13,228 research outputs found
Marine protection dividend
No full textAs the NSW government considers marine management reforms, this report finds that marine parks already provide significant economic benefits, but it is too early to judge their environmental effectiveness.This short paper presents compelling evidence that: NSW marine parks are already delivering clear and demonstrable economic benefits for local communities and businesses.The protected areas must be allowed to exist for a minimum of 15 years before they can be judged as to their effectiveness.Community support for marine parks and the sanctuary zones within them, is very high around the more established reserves. NSW marine parks are all relatively young. The oldest NSW marine parks are barely 11 years old and the youngest only six. In ecological terms, these parks are still in their infancy. Yet marine parks are already providing economic dividends to local communities, by attracting significant tourism. The establishment of the Solitary Island Marine Park, for example, saw a 20% increase in local business’s turnover in the first five years. Jervis Bay Marine Park has brought an estimated $2.4 million into the region through marine tourism. “Marine parks have become essential infrastructure for regional economies. As long as investment in the parks is maintained, benefits will continue to increase over years and even decades,” said report author Caroline Hoisington. Recreational and commercial fishing also benefit from marine parks, particularly sanctuary zones, where fishing is restricted. European studies have shown that for each year a sanctuary zone is in place, the number and/or size of commercially valuable fish increased by 8 per cent compared to surrounding fished areas. Benefits flow when these fish spill over into surrounding areas. “Local community support for sanctuary zones is 80 per cent or higher, in the three marine parks where opinions have been surveyed”, Caroline said. “The numbers are no different for recreational fishers.” Recreational fishing may also see bigger and better catches immediately, as competition from commercial fishing is reduced. However, sustainable fish stock management must also take account of recreational fishing, which makes up as much as 90 per cent of the catch for some NSW species. The report recommends the NSW Government set 15 years after zoning as the earliest point for making judgments about the impacts and environmental effectiveness of marine parks. Improvements in biodiversity, biomass and resilience of fish species will continue to take place after this time. The first fifteen years is not the end of benefits from marine parks, but is just enough time to show big changes. By contrast, decisions based on short-term assessments risk being driven by emotional reactions, rather than taking a balanced view based on evidence of the dividends that will continue to flow from marine parks
Marine Mammals and Megafauna in Irish Waters - Behaviour, Distribution and Habitat Use- WP3 Biotelemetry of Marine Megafauna in Irish Waters
No full text*Work Package Leader: Simon Berrow, Irish Whale and Dolphin Group
*Project Partners: Galway Mayo Institute of Technology
*Author(s): Berrow, S.D. and O’Connor, I.
*Project Duration: 01 February 2008 to 31August 2011Biotelemetry is the transmission of information from biological organisms through the atmosphere by radio waves. It encompasses a wide range of devices that can record environmental variables while attached to an animal, such as depth, salinity and temperature, while permitting the recording and transmitting of the position of an animal, commonly referred to as tracking. A review of biotelemetry, with reference to relevant species in Ireland, is presented. Although a number of marine species have been tagged and tracked in Ireland, these studies were generally of short duration or involved small numbers of individuals. However, these studies have shown that tracking marine megafauna in Ireland can be successful and that there is great potential for biotelemetry.This project (Grant-Aid Agreement No. PBA/ME/07/005(02)) was carried out under the
Sea Change Strategy with the support of the Marine Institute and the Marine Research
Sub-Programme of the National Development Plan 2007–2013, and through funding
from the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.Funder: Marine Institut
Marine Mammals and Megafauna in Irish Waters - Behaviour, Distribution and Habitat Use- WP 2: Developing Acoustic Monitoring Techniques
No full text*Lead Partner: Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology
*Project Partners: Irish Whale and Dolphin Group
*Author(s): O’Brien, J., Beck, S., Wall, D. and Pierini, A.
*Contributors: Joanne O’Brien, Suzanne Beck, Dave Wall, Sophie Hansen, Alessandro
Pierini, Simon Berrow, Barry McGovern, Ian O’Connor and Dave
McGrath.
*Project Duration: 01 February 2008 to 31 August 2011All cetaceans and their habitats are protected under Irish and international law. The research termed Marine Mammals and Megafauna in Irish Waters – behaviour, distribution and habitat use was delivered under six Work Packages. Cetacean line transect surveys were conducted under Work Package 1 with the following goals:
1. Providing a baseline cetacean distribution and relative abundance data set for the Irish EEZ;
2. Filling spatial and temporal gaps identified in cetacean survey effort within the EEZ;
3. Preparing an Atlas of cetacean distribution and relative abundance for Irish waters;
4. Assessing the temporal use of marine habitats by cetaceans in Irish waters.This project (Grant Aid Agreement No. PBA/ME/07/005(02)) was carried out under the
Sea Change Strategy with the support of the Marine Institute and the Marine Research
Sub-Programme of the National Development Plan 2007–2013, and through funding
from the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.Funder: Marine Institut
Marine Mammals and Megafauna in Irish Waters - Behaviour, Distribution and Habitat Use- WP4 Research into Ecosystem Links and Habitat Use between Cetaceans and Fisheries in the Celtic Sea
No full text*WP Leader: Dr Ian O’Connor, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology
*Project Partners: Irish Whale and Dolphin Group
*Author(s): Hillary Healy, Cóilín Minto, Dave Wall, Ciarán O Donnell and Ian
O’Connor
*Project Duration: 01 February 2008 to 31 August 2011Visual line transect survey data for cetaceans were simultaneously collected during synoptic acoustic sampling surveys of small schooling pelagic fish, i.e. herring (Clupea harengus) and sprat (Sprattus sprattus) in the Celtic Sea, off the south coast of Ireland, from 2004 to 2009. These data were used to investigate the interactions of cetaceans with biological and environmental variables in the survey area. Geographic information systems and generalized linear and generalized additive models were used in this study.This project (Grant-Aid Agreement No.PBA/ME/07/005(02)) was carried out under the
Sea Change Strategy with the support of the Marine Institute and the Marine Research
Sub-Programme of the National Development Plan 2007–2013, and through funding
from the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.Funder: Marine Institut
Need for monitoring and maintaining sustainable marine ecosystem services
No full textAbstract
Increases in human population and their resource use have drastically intensified pressures on marine ecosystem services. The oceans have partly managed to buffer these multiple pressures, but every single area of the oceans is now affected to some degree by human activities. Chemical properties, biogeochemical cycles and food-webs have been altered with consequences for all marine living organisms. Knowledge on these pressures and associated responses mainly originate from analyses of a few long-term monitoring time series as well as spatially scattered data from various sources. Although the interpretation of these data can be improved by models, there is still a fundamental lack of information and knowledge if scientists are to predict more accurately the effects of human activities. Scientists provide expert advices to society about marine system governance, but such advices should rest on a solid base of observations. Nevertheless, many monitoring programs around the world are currently facing financial reduction. Marine ecosystem services are already overexploited in some areas and sustainable use of these services can only be devised on a solid scientific basis, which requires more observations than presently available
Human,climatic and oceanographic influences on the marine environment of Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia
No full textFile PB200200 could not be included in folder EFR1. Full data available on disc with print copy held at the University of Waikato Library.Coral reefs and marine resources are culturally, as well as economically, vital to Pohnpei, situated in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Farming and fishing are the main sources of livelihood for most Pohnpeian communities. Pohnpei has eleven Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) where nine are situated in the Pohnpei Island Lagoon and two MPAs on the outer low-lying atolls. Like many other Pacific Island countries Pohnpei is on the verge of creating more MPAs. However, the marine environment continues to be significantly threatened by human and natural influences. The recognised threats are yet to be methodically investigated.
This thesis used a combination of sediment, coral, fish, climatic, and oceanographic data, and focused on the Pohnpei Lagoon, examining a range of natural and human issues in the marine environment both at the local level (focusing on that within the Pohnpei Lagoon) and regional level (focusing on the western Pacific region).
Evidence from historical, archaeological, and modern experience has influenced various marine impacts that have altered the coastline and the marine environment of the Pohnpei Lagoon. Humans have greatly impacted on the coral diversity and fish populations in the Pohnpei Lagoon by over-fishing and contributing to accelerated sediment inputs. My study findings shows that that increased sea surface temperature (SST) caused by El Ni o events is not the only cause of coral bleaching, but also cooling of SST, and other human factors. However, when corals bleach they recover by symbiont shuffling . This is an ingenious way in which corals host one or more varieties of their zooxanthelle (Symbiodinium symbiont clades) that are more tolerant of the stress caused by increased SST and human factors.
The recognised natural climatic variability, particularly the El Ni o/Southern Oscillation (ENSO), may pose a significant threat to the Pohnpei Lagoon. El Ni o events are associated with: a change in trade winds and stronger wind gusts attributed to typhoons; lower rainfall causing drought; a decrease in SST attributed to cooling of the marine environment; increase of salinity in marine estuaries affecting development and recruitment of marine species communities; and a steep fall in sea level exposing corals to other elements. The various on-going human threats and El Ni o-like conditions have caused giant clams (Tridacna gigas) to become extinct, have endangered herbivorous fish populations, and caused coral bleaching by cooling of SST.
Although high SSTs are normally blamed for coral bleaching, the last major bleaching event in Pohnpei (2002) was likely to be due to a reduction in salinity (freshwater runoff and lower sea level), and there has been strong recovery. However, decreasing water temperatures rather than increases of SSTs may contribute to coral bleaching in the Pohnpei Lagoon and the Micronesian region. The Micronesian region appears to have suffered relatively few episodes of regional coral bleaching events. This is due to the Western Pacific Warm Pool (WPWP) where sea surface temperatures exceed 29 C but also where various feedback mechanisms limit the maximum SSTs.
The management aims of Pohnpei's MPAs are to move forward, while still respecting traditional practices. However, a lack of scientific monitoring, technical support and funding restricts our understanding of human and natural influences on the existing MPAs and the Pohnpei Lagoon. With respect to our policy makers the findings of the present research have implications on the future work in Pohnpei's marine environment and for policy makers, to make more-informed decisions before establishing new MPAs.
My key recommendations were: 1.) Integrate coral and fish monitoring during and after El Ni o events to understand El Ni o effects on the Pohnpei environment. 2.) Undertake herbivorous fish investigation into their populations inside and outside the MPAs. 3.) Do not cut down vegetation along coastline areas, as it prevents erosion 4.) Investigate Symbiodinium coral clades in Pohnpei Lagoon and the outer low-lying atolls
Exploring the linkages between poverty, marine protected area management, and the use of destructive fishing gear in Tanzania
No full textCoastal resources in Tanzania have come under increasing pressure over the past three decades, which has led to a significant decline in the biodiversity and productivity of coastal ecosystems. The livelihoods of coastal communities that directly depend on these resources are consequently under increasing threat and vulnerability. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are one tool for managing coastal and marine resources that have been increasingly used in Tanzania. Promotion of alternative income generating activities (AIGAs) is often a component of MPA management strategies to reduce fishing pressure and address poverty concerns. However, empirical evidence on whether these AIGAs are successful in reducing pressure on fisheries, or their impact on poverty, is scarce and inconclusive. This paper seeks to contribute to this debate byinvestigating the linkages between household characteristics, MPA activities, and household choice of fishing gear. The empirical analysis is based on household survey data from a sample of villages located along the coast of mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. The author finds that some aspects of poverty increase the likelihood of using destructive fishing gear. MPAs do not directly affect household choice of fishing gear. However, households participating in AIGAs are less likely to use destructive fishing gear, suggesting that MPA support to these activities in Tanzania has a positive influence on household choice of fishing gear. The author also finds the use of destructive fishing gear is associated with higher consumption levels, whereas participation in AIGAs does not significantly affect household consumption levels.Water Conservation,Environmental Economics&Policies,Fishing Industry,Wildlife Resources,Coastal and Marine Resources
Introduction to the modelling of marine ecosystems /
No full textIntroduction to the Modelling of Marine Ecosystems, Second Edition provides foundational information on the construction of chemical and biological models - from simple cases to more complex biogeochemical models and life cycle resolving model components. This step-by-step approach to increasing the complexity of the models allows readers to explore the theoretical framework and become familiar with the models even when they have limited experience in mathematical modeling. Introduction to the Modelling of Marine Ecosystems shows how biological model components can be integrated into three dim.Print version record.Front Cover; Introduction to the Modelling of Marine Ecosystems; Copyright; Contents; Preface; Chapter 1: Introduction; 1.1 Models of Marine Ecosystems; 1.2 Models from Nutrients to Fish; 1.2.1 Models of Individuals, Populations and Biomass; 1.2.2 Fisheries Models; 1.2.3 Unifying Theoretical Concept; 1.2.4 The Plan of the Book; Chapter 2: Chemical-Biological Models; 2.1 Chemical-Biological Processes; 2.1.1 Biomass Models; 2.1.2 Nutrient Limitation; 2.1.3 Recycling; 2.1.4 Zooplankton Grazing; 2.2 Simple Models; 2.2.1 Construction of a Simple NPZD Model; 2.2.2 First Model Runs.2.2.3 A Simple NPZD Model with Variable Rates2.2.4 Eutrophication Experiments; 2.2.5 Discussion; 2.3 Simple Plankton Models for the Ocean; 2.3.1 A Simple NPZ Model for the Ocean Mixed Layer; 2.3.2 NPZ and NPZD Models for the Annual Cycle of the Oceanic Mixed Layer; Chapter 3: More Complex Models; 3.1 Competition; 3.2 Several Functional Groups; 3.2.1 Succession of Phytoplankton; 3.3 N2 Fixation; 3.4 Denitrification; 3.4.1 Numerical Experiments; 3.4.1.1 Experiment 1; 3.4.1.2 Experiment 2; 3.4.1.3 Experiment 3; 3.4.2 Processes in Sediments; Chapter 4: Modelling Life Cycles of Copepods and Fish.4.1 Growth and Stage Duration4.2 Stage-Resolving Models of Copepods; 4.2.1 Population Density; 4.2.2 Stage-Resolving Population Models; 4.2.3 Population Model and Individual Growth; 4.2.4 Stage-Resolving Biomass Model; 4.3 Experimental Simulations; 4.3.1 Choice of Parameters; 4.3.1.1 Grazing Rates; 4.3.1.2 Loss Rates; 4.3.1.3 Reproduction; 4.3.1.4 Mortality and Overwintering; 4.3.2 Rearing Tanks; 4.3.3 Inclusion of Lower Trophic Levels; 4.3.4 Simulation of Biennial Cycles; 4.4 A Fish Model; 4.4.1 Formulation of the Theory; 4.4.3 Predator-Prey Interaction and Effective Growth.4.4.4 Modelling Reproduction and Mortality4.4.5 Coupling Fish and Lower Trophic Levels; 4.4.7 Discussion; Chapter 5: Physical-Biological Interaction; 5.1 Irradiance; 5.1.1 Daily, Seasonal and Annual Variation; 5.1.2 Production-Irradiance Relationship; 5.1.3 Light Limitation and Mixing Depth; 5.2 Coastal Ocean Dynamics; 5.2.1 Basic Equations; 5.2.2 Large-Scale Winds and Coastal Jets; 5.2.3 Kelvin Waves and Undercurrents; 5.2.4 The Role of Wind-Stress Curls; 5.2.5 Discussion; 5.3 Advection-Diffusion Equation; 5.3.1 Reynolds Rules; 5.3.2 Analytical Examples.5.3.3 Turbulent Diffusion in Collinear Flows5.3.3.1 Turbulent Diffusion in a Shear Flow; 5.3.3.2 Turbulent Diffusion in Eddies; 5.3.3.3 Turbulent Diffusion in Deformation Fields; 5.3.3.4 Aggregation at Convergence Lines; 5.3.4 Patchiness and Critical Scales; 5.4 Upscaling and Downscaling; 5.5 Resolution of Processes; 5.5.1 State Densities and Their Dynamics; 5.5.2 Primary Production Operator; 5.5.3 Predator-Prey Interaction; 5.5.4 Mortality Operators; 5.5.5 Model Classes; Chapter 6: Coupled Models; 6.1 Introduction; 6.2 Regional to Global Models; 6.3 Circulation Models; 6.4 Baltic Sea.Introduction to the Modelling of Marine Ecosystems, Second Edition provides foundational information on the construction of chemical and biological models - from simple cases to more complex biogeochemical models and life cycle resolving model components. This step-by-step approach to increasing the complexity of the models allows readers to explore the theoretical framework and become familiar with the models even when they have limited experience in mathematical modeling. Introduction to the Modelling of Marine Ecosystems shows how biological model components can be integrated into three dim.Includes bibliographical references and index.Elsevie
Numerical Simulation of a Marine Current Turbine in Turbulent Flow
No full textThe copyright of this thesis rests with the author and no quotation from it or information derived from it may be published without the prior written consent of the authorThe marine current turbine (MCT) is an exciting proposition for the extraction of renewable tidal and marine current power. However, the numerical prediction of the performance of the MCT is difficult due to its complex geometry, the surrounding turbulent flow and the free surface. The main purpose of this research is to develop a computational tool for the simulation of a MCT in turbulent flow and in this thesis, the author has modified a 3D Large Eddy Simulation (LES) numerical code to simulate a three blade MCT under a variety of operating conditions based on the Immersed Boundary Method (IBM) and the Conservative Level Set Method (CLS).
The interaction between the solid structure and surrounding fluid is modelled by the immersed boundary method, which the author modified to handle the complex geometrical conditions. The conservative free surface (CLS) scheme was implemented in the original Cgles code to capture the free surface effect.
A series of simulations of turbulent flow in an open channel with different slope conditions were conducted using the modified free surface code. Supercritical flow with Froude number up to 1.94 was simulated and a decrease of the integral constant in the law of the wall has been noticed which matches well with the experimental data.
Further simulations of the marine current turbine in turbulent flow have been carried out for different operating conditions and good match with experimental data was observed for all flow conditions. The effect of waves on the performance of the turbine was also investigated and it has been noticed that this existence will increase the power performance of the turbine due to the increase of free stream velocity
Effects of population density and body size on disease ecology of the European lobster in a temperate marine conservation zone
No full textMarine conservation zones (MCZs) are a form of spatial marine management, increasingly popular since the move towards ecosystem-based fisheries management. Implementation, however, is somewhat contentious and as a result of their short history, their effects are still widely unknown and understudied. Here, we investigate the population and health of the European lobster (Homarus gammarus) in the Lundy Island Marine Conservation Zone, Bristol Channel, UK. Using the fished refuge zone (RZ) as a control area, catch per unit effort was calculated for both the no-take zone (NTZ) and RZ and binomial logistic regression models were used to examine the effects of site, sex, landing size, and loss of chelae on the probability of shell disease and injury presence in individuals. Lobsters were also tested for the causative agent of gaffkaemia, Aerococcus viridans var. homari, and white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). The analysis revealed a higher lobster density and larger lobsters in the NTZ compared with the RZ. Shell disease was present in 24% of lobsters and the probability of shell disease occurrence increased notably for individuals over the minimum landing size (MLS) of 90 mm carapace length. Shell disease was also more prevalent in lobsters displaying injury, and in males. Injury was present in 33% of lobsters sampled and prevalence was higher in lobsters in the NTZ compared with the RZ, and in lobsters >MLS. Aerococcus viridans var. homari was detected in <1% of individuals, but WSSV was absent from all sampled lobsters. Overall, the study demonstrates both positive and potentially negative effects of NTZs, methods for effective non-lethal sampling of disease agents, and highlights the need for more comprehensive, long-term monitoring within highly protected MCZs, both before and after implementation
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