Animal Sciences Commons^™

Bivalve Molluscs: Barometers Of Climate Change In Arctic Marine Systems, Roger Mann, Daphne M. Munroe, Eric N. Powell, Eileen E. Hoffmann, John M. Klinck

VIMS Books and Book Chapters

Bivalve mollusks store a complete history of their life in the growth lines in their valves. Through sclerochronology, in combination with isotope signatures, it is possible to reconstruct both post-recruitment growth history at the individual level and commensurate environmental records of temperature and salinity. Growth patterns are integrators of local primary productivity; spatial and temporal changes in growth illustrate commensurate patterns of food availability. Mactrid clams are long-lived, benthic dominant species found on inner continental shelves throughout the Northern Hemisphere where they variously support major fisheries (Spisula solidissima in the Mid-Atlantic Bight, Mactromeris polynyma in eastern Canada, Spisula sachalinensis …

Ecological Role Of Blue Catfish In Chesapeake Bay Communities And Implications For Management, Ryan W. Schloesser, Mary C. Fabrizio, Robert J. Latour, Greg C. Garman, Bob Greenlee, Mary Groves, James Gartland

VIMS Books and Book Chapters

Rapid increase in abundance and expanded distribution of introduced blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus populations in the Chesapeake Bay watershed have raised regional management concerns. This study uses information from multiple surveys to examine expansion of blue catfish populations and document their role in tidal river communities. Originally stocked in the James, York, and Rappahannock River systems for development of commercial and recreational fisheries, blue catfish have now been documented in adjacent rivers and have expanded their within-river distribution to oligo- and mesohaline environments. Range expansions coincided with periods of peak abundance in 1996 and 2003 and with the concurrent decline …

Six Fish And 600,000 Thirsty Folks—A Fishing Moratorium On American Shad Thwarts A Controversial Municipal Reservoir Project In Virginia, Usa, J. E. Olney, Donna M. Bilkovic, Carl Hershner, Lyle M. Varnell, Harry V. Wang, Roger L. Mann

VIMS Books and Book Chapters

Moratoria on fishing directly impact fishers, distributors and marketers of product and can have serious socio-economic implications. Moratoria can impact communities but usually populations closely linked to the banned activity. In an unprecedented example, a moratorium on fishing in Virginia has directly impacted a nonfishing citizenry by thwarting plans for a public utility. In May 2003, a panel empowered to regulate marine resources denied permission to withdraw raw water from a pristine freshwater river, the Mattaponi. The controversial action spoiled a multi-million dollar plan to establish the King William Reservoir, a water source considered essential to future growth and development …

Mycobacterial Infections In Striped Bass (Morone Saxatilis) From Delaware Bay, Christopher A. Ottinger, J. Jed Brown, Et Al, Martha Rhodes, Howard Kator, David T. Gauthier, Wolfgang K. Vogelbein

VIMS Books and Book Chapters

Much of what is known of mycobacteriosis in wild striped bass from the mid-Atlantic region of the United States is based on our observations from Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, where high infection prevalence and lesioned fish are frequently observed. Comparatively, the occurrence and severity of mycobacteriosis in striped bass from watersheds adjacent to Chesapeake Bay are relatively unknown. This study represents the first report on mycobacterial infection in striped bass harvested from two sites in Delaware Bay.

Epizootic Mycobacteriosis In Chesapeake Bay Striped Bass: What Is The Fate Of Infected Fish?, Wolfgang K. Vogelbein, John M. Hoenig, David T. Gauthier

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Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) in Chesapeake Bay, USA, are currently experiencing an epizootic of mycobacteriosis. Visceral disease prevalence in resident fish exceeds 50% and prevalence of skin ulcers can exceed 30% in some areas. Two primary hypotheses regarding emergence of this chronic bacterial disease propose that anthropogenic stressors constitute important underlying modulating factors

The Ecology Of Mycobacteria Infecting Striped Bass (Morone Saxatilis) In Chesapeake Bay: A Research Plan, Howard Kator, Martha Rhodes, David Gauthier

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The ecology of mycobacteria in estuarine and marine waters remains poorly understood. The current epizootic in Chesapeake Bay striped bass and newly described pathogens Mycobacterium shottsii and M. pseudoshottsii raise ecological questions that if answered can improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of mycobacteriosis in this fish species.

Epizootiology Of Mycobacteriosis In Chesapeake Bay Striped Bass (Morone Saxatilis): Large-Scale Field Survey, David T. Gauthier, Robert Latour, Wolfgang K. Vogelbein

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Striped bass in Virginia and Maryland waters of Chesapeake Bay are experiencing an ongoing epizootic of mycobacteriosis. Visceral disease prevalence exceeding 50% has been reported in several locations by various authors, and skin lesion prevalence exceeding 30% has been observed. The high prevalence of skin lesions observed in Chesapeake Bay striped bass is unusual and has not, to our knowledge, been reported previously in wild fishes.

Introduction: Management Of Sharks And Their Relatives (Elasmobranchii), John A. Musick

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This publication describes the scientific principles and techniques used for resource management of elasrnobranch fisheries with emphasis on the particular context of elasmobranchs. The management characteristics of these fishes are described - their common bycatch character and their biological constraints on productivity (low growth rate, late maturity and Tow fecundity). Stock assessment of elasrnobranchs is described in the context of rnanagement objectives in a wide management context. Special attention is given to accurate species identification given the prevalent aggregating of landings data across species, genera and often families in this group. Techniques and experiences for tagging elasmobranchs for population estimation …

Shark Utilization, John A. Musick

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Sharks and their relatives provide a multitude of usable products including: meat, fins, liver, skin, cartilage and jaws and teeth. Unfortunately, tens of millions of sharks taken in fisheries each year have their fins removed and their carcasses discarded overboard (Fowler and Musick, 2002). This practice, called finning, represents a considerable waste as the fins on average make up only about 5 % of the total weight of a shark (Vannuccini, 1999). Such waste is contrary to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (Article 7.2.2 (g)) which stresses the importance of avoiding …

Mortality Estimation, Colin A. Simpfendorfer, Ramon Bonfil, Robert J. Latour

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Mortality is an essential parameter in understanding the dynamics of any population and sharks are no exception. Without knowledge of how fast individuals are removed from a population it is impossible to model the population dynamics or estimate sustainable rates of exploitation or other useful management parameters.

Tagging Methods And Associated Data Analysis, Robert J. Latour

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Tagging methods have a long history of use as tools to study animal populations. Although the first attempts to mark an animal occurred sometime between 218 and 201 B.C. (a Roman officer tied a note describing plans for military action to the leg of a swallow and when the bird was released it returned to its nest, which was in close proxiD?ity to the military outpost in need of the information), it is uncertain when fish :"ere first marked (McFarlane, Wydoski and Prince, 1990). An early report published 1? The_ Comp/eat Angler in 1653 by Isaak Walton described how private …

Constraints On Sustainable Marine Fisheries In The United States: A Look At The Record, John A. Musick, Julia K. Ellis

VIMS Books and Book Chapters

The factors that may either constrain or contribute to sustainable marine fisheries were examined by reviewing and analyzing the history and current status of several U.S. fisheries. Among major factors under consideration are inherent vulnerability (vulnerability in some species is high because of low intrinsic rates of increase and/or naturally infrequent recruitment); environmental degradation (fisheries may collapse because of anthropogenic habitat destruction); availability of data (information necessary co conduce accurate stock assessments may be inadequate for some species); quality of the scientific advice (inappropriate models or scientifically inaccurate assessments may be used); and effectiveness of management decisions (managers may disregard …

Tradeable Property Rights And Overcapacity: The Case Of The Fishery, Dale Squires, Yongil Jeon, R. Quentin Grafton, James E. Kirkley

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In fisheries, overcapacity is a critical problem that reduces rents and jeopardizes the sustainability of stocks. Using data from the British Columbia (BC) halibut fishery, before and after tradeable property rights were adopted in the harvesting sector, the paper tests for the effects of private rights on capacity and capacity utilization. The results indicate that tradeable property rights can be effective, even in the short-term, at reducing capacity per vessel per day and provide incentives to help overcome the "Tragedy of the Commons".

Capacity And Capacity Utilization In Fishing Industries, James E. Kirkley, Dale Squires

VIMS Books and Book Chapters

The definition and measurement of capacity in fishing and other natural resource industries possess unique problems because of the stock-flow production technology, in which inputs are applied to the natural resource stock to produce a flow of output. In addition, there are often multiple resource stocks, corresponding to different species, with a mobile stock of capital that can exploit one or more of these stocks. In turn, this leads to three unique issues: (1) multiple stocks of capital and the resource; (2) that of aggregation or how to define the industry and resource stocks to consider; and (3), that of …

Measures Of Capacity In A Multispecies Danish Fishery, Neils Vestergaard, Dale Squires, James E. Kirkley

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Different measures of capacity utilization (CU) are applied to the Danish Gillnet fleet using the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approach. The potential capacity output is found using the output-orientated measure. The CU measures are the partial capacity utilization measure and the Ray measure (DEA measure). The average CU of the Danish Gillnet fleet was found to be between 0.85 and 0.95 depending on the measure used. Since the Danish Gillnet fleet participates in a multispecies fishery regulated by TACs (output) the excess capacity was also found for each species. The results show higher excess capacity for cod and sole than …

Capacity And Offshore Fisheries Development: The Malaysian Purse Seine Fishery, James E. Kirkley, Dale Squires, Mohammad Ferdous Alam, Ishak Haji Omar

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Many developing countries pursue offshore fisheries development strategies to increase protein supply, expand employment, earn foreign exchange, and militate the conflict between large- and small-scale fisheries over the inshore resource stocks. This study evaluates the economic success of Peninsular Malaysia's offshore fisheries development policy for the west coast purse seine fleet, finding it has largely succeeded on economic grounds

Assessing Capacity And Capacity Utilization In Fisheries When Data Are Limited, James E. Kirkley, Rolf Fare, Shawna Grosskopf, Kenneth Mcconnell, Dale E. Squires, Ivar Strand

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Excess capacity is globally recognized by resource managers as a major problem for fisheries. Yet, the concept of capacity remains vague, ill-defined, and often ambiguous. Presently, measuring capacity and capacity utilization in fisheries has become more important or of greater public concern than ever because of various national and international agreements or policies to reduce capacity in fisheries throughout the world. In this study, we propose data envelopment analysis (DEA) as one method that may be used to calculate a production-oriented measure of capacity. We conclude that although the DEA approach is limited and does not provide measures of capacity …

Hsp70 Levels In Oyster Crassostrea Virginica Exposed To Cadmium Sorbed To Algal Food And Suspended Clay Particles, Luis A. Cruz-Rodriguez, Fu-Lin E. Chu

VIMS Books and Book Chapters

No abstract provided.

Tapertails, John E. Olney

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Description, keys, habitat and distribution.

Ribbonfishes, John E. Olney

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Description, keys, habitat and distribution.

Pearlfishes, John E. Olney

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Description, keys, habitat and distribution.

Tubefishes, John E. Olney

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Description, keys, habitat and distribution.

Crestfishes, John E. Olney

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Description, keys, habitat and distribution.

Oarfishes, John E. Olney

VIMS Books and Book Chapters

Description, keys, habitat and distribution.

Proceedings Of Special Symposium, Research On Recreational Fishes And Fisheries : March 12, 1999, John E. Olney, Jack Travelstead

VIMS Books and Book Chapters

• The Saltwater Fishing License and Fisheries Management in Virginia / Jack Travelstead
• The Economic Valuation of Saltwater Angling In Virginia or Wouldn't You Rather Be Fishing? / James E. Kirkley, Nancy Bockstael, K.E. McConnell and Ivar E. Strand
• Facilities for ageing Virginia's marine catches / Jack Travelstead, Cynthia Jones and Steve Bobko
• Habitat-specific occurrence of juvenile Summer Flounder in Chesapeake Bay and the implications for conservation management / Richard Kraus and Jack Musick
• Feeding habits of large striped bass in Chesapeake Bay / John Walter and Herb Austin
• Importance of natural and restored seagrass beds in lower Chesapeake Bay as …

The Evolution Of The Chesapeake Oyster Reef System During The Holocene Epoch, William J. Hargis Jr.

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The oyster industries of Virginia and Maryland were based upon adult and juvenile oysters, and their shells, produced naturally on the reefs of the Chesapeake oyster reef system. Without those reefs the billions of bushels of live oysters and shells taken by humans could neither have been produced naturally nor harvested and the valuable social and economic activities derived therefrom would never have occurred.

The origin and development of the formerly massive, naturally self-renewing Chesapeake reef system were directly associated with the evolution of the Bay. Its destruction can be linked primarily to the increase of humans around the Bay …

Small-Scale Patterns Of Recruitment On A Constructed Intertidal Reef: The Role Of Spatial Refugia, Ian K. Bartol, Roger Mann

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Traditional oyster repletion activities have utilized a two-dimensional approach to shell (substrate) deployment to attain maximal coverage in subtidal locations with little consideration for optimal thickness of deployed shell and tidal elevation. Vertical dimensionality may play a vital role, however, in the establishment and persistence of oyster communities. Therefore, a three-dimensional oyster reef was constructed in the Piankatank River, Virginia, and settlement and mortality patterns of oysters were recorded from June of 1993 through September of 1994.

Oyster Restoration Efforts In Virginia, James Wesson, Roger L. Mann, Mark Luckenbach

VIMS Books and Book Chapters

Long-term restoration of the Virginia Oyster resource has been assisted by a series of governmental and regulatory initiatives. Following the 1990 Blue Ribbon Panel the Virginia Marine Resources Commission set as goals that the oyster resources and oyster fishery would be so managed as to achieve (a) no net loss of existing standing stock of the native oyster over the next five years, and (b) a doubling of the existing standing stock of the native oyster over the next ten years. The 1994 Chesapeake Bay Aquatic Reef Plan and Oyster Fishery Management Plan both recommended the creation of 5,000 acres …

Materials Processing By Oysters In Patches: Interactive Roles Of Current Speed And Seston Composition, Deborah A. Harsh, Mark W. Luckenbach

VIMS Books and Book Chapters

Filtration rates for oysters have typically been measure in still water laboratory experiments and ecosystem-level effects estimated by extrapolation. With the exception of in situ measures of oyster filtration by Dame (1999, Chapter 18, this volume and references cited therein) these estimates have failed to account for the effects of hydrodynamic effects on oyster filtration rates and on physical redistribution of particles. In this chapter we report on a series of experiments conducted in a recirculating seawater flume designed to address the effects of flow speed and seston composition on filtration rates in a bed of oysters. In six separate …

Use Of Dredged Material For Oyster Habitat Creation In Coastal Virginia, Walter I. Priest Iii, Janet Neslerode, Christopher W. Frye

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Dredging can have a beneficial effect on oyster habitat when the placement of the dredged material is effectively managed to help provide the bottom structure necessary to develop an oyster reef. Construction and maintenance of the Waterway on the Coast of Virginia (WCV) by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) has provided a number of examples of this process, both serendipitous and deliberate. The historical development of reefs that evolved from the random overboard placement of dredged material and the subsequent leasing of these areas for oyster cultivation is reviewed. A monitoring plan for the development of a …