The status of the South African beach-seine and gill-net fisheries

Initial estimates indicate that there are at least 7 000 fishermen active in fisheries using beach-seine and gill nets in South Africa, mostly (86%) along the West and South coasts. Those fishermen utilize 1 373 registered and 458 illegal nets and report an average catch of 1 600 tons annually, constituting 60% harders Liza richardsonii, 10% St Joseph shark Callorhinchus capensis and 30% “bycatch” species such as galjoen Dichistius capensis, yellowtail Seriola lalandi and white steenbras Lithognathus lithognathus. Catch composition by mass variesbetween 70, 74 and 90% L. richardsonii off the Western, Southern and Eastern Cape coasts respectively to 88% sardine Sardinops sagax in KwaZulu-Natal. Catch-per-unit-effort declines eastwards from 294 and 115 kg.net-day-1 for the beach-seine and gill-net fisheries respectively off the West Coast to 48 and 5 kg.net-day-1 off KwaZulu-Natal. Consequently, the fishery changes in nature from a largely commercial venture on the West Coast to an artisanal/subsistence fishery on the East Coast. Attempts to validate compulsory catch returns indicate that at least half the annual catch, notably bycatch, is not reported. Reasons for this indicate an unwillingness to declare prohibited species, perceived avoidance of the taxman, ignorance as to the importance of catch statistics, multiplelicensing authorities and management inadequacy to police illegal catches and nets

Why former Tennessee teachers of vocational education left the profession

The major purpose of this study was to determine why former teachers of vocational agriculture in Tennessee left the profession. Secondary purposes of the study were: 1. To determine the occupational status of former teachers and to compare selected aspects of their current employment situations with those they experienced as teachers. 2. To compare the differences in the educational and farming background of former and present teachers of vocational agriculture in Tennessee

The commercial beach-seine fishery in False Bay, South Africa

Bibliography: pages 108-123.This study was initiated in response to allegations by the conservation lobby that the commercial beach-seine fishery in False Bay was jeopardizing fish stocks and detrimentally affecting the ecology of the Bay. Its main aims were to quantify the current catch and place it in an historical perspective, to describe seasonal patterns in catches and effort and to assess the impacts of netting on juvenile fish and benthic organisms. The overall objective was to provide a "scientific" basis for the resolution of the controversy surrounding this fishery

Bycatch in the gillnet and beach-seine fisheries in the Western Cape, South Africa, with implications for management

Interview questionnaires and access point surveys were conducted in order to describe and quantify the catch composition of the inshore net-fisheries in the Western Cape, South Africa. A total of 138 562 fish, representing 29 species from 20 families, was recorded in 141 monitored commercial gillnet fishing operations between February 1998 and October 1999. Numerically, the legal target species, harders Liza richardsonii, dominated the catches, contributing 94.87% of the total gillnet catch. Elf, Pomatomus saltatrix, horse mackerel Trachurus trachurus capensis, gurnard Chelidonichthys capensis and barbel Galeichthys feliceps were the most common bycatch species, and contributed 4.2% to the total catch numerically and occurred in 12–47% of the marine 44–64-mm gillnet catches that were monitored. Five species most frequently targeted by shore-anglers on the West Coast: galjoen Dichistius capensis, white stumpnose Rhabdosargus globiceps, hottentot Pachymetopon blochii, silver kob Argyrosomus inodorus and white steenbras Lithognathus lithognathus, also occurred in gillnet catches. Most of the bycatch consisting of immature, undersized fish that were often injured during entanglement and were not released alive. L. richardsonii also numerically dominated the beach-seine hauls that were monitored (>99%) with only four bycatch species being recorded in low numbers. Beach-seine questionnaire respondents, however, reported sporadic catches of at least 17 bycatch species, including occasional appreciable catches of the important linefish species L. lithognathus and A. inodorus.Keywords: beach-seine, bycatch, catch composition, gillnets, fishery management, inshore netfishingAfrican Journal of Marine Science 2002, 24: 227–24

Catch-and-effort estimates for the gillnet and beach-seine fisheries in the Western Cape, South Africa

Total catch and effort for the inshore net-fisheries in the Western Cape, South Africa, were estimated by means of face-to-face questionnaire, telephone and access point surveys, analysis of factory records and compulsory catch returns. In most areas, gillnet fishing effort was confined to summer, with highest average catch per unit effort during months of low effort. Records of monofilament gillnet sales show that approximately 180 illegal nets are sold annually (20% of all sales). During the period 1994–1999, only 26 illegal mesh size nets were confiscated annually (14% of those sold) on average, indicating that few illegal fishers are apprehended. Beach-seine fishers appeared to operate opportunistically throughout the year along the West Coast, whereas South-West Coast permitholders concentrate their activity during summer. Sources of survey error in effort and catch-rate estimation are discussed. Approximately 25 000 gillnet days and 3 200 beach-seine hauls made annually land around 6 000 tons of fish, substantially more than the mean annual reported catch of 1 369 tons. Comparison of observed or documented catches with compulsory catch returns confirmed that as little as 21% of the actual effort and only 8% of the fish caught are reported. Despite the fact that catches are much greater than those reported, the lower catch rates, smaller average size of fish caught and historical and anecdotal evidence suggest that the harder Liza richardsonii stock is regionally overexploited in areas with high fishing effort. It is concluded that the inshore net fishery in the Western Cape is oversubscribed in most regions and a reduction in latent and “recreational” effort is therefore recommended. A suitable reduction in total effort may allow the L. richardsonii stock to recover, reduce the ecosystem effects of the fishery by reducing the amount of bycatch and improve catch rates for bona fide commercial fishers. It would also facilitate improved monitoring and policing of the fishery and hopefully improve compliance with regulations. Keywords: beach-seine, catch-and-effort estimates, catch returns, gillnets, Liza richardsoniiAfrican Journal of Marine Science 2002, 24: 205–22

Yeast Rrp8p, a novel methyltransferase responsible for m1A 645 base modification of 25S rRNA

Ribosomal RNA undergoes various modifications to optimize ribosomal structure and expand the topological potential of RNA. The most common nucleotide modifications in ribosomal RNA (rRNA) are pseudouridylations and 2'-O methylations (Nm), performed by H/ACA box snoRNAs and C/D box snoRNAs, respectively. Furthermore, rRNAs of both ribosomal subunits also contain various base modifications, which are catalysed by specific enzymes. These modifications cluster in highly conserved areas of the ribosome. Although most enzymes catalysing 18S rRNA base modifications have been identified, little is known about the 25S rRNA base modifications. The m(1)A modification at position 645 in Helix 25.1 is highly conserved in eukaryotes. Helix formation in this region of the 25S rRNA might be a prerequisite for a correct topological framework for 5.8S rRNA to interact with 25S rRNA. Surprisingly, we have identified ribosomal RNA processing protein 8 (Rrp8), a nucleolar Rossman-fold like methyltransferase, to carry out the m(1)A base modification at position 645, although Rrp8 was previously shown to be involved in A2 cleavage and 40S biogenesis. In addition, we were able to identify specific point mutations in Rrp8, which show that a reduced S-adenosyl-methionine binding influences the quality of the 60S subunit. This highlights the dual functionality of Rrp8 in the biogenesis of both subunits

THE ROLE OF ESTUARIES IN SOUTH AFRICAN FISHERIES: ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE AND MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

Existing catch data for 129 of 255 functional estuaries on the South African coastline were reviewed and the relationships between fish catch and estuary size, type and biogeographical region analysed using simple and multivariate models. The best predictive models were obtained by analysing data separately for each biogeographical region. Estuary size alone explained >80&#37 of the variation in catch in the warm temperate region and >90&#37 of the variation in catch in the cool temperate and subtropical region. Further analysis of the two main estuary types, i.e. permanently open and temporarily open/closed estuaries revealed a steeper regression slope and therefore greater productivity for the permanently open systems. Estuary size (ha) and type (five) were used to explain catches within the warm temperate and subtropical regions using general linear models. The models were able to explain 82 and 98&#37 of the variance in catches for the two regions respectively, and both were significant (p &#60 0.001). These models were applied to estuary type and size data for all 246 estuaries in the two regions and a total catch of 1 840 tons per year was estimated. Including the cool temperate region the total estuarine catch in South Africa was estimated at 2 480 tons per year. In all, 50&#37 of the estuarine catch was attributed to commercial seine and gillnet fisheries, 46&#37 to recreational angling and 4&#37 to traditional trap and spear fisheries. Total catch value was R433 million per year, of which 99&#37 could be attributed to recreational angling. Estuarine contribution to the inshore marine fisheries was estimated at approximately R490 million per year, estuarydependent species constituting 83&#37of the catch of the recreational shore and commercial seine and gillnet fisheries and only 7&#37 of the catch of the recreational spearfishery and commercial and recreational boat fisheries. In 2002, the total value of estuarine and estuary-dependent fisheries was estimated to be R1.251 billion.Afr. J. mar. Sci. 25: 131–15

Public Health Systems and Services Research: Bridging the Practice-Research Gap.

Public health practitioners understand the principles of evidence-based practice and the science that should drive their efforts to improve the community’s health through the implementation of science-driven public health programs. However, the translation of research to practice still has numerous barriers. This commentary provides suggestions to strengthen the link between research and practice