Evaluating the efficiency of three methods for monitoring of native crayfish in Germany

We compared the capture efficiency of three traditional sampling methods, hand captures at day, hand captures at night and captures by commercial baited traps (“Pirat type”) with a coarse mesh size of 10 × 45 mm, for the native crayfish species Austropotamobius torrentium (stone crayfish) and Astacus astacus (noble crayfish). These capture types are applied regularly in monitoring programs. Additionally, we tested modified traps with fine mesh size to capture stone crayfish. We hypothesized that the capture efficiency of the methods is different between the two species, different sex and size classes and seasons and that modified traps with small mesh size were more effective in capturing juvenile stone crayfish than traps with coarse mesh size. Hand captures at night were found to be the most effective sampling method for both species. It generates the highest relative abundances and is the least biased method in relation to size and sex of crayfish specimen. Hand captures at day result in lower capture rates than hand captures at night. However, there is a tendency to gather more small individuals and females in comparison to the night captures. Baited traps turned out to be completely inappropriate for capturing stone crayfish; even traps modified with small mesh size were not a suitable capture method. For noble crayfish all three methods seem to be suitable, depending on the sampling purposes. The relative differences between the methods did not change significantly during the seasons. However, when capture rates of all three methods were combined, September was found to be the month where the highest capture rates were achieved as both sexes of both species were on the peak of their activity.     

Characterization of fish hold effluent discharged from commercial fishing vessels into harbor waters

Fish hold effluent and the effluent produced from the cleaning of fish holds may contain organic material resulting from the degradation of seafood and cleaning products (e.g., soaps and detergents). This effluent is often discharged by vessels into near shore waters and, therefore, could have the potential to contribute to water pollution in bays and estuaries. We characterized effluent from commercial fishing vessels with holds containing refrigerated seawater, ice slurry, or chipped ice. Concentrations of trace heavy metals, wet chemistry parameters, and nutrients in effluent were compared to screening benchmarks to determine if there is a reasonable potential for effluent discharge to contribute to nonattainment of water quality standards. Most analytes (67%) exceeded their benchmark concentration and, therefore, may have the potential to pose risk to human health or the environment if discharges are in significant quantities or there are many vessels discharging in the same areas.     

Plastic ingestion in Franciscana dolphins, Pontoporia blainvillei (Gervais and d'Orbigny, 1844), from Argentina

Plastic debris (PD) ingestion was examined in 106 Franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) incidentally captured in artisanal fisheries of the northern coast of Argentina. Twenty-eight percent of the dolphins presented PD in their stomach, but no ulcerations or obstructions were recorded in the digestive tracts. PD ingestion was more frequent in estuarine (34.6%) than in marine (19.2%) environments, but the type of debris was similar. Packaging debris (cellophane, bags, and bands) was found in 64.3% of the dolphins, with a lesser proportion (35.7%) ingesting fishery gear fragments (monofilament lines, ropes, and nets) or of unknown sources (25.0%). PD ingestion correlated with ontogenetic changes in feeding regimes, reaching maximum values in recently weaned dolphins. Because a simultaneous increase in gillnet entanglement and the bioaccumulation of heavy metals take place at this stage, the first months after trophic independence should be considered as a key phase for the conservation of Franciscana dolphin stocks in northern Argentina.     

Gillnet fisheries as a major mortality factor of Magellanic penguins in wintering areas

The incidental capture in fisheries is probably the main conservation problem affecting seabirds. While the capture of albatrosses and petrels on longline hooks is well-known worldwide, the bycatch of diving seabirds in gillnets is an overlooked conservation problem. During a winter coastal fishing trip, the capture of Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) was recorded in driftnet and bottom setnet fisheries for the first time in southern Brazil. The highest captures rates were found in driftnets, from 146.5 to 545.5 penguins/km² of net and a total of 56 dead penguins were recorded. In the bottom gillnet, a total of 12 birds were killed and the capture rates varied from 41.7 to 125.0 penguins/km² of net. Although preliminary, the results presented in this paper were consistent between sets. If we consider the magnitude of driftnet and setnet fishing fleets, and that most dead penguins were adults, the impact upon Magellanic penguin populations is probably significant.     

Estimating groundwater recharge induced by engineering systems in a semiarid area (southeastern Spain)

The scarcity of water resources in semiarid regions is usually accompanied by brief periods of quite intense precipitation that can generate potentially catastrophic floods. In such regions, the use of runoff water for aquifer recharge can contribute to both flooding prevention and effective management of water resources. This paper presents the results of a study undertaken in southeastern Spain focusing on the recharge induced by a number of engineering structures (check dams) and gravel pits. The current network of check dams consists of 107 dams, of which 64 are located over permeable substrates and so we can induce recharge of the storm runoff retained therein. The hydrological model was performed using the curve number method (CN) of the Service for the Conservation of Soils, utilizing code HEC-HMS. Results indicate that the proportion of runoff infiltrated through the check dams varies from 3% to more than 50%, according to the effective volume of water dammed and the substrate. In addition, hydrological modelling was carried out in a subbasin taking advantage of the presence of one of a number of gravel pits. The gravel pits are situated in the apical sectors of alluvial fans that overlie hydrogeological units that are widely overexploited, and so they are well positioned for use for artificial recharge. In this case, we conclude that a pit is capable of retaining and infiltrating the combined runoff volumes for various return periods (5, 25, 50, and 100 years). Furthermore, the simulation carried out suggests that the recharge processes in these environments are intimately linked to episodic storm events. The incorporation of hydrogeological criteria in the design and construction of check dams could therefore be very useful for the optimum management of water resources in semiarid zones.     

What is the ecosystem approach for fisheries management?

The ecosystem approach for fisheries management is a widely accepted concept and various international instruments require its application. However, there are various interpretations of the ecosystem approach and its application almost always brings about confrontations and resistance among managers, proponents, and stakeholders. This paper categorizes the ecosystem approach into four distinguishable types: bycatch mitigation, multi-species management, protection of vulnerable ecosystems, and integrated approach. Furthermore, the lack of identification and understanding of specific management goals is hampering the application of the ecosystem approach. Unless the stakeholders understand and accept the goals, the ecosystem approach will not succeed.     

Management responses to the problem of incidental catch in fishing: A comparative analysis of the EU,Norway, and the Faeroe Islands

The article addresses incidental catch as a two-level management problem for systems that regulate fish catches. The first level is legal and concerns the problem of establishing clear and legitimate criteria for criminal liability. The second level is environmental and concerns the efficacy of chosen liability criteria in resource conservation. The article compares and explains the solutions chosen by Norway, the Faeroe Islands, and the EU. Each solution constitutes a distinct form of fisheries management. It is argued that national choices are determined by administrative capacity for implementation and political autonomy in the distribution of fishing rights.