the Wildlife Refuge of Ilha dos Lobos (29°20′S; 49°43′W), is a full protection area and a seasonal resting refuge for South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens). The regular presence of sea lions on the island is not only a touristic attraction in the region, but also a problem to the fishery community. This community faces economic impacts in its activities due to fish depredation caused by sea lions. Because of this issue, the perceptions and attitudes of different stakeholders from the region are important to be considered by managers, so that a realistic and decentralized action plan can be designed. The goal of this study was to analyze how different local stakeholders perceived the Wildlife Refuge of Ilha dos Lobos. Additionally, how these stakeholders differed from each other in terms of attitudes, knowledge and perceptions. In October 2011, January and March 2012, face-to-face interview surveys were conducted with fishermen and tourists, and drop-off questionnaires surveys with business, and tourism professional and teachers, in a total of 150 questionnaires, 30 for each group. The results indicated existence of differences across the five stakeholder groups. It was also suggested that non-direct stakeholders had a more favorable view of the Wildlife Refuge of Ilha dos Lobos and the sea lion, whereas direct stakeholder (the fishermen) saw it as an obstacle to their fisheries activities.     

Reflection of a long wave from an underwater slope

Reflection of long sea waves from an underwater slope described by a power law is studied within the shallow water theory. The slope is connected with the flat bottom. This model allows us to estimate the roles of a pointwise reflection from the inflection point of the bottom profile and distributed reflection at the underwater slope. The case of the underwater slope described by the so-called nonreflecting beach (h(x) ∼ x ^4/3, where h is the depth of the basin and x is the coordinate) when the wave is reflected only from the inflection point (pointwise reflection) is specially considered. The reflection and transmission coefficients over the bottom topography were calculated, and it was shown that the sum of the squared absolute values of these values differs from unity for all profiles except the nonreflecting one. This difference is related to the distributed re-reflections (resonances) over the underwater slope that lead to the deviations in the wave height from the known Green’s law.     

Resource partitioning among air‐breathing marine predators: are body size and mouth diameter the major determinants?

Although the body size of consumers may be a determinant factor in structuring food webs, recent evidence indicates that body size may fail to fully explain differences in the resource use patterns of predators in some situations. Here we compared the trophic niche of three sympatric and sexually dimorphic air‐breathing marine predators (the South American sea lion, Otaria flavescens, the South American fur seal, Arctocephalus australis, and the Magellanic penguin, Spheniscus magellanicus) in three areas of the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean (Río de la Plata and adjoining areas, Northern Patagonia and Southern Patagonia), in order to assess the importance of body size and mouth diameter in determining resource partitioning. Body weight and palate/bill breadth were used to characterize the morphology of each sex and species, whereas the trophic niche was assessed through the use of stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen. The quantitative method Stable Isotope Bayesian Ellipses in R (SIBER) was used to compute the area of the Bayesian ellipses and the overlap of the isotopic niches. The results showed that morphological similarity was significantly correlated with isotopic distance between groups within the δ¹³C–δ¹⁵N bi‐plot space in the Río de la Plata area, but not in Northern and Southern Patagonia. Furthermore, resource partitioning between groups changed regionally, and some morphologically distinct groups exhibited a large trophic overlap in certain areas, such as the case of male penguins and male sea lions in Southern Patagonia. Conversely, female sea lions always overlapped with the much larger males of the same species, but never overlapped with the morphologically similar male fur seals. These results indicate that body size and mouth diameter are just two of the factors involved in resource partitioning within the guild of air‐breathing predators considered here, and for whom – under certain environmental conditions – other factors are more important than morphology.     

Angler perceptions of California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) depredation and marine policy in Southern California

California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) off the coast of Southern California are known to damage both commercial and recreational fishing activities, causing decreases to fish catch and damage to gear. Their increasing population has intensified the potential for conflict between sea lions and anglers, likely requiring changes to current legislation. The recreational fishing community in Southern California is a valuable and largely underutilized source for information and potential solutions to management and legislative problems. This recreational fishing survey-based study conducted in 2013 utilized personal interviews, conducted in the field with recreational anglers and commercial passenger fishing vessel (CPFV) crews in Southern California, to gather data on: (a) the occurrence and impact of sea lion depredation on the local fishing, (b) angler awareness and opinions on current legislation, and (c) the conflict between fishing activities and conservation efforts. Results show that surveyed CPFV operators and private boaters had the most conflict with sea lions and perceive them as more of a problem than anglers on piers, jetties or kayaks. The conflict was also reportedly more prevalent in San Diego County compared to the other counties surveyed (Orange, Los Angeles and Ventura). Participating CPFV operators were overwhelmingly in support of a government culling program for sea lions, while recreational angler respondents did not feel that a control program was necessary. These CPFV operators reported more money lost, and were willing to pay more for an effective deterrent device. There was also a consensus among respondents that fish catch is declining, yet anglers were unsatisfied with the effectiveness of current legislation designed to increase fish stocks. These data will provide a better understanding of California sea lion depredation in Southern California and its effect on recreational anglers in order to aid future mitigation efforts. Additionally, these results provide stakeholder feedback on local marine protected areas and other fisheries management legislation, and build a foundation for future conservation and education programs.     

不同产地浒苔对幼刺参生长、消化和非特异性免疫的影响

为探究不同产地浒苔型饵料对幼刺参生长、消化和非特异性免疫的影响,本实验将青岛浒苔与宁波浒苔的干粉与海泥分别按一定质量比例混合,开展刺参饲喂实验,并与刺参天然饵料马尾藻进行对比。结果表明,青岛浒苔饵料和马尾藻饵料喂养的刺参的粗蛋白含量分别为14.31%±0.10%和15.43%±1.41%,显著高于宁波浒苔饵料(11.17%±0.63%),粗脂肪和灰分含量无显著差异;青岛浒苔组、宁波浒苔组和马尾藻组的增重率分别为22.65%±5.68%、3.03%±1.17%和20.47%±2.01%,特定生长率分别为(1.44±0.33)、(0.21±0.08)、(1.33±0.12)%/d,青岛浒苔组和马尾藻组刺参的增重率和特定生长率显著高于宁波浒苔组;青岛浒苔组、宁波浒苔组和马尾藻组刺参肠道淀粉酶、胃蛋白酶、胰蛋白酶和纤维素酶活力无显著差异;马尾藻组刺参体腔液碱性磷酸酶活力为(17.57±4.56)金氏单位/100mL,显著高于青岛浒苔组[(5.56±1.32)金氏单位/100mL]和宁波浒苔组[(2.83±0.75)金氏单位/100mL],超氧化物歧化酶和酸性磷酸酶活力无显著差异。由此可见,绿潮暴发时,通过打捞浒苔用以配制刺参饵料,既有助于缓解绿潮的生态灾害,又能够补充刺参饵料来源,具有广阔的生态效益和市场前景,但是其营养成分影响因素较为复杂,配制饵料时应充分考虑不同品种、采集时间和生长地点的差异,并通过一些前处理手段充分发挥浒苔的饵料价值。     

Behavioral responses of California sea lions to mid-frequency (3250–3450 Hz) sonar signals

Military sonar has the potential to negatively impact marine mammals. To investigate factors affecting behavioral disruption in California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), fifteen sea lions participated in a controlled exposure study using a simulated tactical sonar signal (1 s duration, 3250–3450 Hz) as a stimulus. Subjects were placed into groups of three and each group received a stimulus exposure of 125, 140, 155, 170, or 185 dB re: 1 μPa (rms). Each subject was trained to swim across an enclosure, touch a paddle, and return to the start location. Sound exposures occurred at the mid-point of the enclosure. Control and exposure sessions were run consecutively and each consisted of ten, 30-s trials. The occurrence and severity of behavioral responses were used to create acoustic dose–response and dose–severity functions. Age of the subject significantly affected the dose–response relationship, but not the dose–severity relationship. Repetitive exposures did not affect the dose–response relationship.     

Fine‐scale diet of the Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) using DNA‐based analysis of faeces

We applied DNA‐based faecal analysis to determine the diet of female Australian sea lions (n = 12) from two breeding colonies in South Australia. DNA dietary components of fish and cephalopods were amplified using the polymerase chain reaction and mitochondrial DNA primers targeting the short (~100 base pair) section of the 16S gene region. Prey diversity was determined by sequencing ~50 amplicons generated from clone libraries developed for each individual. Faecal DNA was also combined and cloned from multiple individuals at each colony and fish diversity determined. Diets varied between individuals and sites. Overall, DNA analysis identified a broad diversity of prey comprising 23 fish and five cephalopod taxa, including many species not previously described as prey of the Australian sea lion. Labridae (wrasse), Monacanthidae (leatherjackets) and Mullidae (goat fish) were important fish prey taxa. Commonly identified cephalopods were Octopodidae (octopus), Loliginidae (calamary squid) and Sepiidae (cuttlefish). Comparisons of fish prey diversity determined by pooling faecal DNA from several samples provided a reasonable but incomplete resemblance (55–71%) to the total fish diversity identified across individual diets at each site. Interpretation of diet based on the recovery of prey hard‐parts identified one cephalopod beak (Octopus sp.) and one fish otolith (Parapriacanthus elongatus). The present study highlights the value of DNA‐based analyses and their capabilities to enhance information of trophic interactions.     

日照近岸海域春秋季虾蟹类的种类组成特征

作者根据2012年5月和2013年11月对日照近岸海域进行的底拖网调查资料,分析了该海域虾蟹类的种类组成、优势种和生物多样性。调查海域共捕获虾蟹类25种,根据相对重要性指数计算优势种为8种,其中经济价值较高的中大型虾蟹类5种,分别为:口虾蛄(Oratosquilla oratoria)、戴氏赤虾(Meraenaeopsis dalei)、鹰爪虾(Trachypenaeus curvirostris)、日本[虫寻](Charybdis japonica)和三疣梭子蟹(Portunus trituberculatus)。分别计算了日照近岸海域春、秋季虾蟹类群落的多样性指数(H')、丰富度指数(D)和均匀度指数(J)。该海域虾蟹类群落多样性整体处在较低的水平,在生物量和丰度上经济较高的中大型虾蟹类物种占据优势。     

Retrieval of remotely sensed air–sea carbon flux in the Chinese Bohai Sea

ABSTRACT

Having a reliable ocean carbon flux (f(CO₂)) retrieval model is essential to monitoring the global carbon cycle and to evaluating the climate change. Remote sensing techniques provide alternatives for f(CO₂) retrieval with its advantages of wide area surveys and real-time monitoring. In the present study, a semianalytical f(CO₂) estimation model was developed based on remote sensing data and in situ measurements in the Chinese Bohai Sea. The used model performed well (R²?=?0.84) in deriving f(CO₂) based on the collected remotely sensed dataset, including sea surface temperature, estimated sea surface salinity, wind speed, Chl-a concentration. The results showed that the distribution of partial pressure of carbon dioxide (p(CO₂)) and f(CO₂) varied spatially and temporally during the 12 months in 2009. The spatial fluctuations of p(CO₂) and f(CO₂) in Bohai Sea in summer and autumn were more obvious than that in Spring and Winter. The highest values of p(CO₂) and f(CO₂) generally appeared in coastal regions. Moreover, the average f(CO₂) value of the 12 months showed that the Bohai Sea performed as a weak carbon source in 2009. The results provided technical and data support for carbon management and climate negotiation in the Bohai Sea.     

Age and growth of two populations of West Coast steenbras Lithognathus aureti in Namibian waters,based on otolith readings and mark-recapture data

Age and growth of West Coast steenbras Lithognathus aureti, sampled from two separate populations (northern and southern) along Namibia's coast, was determined using sectioned otoliths, and the results were validated using mark-recapture data. For both populations, the special three-parameter Von Bertalanffy growth model described growth adequately. Growth of the southern population was described by the equation L_t = 73.556(1?e^{?0.065(t+3.92)}) cm and for the northern population by L_t = 84.601(1?e^{?0.088(t+2.756}) cm. Environmental conditions, such as difference in sea surface temperature, density-dependent competition for food, or biochemical genetic variations between the two populations, are possible reasons for the geographic differences found in the growth rates and length-at-age. Slow growth and longevity are characteristics of West Coast steenbras that make it extremely susceptible to overfishing; careful management of the resource is therefore essential.     

Statistical fraud detection in a commercial lobster fishery

In this study we introduce the first step towards a statistical model for the reliability of fisheries data. We applied Benford's Law to catch data from the Atlantic Canadian lobster (Homarus americanus) fishery's lobster fishery areas (LFAs) 33 and 34 and compared our results to those using observations from the “grey zone” (a highly regulated lobster fishery shared by Canada and United States) and a fishery with a different regulatory regime (snow crab, Chionoecetes opilio). Non‐conformity with Benford's Law is often considered as an indicator of human manipulation of accounting data. We found that observations from the grey zone conformed to the distribution predicted by Benford's Law, whereas observations from snow crab and both lobster fishery areas did not conform.     

PCR‐based techniques to determine diet of the Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea): a comparison with morphological analysis

Comprehensive dietary information for the endangered Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) is currently limited by the deficiency and poor quality of identifiable prey remains recovered from regurgitate and faeces and the difficulty of observing feeding in the wild. In this study, we investigated DNA‐based prey detection methods using conventional (end‐point) and quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR) on faeces collected from two captive Australian sea lions fed experimental diets of whole teleost fish, squid and shark tissue. PCR prey detection methods using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S genes combined with clone sequencing were compared with prey identified using traditional hard part analysis. The molecular results indicated that prey DNA was degraded. However, prey amplification was successful by targeting short (71 bp) DNA fragments. Both conventional PCR and qPCR techniques significantly increased prey detection compared with analysis of hard parts. For both sea lions, the hard part analysis was constrained by sporadic and extremely low recovery of fish otoliths (<2%), and cephalopod beaks were not recovered from the 116 squid fed. Comparisons between PCR techniques indicated comparable prey detection frequencies for all species tested; however, the sensitivity and greater resolution of qPCR improved prey detection by ~25% in one sea lion fed the experimental squid and perch. The detection of squid DNA ≤ 6 day post‐ingestion by qPCR further exhibits the ability and potential of this method to detect low concentrations of infrequent or pulse prey. This study highlights the use of DNA‐based analysis to detect prey taxa in the absence of identifiable hard prey remains.     

基于GAM的西北太平洋日本鲭资源丰度预测模型建立

日本鲭(Scomber japonicus)是西北太平洋重要的鱼类资源之一，科学预测日本鲭的资源丰度有利于其资源的合理开发和利用。本研究依据日本渔业机构提供的1987–2012年日本鲭太平洋群体的资源量数据，结合产卵场和渔场的海洋环境数据以及气候因子，使用广义加性模型对影响日本鲭太平洋群体的海洋环境和气候因子进行分析，筛选出有显著影响的因子并建立该群体的资源量预测模型。结果表明，与该群体资源量有显著关系的影响因子有:北极涛动指数、太平洋年代际振荡指数、渔场海表面高度、渔场海表面盐度和渔场海表面温度。基于赤池信息准则筛选出的4个资源量预测模型分析表明，包含北极涛动指数、渔场海表面高度和渔场海表面温度的模型有较好的预测效果，该模型的验证结果也通过了t检验(P<0.05)，可用于日本鲭太平洋群体资源量的预测。     

The distribution of planktonic Ostracoda between the source of Kuroshio and west of Taiwan Strait

Little was studied on oceanography and ecology on the eastern sea waters off the Philippines,Bashi Channel and Balintang Channel in the past.In this paper are presented the results of an ecological study on Ostracoda in the above-stated sea waters in which the samples of Ostracoda were collected in the North Pacific nets from 90 stations by Surveyer I(May-July,1968) in accordance with CSK Program.The study took into consideration the in situ temperature-salinity data.In addition,a comparative dissection has been carried out on the samples of Ostracoda obtained in the normal nettings trawled from bottom to surface during an annual survey(see May,1984-May,1985)in the west from the central line of the Taiwan Strait(see Fig.1) by the Third Institute of Oceanography,State Oceanic Administration.The interaction of different current systems,especially the Kuroshio on Ostracoda,is described from the distribution of different ecological attributions.     

Conservation status of New Zealand marine mammals (suborders Cetacea and Pinnipedia), 2009

The conservation status of New Zealand (NZ) marine mammals (suborders Cetacea and Pinnipedia) is reappraised using the 2008 version of the NZ Threat Classification System. The list comprises 56 taxa (named species or subspecies, and as yet unnamed forms or types) in the following categories: Threatened—eight taxa (five Nationally Critical and three Nationally Endangered); Vagrant—six taxa; Migrant—20 taxa; and Data Deficient—13 taxa. A further nine taxa are listed as Not Threatened. Relative to the previous listing, the threat status of two species worsened: the NZ sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) was uplisted to Nationally Critical and the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) was uplisted to Nationally Endangered. No species was considered to have an improved status. With the uplisting of the NZ sea lion and the continued listing of the Hector's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori hectori) as Endangered and Maui's dolphin (C. hectori maui) as Nationally Critical, all three endemic NZ marine mammals are now considered threatened with extinction. We considered future research or management actions that would allow the downlisting of the eight taxa currently listed as Threatened.     

论证南海海疆国界线

According to a series of important historical maps,i.e.,the Location Map of the South China Sea Islands,the Nansha Islands,Zhongsha Islands,Xisha Islands,Yongxing Island and Shidao Island,and Taiping Island(archived by the Territorial Administration Division of the Ministry of Interior of Republic of China in 1946),and the Administration District Map of the Republic of China published in 1948,the dashed line surrounding the South China Sea Islands represents China's sea boundary in the South China Sea at that time.It was both connected with,and an extension of,the land boundary of China.At that time the dashed line was used to represent the waters boundaries while the solid line was used to represent the land boundary—a universal method used in maps that was then recognized internationally.The above observation provides historical and scientific evidence of China's sea boundary in the South China Sea that is useful for the international maritime delimitation over the South China Sea area.     

Seasonal fluctuations in occurrence of inshore Bryde's whales in Plettenberg Bay,South Africa,with notes on feeding and multispecies associations

Seasonal fluctuations in the occurrence of inshore South African Bryde's whales Balaenoptera edeni were investigated between November 2005 and June 2008. Sighting data were collected in Plettenberg Bay on the south-east coast of South Africa. Bryde's whale occurrence was modelled in relation to the following environmental covariates: sea surface temperature, chlorophyll a concentrations and wind speed. Seasonal increases in encounter rates (sightings per day) were observed during summer and autumn, with a peak in April that corresponded to increased feeding activity and above average aggregation sizes. All three environmental covariates were significant factors in terms of explaining variability in the occurrence of whales. Multispecies associations with common dolphins Delphinus capensis and Cape gannets Morus capensis were most common in summer and autumn, when feeding activity was highest.