The status and importance of cephalopod systematics in southern Africa

A checklist of southern African cephalopods published in 1974 listed 94 species for the region 20–45°S, 10–40°E. Just 23 years later the number of known species has doubled to an estimated 195, represented in theSouth African Museum collection by 4 252 accessioned lots (15 434 specimens, excluding many paralarvae). In 1995, cephalopods constituted the sixth most valuable fisheries resource worldwide (after shrimps and tunas). Only one subspecies, Loligo vulgaris reynaudii, is targeted in South Africa at present, but it is important commercially because of the high prices it commands internationally. A number of other species constitute alternate resources of potential commercial interest, including at least 12 sepiids, 7 loliginids, 6 ommastrephids and 9 octopods. Cephalopods are also important in the trophic relations of marine fish, birds and mammals. Knowledge of the southern African cephalopod fauna is important not only for regional biodiversity studies but also from a wider perspective. The region is strategically placed between the Atlantic, Indian and Southern oceans and the faunal composition is complex. The southern African cephalopods include about 20–30% of the known world cephalopod species. Resolution of taxonomic problems in the southern African context goes a long way towards global resolution, particularly among the oceanic species. The size and complexity of the South African Museum’scephalopod collection prompted the holding of a systematics workshop to produce a guide to southern African cephalopods. This paper provided a basis for that Biodiversity Workshop. A provisional checklist for the region is provided, species constituting a potential resource for either artisanal or larger fisheries are identified and unresolved problems in the systematics (including an undescribed genus and at least 12, but probably more than 20, new species) are indicated

Modificação do modelo original da zona agroecológica da FAO e aplicação na análise da eficiência produtiva da palma forrageira no estado da Bahia: 1ª aproximação.

O modelo da Zona Agroecológica (ZAE) da FAO foi elaborado para plantas tipo C3 e C4, e até então não foi aplicado para plantas MAC (Metabolismo Ácido das Crassuláceas). O desempenho do modelo ZAE foi testado, no presente estudo, na estimativa da produtividade da palma forrageira no estado da Bahia. O modelo foi parametrizado por meio de dados experimentais. Duas modificações do modelo foram efetuadas: a primeira pela alteração do cálculo do CIAC - coeficiente de correção do índice de área do cladódio e a segunda do CR - coeficiente de correção da respiração. Avaliou-se o uso das funções de plantas C3 de inverno, C3 de verão e C4 na estimativa da produtividade bruta, em conjunto com e sem a modificação dos parâmetros CIAC e CR. A partir do modelo calibrado, estimou-se a quebra da produtividade e eficiência produtiva da palma no Estado. O modelo original ZAE apresentou baixo desempenho na simulação da produtividade da palma. A modificação do CIAC e a adoção das funções de plantas C3 de inverno promoveram os melhores resultados na estimativa da produtividade. Os municípios situados no Centro e Centro Sul da Bahia apresentam as maiores eficiência produtiva (> 6 kg MS m-3)

Stuck and Exploited. Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Italy Between Exclusion, Discrimination and Struggles

This volume analyses exclusion processes, segregation dynamics and the forms of discrimination of refugees and asylum seekers in Italy, where the reception system is marked by opaqueness and arbitrariness and is becoming increasingly similar to the model of “camps”. The numerous vibrant contributions present a fully-fledged system of inferiorization, characterised by labour exploitation, housing discomfort, meagre rights and control strategies, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to a sharp worsening of the health, work, housing and administrative conditions. A framework that has found opposition in the daily resistance and in the struggles of asylum seekers

Globalization of Law Enforcement - A Study of Transnational Public-Private Partnerships Against Intellectual Property Crimes

This study explores the issue area of globalization of law enforcement at the example of transnational public-private partnerships (PPPs) against intellectual property (IP) crimes. It provides a comprehensive survey of all such PPPs that involve a global public international organization (IOs). The study covers the PPP activities of Interpol, of the World Customs Organization (WCO), of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and of the World Health Organization (WHO). As the term PPP is used in very different ways in the literature and as no existing definition appeared suitable to define all PPPs in this comprehensive survey, a new definition and typology of PPPs is developed and applied in this study. Based on the analysis of each case and their comparison, this study inductively develops theory that explains the studied PPP activities. This theory consists of three hypotheses, which concern (A) the formation, (B) the type, and (C) the continuation or change of transnational PPPs against IP crimes. These three hypotheses are based on different configurations of five influencing factors. Those are (1) cooperation in the pursuit of resource gains, (2) common ground, (3) the PPP management, (4) the representation of stakeholders, and (5) the PPP policy

The future of cephalopod populations, fisheries, culture, and research in Europe

International audienc

Cephalopod biology and fisheries in Europe

Over the past two decades, cephalopod molluscs have attracted increased attention from marine biologists and fishery scientists. Several species are important for European fisheries, as targets of small‐scale coastal fisheries and/or as bycatch in multispecies fisheries for demersal fish. The present report draws on a series of reviews prepared in 2005 for the CEPHSTOCK project (see Section 1). The taxonomy of the main resource species is reviewed (Section 2), and brief descriptions of each species are provided, along with information from studies of population genetics, habitat requirements of paralarvae and adults, and health and ecotoxicology (Section 3). The main fisheries are described, including illustration of gears used in specialized small‐scale fisheries and a discussion of the socio‐economic importance of the fisheries. The current status of cephalopod aquaculture is reviewed, highlighting notable advances in commercial culture of octopus and cuttlefish (Section 4). Current fishery data collection and fishery management are described, noting that there is no setting of landings quotas and no routine assessment of stock status. Options for stock assessment are discussed, drawing on one‐off assessments made during specific projects and current practice elsewhere in the world. The “live fast, die young” lifehistory strategies of cephalopods present particular challenges, but parallels can be drawn with short‐lived fish (Section 5). Finally, the report looks to the future, reviewing possible effects of climate change on cephalopods. It discusses the future development of aquaculture and fisheries for cephalopods, including prospects for fishery forecasting and fishery management – especially in relation to the small‐scale directed fisheries. Various knowledge gaps are identified, and ideas for research to fill these gaps are presented