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The capture of four abnormal specimens of the Striped panray, Zanobatus schoenleinii was reported from shallow coastal waters surrounding the touristic area of Dakar, Republic of Senegal, and among them, some specimens displaying morphological deformities. A specimen exhibited a pectoral non-adherent to the head, a second was tailless, and two specimens displayed scoliosis at level of truncal vertebrae and tail. The abnormalities are described and their causes and consequences herein considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Snakebite envenomation is a significant public health problem in Burkina Faso. Our study describes the epidemiological and therapeutic aspects of snakebite cases at primary health centers in Houet Province, which is located in the western area of Burkina Faso. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of 664 snakebite cases occurring at 10 primary health centers in Houet Province from January 2014 to December 2018. Data were collected from the patient consultation recording database registry system. Results Affected individuals had a male/female ratio of 1.31. The lowest annual incidences (0.02 [95% CI –0.01 to 0.05] and 0.24 [95% CI 0.05 to 0.43]) were observed in the urban primary health centers of Bolomakoté and Sarfalao, respectively. Rural primary health centers in Nasso in 2016 and in Soumousso in 2014 had the highest annual incidence (13.80 [95% CI 7.59 to 20.00] and 3.92 [95% CI 2.99 to 4.86], respectively). Of the 664 registered snakebite victims, none received antivenom immunotherapy treatment. Conclusion Our study shows that snakebite envenomation incidents are common at the 10 primary health centers in Houet Province. Furthermore, despite the lack of antivenom and often inadequate treatment at these primary health centers, they remain the first point of care for snakebite victims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The capture of two specimens of Physiculus dalwigki (Kaup, 1758) from the coast of Senegal is reported in this note. They were two adult specimens which measured 244 mm and 302 mm for total length, respectively, and weighed 81.8 g and 174.0 g, respectively. They were caught by trammel nets in the marine area of Dakar. They were described while mrophometric measurements and meristic counts were provided. These two findings constitute the first substantial records of P. dalwigki in the Senegalese waters, but also the southern extension range of the species from the western coast of Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first record of the little sleeper shark, Somniosus rostratus (Risso, 1827), from the Tunisian coast, is presented in this note. It was an adult female measuring 990 mm total length and weighing 4500 g. The capture occurred off Ras Jebel located in north-eastern Tunisia at a depth of 120 m. The specimen is herein described including morphological measurements, color, and dental formula. Due to a lack of records, the real status of the species in the Mediterranean Sea remains questionable. Somniosus rostratus is rarely caught in this sea because it lives in deep bottoms poorly exploited by commercial vessels. However, recent captures of specimens and occurrence of nursery grounds suggest that a viable population of S. rostratus is probably established in this sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A specimen of Physiculus dalwigki Kaup, 1758 measuring 218 mm in total length, 190 mm in standard length, and weighing 90 g was caught off the northern Tunisian coast. This capture constitutes the first record of this fish from the Tunisian coast. The specimen is described including morphological measurements, meristic counts, and color. Due to a lack of records, the real status of the species in the Tunisian waters still remains questionable. Physiculus dalwigki occurs only off northern Spain and south to the Strait of Gibraltar in the waters surrounding Madera and the Azores Islands, and in the Mediterranean Sea from Nice (southern France) to the Tunisian coast. Therefore, it appears that P. dalwigki is displaying a disjoint distribution with the exclusion of a large western region of the Mediterranean Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case of hermaphroditism is described in the present paper from a specimen of striped panray, Zanobatus schoenleiniii (MÜLLER AND HENLE, 1841), captured off Dakar, Senegal, eastern tropical Atlantic. It measured 295 mm for disc width (DW), 530 mm for total length (TL) and its total body weight (TBW) reached 1017 g. It exhibited a single clasper, on the left side. Internally, the left genital apparatus was female, and the right male. It was an aberrant case of hermaphroditism due to the fact that lacking of clasper generally matches with a female genital apparatus. A relationship DW versus TWB expressed in logarithmic co-ordinates showed that the specimen developed in the wild similarly to normal specimens. The causes of this abnormality remain obscure but the role of pollutants in the local marine area cannot be totally ruled out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A specimen of Cottonmouth jack Uraspis secunda (Poey, 1860) was recorded for the first time from the coast of Senegal. The specimen was immature measuring 118 mm for total length and 19.2 g for total body weight. In this note, the authors present a short description of one specimen and its main morphometric measurements and meristic characters. The distribution of U. secunda in its new area of capture is commented and discussed, together with its close relative species U. helvola (Forster, 1801). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three specimens of oilfish Ruvettus pretiosus Cocco, 1829 were recorded for the first time from the coast of Senegal. The specimens were probably immature; a single specimen was measured and weighed, reaching 745 mm of total length and 2350 g of total body weight, the other specimens were smaller. In this note, the authors present a short description of one specimen and its main morphometric measurements and meristic characters. The distribution of R. pretiosus in its new area of capture is commented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two specimens of the west African goatfish, Pseudupeneus prayensis (Cuvier, 1829), were found for the first time off the Tunisian coast, in northern area. They constituted the third Mediterranean record of this fish. Both specimens were studied and described, and some biological observations were reported. Same taxonomic characters were concomitantly determined on two west African goatfish caught off the coast of Senegal, for comparison. The occurrence of Pseudupeneus prayensis in the area and the Mediterranean Sea is discussed and commented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Managing marine resources is a contentious and complicated process. There are various users with competing objectives, especially in the case of artisanal and recreational fisheries management. Managers must consider not only the biological sustainability of the resources, but also account for the socioeconomic objectives of the fishery users, particularly in developing countries. In-person surveys were implemented with artisanal fishers that target billfish in Ghana and with recreational charter boat anglers that target billfish in Senegal. Data from the survey were used to compile financial performance indicators that describe the sustainability of the operations. In addition social and resource management perception data were collected in each location. The results of the study indicate that both fleets exhibit positive profit levels. Although fishers in both study locations perceived a declining billfish resource, they were largely unwilling to accept management measures to improve the resource. If management measures were to be considered for the artisanal fleet, managers should simultaneously introduce mechanisms to improve the technological storage capacity of harvested fish and training on saving schemes for artisanal fishers. Managers should also monitor the number of recreational vessels and their effort in Senegal. Performance indicators such as these are applicable and appropriate for quantitatively assessing the profitability of fishing fleets. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]