Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Collaborative And Engaged Research To Strengthen Equity And Adaptive Governance In Co-Managed Fisheries, Gabrielle V. Hillyer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Small-scale, co-managed fisheries are found throughout the world and often represent intertwining cultures, societies, communities, economies, institutions, and governments. They face complex issues, derived from ecological and social sources. Solving these issues requires diverse expertise, often developed through engaged methodologies which can facilitate collaborative solution creation between researchers, community members, and others. In this dissertation, I demonstrate the benefits of these engaged methodologies and review how they, when coupled with anticolonial approaches to research, can create more equitable solutions to complex issues. This dissertation focuses on multiple projects within the wild clam fishery in Maine including: (1) the creation of …

An Analysis Of Dredge Efficiency For Surfclam And Ocean Quahog Commercial Dredges, Leanne Poussard

Master's Theses

Between 1997 and 2011, The National Marine Fisheries Service conducted 50 depletion experiments to estimate survey gear efficiency and stock density for Atlantic surfclam (Spisula solidissima) and ocean quahog (Arctica islandica) populations using commercial hydraulic dredges. The Patch Model was formulated to estimate gear efficiency and organism density from the data. The range of efficiencies estimated is substantial, leading to uncertainty in the application of these estimates in stock assessment. Analysis of depletion experiment simulations showed that uncertainty in the estimates of gear efficiency from depletion experiments was reduced by higher numbers of dredge tows per experiment, more tow overlap …

The Economic And Social Values Associated With Small South Dakota Lakes, Aaron Patrick Sundmark

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The valuation of small fishing lakes is a vital component in understanding the importance of fishing and of recreational resources, in general. Knowing the values associated with such lakes is essential when prioritizing management activities. The overall value of a lake as a resource for human benefit is estimated as the summation of both instrumental and non-instrumental values. Instrumental values consist of economic and utilitarian values, as well as the values that a lake provides from ecosystem services. Non-instrumental values consider what the lake is worth as a good of its own, such as aesthetic, moral, and spiritual values gained …

Fishery Interaction Modeling Of Cetacean Bycatch In The California Drift Gillnet Fishery To Inform A Dynamic Ocean Management Tool, Nicholas B. Sisson

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Understanding the drivers that lead to interaction between target species in a fishery and marine mammals is a critical aspect in efforts to reduce bycatch. In the California drift gillnet fishery static management approaches and gear changes have reduced bycatch but neither measure ascertains the underlying dynamics causing bycatch events. To avoid further potentially drastic measures such as hard caps, dynamic management approaches that consider the scales relevant to physical dynamics, animal movement and human use could be implemented. A key component to this approach is determining the factors that lead to fisheries interactions. Using 25 years (1990-2014) of National …

Conservation Limnogeology And Benthic Habitat Mapping In Central Lake Tanganyika (Tanzania), Joseph S. Lucas

Theses and Dissertations--Earth and Environmental Sciences

Small scale protected zones are valuable for helping the health and productivity of fisheries at Lake Tanganyika (East Africa). Spatial placement of protected areas relies on accurate maps of benthic habitats, consisting of detailed bathymetry data and information on lake-floor substrates. This information is unknown for most of Lake Tanganyika. Fish diversity is known to correlate with rocky substrates in ≤ 30 m water depth, which provide spawning grounds for littoral and pelagic species. These benthic habitats form important targets for protected areas, if they can be precisely located.

At the NMVA, echosounding defined the position of the 30-m isobath …

Walleye Fishery Ecology In Lake Oahe Of The Dakotas, Eli Felts

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Walleye Sander vitreus is among the most popular sport fishes in North America and is the most sought-after fish in both South Dakota and North Dakota. Lake Oahe, a large main stem Missouri River reservoir, spans state boundaries and provides one of the most popular and productive Walleye fisheries in both Dakotas. The Walleye population of Lake Oahe has experienced wide fluctuations in abundance and size structure over the last 25 years which has caused high variability in angler use and satisfaction. Much of this variation is thought to be driven by Rainbow Smelt Osmserus mordax, which are the dominant …

Interactive Effects Of Flow Regime, Climate Change, And Angler Harvest On Smallmouth Bass At The Southern Range Extent, Christopher Middaugh

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Ozark-Ouachita Interior Highlands of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri are the southern extent of native Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu range. Smallmouth Bass are an important species economically and ecologically, but it is unknown how climate change may affect them in this region and in particular how Smallmouth Bass may be affected differently across streams from various flow regimes. Here I present three projects investigating how climate change, flow regime, and angler harvest may interact to affect Smallmouth Bass over the coming century. I first modeled present and future water temperatures and calculated growth rate potential for Smallmouth Bass from streams …

Flight Of The Freshwater Fish, Michael H. Wilson

Capstones

Michael H. Wilson

Capstone Abstract

December 27, 2016

Flight of the Freshwater Fish

The Hudson River provides for millions of people as a path for commercial and private transportation, a source of food and energy, and perhaps most importantly for many living in the tri-state area as a destination for recreation and relaxation. The most overlooked feature of the river is how the wildlife shows clear signs of a changing climate and rapid environmental response to the impacts of global warming on the river.

Entire populations of fish species in the lower Hudson have been forced to leave the river …

The Elwha River Restoration: Landscape Change, Salmon, And Sense Of Place, Kelseyanne Johnson

All Master's Theses

Removal of the Elwha River dams to restore the ecosystem and salmon fisheries is the largest project of its kind in the history of the United States. Spanning decades and affecting generations, this project has changed and will continue to change the landscape. This research examined the influence of the anticipated return of salmon on 18 key stakeholders' sense of place of the Elwha River. For almost all stakeholders, changes to the Elwha landscape are welcomed as they expect that salmon will restore the ecosystem to its natural state. Narrative data revealed dominant themes in participants' sense of place expressed …

Impacts Of Irrigation Development On Anadromous Fish In The Yakima River Basin, Washington, Robert L. Tuck

All Master's Theses

Prior to Euroamerican development, the Yakima River Basin was a major producer of salmon. Total runs of approximately 800,000 have declined to 3,000-5,000, or less than 1% of original run size. Three species are extinct in the basin, including summer chinook, coho, and sockeye.

Irrigation development, including the construction of unscreened diversions, the blockage of spawning and rearing habitat by reservoir dams, and the dewatering of spawning and rearing habitat, began in the mid-1800's and today totals approximately 500,000 acres. Historical records provide a wealth of information documenting irrigation development and its consequences on anadromous fish populations.

A Comparison Of Potential Fishing Methods Associated With Fish Aggregating Devices Off The Northeast Coast Of Puerto Rico, Alan M. Friedlander

OES Theses and Dissertations

Six fish aggregating devices (FADs) were deployed in June and monitored through December 1986. Emphasis was placed on trolling, live-bait handlining and longlining.

There was a significant difference (x2 = 7.815, pCoryphaena hippurus) which made up 64.2% of the catch.

Handlining at night around inshore buoys for one boat yielded 82.7 kg per trip. Pelagic fish comprised 83.9% of the catch, with the majority (81.4%) being kingfish (Scomberomorous cavalla). Catch rates were 50% higher and the species diversity much greater on the FADs versus control during experimental nightfishing, but the difference was not significant.

Longlining resulted in 3.4 …

Cooperatives: Their Effectiveness And Limitations For Small-Scale Fisheries Development, Hiroaki Yonesaka

Theses and Major Papers

Increased experience in fisheries cooperatives of developing countries has called into question a long-held presumption about their desirability and feasibility. In this context, this study attempts to reformulate the cooperative approach for small-scale fisheries in a realistic policy framework. First, past failures of fisheries cooperatives are analyzed from three different angles: the uniqueness of the fishing industry, systems intrinsic to the cooperative, and development policy. Second, various possibilities of building viable cooperatives are explored by introducing two key concnpets: the strategic option and the operational option. On the one hand, the strategic option implies that it is imperative to integrate …

Timing Of The Blue Crab Fisheries Of Virginia And Its Application To Harvest Management, J. Dale Shively

OES Theses and Dissertations

The timing of a fishery is a quantitative expression of the composite behaviors of harvesters, markets, animals and climatic events. A quantitative description of the timing of the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) fisheries of Virginia was established using the time density model of Mundy (1979). Blue crab catch statistics supplied by the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Virginia Marine Resource Commission were divided into two fisheries based on gear type; the summer and winter fisheries. Average performance curves were then constructed using average cumulative proportions of catch. Annual yield estimates were also made and timing in five …

Food And Feeding Of Fishes From Magothy Bay, Virginia, Joseph J. Kimmel

OES Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Shellfish Resources Of Washington, Robert Grant Levens

Graduate Student Research Papers

This paper will explore the salt water shellfish resources of Washington State. Particular emphasis will be placed upon the Pacific and Olympia Oysters, the Dungeness Crab, the research being done at Quilcene, and the lesser varieties of shellfish, including shrimp and the hardshell species of clams. The latter includes the littleneck, butter, Manila, and geoduc clams. A major emphasis will be the commercial importance of the shellfish, but the sportsman and the expanding role of Washington as a summer recreation area will not be overlooked.