Growth of long-finned squid, Loligo peali, in the northwest Atlantic

The application of statolith ageing techniques to long-fined squid, Loligo pealei, suggests that this species has a life span of less than one year and grows more rapidly than preiously thought. In this study we provide direct estimates of growth for long-finned squid in the northwest Atlantic based on a data set of 353 animals aged by counting putative daily statolith increments. We examine empirical patterns in length and weigth at age and estimate parameters of a general growth model. The results indicate that growth rate increases rapidly as squid age and that growth in length and weight is expotential. Although there is substantial heterogeity in L. pealei size at age, sexual dimorphism is evident: males grow more rapidly than do females and achieve lager sizes. Back-calculated hatching dates show that L. pealei spawning is not restricted to spring through late-autumn, as previously supposed, but occurs durin winter months as well. Differences between growth rates of squid hatched during June-October and November-May are suggested and lend support to the hypothesis that growth can be influened by seasonal environmental condititions. We discuss the practical impilcations of our findings for the assessment and management of the long-finned squid stock in the northwest Atlantic

Vertical Zoning in Marine Protected Areas: Ecological Considerations for Balancing Pelagic Fishing with Conservation of Benthic Communities

Marine protected areas (MPAs), ideally, manage human uses that threaten ecosystems, or components of ecosystems. During several recent MPA designation processes, concerns have arisen over the scientific justification for no-take MPAs, particularly those that restrict recreational fishing for pelagic species. An important question is: under what conditions might recreational pelagic fishing be compatible with the conservation goals of an MPA that is primarily focused on benthic Communities? In 2005, an expert workshop of fisheries biologists, marine ecologists, MPA managers, and recreational fishermen was convened by NOAAs National MPA Center to evaluate the limited empirical data on benthic-pelagic coupling and to help provide practical advice on this topic. The participants (i) proposed a preliminary conceptual framework for addressing vertical zoning, (ii) developed preliminary guidelines to consider when evaluating whether to allow or restrict pelagic fishing in an MPA, and (iii) identified future research priorities for understanding benthic-pelagic Coupling. A Suite of ecological conditions where recreational pelagic fishing may not be compatible with benthic conservation were identified: (1) high relief habitats, (2) depths shallower than 50-100 m (depending upon the specific location), (3) major topographic and oceanographic features, and (4) spawning areas. Similarly, pelagic fishing is not likely to affect benthic communities adversely in many circumstances. Until further scientific study can shed more light on the issue of how benthic-pelagic linkages affect specific conservation targets, the proposed framework in this manuscript provides practical, easily-applied guidance for using vertical zoning to manage fishing in multiple use MPAs that focus on benthic conservation.Areas Marinas Protegidas (AMP) idealmente, administran el uso humano que amenaza los ecosistemas o sus componentes. Durante el actual proceso de declaracion de AMP, han surgido algunas preocupaciones acerca de la justificacion cientifica para establecer areas de no pesca, particularmente aquellas que restringen la pesca recreativa de especies pelagicas. Una pregunta importante es QQQ ?bajo que condiciones la pesca pelagica recreativa es compatible con los objetivos de conservacion de un AMP que se enfoca principalmente en comunidades bentonicas? En 2005, un taller de expertos en biologia pesquera, ecologfa marina, manejo de AMP y Pescadores recreativos fue convocado por el Centra Nacional de AMP de la NOAA para evaluar los pocos datos empiricos del acoplamiento entre los sistemas pelagico y bentonico, y ofrecer asesoria practica sobre el tema. Los participantes (i) propusieron un marco conceptual preliminar para abordar el tema de la zonacion vertical, (ii) desarrollar directrices preliminares para que cuando se haga una evaluation si se permite o restringe la pesca pelagica dentro de la AMP, y (iii) identificar futuras lineas de investigation para comprender mejor el acoplamiento entre el bentos y el sistema pelagico. Se identifico una serie de condiciones ecologicas en las que la pesca recreativa pelagica puede no ser compatible con la conservacion del bentos: (1) habitat de alto relieve, (2) profundidades menores a 50 m-100 m (dependiendo de la zona), (3) caracteristicas oceanograficas y topograficas sobresalientes, y (4) areas de desove. De igual forma, bajo varias circunstancias, la pesca pelagica puede no afectar las comunidades bentonicas. Hasta que los estudios cientificos brinden mas information acerca de como las relaciones entre el bentos y el ambiente pelagico afectan los objetivos especificos de la conservacion, el contexto propuesto en este trabajo provee una guia practica y de facil aplicacion para utilizar la zonacion vertical en el manejo pesquero en varios aspectos de las AMP que se enfocan en la conservacion del bentos.Keywords: Trophic level, Marine protected areas, Pelagic fisheries, Conservatio

Diel Variations in Survey Catch Rates and Survey Catchability of Spiny Dogfish and their Pelagic Prey in the Northeast US Continental Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem

This study examines the potential uncertainty in survey biomass estimates of Spiny Dogfish Squalus acanthias in the Northeast U.S. Continental Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem (NES LME). Diel catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) estimates are examined from the Northeast Fisheries Science Center bottom trawl surveys conducted during autumn (1963-2009) and spring (1968-2009). Influential environmental variables on survey catchability are identified for Spiny Dogfish life history stages and five pelagic prey species: Butterfish Peprilus triacanthus, Atlantic Herring Clupea harengus, shortfin squid Illex spp., longfin squid Doryteuthis spp., and Atlantic Mackerel Scomber scombrus. Daytime survey catchability was significantly higher than nighttime catchability for most species during autumn and for mature male Spiny Dogfish, shortfin squid, and longfin squid during spring in the NES LME. For most stages and species examined, breakpoint analyses identified significant increases in CPUE in the morning, peak CPUE during the day, and significant declines in CPUE in the late afternoon. Seasonal probabilities of daytime catch were largely driven by solar zenith angle for most species, with stronger trends identified during autumn. Unadjusted CPUE estimates appear to overestimate absolute abundance, with adjustments resulting in reductions in absolute abundance ranging from 41% for Spiny Dogfish to 91% for shortfin and longfin squids. These findings have important implications for Spiny Dogfish regarding estimates of population consumption of key pelagic prey species and their ecological footprint within the NES LME

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Report 32

The following report presents the results of a workshop on the topic of estimating total and natural mortality rates in data-limited stock assessment situations. The workshop was held by the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) and the Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC)

Vertical Zoning in Marine Protected Areas: Ecological Considerations for Balancing Pelagic Fishing with Conservation of Benthic Communities

Marine protected areas (MPAs), ideally, manage human uses that threaten ecosystems, or components of ecosystems. During several recent MPA designation processes, concerns have arisen over the scientific justification for no-take MPAs, particularly those that restrict recreational fishing for pelagic species. An important question is: under what conditions might recreational pelagic fishing be compatible with the conservation goals of an MPA that is primarily focused on benthic communities? In 2005, an expert workshop of fisheries biologists, marine ecologists, MPA managers, and recreational fishermen was convened by NOAA\u27s National MPA Center to evaluate the limited empirical data on benthic-pelagic coupling and to help provide practical advice on this topic. The participants (i) proposed a preliminary conceptual framework for addressing vertical zoning, (ii) developed preliminary guidelines to consider when evaluating whether to allow or restrict pelagic fishing in an MPA, and (iii) identified future research priorities for understanding benthic-pelagic coupling. A suite of ecological conditions where recreational pelagic fishing may not be compatible with benthic conservation were identified: (1) high relief habitats, (2) depths shallower than 50–100 m (depending upon the specific location), (3) major topographic and oceanographic features, and (4) spawning areas. Similarly, pelagic fishing is not likely to affect benthic communities adversely in many circumstances. Until further scientific study can shed more light on the issue of how benthic-pelagic linkages affect specific conservation targets, the proposed framework in this manuscript provides practical, easily-applied guidance for using vertical zoning to manage fishing in multiple use MPAs that focus on benthic conservation

Improving Teaching Effectiveness: Final Report - The Intensive Partnerships for Effective Teaching Through 2015-2016

The Intensive Partnerships for Effective Teaching initiative, designed and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was a multiyear effort to dramatically improve student outcomes by increasing students' access to effective teaching. Participating sites adopted measures of teaching effectiveness (TE) that included both a teacher's contribution to growth in student achievement and his or her teaching practices assessed with a structured observation rubric. The TE measures were to be used to improve staffing actions, identify teaching weaknesses and overcome them through effectiveness-linked professional development (PD), and employ compensation and career ladders (CLs) as incentives to retain the most-effective teachers and have them support the growth of other teachers. The developers believed that these mechanisms would lead to more-effective teaching, greater access to effective teaching for low-income minority (LIM) students, and greatly improved academic outcomes.Beginning in 2009–2010, three school districts -- Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) in Florida; Memphis City Schools (MCS) in Tennessee (which merged with Shelby County Schools, or SCS, during the initiative); and Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) in Pennsylvania -- and four charter management organizations (CMOs) -- Alliance College-Ready Public Schools, Aspire Public Schools, Green Dot Public Schools, and Partnerships to Uplift Communities (PUC) Schools -- participated in the Intensive Partnerships initiative. RAND and the American Institutes for Research conducted a six-year evaluation of the initiative, documenting the policies and practices each site enacted and their effects on student outcomes. This is the final evaluation report