Using Logbook Data To Determine The Immediate Mortality Of Blue Sharks (Prionace Glauca) And Tiger Sharks (Galeocerdo Cuvier) Caught In The Commercial U.S. Pelagic Longline Fishery, Derek R. Dapp, Charlie Huveneers, Terence I. Walker, John Mandelman, David Kerstetter, Richard D. Reina

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles

Commercial fisheries are recognized as one of the greatest threats to shark populations worldwide, but factors affecting the likelihood of shark mortality during fishery capture are poorly understood. We used the U.S. pelagic fishery logbook data from 1992 through 2008 to quantify the effects of several variables (fisheries regulatory periods, geographic zone, target catch, and sea surface temperature) on mortality of blue sharks (Prionace glauca) and tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier). Mortality rates and trends in both species closely matched those recorded from other sources, and therefore indicated that the data on sharks discarded dead and discarded …

Caecidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda) In Broward County, Florida, Andres S. Lester-Coll

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Caecidae is a widespread family of minute gastropod snails. Although a few species have previously been found in abundance in a few localized studies in Broward County waters, little is known about their richness, diversity, abundance and distribution in different habitats throughout local waters. This project examined species assemblages both qualitatively and quantitatively in a range of benthic habitats across Broward County. Samples were collected from five different habitat types from northern and southern Broward Country, and included two of each of the following five sites: mangrove, Intracoastal Waterway, creek, reef and rubble. Caecid specimens were removed from general samples, …

Expanding Our Understanding Of The Trade In Marine Aquarium Animals, Andrew L. Rhyne, Michael F. Tlusty, Joseph T. Szczebak, Robert J. Holmberg

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

The trade of live marine animals for home and public aquaria has grown into a major global industry. Millions of marine fishes and invertebrates are removed from coral reefs and associated habitats each year. The majority are imported into the United States, with the remainder sent to Europe, Japan, and a handful of other countries. Despite the recent growth and diversification of the aquarium trade, to date, data collection is not mandatory, and hence comprehensive information on species volume and diversity is lacking. This lack of information makes it impossible to study trade pathways. Without species-specific volume and diversity data, …

Pelagic Fish Diversity And Density On And Off Restored Oyster Reef Habitat, Danielle Mcculloch

Theses and Dissertations

The heterogeneity provided by structured habitats is important in supporting diverse and dense fish communities. The biogenic reefs created by the native Eastern Oyster, Crassostrea virginica, were once the dominant structural habitat in Chesapeake Bay, and have since declined to less than 1% of historic estimates. Conflicting results on the effects of oyster reef restoration on pelagic fish assemblages make further investigation necessary. Incorporating multiple sampling strategies may help elucidate oyster reef habitat influence on fish assemblages. This study used multi-panel gillnets, hydroacoustic technology, and day-night sampling to describe pelagic fish assemblages on and off oyster reef habitat in the …

Population Characteristics And Trophic Interactions Between Pacific Mole Crabs And Redtail Surfperch On Northern California Sandy Beaches, Michelle Lynn Succow

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

A network of marine protected areas (MPAs) was established to protect northern California coastal habitats in December 2012. Populations of two indicator species, Amphistichus rhodoterus (redtail surfperch) and Emerita analoga (pacific mole crabs) were characterized within MPAs and reference sites to provide baseline ecological information for this region. Data were gathered using a series of simple field surveys (hook and line fishing surveys for A. rhodoterus along with core and transect surveys for E. analoga). Relative abundance, lengths, and sex ratios of A. rhodoterus did not differ between MPAs and their respective reference sites, whereas condition (overall health) increased …

Beyond Zar: The Use And Abuse Of Classification Statistics For Otolith Chemistry, C. M. Jones, M. Palmers, J. J. Schaffler

OES Faculty Publications

Classification method performance was evaluated using otolith chemistry of juvenile Atlantic menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus when assumptions of data normality were met and were violated. Four methods were tested [linear discriminant function analysis (LDFA), quadratic discriminant function analysis (QDFA), random forest (RF) and artificial neural networks (ANN)] using computer simulation to determine their performance when variable-group means ranged from small to large and their performance under conditions of typical skewness to double the amount of skewness typically observed. Using the kappa index, the parametric methods performed best after applying appropriate data transformation, gaining 2% better performance with LDFA performing slightly better …

Elevated Trace Metal Content Of Prokaryotic Communities Associated With Marine Oxygen Deficient Zones, Daniel C. Ohnemus, Sara Rauschenberg, Gregory A. Cutter, Jessica N. Fitzsimmons, Robert M. Sherrell, Benjamin S. Twining

OES Faculty Publications

Little is known about the trace metal content of marine prokaryotes, in part due to their co-occurrence with more abundant particulate phases in the upper ocean, such as phytoplankton and biogenic detritus, lithogenic minerals, and authigenic Mn and Fe oxyhydroxides. We attempt to isolate these biomass signals in particulate data from the US GEOTRACES Eastern Pacific Zonal Transect (cruise GP16) in the Eastern Tropical South Pacific (ETSP), which exhibited consistent maxima in P and other bioactive trace metals, and minima in particulate Mn, in the oxygen deficient zones (ODZs) of 13 stations. Nitrite maxima and nitrate deficits indicated the presence …

A Transdisciplinary Approach To The Initial Validation Of A Single Cell Protein As An Alternative Protein Source For Use In Aquafeeds, Michael Tlusty, Andrew L. Rhyne, Joseph T. Szczebak, Bradford D. Bourque, Jennifer L. Bowen, Gary Burr, Christopher J. Marx, Lawrence Feinberg

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

The human population is growing and, globally, we must meet the challenge of increased protein needs required to feed this population. Single cell proteins (SCP), when coupled to aquaculture production, offer a means to ensure future protein needs can be met without direct competition with food for people. To demonstrate a given type of SCP has potential as a protein source for use in aquaculture feed, a number of steps need to be validated including demonstrating that the SCP is accepted by the species in question, leads to equivalent survival and growth, does not result in illness or other maladies, …

Language Learning Under Classroom Conditions During The Transition To Hybrid Instruction: A Case-Study Of Student Performance During The Implementation Of Instructional Technology, Lisbeth O. Swain, Timothy D. Swain

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles

We examined the unmanipulated performance of students under real classroom conditions in order to assess the effect of a technology-enhanced hybrid learning approach to second language, (L2) instruction on beginning and advanced Spanish language learners. This research focused on the transition period of technology implementation when the entire section of Spanish of a modern language department of a liberal arts university transitioned from traditional face-to-face instruction, to a technology-enhanced hybrid learning approach with concurrent reduction in face-to-face classroom hours. This implementation provided an opportunity to compare the performance of students prior to and during the transition to hybrid model of …

Road Salt Impact On A Stream-Dwelling Salamander, Eurycea Bislineata : A Low Threshold For Behavioral And Physiological Effects, Kelly Ann Krolik

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Road salt runoff into aquatic habitats is a major ecological issue for amphibian species due to potential toxic effects from chemicals such as hydrocarbons, de-icing agents and salts. Road salt runoff can affect different aspects of amphibian biology, such as osmotic balance, growth, reproduction, behavior, and survival. This study investigated the behavioral and physiological salinity tolerance of adult two-lined salamanders, Eurycea bislineata. Two-lined salamanders are found in small streams and rivulets and may be exposed directly to salt runoff. In laboratory behavior trials, E. bislineata showed strong aversion to increasing salinity concentrations. They spent less time in higher NaCl concentrations …

Red Snapper Distribution On Natural Habitats And Artificial Structures In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Mandy Karnauskas, John F. Walter Iii, Matthew D. Campbell, Adam G. Pollack, J. Marcus Drymon, Sean P. Powers

University Faculty and Staff Publications

In 2011, an intensive, multiple-gear, fishery-independent survey was carried out in the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) to collect comprehensive age and length information on Red Snapper Lutjanus campechanus. Based on this synoptic survey, we produced a spatial map of Red Snapper relative abundance that integrates both gear selectivity effects and ontogenetically varying habitat usage. Our methodology generated a spatial map of Red Snapper at a 10-km2 grid resolution that is consistent with existing knowledge of the species: Red Snapper occurred in relatively high abundances at depths of 50–90 m along the coasts of Texas and Louisiana and in smaller, …

Climate Science Special Report: Fourth National Climate Assessment (Nca4), Volume I

National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration: Technical Reports and Related Materials

This report is an authoritative assessment of the science of climate change, with a focus on the United States. It represents the first of two volumes of the Fourth National Climate Assessment, mandated by the Global Change Research Act of 1990.

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Writing Team

Coordinating Lead Authors

• Donald J. Wuebbles National Science Foundation and U.S. Global Change Research Program – University of Illinois
• David W. Fahey NOAA Earth System Research Lab
• Kathy A. Hibbard NASA Headquarters

Lead Authors …

Reproductive Strategy Of The Giant Electric Ray In The Southern Gulf Of California, María I. Burgos-Vázquez, Paola A. Mejía-Falla, Victor H. Cruz-Escalona, Nancy Brown-Peterson

Faculty Publications

The objective of the present study was to describe and characterize macroscopic and microscopic aspects of the reproductive biology of the Giant Electric Ray Narcine entemedor, a viviparous elasmobranch targeted by commercial fishers in Mexico. A total of 305 individual rays were captured (260 females, 45 males); all males were sexually mature. The median size at maturity for females was estimated to be 58.5 cm TL, the median size at pregnancy was 63.7 cm TL, and the median size at maternity was 66.2 cm TL. The range of ovarian follicles recorded per female was 1–69; the maximum ovarian fecundity of …

Air- Sea Interactions And Ocean Dynamics In The Southwest Tropical Indian Ocean, Jessica Maureen Burns

Theses and Dissertations

The Southwest Tropical Indian Ocean (SWTIO) features a unique, seasonal upward lift of the thermocline, which is known as the Seychelles-Chagos Thermocline Ridge (SCTR; 55°E-65°E, 5°S-12°S). It is known that a high correlation exists between the depth of the thermocline and sea surface temperature (SST; a key ingredient for tropical cyclogenesis). With a particular focus on 2012/2013, this study reveals the dynamic properties of the SCTR that play an important role in the modulation of tropical cyclones in the SWTIO. Phenomena including Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) are also well correlated to cyclogenesis through changes …

A Changing Gulf Of Maine: Investigating The Role Of Benthic Water Temperature In Determining The Timing Of Spiny Dogfish (Squalus Acanthias) Arrival And Departure In The Gulf Of Maine, Benjamin Donald Gallo

Honors Theses and Capstones

Spiny Dogfish (Squalus acanthias) is a highly migratory elasmobranch that undergoes annual migrations along the East Coast of the United States. Spiny dogfish have been studied extensively on the West Coast, but little information currently exists on the life history of this species in the Gulf of Maine (GOM). In the last few years, commercial gillnet fishermen in the GOM have been reporting unusual catch patterns while fishing offshore, perhaps indicating an increased abundance in dogfish and an extension of the length of time that dogfish occupy the GOM in a given year. Concurrent with these changes, rising …

The Biological Stress Response In Bluegill Sunfish (Lepomis Macrochirus) To Variations In Environmental Temperature And Dissolved Oxygen Content., Monique Kellman

Honors College Theses

With the predicted increase in global water temperature and acute hypoxic episodes, knowledge of the effects these stressors can have on local aquatic life is extremely valuable. This study thereby quantified the change in metabolic rate in Bluegill sunfish, in response to increased temperature and low dissolved oxygen concentration, by utilizing intermittent flow respirometry. Both maximum metabolic rate (MMR) and resting metabolic rate (RMR) were determined in response to variations in dissolved oxygen content, specifically > 95% O₂ and 40% O₂. Additionally, three temperature treatment groups were established, with temperatures of 20, 25 and 30°C in order to …

Continued Spread Of The Seagrass Halophila Stipulacea In The Caribbean: Documentation In Puerto Rico And The British Virgin Islands, Hector Ruiz, David L. Ballantine, Jorge Sabater

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The geographical spread of Halophila stipulacea in the Caribbean since its first documentation in Grenada in 2001 has been impressive, as it has since been reported from most of the Caribbean. We now document its presence in the northern Caribbean at Culebra Island and in the Atlantic at a site between Humacao and Vieques Island, Puerto Rico. We further report the seagrass from Road Harbour, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Spread of the invasive seagrass Halophila stipulacea is probably largely driven by Caribbean current patterns from its likely point of introduction in the southeast of the Caribbean basin. Continued spread into …

Luminescent Syllid (Odontosyllis Sp.) Courtship Display Densities Vary Across Marine Habitats Around South Water Caye, Belize, Mitchel Mccloskey, Joshua Scheil, Gregory J. Sandland, Gretchen A. Gerrish

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Bright—green luminescent clouds frequently occur at the surface of shallow waters of the Caribbean Sea. These clouds are produced by syllid polychaetes during courtship. Although temporal variation in the occurrence of these courtship displays has been documented throughout the diurnal and lunar cycle, other factors such as habitat type have not been well studied. In this study, we investigated how syllid courtship—display densities varied across 3 substrate types (grassbed, rubble and coral) over a 3 day period. In line with previous studies, we found that syllid courtship displays occurred over seagrass and rubble substrates; however, we also found that display …

Genetic Variability Within Seagrass Of The North West Of Western Australia: Report Of Theme 5 - Project 5.2 Prepared For The Dredging Science Node, Kathryn Mcmahon, Udhi Hernawan, Kor-Jent Van Dijk, Michelle Waycott, Ed Biffin, Richard Evans, Paul Lavery

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This study was the first of its kind to examine the patterns of genetic diversity in seagrasses in the Pilbara region of WA. Three species were assessed: Halophila ovalis (6 populations), Halodule uninervis (8 populations) andThalassia hemprichii (3 populations) at a range of spatial scales, within a meadow (centimetres−metres), among meadows at a local scale (2−60 km) and among meadows at a regional scale (up to 500 km). Due to the varied distribution of species all species across the same spatial scale and range of environments could not be sampled, so a nested approach was designed, with sites …

Growth And Spawning Dynamics Of Southern Flounder In The North-Central Gulf Of Mexico, Morgan M. Corey, Robert T. Leaf, Nancy Brown-Peterson, Mark S. Peterson, Samuel D. Clardy, David Dippold

Faculty Publications

Southern Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma is the most commonly harvested flatfish in the north-central Gulf of Mexico (GOM), yet knowledge of this species’ growth and reproduction is limited for the Mississippi region. Given the offshore spawning migrations and likely mixing between state-managed units of the GOM Southern Flounder stock, small-scale environmental influences may constitute a major driver of life history dynamics during early life residency in nearshore estuaries. Therefore, estimates of local demographic characteristics are needed for effective fishery management. Here, we describe critical life history traits of Southern Flounder, including estimation of growth rates and maturity. The three-parameter von Bertalanffy …