This investigation indicates that there are regions within Europe that seems to have similar preferences and priorities regarding pike angling travels to Sweden. Swedish pike angling facilities process in first hand markets with favourable economic circumstances and a cultural interest for pike angling. There was a big differences in features between the Northern, Western, Eastern and Southern regions of Europe. They also seems to be tied to specific regions within some of the nations. The regions have diverse requirements and distinguish in terms of consumption and preferences regarding different aspects of pike angling. From there it is possible to divide pike angling tourists into segments. Sometimes the identified regions have economic or cultural linkage, consequently parallels can be drawn to research in the field of international marketing. The North European market for pike angling tourism in Sweden is varying where the English and Baltic states is more frequently processed than the domestic market. Markets outside of the Nordic countries were the most important among the pike angling facilities, standing for approximately 90 % of the businesses. In this Investigation two segments were observed in countries with in general weaker economic circumstances. Usually these countries had a budget concentrated consumption but also elements of a more luxurious consumption pattern. These countries were located in Eastern Europe. Angling tourists from Western Europe have in general more purchase power and constitute the most important markets for the Swedish pike angling facilities. Tourists from Western Europe are by tradition the most frequent visitors. The economic situation in the Southern Europe together with lack of cultural interest for pike angling seems to be an explanation for the low activity in processing of these markets. The only exception is the Italian market which on a regional level is more frequently processed among the Swedish pike angling facilities. In this investigation, markets from 17 Swedish pike angling facilities were mapped by the frequency of process through phone surveys. Characteristics of the companies were either profiled businesses towards pike angling or had a strong dependence on resource of pike in their business. Tour operators from 11 countries who offers packaged travels to the facilities were also interviewed through phone surveys. The facilities together with the tour operators identified some economic preferences and cultural differences between some nations and regions. For better background data about the interest for pike in Europe 6 angling associations answered an e-mail survey. The investigation also includes an interview with one of the pioneers and former vice president for one of the most successful pike angling facilities in Sweden. Selection of facilities, concepts and parameters is inspired by the authorities’ publications in the field of angling tourism. Also advices from the national angling project (SwedenFishing) have inspired parts of this thesis. / Utredningen indikerar att det finns regioner i Europa som har liknande preferenser och prioriteringar när de reser för att fiska gädda i Sverige. De svenska gäddfiskeanläggningarna bearbetar framför allt marknader som har gynnsamma förhållanden i ekonomiska förutsättningar och kulturellt intresse för gäddfiske. Det fanns stora skillnader i egenskaper av regionerna som kan delas in i Nord-, Väst-, Öst- och Sydeuropa. Dessa visade sig även vara bundet till vissa regioner inom nationerna. De olika regionerna har olika behov och utmärker sig olika i sin konsumtion och preferenser när det gäller aspekter av gäddfiske. Därefter går det att dela in gäddfisketurismen i olika segment. Regionerna har ibland ekonomiska och kulturella samband vilket paralleller kan dras till forskning inom internationell marknadsföring. Den Nordeuropeiska marknaden för gäddfisketurism får anses vara varierande där England samt de baltiska staterna bearbetades mer frekvent än den svenska marknaden. De utomnordiska marknaderna var de klart mest betydelsefulla bland anläggningarna med en ungefärlig andel på 90 % av verksamheten. I utredningen uppmärksammades två segment i länder med generellt svagare ekonomiska förutsättningar, de hade mestadels en budgetinriktad konsumtion med inslag av lyxkonsumtion, dessa var framförallt länder i Östeuropa. Generellt är turisterna från Västeuropa mer köpkraftiga och utgör de viktigaste marknaderna för de svenska gäddfiskeanläggningarna, de är också av tradition de mest frekvent besökande. Den ekonomiska situationen i Sydeuropa tillsammans med avsaknad av kulturellt intresse för gäddfiske verkar vara förklaringen till den låga aktiviteten i bearbetningen av dessa marknader. Det enda undantaget är den Italienska marknaden där den lokalt bearbetas i större utsträckning av svenska gäddfiskeanläggningar.   I utredningen kartlades marknaderna som 17 svenska gäddfiskeanläggningarna bearbetar genom en telefonenkät. De var oftast profilerade eller var starkt beroende av gäddresursen i sin verksamhet. Även reseoperatörer från 11 olika länder som säljer paketerade resor till dessa anläggningar intervjuades genom en telefonenkät. För att få en bättre bakgrundsdata om intresset för gäddfiske besvarades även en mailenkät av 6 lobbyorganisationer för sportfiske. Utredningen omfattar även en intervju med en av pionjärerna och tidigare VD för en av de framgångsrikaste gäddfiskeanläggningarna. Urval, begrepp samt parametrar är inspirerade av myndigheternas publikationer i ämnet. Även råd från det nationella fiskeprojektet i Sverige (SwedenFishing) har gett inspiration till delar av uppsatsen.

This thesis describes a study into two post capture conditions, idiopathic muscle necrosis (IMN) and a post capture opportunistic bacterial infection, affecting the Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus, and a comprehensive analysis of the stressors involved in the capture and post capture periods of the fishery process. A multivariate approach was used to study progression in the post capture condition of trawl-caught N. norvegicus for the live transport market. Prolonged periods of aerial exposure resulted in large disruptions to the carbohydrate profile, increases in haemolymph L-lactate and crustacean hyperglycaemic hormone concentrations, and corresponding fluctuations in haemolymph pH. These disruptions increased with the increasing temperature of aerial exposure, which impacted the immunocompetence of the lobsters: circulating haemocytes and phenoloxidase levels were significantly reduced and the degree of bacteraemia increased. The health status of N. norvegicus captured during trials in spring and autumn by means of short trawl (1h duration), long trawl (5h duration) and creeling was assessed using a range of physiological (Haemolymph L-lactate, crustacean hyperglycaemic hormone (CHH), abdominal muscle glycogen concentrations), immunological (total haemocyte counts (THC)) and physical (mortality, damage indices) parameters. Increased duration of trawl did not significantly alter physiological parameters, while time of landing did have a significant effect on L-lactate, where animals landed in the morning exhibited higher concentrations. Seasonal variations in abdominal muscle glycogen concentrations were also apparent. Irrespective of season, individuals captured by short trawls in the morning suffered lowest mortalities. Damage assessment data revealed that a greater proportion of individuals were categorised as heavily damaged following longer trawls conducted in spring. The carbohydrate profile and immunocompetence of N. norvegicus was significantly affected following trawl capture and subsequent handling and aerial exposure post capture. The recovery period was investigated through a range of parameters (L-lactate, glycogen, glucose, THC) and the data suggested that animals should be submerged and unstressed for at least 24h following capture and handling to avoid further alterations to the carbohydrate profile and reduce the window of opportunity for invading bacteria to cause meat spoilage. The influence of air temperature on the condition of N. norvegicus caught for the live export market was assessed by correlating meteorological data with the percentage of catch accepted for live transport. Results illustrated a large degree of variability in the conditions of animals on arrival at the processing plant. Air temperature was the only meteorological factor that had an impact on the morbidity and mortality of the catch. In one instance in particular, mean air temperature on the day of capture had a significant negative impact on the health of the catch.

No description available.

Studies of the phenotypes of animals at different parts of their geographic range often reveal striking variability. It is of considerable fundamental and applied interest to discover the extent to which such variation depends on genetic as opposed to environmental differences. A first step towards disentangling these effects is to use an empirical approach known as the common environment method in which wild-caught juveniles from different regions are reared under common laboratory conditions. I used this approach to determine the population and thermal responses of Atlantic cod, a species with a wide distribution and geographic variation in life history traits. Life history traits were investigated in cod from three areas around the British Isles of differing thermal regimes, namely St Andrews Bay on the Scottish east coast, the Clyde Sea on the Scottish west coast, and from near Lowestoft in the southern North Sea. Concurrently haemoglobin genotype and behaviour were also studied. Spatially significant differences in life history traits and thermal responses were revealed in juvenile and adult growth rate, gonadal investment and behaviour, suggestive of population differentiation. Behavioural differences between cod of differing haemoglobin genotypes were also demonstrated. Results suggested that juvenile growth rates may be modified by competitive interactions. At a group level, growth rate of cod from the Clyde Sea was suppressed in the presence of cod from St Andrews Bay. Pairwise trials demonstrated that cod from the Clyde Sea consumed a higher prey share than those from St Andrews Bay but that those from St Andrews Bay were more aggressive and thus could potentially restrict feeding of cod from the Clyde Sea, resulting in a reduced growth rate. There were no population differences in the distribution of haemoglobin genotype, but haemoglobin genotype did have a strong influence on behaviour in pairwise contests. Cod of the HbI-2*2 genotype displayed a higher level of aggression than other genotypes and this effect was stronger than the population difference. Juvenile cod from the Clyde Sea exhibited a growth rate 24 % higher than those from St Andrews Bay. Cod from the Clyde Sea and from Lowestoft expressed higher growth rates as adults than those from St Andrews Bay. Body size and thus growth appeared to be the main driver of fecundity in the females and body size and liver were the main influences on gonadosomatic index (GSI) in the males. Females from the Clyde Sea invested more into fecundity than those from St Andrews Bay and males from St Andrews Bay had a higher testis investment than those from the Clyde Sea and Lowestoft. Temperature had a large influence on both the juvenile growth and egg development. Growth rate increased linearly and in parallel over the experimental temperatures, within their normal range. Egg development was strongly affected by temperature, resulting in a decrease in hatch time and an increase in embryonic cardiac rate, and a smaller larval size at hatch for a given temperature at higher temperatures. Temperature did not directly influence fecundity or GSI in males but warmer temperatures resulted in higher growth rates and thus a larger body size, which in turn resulted in a greater fecundity or GSI. These differences in life history traits, demonstrated under controlled environment conditions, raises the possibility that there may be a genetic basis to the variation and that cod may be locally adapted to their thermal environments in areas around the British Isles. However, effects of environmental differences prior to capture, including maternal effects, cannot be ruled out. This greater understanding of life history variation in cod will be important in the conservation of phenotypic diversity, vital for the long-term persistence of the species, while the findings of plasticity in response to temperature will enhance predictions of responses to sea temperature rise.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been suggested as one of the solutions to coral reef fisheries management. It is thought that their effects on biomass, species diversity and habitat could improve surrounding fisheries yields through fish migration and increased recruitment. However, MPAs' benefits on surrounding fisheries are difficult to establish due to the lack of historical data. Furthermore, the lack of involvement of stakeholders have led to a number of failures. MPAs in the form of No Take Zones (NTZ), which aim to promote the sustainable use of fisheries resources, might contribute to the successful management of coral reef fisheries. However, few studies have considered their benefits from the point of view of surrounding fishing communities. It is evident that if stakeholders are to be further involved in MPA management, they need to perceive the benefits. The hypothesis tested was that if NTZs are of benefit to surrounding communities, their food security situation would be improved. The fieldwork was carried out in Southern Kenya with five fishing communities located around a long established MPA. The study showed that a range of food security indicators gave good information on MPAs' benefits to the surrounding communities. It was found that these benefits were highly affected by distances. Thus, although fishing households were the least food secure, they were better off if they fished nearer the protected reefs. Households dependent on MPA-related tourism were the most food secure but this dependency decreased with the communities' distance from the main tour operators. The results showed that MPAs' benefits were not equally shared by the communities bearing most of the costs. In addition, it was also found that tourism seasonality does not always compensate for the seasonality of other activities. Furthermore, tourism could not be assumed to develop around MPAs and provide reliable alternative employment.

Diss. (sammanfattning). Umeå : Sveriges lantbruksuniv. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

The thesis examines the possible causes of decline of Spartina anglica marshes along the south coast of Britain with emphasis on the Solent marshes. The study shows that although there may be some genotypic differences between S. anglica gathered from sites in Britain. The disparities are not large enough to explain the significant differences in morphological vigour of S. anglica observed in the field. It concludes that the discrepancies observed in the field are the result of phenotypic differences resulting from environmental factors. The work shows that in the S. anglica marshes of the south coast, anaerobic soil conditions prevail with impeded drainage being the most likely cause of the dwarf growth forms and lack of re-colonisation of pans and mudflats observed in the field. The thesis concludes that the ultimate demise of the S. anglica marshes of the south coast of England is the result of frontal and creek erosion of the mature marsh and the failure of S. anglica to establish itself on the newly exposed sediments of the foreshore. When S. anglica establishes itself in a flood /ebb neutral zone of an estuary, it changes the bathymetry to that of ebb dominant morphology. As a result eroded sediment is swept away with the outgoing tide. Furthermore, S. anglica is then unable to recolonise the exposed foreshore sediments because of its low redox potential resulting from poor permeability which is the consequence of the of historic overburden pressure of a once colonising marsh.

Poor salmonid spawning habitat due to excessive fine sediment inputs has been identified as a major factor limiting survival in chalk rivers. A lack of knowledge about the complex processes and factors affecting survival was the driver for this study and gaps in the research were identified concerning the sources of fine sediment and the impact organic material had on salmonid survival in chalk streams. Consequently the main objectives of this study were to characterise spawning habitat quality of a chalk catchment, assess the sources of sediments accumulating within artificial redds, describe the composition of organic sediments using emerging technology and to create a novel method to assess the sediment oxygen consumption of those sediments. Methods were based around a catchment wide field based monitoring programme, consisting of artificially constructed spawning gravels which allowed hyporheic measurements to be taken, and sediment analysis and sediment oxygen consumption methods were carried out using different laboratory methods. Spawning habitat characteristics of the chalk catchment were found to exhibit; low sediment accumulation rates although original levels of fine sediment were high, high organic matter content, variable intra-gravel flow and intra-gravel oxygen concentrations and groundwater influences. Primary sources of fine sediment accumulating in spawning gravels and suspended sediments were found to be attributed to catchment surface sources, namely pasture (50-68%) and arable (32-50%) using inorganic and organic parameters. Organic composition of redd gravels was found to be dominated by protein material rather than humic substances, the more commonly found fluorescent compound in freshwater systems and the sediment oxygen consumption of sediments varied throughout the catchment and was found to consume the greatest oxygen in <63μm size fraction. Application of sediment oxygen consumption rates to existing parameter based models that predict salmonid survival, highlighted the need to address the sensitivity of current models to rivers experiencing low sediment accumulation rates. Outcomes of this study further the knowledge of the sources, organic composition and sediment oxygen consumption capacity of fine sediments accumulating in spawning gravels which can lead to appropriate mitigation on chalk rivers to improve salmonid spawning habitat.

Anthropogenic use of waterways is reducing connectivity at a rate faster than any time in geological history, sometimes causing serious declines in fish populations. Free passage of fish throughout the watercourse is necessary for species utilising different habitats for e.g. residing, spawning and feeding. Fish passes are employed to mitigate for impoundments, but are historically biased in design towards upstream migrating salmonids. Driven partly by more holistic environmental legislation, there is now an increasing interest in other species and life-stages, requiring development of fish passage criteria for multiple species during up- and down-stream migrations. To address these knowledge gaps this research programme undertook laboratory experiments with upstream migrant river lamprey, Lampetra fluviatilis, and downstream migrating European eel, Anguilla anguilla, and brown trout, Salmo trutta. The use of a large open-channel flume allowed control of the motivational state of, and stimuli encountered by the fish. The fish responses to a variety of model weirs and screens placed in the flume were assessed, allowing attainment of species and life-stage specific swimming capability and behavioural information. This research demonstrated that using large flumes where volitional swimming allows natural compensatory behaviours to be undertaken, provides more realistic swimming capability information for fish pass criteria than some traditional methods (i.e. confined swim chambers). Dependent on species and direction of movement, all structures tested had some level of impediment to migration, with small gauging weirs almost completely impeding movement of upstream migrant river lamprey under the conditions presented. Downstream migrant anguilliforms were seen to demonstrate structure oriented, thigmotactic behaviour compared to salmonids which responded to flow fields. Under high velocities, this lack of reaction to hydraulic cues may result in a higher probability of damage and mortality at facilities traditionally designed to protect salmonids. The information provided by this research, e.g. accurate swimming speeds and fish response to associated hydraulic conditions, will aid the production of effective multi-species fish pass facilities

No description available.