Application of pop-up satellite archival tag technology to estimate postrelease survival of white marlin (Tetrapturus albidus) caught on circle and straight-shank (“J”) hooks in the western North Atlantic recreational fis

Short-duration (5- or 10-day) deployments of pop-up satellite archival tags were used to estimate survival of white marlin (Tetrapturus albidus) released from the western North Atlantic recreational fishery. Forty-one tags, each recording temperature, pressure, and light level readings approximately every two minutes for 5-day tags (n= 5) or four minutes for 10-day tags (n= 36), were attached to white marlin caught with dead baits rigged on straight-shank (“J”) hooks (n =21) or circle hooks (n=20) in offshore waters of the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Venezuela. Forty tags (97.8%) transmitted data to the satellites of the Argos system, and 33 tags (82.5%) transmitted data consistent with survival of tagged animals over the deployment duration. Approximately 61% (range: 19−95%) of all archived data were successfully recovered from each tag. Survival was significantly (P<0.01) higher for white marlin caught on circle hooks (100%) than for those caught on straight-shank (“J”) hooks (65%). Time-to-death ranged from 10 minutes to 64 hours following release for the seven documented mortalities, and five animals died within the first six hours after release. These results indicate that a simple change in hook type can significantly increase the survival of white marlin released from recreational fi

Use of pop-up satellite archival tag technology to study postrelease survival of and habitat use by estuarine and coastal fishes: an application to striped bass (Morone saxatilis)

Pop-up satellite archival tags (PSATs) have been used to study movements, habitat use, and postrelease survival of large pelagic vertebrates, but the size of these tags has historically precluded their use on smaller coastal species. To evaluate a new generation of smaller PSATs for the study of postrelease survival and habitat use of coastal species, we attached Microwave Telemetry, Inc., X-tags to ten striped bass (Morone saxatilis) 94–112 cm total length (TL) caught on J hooks and circle hooks during the winter recreational fishery in Virginia. Tags collected temperature and depth information every five minutes and detached from the fish after 30 days. Nine of the ten tags released on schedule and eight transmitted 30% to 96% (mean 78.6%) of the archived data. Three tags were physically recovered during or after the transmission period, allowing retrieval of all archived data. All eight striped bass whose tags transmitted data survived for 30 days after release, including two fish that were hooked deeply with J hooks. The eight fish spent more than 90% of their time at depths less than 10 m and in temperatures of 6–9°C, demonstrated no significant diel differences in depth or temperature utilization (P>0.05), and exhibited weak periodicities in vertical movements consistent with daily and tidal cycles

Incorporating Circle Hooks Into Atlantic Pelagic Fisheries: Case Studies From The Commercial Tuna/Swordfish Longline And Recreational Billfish Fisheries

An emerging body of literature has demonstrated the benefits of the use of circle hooks relative to standard J-hooks in commercial and recreational fisheries. In the pelagic longline fishery for tunas (Thunnus spp.) and swordfish (Xiphias gladius Linnaeus, 1758), the use of circle hooks has resulted in greater catch rates of some target species, lower catch rates of some bycatch species, and a higher percentage of many target and bycatch species alive at the time of haulback (gear retrieval). However, a lack of agreement among results of studies conducted in different fisheries and areas, using different baits and rigging techniques, and with different styles and sizes of circle hooks has hindered the adoption of this terminal tackle as a management measure at the international level. Nevertheless, some countries have mandated the use of circle hooks in pelagic longline fisheries to protect bycatch species, and some individual fishers have incorporated circle hooks because they appear to maximize individual profit. In the recreational fishery for billfishes (family Istiophoridae), which is primarily a catch-and-release fishery in the United States, studies have demonstrated that circle hooks result in higher rates of external hooking and post-release survival than standard J-hooks. The use of circle hooks in billfish fisheries has been promoted by the sportfishing industry and is currently required by some nations; however, partnerships promoting active outreach and education with stakeholders in both commercial and recreational fisheries are critical to maximize the use and conservation benefit of this technology

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Habitat Preferences and Diving Behavior of White Marlin (Tetrapturus albidus) Released from the Recreational Rod-and-Reel and Commercial Pelagic Longline Fisheries in the Western North Atlantic Ocean: Implications for Habitat-Based Stock Assessment Models

To improve billfish assessments, researchers have applied habitat-based models that incorporate behavioral and oceanographic parameters to standardize historical catch-per-uniteffort time -series data, accounting for significant gear changes over time. However, there has been little behavioral data from Atlantic billfishes to support these models. We provide information on habitat preferences of white marlin released from recreational and commercial fisheries in the western North Atlantic. White marlin were tagged with pop-up satellite archival tags (PSATs) from recreational rod and reel (n=22) and commercial pelagic longline (n=2) fisheries between May-November 2002. Our data indicate that each surviving white marlin spent the majority of time at depths of 10m or less, with all fish displaying repetitive short duration diving behavior (less than 30 minutes) to depths of 60-100m. These dives were presumably related to foraging activities. Furthermore, the depths of many of the repetitive dives were within the range of deep-set pelagic longline gear. Longline sets targeting bigeye tuna may actually increase white marlin by-catch by placing baits at depths where this species may be highly motivated to feed. Until billfish feeding motivation is better understood, it may be premature to apply habitat-based stock assessment models to billfishes in the Atlantic Ocean

Hot or Not? Comparative Behavioral Thermoregulation, Critical Temperature Regimes, and Thermal Tolerances of the Invasive Lionfish Pterois sp. Versus Native Western North Atlantic Reef Fishes

Temperature influences the geographic range, physiology, and behavior of many ectothermic species, including the invasive lionfish Pterois sp. Thermal parameters were experimentally determined for wild-caught lionfish at different acclimation temperatures (13, 20, 25 and 32 °C). Preferences and avoidance were evaluated using a videographic shuttlebox system, while critical thermal methodology evaluated tolerance. The lionfish thermal niche was compared experimentally to two co-occurring reef fishes (graysby Cephalopholis cruentata and schoolmaster Lutjanus apodus) also acclimated to 25 °C. The physiologically optimal temperature for lionfish is likely 28.7 ± 1 °C. Lionfish behavioral thermoregulation was generally linked to acclimation history; tolerance and avoidance increased significantly at higher acclimation temperatures, but final preference did not. The tolerance polygon of lionfish shows a strong correlation between thermal limits and acclimation temperature, with the highest CTmax at 39.5 °C and the lowest CTmin at 9.5 °C. The tolerance range of invasive lionfish (24.61 °C) is narrower than those of native graysby (25.25 °C) and schoolmaster (26.87 °C), mostly because of lower thermal maxima in the former. Results show that lionfish display “acquired” thermal tolerance at higher and lower acclimation temperatures, but are no more eurythermal than other tropical fishes. Collectively, these results suggest that while lionfish range expansion in the western Atlantic is likely over the next century from rising winter sea temperatures due to climate change, the magnitude of poleward radiation of this invasive species is limited and will likely be equivalent to native tropical and subtropical fishes with similar thermal minima

Spectral Sensitivity, Luminous Sensitivity, and Temporal Resolution of the Visual Systems in Three Sympatric Temperate Coastal Shark Species

We used electroretinography (ERG) to determine spectral and luminous sensitivities, and the temporal resolution (flicker fusion frequency, FFF) in three sympatric (but phylogenetically distant) coastal shark species: Carcharhinus plumbeus (sandbar shark), Mustelus canis (smooth dogfish), and Squalus acanthias (spiny dogfish). Spectral sensitivities were similar (range ~400–600 nm, peak sensitivity ~470 nm), with a high likelihood of rod/cone dichromacy enhancing contrast discrimination. Spiny dogfish were significantly less light sensitive than the other species, whereas their FFF was ~19 Hz at maximum intensities; a value equal to that of sandbar shark and significantly above that of smooth dogfish (~9–12 Hz). This occurred even though experiments on spiny dogfish were conducted at 12 versus 25 °C and 20 °C for experiments on sandbar shark and smooth dogfish, respectively. Although spiny dogfish have a rod-dominated retina (rod:cone ratio 50:1), their visual system appears to have evolved for a relatively high temporal resolution (i.e., high FFF) through a short integration time, with the requisite concomitant reduction in luminous sensitivity. Our results suggest adaptive plasticity in the temporal resolution of elasmobranch visual systems which reflects the importance of the ability to track moving objects such as mates, predators, or prey

Міжнародно-правовий статус іноземних військових баз

Городиський І. М. Міжнародно-правовий статус іноземних військових баз : автореф. дис. ... канд. юрид. наук : 12.00.11 / І. М. Городиський; кер. роботи В. М. Лисик; Нац. ун.-т "Одеська юридична академія". – Одеса, 2014. – 18 с.Дисертація на здобуття наукового ступеня кандидата юридичних наук за спеціальністю 12.00.11 - міжнародне право. - Національний університет «Одеська юридична академія». - Одеса, 2014. У дисертації досліджується зміст міжнародно-правового статусу іноземних військових баз. Розглядається визначення поняття «іноземна військова база», їх класифікація. Аналізується становлення і розвиток міжнародно-правового регулювання відносин з приводу іноземних військових баз. Досліджуються джерела регулювання міжнародно-правового статусу іноземних військових баз. Особливу увагу приділено питанню міжнародно-правових засад створення, функціонування та ліквідації іноземних військових баз. Вивчаються проблеми територіальної та персональної юрисдикції у відносинах з приводу іноземних військових баз. Встановлено, що формою правового регулювання передачі території для розташування іноземних військових баз слід вважати міжнародно- правову оренду. Проаналізовано правові підстави розташування військових баз Чорноморського флоту Російської Федерації на території України. Запропоновано шляхи вирішення проблемних питань україно-російських відносин в цій сфері.Диссертация на соискание научной степени кандидата юридических наук по специальности 12.00.11 - международное право. - Национальный университет «Одесская юридическая академия». - Одесса, 2014. В диссертации исследуется содержание международно-правового статуса иностранных военных баз. Рассматривается определение понятия «иностранная военная база», производится классификация иностранных военных баз, определяются их функции. Анализируется формирование и развитие международно-правового регулирования отношений по поводу иностранных военных баз. В процессе развития международно-правового регулирования статуса иностранных военных баз выделяются четыре этапа. Исследуются источники регулирования международно-правового статуса иностранных военных баз. Особое внимание уделено вопросу международно-правовых основ создания, функционирования и ликвидации иностранных военных баз. Изучаются проблемы территориальной и персональной юрисдикции в отношениях по поводу иностранных военных баз. Установлено, что формой правового регулирования передачи территории для размещения иностранных военных баз целесообразно считать международно-правовую аренду. Проанализированы правовые основания расположения военных баз Черноморского флота Российской Федерации на территории Украины. Предложены пути решения проблемных вопросов украино-российских отношений в этой сфере.The thesis for Candidate's of Law Degree by specialty 12.00.11 - International Law. - National University «Odessa Academy of Law». - Odessa, 2014. The thesis analyzes the key aspects of the international legal status of foreign military bases. Most recent scientific researches in this area are being held. The thesis underlines that the international legal status of the foreign military base is its legal position as established by the norms and principles of the international law. Furthermore, the legal definition of the term «foreign military base» and its classification are considered. The formation and development of the international legal regulation of relations on foreign military bases are being analyzed. Main stages of the development of this regulation are being pointed out. Special attention is paid to the United Nations role in this process. The thesis characterizes the sources of international regulation of the legal status of foreign military bases. It is emphasized, that the international treaty is the main source of the international legal regulation in this area. As to the international custom there are no facts of its existence in this area either on universal or local level as such. Particular attention is paid to the international legal ground of creation, functioning and liquidation of the foreign military bases. The role of the principles of international law in the regulation of the legal status of the foreign military bases is underlined. In addition, the role of the decisions of the international intergovernmental organizations, the international legal doctrine and other sources is also addressed. The problems of territorial and personal jurisdiction in relations concerning foreign military bases are revealed. The possibility of the usage of the international legal servitude and the international legal rent as a legal ground for the foreign military bases location are compared. It is concluded that as a legal ground of the territory for the location of foreign military bases should be considered as international legal rent. It is stated that there are two main conceptions of the personal jurisdiction distribution between the state, which controls the foreign military base, and the host state: the doctrine of the law of the flag and the doctrine of the restricted territorial sovereignty. It is concluded, that the doctrine of the restricted territorial sovereignty, which distributes the jurisdiction between the States Parties is the most appropriate to the contemporary trend of the international law. The legal status of the foreign military bases in Ukraine is analyzed within context of the international law. The legal basis of the location of Russian Black Sea Fleet's military bases in Ukraine is analyzed. Main problems of the location of the Russian Black Sea Fleet's military bases are defined. The possible ways of solving problems of Ukraine-Russia relations in this area are formulated. It is concluded that the further development of the international treaties between Ukraine and Russia concerning Russian Black Sea Fleet's military bases in Ukraine serves as the main instrument for solving of the current problems in this domain

Comparative visual function in five sciaenid fishes inhabiting Chesapeake Bay

Maintaining optimal visual performance is a difficult task in the photodynamic coastal and estuarine waters in which western North Atlantic sciaenid fishes support substantial commercial and recreational fisheries. Unavoidable tradeoffs exist between visual sensitivity and resolution, yet sciaenid visual systems have not been characterized despite strong species-specific ecomorphological and microhabitat differentiation. We therefore used electroretinographic techniques to describe the light sensitivities, temporal properties, and spectral characteristics of the visual systems of five sciaenids common to Chesapeake Bay, USA: weakfish (Cynoscion regalis), spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus), red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) and spot (Leiostomus xanthurus). Benthic sciaenids exhibited higher sensitivities and broader dynamic ranges in white light V/logI experiments than more pelagic forms. Sensitivities of the former were at the lower (more sensitive) end of an emerging continuum for coastal fishes. Flicker fusion frequency experiments revealed significant interspecific differences at maximum intensities that correlated with lifestyle and habitat, but no specific differences at dimmer intensities. Spectral responses of most sciaenids spanned 400-610 nm, with significant diel differences in weakfish and Atlantic croaker. Weakfish, a crepuscular predator, also responded to ultraviolet wavelengths; this characteristic may be more useful under less turbid conditions. Collectively, these results suggest that sciaenids are well adapted to the dynamic photoclimate of the coastal and estuarine waters they inhabit. However, the recent anthropogenic degradation of water quality in coastal environments, at a pace faster than the evolution of visual systems, has amplified the importance of characterizing visual function in managed aquatic fauna