Two dimensional stocks of fish can be assessed with methods that mimic the analysis of research survey data but that use commercial catch-effort data. This finite population approach has scarcely been used in fisheries science though it brings about very large sample sizes of local fish density with models of only moderate levels of complexity. The extracted information about the status of the stock can be interpreted as biomass indices. Statistical inference on finite populations has been the locus of a highly specialized branch of sampling-distribution inference, unique because observable variables are not considered as random variables. If statistical inference is defined as "the identification of distinct sets of plausible and implausible values for unobserved quantities using observations and probability theory" then it is shown that Godambe's paradox implies that the classical finite populations approach is inherently contradictory as a technique of statistical inference. The demonstration is facilitated by the introduction of an extended canonical form of an experiment of chance, that apart from the three components identified by Birnbaum, also contains the time at which the experiment is performed. Realization of the time random variable leaves the likelihood function as sole data-based mathematical tool for statistical inference, in contradiction with sampling-distribution inference and in agreement with direct-likelihood and Bayesian inference. A simple mathematical model is introduced for biomass indices in the spatial field defined by the fishing grounds. It contains three unknown parameters, the natural mortality rate, the probability of observing the stock in the area covered by the fishing grounds, and mean fish density in the sub-areas where the stock was present. A new theory for the estimation of mortality rates is introduced, using length frequency data, that is based on the population ecology analogue of Hamilton-Jacobi theory of classical mechanics. The family of equations require estimations of population growth, individual growth, and recruitment pattern. Well known or new techniques are used for estimating parameters of these processes. Among the new techniques, a likelihood-based geostatistical model to estimate fish density is proposed and is now in use in fisheries science (Roa-Ureta and Niklitschek, 2007, ICES Journal of Marine Science 64:1723-1734), as well as a new method to estimate individual growth parameters (Roa-Ureta, In Press, Journal of Agricultural, Biological, and Environmental Statistics). All inference is done only using likelihood functions and approximations to likelihood functions, as required by the Strong Likelihood principle and the direct-likelihood school of statistical inference. The statistical model for biomass indices is a hierarchical model with several sources of data, hyperparameters, and nuisance parameters. Even though the level of complexity is not low, a full Bayesian formulation is not necessary. Physical factors, mathematical manipulation, profile likelihoods and estimated likelihoods are used for the elimination of nuisance parameters. Marginal normal and multivariate normal likelihood functions, as well as the functional invariance property, are used for the hierarchical structure of estimation. In this manner most sources of information and uncertainty in the data are carried over up the hierarchy to the estimation of the biomass indices.

<p>The EU25 Member States’ GDP per capita levels converged in 1994-2005. Convergence occurred at an average speed of approximately 1.5 percent per year. In the first part of this paper unconditional convergence is analyzed by looking at both β- and σ-convergence and the performances of the catch-up economies are compared, discussed and related to the convergence definition. In a second stage, the catch-up performances are analyzed in relation to theory of economic integration. Substantial increases in labor productivity explain a great deal of the catch-up for poorer economies such as the Baltic states, while increases in employment have been relatively more important for the less poorer economies such as Spain, Portugal and Slovenia. Labor productivity is further elaborated and it is found that both FDIs and internal savings have been consistently higher for the catch-up economies than the non-catching-up economies. FDIs are also assumed to have indirect effects such as promoting incorporation of technology.</p>

Florida’s recreational bonefish fishery generates substantial economic benefits to the region; however, the resource has never been adequately assessed to determine standard benchmarks for sustainability. The situation offered a unique opportunity to address unresolved issues in sustainability for a valuable recreational fishery that is almost exclusively catch and release. The goal of this dissertation was three-fold: (1) to develop a comprehensive framework for conducting rigorous stock assessments on recreational catch-and-release fisheries; (2) to apply these methods to the Florida bonefish fishery to compare results against internationally-recognized sustainable fishery benchmarks; and, (3) provide recommendations for longer-term assessment strategies and management efforts. Due to the dearth of available bonefish information, existing literature were synthesized and new quantitative data and models concerning bonefish demographics (i.e. growth, survivorship) and population dynamics were developed. Data for age-and-growth were collected with a focus on both small (< 100 mm FL) and large (>650 mm FL) bonefish which had been under-sampled in previous research. A two-stage growth model was developed that allowed predictions of size-at-age over the complete life history of the species. Evidence from multiple analyses suggested a single species of bonefish in the Florida fishery. A mail survey of bonefish captains (guides) acquired baseline statistics on the south Florida bonefish fishery. Fleet fishing effort is mostly concentrated in the northern Florida Keys (Biscayne Bay to Islamorada) and reflects to some extent bonefish spatial population abundance. The majority of the respondents indicated the stock had declined over the past few decades. A sized-based mortality estimator was used to determine mortality. Changes in current population size from 2003-2010 were determined from a visual survey. Historical stock size was inferred from a relative abundance index from standardized tournament catch rates. Annual trends of the mortality estimates implied a stable population that is not declining which contrasts with the index of abundance and visual survey results. Both the index of abundance and visual survey displayed overall declining trends in recent years. Bonefish movements were determined from anchor tag and acoustic telemetry. Anchor tagging data were analyzed to evaluate movements, stock size structure and mortality. Results revealed no significant relationships between distance moved and days at large or days at large and length at tagging; however, significant individual movements (>100 kilometers) were recorded. Use of acoustic telemetry showed frequent movements around the barrier islands, schooling behavior, and a possible spawning effect with movements to offshore reef habitats. Stock status was addressed with two different classes of assessment models: REEFS, a length-based model which estimated the stock as moderately exploited with the current fishing mortality rate less than the maximum sustainable yield fishing mortality rate; and a “catch-free” age-structured model which indicated a large stock decline over the past 40 years with the stock currently bordering an overfished benchmark. The age-structured model was assumed to be the most robust method because it incorporated the majority of the research data (age and growth, selectivity, mortality, visual survey, CPUE standardization, vessel effort). In conclusion, the stock’s productivity has been significantly reduced over the past 50 years due to fishing, but also degradation of key prey populations, habitats, and water quality, resulting in a current bonefish population that is bordering an overfished state. Recommendations are provided for improving future stock assessments and management approaches. The assessment framework and quantitative methods and models developed here are broadly applicable to bonefish stocks around the world.

A link between early malnutrition and development of components of the metabolic syndrome later in life has been shown in epidemiological and animal data. Moreover, studies now tend to demonstrate that not only fetal environment is important for developmental programming but postnatal milieu could also participate to this process. The “predictive adaptive response” hypothesis stipulates that not only a suboptimal environment during fetal life will lead to development of metabolic disorders later in life but more likely is a mismatch between the early environment and that one really encountered later on that increases the risk of developing later disease. Based on this hypothesis, we examined the effect of an early mismatched environment produced by fetal protein restriction and postnatal catch-up growth on the development of obesity and cardiovascular disease in male mice. We focussed our study on the analysis of adipose tissue with in vitro examination of differentiation, proliferation of preadipocytes. We also investigated in vivo the development of overweight in adult mice and we measured the expression of specific adipose tissue molecules with microarray. Finally, we investigated the development of hypertension and atherosclerosis in parallel to obesity. Our results indicated that postnatal catch-up growth after fetal protein restriction favours the development of obesiy in adult male mice. Early mismatched nutrition also influenced the capacity of proliferation of preadipocyte as well as the expression of adipose tissue specific molecules involved mainly in lipid biosynthesis. Finally, early nutrition also induced hypertension in adult male mice while no influence of fetal protein restriction and postnatal catch-up growth was observed on atherosclerosis development.

The EU25 Member States’ GDP per capita levels converged in 1994-2005. Convergence occurred at an average speed of approximately 1.5 percent per year. In the first part of this paper unconditional convergence is analyzed by looking at both β- and σ-convergence and the performances of the catch-up economies are compared, discussed and related to the convergence definition. In a second stage, the catch-up performances are analyzed in relation to theory of economic integration. Substantial increases in labor productivity explain a great deal of the catch-up for poorer economies such as the Baltic states, while increases in employment have been relatively more important for the less poorer economies such as Spain, Portugal and Slovenia. Labor productivity is further elaborated and it is found that both FDIs and internal savings have been consistently higher for the catch-up economies than the non-catching-up economies. FDIs are also assumed to have indirect effects such as promoting incorporation of technology.

Good nutrition is crucial. School-aged children battle social issues such as poor nutrition, childhood obesity, and minimal nutrition knowledge. This study was a quasi-experimental design analyzing the effects of CATCH curriculum with a Farm-to-School program to assess nutrition knowledge of third grade students, and to increase fruit and vegetable consumption behavior. Third grade boys and girls (n=65) participated in this study. The intervention consisted of two nutrition education classes and a farm tour. Data were collected at baseline and post intervention. Surveys assessed nutrition knowledge and fruit and vegetable consumption behavior. Data were analyzed with independent sample t-tests. Significant differences were found concerning knowledge of fiber and farm exposure (p<0.001). Knowledge of vitamins and minerals and reported vegetable consumption behavior at home and school were also significant (p<0.05). These findings suggest that CATCH nutrition education and farm tours can positively affect school-aged children's nutrition knowledge and consumption behavior.

This study is a retrospective evaluation of the Coordinated Approach To Child Health (CATCH) coordinated school health program. An abundant amount of research has been conducted concerning CATCH, but no data exist that represents the characteristics and attitudes of individuals implementing the program. This study looked to examine organizational readiness, commitment to change, leadership, implementation barriers, innovation perceptions and their influence on the diffusion of CATCH. The primary purpose of this study is to describe and explain why schools in the same area that receive the same CATCH training result in different implementation practices. This study included a retrospective evaluation that evaluated school employees' motivation of CATCH implementation over the 2011-2012 school year. A survey of 284 school employees and health department partners consisting of 33 school administers, 197 classroom teachers, 27 physical education teachers, 21 cafeteria supervisors, and 6 health department partners at elementary school located in the southernmost counties of southern Illinois was conducted. Particular attention was focused upon the differences between classroom teachers, physical education teachers, cafeteria supervisors, and health department partners. Degree of CATCH implementation was the best among cafeteria supervisors and physical education teachers while classroom teachers implemented roughly 50% of the CATCH classroom curriculum. Organizational readiness was a significant predictor of classroom teacher degree of implementation while school leadership served as a significant predictor of degree of implementation by physical education teachers. The study utilizes CATCH; however, this study could be helpful concerning other school health programs to enhance program implementation practices and delivery. The significance of these data provide health educators with evidence of why schools have different implementation practices, what constructs influence degree of implementation, and how addressed constructs that influence implementation can be rectified through school preparation and training protocols to enhance degree of implementation. Additional variables are also discussed that could account for further variation in school employee degree of implementation.

Atlantic Tarpon Megalops atlanticus support a catch-and-release fisheries in the United States and other territories such as Puerto Rico. Survival of angled fish is imperative to catch-and-release fishing yet numerous factors have yet to be looked at over a timescale to determine if laboratory and wild Puerto Rico tarpon experience increased stress and risk of mortality. To evaluate stress in simulated catch-and-release angling, laboratory trials were conducted over a 24-hour time scale with 2 varying intensities of simulated angling and various physiological parameters were explored. Blood samples concluded that simulating angling only had an interaction effect in time and fishing intensity in the factor of osmolality. In field studies, tarpon studied physiologically gave inconclusive results due to lack of a time scale. Field studies tracking mortality were completed by acoustic telemetry of angled fish in the San Juan Lagoon network. Studies resulted in a mortality that ranges from 4.5-20.5%.

No description available.

Quantitative population dynamics modeling is needed to evaluate the stock status and fisheries management plans to provide robust model and management strategies. Atlantic Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis), one important commercial and recreational fish species along the west coast of Atlantic Ocean that was found to be declining in recent years, was selected as an example species. My study aimed to explore the possible spatial heterogeneity of CPUE (catch per unit effort) year trend based on three fishery independent surveys and explore the influence of nonstationary natural mortality on the fisheries management through a MSE (Management Strategy Evaluation) algorithm based on the Weakfish stock assessment results. Five models for catch rate standardization were constructed based on the NEAMAP (NorthEast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program) survey data and the ‘best' two models were selected based on the ability to capture nonlinearity and spatial autocorrelation. The selected models were then used to fit the other two survey data to compare the CPUE year trend of Weakfish. Obvious differences in distribution pattern of Weakfish along latitude and longitude were detected from these three surveys as well as the CPUE year trend. To test the influence of the model selection on the MSE, five stock-recruitment models and two forms of statistical catch-at-age models were used to evaluate the fishery management strategies. The current biomass-based reference point tends to be high if the true population dynamics have nonstationary natural mortality. A flexible biomass based reference point to match the nonstationary process is recommended for future fisheries management. / Master of Science