Sedimentological constraints on the late Silurian history of the Highland Boundary Fault, Scotland : Implications for Midland Valley Basin development

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Volcanic forcing from two sides : Drainage and plant ecosystem development in the Columbia River Flood Basalt Province, Washington State

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Tilapia as a global commodity : a potential role for Mexico?

The potential for commercial tilapia aquaculture to be developed taking an economic-focused approach was investigated in Mexico. The research examined various issues related to production, marketing and the business environment of the industry. Findings revealed that farmed tilapia products in Mexico can be produced competitively and profitably in large quantities, not only due to its suitability for culture in most of the country; but also due to the availability of more profitable markets (i.e. supermarkets), increasing demand for high quality tilapia products (e.g. fresh, large sizes and more value-added products) and implementation of more efficient business strategies (e.g. economies of scale and partnerships) and newer technologies (i.e. husbandry and equipment). Public/private sector partnerships proved to be the most feasible way to promote and develop tilapia farming in Mexico, particularly in the case of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Through either economical, technological or consumables support from development bodies; and integration with other agri-business (e.g. agriculture and livestock) or within the industry (i.e. horizontally and/or vertically). In which economies of scale were promoted, efficiency was improved, dealing power was increased, and costs and risks were reduced. In which larger businesses reported production costs 50% lower (around MX 11 kg-1) than SMEs, allowing them to compete against larger sources (i.e. fisheries and imports). Additionally, a strong and fast moving domestic market influenced by the decline outputs (22% between 1990 and 2003) from the main source (i.e. catching sector) and the availability of more value-added products (e.g. fillets in various presentations) have promoted its expansion into more profitable markets (i.e. supermarkets and exports) and in sustained and/or increased prices within the past decade (compared to other seafood commodities, e.g. shrimp and salmon). However, concerns arise about the long–term sustainability of tilapia farming due to the high production costs (overall median value MX$ 19 kg-1), small and inconsistent outputs (85% of the farms interviewed produced less than 100 t year-1), lack of knowledge of proper farming techniques and marketing strategies, unlawful competition from imported products (labelling and taxes), poor law enforcement and monitoring from regulatory institutions, and poor institutional support and inadequate extension services, all of which have affected the sustainable development of tilapia farmers and associated groups. Further research is required for the development and promotion of more efficient and economically viable strategies for tilapia farming businesses to target key internal markets. Similarly, improved and more rigorous monitoring of development and support programs performance is required

Constraints on synrift intrabasinal horst development from alluvial fan and aeolian deposits (Triassic, Fundy Basin, Nova Scotia)

The authors would like to acknowledge Shell E and P for funding this study, Rob Raeside at the Acadia University and Liz Kosters for their support during the field seasons. We also would like to thank Brian P. J. Williams for enthusiastic discussions in the field.Peer reviewedPostprintPostprin

The response of lake margin sedimentary systems to climatically driven lake level fluctuations : Middle Devonian, Orcadian Basin, Scotland

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS M. J. Newman is gratefully acknowledged for his identification of fossil fish specimens from the Easter Ross coast which helped in confirmation of the position of the Achanarras fish bed in this region. The Inverness Field Club and the Carnegie Trust are thanked by SDA for financial support of fieldwork undertaken. Nigel Trewin is acknowledged for inspiring a long-lived interest in the Devonian of Northern Scotland which has led to some fantastic journeys. Gary Nichols and Alberto Saez are thanked for constructive reviewsPeer reviewedPostprin

Reconstruction of drainage evolution in a Large Igneous Province : Intra-basaltic sedimentation in the Columbia River Basalt Province, Washington State, USA

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Miocene vegetation in the Columbia River Basalt Province, Washington State, USA

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The development of fluvial environments within volcanic terrains : the Miocene Columbia River Basalt Province (Washington State, USA) as a case study

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Quantification of a distributive fluvial system; the Salt Wash DFS of the Morrison Formation, SW USA

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Controls on the apex location of large deltas

Acknowledgements and Funding We would like to acknowledge the sponsors of the Fluvial Systems Research Group consortium BP, BG, Chevron, ConocoPhillips and Total. We would like to thank A. Felicia for image generation and database management.Peer reviewedPublisher PD