Offshore fouling: investigation methods

On the hasis of the reason that the offshore oil development areas in the northem South China Sea are at greater depth, more hazardous conditions and distance from shore, the methods and technologies used in coastal waters are not feasible because of the higher risk of losing investigation equipment or facilities. A series of methods and technologies for offshore fouling investigation that have been successfully applied is given in detail and it is hoped that the experience can be helpful for further studies.     

An SEM study on Mullet gill filament material and methods

The investigation was performed on 4 Mullets (27～49 cm long and weighing 225～1 500 g each) of both sexes from the waters off Tianjin. Small pieces of the gills were sliced and immersionfixed in a buffer mixture of 1.5% glutaraldehyde, 1.5% paraformaldehyde and 0.1 mol/dm~3 phosphate for at least 24 h. After fixation in phosphate buffered 1% O_(?)O_4 at 4 ℃ for 1 h, the tissues were     

Choosing a fishery’s governance structure using data poor methods

Multi-species fisheries are complex to manage and the ability to develop an appropriate governance structure is often seriously impeded because trading between sustainability objectives at the species level, economic objectives at the fleet level, and social objectives at the community scale, is complex. Many of these fisheries also tend to have a mix of information, with stock assessments available for some species and almost no information on other species. The fleets themselves comprise fishers from small family enterprises to large vertically integrated businesses. The Queensland trawl fishery in Australia is used as a case study for this kind of fishery. It has the added complexity that a large part of the fishery is within a World Heritage Area, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which is managed by an agency of the Australian Commonwealth Government whereas the fishery itself is managed by the Queensland State Government. A stakeholder elicitation process was used to develop social, governance, economic and ecological objectives, and then weight the relative importance of these. An expert group was used to develop different governance strawmen (or management strategies) and these were assessed by a group of industry stakeholders and experts using multi-criteria decision analysis techniques against the different objectives. One strawman clearly provided the best overall set of outcomes given the multiple objectives, but was not optimal in terms of every objective, demonstrating that even the “best” strawman may be less than perfect.     

Comparing traditional and modern methods of kākahi translocation: implications for ecological restoration

ABSTRACT

Handling methods are an important determinant of translocation success. In Aotearoa/New Zealand, tangata whenua traditionally used insulated kete to translocate aquatic animals to new environments as part of ahumoana tawhito (ancient aquaculture). In this study we investigated the influence of three transport methods (traditional [flax kete], modern [bucket], and a hybrid of the two [bucket with flax support structures]) on the short-term performance (burrowing speed) of kākahi (freshwater mussels). We also tested whether assisted release (planting kākahi in the substrate) resulted in enhanced burrowing speeds. Kākahi that were transported using the traditional method were slower to begin probing the substrate, but there was no difference in overall burrowing speed. We also found that assisted release resulted in faster burrowing speeds. We conclude that handling and release procedures can influence the short-term performance of translocated kākahi, and we recommend procedures for future translocation projects, including transporting animals in immersion vessels where practical, and planting them at the release site     

Tetraploid induced by physical and chemical methods in Jinjiang oyster(Crassostrea rivularis)

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Investigation of geotechnical and geochemical relationships by parameter cross‐correlation methods,oslofjorden and dramsfjorden,Norway

Abstract

A cross‐correlation matrix was computer developed to investigate the statistical dependence of geotechnical properties on other properties as an aid to learning why such dependence exists. Linear correlation coefficients, based on 10,000 data values from borings in four major basins along the axis of the Oslofjorden, and one boring at the south end of the Dramsfjorden, are presented for 17 measured or calculated geotechnical and geochemical parameters. Confidence levels of 99 percent and 99.99 percent were calculated for all parameters, and causative and fortuitous relationships or linkages were investigated using regrouped matrices showing correlations significant at the 99.99 percent confidence level. A table summarizes parameters correlating in both fjords, only in the Oslofjorden, only in the Dramsfjorden, and in neither fjord.

Generally, relationships were as expected. Examples of unexpected absence of correlations follow: In the Oslofjorden, the clay‐size fraction and the plastic limit correlated only with the activity and the liquid limit, respectively. The lack of correlation with other parameters may be related to the character of the clay‐size fraction. In the Dramsfjor‐den, the sensitivity did not correlate with any other parameter, which may be related to the anoxic soils found in this fjord.     

Effects of heavy metal ions on larval Penaeus chinensis and comparative study on their elimination methods

In order to establish a new method to eliminate toxicities of heavy metal ions to larval penaeid shrimp, the effects of copper, zinc, lead and cadmium ions on larval metamorphosis of Penaeus chinensis at each stage were determined in detail, and two methods eliminating toxicities were compared. The results indicate that sensitivity of larvae to heavy metal ions decreases in the order of nauplii, protozoea, mysis and postlarvae. The phytoplankton food can reduce, by chetating, the toxicities of heavy metal ions. Both EDTA chelation and PHMA absorption can be used to eliminate the toxicities effectively and there is no significant difference between the two methods. EDTA is harmful to larval P. chinensis at high concentration but affects neither survival nor metamorphosis at below 10 mg/dm3. It is preliminarily observed that copper and zinc ions at low concentration are beneficial to the development of larvae after protozoea stage. It is suggested that it is unnecessary to e-liminate the effects of heavy     

Present state,basic theories, methods and progresses of investigation and assessment on marine hazardous geology in China

The achievement progresses of investigation and studies on marine hazardous geology are summarized and presentsd in the late 20 century in China. The importance, research value and presentday studies of marine hazardous geology, a newly developing branch of geoscience, are well expatiated.Several often confused concepts and theories are explained and redefined here. The comment on the means of investigations, assessment of marine hazardous geology, as well as its evolution, innovation,existing questions and future tasks are also introduced and presented. The concepts of “hazard geology“,“geohazard“, “map of marine hazard geology“, “integrated evaluaton on seafloor stablity“ are respectively discussed, including their definition, research objects, methods and contents. The types and classification of marine hazardous geology, principles and methods of marine hazardous geology map compilation, the assessment methods and models of marine hazardous geology environment and seafloor stability and so on are also discussed.     

Snapper tagging in north‐east New Zealand, 1974: Analysis of methods,return rates,and movements

During 1974, 5045 snapper Chrysophrys auratus (Forster) were tagged at various locations along the north‐east coast of the North Island. Most were trawl‐caught using a canvas cod‐end in shallow inshore areas. Four types of tags were used, of which two were found to be effective: a large single‐barbed dart tag, and a lock‐on spaghetti tag. For the period up to the end of October 1975, 88 (1.74%) were returned. Highest returns were from the Hauraki Gulf (2.3%) and lowest from Northland (nil). Analysis of the recapture data showed that most movements were local, with a mean distance between tagging site and recapture position of 13.9 nautical miles (25.7 km). Four movements greater than 50 miles (92.6 km) were recorded. Local movements in the Hauraki Gulf were associated with the spring/summer spawning period. This movement, out from inshore areas which are closed to seiners and trawlers, and schooling behaviour, are thought to be the main factors contributing to the peak in snapper catches at this time of the year.     

How to detect polymorphisms undergoing selection in marine fishes? A review of methods and case studies,including flatfishes

Populations of marine organisms are potentially affected by numerous selective pressures such as temperature and salinity, or anthropogenic pressures such as xenobiotics that may preclude adaptation to particular habitats. Such selective pressures may also affect their demography. Examples include modifications of the population dynamics through shifts in growth rate, and in life history traits affecting fitness such as size or age of first reproduction. However, the documentation of variation in phenotypically plastic traits specific to distinct environments cannot be taken as the ultimate proof that natural selection has occurred. Measurement of the impact of selection and subsequent local adaptation of fish populations based exclusively on morphological or physiological characters is one of the most difficult things to achieve because it depends on the use of phenotypic characters that closely match the genotype. Molecular markers can help to overcome this problem and, under some circumstances, can record the footprints of selection. A combination of polymorphisms that are under selection and those that are not can provide complementary information. In this paper, we review how and why selection can be detected at the molecular level, using genetic markers analysed in a population genetic framework. We then report and discuss case studies in fish.     

Evaluating local population dynamics of the American lobster,Homarus americanus,with trap‐based mark‐recapture methods and seabed mapping

Seabed mapping, spatially referenced trapping, and mark‐recapture methods have all been useful tools in ecological studies of lobsters and other benthic animals. Here we integrate the three methods to evaluate local population dynamics and movements of American lobsters, Homarus americanus, in coastal fishing grounds in Maine, United States. The study was conducted on five study areas of different size, and used two different sampling protocols. At one site (1 km² in area) we used a monthly mark‐recapture sampling interval over a 6‐month period, only tagging a subsample of the catch. At four smaller sites (0.3 km²) we used a shorter‐term approach, sampling at 3–4‐day intervals for a 2‐week duration, tagging the entire catch. Tagging data were analysed with a modified Jolly‐Seber model adapted for continuous sampling to estimate population abundance, gains (immigration), and losses (emigration and mortality). Side‐scan sonar surveys of the seabed combined with diver‐based population surveys, stratified by substrate type, provided an independent comparison to mark‐recapture‐based estimates of abundance over the same areas. Spatial referencing of trap catch also allowed us to relate catch rates and lobster movements directly to seabed features. The longer‐term tagging data on the larger study area provided abundance estimates that were more consistent with the diver observations, and estimates of gains and losses statistically more robust, than those derived from the shorter‐term effort on the smaller sites. The flux of lobsters followed the well known seasonal movements on these fishing grounds, with gains and losses from the larger study area ranging over 1000 individuals per day, and an estimated mid‐summer peak density of >65 000 lobsters per km² (individuals >50 mm carapace length). This approach may lend itself to broader application with the American lobster.     

Using input–output methods to assess the effects of fishing and aquaculture on a regional economy: The case of Galicia,Spain

This paper uses an input–output model to quantify the socioeconomic impact of fishing and aquaculture on Galicia, one of Spain's most important maritime regions. Results indicate that the carryover effects of these production activities are important for Galicia's economy because they contribute not only to job creation but also to possibilities for obtaining income in other economic sectors. These sectors’ combined production in 2013 was almost a million euros, and that production was estimated to account for nearly 2% of the regional economy's value added and for more than 17,000 full-time jobs. Together these contributions amounted to some €1.7 billion in production and €975 million in value added to other Galician economic activities. At the same time, fishing and aquaculture were responsible for creating the equivalent of more than 14,000 full-time jobs in other economic activities.     

Comparative study of digestion methods EPA 3050B (HNO₃--H₂O₂--HCl) and ISO 11466.3 (aqua regia) for Cu, Ni and Pb contamination assessment in marine sediments

Knowing the metal extraction capacity of a digestion method is crucial for a better environmental interpretation of metal concentrations determined in sediments. One of the main problems at the present is the lack of harmonization of information obtained by two of the most popular sediment partial digestion methods: ISO 11466.3 (aqua regia) and EPA 3050B (HNO?--H?O?--HCl). In the present work, the amount of Cu, Ni and Pb leached by using both methods was compared with the total content of those elements in marine sediments collected, as an example, from the Cienfuegos Bay, Cuba. Similar amounts of Cu were extracted by both methods; while leaching of Ni and Pb were different. Generally, the EPA method extracted more Ni than the ISO method. In contrast, Pb was extracted in a larger amount by the ISO method. Some explanations are given for the observed results. X-ray Diffraction, X-ray Fluorescence, Particle Induced X-ray Emission Spectrometry and Energy Dispersive X-ray coupled to Scanning Electron Microscopy were employed for this purpose. On the other hand, none of the methods studied extracted simultaneously the fraction of all the metals, probably provided by human activity (Theoretical Anthropogenic Fraction) in both sediments studied. The use of ISO 11466.3 or EPA 3050B is recommended since the analytical performance parameters of both, in combination with Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, are adequate. For a better environmental interpretation of the analytical results, information on the extraction efficiency of the selected method for specific elements and sediments under study should also be provided, together with the determined concentrations.