Interaction between bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and trammel nets in the Archipelago de La Maddalena, Italy

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

A study of oil pollution effects on the ecology of a coastal lake ecosystem

This study aims to examine ecological affinities in Lake Koumoundourou in Central Greece. The main finding of the study is that, although the lake is heavily polluted by crude oil, the water circulation, which is assisted by wind, is such that bioaccumulation of pollutants is avoided. The oil film on the surface of the lake is forced to outflow into Elefsis Bay and the concentration of heavy metals in the water column and sediment is lower than from other areas without oil pollution. The zoobenthos is rich in large-sized, pollution-resistant Nereis spp. and 64 phytoplankton species exist in the lake. The lake also supports mullets (Mugil spp.) and eels (Anguilla anguilla)

Some biological parameters of the thin-lipped mullet Liza ramada (Pisces, Mugilidae) in the Neretva River delta (Eastern Adriatic, Croatian coast)

International audienceAspects concerning age, growth, reproduction and recruitment were analysed inthe thin-lipped mullet, Liza ramada, collected in Neretva River delta estuary (East A d r i a t i c ,Croatian coastline). The study was based on the collection of a total of 362 individuals on amonthly basis. The von Bertalanffy growth curve parameters were estimated: T L= 59.96 cm,K = 0.269 year- 1, t0= -0.455. Natural mortality was estimated at 0.32 year- 1. Total mortality (Z)was estimated at 0.70 year- 1(range 0.55-0.85 year- 1). Fishing mortality was estimated at0.38year-1and the exploitation ratio at E = 0.54. The gonado-somatic index profile shows a sin-gle peak during the year in October. The sex ratio profile shows skewed sex ratios throughoutthe year except the period prior to reproduction peak. This L. ramadapopulation is suggested tobe in good status

Stakeholder involvement for management of the coastal zone

The European Union (EU) has taken the lead to promote the management of coastal systems. Management strategies are implemented by the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), as well as the recent Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) Directive. Most EU directives have a strong focus on public participation; however, a recent review found that the actual involvement of stakeholders was variable. The “Architecture and roadmap to manage multiple pressures on lagoons” (ARCH) research project has developed and implemented participative methodologies at different case study sites throughout Europe. These cases represent a broad range of coastal systems, and they highlight different legislative frameworks that are relevant for coastal zone management. Stakeholder participation processes were subsequently evaluated at 3 case study sites in order to assess the actual implementation of participation in the context of their respective legislative frameworks: 1) Byfjorden in Bergen, Norway, in the context of the WFD; 2) Amvrakikos Gulf, Greece, in the context of the MSFD; and 3) Nordre Älv Estuary, Sweden, in the context of the MSP Directive. An overall assessment of the evaluation criteria indicates that the ARCH workshop series methodology of focusing first on the current status of the lagoon or estuary, then on future challenges, and finally on identifying management solutions provided a platform that was conducive for stakeholder participation. Results suggest that key criteria for a good participatory process were present and above average at the 3 case study sites. The results also indicate that the active engagement that was initiated at the 3 case study sites has led to capacity building among the participants, which is an important intermediary outcome of public participation. A strong connection between participatory processes and policy can ensure the legacy of the intermediary outcomes, which is an important and necessary start toward more permanent resource management outcomes such as ecological and economic improvement. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2016;12:701–710. © 2016 SETAC. © 2016 SETA