This study primarily attempts to develop models to estimate population dynamic parameters from mark-recapture data. Model implementation is illustrated using data collected from the South African Pomatomus saltatrix fishery . The models developed allow for the estimation of mortality, survival and migration rates in exploited fish stocks. A growth model is also developed which simultaneously estimates growth parameters as well as validates the hard structure banding using age-length and markrecapture data. There are number of advantages to these models . Given appropriate datasets the mark-recapture models developed in this study can be applied to others species of interest. The models can be modified easily e.g. the growth model can incorporate growth functions other than the von BertalanfIy model. The models can be programmed into a spreadsheet which facilitates the estimation of parameter variances using likelihood profile or bootstrapping methods and allows the testing of model assumptions based on simulations. A general mortality model is developed and is illustrated with mark-recapture data from the P. saltatrix fishery. The model provides an estimate of the average fishing mortality for the Cape and KwaZulu-Natal and is then extended to include movement between the Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. It utilises mark-recapture data from the Sedgwick's-ORI Tagging Programme as well as effort and catch data from the National Marine Linefish System (NMLS). Estimates of annual fishing mortality rates in KwaZulu-Natal are derived from the model which takes into account immigration of P. saltatrix into KwaZulu-Natal from the Cape as well as emigration from KwaZulu-Natal to other areas including the Cape. The average fishing mortality rate was estimated to be 0.27 year" between 1984 and 1993 in the Cape and KwaZulu-Natal combined. This is likely to be underestimated because of non-reporting of tags, shedding of tags and tag-induced mortality. The model is shown to be robust for estimating the average fishing mortality rate and exploitation rate only when annual variability in fishing mortality is small during the study period. The second model to quantify migration into and out of KwaZulu-Natal waters suggested that the whole adult Cape stock migrates into KwaZulu-Natal during winter. Further, this whole stock is available to fishing in KwaZulu-Natal although there is probably large exchange between inshore and offshore areas and, in the latter zone, P. saltatrix is inaccessible to shore-based fishing. Large fishing mortality rates for the years 1987 to 1993 were estimated in KwaZulu-Natal. These large fishing mortality rates may prevent the return migration of P. saltatrix to the Cape and the model predicts that possibly less than 4% actually return to the Cape. An age and growth study based on otolith readings was also undertaken. Validation of the growth banding as annual was confirmed by developing a model that estimated growth parameters using age-length data and simultaneously estimating times-at liberty of tagged individuals based on arbitrarily chosen band deposition periodicities. It is shown that the assumption of annual banding led to the best prediction of periods of liberty of tagged individuals with small coefficients of variations in the parameter estimates. However, since only a few tagged animals were used in the analysis more research is needed to verify the robustness of this technique for use on other fish. The growth of P. saltatrix in the present study was found to be faster than that of a previous study in South Africa. A modified delay-difference model was developed to estimate relative biomass and relative catch based on observed mean body weights and effort indices. For the period 1956 to 1972 the model predicts that there was a decline in P. saltatrix abundance with corresponding declines in mean weight of the catch. Although during this period there was a general decline in fishing mortality, the fishing mortality was sufficiently high for growth overfishing to occur. It was found that during the 17 year period there was a 44% reduction in biomass which is similar to an estimate in another study. Catch during the period was annually variable but generally declined with time especially in the later years. The decline in average weight harvested and the variable but lower catches during this period are consistent with observations by fishers . An evaluation of the present closed season for P. saltatrix in conserving egg production was performed. It showed that better conservation of egg production is possible by shifting the present closed season (September to November) to extend over the October to December season but this may adversely affect the tourism industry in KwaZulu-Natal. Shortening the present closed season by one month (September) does not affect egg production but increases present yield levels. This study suggests that the closed season may not be useful in terms of reducing the fishing mortality rate on P. saltatrix as fishers may be encouraged to fish harder in the open season to make up for the lost yields of the closed season. Moreover, lengthy closed seasons may also increase fishing mortality because fishers tend to fish harder in the months open to fishing. Assuming no large annual recruitment variations the P. saltatrix stock is presently optimally exploited as current fishing mortality rates are just below the MSY or optimum yield levels. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, 1996.

Neste estudo foi verificado que a hipófise de S. brasiliensis era composta por dois tecidos, a neuro hipófise (NH) e a adeno-hipófise (AH). Nesta última, foram distinguidos sete tipos celulares. Na RPD foram detectadas as células adrenocorticotrópicas e prolactínicas, na PPD as células gonadotrópicas, somatotrópicas e tireotrópicas, e na PI, as células melanotrópicas e somatolactínicas. Foi evidenciada única célula gonadotrópica, produtora de LH e FSH. O primórdio da hipófise foi detectado 12 horas após a eclosão (hpe), a NH com 72 hpe e o início da formação do pedúnculo com 300 hpe. Nos juvenis (600 hpe), a hipófise apresentou uma morfologia semelhante àquela observada nos adultos. As células prolactínicas foram detectadas com 12 hpe, juntamente com as células adrenocorticotrópicas e melanotrópicas, seguidas das somatotrópicas e somatolactínicas, com 36 hpe. Por outro lado, nas larvas e juvenis foram detectadas duas populações distintas de células gonadotrópicas, as células produtoras de FSH foram detectadas com 600 hpe, enquanto as produtoras de LH com 120 hpe. / This study showed that the pituitary gland of S. brasiliensis was formed by two tissues, neurohypophysis and adenohypophysis. In the latter, seven cell types were distinguished. In RPD, prolactin and adrenocorticotropic cells were present. In PPD, gonadotropic, somatotrope and thyrotropic cells were detected, and in PI, somatolactin and melanotropic cells were found. Interestingly, was detected a single gonadotropic cell responsible for producing both gonadotropins. The primordium of the pituitary gland was detected 12 hours after hatching (hah), the neurohypophysis was detected 72 hah and formation of the stalk 300 hah. In juveniles, 600 hah, the pituitary showed a similar morphology to that observed in adults of this species. Prolactin cells were detected 12 hah together with adrenocorticotropic and melanotropic cells, followed by somatotropic and somatolactin cells 36 hah. Unlike adults, larvae and juveniles have shown two distinct populations of gonadotropic cells. FSH-producing cells were detected 600 hah, while LH-producing cells were detected 120 hah.

Neste estudo foi verificado que a hipófise de S. brasiliensis era composta por dois tecidos, a neuro hipófise (NH) e a adeno-hipófise (AH). Nesta última, foram distinguidos sete tipos celulares. Na RPD foram detectadas as células adrenocorticotrópicas e prolactínicas, na PPD as células gonadotrópicas, somatotrópicas e tireotrópicas, e na PI, as células melanotrópicas e somatolactínicas. Foi evidenciada única célula gonadotrópica, produtora de LH e FSH. O primórdio da hipófise foi detectado 12 horas após a eclosão (hpe), a NH com 72 hpe e o início da formação do pedúnculo com 300 hpe. Nos juvenis (600 hpe), a hipófise apresentou uma morfologia semelhante àquela observada nos adultos. As células prolactínicas foram detectadas com 12 hpe, juntamente com as células adrenocorticotrópicas e melanotrópicas, seguidas das somatotrópicas e somatolactínicas, com 36 hpe. Por outro lado, nas larvas e juvenis foram detectadas duas populações distintas de células gonadotrópicas, as células produtoras de FSH foram detectadas com 600 hpe, enquanto as produtoras de LH com 120 hpe. / This study showed that the pituitary gland of S. brasiliensis was formed by two tissues, neurohypophysis and adenohypophysis. In the latter, seven cell types were distinguished. In RPD, prolactin and adrenocorticotropic cells were present. In PPD, gonadotropic, somatotrope and thyrotropic cells were detected, and in PI, somatolactin and melanotropic cells were found. Interestingly, was detected a single gonadotropic cell responsible for producing both gonadotropins. The primordium of the pituitary gland was detected 12 hours after hatching (hah), the neurohypophysis was detected 72 hah and formation of the stalk 300 hah. In juveniles, 600 hah, the pituitary showed a similar morphology to that observed in adults of this species. Prolactin cells were detected 12 hah together with adrenocorticotropic and melanotropic cells, followed by somatotropic and somatolactin cells 36 hah. Unlike adults, larvae and juveniles have shown two distinct populations of gonadotropic cells. FSH-producing cells were detected 600 hah, while LH-producing cells were detected 120 hah.

Thesis (M.S.)--Florida State University, 2006. / Advisor: Timothy S. Moerland, Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Biological Science. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed Sept. 15, 2006). Document formatted into pages; contains x, 33 pages. Includes bibliographical references.

INTRODUCTION: Estuaries have received considerable attention from biologists in southern Africa in the past thirty years. Professor J.H. Day and the Zoology Department of the University of Cape Town have undertaken ecological surveys of a large number of estuaries of a variety of types, laying the important groundwork for more detailed studies of single species or problems. Their studies showed that the fish populations of southern African estuaries consist mainly of marine species. Why and when these species enter or leave the estuaries and whether they grow or breed in them were not established. The only relatively detailed study of a fish in southern African estuaries was that of Talbot (1955) who investigated aspects of the growth, feeding and reproduction of Rhabdosargus globiceps (Cuvier). No quantitative information has been published on any of the fish species, perhaps due to the difficulty of obtaining such data; results such as population estimates, mortality rates and growth rates are particularly unreliable when the area being investigated is in direct contact with the sea. Studies relating to even a single species of fish are hampered by immigration and emigration between estuary and sea, which make the population continuously variable. The larger estuaries are also difficult to sample adequately, especially with regard to netting, except perhaps on a very large scale using expensive commercial equipment. Along the southern African coast many of the smaller estuaries with a limited catchment area are cut off from the sea for most of the year due to erratic rainfall and longshore drift of sand. These closed or 'blind' estuaries of south eastern Africa, of which there are at least thirty in the eastern Cape Province, provide excellent areas for studying estuarine fish populations which enter when the estuary is open to the sea, but become isolated once it closes. These fish which become cut off in closed estuaries are subject to a new series of conditions. They are exposed to the wider temperature and salinity fluctuations of an estuary and they are forced to utilise the food resources of the estuary. Additionally they may be subjected to predation from piscivorous birds, and those predatory fish which are also cut off in the estuary. These factors will affect the size, mortality, and growth rates of a fish population. Since the fish are isolated no recruitment from the sea can take place, and any increase in numbers would have to come from breeding within the estuary. It is inevitable that the most numerous species should receive attention first. Rhabdosargus holubi (Steindachner) (Synonomy : Sargus holubi Stndr, Austrosparus tricuspidens Smith, Rhabdosargus tricuspidens (Smith))(Plate 1) is one of the most abundant fish in the estuaries of the eastern Cape Province. According to Smith (1965) it is endemic to southern Africa, occurring from the Cape to Zululand, being most common between Mossel Bay and East London. It is largely replaced by Rhabdosargus sarba (Forskal) in the north of its range and by Rhabdosargus globiceps (Cuvier) in the south. Commonly called the 'flatty' or silver bream it is considered only as being of nuisance value by fishermen, seldom exceeding 30 cm in length. In this study the ecology of R.holubi was examined in relation to the closed West Kleinemond estuary which is a small 'blind' estuary typical of those found along the eastern Cape coast. The growth, mortality and population size of R.holubi in this estuary were investigated and linked where possible with predation and detailed studies into the tolerances, food, and feeding of the species. It was not known at the commencement of the study whether breeding could occur in estuaries, although Smith (1965) stated that R.holubi does breed in estuaries. During the course of the sampling programme in the West Kleinemond estuary, measurements of the growth and population structure of two other species of fish were recorded for comparison with R.holubi: the sparid Lithognathus lithognathus (Cuvier) (White Steenbras) and the piscivorous carangid Hypacanthas amia (L.) (Leervis or garrick). Laboratory studies on R.holubi were possible due to the fact that large numbers of this species could be caught in eastern Cape estuaries and transported to Grahamstown, where they could be maintained in captivity for up to four months in recirculating seawater aquaria. During the course of the study over 2000 fish were kept in captivity at different times for a variety of experiments. Another 2500 were preserved for gut analyses and lipid determinations, while over 5000 were captured, examined and released in the field.

No description available.

Global trends in commercially valuable teleost fisheries point to substantial deterioration in population size, offering limited potential for increased harvests. Consequently a shift in focus towards alternative fisheries has increased fishing effort towards targeting chondrichthyans as a possible solution to meet global demands. The life-history traits of chondrichthyans make them poor candidates for resolving economic and nutritional security as these make them particularly vulnerable to anthromorphic influences. Current fisheries management approaches based on centralized government intervention have proved inadequate. This failure of current management approaches is often linked with poor co-operation by industry with government when collecting fishery-dependent data. As management decisions are based on quantitative estimates from fishery assessment modes data collected are often of poor quality. Co-management with its implied power-sharing arrangement between government and fishing communities has been proposed as a more realistic alternative. The motivation within industry to collect high quality data can only be created with a feeling of ownership. The decline in linefish species in South Africa has led to increased exploitation of demersal sharks such as Mustelus mustelus. Their status as one of the target and by-catch species of South Africa's shark fisheries necessitated resource assessment. Age, growth, maturity and mortality calculations for M mustelus were made from data collected from 1983-2006. The maximum observed age for M mustelus was 25 years. Estimated von Bertalanffy growth parameters from observed length-at-age for combined sexes, females and males were L∞ = 1946.16 mm TL, K = 0.08 year⁻' , to = -3.63 year⁻'; L∞ = 2202.21mm, K = 0.05 year⁻', to = 4.67 years; and L∞ = 1713.19 mm TL, K = 0.08 year⁻' and to = -4.36 years, respectively. Instantaneous total mortality (Z) was estimated at 0.16 y⁻', whilst natural mortality (M) for M mustelus was estimated at 0.05 y⁻'. The age and length at 50% maturity was determined for combined sexes, females and males at 1216 mm TL corresponding to an age of 9.93 years, 1234 mm (TL) and 10.75 years, and 1106 mm TL and 9.1 years respectively. The smoothhound shark resource off the south-eastern and south-western Cape coast was assessed by three dynamic pool models; yield per recruit, spawner biomass per recruit and an extended yield and spawner biomass per recruit. Due to the longevity of elasmobranches the per-recruit model was extended over a 20 year time-frame to simulate resource responses to management options. Fo.1 was estimated as 0.034 year⁻' and F MAX was estimated as 0.045 year⁻'. FsB50 was estimated as 0.031. The extended per-recruit model tested the outcome of different management scenarios, Size and effort control showed the least probability of pristine biomass falling below 20% of current levels in 20 years (where selectivity was set at 3 years). The replacement yield model showed that the average catches over the past decade are 2.5 times higher than the replacement yield is on the South Coast and 1.30 on the West Coast. A more realistic level optimising yield would be at 0.05 with a selection pattern at 3 years, where the probability of the biomass falling to below 20% of pristine pre-exploited levels in twenty years becomes negligible. A comparison of the models showed that current catches need to be halved for exploitation of smoothhound sharks to be sustainable. The results of this study indicate a need for a management intervention for M mustelus in South Africa with regards to potential overexploitation and collection of quality data for further assessments. A demersal identification key was developed as part of this study, which should aid monitoring officials in accurately identifying shark logs for collecting data. This study showed how adopting a management plan with the inclusion of comanagement concepts would improve the quality of data collected and increase monitoring of fishing activities. The inclusion of co-management is possible due to the unique bottle neck created by few demersal shark processing facilities actively exporting shark. A fishery management plan was compiled proposing several management options including size and effort controls.