Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology Commons^™

You, Me And Life In The Sea Ocg 106g, Joanna Burkhardt

Library Impact Statements

No abstract provided.

Do Halogenated Natural Products Bioaccumulate In Narragansett Bay?, Christine Gardiner, Anna Robuck, Rainer Lohmann

Senior Honors Projects

In recent decades, a new family of chemical compounds has begun to garner research attention—halogenated natural products, or HNPs. These chemicals are produced by algae, bacteria, worms, and sponges, and many are structurally similar to harmful manmade compounds, such as polychlorinated diphenyls (PCBs), or brominated flame retardants (PBDEs), which are known to cause cancer, reproduction issues, endocrine disruption, and death. While HNPs are produced naturally, they are still considered pollutants because of their bioaccumulative behavior and apparent toxicity.

Currently, there is limited research on their presence and effects, with a few studies from Europe and the Pacific highlighting their importance …

Spatial And Temporal Variation In Otolith Chemistry For Tautog (Tautoga Onitis) In Narragansett Bay And Rhode Island Coastal Ponds, Ivan Mateo, Edward G. Durbin, David A. Bengtson, Richard Kingsley, Peter K. Swart, Daisy Durant

Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Sciences Faculty Publications

The elemental composition of otoliths may provide valuable information for establishing connectivity between fish nursery grounds and adult fish populations. Concentrations of Rb, Mg, Ca, Mn, Sr, Na, K, Sr, Pb, and Ba were determined by using solution-based inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in otoliths of young-of-the year tautog (Tautoga onitis) captured in nursery areas along the Rhode Island coast during two consecutive years. Stable oxygen (δ¹⁸O) and carbon (δ¹³C) isotopic ratios in young-of-the year otoliths were also analyzed with isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Chemical signatures differed significantly among the distinct nurseries within Narragansett …

Time Post-Hatch Caloric Value Of Artemia Salina, Jessie M. Sanders

Senior Honors Projects

In aquatic animal collections, such as those in the collection of Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration’s Fish & Invertebrate department, live food is an essential part of the diet of animals that are on display, used in education, and kept in reserve for exhibits. For Mystic Aquarium’s Fish & Invertebrate department, newly hatched Artemia salina, or brine shrimp, are fed to an assortment of fishes and invertebrates, including soft corals and jellyfish. Hatch brine is an important source of fatty acids, which are essential for proper growth and development. Hatch brine starts encapsulated in a cyst form and are …

Survival Of Eastern Oysters Crassostrea Virginica From Three Lines Following Experimental Challenge With Bacterial Pathogens, Javier Gomez-Leon, Luisa Villamil, Scott A. Salger, Rachel Sallum, Antonio Remacha-Trivino, Dale F. Leavitt, Marta Gomez-Chiarri

Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Sciences Faculty Publications

Shellfish production is often affected by bacterial pathogens that cause high losses in hatcheries and nurseries. We evaluated the relative survival of larvae and juveniles of 3 Crassostrea virginica oyster lines: (1) GHP, a Rhode Island line; (2) NEHY, a line resistant to dermo and multinucleated sphere X diseases; and (3) FLOWERS, a line resistant to Roseovarius oyster disease, experimental challenge with Vibrio spp. isolates RE22 and RE101, causative agents of bacillary necrosis in Pacific oyster larvae, and the type strain of Roseovarius crassostreae, causative agent of Roseovarius oyster disease. All of the isolates were able to induce significant …

Mechanics Of Suction Generation During Feeding In Little Skates, Danielle Duquette

Senior Honors Projects

Feeding mechanisms of aquatic vertebrates has been extensively studied in the past, while that of elasmobranchs remains limited. Skates and rays are believed to have evolved from a shark ancestor, thus they represent the most derived group. All skates are dorsoventrally compressed, have a unique jaw suspension type and head skeleton and live in benthic environments. It is unknown whether these derived features of skates have altered the ancestral shark feeding mechanism. Comparing feeding mechanisms in skates and sharks may shed light on morphological transformations that have arisen after the evolutionary split of these two groups. In this study prey …

The Sedimentary Environment Below Earth’S Polar Ice Cap As A Microbial Habitat, David C. Smith, Stephanie Forschner-Dancause, David C. Rowley, Steven D'Hondt

Graduate School of Oceanography Faculty Publications

University of Rhode Island faculty participated in drilling of the polar ice cap to study microbial diversity and adaptation to subsurface life under conditions that may mimic extraterrestrial subsurface conditions.

Infectious Necrotizing Enteritis And Mortality Caused By Vibrio Carachariae In Summer Flounder Paralichthys Dentatus During Intensive Culture, Bruno Soffientino, Todd Gwaltney, David R. Nelson, Jennifer L. Specker, Michael Mauel, Marta Gomez-Chiarri

Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Sciences Faculty Publications

An epizootic causing mortality among cultured summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus occurred in summer of 1998 at a land-based facility on Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, USA. The disease, flounder infectious necrotizing enteritis (FINE), was characterized by reddening around the anal area, distended abdomens filled with opaque serosanguineous fluid, enteritis and necrosis of the posterior intestine. In extreme cases of the disease, the posterior intestine was detached from the anus and was observed coming out the vent. The intestine of individuals that recovered from the dsease ended in a blind-sac; the abdomens of these fish were distended, due to food and water …

The Evolution Of International Fisheries Management In The North Pacific Ocean And Prospects For The Future, Paul Augustus Flynn

Theses and Major Papers

The abundant resources of the North Pacific Ocean have been the subject of international disputes and negotiations through the 20th century. The management of species which range throughout this vast area, are not under the jurisdiction of a single state. That fact has required the establishment of a framework in which allocation and conservation measures can be researched and agreed upon. This has been accomplished through various multilateral and bilateral agreements. From the voluntary Japanese suspension of a directed salmon fishery off the coast of Alaska in 1938 to recently completed multilateral treaties, significant advances have been made in Pacific …

International Organizations And Tuna Management; Problems And Future Prospects, Yuh-Chen Chern

Theses and Major Papers

A large number of marine species migrate within and without national jurisdictions and a small number occur entirely outside any national jurisdiction. Thus, the species migrating through waters under the jurisdiction of coastal states to high seas beyond the jurisdiction of any single state are defined as highly migratory species (HMS). International organizations play a key role in the management of highly migratory species. Most of the international organizations concerned with HMS focus on tuna management.

Sacrificing Conservation For Pesos: An Analysis Of Select Marine Fisheries In The Political Environment Of Mexico, Sephen W. Bourgeois Jr.

Theses and Major Papers

The decline of most Mexican fisheries has occurred so rapidly that few Mexicans and Americans alike fully appreciate the loss. The major focus of this paper will examine the false impression that Mexico is engaging in marine conservation; in reality, its conservation efforts are responses to after-the-fact actions brought on by world critics and as a vehicle to pacify conservationists. The Mexican government can pass a law but lacks the resources to administer and enforce the law and subsequently manage its fisheries in an effective manner. Rather than survey the state of every fishery found in Mexican waters, this paper …

Trends In Abundance Of The Gulf Of Maine Population Of Harbor Porpoise, Paula Ann Olson

Theses and Major Papers

Hundreds of harbor porpoise die each year as bycatch in the Gulf of Maine's sink gillnet fishery. In recent years, concern has arisen whether the Gulf of Maine population of harbor porpoise can sustain this level of bycatch. It is believed that the population may have declined, or is declining as a result of the incidental moralities. This paper reviews what is known about Gulf of Maine harbor porpoise demographics and how that information is incorporated into the management of the porpoise/fishery interaction. Included in this paper is a new study on the trend of relative abundance of harbor porpoise …

Protection Of Marine Fish Habitat: Towards An Integrated Approach To Management, Andrea L. Oliver

Theses and Major Papers

This paper focuses on the problems associated with marine fish habitat protection and conservation at the federal level in the United States. The intent of the study is to provide a general overview of the issues, impacts, management problems and potential solutions. Federal statutory legislation that impacts marine fish habitat and agency authority derived from those legislative mandates are examined with a view toward promoting integrated management for marine biodiversity and overall ecosystem health. The concepts of coordinated and integrated approaches to management are discussed in the context of the present management regimes. Given the fragmented authority over the policy …

Limits To Private Aquaculture On Cape Cod, Kevin Robert Cute

Theses and Major Papers

This study examined the potential of social conflict related to private and public rights, to constrain aquaculture on Cape Cod. While the ability of social conflict to constrain aquaculture has been demonstrated in a few cases, its current potential to constrain aquaculture on Cape Cod had not been established prior to this study. This study was based on information gathered from town records and public hearings related to proposed aquaculture ventures. In addition, town officials were interviewed to obtain additional information related to cases. The finding of this study is that private riparian proprietors, and interests in shell-fishing tend to …

The Role Of The Federal Aid In Sportfish Restoration Program In Promoting State Marine Artificial Reef Development Activities, Loren Clark Evans

Theses and Major Papers

The passage of the Wallop-Breaux Amendments to the Federal Aid in Sportfish Restoration Program (FASRP), in 1984, significantly increased the funding available to states participating in the Program. Subsequently, the FASRP became the largest single source of funding for state marine artificial reef development activities. In recent years, there has been concern among program constituents that FASRP funds are not being utilized as intended. The principle question of the current research focused on how effective FASRP subsidies have been in providing meaningful benefits to state fisheries management programs. Specifically, the research focused on the application of FASRP monies in promoting …

Public Health Hazards Associated With The Consumption Of Molluscan Shellfish In The State Of Rhode Island, Jeffrey F. Nussbaum

Theses and Major Papers

The principal objective of this thesis was to descriptively and empirically assess shellfish consumption hazards in the state of Rhode Island and to evaluate the use of a shellfish hazard warning label to modify unsafe consumptive behaviors. To accomplish this task, three research problems were examined using a survey instrument. The survey instrument was a questionnaire which included both closed and open-ended questions. The survey questions were designed to identify four primary research variables; shellfish consumptive behaviors, consumer knowledge of shellfish hazards and related government advisories, perceptions of risk regarding personal shellfish consumption, and response to warning label information. The …

Management Of The Omani Abalone Haliotis Mariae: An Integrated Policy, Kadhim M. Al-Bahrani

Theses and Major Papers

The Sultanate of Oman is a small coastal nation with a maritime history, regional trade and fisheries exploitation. Among those fishery industries is Oman's coastal abalone fishery, which command the highest prices per unit of weight among the other marine living resources. This study analyzes the fishery's biological aspects, structure, socioeconomic, policies, and management practices in an attempt to provide an understanding of the prime parameters, that in turn could be utilized for sound management purposes. it also provides a description of an integrated development and management policy for the abalone fishery. Finally, it is hoped that this research will …

The National Marine Sanctuary Designation Process And Its Impact On Naval Operations, Gregory E. Bolan

Theses and Major Papers

This paper addresses the basis of potential and real conflicts derived by the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) process, as identified within and between NOAA and the United States Navy. This conflict is often exacerbated due to either a lack of communication, coordination, or both. A recent proliferation of proposed and designated marine sanctuaries in traditional Naval operating areas has complicated or hindered Naval operations (or will) to a degree where EIS derived restrictions negatively impact the Naval operations, based on (1) response readiness, and (2) increased cost of operations. Two specific conflicts are examined in a case study approach …

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Management, Jeffrey C. Fisher

Theses and Major Papers

The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and federal management under the U.S. National marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has certainly been contentious. Atlantic bluefin tuna have been managed at the international level by ICCAT for the past 25 years. NMFS is the organization responsible for implementing ICCAT recommended conservation and management measures in the United States. In an attempt to halt an apparent decline in the abundance of bluefin tuna in the western Atlantic, ICCAT has recommended strict management measures including catch quotas, minimum sizes, "no-sale" provisions, and spawning area protection since 1981. ICCAT had recommended in …

The Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council: Stewardship In Need Of Goals And Objectives, Robert Censabella

Theses and Major Papers

In the State of Rhode Island, marine fisheries are managed through the Marine Fisheries Council, a citizen-based regulatory body of nine members from either the commercial or recreational fishing industries or experienced with the conservation and management of fisheries resources. To ostensibly help this group make informed decisions, biological data and scientific advice are provided by the State Division of Fish and Wildlife. This thesis examines the decision-making process of this Council. More specifically, it provides a case study of how this body has attempted to manage the State's winter flounder stocks-an economically-valuable species which confines its life cycle mostly …

International Management Of The Western Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fishery: Is There A Need For A Cites Listing?, Jennifer Elling-Dodge

Theses and Major Papers

In the last two decades, the Atlantic bluefin tuna has been increasingly targeted by fishermen throughout the world, primarily for sale in Japan. Commercial fishermen, attempting to survive in a world of declining commercial catches, increased controls on fishing effort, and increasing competition, view the U.S. $50.00 or more per kilogram that might be obtained from bluefin as a financial bonanza. yet, the population of breeding adult bluefin in the western Atlantic (the focus of bluefin fishing, since the largest bluefin consistently occur there) has declined by an estimated 77% to 90% since the 1970's. In addition, the eastern Atlantic …

Assessing The Impact Of Amendment 2 To The Summer Flounder Fishery Management Plan: Implications Of State-By-State Quotas For Vessel Operators, Karen Ellis Greene

Theses and Major Papers

The state-by-state quota regulation contained in Amendment 2 to the Summer Flounder Fishery Management Plan became effective on January 1, 1993. The research sought to determine the implications that the state-by-state quotas have imposed on federal summer flounder permit holders. commercial fishermen were believed to have landed their summer flounder out-of-state to take advantage of more favorable possession limits in other states, and to have accrued higher costs as a result of their decisions to land out-of-state. A survey was administered to commercial fishermen in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and North Carolina, to ascertain behavioral changes, as a result of state-by-state …

North American Sea Urchin Fishery Management Strategies: Their Applicability To The Maine Green Sea Urchin Fishery, Kate Sullivan

Theses and Major Papers

The Maine green sea urchin fishery has experienced dramatic growth since its inception in 1987. Landings have increased from 1.4 million pounds in 1987 to 41.6 million pounds in 1993 (NMFS, Fisheries Statistics). The reproductive gonads, referred to as roe or 'uni' are shipped fresh from Maine to japan, where the uni is a delicacy item fetching high unit prices on the Japanese fish market. The green sea urchin from Maine, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis, is the third highest priced sea urchin product imported in Japan (Anon., 1989). Country-wide, sea urchin fisheries are one of the fastest growing fishing industries (Phu, …

The Role Played By Semisubmersible Exploratory Drilling Platforms As A Vector In Marine Biological Introductions, Sean S. Bercaw

Theses and Major Papers

Through discussion of Semisubmersible Exploratory Drilling Platforms and their role as vectors in marine biological introductions, this paper establishes a base of knowledge for future referral. Included in this project are details of semisubmersibles, their unique characteristics and operations, historical movements, past introductions, future operations, and continuing potential for invasions. The significance of semisubmersibles as biological vectors is further addressed. Three criteria will be used to assess the significance of the role of semisubmersibles in the introduction of alien species: first, what is the rate of SEDP movements over time; second, how are SEDP movements unique, and what role does …

Conflicts In Use: The Impacts Of The Oil And Gas Industry On The Herring Fishery In The North Sea, Cornelia Ann Pasche

Theses and Major Papers

The interaction of the herring (Clupea harengus) with the oil and gas industry in the North Sea is reviewed. The population crash of the herring in the early 1970's and the subsequent closing of that important fishery between 1977 and 1983 has drawn considerable attention to the influences, both biotic and abiotic, affecting the recruitment to the North Sea stock. Current accepted theory points to a change in oceanic current and the subsequent decrease in salinity in the North Sea region, resulting in a change in plankton availability for larval herring as the cause of the recruitment failure during the …

Linking Management And Markets: The Northwest Atlantic Sea Herring Industry And The Case For "Regional" Quotas, Peter Jessup Moore

Theses and Major Papers

This review and characterization of the U.S. Atlantic sea herring fishery and industry analyzes opportunities for and constraints to developing the herring resource more fully. Chapter 1 describes the herring resource, the existing fishery, and reviews current research into the international transboundary migrations of the Atlantic sea herring. Chapters 2 and 3 describe the development of the herring fishery management plan in the context of the global herring market and the management complications that arise from the transboundary migrations of the stocks. Examples of successful linkages between fisheries management and market development are described in Chapter 4 to illustrate the …

Study Of An Endangered Species Enhancement Program In Coastal Wetlands: Public Perceptions And Management Strategies, Virginia Marueen Witkowski

Theses and Major Papers

Understanding what motivates public perception and actions is important in assessing public response and forecasting the success of resource management plans. Failure of the policy makers to foresee public reaction can result in expensive delays, bad press and lengthy court battles which at best, increases the cost of implementation and at worst stops resource management projects altogether. An endangered species management program was stopped at the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge in Southern California when an animal right's organization protested the euthanizing of non-native red foxes where were decimating endangered populations of California Least terns and Clapper rails in the …

Fisheries Under The Extended Jurisdiction Of Sri Lanka, Hewawasan S.G. Fernando

Theses and Major Papers

Fishing has been an important economic activity in Sri Lanka for generations. Firstly, the fisheries sector provides employment to a substantial portion of the population particularly in the coastal area. Secondly, it provides 65 percent of animal protein consumed by the people of Sri Lanka. Thirdly, the fishing industry has proved its capabilities as an earner of foreign exchange through the export of marine product such as prawns, lobsters and other varieties. In 1977 Sri Lanka declared its 200 miles Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) under the new regime for the Law of the Sea. The government of Sri Lanka formulated …

Effects Of The Hol Chan Marine Reserve (Belize) On Associated Coral Reef Finfish Populations, Pamela Barrick Baker

Theses and Major Papers

People throughout the Caribbean depend on fishery resources for subsistence and income. Overfishing is a concern in many areas and the need for resource management is apparent. Coral reef protected areas are being used to maintain sustainable tropical reef fisheries. This research examined the effectiveness of the Hol Chan marine Reserve (HCMR), Belize, in meeting fisheries management objectives. Fishes were surveyed within the HCMR and in a comparable non-protected site to examine changes in fish community structure over time in the HCMR and between protected and non-protected sites. Results show that abundance, mean length, biomass, and species richness of commercially …

Sea-Surface Temperature Related Fisheries And Resource Markets, Jeffrey Michael Rasinski

Theses and Major Papers

This thesis addresses the potential application of sea-surface temperature (SST) data to economic resource markets. It considers the revolution in technology and the accessibility of timely, accurate SST observations for resource markets. Specifically, it addresses issues related to pelagic fisheries and the fish meal industry. The thesis presents a discussion and overview of the upwelling ecosystem of Peru and the Peruvian anchovy (Engraulis ringens) including quantitative analysis and forecasts for the fishery and fish meal prices. This analysis is used to demonstrate the commercial application and relationship between SST and related resource markets. The thesis establishes a bioeconomic statistical model …