Orientador: Antonio Leão Castilho / Banca: Maria Lúcia Negreiros Fransozo / Banca: Sérgio Rosso / Resumo: Frente aos impactos causados pela ação antrópica no ambiente marinho, a proposta desse trabalho foi fornecer subsídios para a conservação das espécies, na área adjacente à Baía da Babitonga, estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil. O objetivo foi inventariar as espécies existentes da comunidade de camarões marinhos, detectar e descrever padrões gerais na sua distribuição espaço-temporal e relação às variáveis ambientais que caracterizam seu habitat. Portanto, foram mensurados os índices ecológicos e testados os parâmetros ambientais aos biológicos com análise multivariada. Os camarões foram coletados em julho de 2010 a junho de 2011, junto às variáveis ambientais, como temperatura e salinidade da água e textura e conteúdo de matéria orgânica do sedimento. Utilizou-se um barco camaroneiro equipado com redes double-rig, o qual percorreu cinco pontos paralelos a costeira com profundidades de 5, 8, 11, 14 e 17 m. A riqueza total chegou a doze espécies, pertencendo a três superfamílias, seis famílias e onze gêneros. Dessas, seis espécies de camarões peneídeos são comercializados: Xiphopenaeus kroyeri, Artemesia longinaris, Pleoticus muelleri, Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis, Farfantepenaeus paulensis e Litopenaeus schmitti. As demais espécies de peneídeos, Rimapenaeus constrictus e Sicyonia dorsalis, e carídeos, Exhippolysmata oplophoroides, Alpheus intrinsecus, Nematopalaemon schmitti e Periclimenes paivai, pertencem à fauna acompanhante dos recursos pescados. X. kroyeri foi a espécie dominante (D) espacialmente e temporalmente, apresentando valores discrepantes de abundância relativa 97,7% quando comparada à segunda espécie de maior abundância P. muelleri (1,1%), circunstância que influenciou diretamente nos resultados das análises de agrupamento e nos valores de diversidade (H') e equitabilidade (J'), que foram altos quando a abundância da espécie foi menor. Esse resultado corroborou aos padrões das ... / Abstract: Due to the impact caused by anthropic action on marine environment, the purpose of this work was to provide subsidies for species conservation at Babitonga Bay adjecent area in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The aim was to catalogue existing species of marine shrimps communities, to detect and to describe general patterns in its temporal-spatial distribution and the relation to environmental variables that characterize its habitat. Therefore, ecological indexes were measured and environmental to biological parameters were tested with multivariate analysis. A shrimp boat equipped with double-rig nets was used and it travelled five parallel to the coast with a depth of stations 5, 8, 11, 14 e 17 m. The total richness reached twelve species, belonging to three superfamilies, six families and eleven genera. Of these, six species of peneid shrimps are marketed: Xiphopenaeus kroyeri, Artemesia longinaris, Pleoticus muelleri, Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis, Farfantepenaeus paulensis and Litopenaeus schmitti. The other species of peneids Rimapenaeus constrictus and Sicyonia dorsalis, and caridean shrimps Exhippolysmata oplophoroides, Alpheus intrinsecus, Nematopalaemon schmitti and Periclimenes paivai belong to bycatch of fisheries resources. X. kroyeri was a dominant (D) species in space and time, presenting discrepant values of relative abundance 97.7% when compared with the second most abundant species P. muelleri 1.1%, a circumstance that directly influenced the results of cluster analysis, the diversity (H') and eveness (J') values, which were high when the abundance of the species was lower. The patterns of the marine shrimp communities investigated in other regions were corroborated by the result of this study. Changes in shrimp communities could be related to variations in measured environmental variables and biological requirements specific to each species. The bottom temperature and sediment grain size were the preponderant ... / Mestre

The groundfish trawl fishery operating off the coasts of Oregon and Washington 1985-1987 caught six major assemblages of species which could be treated as units in developing mixed-species management plans. Eighty-one percent of the tows observed on commercial vessels were consistently placed in one of the assemblage designations using three multivariate techniques. Two of the assemblages were dominated by a single species, pink shrimp (Pandalus jordani) or widow rockfish (Sebastes entomelas). The other assemblages identified were: a deepwater rockfish assemblage, a deepwater Dover sole assemblage, a nearshore mixed-species assemblage, and a bottom rockfish assemblage. The assemblage designations of the consistently placed tows were predicted with an estimated 85% average accuracy using discriminant functions based on the gear used and bottom depth fished. Fishermen had different targets (intended catch) for each assemblage caught. The mixed-species assemblages had several targets, representing at least some of the dominant species in the assemblage. Targeting and discarding information indicated that fishermen did not always intend to catch the species together; there were unintentional or unavoidable catches of all the major species except for shrimp in the shrimp assemblage. Discarding occurred in all the assemblages, primarily due to unmarketable species or fish that were too small to market. Monitoring the assemblages over time could be accomplished by using the defined strategies with logbook data, particularly if the large and small rockfish categories were used to consistently separate shelf and deepwater rockfish. The defined strategies could not effectively predict the research cruise assemblages or catches; research data do not accurately describe commercial catches. / Graduation date: 1994

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Murdoch University, 2007. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Apr. 23, 2007). Includes bibliographical references (p. 342-357).

No description available.

Thesis (M.M.S.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 75-82).

The demersal fishery off the west coast of South Africa experiences decreased catches per unit effort of hake, Merluccius capensis and M. paradoxus, following the onset of strong south easterly winds. Research has demonstrated that, during daylight hours, Cape hakes migrate vertically in the water column in response to strong south easterly winds, decreasing their availability to the bottom trawl. Hydroacoustic, trawl and environmental data were collected off the West Coast during both calm and wind-swept periods in an attempt to understand the forces that initiate this behaviour, its spatial variability and the implications for demersal trawl estimates of abundance. Near-bottom currents appear to be the primary factor influencing the vertical distribution of the demersal fish community, of which hake constitutes a large proportion, during daylight hours. Correlation between wind and near-bottom currents suggest that the poleward component of the currents increase in velocity within eight hours following the onset of south easterly winds. The fish avoid boundary layers where currents change direction and speed dramatically, and seem to concentrate in waters with relatively stable current regimes. This result questions the assumption of CPUE-based assessment models that hake availability to the bottom trawl is constant or varies randomly. The incorporation of acoustic assessment techniques to demersal surveys has potential, but may be most valuable by supplementing swept-area estimates of abundance, since the sampling efficiency of these methods varies within the water column. The incorporation of wind indices and gear performance data to Cape hake assessment models have been identified as useful considerations for the future.

Over the past few decades it has become recognised that an ecosystem approach is required to manage world fisheries. Management strategies must ensure that non-target (bycatch) as well as target catches are sustainable. To achieve this, detailed commercial catch and biological information is required. The composition of catches made by trawlers operating off the south and west coasts of South Africa was investigated. Distinct fishing areas were identified on each coast, based on target species and fishing depth. Catch composition differed markedly among the areas defined. Although hake Merluccius sp. dominated South Coast catches, a large proportion of the catch was composed of bycatch. On the West Coast, hake dominated catches and this domination increased with increasing depth. On both coasts approximately 90% of the observed nominal catch was processed and landed. Estimates of annual discards suggested that the fishery discarded 38 thousand tons of fish per annum (16% of the nominal trawl catch). The data also indicated that hake discarding, the capture of linefish and the increased targeting of high value species might be cause for concern. Spatial analysis indicated that a variety of factors such as trawling position, catch size and catch composition affects bycatch dynamics. The monkfish Lophius vomerinus is a common bycatch species that has been increasingly targeted by demersal trawlers. This study showed that L. vomerinus is a slow-growing, long-lived species (West Coast males L∞ = 68.50cm TL, t₀ = -1.69yr, K = 0.10yr⁻¹; West Coast females L∞ = 110.23cm TL, t₀ = -1.54yr, K = 0.05yr⁻¹; South Coast sexes combined L∞ = 70.12cm TL, t₀ = - 0.80yr, K = 0.11yr⁻¹), that matures at approximately 6 years of age. These traits could have serious management implications for the species. Per-recruit analysis suggested that the stock might be overexploited, although further investigation is required to confirm this. Solutions were suggested for each of the concerns raised, taking cognisance of the differences observed between the South and West Coasts and the economic dependence of South Coast companies on bycatch. The needs of future research were considered.

Recent emphasis on linkages between essential fish habitat and fish stock productivity has raised concerns about the management of fishing activities such as trawling, which have the potential to impact fish habitat. Knowing specifically where and how intensively trawl effort has occurred over time provides ecologists with the necessary background for habitat impact and recovery studies, and provides fishery managers with an assessment of how habitat conservation objectives are being met. The objectives of this study were to (1) examine the extent to which the 2000 Pacific Fishery Management Council footrope restriction has shifted and reduced trawl fishing effort on Oregon fishing grounds, (2) to relate these changes in distribution to the benthic habitat type over which they occur, and (3) to develop methods for enhancing fine-scale spatial review of targeted fishing effort. Density analysis of available trawl start locations provided a spatial and temporal understanding of how fishing efforts increased and decreased in relation to habitat distribution and fishery management actions between 1995 and 2002. Trawl effort patterns exhibit significant inter-annual variability and patchy distribution. Areas of increased fishing effort were still evident between years, despite an overall decline in trawl tows across the time scale of this study. Tow end point locations for the years 1998-2001 were retrieved from manual logbooks for five reference sites located in the proximity of rock habitat features. Trawl towlines were mapped from start to end point and demonstrated a marked enhancement of fine-scale fishing effort resolution, with increased ability to identify effort shifts over benthic habitat. Distinct spatial shifts in fishing intensity (measured as km towed) away from rock habitat were evident at all reference sites, with an average reduction of 86%. Some slight shifts into surrounding unconsolidated sediments also occurred, indicating effort displacement as well as reduction. Fishing intensity was calculated from commercial trawl and research trawl survey towlines to achieve the most accurate assessment of fishing impacts and potential habitat recovery areas. Research trawling intensity was less than 1% of commercial trawl effort originating from the same sites. A brief comparison of Oregon vessel towlines and California vessel towlines demonstrated similar targeted fishing patterns by both fleets, except at one site. Results indicate that the footrope restriction, in conjunction with associated landing limits, was effective in protecting rocky habitats from trawl fishing impacts. Reference areas were identified where essential fish habitat (EFH) recovery is likely occurring off the coast of Oregon. Substantial regulatory changes continue in this fishery, with trip limits and gear restrictions continuously adjusted. Continued monitoring and review of spatial trawl data would assist in fishery management decision-making and assess conservation objectives for depleted groundfish and associated habitats. Future research should incorporate analysis of catch data and expand the review of trawl towlines for the entire US West coast groundfish fishery. The trawl towline spatial analysis developed in this work is a credible method for reviewing fishing effort at the scale of the fishery and in relation to detailed habitat data. The research presented here provides an example of how an interdisciplinary approach and critical assessment of data can work to resolve marine management challenges. / Graduation date: 2004

Deep-water trawling (>200 m deep) for crustaceans in the South West Indian Ocean (SWIO) yields catches of several species, including prawns (Haliporoides triarthrus, Aristaeomorpha foliacea, Aristeus antennatus and Aristeus virilis), langoustine (Metanephrops mozambicus), spiny lobster (Palinurus delagoae) and geryonid crab (Chaceon macphersoni). Infrequent deep-water trawling takes place off Tanzania, Kenya and Madagascar; however, well-established fisheries operate off Mozambique and South Africa. Regular trawling off South Africa started in the 1970’s, mainly targeting M .mozambicus and H. triarthrus. Catch and effort data for the South African fishery were regularly recorded in skipper logbooks over a 23 year period (1988 – 2010); this database was obtained from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) in order to assess abundance trends of M. mozambicus and H. triarthrus. Generalized linear models (GLM) were used to quantify the effects of year, month, depth and vessel on catch per unit effort (CPUE). By year, the standardized CPUE of M. mozambicus increased, and three factors (or a combination of them) could explain the trend: reduced effort saturation, improved gear and technology, or an increase in abundance. By month, CPUE peaked in July and was highest between depths of 300 and 399 m. The standardized CPUE of H. triarthrus fluctuated more by year than for M. mozambicus, possibly because it is a shorter-lived and faster growing species. The monthly CPUE peaked in March, and was highest between depths of 400 and 499 m. Totals of 2 033 M. mozambicus (1 041 males and 992 females) and 5 927 H. triarthrus (2 938 males and 2 989 females) were sampled at sea between December 2010 and March 2012, during quarterly trips on-board a fishing trawler. A GLM framework was used to explore their size composition, sex ratio variability, size at maturity and reproductive cycles. Male and female M. mozambicus size distributions were similar, but varied by month and decreased as depth increased. Female H. triarthrus were significant larger than males; size structure varied by month, but showed no change over depth. The sex ratio of M. mozambicus favoured males (1 : 0.89), but was close to parity in all months, except November when males predominated. H. triarthrus exhibited parity (1 : 1.002) with no significant variations in sex ratios by month. The proportion of egg-bearing M. mozambicus in the population declined between March and August (hatching period) and then increased until December (spawning period). The L₅₀ (length at 50% maturity) of M. mozambicus was estimated to be 49.4 mm carapace length (CL), and the smallest and largest observed egg-bearing females were 33.5 and 68.6 mm, respectively. No reproductively active female H. triarthrus were recorded during the sampling period. Growth parameter estimates for M. mozambicus (male and female combined) using Fabens method were K = 0.48 yearˉ¹ and L∞ = 76.4 mm CL. Estimates for the von Bertalanffy growth formula (VBGF) were: K = 0.45 yearˉ¹ and L∞ = 76.4 mm CL. H. triarthrus male and female growth parameter were estimated separately. For males they were K = 0.5 yearˉ¹ and L∞ = 46.6 mm CL using Fabens method, and K = 0.76 yearˉ¹ and L∞ = 46.6 mm CL using the VBGF. For females they were K = 0.3 yearˉ¹ and L∞ = 62.9 mm CL using Fabens method, and K = 0.47 yearˉ¹ and L∞ = 62.9 mm CL using the VBGF. CL to total weight regressions were calculated for both species; no significant differences were found between male and female M. mozambicus, although H. triarthrus females became larger and heavier than males. Comparisons with three earlier studies (Berry, 1969; Berry et al., 1975; Tomalin et al., 1997) revealed no major changes in the biology of either species off eastern South Africa. Stocks appear to be stable at current levels of fishing pressure, although some factors are not yet fully understood. Disturbance caused by continual trawling over a spatially limited fishing ground may affect distribution and abundance patterns, especially in M. mozambicus, which was less abundant in the depth range trawled most frequently. The absence of reproductive H. triarthrus in samples suggests that they occur elsewhere, and there is some evidence of a possible spawning migration northwards to Mozambique; this suggests that H. triarthrus is a shared stock between South Africa and Mozambique. The results from this thesis will add to the knowledge of M. mozambicus and H. triarthrus in the SWIO, and provide a basis for developing sustainable management strategies for the deep-water crustacean trawl fishery off eastern South Africa. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2013.

Selectivity of trawl and experimental gill nets was determined for yellow perch taken from southern Lake Michigan in 1993 to 2006. Gill nets were comprised of 51-, 64-and 76-mm size mesh and showed female modal lengths of 205-, 245-, and 295-mm, respectively, while values for males were 200-, 230-, and 267-mm. Differences between females and males increased with mesh size and was significant. Comparison of nine anterior morphometric features of female and male fish indicated no differences in shape were identified that would cause the disparity in selectivity. Rather, differences in male and female selectivity were more likely due the variant population size structure of the local population sampled, with females the larger sex. A new method to estimate trawl selectivity was developed using a modified catch-curve analysis, which showed a maximum selectivity length value (1.0) of 190-mm for females and 170-mm for males. However, trawls fail to capture larger yellow perch when compared to gill nets using based on length-frequency distributions. Revealing such gear biases may lead to more efficient capture methods, resulting in improved sampling and quantitative assessment of fish populations. / Department of Biology