Global Understanding and Learning for Local Solutions: Reducing vulnerability of marine-dependent coastal communities (GULLS)- Belmont Forum Initiative on Collaborative Research Actions

The project ‘Global learning for local solutions: Reducing vulnerability of marine-dependent coastal communities’ or GULLS, is an international project within the Belmont Forum and G8 Research Councils Initiative on Multilateral Research Funding. The project has been investigating five regional ‘hotspots’ of climate and social change, defined as fast-warming marine areas and areas experiencing social tensions as a result of change: south-east Australia, Brazil, India, South Africa, and the Mozambique Channel and Madagascar. It has focused on contributing to reducing the vulnerability of coastal communi-ties and other stakeholders dependent on marine resources to adapt to climate change and variability through an integrated and trans-disciplinary approach. It includes partici-pants from Australia, Brazil, India, Madagascar, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The research programme has been divided into five inter-linked components: ocean and climate change models, species vulnerability, social as-pects, system modelling, governance, and communication and education

Comparing recent and abandoned shell middens to detect the impact of human exploitation on the intertidal ecosystem

Abandoned and recent shell middens were compared from Inhaca island, Mozambique, to investigate the impact of human exploitation. The growing human population was expected to increase the exploitation pressure, decrease the mean shell size, and increase the species diversity. Moreover, exploitation-vulnerable species were expected to disappear from recent middens. 29252 shells were collected from 6 recent and 8 abandoned middens, comprising 78 species, the majority bivalves. Pinctada nigra was the most abundant. The mean shell size was significantly smaller in recent middens, and the conspicuous, surface-dwelling gastropod Terebralia palustris showed the largest size reduction. Size reduction was related with the life history of the species. Older, abandoned middens had a larger species richness, refuting the intermediate disturbance hypothesis. The species composition of recent and abandoned middens was relatively similar, which was probably caused by low human exploitation pressure and the substrate characteristics. The disappearance of the mussel Perna perna was thought to be related to overexploitatio

Comparing recent and abandoned shell middens to detect the impact of human exploitation on the intertidal ecosystem

Abandoned and recent shell middens were compared from Inhaca island, Mozambique, to investigate the impact of human exploitation. The growing human population was expected to increase the exploitation pressure, decrease the mean shell size, and increase the species diversity. Moreover, exploitation-vulnerable species were expected to disappear from recent middens. 29252 shells were collected from 6 recent and 8 abandoned middens, comprising 78 species, the majority bivalves. Pinctada nigra was the most abundant. The mean shell size was significantly smaller in recent middens, and the conspicuous, surface-dwelling gastropod Terebralia palustris showed the largest size reduction. Size reduction was related with the life history of the species. Older, abandoned middens had a larger species richness, refuting the intermediate disturbance hypothesis. The species composition of recent and abandoned middens was relatively similar, which was probably caused by low human exploitation pressure and the substrate characteristics. The disappearance of the mussel Perna perna was thought to be related to overexploitatio

New strandings of True’s beaked whale, Mesoplodon mirus, in Mozambique and their destiny as marine bushmeat

True’s beaked whales have a uniquely fragmented distribution of sightings recorded, mostly from stranding reports. The species is assumed to be associated with deep oceanic waters, occurring in both the northern and southern hemispheres. A hotspot for strandings in the southern hemisphere is South Africa. The third and fourth reported stranding of True’s beaked whales for Mozambique is presented, and the first for Tofo Beach, Inhambane Province. This stranding event resulted in the carcasses being butchered and the bushmeat taken for human consumption. This report develops and discusses strategies for mitigation of future risk to public health from aquatic bushmeat consumption in Mozambique

The impact of artisanal fishery on a tropical intertidal benthic fish community

We examined the benthic fishes and artisanal fishery in the intertidal flats of Inhaca Island, Mozambique. Results of a questionnaire indicated that catches had decreased, and that piscivorous fish have disappeared. Results of a catch sampling study indicated that current catch rates are low, < 2 kg person-1 fishing trip-1. Use of fishing gear was significantly related to season, diel and lunar tidal phase, and habitat. Forty-eight fish species were observed in the catches with eight species comprising 80 f the catch of 1814 specimens. The annual catch was estimated at 26.2 t for the whole bay. Highest fishing pressure was observed in the central section of the bay. A demersal fish survey was carried out with a 2-m beam trawl to sample the fish community. Two different areas were sampled, one area with a low, and one with a high fishing pressure. A total of 19 889 fishes were caught comprising 93 species. Gobies dominated the catches and accounted for 56 f all specimens. Fishes were small with a mean standard length of 29 mm. The Saco area exhibited the highest catch rates and biomass (maximum of 1040 fish 1000 m-2 and 1490 g 1000 m-2), and the highest species richness and evenness values. Catch composition was different between the two sampling areas, and was strongly affected by season, but less by habitat. Total fish biomass was estimated at 5.6 t for the whole area. Stomach content varied with habitat, and season, and was dominated by benthic invertebrates. The largest estimates of consumption were obtained in the tidal channel and the Zostera beds. Mean consumption of benthic organisms was 1.3 g AFDW m-2 yr-1. The area seemed to be overfished. The heavily fished areas exhibited lower catch rates, lower proportion of piscivorous fish, increased proportion of small fish, and a decrease in species diversity

The impact of artisanal fishery on a tropical intertidal benthic fish community

We examined the benthic fishes and artisanal fishery in the intertidal flats of Inhaca Island, Mozambique. Results of a questionnaire indicated that catches had decreased, and that piscivorous fish have disappeared. Results of a catch sampling study indicated that current catch rates are low, <2 kg person(-1) fishing trip(-1). Use of fishing gear was significantly related to season, diel and lunar tidal phase, and habitat. Forty-eight fish species were observed in the catches with eight species comprising 80% of the catch of 1814 specimens. The annual catch was estimated at 26.2 t for the whole bay. Highest fishing pressure was observed in the central section of the bay. A demersal fish survey was carried out with a 2-m beam trawl to sample the fish community. Two different areas were sampled, one area with a low, and one with a high fishing pressure. A total of 19 889 fishes were caught comprising 93 species. Gobies dominated the catches and accounted for 56% of all specimens. Fishes were small with a mean standard length of 29 mm. The Saco area exhibited the highest catch rates and biomass (maximum of 1040 fish 1000 m(-2) and 1490 g 1000 m(-2)), and the highest species richness and evenness values. Catch composition was different between the two sampling areas, and was strongly affected by season, but less by habitat. Total fish biomass was estimated at 5.6 t for the whole area. Stomach content varied with habitat, and season, and was dominated by benthic invertebrates. The largest estimates of consumption were obtained in the tidal channel and the Zostera beds. Mean consumption of benthic organisms was 1.3 g AFDW m(-2) yr(-1). The area seemed to be overfished. The heavily fished areas exhibited lower catch rates, lower proportion of piscivorous fish, increased proportion of small fish, and a decrease in species diversity