Search

The large-scale production and economy of French freshwater fisheries is not documented in the scientific literature. This article fills this knowledge gap by synthesizing the data collected since the post-war period, including a large part of the grey literature. France presents a wide variety of surface waters, benefiting from a reduction in pollution and a growing population with an emphasis on leisure activities and on locally sourced food products. Despite this favorable geographical, ecological and human situation, French freshwater fisheries have been in decline since the mid-1970s with a chronically negative trade balance for aquatic products. During this period, numbers of commercial fishers have decreased three-fold due to their affiliation to an agricultural status, and to their dependence on migratory species such as eel, shad and lamprey, which are all in decline. Simultaneously, numbers of anglers have also seen a slow but continuous decline, cushioned somewhat in the last 10 years thanks to the creation of sub-annual fishing cards and the expansion of the total to include the younger classes. Vestiges of a non-commercial fishery, similar to recreational subsistence fishing and employing gear such as dip nets, traps, long lines or even gillnets, have been maintained in a much reduced state around large rivers as well as in the marshes and estuaries of the Atlantic coast. In this detailed study of these different categories of fishing practices in the mid-2010s, we estimate numbers of fishers at 2 million active anglers, 4000 subsistence fishers, and 400 commercial fishers. Their catches are roughly 7600, 200 and 1200 tonnes/year, respectively, for a total of 9000 tonnes/year. The major part of the overall economic worth, estimated at 980,000 K€, is attributable to recreational fishers (anglers). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Eastern Central Atlantic Ocean is located on the west coast of the African continent and the East coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has classified the operational area into 34 fishing areas. Under the influence of the canary Current (cold current), equatorial countercurrent (warm current), and ocean trade winds, an upwelling fishing ground has been formed in the broad continental shelf area of the Eastern Central Atlantic Ocean, which is abundant in fishery resources and is a globally important fishing area. Studies have shown that the Eastern Central Atlantic Ocean has been overfished by the European Union and other countries, which damaged the fishery resources and ecosystem in this fishing area. Therefore, analyzing the composition of catches of different countries and regions in this area can objectively evaluate the situation of fishing and utilization of fishery resources in different countries and regions, and provide a strong basis for rational development and scientific management of fishery resources in this fishing area. Using the catch data of the Eastern Central Atlantic Ocean provided by FAO from 1950 to 2019, the dominance analysis was used to analyze the composition and contribution of catches and catch species in the Eastern Central Atlantic, as well as in the coastal and non-coastal countries and regions in different decades. Previous works have illustrated that the total catch in the region has been increasing since 1950. The top ten identifiable species of fish in the region during the mentioned period were Sardina pilchardus, Jack and horse mackerels nei, Sardinellas nei, Sardinella aurita, Scomber colias, Ethmalosa fimbriata, Katsuwonus pelamis, Engraulis encrasicolus, Thunnus albacares, and Sardinella maderensis accounting for 63.61% of the total catch in this fishing area. Statistics of catches by age revealed that five species including Sardina pilchardus, Sardinellas nei, Sardinella aurita, Ethmalosa fimbriata, Thunnus albacares ranked in the top ten in each decade, and Sardina pilchardus, and Ethmalosa fimbriata catch increased in each decade, and Sardina pilchardus ranked first in each decade. From 1950 to 2019, the total catch of the top ten coastal countries and regions reached 10974.80×104 t, accounting for 94.95% of the total catch of the coastal countries and regions, representing the catch level of the coastal countries and regions. The sum of the total catches of the top ten non-coastal countries and regions from 1950 to 2019 reached 6440.01×104 t accounting for 80.40% of the total catch of the non-coastal countries and regions in this fishing area, representing the catch level of non-coastal countries and regions. Dominant analysis showed that four species of Sardina pilchardus, Ethmalosa fimbriata, Sardinella aurita, and Scomber colias were dominant in this fishing area. With an average combined contribution of 52.06% in each decade, Morocco, Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon, and Nigeria contributed the maximum to the fishing, among which Morocco and Senegal contributed more than 10% in each decade. The European Union, Russia (Soviet Union), and Japan were the main contributing countries among non-coastal countries and regions with an average total contribution of 82.71% in each decade and the average total contribution of the European Union was ∼60% in each decade. The cumulative catch of the Chinese mainland in this fishing area was merely 55.71×104 t, which was less than 18% of Japan´s contribution. According to this study, the fishery resources in the Eastern Central Atlantic Ocean have been overfished or overexploited to varying degrees threatening the survival of major catch species such as Sardina pilchardus, cephalopods. In this fishing area, the European Union, Japan, and other non-coastal countries and regions had captured a sizable catch with high economic value (such as tuna). Therefore, the monitoring and management of overfishing and illegal fishing must be strengthened to accelerate the monitoring and conservation of major catch species such as sardines and cephalopods. Coastal countries and regions should formulate reasonable fishery management measures, reject unreasonable fishery assistance and fishery agreements, scientifically evaluate fishery development systems such as bottom trawling permits, and reduce the damage to demersal marine fish resources and social impacts. Non-coastal countries and regions should keep the intensity of fishing appropriately to help resource assessment and conservation of overfished fishery resources in this fishing area. Coastal countries and regions should strengthen regional cooperation, break the current situation of unbalanced development between regions, and promote the sustainable development of fishery resources in the Eastern Central Atlantic Ocean. Based on the dominance analysis, this study comprehensively analyzed the fishery resources in the Eastern Central Atlantic Ocean from the perspective of catch composition and difference in catch size of countries and regions, objectively reflected the importance of different catch species, as well as the contribution and utilization of different fishing countries and regions to the fishery resources, which provided scientific support for the sustainable utilization of fishery resources in this fishing area. It also provided a new opinion for the analysis of the utilization of fishery resources in various fishing areas around the world.

Fish play an important role in aquatic ecosystems and are the most biologically diverse group of vertebrates. Fish are distributed in various water bodies around the world. In this study, fish sampling surveys were conducted at five sampling points in the Tuanjie Reservoir in May (spring), July (summer), and September (autumn) of 2022. The electric fish collection method was used to collect fish. The species, biomass, and number of fish caught were determined to reveal the community structure characteristics and provide data for water resources and environmental protection. In total, 22 fish species belonging to 17 genera and four orders were collected. The fish community was mainly composed of Cypriniformes, followed by Siluriformes, Perciformes, and Lampetiformes. Cyprinus (cyprinus) carpio haematopterus Linnaeus, Carassius auratus gibelio (Bloch), Aristichthys nobilis, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Misgurnus mohoity (Dybowski), and Silurus asotus Linnaeus were the main Cypriniformes species, Perccottus glehni was the main Perccottus species, and Lampetra reissneri (Dybowski) was the main Lampetra species. The catch-and-catch biomass at the S1 sampling point was the least, and the catch-and-catch biomass at the S5 sampling point was the greatest. There were significant spatial and temporal pattern changes in fish community composition in the Tuanjie Reservoir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article gives a characteristic of fish catches (2018–2022) in Lake Onega – the main commercial fishery waterbody of Karelia. The official five-year statistics is evidence of the stable development of its fishery sector. Fishing is mostly conducted in the Karelian part of the lake. Decline in captures of all biological resources and predominance of smelt and vendace in the catches are noted. Actual exploitation of commercial fish during the last two years reached 68–78% of TAC and RC. In some years, this indicator even exceeded 100% for some species. Currently, biomass and commercial stocks of the main fishing species vary insignificantly.

Jatigede Reservoir is utilized as a means of fish capture. Its relatively young age influences the difficulty in obtaining information regarding the capture in Jatigede Reservoir. The lack of information concerning the participants involved in fish capture activities in Jatigede Reservvoir by the government has led to suboptimal management. One crucial piece of information in capture fisheries is the construction of fishing gear. The dominant of fishing gear in Jatigede Reservoir is gillnet. Therefore, the objective of this research is to identify the construction of fishing gear, particularly gillnets, in Jatigede Reservoir. The research was conducted in Jatigede Reservoir from August to October 2021, using a case study method. The research findings indicate that the construction of gillnets is predominantly characterized by a mesh size of 5 inches, with a body length of less than 100 meters and a body width of less than 6 meters. The upper string, float line, and sinker line are made of Polyethylene (PE) rope with a diameter of 12 millimeters. The floats used by all gillnet fishermen are plastic mineral water bottles measuring 22.5 cm in length and 5 cm in diameter. Two types of sinkers are utilized, namely stones and iron wires. The stone sinker weighs 20 kg, while the iron wire sinker has a diameter of 15-20 cm and weighs approximately 5 grams per unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the evolution of fish production from commercial fishing in the Danube River during 2015-2021 and is based on the analysis of statistical data collected by the National Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture as part of the data collection program. Production data were collected annually by authorized commercial fishermen, quantitatively and by species. During the analysed period, there is a quantitative decrease in the production of wild carp and raptors, and significant increases in catches of Asian carp species. Catches of Danube record annual fluctuations with decreasing trends in the analysed period. At the end, the causes of the catches decrease of commercial fishing are analysed and the fisheries management measures that must be taken, based on ecosystem principles, to protect and restore the declining fish populations in the Danube River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the materials collected in the course of longline fishing in the area of the Emperor Seamount Chain, new data on the occurrence, distribution, and some features of the biology and ecology of Hozukius guyotensis have been presented. It has been shown that it is a common species in the ichthyofauna of the studied area. It is observed on the peaks and in the slope area of the Nintoku, Lira, and Koko seamounts at depths of 385–1015 m; its largest catches are typical for the range of 500–700 m. In the catches, H. guyotensis was represented by individuals 32–73 cm long and weighing 0.45–5.27 kg. Presumably, the species begins to mature at a length of 44–46 cm; the main stage of its reproduction takes place in spring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to contribute to the identification of the ichthyofauna structure for the most important fish species in the Danube River, sector km 1047-1071 by quantifying the data obtained during 2021 through scientific fishing, compared to the studies carried out in 2020. The purpose of this work is also to analyze the influence of environmental factors on catches and the structure of the ichthyofauna. Compared to 2020, the appearance of the species Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Valenciennes, 1844) in catches and changes in the ratios between catches per species and fishing seasons can be noted. Both temperature and water level showed variations in correlation with total catches. Water levels and flows show a direct correlation with both the number of specimens caught and the catches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main factors predetermining the state of stocks and catches of the sturgeons (Acipenseridae) inhabiting the Sea of Azov are analyzed in a long-term aspect. Since the mid-XIX century, their catches have decreased by more than three orders of magnitude. Current stocks of Russian sturgeon Acipenser gueldenstaedtii and starry sturgeon Acipenser stellatus are less than one thousand tons. Due to the loss of conditions for natural spawning, the abundance of sturgeon populations in the Sea of Azov is determined by the state of their artificial reproduction and poaching. The possibility of restoring the commercial stocks of the sturgeons inhabiting the Sea of Azov at various levels of illegal catch and the number of released sturgeons is assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New finds of Chimaera owstoni and Hydrolagus purpurescens in the region of the Emperor Seamount Chain have been reported based on materials collected in summer 2009. Both species have proven to be rare with respect to the frequency of occurrence. Ch. owstoni was recorded only in Koko Seamount in longline catches at depths of 385–650 m. H. purpurescens was caught on the Jingu, Ojin, Lira, and Koko seamounts in the depth range of 559–1056 m. The TL of the captured individuals of Ch. owstoni was 67–84 cm and their weight was 1.04–3.38 kg; H. purpurescens was represented by larger specimens: 98–145 cm and 4.51–17.45 kg, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present data on the captures of the dark dusky rockfish Sebastes ciliatus in a 5-mile sea zone off the northern part of Bering Island (Commander Islands). Based on analysis of the literature, evidence is provided indicating that the assignment of rockfish that were found earlier in the near-surface waters off the northern Kuril Islands to the S. ciliatus–S. variabilis group was erroneous and that the findings belong to the species S. melanops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to model the welfare of fishermen's households in the coastal area of West Sumatra which is determined by the socio-cultural environment, catches and added value of 373 fishing households with fishing gear by using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) approach. The contribution of this research lies in the concept of the socio-cultural environment in improving the welfare of fishermen's households through the catch and added value that has been ignored by previous researchers. The results of the study found that the fisherman household welfare model can be achieved through strengthening added value. This study suggests to the government to increase the added value of fishery products through the added value obtained from the difference between the selling price and the cost of materials or other supplies from fishing activities, fish farming, fish handling, fish processing, and distribution in a production process. Furthermore, this study suggests to further researchers to involve the study of the physical environment such as natural conditions as a determinant of the welfare of fishermen's households. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The data on the occurrence, distribution, and some biological and ecological features of Adelosebastes latens are given for the first time based on samples collected in the region of the Hawaiian-Emperor Seamount Chain during longline fishery. This comparatively rare representative of rockfishes is registered on the slopes of Jingu, Ojin, Lira, and Koko seamounts at the depths between 512 and 1068 m. The catches include individuals 24–39 cm body length and 180–1085 g body weight at the age 15–30 years. The onset of sexual maturity is different in the males and females. We suggest that A. latens is oviparous species with internal fertilization, and eggs are released in the spring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analysis of materials from long-term studies characterizing the current state of sturgeon stocks in the Volga-Caspian fisheries basin, and the dynamics of commercial catches of beluga, sturgeon and stellate sturgeon in the XX – XXI centuries indicates that the Northern Caspian occupies the leading value in catch volumes, where more than 70 % of sturgeon fish are annually harvested. In the first half of the twentieth century sturgeon stocks were determined by the scale of natural reproduction in rivers and fishing volumes; in the second half, natural and anthropogenic factors began to intensively influence the formation of sturgeon stocks. The development of hydraulic construction on rivers, an increase in the withdrawal of freshwater runoff, a decrease in sea level to –29.0 mBS, pollution by industrial and agricultural runoff have necessitated the development of a set of measures for the reproduction, conservation and rational use of the Caspian’s aquatic biological resources. As a result of the studies, the response of the sturgeons to the changed conditions of reproduction has been determined in order to restore and increase their commercial stocks; high ecological adaptability of sturgeons to various living conditions within their range, their exceptional plasticity and pronounced intraspecific differentiation have been established. These indicators point to the possibility of creating conditions that meet the requirements for water quality for the life of sturgeons during migration and reproduction. In the course of the analysis of the obtained data, the influence of regulation of the Volga River flow on the efficiency of natural reproduction of sturgeons has been evaluated; the role of industrial sturgeon breeding in sturgeon stock formation has been shown; the abundance of juveniles in the North Caspian and adult individuals on feeding pastures of the sea has been estimated; trends in the number of sturgeon producers migrating in the Volga to spawning sites have been identified; the prospects for the restoration and rational use of sturgeons in the Volga-Caspian basin have been determined.

The article is aimed at analyzing the current status of fishing industry in Ukraine in general and Rivne region in particular, as well as determining prospects for the development of fishing industry in the coming years. The economic performance indicators of Ukrainian enterprises, which carried out fishery activities, is provided, and the enterprises of Rivne region are paid special attention. The dynamics of water resources extraction during the last ten years (2008-2018) are analyzed, which shows a significant decrease in catches in the country (almost three times). Besides, starting from 2018, changes to the list of the fishing industry regions are made. It is examined that the extraction of water bioresources in the inland water facilities during the same period has a clear upward trend, which indicates the development of fisheries, fish farming and aquaculture in the inland natural water reservoirs. The product structure of exports and imports of goods in general is analyzed; fish and crustaceans are allocated among others, and their proportion in the overall structure of exports/imports is assessed. It is recommended to increase domestic volumes of growing fish and other water living resources to reduce their imports to Ukraine. A comparative analysis of the catches of water living resources in each region of Ukraine is carried out and the proportion of each region carrying out catches is determined. The main categories of natural water reservoirs in which fish farming operates are artificial ponds, water storages, lakes; aquaculture also operates in the aquariums of industrial volumes. The available water capacities for fish farming and aquaculture development of Rivne region are covered. The powerful fishery enterprises of Rivne region are characterized and the most popular fish species bred there are provided. The main prospects of the fishing industry in the implementation of the fishing industry development strategy for the period up to 2023 are presented together with a negative scenario of the fishing industry development, if the strategy is not adopted and implemented.

In recent years, the issue of spawner harvesting has been frequently addressed by different groups of stakeholders involved in the exploitation of fish resources. The increasingly numerous angling circles, which use these resources recreationally, question the current rules of fish stocking management in Poland, and its legal and economic status has become the focus of scientists' interest. The aim of the study was to present and discuss the results of a questionnaire survey addressed to managers and owners of lake fisheries entities in order to identify the determinants of fisheries management related to spawner harvesting. Questionnaires were collected from a total of 76 entities, and concerned 1921 lakes with a total area of 174,078 ha, which accounts for more than 64% of the total area of lakes used for fishing and angling purposes in Poland. The paper presents inter alia the occupational characteristics of the respondents; their positions on the effect of spawner harvesting on lake ecosystem, environmental protection, and social factors; anglers' assessments of spawner harvesting; the actual and potential methods for regulating this harvesting; and the negative and positive effects of the introduction of a prohibition on this harvesting. The results show that the respondents under study generally do not see the need for the introduction of additional (except those already in place) regulations concerning spawner harvesting, most of them notice the adverse effects of their introduction, but they are also aware of the possible changes and their impact on management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on the long-term behavior of biological indicators and returns and catches of three species of the Pacific salmon, namely, pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha), chum salmon (O. keta), and coho salmon (O. kisutch) for two conditional periods of the end of the 20th century and beginning of the 21st century. A number of changes occurred in the structure of biological indicators during the specified periods of time. There was a synchronous decrease observed in length, body weight, and fecundity in pink salmon, chum salmon, and coho salmon by the end of the second period. Dominant age groups changed in chum salmon and coho salmon, while age of both species increased. Characteristics of the dynamics of pink salmon returns were identified for two major capture fisheries areas, Shelikhov Gulf and Taui Bay. They fluctuated in antiphase along the even- and odd-year lines at the end of the 20th century; odd-year returns were largely recorded at the beginning of the 21st century. Returns have become strong both for even- and odd-year generations since 2015. The chum and coho salmons returns are on the rise. Taui Bay is noted to have lost its commercial importance as the main harvesting area of the pink and chum salmons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Northern pike (Esox lucius L.) is of great importance to inland commercial and recreational fisheries in Poland. Thanks to northern pike's substantial size, strength, the possibility of using a variety of fishing methods and techniques and various baits, and many other values, lake anglers value this species above all others. Additionally, for over a decade, northern pike has been the most widely stocked species in Polish inland waters of lakes, rivers and dam reservoirs. The aim of this work was to analyze in detail the size and characteristics of northern pike commercial fisheries and angling catches in Polish inland waters over the long term. The analyses were based on a compilation of traditional scientific papers, primarily analyses of commercial catches, and a review of the results of more than 40 years of studies on the size of northern pike angling catches. The analysis of research material indicated a steady decrease in commercial catches of this species in the years State Fisheries Enterprises (SFE) were in operation followed by relative stability in catches over the past two decades. The paper describes the methods used to estimate angling catches, namely questionnaire and catch-return (the so-called register) research. An increasing disproportion between the sizes of pike catches made with angling and commercial fishing gear was documented. Despite the problems presented in the paper related to estimating total pike catches, the analysis revealed that anglers catch eightfold more northern pike than do commercial fishers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-term (1980−2018) data on the water temperature regime and associated synoptic processes in favorable and unfavorable years of the abundance formation and the pink salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha return to the rivers of the Sea of Japan coast in Primorskii krai have been analyzed. It is shown that low catches of Primorye pink salmon at the end of the past century were accompanied by negative temperature anomalies in the coastal waters and increasing catches during the first two decades of the new century were accompanied by positive temperatures anomalies. Pink salmon returns to rivers at the sea-water temperature 8.6−14.9°С, and values below 3.0–4.0°С are one of the reasons of redistribution of anadromous migratory flows of pink salmon in the Primorye subzone. The synoptic and hydrological situation at different intensity of pink salmon return is described using concrete examples. With a high frequency of cold air troughs typical for the first cold stage of the Far Eastern monsoon caused by the Okhotsk anticyclone, the pink salmon return was delayed and extremely high catches were recorded when the second (warm) stage of the summer monsoon strengthened due to spreading of the Hawaiian anticyclone in the Sea of Japan. The results may be used for short-term prediction of the dynamics of the Primorye pink salmon return. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of South China Fisheries Science is the property of South China Fisheries Science Editorial Department 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 beach‐seine fishery is a commercial fishing activity on the Portuguese coast, with reports dating as far back as the early 15th century. The main target species of this fishery are small pelagic fish such as Atlantic chub mackerel, Atlantic horse mackerel and sardine. To identify the best conditions for fishing the target species, catches of beach seine (2007–2017) were used and generalized linear models were applied, using a binomial and gamma distributions. The logistic model explained between 36.3% and 45.7% of the catches variability; the gamma model explained 9.1% and 46.9% of the catches variability, being month and wind direction the best covariates for the occurrence and/or abundance of the three small pelagic fishes in analysis. If the effort is directed to the days that meet the conditions found for each species (sardine: between May and October, wind NW, daytime; Atlantic horse mackerel: May, NW/NE wind, 800 m from the coastline; Atlantic chub mackerel: from July to August, NW moderate wind), a reduction in bycatch and discards can be achieved. This approach can have a positive economic and social impact, since it provides information for turning fisheries more efficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some features of the biology of European catfish Silurus glanis in the Lower Kama Reservoir (Nizhnekamsk Reservoir) are elucidated for the first time based on the materials collected in 2005–2017. The size–age structure, sex composition, and growth rate of catfish are analyzed. A trend towards an increase in catfish catches is noted, which is also currently observed in other reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fisheries simulation models are tools used for forecasting the effects of exploitation and determining the directions of managing fisheries resources. The Numerical Model of Fish Exploitation (NMFE) and its capabilities were tested on a population of common bream, Abramis brama (L.) in a dam reservoir that is exploited by commercial and recreational fisheries. Based on the designated population parameters of N0, Fij, Mi, and ei and the size and structure of the common bream population in the reservoir, the model was used to examine hypothetical simulation variants of changes in fishing intensity E1 with nets and rods, changes in fishing intensity based on actual fishing effort with nets, changes in natural mortality, changes in the size of fish caught, and the impact of this on the size of the resources. Initial catches with nets and rods were calculated. Increasing fishing effort did not translate proportionally to increased catches, and the function was curvilinear. The results of simulations that reduced the intensity of fishing with nets and decreased catch sizes concurred with data from actual catches. Simulations of changes in natural mortality had various effects on the size of catches. Reducing parameter M did not impact the level of catches, while increasing parameter M reduced the size of catches significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elasmobranchs are among the most vulnerable marine fish and the most impacted by fishing. In Mauritania, although many management and prohibition measures have been introduced, this taxonomic group continues to be caught and landed. To follow trends of catches and catch species composition by the different fishing fleets in Mauritania we used the data from the fisheries monitoring system set up by the Mauritanian Institute of Oceanographic Research and Fisheries (IMROP) collected since 2006 in the National Park of Banc d′Arguin (PNBA). These data are supplemented by the monitoring data on the artisanal, coastal, and deep-sea fisheries, and the data from the scientific demersal trawling campaigns in the Mauritanian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) that IMROP has been conducting since 1982. The results show that elasmobranch catches are highest in the artisanal and coastal fisheries, particularly in the PNBA, where several conservation measures for these species have been put in place. These results suggest that there is a need to strengthen the implementation of the shark management plan by a strict application of the prohibition of gear targeting these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Fish traps are widely used in Norwegian fjords, especially those designed for monitoring salmonid populations in the marine environment, although many other marine fish species are also captured. The composition and spatio-temporal variations of fish species captured by fish traps were monitored in five different coastal locations throughout the Romsdalsfjord region, Western Norway, from May to August during the three consecutive years (2011–2013). Twenty-three fish species were captured by traps in coastal waters, both resident and migratory fishes. The most common fish and with greater catchability were saithe (Pollachis virens) and sea trout (Salmo trutta), followed by cod (Gadus morhua), pollack (P. pollachius), herring (Clupea harengus) and mackerels (Trachurus trachurus and Scomber scombrus). However, the captured assemblage presented great spatial and seasonal variations, in terms of mean daily catch, probably associated with hydrographical conditions and migrational patterns. Information obtained in this study will help us to better understand the compositions and dynamic of coastal fish populations inhabiting Norwegian coastal waters. In addition, traps are highly recommended as a management tool for fish research (e.g. fish-tagging experiments, mark and recapture) and conservation purposes (coastal use and fisheries studies).

Abstract: Fishing tourism is growing steadily in Brazil. Artisanal fishers meeting the demand for recreational fishing are capturing live juvenile shrimp in the estuaries and selling them for live bait, preventing the recruitment of a larger contingent into the ocean. This study compares the efficiency of using lambari, Deuterodon iguape Eigenmann, as live bait with the shrimp, Penaeus schmitti Burkenroad, while fishing for common snook (Centropomus spp.), as well as to evaluate the swimming behaviour of D. iguape in different salinities. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the live baits used (P. schmitti vs D. iguape). The month, the period of the day and salinity presented differences. The size of the species did not depend on the type of bait used. There was no statistical difference in swimming behaviour, but there was a trend of increased speed and displacement in the group exposed to a salinity of 10 g/L. In conclusion, D. iguape appears as effective as P. schmitti and can be successfully used as live bait; and from an ecological point of view, it reduces the impact of fishing on juvenile shrimp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starting with 2009, Romanian Black Sea fishery catches have recorded an increasing trend. Yet, this is not the consequence of a massive restoration of fish stocks or an increase of fishing effort, but the result of shifting the target species. The invasive gastropod Rapana venosa (Valenciennes, 1846) has raised the interest of economic operators due to its low exploitation costs compared to other valuable species (turbot, for instance). At the Romanian coast, fishing for R. venosa was first performed only using divers, because this is a method which provides high selectivity of the catches and protection of habitats. Starting with 2013, beam trawls were legalized and started to be used (Order no. 1696 of 11.07.2013, Order no. 400 of 2013). After the legalization of the beam trawl, the catch increased 2.27 times compared to 2012 (from 588 t in 2012 to 1,338 tonnes in 2013), the TAC being carried out at a rate of 23.5%. Many commercial companies in the field have shifted their business towards purchasing or manufacturing this type of gear, corresponding to their vessel capacity. From the selectivity point of view, the gear used for rapa whelk fishing (beam trawl) does not retain immature specimens of R. venosa and no juvenile fish belonging to certain demersal fish species (gobies, red mullet, whiting). Yet, there is some concern on the potential effects of beam trawl on the seabed, which should be investigated in the future. Also, as a consequence of exploitation, the drop of R. venosa populations was acknowledged, which requires future research meant to determine the actual stock size and total allowable catch (TAC), aiming at underpinning the rapa whelk fisheries on a scientific background and to reconcile these economically valuable activities for coastal communities with nature conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The information provided by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) on captures of skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) in the central-east Atlantic has a number of limitations, such as gaps in the statistics for certain fleets and the level of spatiotemporal detail at which catches are reported. As a result, the quality of these data and their effectiveness for providing management advice is limited. In order to reconstruct missing spatiotemporal data of catches, the present study uses Data INterpolating Empirical Orthogonal Functions (DINEOF), a technique for missing data reconstruction, applied here for the first time to fisheries data. DINEOF is based on an Empirical Orthogonal Functions decomposition performed with a Lanczos method. DINEOF was tested with different amounts of missing data, intentionally removing values from 3.4% to 95.2% of data loss, and then compared with the same data set with no missing data. These validation analyses show that DINEOF is a reliable methodological approach of data reconstruction for the purposes of fishery management advice, even when the amount of missing data is very high.

Overall, it has been shown that production of diadromous fishes is declining within the North Atlantic basin reaching the lowest levels in recent years compared to their historic baselines. However, these decreases in abundance, ascribed to numerous factors, are species specific and might differ across each species' distributional range. Here we used recreational angling catch data for anadromous brown trout Salmo trutta in multiple Norwegian rivers having relatively high annual reported catches to elucidate its spatio-temporal patterns since the late 1960s. Rivers lacking or having very low annual catch reports for various reasons were not included. The catches have increased at a rate of ~15% per decade though trends varied geographically with larger increases at northern latitudes and decreases at more southern latitudes. Larger catches were obtained at elevated levels of runoff during summer and early autumn, and at positive NAO phase during the year preceding the catch. Additionally, higher average catch and more pronounced increasing temporal trends in catches were obtained in larger rivers with shallower slopes, respectively. Furthermore, stronger relationships with runoff occurred in steeper rivers. Other factors such as Gyrodactylosis or fish farming seemed not to have detectable signals in the overall pattern of brown trout catches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is projected to redistribute fisheries resources, resulting in tropical regions suffering decreases in seafood production. While sustainably managing marine ecosystems contributes to building climate resilience, these solutions require transformation of ocean governance. Recent studies and international initiatives suggest that conserving high seas biodiversity and fish stocks will have ecological and economic benefits; however, implications for seafood security under climate change have not been examined. Here, we apply global-scale mechanistic species distribution models to 30 major straddling fish stocks to show that transforming high seas fisheries governance could increase resilience to climate change impacts. By closing the high seas to fishing or cooperatively managing its fisheries, we project that catches in exclusive economic zones (EEZs) would likely increase by around 10% by 2050 relative to 2000 under climate change (representative concentration pathway 4.5 and 8.5), compensating for the expected losses (around −6%) from 'business-as-usual'. Specifically, high seas closure increases the resilience of fish stocks, as indicated by a mean species abundance index, by 30% in EEZs. We suggest that improving high seas fisheries governance would increase the resilience of coastal countries to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sterlet is the last regularly documented native sturgeon species in the Slovak-Hungarian stretch of the middle Danube. The current status of the species is generally unknown because there is lack of the data. There is no commercial fishing there and the only reliable data are the catches recorded by Slovak Anglers Club Union. We have used the data on the catches and the weights of all sampled sterlets between the yeas 2003 and 2014. Catches are continuously decreasing and the average height is increasing. Two hypotheses are available, the changes in angling practises to catch larger fishes or the increasing age of the population. The angling practises changed in last two decades with using larger hooks with favourite baits so there is higher probability to sample larger specimens. On the other hand, the number of sampled individuals are decreasing as well. Further research is needed to uncover the population characteristics of the sterlet in the middle Danube as well as to increase of the knowledge of spawning, feeding and wintering habitats.