Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Fish and shellfish are, with very few exceptions, generally considered safe. Food safety laws in many parts of the world are, however, requiring companies to implement programs such as Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) as a means of assuring food safety from harvest to consumption. In South Africa, fishing companies wishing to export products to countries such as the European Union (EU), the United Sates (US), et cetera have, over the past number of years, been required to implement HACCP. Various issues are, however at stake with regards to the successful implementation of HACCP and thus this study project is primarily focused on the application of the HACCP system to the white fish industry. The method of study involved consultation with various local authorities in order to highlight existing HACCP problems within the South African White Fish Industry. A literature survey was conducted to ascertain the requirements of various countries and international organisations and iii addition to gain an in-depth knowledge as to theworking requirements of HACCP. Prior to setting in place a HACCP system, the model reviews in detail the HACCP manual requirements and prerequisite programs required. The prerequisite programs are not limited to but include good manufacturing practices, operation and sanitation, pest control, traceability and recall procedures, customer complaint procedures, chemical control program and training. Process flow diagrams need to be developed and verified for each process and product. Once completed an analysis of the various biological, chemical and physical hazards that are likely to affect the safety of the product is conducted. The seven principles of HACCP are clarified together with how they may best be implemented and monitored, taking in to consideration the various parameters of each fish processing establishment. A brief introduction about the relationship between the HACCP system, ISO 9000 and total quality management (TOM) and the advantages and disadvantages of each system is included. The study project is completed with recommendations for further study in other food processing industries. Recommendations include, but are not limited to ensuring that current and new legislation be regularly monitored, HACCP models be developed for industries such as the shellfish industry, et cetera and that, where possible, harmonisation of the requirements be internationally agreed upon. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Oor die algemeen word vis en skulpvis, met 'n paar uitsonderings, as veilig beskou. Internasionaal word daar deur die voedsel veiligheidswette vereis dat maatskappye aan 'n standaard naamlik HACCP ( Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) voldoen wat verseker dat die voedsel vanaf sy oorspronklike bron tot en met by die verbruiker veilig is vir gebruik. In Suid Afrika, word oor die laaste aantal jare van alle vismaatskappye wat vis wil uitvoer na Europeuse lande of die Verenigde state, verwag om HACCP te implimenteer. Verskeie kwessies is op die spel met betrekking tot die suksesvolle implimentering van HACCP en daarom word hierdie projek gefokus op die suksesvolle implimenteering van die HACCP beginsel in die witvis bedryf. Vir die studie is plaaslike owerhede genader om vas te stel waar bestaande probleme met betrekking tot die witvis bedryf is. 'n Literatuur studie is uitgevoer om te bepaal wat die behoeftes is van verskillende lande en internationale instansies en ook om 'n indiepte kennis te bekom vir die funksionerings vereistes van HACCP. Die model beskryf volledig wat vereis word om 'n HACCP handleiding saam te stel en die voorvereiste programme wat benodig word alvorens 'n HACCP plan inwerking gestel kan word. Daar is geen beperkings ten opsigte van die voorvereiste programme nie maar dit sluit die volgende in: goeie vervaardigings praktyke, higiëne bestuur, plaagbeheer, identifiseering en produk ontrekking prosedure, verbruikersklagtes, chemikalië beheer en opleiding. Vir elke proses en produk moet daar 'n vloei diagram opgestel word. Daarna moet 'n ontleding gedoen word van alle moontlike biologiese, chemiese en fisiese gevare wat die veiligheid van 'n produk kan benadeel. Verder bespreek die studie die sewe beginsels van HACCP, die implimentering en monitering daarvan met inagneming van die uniekheid van elke prosesaanleg. 'n Kort oorsig oor die verwantskap tussen HACCP, ISO 9000 en "TQM ( Total Quality Management)" met elk se voor en nadele word ook bespreek. Die studie word afgesluit met aanbevellings vir verdere studies in die voedselprosesseringsindustrie, oor die monitering van huidige en toekomstige wetgewing, die ontwikkeling van HACCP modelle en harmonisering van internasionale en plaaslike vereistes soos ooreengekom.

Incidental catch, or bycatch, of harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in fishing operations is an international conservation issue. The main objective of this thesis was to develop methods for determining the impact of bycatch on the state and dynamics of porpoise populations and for calculating bycatch limits that will achieve conservation objectives in the future. I applied these methods to the North Sea as a case study. First, I analysed sighting rates of harbour porpoise on seabird surveys in the North Sea during 1980-2003 to determine whether these data could provide informative time-series of relative abundance. Some general patterns and trends in sighting rates were consistent with previous studies. However, the standardised indices of abundance were relatively imprecise and thus have limited value for a monitoring framework that relies on statistical detection of trends. Second, I used a population model to integrate available data on harbour porpoise in the North Sea and to assess the dynamics of the population during 1987-2005. There was a high probability that bycatch resulted in a decrease in abundance. The estimated life history parameters suggested a limited scope for population growth even in the absence of bycatch. The model and data were not informative about maximum population growth rate or carrying capacity. The model suggested that dispersal was the most plausible explanation for observed changes in distribution within the North Sea. Third, I considered management procedures for calculating bycatch limits. I performed simulations to compare the behaviour of the procedures, to tune the procedures to specific conservation objectives and to test the robustness of the procedures to a range of uncertainties regarding population dynamics and structure, the environment, observation and implementation. Preliminary annual bycatch limits for harbour porpoise in the North Sea ranged from 187-1685 depending on the procedure, tuning and management areas used.

The Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) lifecycle is punctuated by distinct ontogenic stages which are routinely manipulated commercially by photoperiod regimes to enable year-round production. As such, light plays a critical role throughout the production cycle, however, it remains poorly characterised and light spectrum and intensity have not been defined optimally yet. This thesis was therefore set out to test the effects of narrow bandwidth light (Blue-λ(max) 444 nm, Green-λ(max) 523 nm, Red-λ(max) 632 nm and White) and intensity in freshwater (FW). Fry-parr development, out-of-season smoltification and ocular and vertebral health were examined as was the long-term effects of FW light regimes on seawater (SW) growth and muscle structure. In addition, the impact of photoperiod regimes on out-of-season smolts following transfer to SW was investigated. 
 Major findings from the trials conducted show that light spectrum and intensity influence parr development with lower intensities performing better than higher intensities. Both the initiation and duration of smoltification was impacted by spectrum. Importantly, this doctoral work showed that daily changes in light intensity, from low during the scotophase to high during the photophase applied for the duration of a standard out-of-season smoltification regime was capable of providing a sufficient cue for the induction of smoltification. Historic FW light exposure impacted SW performance and post-transfer SW photoperiod had significant impact upon growth and maturation development. Results based on changes to the gonadosomatic index provide important guidance for suitable post-transfer photoperiods for smolt transferred to SW around the winter solstice. Importantly, from the parameters tested, exposure to different spectrum or light intensities did not adversely affect vertebral or ocular health. 
 This thesis did not only focus on the physiological effects of light but also aimed to characterise better the pathways involved in light perception and integration. To do so, the neural response to both broad spectrum white light, darkness and Red and Blue light was investigated through deep brain insitu-hybridisation and high throughput sequencing (NGS) of the pituitary gland. Results showed substantial spectral and light/dark changes in the both the deep brain and pituitary transcriptome. Overall, this research provides both scientifically interesting and commercially relevant guidance for the optimisation of lighting systems for use in captive salmon aquaculture. Major findings from the trials conducted show that light spectrum and intensity influence parr development with lower intensities performing better than higher intensities. Both the initiation and duration of smoltification was impacted by spectrum. Importantly, this doctoral work showed that daily changes in light intensity, from low during the scotophase to high during the photophase applied for the duration of a standard out-of-season smoltification regime was capable of providing a sufficient cue for the induction of smoltification. Historic FW light exposure impacted SW performance and post-transfer SW photoperiod had significant impact upon growth and maturation development. Results based on changes to the gonadosomatic index provide important guidance for suitable post-transfer photoperiods for smolt transferred to SW around the winter solstice. Importantly, from the parameters tested, exposure to different spectrum or light intensities did not adversely affect vertebral or ocular health. This thesis did not only focus on the physiological effects of light but also aimed to characterise better the pathways involved in light perception and integration. To do so, the neural response to both broad spectrum white light, darkness and Red and Blue light was investigated through deep brain insitu-hybridisation and high throughput sequencing (NGS) of the pituitary gland. Results showed substantial spectral and light/ dark changes in the both the deep brain and pituitary transcriptome. Overall, this research provides both scientifically interesting and commercially relevant guidance for the optimisation of lighting systems for use in captive salmon aquaculture.

Knowing where species are and understanding why is paramount for developing relevant and sustainable conservation and resource management strategies. The need for this information is becoming urgent as fishing activity, resource extraction and the impacts of coastal developments continue to put marine resources under increasing pressure. As logistical and financial constraints can restrict our ability to collect data in the marine environment, the ability to predict distributions based on known associations with different environmental variables would enhance our capacity to manage these resources. Before attempting to predict the distribution of species and groups of species, the underlying species-environment relationships must be examined to determine whether associations between species and the environment can: (i) be identified, (ii) be used to develop models that can accurately predict distributions, and (iii) are general enough to allow accurate predictions beyond the sampled area. Most studies to date have compared the composition of fish assemblages between sites to determine how different environmental variables influence distribution. While widely applied, these methods do not consider how individual species respond to multiple environmental gradients and they lack the ability to predict distributions across different combinations of variables along those gradients. This lack of prediction also limits our capacity to assess what marine biodiversity is presently threatened by global, regional, and local human pressures on marine ecosystems. '...' Thus, summarising and modelling species data at higher levels would result in models with poorer predictive accuracy and a loss of ecological information. The generality of the species-environment relationships defined by the models were assessed by evaluating the transferability of models between different areas. Models developed from data collected over a wider geographic extent could more accurately predict the distribution of species across a smaller spatial extent than vice versa. This indicated that while general theories of the ecology of temperate demersal fish can be defined, the actual patterns of distribution may vary from site to site, suggesting caution when using predictions beyond the sampled area for management purposes. Overall, species distribution modelling identified how different species and groups of species responded to the combined influence of multiple environmental gradients and was able to accurately predict distributions based on the defined associations. Their application has led to a greater understanding of the species environment relationships and will help to identify those areas that may be important for conservation. Their predictive ability will allow general predictions of distribution of fish species across unsurveyed areas and provides the ability to assess the potential impact from implementing different policy and management strategies.

La gestión de los recursos es un proceso complejo que requiere un análisis multidisciplinar amplio. Ello supone no sólo preservar los recursos, sino también procurar una actividad sostenible para el sector económico que los explota. Es necesario analizar los factores socioeconómicos e institucionales que afectan al desarrollo del sector pesquero, que permitan determinar los niveles sostenibles de producción, renta y empleo regionales; así como garantizar una aplicación equitativa tanto de ayudas como de medidas restrictivas, que impidan un reparto y desarrollo desigual de las flotas de las regiones y países afectados. De acuerdo con lo indicado anteriormente, son numerosas las publicaciones que avalan de forma incuestionable la transcendencia del sector pesquero en la actividad económica regional, aunque de forma cualitativa. Sin embargo, desde el punto de vista cuantitativo son escasos los trabajos publicados que evalúen la magnitud de dichas trascendencia en cuanto a los impactos socioeconómicos que dicha actividad pudiera originar en la economía regional. Asimismo no se conocen modelos que expliquen el comportamiento de la actividad pesquera aplicable a todas las regiones y tampoco indicadores con lo que evaluar las diferencias, tecnológicas y productivas, que pudieran darse con otros sectores pesqueros. Por todo ello, el objetivo del presente trabajo es formalizar una metodología para el análisis económico del sector pesquero y, empíricamente, determinar para Cantabria modelos que expliquen el comportamiento de la flota extractiva, multiplicadores que midan su impacto socioeconómico en la economía regional e indicadores de desigualdad que evalúen sus diferencias con otros sectores pesqueros.

Tuna longline fishery produces the highest output among Taiwanese far sea fisheries. In 2007, it created NT$31.7 billion of sales, 1/3 of Taiwanese fisheries. In 2005, ICCAT identified Taiwanese tuna longliners because of their excessive catches and laundering activities in bigeye tuna. The identification by ICCAT initiated dramatic change of Taiwanese tuna longline fishery. This study described the characters of Taiwanese tuna longline fishery, compared catches of 4 major tuna longline countries: Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and China in 2004. The result showed that Taiwanese tuna longliners got the highest catches. In addition, Taiwanese boat owners owned and operated longliners in other flags. The huge fishing capacity which owned by Taiwanese boat owners became a threat to tuna resources. This study first analyzed the attributes of diamond of national advantage that help Taiwanese tuna longline fishery prospect in Cianjhen Fishing Port, Kaohsiung City, and how it enjoyed the benefit of industry cluster. This part depicted success of the past. Facing the global over capacity of fishing vessels and shrinkage of tuna resources, Taiwanese tuna fishery can not indulge in glory of past. Instead, disadvantage of competition condition highlighted importance of end-game strategy which help boat owners make their decision of continuation or divestment of their business. The decline of an industry derives from the weakness of itself. This study emphasizes organization change and innovation, which must be rooted from respect to the precious tuna resources, then apply fishery science to improve fishing efficiency and proper use of manpower from different nations.

In 2006, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) accepted an industry proposal called the Commercial Groundfish Integration Pilot Program (CGIPP), which integrated each of the seven commercial groundfish fisheries in British Columbia. The industry proposal, developed by the Commercial Industry Caucus (CIC), was the result of guiding principles developed by DFO that focused on the conservation of certain rockfish species on the Pacific Coast. If industry had not developed a plan, DFO would have developed an alternative fishing plan (AFP). This thesis evaluates whether DFO's conservation objectives were met under the CGIPP and if there were any social and economic impacts. These same impacts are compared to what may have occurred under the AFP. The results of this thesis indicate that the CGIPP is a sustainable template for multi-species commercial fisheries--a first step in achieving an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management.

Sound management of information and data is an essential cornerstone for efficient and effective decision making. Structured, up to date and easily retrievable data from several heterogeneous sources is often required to effectively manage, monitor and predict resource quantities particularly for depleting resources such as fish. The documentation and management of fisheries data in most developing countries however poses great challenges. The main aim of this study therefore is to design an information system (IS) for Artisanal Fisheries management. The developed IS is supported by a database. Secondary data, from the provincial offices of Moma and Angoche in Mozambique, is used to test and populate the prototype database. The manner in which the database is developed demonstrates how in practice a database can be created as part of an information system. However, due to time restrictions, a complete database for the AF system could not be developed. To accomplish the objectives of the study, a model of the Artisanal Fisheries (AF) system was developed first. Based on standard system development approaches, the key components of the AF system that include; processes, data flows and data stores, were identified. The developed conceptual system was then used to identify critical data stores for the AF system and data models were subsequently developed. A prototype database to support the AF system was then implemented in MS Access. The motivation for this study is as a result of two observations made on information management which are a challenge in artisanal fisheries management in Moma-Angoche. These observations are; (i) the current information system lacks a structured approach and a database to document and archive data/information on the artisanal fisheries subsector; and, (ii) the high proportion of the data/information collected from different sources is not well processed, analyzed and is not user-friendly as yet. The Moma-Angoche Provincial Fisheries office was chosen because it is strategically suitable for research. This has been demonstrated by the amount of socio-economic artisanal fishing census data already collected and by the research on stock marine resources already carried out. As a result, the study area has become a pilot zone of integrated fisheries development projects. During the life cycle of the various projects, and even after their termination, the area remained an important zone where subsequent studies (for example baseline studies) were carried out. Furthermore, the existence of subsequent data available from those studies allows a good opportunity for data comparisons to be made. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.

There is growing realisation world wide that the attainment of environmental sustainability is contingent upon reinstatement of community authority over management of natural resources. In acknowledgement of this imperative the government of Mozambique has formulated policies and enacted legislation to promote Community-Based Natural Resource Management. The research reported here considers the prospects for achieving CBNRM in a fishery located in a remote part of the country on the border between Mozambique and Tanzania. The central hypothesis addressed is that the fishery in historical terms was operated under a common property regime and that, under a number of forces , this has changed to an open access regime. The challenge facing government is to return the fishery to a common property regime. A conceptual framework which illustrates transformation of the fishery was developed. This was used to structure the research. Central question posed includes: what evidence is there that the fishery may have operated as common property system? what evidence is there that it now operates as an open access system? • what forces promoted such change, if indeed change has occurred? The findings are that the fishery has changed and now has the characteristics of the prospects for a return to CBNRM. Three issues are considered: who is the community? • what are the resources? and what are the management issues? It is concluded that definition of the 'community' is difficult because of historical precedents of access and use. The resource is shown to be complex including fish, water, land and plants; it also varies in tenure and space. Quite different rights of tenure issues accompany different resources. And management is complicated by international issues and apparent weaknesses in organisational structures, legislation and resources (human and financial). Evidence indicates that the people involved in the fishery are concerned about the state of the fishery and the lack of controls. They express a need for CBNRM. This study exposes the very complex nature of the fishery and suggests that failure to appreciate and understand this complexity encourages simplistic approaches to introduction of CBNRM. These are likely to fail. It is recommended that in light of the complexity elucidated by this research, the government should engage a strategic planning process with the intention of designing and implementing a process for introducing CBNRM which is constructed in the context of what is a very complex system. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2000.

Thesis (Ph. D. (Ichthyology and Fisheries Science))--Rhodes University, 2006.