Digital Commons Network^™

Bridging Biological Systems With Social Behavior, Conservation, Decision Making, And Well-Being Through Hybrid Mathematical Modeling, Maggie Renee Sullens

Doctoral Dissertations

Mathematical modeling can achieve otherwise inaccessible insights into bio-logical questions. We use ODE (ordinary differential equations) and Game Theory models to demonstrate the breadth and power of these models by studying three very different biological questions, involving socio-behavioral and socio-economic systems, conservation biology, policy and decision making, and organismal homeostasis.

We adapt techniques from Susceptible-Infected-Recovered (SIR) epidemiological models to examine the mental well-being of a community facing the collapse of the industry on which it’s economically dependent. We consider the case study of a fishing community facing the extinction of its primary harvest species. Using an ODE framework with a …

Estimating The Extent Of Illegal Fishing In The Exclusive Economic Zone Of Sierra Leone, Isha Jebbeh Kpaka

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

An Exploration Of Palauan Fishing Methods And Fisheries: A Study For The Conservation Of Dugongs, Mia Glover

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The dugong (Dugong dugon) is an important marine mammal in Palau. However, current population dynamics are not well understood. This study aimed to connect scientific data with local knowledge by examining the social implications of changing fishing methods and their impact on dugong population dynamics in the face of climate change and fisheries commercialization. Through interviews with local fishers, it was found that destructive fishing methods like trawling and long lining have led to habitat loss and degradation for dugongs. These tactics, driven by economic factors, have disrupted the delicate balance between human activities and the preservation of dugong habitats, …

Connecting Social And Ecological Systems In Small-Scale Fisheries In The Philippines, Sara Eisler Marriott

Dissertations

Nearly 50% of all marine fish capture in the Philippines is from artisanal fisheries, most of which is un- or under-reported. As in many emerging nations around the world, the Philippines cannot fully address overfishing by managing only half of the catch that comes from commercial fisheries. Marine reserves are a popular governance strategy for conservation and of growing interest for fisheries management. Many marine reserves in the Philippines, however, are not considered effective. In 2014, Rare, an international NGO, implemented a community-based management program to increase the effectiveness of the marine reserves, and while it found biomass increased, there …

The Effect Of Environmental Factors On Movement Patterns And Habitat Use Of Young-Of-The-Year Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks (Sphyrna Lewini) In The Tolomato River Nursery, Matthew Bernanke

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Various shark populations on the southeastern coast of the United States experienced declines in the late 20^th century, including the scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini). Improved management strategies, implemented in the late 1990s, have helped these populations to recover, but they are still under threat from fishing pressure and habitat loss. In continuing to strive towards population recovery and conservation, it is important to identify Essential Fish Habitat, or habitats that are necessary for the spawning, feeding, breeding, or growth of marine organisms. One such habitat is that of the shark nursery habitat. Nursery habitats are those …

Tracing Atlantic Sea Scallops Using Radio Frequency Identification (Rfid) Technology, Will Shoup

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Traceable seafood can be linked back to its origin and method of catch. Improving the traceability of marine organisms involves establishing a transparent Chain of Custody (CoC) by collecting data at checkpoints throughout the supply chain, from ship to shore to store. This report explores the feasibility of integrating Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology into the United States Atlantic sea scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) fishery in order to improve traceability. This report serves as a forward-looking evaluation of RFID technology that is intended to inform interested stakeholders of its functionality and capabilities. It is not intended to serve as a management …

Policy Implications Of Managing Biodiversity And Natural Resources Across International Boundaries, Dillon Brown

Dissertations

Fisheries Management under the best of scenarios is a complex action. It requires thoughtful consideration of resources that tend to be out of sight, widely distributed, highly variable both spatially and temporally, and present dramatic variation in life history and ecology. No one management approach has been developed which can effectively incorporate all these variables. Add to this the issue of transnational boundary movements of these resources, and one discovers that this complex issue needs to be addressed by multiple entities, agencies, and nations to have any chance of success.

This research set out to discover ways in which fisheries …

Effectiveness Of Catch Documentation Schemes In Ghana’S Fisheries And Their Role In Deterring Iuu Fishing, Misornu Yaw Logo

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Implementation Of The Port State Measure Agreement (Psma) To Combat Iuu Fishing In The Philippines, Marilyn Labasan Jaal

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Global Menace Of “Abandoned, Lost Or Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear” (Aldfg): Best Practice To Manage Aldfg In Ghana’S Fisheries Sector, Linda Bana

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Examining How Ghana's Co-Management Policy Could Tackle Iuu Fishing In The Artisanal Fisheries Sector, Ambrose Yankee

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Addressing Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated (Iuu) Fishing In Cambodia: The Impact Of The Eu’S Iuu Regulation, Sorphea Sok

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Assessing The Effectiveness Of Namibian Fisheries Management For Sustainable Development : A Case Study Of Hake, Monk, And Horse Mackerel Fisheries, Suama Namulilo Mundjego

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Governance Options For High Seas Pockets Of The Western And Central Pacific: A Case Study Of High Seas Pocket 4 Or The North Fiji Basin, Lusiana Ranadi Dalituicama

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Evaluating Enforcement Of Environmental Measures To Fishing Vessels Not Covered By Solas Operating In Antarctic Waters, Manuel Alejandro Fuenzalida Lopez

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Molecular And Morphological Investigations Of Grouper (Serranidae) Biodiversity In Saudi Arabia, Mohammad Saeed Al Jazza Alqahtani

Theses and Dissertations

Chapter 1: The seas surrounding the Arabian Peninsula, which represent the northernmost portion of the Indian Ocean, are considered to have the highest aquatic biodiversity among the worlds marine regions. Seas that surround the Arabian Peninsula include the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Gulf. In aggregate, this area harbors a large number of endemic and more widespread marine species, including fishes, echinoderms, and corals.

There are unique challenges involved in grouper species identification in the Arabian region including ‘familiar’ Arabic species designations that are not standardized in the Arabic …

Finding The Best Predictors For Foot Traffic In Us Seafood Restaurants, Isabel Paige Beaulieu

Honors Theses and Capstones

COVID-19 caused state and nation-wide lockdowns, which altered human foot traffic, especially in restaurants. The seafood sector in particular suffered greatly as there was an increase in illegal fishing, it is made up of perishable goods, it is seasonal in some places, and imports and exports were slowed. Foot traffic data is useful for business owners to have to know how much to order, how many employees to schedule, etc. One issue is that the data is very expensive, hard to get, and not available until months after it is recorded. Our goal is to not only find covariates that …

Spatiotemporal Variation Of An Eastern Tropical Pacific Pelagic Community Assessed With Free-Drifting Bruvs, Tyler Stephen Plum

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Information about pelagic community diversity and ecology generally lags far behind that of coastal communities, and largely derives from fisheries data that do not reflect small and non-target species. We describe spatiotemporal vertebrate species diversity and variability over a 3,486 km² area of highly productive pelagic marine ecosystem in Pacific Panama using drifting baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS), a non-invasive fishery-independent sampling technique. We observed 26 taxa from 17 families, including 1 mammal, 3 reptile, 5 elasmobranch, and 17 teleost species. Community assemblages differed on and off the continental shelf and between wet (April – December) and dry …

Regulating Iuu Fishing In Nigeria: A Step Towards Discovering The Untapped Potentials Of Fisheries In Nigeria, Gabriel Chukwuemeka Chikelu

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Current Situation And Solutions In Vietnam's National Legislation On Fisheries Subsidies To Prevent Illegal, Unreported And Unregulated (Iuu) Fishing, Tien Hoang Nguyen

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Fisherfolk Awareness And Participation: Identifying The Barriers Of Unreported And Underreported Fishing In Guyana Small-Scale Artisanal Fishery, Randy Terry Bumbury

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Law Enforcement In Relation To Illegal Unreported And Unregulated (Iuu) Fishing In Sierra Leone, Mahmoud Papa Conteh

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Genetic Population Dynamics Of The Critically Endangered Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna Lewini) In The Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean, Sydney P. Harned

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

The scalloped hammerhead shark, Sphyrna lewini, is a Critically Endangered, migratory species known for its tendency to form large aggregations of mostly adult females, especially in the heavily-fished Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) Ocean. This species forms iconic, visually spectacular, seasonal aggregations in the northern Galápagos Islands, and it is hypothesized based on telemetry studies that pregnant females from these aggregations migrate to mainland coastal nurseries for parturition. This study investigated the population genetic dynamics of the scalloped hammerhead across most of its coastal and offshore distribution (Mexico to Ecuador) in the ETP, focusing on young-of-the-year animals sampled from nursery …

Application Of A Dna Mini-Barcoding System Based On The Mitochondrial Control Region For The Identification Of Raw And Processed Tuna Products, Jiahleen Roungchun

Food Science (MS) Theses

Accurate species identification methods are needed to combat tuna fraud, improve tuna stock regulation, and mitigate health risks associated with mislabeled tuna products. The objective of this study was to conduct a market survey of raw and processed tuna products using a DNA mini-barcoding system based on the mitochondrial control region (CR). A total of 80 samples of raw, dried, and canned tuna products were collected at the retail level for CR mini-barcoding analysis. The samples underwent DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and DNA sequencing of the 236-bp CR mini-barcode. The resulting sequences were searched against GenBank using the …

Characterization Of A Scalloped Hammerhead (Sphyrna Lewini) Nursery Habitat In Portions Of The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Bryanna N. Wargat

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) worldwide population has been in sharp decline, and they are currently listed as a globally critically endangered species by the IUCN. This warrants a need to identify and protect critical habitats for the species, such as nurseries, which promote stable populations. A section of the Tolomato River, in northeastern Florida, has shown to host large and consistent numbers of young of year scalloped hammerhead sharks. This gave cause to determine whether this portion of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) serves as a nursery habitat for the species and to understand how the …

Conservation, Sharks, And The Tragedy Of The Commons: Achieving Human-Nature Holism, Fiona Melady

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Environmental ethics originates from the idea that the relationship between humans and non-human nature should be considered morally. How we deal with environmental issues depends on our perception of human-environment relationships. Many view nature as something separate from themselves to own, use, and exploit for human benefit; others view nature as something of which humans are a part and having an intrinsic value aside from practicality or usefulness. This thesis examines human-environment relationships through anthropocentrism and ecocentrism and advocates for balancing the two perspectives. Furthermore, this thesis examines the importance of marine environmental conservation, particularly sharks, and how transitioning towards …

Life History, Biology, Fisheries, And Management For Six Lesser Known Species Of Hammerhead Sharks (Family: Sphyrnidae), Emma M. Brennan

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Historically, sharks were not considered to be of high commercial value due to low demand and modest catch rates in comparison to bony fishes. However, with recent heightened demand for shark products, their economic value has increased profoundly, which has led to overharvesting of many species. Sharks are considered as a K-selected species, which includes life history traits such as slow growth, late maturity, few offspring, and slow reproductive rates. Given the slow intrinsic rate of increased characteristic of most species of sharks, few species can support heavy fishing pressure and are vulnerable to drastic population declines as a result …

Senders, Receivers, And Spillover Dynamics: Understanding Transformative Forces Of Aquaculture In The Marine Aquarium Trade, Bryce Risley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Industry and academic conversations on aquaculture’s role in the marine aquarium trade are often centered on production advancements, biological and reproductive constraints of concerned species, and conservation deliverables and often overlook the possible socioeconomic consequences of aquaculture production. Due attention is yet to be spent on understanding broader stakeholder sentiment on aquaculture production and the toll it may have on specialized suppliers such as those in the Sri Lankan marine ornamental fishery. Utilizing a framework derived from Coupled Human and Natural Systems, research found suppling stakeholders predominantly unable to participate in aquaculture production due to various access limitations. When viewed …

Method Development For Identifying Counterfeit Cigarettes Using Environmental Pollen Analysis, Tiffany Chan

Student Theses

Cigarette counterfeiting negatively impacts government revenue and undermines tobacco control policies. Tracking geographical origins and potential trade routes of counterfeit cigarettes is important for investigation illegal trade in tobacco products. Traditional pollen extraction techniques provide clear residues of pollen trapped on tobacco leaves and used for geographical identification; however, such methods are time-consuming and utilize concentrated chemicals. This study developed a simple, fast and environmentally friendly method for extraction of pollen grains used in differentiating genuine and counterfeit cigarettes. Experimental factors that may affect pollen recovery including number of cigarettes, extraction solution, and extraction temperature, were optimized. The optimum parameters …

Labeling Compliance, Species Authentication And Net Weight Identification Of Frozen Fish Fillets Sold In Grocery Stores In Southern California, April Peterson

Food Science (MS) Theses

Proper labeling of seafood is important to prevent economic deception, promote consumer awareness, and prevent exposure of at-risk groups to certain allergens and toxins. The objective of this study was to investigate prepackaged frozen fish sold in Southern California for Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) compliance, species authentication, use of acceptable market names, net weights, and percent glaze. A total of 111 frozen fish fillets from 13 different fish categories were purchased from grocery stores in Southern California. The fish categories targeted for this study were: catfish, cod, flounder, halibut, mahi-mahi orange rough, pollock, salmon, swai, swordfish, tilapia, tuna, and …