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Fish are ubiquitous in pumped artificial drains but channel maintenance exposes fish to high flows and predators, and fish communities may experience population‐level threats if they are unable to access refuge during extreme flood‐relief pump operations. We assessed the impact of an extreme flood‐relief pump operation and effects of artificial habitat introduction on a resident fish community in an artificial drain in Great Britain using side‐scan and multi‐beam sonar. Sonar surveys before the flood found abundant aggregations of resident fish, whereas no fish were found after the flood, which suggested flood‐relief pump operations significantly altered resident fish populations. Fish abundance near artificial habitats monitored before the flood were highest during crepuscular periods and was similar among three different artificial habitat designs. Our findings improve the understanding of extreme flood impacts on fish in artificial drains and demonstrate the usefulness of sonar techniques for surveying abundance and spatial distribution of fish populations before and after floods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coastline of Sub‐Saharan Africa hosts highly diverse fish communities of great conservation value, which are also key resources for local livelihoods. However, many costal ecosystems are threatened by overexploitation and their conservation state is frequently unknown due to their vast spatial extent and limited monitoring budgets. Here, we evaluated the potential of citizen science‐based eDNA surveys to alleviate such chronic data deficiencies and assessed fish communities in Mozambique using two 12S metabarcoding primer sets. Samples were either collected by scientific personnel or trained community members and results from the two metabarcoding primers were combined using a new data merging approach. Irrespective of the background of sampling personnel, a high average fish species richness was recorded (38 ± 20 OTUs per sample). Individual sections of the coastline largely differed in the occurrence of threatened and commercially important species, highlighting the need for regionally differentiated management strategies. A detailed comparison of the two applied primer sets revealed an important trade‐off in primer choice with MiFish primers amplifying a higher number of species but Riaz primers performing better in the detection of threatened fish species. This trade‐off could be partly resolved by applying our new data‐merging approach, which was especially designed to increase the robustness of multiprimer assessments in regions with poor reference libraries. Overall, our study provides encouraging results but also highlights that eDNA‐based monitoring will require further improvements of, for example, reference databases and local analytical infrastructure to facilitate routine applications in Sub‐Saharan Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pathways of fresh fish in artisanal fishing: a paradoxical maritime dimension Nowadays fresh sea fish plays a very particular role as an identity marker in the context of the food systems of fishing communities. Given the relationship, continually reiterated by public discourse, between the benefits of its consumption and the paradigm of freshness, we find here a paradoxical intersection with the renewed movement to rediscover Portugal as an oceanic nation. From a holistic, ecological and cultural perspective, we propose here to reveal some moments of the transfiguration of the much-publicized "best fish in the world" along an intricate pathway, from its capture at sea to its presentation as an artisanal product of local origin. That widely reproduced magic motto: "From the sea, straight to your table!" [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Collegium Antropologicum is the property of Croatian Anthropological Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding has become an important method for inventorying and monitoring biota in aquatic systems. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department conducts regular fishery‐independent sampling of biotic communities using traditional sampling gears, such as gill nets and bag seines, in all of the major estuaries of adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico in Texas. Previous studies have shown that eDNA approaches can complement traditional sampling methods. Methods: We compared fish community structure data in the Cedar Lakes estuary system obtained with traditional sampling gears with data obtained using eDNA sampling using a small sequence of mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA gene and a validated taxonomic reference file. Result: For spring and fall of 2022, eDNA metabarcoding detected a larger number of species than either bag seines or gill nets. Species richness detected via eDNA in two seasons in a single year was comparable with the species richness of agency's historical record based on traditional gears for Cedar Lakes. Conclusion: Seasonal and spatial variation in species richness was similar between traditional and eDNA sampling; however, eDNA metabarcoding allowed detection of several species that would be difficult or impossible to capture with either bag seines or gill nets. We observed two limitations of eDNA metabarcoding. Read depth was not a good index of relative abundance, which limits our ability to infer relative biomass using single samples. Secondly, we observed detection bias in our eDNA results. Specifically, eDNA failed to detect two species of elasmobranchs present when water sampling was performed and eDNA also performed poorly compared to traditional sampling gears for some species of bony fishes. Despite these limitations, eDNA metabarcoding proved to be an efficient and cost‐effective alternative and compliment to traditional fisheries sampling gears for fishery‐independent monitoring of community structure and composition in estuaries of the Gulf of Mexico. Impact statementThis research demonstrates how DNA present in the environment (environmental DNA) can be used to enhance resource monitoring programs conducted by government agencies. Environmental DNA can detect species that are otherwise difficult to sample with traditional capture methods, such as seines and gill nets. Environmental DNA also provides a time‐saving and nonlethal means to assess changes in biological communities over time and space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat fragmentation (HF) is an ecological process, which is potentially also one of the main causes of diversity loss. Many studies have debated the best tools to adopt for assessing the effects of HF. The traditional application of biodiversity metrics might not fully describe the biotic community associated to a particular habitat or the ongoing ecological processes. The community-weighted mean (CWM) seems to be a valid investigation index, since biological traits (BTs) of the associated community are selected by local environmental factors. Furthermore, by combining species with common BTs into Functional Groups (FGs), it is possible to account for ecological functions that are supported by the inclusion of the response of key species within the same context. In our case study, we investigated the possible effect of HF of different Sicilian vermetid reefs on the associated infralittoral fish community based on the (i) vermetid fragmentation level, (ii) nature of the infralittoral substratum and (iii) conservational level of protection. We expected HF to be the main factor in shaping the local fish community; however, the nature of the infralittoral substratum proved to be the principal driver of the ichthyofaunal community. By analysing separately the two infralittoral substrata considered in the study, we observed how HF might affect the associated fish community differently. A pristine vermetid reef seems to sustain a higher number of FGs when established on a rocky substratum. On the other hand, in the presence of a sandy substratum, a fragmented vermetid reef seems to attract a more functionally rich fish community than those accounted for a pristine status. Our results provide some evidence in support of the need to include a broad spectrum of community function descriptors for a more comprehensive characterisation of a habitat and for the assessment of the functioning of its ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fisheries systems face enormous pressures from increased fish demand, decreased fish catches, and an ageing fishing population. As a case study, we investigate how climate change stressors, capacity‐building opportunities, and the introduction of climate‐smart innovations, tools and information may influence youths' succession decisions in small‐scale fisheries (SSF). We collected empirical data from a survey with the children of SSF actors to identify the factors promoting or hindering succession in fish harvesting activities through a simple random sampling of 415 youths in six fishing communities in Cameroon. The probit model results revealed that youth participation and succession decisions are positively influenced by their education, nationality, that is, being a migrant, desire to be employed full‐time in fisheries‐related activities, climate‐smart innovations, tools and information, and capacity‐building opportunities. Increasing temperatures and uncertainty in fish availability due to climate change negatively influence their succession decisions. We find that parents do not encourage their children to participate in SSF due to climate change impacts, which are reducing fish catch and due to a lack of suitable climate‐resilient innovations and capacity‐building opportunities. The study provides evidence that interventions that create an enabling environment for youths' participation in fisheries‐related activities are important to secure the future of SSF in Cameroon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the spawning seasonality of two highly targeted jacks (Carangidae; Giant Trevally [known in Hawai'i as ulua aukea] Caranx ignobilis and Bluefin Trevally [known in Hawai'i as 'ōmilu] Caranx melampygus) within Hawai'i through a collaborative effort with local fishers. Methods: By working with volunteer fishers, we collected gonad samples for Giant and Bluefin trevally throughout a 15‐month period on four of the main Hawaiian Islands. Spawning seasonality was assessed using histological gonad samples as well as mean monthly gonadosomatic index (GSI). Result: Fishery involvement proved successful in collecting biological samples needed to understand the spawning seasonality of these species. Participants were able to macroscopically identify when females were spawning versus undeveloped following initial instruction from the researchers. Mature female GSI resulted in similar conclusions as histological analyses. Both species had a spawning season between February and September, with peak spawning occurring from May to July. During the spawning months, a semilunar spawning pattern was observed for Giant Trevally with peak GSI occurring shortly before the full moon. Bluefin Trevally had higher variability, with no distinct lunar periodicity. Conclusion: Training fishers to be a part of the scientific process and collect gonad samples created trust in science and interest in learning more about the biology of their catch. By consistently sharing our progress and results through social media we were able to engage and build trust with the greater fishing community. Impact statementThrough the spawning seasons project, fishers were empowered to contribute to science and be part of the scientific process, which in turn can lead to continuing interest and participation in future management solutions that ensure sustainability. Fishers can use the information learned in this study to practice sustainable fishing by allowing fish to spawn before targeting them. By using science to substantiate traditional management practices based upon observed spawning behaviors, the participants were able to reinforce behaviors that celebrate sustainability within the larger fishing community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alterations of natural hydrology in aquatic ecosystems are known to strongly impact the community composition of different taxa. Surprisingly, literature on the potential influence of hydrology on fish community composition is still very scarce in agricultural marshes, where canals represent one of the few remaining aquatic habitats. This study is aimed to address this research gap by monitoring fish communities in independent hydrological units differing in hydrology management over a 6 years period. We predicted variable fish responses to the hydrological context according to different life‐history strategies (opportunistic, equilibrium, or periodic species). Periodic and opportunistic species were the most frequently observed. Despite differences in hydrology between canals (but little variation over years), we found that hydrology explained only a very low proportion of variation in the composition of fish communities. In particular, the flooding duration of meadows in early spring did not influence the composition of fish communities, not even the abundance of periodic species expected to rely on such temporary habitats. Instead, fish communities were more influenced by local habitat variables (aquatic vegetation cover, turbidity, tree roots, and refuges under the canal banks). The hydrological management of most hydrological units for agricultural purposes (i.e., severe flood abatement in spring and shallow water depth in canals in summer) was found to be incompatible with conservation goals to promote more diverse fish communities between hydrological units. Therefore, we call for further investigations in similar habitats covering a larger range of hydrological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the general belief that the Southern Ocean harbors low fish biodiversity, the Weddell Sea hosts one of the richest fish communities in the region. Parallelly, the Weddell Sea is also known for the presence of dense and diverse macrobenthos. Most macrobenthic invertebrates, such as gorgonians, sponges and bryozoans, are considered ecosystem engineers as they generate a three-dimensional structure that increases habitat heterogeneity. This structural complexity serves as a refuge against predators as well as a nursery ground for many organisms, including fish species. By analyzing video transects recorded by a Remotely Operated Vehicle, we investigated density, spatial distribution and size-frequency of populations of the demersal fish species inhabiting macrobenthic communities in the southernmost part of the Weddell Sea. We also attempted to unveil whether there is any relationship between benthic and fish communities and substrate, as well as some fish behavioral patterns. The dominance of juveniles in the surveyed fish assemblages provides evidence that, at this life stage, some fish species appear to be positively associated with complex benthic communities conformed by bryozoans, sponges and gorgonians which are more common in sand matrix with sparse rocks substrates. Moreover, about 37% of all specimens recorded were resting on benthic invertebrates or were using them to hide, implying that Antarctic benthic communities might offer suitable habitat. As such, it can be concluded that there was an apparent relationship between certain species of fish and the different benthic communities, yet the exact triggers and/or factors behind such an association remain partially elusive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ege Journal of Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences (EgeJFAS) / Su Ürünleri Dergisi is the property of Ege Journal of Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences (EgeJFAS) / Su Urunleri Dergisi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The life of fishing communities is still far from the level of prosperity seen from the slum environment, low education, and minimum social sensitivity. This profession has been carried out for generations by their parents, there is no other job because of the limited skills and expertise they have. This study aims to describe the quality of work in creating prosperity. The method used in this paper is a descriptive qualitative method because it will describe a natural situation in obtaining data. The data in this manuscript were obtained through in-depth interviews. Based on the results of the research, it can be seen that the fishing community in the Way Tataan Village interprets the work ethic as being hardworking, diligent, and responsible. The condition of economic welfare is still quite minimal and not yet prosperous. Factors hindering the economic welfare of the fishing community in Way Tataan Village are low-human resources, limited capital, consumptive lifestyle, low catches, and detrimental to labor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed and delved into the life experiences of fisherwomen residing in the municipality of Caoayan, Ilocos Sur. Particularly, it aimed to: (1) examine the demographic profile of the participating fisherwomen in terms of their age, annual income, and family structure; (2) determine the challenges fisherwomen encountered or continue to encounter; (3) determine the benefits fisherwomen provide to fishing groups; and (4) create a simulacrum that could elucidate the experiences of fisherwomen. Upon analysis of the responses, the study found that, as fisherwomen, the participants encounter numerous experiences and challenges in their life. Moreover, the study merged their experiences into various themes containing several factors: Perspectives on fishing and gender issues; Balance and Security; and Facing and Resolving challenges. Through this, the study recognized the contributions of their experiences to the empowerment of women in their community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using unregulated tributaries to compensate fish habitat loss in dammed mainstreams has recently been suggested as a promising strategy for river ecological restoration. One critical prerequisite is to find potential tributaries as alternative habitat, which depends on precise fish community surveys. In this study, both eDNA metabarcoding and electrofishing were used to characterise fish community compositions in the dammed lower Jinsha river and its tributaries (Heishui, Pudu, and Xiaojiang rivers) in China. The fish community composition detected by eDNA metabarcoding was consistent with that detected by the conventional method. Besides, metabarcoding has the advantage of detecting the presence of rare species with relatively low abundances. The non-metric multidimensional scaling showed that there was no significant difference in fish community composition between the mainstream and the Heishui river, while there was large difference in the fish community composition between the mainstream and other tributaries. The effectiveness of using the Heishui river as alternative fish habitat was verified by comparing the changes in fish communities before and after the impoundment of the mainstream. Taken together, this study indicates that eDNA metabarcoding is a viable method to identify the suitable tributaries which at least partly compensate for fish habitat loss in the dammed mainstream. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue of food security has garnered worldwide interest in light of growing apprehensions regarding population increase and climate change on a global scale. Therefore, this review examines the intricate relationship between public expenditures, food security, the sustainability of fish availability, and the overall welfare of Malaysian fishery communities. Given that the fishing industry is a crucial source of sustenance and income for these communities, it is essential to comprehend the intricate relationships between public financial allocations, food security, and sustainable fishing practises. Through a comprehensive synthesis of existing literature, data analysis, and policy evaluations, this review study sheds light on the complex relationships between public expenditures, food security, fish availability sustainability, and the overall well-being of Malaysian fishing communities. The findings of the review disclose the ripple effects of increased food security and sustainable fish availability on the general welfare of fishing communities. It recognises that when public expenditures effectively resolve food security issues, fishing communities experience improved physical health, decreased hunger vulnerability, and increased economic stability. These positive outcomes not only contribute to the immediate well-being of community members, but they also foster social cohesion and pave the way for long-term development. This study seeks to guide policymakers, stakeholders, and practitioners towards informed decision-making that fosters resilient fishing communities, ensures food security, and promotes the sustainable use of marine resources. The study will further help the policy makers to develop strategy to improve the sustainability of fish and the wellbeing of fishing community in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is focused on the current state of biodiversity in the aquatic environment of the Utrish Nature Reserve. Implementation of the multi-level monitoring program for fish and crustacean fauna, conducted in the waters of the Utrish Nature Reserve during the period 2016-2018, using classical methods of biological analysis, as well as visual underwater fish counting, allowed us to assess the overall state of biodiversity in this area as sufficiently stable. The population status of the model indicator species, the European black scorpionfish Scorpaena porcus, was also stable during this period, confirming the effectiveness of protective measures in this area. Due to the continued increase in anthropogenic pressure on coastal marine biocenoses, monitoring studies require further continuation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This (recently republished) book presents an anthropological study of the Scottish fishing community residing in Ferryden and the impacts of their wider social setting. Jane Nadel-Klein, the author, has eloquently woven together her twenty-five years of anthropological studies with a wide body of literature and disciplines spanning many decades, incorporating a breadth of material culture that illuminates topics and brings the themes of the book alive. The narrative takes the reader through time, studying the origins of fishing in the Scottish economy through to the processes of modernisation and globalisation that marginalised fishing-folk and ultimately ended their way of life in Ferryden. The intention of this publication was to bring the voices of fishing-folk to a wider public, such as academics, policy-makers, and those generally interested in fishing culture, rural and heritage studies. To her credit, Nadel-Klein manages to do that in a way that is accessible to all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mass fish kills caused by wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) failure are uncommon. In this study, we analyzed the recovery of the fish community in the Czarna Hańcza River after a fish kill caused by a WWTP incident in Suwałki in 2018. The research focused on brown trout, the dominant fish species in this river. The incident lasted about six hours and accounted for 7% of the mean river's flow during the accident. The fish population recovered quickly, and ten months after the fish kill, the number of fish species and their abundance were similar to the pre-incident state, but the species structure was different. In subsequent years, fish species richness decreased conspicuously, while their numbers remained at a high, relatively constant level. Species that are more resistant to difficult environmental conditions, such as white bream and European perch, returned to the river first. Concurrently with the improvement of environmental conditions, more demanding species, including brown trout, began to dominate in the river. Fulton's condition factors decreased significantly as the river self-purified and the density of the brown trout population increased (P < 0.05). Our results indicated that the brown trout population was able to recover relatively quick, presumably because of stocking. Other species that were not stocked required more time to recover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Informal cross-border fish trade (ICBFT) is becoming predominant in many African nations and unfortunately there is little information on its magnitude at country level. To address this gap, this study was conducted in mainland Tanzania covering two border posts and one fishing village, to identify the nature, conditions and assess the weight and value of ICBFT in comparison to the available official data, so as to determine the Government revenue loss for the marine small pelagic fishery which is locally known as dagaa. Data was collected through participants observation, interviews and informal routes monitoring framework. Interview excerpt coding, social network analysis and quantification were used in data analysis. Findings revealed that the marine dagaa informal cross-border trade is being operated in a multifaceted setting, characterized by five aspects: network; key actors; social supports; informal cross-border trade routes; and informal transiting places, time and vehicles. Middlemen and Porters scored higher network centrality scores, implying that, they are the key actors in the ICBFT operation. Further, it was found that the marine dagaa ICBFT accounted for about 972.6 M. tons valued at US$1.8 million, which is 7.5 higher compared to official data between 2018 and 2019, resulting in approximately US$165,006 government revenue loss. Such findings are essential for assessing the total contribution of cross-border fish trade to the country's economy, and setting appropriate ICBFT management strategies to maximize benefits from the cross-border trade in the country for people's well-being and the neighbouring countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small‐scale fisheries are crucial for improving livelihoods by providing fisher employment, and food security. As part of their work, fishers frequently move to different fishing communities to catch and trade in fish. This paper analyses the living circumstances of artisanal fishers and discusses their mobility patterns, lodging arrangements, and the difficulties they encounter as they carry out their work. This paper is based on a study that involved 385 artisanal fishers in the fishing community of Elmina in the Komenda Edina Equafo Abirem (KEEA) Municipality in the Central Region of Ghana. The results show that there are not many suitable places to stay for fishers when they travel from home to other fishing locations, and the few places that do offer affordable lodging also lack toilets, bathrooms and drinkable water. The paper also reflects on the gendered dynamics of these and related issues of insecurity for women in this case study. District authorities whose economies are heavily dependent on fishing ought to collaborate with private housing developers and the state to build affordable lodging facilities with standard household amenities like water, toilets and baths in fishing destinations to address the housing issues faced by fishers while travelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the effects of climate change continue to intensify, non-native species are becoming more prevalent in estuarine ecosystems. This has implications for the taxonomic and functional diversity of fish communities. Historically, biodiversity has been a synonym of taxonomic diversity, however this approach often fails to provide accurate insights on ecosystem functioning and resilience. To better understand how climate change is impacting fishes and their traits’ composition, a long-term dataset from Minho Estuary (NW Iberian Peninsula) fish assemblage was analyzed. The results suggest that climate change and extreme weather events altered the prevailing trait modalities of fishes, which led to the overall decrease in functional diversity of the fish assemblage over the course of a decade. This decrease is associated to the loss of some trait modalities that are exclusively found in native species. On the other hand, the invasive species added novel traits associated with the conditions of high temperatures and low precipitation regime currently observed in the studied area. Our results highlight that the shift in the presence and dominance of some traits is directly influenced by climatic changes. Also, despite the addition of novel modalities by the invasive species, the fish assemblage is now less functional and taxonomically diverse than previously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the Second World War in 1945, economic and social development began to develop. In Peninsular Malaysia, fishing is one of the economic sectors that is recovering, which can be seen based on the development of input and output data trends. The development of fishery sector input data such as the number of fishermen, boats and fishing equipment and output data such as fish landing data and fishery product trade since 1947 to 2009 has reflected the policy objectives implemented by the authorities. Various issues and problems occurred since after the Second World War until 2009 have led to the introduction of various policies by the government to solve the problems that occur and improve the development program of the fisheries sector. This writing uses primary data from the Annual Report of Fisheries, Department of Fisheries Malaysia for various years. The time series data is analyzed using Microsoft Excel software to build graphs that can show data trends. The policy introduced by the government will affect the fluctuation of input and output of the fisheries sector in Peninsular Malaysia. The results of data analysis show three main trends in the development of the fisheries sector in Peninsular Malaysia that reflect the influence of policy. The first trend of the early development policy stage with the main objective of modernization of inputs (Fishing gear and boats), the second trend of rapid development of technology and fishing efforts that reflects the policy emphasis to exploit resources on a large scale to meet domestic and foreign demand. The third stage trend is the emergence of the problem of overexploitation, pollution and destruction of the marine environment. At the last level, the emphasis of the policy is to reduce the overexploitation of resources and protect the marine environment. In summary, the government's policy emphasis during the period 1947-1964 was based on modernization objectives, 1965-1981 emphasis on mass production objectives and 1982-2009 emphasis on resource and environment conservation objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lakeshore riparian habitats have undergone intensive residential development in many parts of the world. Lakeshore residential development (LRD) is associated with aquatic habitat loss/alteration, including altered macrophyte communities and reduced coarse woody habitat. Yet habitat‐mediated and other generalized effects of LRD on lake biotic communities are not well understood. We used two approaches to examine the relationships among LRD, habitat, and fish community in a set of 57 northern Wisconsin lakes. First, we examined how LRD affected aquatic habitat using mixed linear effects models. Second, we evaluated how LRD affected fish abundance and community structure at both whole‐lake and site‐level spatial scales using generalized linear mixed‐effects models. We found that LRD did not have a significant relationship with the total abundance (all species combined) of fish at either scale. However, there were significant species‐specific responses to LRD at the whole‐lake scale. Species abundances varied across the LRD gradient, with bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and mimic shiners (Notropis volucellus) responding positively along the gradient and walleye (Sander vitreus) having the most negative response. We also quantified site‐level habitat associations for each fish species. We found that habitat associations did not inform a species' overall response to LRD, as illustrated by species with similar responses to LRD having vastly different habitat associations. Finally, even with the inclusion of littoral habitat information in models, LRD still had significant effects on species abundances, reflecting a role of LRD in shaping littoral fish communities independent of our measure of littoral habitat alteration. Our results indicated that LRD altered littoral fish communities at the whole‐lake scale through both habitat and non‐habitat‐mediated drivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humans form and maintain friendships across long distances, which can provide access to non-local resources and support against large shocks that affect the entire local community. However, there may be a greater risk of defection in long-distance friendships, as monitoring for defection is more difficult at greater distances; accordingly, help between long-distance friends may be more explicitly contingent than between close-distance friends. We interviewed 918 participants from 21 fishing villages in Tanzania about whether they had received help in the form of a gift or loan from a friend living in their village and a friend living in a neighboring village. As there are local expectations that loans will be repaid but gifts will not, we predicted that close-distance friends would be more likely to help with gifts, whereas long-distance friends would be more likely to help with loans. Contrary to our predictions, gifts and loans between close- and long-distance friends were similar in kind and amount, though close-distance friends provided help more frequently, possibly because close-distance friends are more likely to meet frequently and belong to the same religious congregation. These results indicate that long-distance friendships are an important, and likely robust, strategy for managing risk and accessing more resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Jangwa Pana is the property of Revista Jangwa Pana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Al-Adab / Al-ādāb is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In February 2023, an oil tanker carrying 5660 bbl of industrial fuel oil sank off Naujan in the Philippines, causing an oil spill in the waters of Oriental Mindoro and nearby provinces. The disaster affected fishing communities as well as marine ecosystems including the Verde Island Passage, which is at the "center of the world's marine biodiversity". This study assessed the immediate social and economic impacts of this oil spill on various communities of the Naujan coast. We conducted semi-structured interviews and employed a narrative analysis to explore the lived experiences of fisherfolk after the oil spill and to understand the socioeconomic impacts. With the prohibition of fishing and other aquatic activities, the participants lost up to USD 1300 of income per week from fishing. The participants had no other source of income due to the lack of other skills or an opportunity for an alternative livelihood in the community. While the government provided food packs and financial assistance, the participants found these insufficient to sustain their basic family needs including food, utilities, education, and health. Traces of oil were also found in the sources of potable water affecting their daily household activities. The fisherfolk, who live in communities that are vulnerable to natural and human-made hazards, had their subsistence, food security, and human well-being highly compromised. The findings provided recommendations for government interventions to mitigate the impacts of an oil spill and other future disasters, considering social, economic, and human ecological perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The composition of the fish parasite community depends on several factors related to the environment, the host and its biology. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of environmental factors in anthropized and conserved areas on the endoparasite community structure in fish at different trophic levels, in addition to verifying that some species of Digenea are indicators of conserved environments. Methods: The study was carried out in the Upper Juruá River region, Western Amazon, Brazil. Six sampling sites were selected in this region and grouped in conserved and degraded environments. Fish were caught from periods of drought and flood, using passive and active sampling methods. Fish collected were measured, weighed, necropsied and the parasites found were counted, fixed, and subjected to morphological analysis. Physical and chemical variables and environmental characteristics were measured in all sites. Results: The present study demonstrated that environmental variables in a floodplain system can influence the richness, diversity, composition and abundance of endoparasites in hosts at different trophic levels. In addition, anthropized environments may favor the abundance of some generalist parasites and present a more homogeneous biota between seasonal periods compared to conserved environments. Conclusion: Study contributed with information supporting the importance of conservation of aquatic environments, and demonstrated that fish parasites can be excellent indicators of environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article summarizes a book that analyzes the foreign action of Spain and France during the 80s, highlighting the importance of the historical context of the time. It is mentioned that both countries had different priorities in European construction, with Spain focused on the European Union and France on maintaining its place in the international balance. Topics such as fishing policy, the conflict in Western Sahara, and presence in Latin America are addressed. The text also analyzes the crisis in bilateral relations between France and Spain, as well as the weakening of the European project in recent years. The importance of fishing as a distorting element of international politics is highlighted, and a specific episode from 1984 is mentioned as an example of tensions between both countries on this issue. In addition, testimonies from key figures in the process are included, and the difficulty of accessing primary sources in Spain for historical research is emphasized. Overall, the book sheds light on the early years of Spain and Europe's recent history. [Extracted from the article]

Although environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is an exceptionally useful and powerful tool for monitoring biodiversity, little is known about whether the traits of organisms and their ecosystem characteristics affect eDNA metabarcoding performance. Nationwide surveys can provide more detailed insights, yet such studies have rarely been conducted.In order to evaluate eDNA metabarcoding performance in broad‐scale monitoring, we examined the effects of species ecological/biological traits and ecosystem characteristics on species detection rates and the implications for community analysis. In addition, we tested the effects of sample mixing and transportation methods, including cooling and freezing, on eDNA metabarcoding. On a nationwide scale, we conducted eDNA metabarcoding for fish communities in 18 Japanese lakes.By comparing species records, we observed that certain traits, including body size, body shape, saltwater tolerance and habitat preference, influenced eDNA detection. In addition, the proportion of species detected decreased significantly with an increase in lake surface area owing to ecosystem size effect on species detection.We conclude that species traits, including habitat preference, body size and ecosystem size, should be considered when assessing the eDNA metabarcoding performance in broad‐scale monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe droughts can lead to fires that cause massive tree mortality in even the wettest and most isolated Amazonian forests. After repeated fires, blackwater floodplain forests can remain in an open vegetation state of arrested succession that facilitates a transition towards a white‐sand 'savanna‐like' vegetation. These vegetation shifts, from closed‐canopy floodplain forests to open fire scars and eventually white‐sand savannas, may have profound implications for fish communities that depend on floodplain forests for food and recruitment. In turn, changes in fish communities may contribute to the arrested forest recovery after fires as fish are important seed dispersal agents for many floodplain tree species.To explore the impacts of floodplain forest fires on fish communities, we sampled fish in unburnt forests, fire scars, and white‐sand savannas in the middle Rio Negro basin (Brazil) during two consecutive flooding seasons. We compared the abundance, species richness, and the taxonomic and trophic composition of fish assemblages across the three habitat types.We found significant shifts in fish assemblages in fire scars compared to unburnt floodplain forests. Also, as fire scars increased in size, total fish biomass decreased strongly. Fish communities in unburnt floodplain forests seem to be characterized by a higher proportion of smaller and omnivorous fish species than fish communities in burned floodplain forests and white sand savannas. Fish assemblages in fire scars and white‐sand savanna were not significantly different.Synthesis and Applications. Amazonian fish communities change after floodplain forest fires. Unburnt forests have diverse fish communities, with a large proportion of unique and small omnivorous species. In contrast, carnivores and detritivores become more common in fire scars and white‐sand savannas formed after forest fires. Less omnivore fish after forest fires can reduce tree seed dispersal and forest regeneration, affecting ecosystem functioning and the services provided by Amazonian forests. Fish are also a primary source of food and income for people living in Amazonian floodplains. Preventing forest fires is therefore of fundamental importance for the conservation of Amazonian aquatic and terrestrial ecological communities as well as for the livelihood of people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nearshore ecosystem of Hainan Island plays a crucial role as a breeding habitat for a wide variety of economically valuable fish species. Gaining insight into the structure of the fish community and the environmental factors that may impact them is highly significant in this marine region. This study collected fish data from 50 sampling sites using bottom trawling surveys. Methods including the swept area method, ecological indices, and abundance/biomass curve (ABC) analysis were employed to assess fish resource density and diversity. A comprehensive identification revealed a total of 363 fish species, encompassing 24 orders, 114 families, and 226 genera, with Perciformes being the dominant group. Spring exhibited higher fish abundance and biomass compared with autumn, with the southwestern waters as the primary concentration area. Acropoma japonicum, Decapterus maruadsi, and Navodon xanthopterus were dominant in spring, while Leiognathus bindus, Saurida tumbil, and Champsodon atridorsalis were dominant in autumn, indicating a seasonal shift towards smaller and lower-value fish species. A variability exceeding 80% was observed through SIMPER analysis, and a disrupted community structure was evident in the eastern and southern waters. Temperature and salinity were identified as primary environmental factors influencing the fish community. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the nearshore fish community of Hainan Island, aiding in the understanding of its structure and dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-fed aquaculture is an important contributor to low environmental impact protein production. However, knowledge of spatiotemporal patterns of the fish community in non-fed fishery systems remains limited, despite their ecological importance for sustainable aquaculture and fisheries. To elucidate the status of the fisheries and their critical drivers in non-fed fishery systems, hydroacoustic surveys were conducted seasonally in Hongchaojiang Reservoir in two seasons (spring and autumn) of two consecutive years: 2018 and 2019. Results showed that the average fish density in Hongchaojiang Reservoir was 121.6 ind./1000 m3. Fish communities varied significantly between geographical locations and seasons. On the temporal scale, fish densities in October were higher than those in April. On the spatial scale, fish densities were higher in the upstream (S1 and S3) than those in the midstream (S2, S4, S5, S6), while the density of S7, S8 and S9 in the downstream was the lowest. Trophic level index, zooplankton, chlorophyll-a, and phytoplankton play vital roles in fish distributional patterns, while the target strength, which reflects fish body size, was highly associated with water temperature, dissolved oxygen, total organic carbon, and phytoplankton. These results suggest that the spatiotemporal distribution of the fish community in Hongchaojiang Reservoir was jointly influenced by biotic and abiotic variables of water bodies, and highlight the importance of water nutrient levels and food availability in shaping fish distribution in the non-fed aquaculture system. This study should improve our understanding of ecological patterns and dominant drivers in fish stocks and provide information for successful sustainable management in non-fed purification fisheries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through semi-structured interviews with Senegalese fishermen, this article examines their displacement following the depletion of fishing stocks in Senegalese waters owing to the activities of European and Asian industrial fleets over the last two decades. While there has been some recognition in scholarship that extractivism leads to dire precarity and displacement within local populations, it has not been demonstrated how exploitations at sea are dependent on the displacement of the indigenous people for corporate gains. Thus, this article conceptualizes displacement of local Senegalese fishermen as the product of an active, arguably deliberate process, solely motivated by corporate gains to the detriment of their communal and human life. Furthermore, the article shows that displacement can take on multiple forms such as economic and temporal as well as physical movement. Data is drawn from eighteen semi-structured interviews with fishers from three fishing villages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unconventional mining (IT) practices are not foreign to the people of Bangka Belitung, including in Penagan Village. IT practices which are also carried out at sea certainly have an effect on the coastal fishing communities in Penagan Village. The dominant change is seen in the social and economic dynamics of the Penagan Village community. Social dynamics can be subdivided into aspects of education, health, and government policy. Meanwhile, economic dynamics can be further grouped into aspects of capital, access to and use of fishing technology, fishermen's income, and fishermen's lifestyle. In this study, we found IT to have a number of positive and negative impacts. However, the negative impact turned out to be more dominating for the coastal fishing community of Penagan Village. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fish community inhabiting mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCE) at Corales de Profundidad National Natural Park (CPNNP), Colombian Caribbean Sea was described. Most of the species (89%) are common in shallow reef environments of an adjacent Marine Protected Area. Halichoeres maculipinna, Prognathodes aculeatus, Serranus luciopercanus and Lactophrys trigonus were recorded for the first time at CPNNP. The healthy and highly resilient characteristics of MCE is confirmed with the taxonomic composition of the found fishes. The information presented in this study provides data and techniques that help to complement the baseline of fish's assemblages associated with mesophotic coral ecosystems in the Colombian Caribbean Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For many communities settled on the coastline of coastal lagoons, fishing is an important activity because of the income it generates. Objective: To analyze the community perspective of the fishing activity in the community of El Arenal, in Guerrero, Mexico. Methodology: The research is a mixed case study and its development consisted in seven stages, which were: description of the area where field immersion was carried out and identification of socioenvironmental problems, dialogues with the fishermen, information processing, data analysis through descriptive statistics, and deductive analysis of the discourse. Results: Overfishing is evident, and the breach of closed season and high levels of capture in live weight which was 1275 t in 2022. The 37 cooperatives do not have trade channels and brokers are in charge of trading the product. At the socioenvironmental level, the community of El Arenal does not have residue collection programs or for lagoon or mangrove care. Conclusions: The production model based on overfishing exhausts the natural resource because there is no planning for the fishing resource and it does not respect the closed season law, resulting in socioenvironmental problems for the community, overfishing, contamination of the lagoon, and social marginalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate warming generally induces poleward range expansions and equatorward range contractions of species' environmental niches on a global scale. Here, we examined the direction and magnitude of species biomass centroid geographic shifts in relation to temperature and depth for 83 fish species in 9,522 standardised research trawls from the North Sea (1998-2020) to the Norwegian (2000-2020) and Barents Sea (2004-2020). We detected an overall significant northward shift of the marine fish community biomass in the North Sea, and individual species northward shifts in the Barents and North Seas, in 20% and 25% of the species' biomass centroids in each respective region. We did not detect overall community shifts in the Norwegian Sea, where two species (8%) shifted in each direction (northwards and southwards). Among 9 biological traits, species biogeographic assignation, preferred temperature, age at maturity and maximum depth were significant explanatory variables for species latitudinal shifts in some of the study areas, and Arctic species shifted significantly faster than boreal species in the Barents Sea. Overall, our results suggest a strong influence of other factors, such as biological interactions, in determining several species' recent geographic shifts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the aftermath of the Second World War, states across the world sought to expand industrial fishing to both feed and employ their populations. This article examines the structure of the post-war fishing political economies in two countries separated by the Cold War divide: the Soviet Union and Norway. Their political-economic organization and governing ideologies differed, yet many of the goals and objectives of resource management were similar. The mechanisms to enforce regulation, however, were widely divergent, reflecting varying configurations of state power and social control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The history of fishing has often been written from a local or regional perspective. There has gradually been a shift where fishing has been studied from a broader international perspective. Nevertheless, large international overviews need detailed studies of individual ports in a similar way as studies of individual ports benefit from the international perspective. The introduction of steam-powered fishing vessels in Scandinavia has often been regarded as an attempt to imitate fishing in Great Britain. However, a closer study of the Scandinavian countries shows that this does not match, for example, the Norwegian steam fishing fleet. Scandinavia's two main fishing ports with steam-powered fishing vessels, Ålesund in Norway and Gothenburg in Sweden, show great differences. Gothenburg is the place that has the most similarities with the large British fishing ports. Steam-powered fishing vessels played a modest role in Danish fishing. On the other hand, when it comes to the introduction of engines, the Danish fishery was the leader. However, it would take more than 30 years from the first functionable engines around the turn of the twentieth century before motor-driven fishing vessels could begin to compete with steam-powered fishing vessels. The problems of financing the new technology are emphasized in the article. Government loans were important in many countries, but much research is still needed to clarify the proportion that was government-financed and how much other financial actors contributed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Freshwater ecosystems are some of the most affected by biological invasions due, in part, to the introduction of invasive carp worldwide. Where carp have become established, management programs often seek to limit further range expansion into new areas by reducing their movement through interconnected rivers and waterways. Lock and dams are important locations for non-physical deterrents, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), to reduce unwanted fish passage without disrupting human use. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the behavioral responses of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) to non-physical deterrents within a navigation structure on the Fox River, Wisconsin. Acoustic telemetry combined with hidden Markov models (HMMs) was used to analyze variation in carp responses to treatments. Outcomes may inform CO2 effectiveness at preventing invasive carp movement through movement pinch-points. Methods: Carbon dioxide (CO2) was recently registered as a pesticide in the United States for use as a deterrent to invasive carp movement. As a part of a multi-component study to test a large-scale CO2 delivery system within a navigation lock, we characterized the influence of elevated CO2 and forced water circulation in the lock chamber on carp movements and behavior. Through time-to-event analyses, we described the responses of acoustic-tagged carp to experimental treatments including (1) CO2 injection in water with forced water circulation, (2) forced water circulation without CO2 and (3) no forced water circulation or CO2. We then used hidden Markov models (HMMs) to define fine-scale carp movement and evaluate the relationships between carp behavioral states and CO2 concentration, forced water circulation, and temperature. Results: Forced water circulation with and without CO2 injection were effective at expelling carp from the lock chamber relative to null treatments where no stimulus was applied. A portion of carp exposed to forced water circulation with CO2 transitioned from an exploratory to an encamped behavioral state with shorter step-lengths and a unimodal distribution in turning angles, resulting in some carp remaining in the lock chamber. Whereas carp exposed to forced water circulation only remained primarily in an exploratory behavioral state, resulting in all carp exiting the lock chamber. Conclusion: Our findings illustrate the potential of forced water circulation, alone, as a non-physical deterrent and the efficacy of CO2 injection with forced water circulation in expelling carp from a navigation lock. Results demonstrate how acoustic telemetry and HMMs in an experimental context can describe fish behavior and inform management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of temperature on interaction strengths are important for understanding and forecasting how global climate change impacts marine ecosystems; however, tracking and quantifying interactions of marine fish species are practically difficult especially under field conditions, and thus, how temperature influences their interaction strengths under field conditions remains poorly understood. We herein performed quantitative fish environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding on 550 seawater samples that were collected twice a month from 11 coastal sites for 2 years in the Boso Peninsula, Japan, and analyzed eDNA monitoring data using nonlinear time series analytical tools. We detected fish-fish interactions as information flow between eDNA time series, reconstructed interaction networks for the top 50 frequently detected species, and quantified pairwise, fluctuating interaction strengths. Although there was a large variation, water temperature influenced fish-fish interaction strengths. The impact of water temperature on interspecific interaction strengths varied among fish species, suggesting that fish species identity influences the temperature effects on interactions. For example, interaction strengths that Halichoeres tenuispinis and Microcanthus strigatus received strongly increased with water temperature, while those of Engraulis japonicus and Girella punctata decreased with water temperature. An increase in water temperature induced by global climate change may change fish interactions in a complex way, which consequently influences marine community dynamics and stability. Our research demonstrates a practical research framework to study the effects of environmental variables on interaction strengths of marine communities in nature, which would contribute to understanding and predicting natural marine ecosystem dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of recreational fishing on fish stocks was neglected for many years as it was considered minor and insignificant. Despite the increasing assessment of the impact of recreational fishing, little effort is made to effectively and systematically collect catch and effort data from recreational fishing and integrate them into official fishery statistics. The aim of this study is to provide the first empirical investigation to quantify the impact of spearfishing on coastal fish communities in the eastern Adriatic. In Croatia, continuous monitoring of spearfishing competitions started in 2005, but, in 2012, the rules for the competitions were changed, and the species and quantities per species were restricted. For the purpose of this analysis, only data collected during the seven-year period from 2005 to 2011 were used, which included a total of 46 competitions in which spearfishers fished without any limitations, as later data were not comparable. These data can provide a robust estimation of the impact of spearfishing on coastal communities. Instead of a general approach, future studies should adopt a species-specific approach. Compared to the results on the impacts of other fishing methods, the obtained results are useful for researchers, managers, and also policy makers to sustainably manage coastal ecosystems and the associated ecosystems services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adoption of individual harvesting rights, such as IQs, has substantially improved the economics of numerous fisheries around the world. Unfortunately, many developing nations cannot employ these management systems because they lack the ability to enforce them. This paper argues that in many of these fisheries, properly designed community rights-based management regimes (CFMRs) will both greatly simplify the enforcement problem and create conditions conducive to economically efficient fisheries. The key features of such a CFMR for Lake Victoria fisheries are outlined and its workings explained. The essence of the system is the allocation of strong harvesting rights, similar to IQs, to the lake's fishing communities combined with total allowable catch (TAC) limits for the entire lake. The net economic benefits of a project to design, install, and operate this CFMR are estimated. While the estimated net benefits are highly positive, they are much smaller than the attainable net economic surplus obtainable from the fishing activity only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freshwater ecosystems are under great threat from humans, among which habitat heterogeneity is the most obvious, being one of the important reasons for the decline of fish diversity. This phenomenon is particularly prominent in the Wujiang River, where the continuous rapids of the mainstream have been divided into 12 mutually isolated sections by 11 cascade hydropower reservoirs. Based on the fact that conventional survey methods are more harmful to the ecological environment, the efficient and noninvasive environmental DNA metabarcoding (eDNA) approach was used in this study to conduct an aquatic ecological survey of the 12 river sections of the mainstream of the Wujiang River. A total of 2299 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were obtained, corresponding to 97 species, including four nationally protected fish species and 12 alien species. The results indicate that the fish community structure of the Wujiang River mainstream, which was originally dominated by rheophilic fish species, has been changed. And there are differences in fish species diversity and species composition among the reservoir areas of the mainstream of the Wujiang River. The fish species in the area have gradually declined under the influence of anthropogenic factors such as terraced hydropower and overfishing. The fish populations consequently have demonstrated a tendency to be species miniaturized, and the indigenous fish are severely threatened. In addition, the fish composition monitored by the eDNA approach was found to be close to the fish composition of historical information on the Wujiang River, indicating that eDNA approach may be used as a complementary tool to conventional methods in this basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Impacts of climate change on fisheries resources and biodiversity are being increasingly reported. An increased frequency and intensity of extreme ocean climate events can be expected to affect Beibu Gulf marine ecosystems and fishery productivity. We examine Beibu Gulf fisheries resource survey data before and after ENSO events, and compare changes in fish biodiversity, dominant species, and community distributions between El Niño and La Niña events. Relationships between the abundance of dominant species and environmental variables are discussed, and how environmental changes affect fish populations are evaluated. To better understand how fish communities respond to environmental changes under extreme climate events, we examine changes in fish communities in Beibu Gulf during strong El Niño and La Niña events. Strong La Niña and El Niño events affect the composition, abundance, and distribution of fish communities in Beibu Gulf. Fish community distribution and composition change before and after La Niña and El Niño events, and dominant species within them change with stable fishing intensity. The abundance and distribution of small pelagic fish such as Japanese jack mackerel (Trachurus japonicus) and Japanese scad (Decapterus maruadsi) are the most affected. Using a generalized additive model (GAM), we explore relationships between the abundance of T. japonicus and D. maruadsi and a suite of environmental variables. The GAM results revealed that sea surface salinity and sea surface temperature best explain changes in catch per unit effort of these two species during a La Niña event; depth, sea surface temperature, and mixed layer depth during an El Niño event. The results obtained in this study will offer support for implementing more-accurate, scientific fisheries management measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]