Factors affecting purse seine catches: an observer-based analysis

A total of 72 fi shing trips were carried out by fi shery scientists onboard a purse seiner in the Pagasitikos Gulf (Greece) in an attempt to identify factors affecting total and individual species’ catches. As trawling is completely banned in the study area, purse seining is the main fi shing method. It was found that month, water depth and fi shing area affected total and Trachurus spp. catches of the purse seine fi shery, with month and water depth alone explaining 77.8% and 6.4% respectively of the total variation of the data. Signifi cant interactions observed indicate that the fl uctuations in total catches differed by month and fi shing area as well as fi shing area and water depth. Fishing area and water depth interaction were found to affect Trachurus spp. catches signifi cantly. Results also suggested that generalized linear modelling of the purse seine catches can be used to obtain representative abundance indices by reducing the observed variability. Fishery scientists’ onboard observations alongside fi sh market recordings during the same period confi rmed that each fi sher has developed an individual decision-making fi shing process. Fisher’s trip choice behaviour was found to be modulated by several factors, such as distance of fi shing grounds from the port, market demands (both in terms of species and market prices), weather conditions, alternative fi shing strategies, previously gathered information, economic pressure and personal skills. These fi ndings are discussed in the light of the need to incorporate additional quantitative information to stock abundance estimates if improved fi sheries management scenarios are to be advanced

Factors affecting purse seine catches: an observer-based analysis

A total of 72 fi shing trips were carried out by fi shery scientists onboard a purse seiner in the Pagasitikos Gulf (Greece) in an attempt to identify factors affecting total and individual species’ catches. As trawling is completely banned in the study area, purse seining is the main fi shing method. It was found that month, water depth and fi shing area affected total and Trachurus spp. catches of the purse seine fi shery, with month and water depth alone explaining 77.8% and 6.4% respectively of the total variation of the data. Signifi cant interactions observed indicate that the fl uctuations in total catches differed by month and fi shing area as well as fi shing area and water depth. Fishing area and water depth interaction were found to affect Trachurus spp. catches signifi cantly. Results also suggested that generalized linear modelling of the purse seine catches can be used to obtain representative abundance indices by reducing the observed variability. Fishery scientists’ onboard observations alongside fi sh market recordings during the same period confi rmed that each fi sher has developed an individual decision-making fi shing process. Fisher’s trip choice behaviour was found to be modulated by several factors, such as distance of fi shing grounds from the port, market demands (both in terms of species and market prices), weather conditions, alternative fi shing strategies, previously gathered information, economic pressure and personal skills. These fi ndings are discussed in the light of the need to incorporate additional quantitative information to stock abundance estimates if improved fi sheries management scenarios are to be advanced

Estrategias de pesca y Aproximación Ecosistémica de Pesquerías en el Mediterráneo oriental

The sustainable use of aquatic living resources is the cornerstone of the ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAF). Excess fishing effort leading to the degradation of fishery resources and significant economic waste is globally recognized by resource managers as a major problem for the implementation of the EAF and European’s Union Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). Knowledge of how fishers allocate their fishing effort in space and time is essential to understand how a fishery develops. Understanding fishing strategies is also vital for predicting how a fishery might respond to proposed management changes such as effort/area restrictions and introduction of a marine protected area, and for drawing up a management policy. Random utility models were used to examine the factors affecting fishers’ behaviour in the NE Mediterranean. The probability of selecting a specific fishing rectangle was estimated using monthly purse seine data. The predictive inputs concerned both subjective behavioural and objective seasonal and technical-economic characteristics. The present study provided direct evidence of the important role that the strategic decision-making behaviour of fishers could play in understanding the way the industry will respond to changes in resource availability, market conditions and management measures under the EAF principle.El uso sostenible de los recursos vivos acuáticos es la piedra angular del enfoque ecosistémico en la gestión de pesquerías (EAF). El exceso de esfuerzo pesquero, responsable de la degradación de los recursos pesqueros y pérdidas econocómicas significativas, es generalmente reconocido por los gestores pesqueros como el principal problema para la implementación del EAF y de la Política Pesquera Común Europea (PPC). El conocimiento de la forma en la que los pescadores localizan su esfuerzo pesquero en espacio y tiempo es esencial para comprender como se desarrolla una pesquería. Entender las estrategias pesqueras es vital también para predecir como una pesquería puede responder en función de cambios de gestión propuestos como restricciones esfuerzo/área, introducción de Áreas Marinas Protegidas (MPA) y en la aplicación de la política de gestión. Para examinar los factores que afectan el comportamiento de la elección de los pescadores del Mediterráneo oriental se han utilizado Modelos de Utilidad Aleatorios (RUMs). La probabilidad de seleccionar un rectángulo específico de pesca fue estimada utilizando datos mensuales de cerqueros. Los datos predictivos de entrada incluían ambos comportamientos, tanto subjetivos como objetivos, estacionales y características técnico-económicas. El presente estudio proporciona indicios claros de la importancia que puede tener la estrategia en la toma de decisiones de los pescadores en la forma en que la industria responderá a los cambios en la disponibilidad de los recursos, condiciones del mercado y medidas de gestión basadas en el principio del EAF

Deaths of individuals aged 16-24 years in the UK after using mephedrone

Objective: Mephedrone is a stimulant drug chemically related to amphetamine, with effects similar to those of amphetamine and cocaine. This study aims to analyse fatalities following ingestion of mephedrone in the UK amongst 16-24 year olds in 2009-13, providing an update on data presented at the 2nd International Conference on Novel Psychoactive Substances. Methods: A literature search was undertaken to identify published information on pharmacology, toxicity, and fatalities associated with mephedrone. Fatalities involving mephedrone were extracted from the National Programme on Substance Abuse Deaths database, which receives information on drug-related deaths from Coroners in the UK and Islands and other data suppliers. Selection criteria: deceased aged 16-24 at time of death; mephedrone directly implicated in the cause of death and/or mentioned in the Coroner’s verdict. Results: Thirty cases met the study criteria and, when known, all were of White ethnicity, most (85%) had a history of drug use and 73% were male. Two-thirds (63%) were accidental poisonings. Mephedrone was used with other substances in most cases (87%); other substances were implicated in 60% of deaths. Conclusions: Mephedrone use can have potentially fatal consequences, especially in combination with other substances. Deaths in the 16-24 years age-group continue to occur from its use in the UK, despite it being a controlled drug. Health professionals and potential consumers should be alert to this risk.Peer reviewe

Obesity and Contraception

All sexually active youth, whether obese or normal weight, should be offered counseling regarding contraception and appropriate contraceptive methods. However, obese youth who are sexually active may be less likely than their normal weight peers to use contraceptives correctly. Methods of contraception for obese adolescents are reviewed in this discussion. Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and the contraceptive patch have higher failure rates in obese versus normal weight females, though failure rates are lower than noted with barrier contraceptives. The risk for venous thrombosis is higher in obese youth on COCs. Progestin-only pills and the levonorgestrel intrauterine system appear to be safe and effective methods in obese females. Depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate, intravaginal ring, and implants are also considered

Concepts of Contraception for Adolescents with Obesity: Pathways of Judicial Moderation

All sexually active youth, whether obese or normal weight, should be offered counseling regarding contraception and appropriate contraceptive methods. However, obese youth who are sexually active may be less likely than their normal weight peers to use contraceptives correctly. Methods of contraception for obese adolescents are reviewed in this discussion. Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and the contraceptive patch have higher failure rates in obese versus normal weight females, though failure rates are lower than noted with barrier contraceptives. The risk for venous thrombosis is higher in obese youth on COCs. Progestin-only pills and the levonorgestrel intrauterine system appear to be safe and effective methods in obese females. Depotmedroxyprogesterone acetate, intravaginal ring, and implants are also considered

Obesity and Contraception

All sexually active youth, whether obese or normal weight, should be offered counseling regarding contraception and appropriate contraceptive methods. However, obese youth who are sexually active may be less likely than their normal weight peers to use contraceptives correctly. Methods of contraception for obese adolescents are reviewed in this discussion. Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and the contraceptive patch have higher failure rates in obese versus normal weight females, though failure rates are lower than noted with barrier contraceptives. The risk for venous thrombosis is higher in obese youth on COCs. Progestin-only pills and the levonorgestrel intrauterine system appear to be safe and effective methods in obese females. Depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate, intravaginal ring, and implants are also considered

Dynamic adsorption of Rhodamine B from dilute aqueous solutions using negatively-charged membrane adsorbers

A series of polyethersulfone membranes with integrated cross-linked poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid) were synthesized using a combination of the traditional immersion precipitation process for making membranes and photopolymerization. Negative charges were introduced using AMPS as a reactive monomer. Presence of sulfonic groups was confirmed by FTIR-ATR spectra. Changes in membrane morphology as a function of AMPS concentration in the casting solution were investigated by SEM. Membrane charge was evaluated from streaming potential measurements using a specially constructed device. Dynamic adsorption of Rhodamine B was used to demonstrate effects of monomer concentration on the properties and separation performance