Thesis (Ph. D.) in Oceanography--University of Maine, 2003. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 112-126).

Thesis (M.S.) in Marine Biology--University of Maine, 2003. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-82 ).

No description available.

No description available.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2001. / Restricted until November 2002. Bibliography: leaves [184]-218.

Thesis (M.S.) in Marine Biology--University of Maine, 2009. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 131-136).

Spawning capelin (Mallotus villosus) provide a pulse resource of fish eggs and dead fish on the northeast Newfoundland coast, bringing an abundance of nutrients into the system that can be relied upon by numerous predatory and scavenging species. I investigated how this annual resource pulse influenced the diet and distribution of green sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) at capelin spawning sites and the potential for urchins to impact capelin recruitment through egg predation. Urchin density was monitored using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) during the summers of 2013 and 2014, and urchins were collected from capelin spawning sites in 2014 to assess diet using nitrogen and carbon stable isotopes. Urchins were distributed in higher densities in areas with dead capelin and were often clumped directly on dead fish. Conversely, the presence of capelin eggs negatively influenced urchin density. Stable isotope analysis revealed an increase in 15N when capelin resources became available, suggesting urchins were consuming capelin resources. Diet preference experiments also indicated that dead capelin were preferentially consumed over eggs. Overall, urchins appear to prefer and seek out dead capelin on spawning sites suggesting urchins may be important recyclers of capelin detritus and have little impact on capelin recruitment. / October 2015

Prevention and removal of biofouling from nets and product is a huge expense in the aquaculture industry. Of the many technologies that slow the accumulation of biofouling, copper-based coatings are used most commonly as they are a relatively inexpensive and effective option. However, they can leach into the marine environment and have potentially harmful impacts on marine life. In previous studies, sea urchins have shown potential as a non-toxic alternative to control fouling. In this field study, five different stocking densities (i.e. 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 urchins net-1 or 0, 2.46, 4.91, 7.37, 9.82 urchins m-2) of green sea urchins, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis, were randomly placed in 30 mussel predator exclusions nets (with six replicates per density treatment) in order to test the effect of urchin density on biofouling intensity and urchin/mussel growth. Mussel predator exclusion nets were chosen to house the urchins since they are necessary to protect mussels from diving ducks and sea otters on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The urchins provide a means of controlling biofouling as well an additional marketable crop to offset predator net expenses. After 174 days, the percent net occlusion, mussel growth, and urchin growth were quantified. Nets with urchins were significantly less fouled than those without urchins. Fouling on nets with higher stocking densities of urchins (90 and 120 urchins net-1) was significantly less than that on nets with the lowest stocking density (30 urchins net-1). Fouling was no longer significantly reduced at densities >60 urchins net-1 or 4.91 urchins m-2. While fouling was significantly reduced in the presence of urchins, it was not completely eliminated as they were only able to access the inside surface of the nets. There was no significant difference in mussel growth at the different urchin stocking densities, but urchin somatic growth and gonad growth did decline with increasing urchin stocking density. Mussels and sea urchins can be successfully co-cultured with no food inputs, but there is a trade-off between biofouling control and urchin growth. / Graduate

Thesis (M.S.) in Marine Biology--University of Maine, 2006. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 83-90).

No description available.