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Recent U.S. legislation applies a precautionary approach to setting catch regulations in federal fisheries management. A transparent approach to complying with federal guidelines involves calculating the catch recommendation that corresponds to a specified probability, P*, of exceeding the "true" overfishing limit (OFL) located within an estimated distribution. The P* methodology aims to manage the risk of overfishing explicitly, but choice of P* alone does not provide sufficient information on all of the risks associated with a control rule—both the probability of overfishing and the severity of overfishing. Rather, the ramifications of P* choices depend on the amount of uncertainty in the stock assessment and on the life history of the species in question. To evaluate these effects on the risks associated with P* rules, my study simulated fishing three example species under three levels of uncertainty. Trends identified among example species were consistent with predictions from life history. Periodic strategists, which have highly variable recruitment, experienced probabilities of overfishing which exceeded P* and which increased in time. Equilibrium strategists showed more predictable risks of overfishing but may have less capacity to recover from depleted biomass levels. Differences in the size of the OFL distribution—representing differences in levels of uncertainty—led to mixed results depending on whether the distribution was biased or whether uncertainty was fully characterized. Lastly, because OFL distributions are themselves estimates and subject to uncertainty in their shape and size, lower P* values closer to the tails of the estimated distribution produced more variable resulting risks. / Master of Science

As climate change continues, climactic extremes are predicted to become more frequent and intense, in some cases resulting in dramatic changes to ecosystems. The effects of climate change on ecosystems will be mediated, in part, by biotic interactions in those ecosystems. However, there is still considerable uncertainty about where and how such biotic interactions will be important in the context of ecosystem disturbance and climactic extremes. Here, I review the role of consumers in seagrass ecosystems and investigate the ecological impacts of an extreme climactic event (marine heat wave) and subsequent widespread seagrass die-off in Shark Bay, Western Australia. Specifically, I compare seagrass cover, shark catch rates, and encounter rates of air breathing fauna in multiple habitat types before and after the seagrass die-off to describe post-disturbance dynamics of the seagrass community, shifts in consumer abundances, and changes in risk-sensitive habitat use patterns by a variety of mesoconsumers at risk of predation from tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier). Finally, I conducted a 16 month field experiment to assess whether xi loss of top predators, and predicted shifts in dugong foraging, could destabilize remaining seagrass. I found that the previously dominant temperate seagrass Amphibolis antarctica is stable, but not increasing. Conversely, an early-successional tropical seagrass, Halodule uninervis, is expanding. Following the die-off, the densities of several consumer species (cormorants, green turtles, sea snakes, and dugongs) declined, while others (Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, loggerhead sea turtles, tiger sharks) remained stable. Stable tiger shark abundances following the seagrass die-off suggest that the seascape of fear remains intact in this system. However, several consumers (dolphins, cormorants) began to use dangerous but profitable seagrass banks more often following seagrass decline, suggesting a relaxation of anti-predator behavior. Experimental results suggest that a loss of tiger sharks would result in a behaviorally mediated trophic cascade (BMTC) in degraded seagrass beds, further destabilizing them and potentially resulting in a phase shift. My work shows that climactic extremes can have strong but variable impacts on ecosystems mediated in part by species identity, and that maintenance of top predator populations may by important to ecological resilience in the face of climate change.

O tubarão-azul, Prionace glauca, é uma das espécies de elasmobrânquios pelágicos, mais capturadas pela frota de espinhel-de-superfície. No presente estudo analisou-se o crescimento relativo e a idade de 83 embriões, provenientes de fêmeas grávidas capturadas em 1998, durante o Programa Avaliação do Potencial Sustentável de Recursos Vivos da Zona Econômica Exclusiva REVIZEE, na região Sudeste-Sul do Brasil. Foram analisados 48 caracteres morfométricos, verificando-se que entre as variáveis morfométricas mais expressivas, o comprimento furcal, o comprimento pré-caudal, o comprimento inicial da segunda nadadeira dorsal, o comprimento pré-anal e o comprimento pré-pélvico contribuíram com valores acima de 50% na composição do corpo do embrião. Por meio de regressões lineares de variáveis logaritmizadas, constatou-se alometria negativa em (53,2%), positiva em (36,1%) e isometria em (10,7%) dos caracteres morfométricos analisados. A idade de cada embrião foi estimada por meio da utilização do método da proporção direta modificada de Dahl-Lea, e os parâmetros de crescimento foram ajustados através das curvas de crescimento logística, de von Bertalanffy e de Gompertz. De acordo com os critérios de seleção de Akaike (AICmin, i e wi) e da soma dos quadrados dos erros (SQE), o modelo de Gompertz foi escolhido como o melhor representante do crescimento embrionário de P.glauca. / The blue shark, Prionace glauca, is a pelagic elasmobranchs, mainly captured by the Brazilian pelagic longline fleet. In this study we analyzed both the relative growth and the age of 83 of pregnant females captured in 1998 during the Program \"Evaluation of the Sustainable Potential of Living Resources of the Exclusive Economic Zone\" - REVIZEE in the Brazilian Southeast-South region. We analyzed 48 morphometric characters, showing that among the most expressive, fork length, the length pre-flow, the initial length of the second dorsal fin, the length pre-anal and the length pre-pelvic represented above 50% of the composition of the embryos bodies. By means of linear regressions of logarithmic morphometric variables values, we found negative allometry (53.2%), positive allometry (36.1%) and isometry in (10.7%). The age of each embryo was estimated applying the direct proportion of Dahl-Lea method modified, and the parameters of growth were adjusted to logistic growth curves of von Bertalanffy and Gompertz. According to the selection criteria of Akaike (AICmin, i and wi) and the sum of the squares of errors (SSE), the Gompertz model was chosen as the most representative of the growth of P.glauca embryos.

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2017-02-14T16:23:03Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Jones Santander Neto.pdf: 1353954 bytes, checksum: 3ab25dad19a919fb57b060eb783f2097 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-14T16:23:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Jones Santander Neto.pdf: 1353954 bytes, checksum: 3ab25dad19a919fb57b060eb783f2097 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-07-08 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / From October 2007 to March 2011, 105 silky sharks, Carcharhinus falciformis (Muller e Henle, 1839), (68–274.2 cm in total length, TL) were collected from industrial fleet (longline) carried out on Southwestern Tropical Atlantic (010º W/ 035º W, 05º N/ 30º S). Vertebral sections from 34 males (105–268.2 cm TL), 35 females (85–274.2 cm TL), and 36 individuals of unknown sex (68.8-256.1 cm TL) were analyzed. One 68.8 cm TL individual did not have birth ring. The index of average percentage of error (IAPE) estimated from two readings ranged from 0 to 7.69 (mean=3.88%) in the vertebrae of specimens with 1 and 14 band pairs, respectively. There were no differences (p 0.05) in the monthly marginal increment (MIR) analysis between months then we considered an annual ring deposition as other species of the Carcharhinidae family, including Carcharhinus falciformis. Ages range from 0 to 20 years. There were no differences (p 0.05) in growth between sexes. Models derived from von Bertalanffy, particularly the VBGM two phase, best represented growth for the species, which was evidenced by the lowest Akaike information criterion value. Growth parameters estimated for both sexes were L = 303 cm, k = 0.086, t0= -4.71, h=0.17, and th=11.62 with the VBGM two phase model, and L = 292 cm, k = 0.089, and t0= -4.87 with the VBGM. The VBGM was used to other analysis. Males and females mature at 10.8 and 12.5 years of age, repectively, and the age that attain 95% of the L is 30.3 years. / Tubarões lombo preto, Carcharhinus falciformis (Muller e Henle, 1839) foram capturados entre outubro de 2007 a março de 2011 pela frota industrial atuando com espinhel pelágico no Atlântico sudoeste Tropical (010º W/ 035º W, 05º N/ 30º S). Foram coletadas vértebras de 105 exemplares, sendo 34 machos (105–268,2 cm CT), 35 fêmeas (85–274,2 cm CT) e 36 indivíduos de sexo não identificado (68,8-256,1 cm CT). Um indivíduo em vida livre medindo 68,8 cm CT não apresentou marca de nascimento. O índice de porcentagem de erro médio (IAPE) estimado entre dois leitores variou de 0% a 7,69% (média= 3,88%) nas vértebras de espécimens com 1 e 14 pares de bandas, respectivamente. Ao analisar o incremento marginal relativo (IMR) não se verificou diferenças (p 0,05) entre os meses, logo assumiu-se a deposição de um anel anual como utilizado para as demais espécies da família Carcharhinidae, inclusive C. falciformis. Idades variaram de 0 a 20 anos. Não houve diferenças (p 0,05) no crescimento entre os sexos. Modelos derivados de von Bertalanffy, particularmente VBGM duas fases, melhor representou o crescimento para a espécie, que foi evidenciado pelo menor valor do critério de informação de Akaike. Parâmetros de crescimento estimado foram L = 303 cm, k = 0,086, t0= 4,71, h=0,17 e th=11,62 com o VBGM duas fases e L = 292 cm, k = 0,089, and t0= -4,87 com o VBGM. O VBGM foi utilizado para as demais análises. Machos e fêmeas maturam com 10,8 e 12,5 anos, respectivamente e a idade com que atingem 95% do L é 30,3 anos.

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2017-02-20T13:40:05Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Rodrigo Risi Pereira Barreto.pdf: 2720946 bytes, checksum: f60d89c3648bb992cd8d11c36c037cd5 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-20T13:40:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rodrigo Risi Pereira Barreto.pdf: 2720946 bytes, checksum: f60d89c3648bb992cd8d11c36c037cd5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-05-01 / Between 1994 and 2008, 369 blacknose sharks, Carcharhinus acronotus (43,5-146 cm total length, TL) were collected from gill nets and surveys carried out on Pernambuco’s continental shelf, Brazil (07° 15’ 45’’ S and 09° 28’ 18’’ S). Vertebral sections of 109 males (43,5-124 cm TL) and 141 females (46-146 cm TL) were analyzed; the index of average percentage of error (IAPE) ranged from 1:17 to 13:33% (mean 6,13%) in vertebrae displaying between 0 to 15 growth rings (GR). The marginal increment relative analysis (MIR) was not conclusive showing only a tendency of ring deposition between autumn and winter months. Significant differences were not found between the individual length (TL, cm) and the vertebra radius (VR, mm). Growth parameters were derived using von Bertalanffy function (VBGF a), von Bertalanffy modified (VBGF b), Gompertz and Schnute models. The von Bertalanffy growth model was that which best represented growth for the species. Parameters estimated for both sexes were: k = 0.12, t0 = -3.66, L¥= 142.06 cm. Male and female maturity was reached at 105 cm TL, presenting about 5 growth rings (GR's). The largest specimen whose age was observed had 15 growth rings (132 cm TL). Adults were only caught in longlines. Mortality was estimated from the biological information of the species according literarature. Mortality values obtained were: M = 0,275; Z = 0,709 (gillnets), 0,31 (longline); F = 0,43 (gillnets) 0,04 (longline) Z0 = 0,06 and Z' = 0,349. The Exploitation rates calculated for gillnets were 0,61 and 0,130 respectively. Considering a scenario of equilibrium, the population would increase by approximately 8,3% per 8,5 years (R0 = 1,971; G = 8,43; r = 0,080). However, taking into account the current level of exploitation, the population appears to be over-exploited, decreasing 13,6% in 8,3 years (R0 = 0,3; G = 8,3; r = -0,041). / Entre 1994 e 2008, foram capturados 369 indivíduos de Carcharhinus acronotus (43,5-146 cm de comprimento total, CT) oriundos da pesca com redes de emalhar e prospecções na plataforma continental do estado de Pernambuco, Brasil (07° 15’ 45’’ S e 09° 28’ 18’’ S). Secções vertebrais de 109 machos (43,5-124 cm CT) e 141 fêmeas (46-146 cm CT) foram analisadas. O índice do erro médio (IAPE) variou entre 1,17 a 13,33 % (média 6,13 %) entre 0-15 anéis etários. A análise de incremento marginal relativo (MIR) não foi conclusiva embora tenha apresentado uma tendência de formação do anel entre os meses do outono e inverno. Não foram detectadas diferenças significativas entre o comprimento individual (CT, cm) e o raio da vértebra (RV). Os parâmetros de crescimento foram estimados através da utilização dos modelos de von Bertalanffy (VBGF a), von Bertalanffy modificado, (VBGF b) Gompertz e Schnute. O modelo de von Bertalanffy foi o que melhor representou o crescimento para a espécie. Os parâmetros obtidos para os comprimentos observados para os sexos agrupados foram: L = 142,06 cm CT, k = 0,12, t0 = -3,66. Não foram detectadas diferenças significativas entre as curvas de crescimento para os sexos (p > 0,05). Machos e fêmeas maturam em torno dos 105 cm CT quando apresentam 5 anéis etários. O maior espécime cuja idade foi estimada foi uma fêmea que apresentou 15 anéis (132 cm CT). Adultos foram capturados somente no espinhel. As taxas de mortalidades foram determinadas a partir das informações disponíveis na literatura e dos parâmetros de crescimento obtidos. Os valores estimados por esses métodos indiretos foram: M = 0,275; Z = 0,709 (emalhe), 0,310 (espinhel), F = 0, 434 (emalhe) e 0, 044 (espinhel); Z0 = 0, 063 e Z’ = 0, 349. As taxas de exploração calculadas para o emalhe e o espinhel foram 0,61 e 0,130 respectivamente. Em cenário de equilíbrio a população teria condições de aumentar em aproximadamente 8,3 % a cada 8,5 anos (R0 =1, 971 G = 8,43; r = 0, 080). No entanto, considerando o nível de pesca atual, a população se apresenta sobre-explorada, diminuindo em 13,6 % a cada 8,3 anos (R0 =0,3 G = 8,23; r = -0, 041).

O tubarão-azul, Prionace glauca, é uma das espécies de elasmobrânquios pelágicos, mais capturadas pela frota de espinhel-de-superfície. No presente estudo analisou-se o crescimento relativo e a idade de 83 embriões, provenientes de fêmeas grávidas capturadas em 1998, durante o Programa Avaliação do Potencial Sustentável de Recursos Vivos da Zona Econômica Exclusiva REVIZEE, na região Sudeste-Sul do Brasil. Foram analisados 48 caracteres morfométricos, verificando-se que entre as variáveis morfométricas mais expressivas, o comprimento furcal, o comprimento pré-caudal, o comprimento inicial da segunda nadadeira dorsal, o comprimento pré-anal e o comprimento pré-pélvico contribuíram com valores acima de 50% na composição do corpo do embrião. Por meio de regressões lineares de variáveis logaritmizadas, constatou-se alometria negativa em (53,2%), positiva em (36,1%) e isometria em (10,7%) dos caracteres morfométricos analisados. A idade de cada embrião foi estimada por meio da utilização do método da proporção direta modificada de Dahl-Lea, e os parâmetros de crescimento foram ajustados através das curvas de crescimento logística, de von Bertalanffy e de Gompertz. De acordo com os critérios de seleção de Akaike (AICmin, i e wi) e da soma dos quadrados dos erros (SQE), o modelo de Gompertz foi escolhido como o melhor representante do crescimento embrionário de P.glauca. / The blue shark, Prionace glauca, is a pelagic elasmobranchs, mainly captured by the Brazilian pelagic longline fleet. In this study we analyzed both the relative growth and the age of 83 of pregnant females captured in 1998 during the Program \"Evaluation of the Sustainable Potential of Living Resources of the Exclusive Economic Zone\" - REVIZEE in the Brazilian Southeast-South region. We analyzed 48 morphometric characters, showing that among the most expressive, fork length, the length pre-flow, the initial length of the second dorsal fin, the length pre-anal and the length pre-pelvic represented above 50% of the composition of the embryos bodies. By means of linear regressions of logarithmic morphometric variables values, we found negative allometry (53.2%), positive allometry (36.1%) and isometry in (10.7%). The age of each embryo was estimated applying the direct proportion of Dahl-Lea method modified, and the parameters of growth were adjusted to logistic growth curves of von Bertalanffy and Gompertz. According to the selection criteria of Akaike (AICmin, i and wi) and the sum of the squares of errors (SSE), the Gompertz model was chosen as the most representative of the growth of P.glauca embryos.

Intestinal HCO3- secretion and the excretion of resultant CaCO3 precipitates have become a recognized characteristic of seawater osmoregulation in teleosts; however, this is the first report of this osmoregulatory strategy outside of teleosts and also includes evidence for its use in green turtles, Chelonia mydas. Furthermore, the effects of feeding on intestinal HCO3- secretion were newly investigated in teleosts. Intestinal base secretion via apical Cl-/HCO3- exchange was found to increase following feeding, at a magnitude sufficient to offset the "alkaline tide" commonly associated with digestion. Intestinal HCO3- secretion in marine teleosts draws HCO3- from both endogenous (via hydration of intracellular CO2) and serosal (blood) sources, of which serosal HCO3- was found to contribute a greater proportion to the elevated postprandial intestinal base secretion measured in gulf toadfish, Opsanus beta. The mechanism by which this serosal HCO3- crosses the basolateral membrane for subsequent secretion into the intestinal lumen was confirmed in toadfish to be a basolateral Na+/HCO3- co-transporter, tfNBCe1. Furthermore, the isolated intestinal tissue was found to have a high metabolic rate in both control and postprandial toadfish, with respect to that of the whole animal, and shows a considerable specific dynamic action (SDA) response to feeding. Overall, this dissertation provides evidence for the widespread use of intestinal HCO3- secretion as a strategy of marine osmoregulation across aquatic taxa, and also for its newly recognized involvement in postprandial acid-base balance.

Abstract Because the number of sharks is decreasing , the problem has been concerned in recent years. In this paper , I conduct a research about the shark bycatch problem¡Ataking the target specie of bigeye tunas and the bycatch specie of sharks as the research objects . Initially I collect from 2000 to 2007 Atlantic bigeye tuna and shark catches datas for resource assessment.and then making comparasion with resource equilibrium values of open access fishery model and net present value maximization fishery model. it is found during the period it has showed a upward trend for bigeye tuna resources¡Abut it has not showed the bigeye tuna resources achive the optimal level. It has showed a diminishing trend for shark resources, the result shows the resources will face extinction crisis if the fishery is not controlled well. Then, doing sensitivity analysis to understand the effects of exogenous parameters to bigeye tuna and shark catches, resources and efforts. Finally, facing with the sharks bycatch problem , discussing the effect of improved fishing gears on sharks bycatch control by doing the sensitivity analysis of fishing hook cost and bycatch coefficient to shark resources and catches¡OFrom the results , it shows that no matter affecting the fishing hook cost or bycatch coefficient , the amount of shark can be reduced effectively by adopting improved fishing gears.

Title from PDF of title page. / Document formatted into pages; contains 89 pages. / Thesis (M.S.)--University of South Florida, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. / Text (Electronic thesis) in PDF format. / ABSTRACT: The ability of an organism to modulate its feeding behavior is an important focus of feeding ecology studies. Modulation is the ability to distinctly and consistently alter a behavior to accommodate different stimuli. The goal of this study was to examine the ability of the nurse shark Ginglymostoma cirratum to modulate its food capture behavior with different sizes and types of food items. This was carried out through kinematic and electromyographic analysis. Eight sub-adult specimens of G. cirratum were filmed feeding on two different food types (squid and fish) and sizes (gape size and larger than gape size). Filming consisted of high-speed videography utilizing a low-light digital video system. Kinematic variables related to lower jaw movement, mouth width, and head angle were measured from video footage. Up to twelve muscles in each of six specimens were implanted with bipolar electrodes to measure the onset and duration of motor activity. / ABSTRACT: There were no significant differences between food sizes and any of the kinematic variables. Only two muscles showed significant differences in onset time based on food size. In regards to food types, squid bites were significantly faster than fish bites, but when examined proportionately to bite duration only the time to jaw closure remained significantly different. The motor pattern of G. cirratum demonstrates an anterior to posterior sequence, which corresponds to the anterior to posterior kinematic sequence. Little cranial elevation is present during feeding sequences and is not thought to contribute significantly to feeding. Ginglymostoma cirratum is a stereotyped, inertial suction feeder. There is little evidence that there is modulation in feeding behavior based on food size or food type. If modulation does exist in the feeding behavior, it is more likely to occur after prey capture while the prey is being processed and manipulated prior to transport. / ABSTRACT: Initial observations suggested that a novel behavior termed 'spit-suck manipulation' is utilized for larger prey items. / System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader. / Mode of access: World Wide Web.