Discards of commercial fish species in the Gulf of Maine groundfish and shrimp fisheries

A three part analysis of discarding of commercial fish species in the Gulf of Maine trawl fisheries was conducted from 1983 through 1992. Abstracts for each part of the dissertation are: Part 1. The objectives of the research were to quantify commercial trawler discards of American plaice, witch flounder, yellowtail flounder, and winter flounder, and to examine variables that potentially influence discard rates. Data were obtained from 135 tows in 6 areas of the Gulf of Maine. Four different types of trawls were used. Mean discard percentages per tow, on a weight basis, were 25, 18, 13, and 5% for American plaice, witch flounder, yellowtail flounder, and winter flounder, respectively. Mean discard percentages were higher on a numerical basis, with 57, 27, 25, and 12% of the respective species discarded per tow. Both trawl type and area fished affected the discard percentages of American plaice and witch flounder. Stepwise multiple regression analyses indicated that six variables combined to explain 66.8% of the variation in discard percentage of American plaice, and that three variables combined to explain 31.2% of the variation in discard percentage of witch flounder. Part 2. The objective of the research was to quantify discards of American plaice, witch flounder, yellowtail flounder, winter flounder, goosefish, silver hake, and cod in the Gulf of Maine shrimp fishery. Data were obtained from 50 tows made by commercial trawlers fishing in the southwestern Gulf of Maine. Mean discard percentages per tow, on a weight basis, were: 93% for silver hake, 87% for American plaice, 76% for witch flounder, 56% for cod, 41% for goosefish, 20% for yellowtail flounder, and 11% for winter flounder. Mean discard percentages per tow on a numerical basis were slightly higher. Discard percentage decreased with increasing depth for American plaice. Part 3. Increased effort in the Northern shrimp fishery, in addition to documentation of the adverse effects of small mesh trawls on some finfish stocks, has prompted interest the development of more selective fishing gear. Studies of fish behavior during the trawling process using underwater video have provided information that has been extremely useful for the design of selective trawls. In this paper, fish behavior, trawl modifications, particularly those intended to separate finfish from shrimp, and regulations aimed at reducing finfish bycatch are discussed

Re(sounding) holy wells

(Re)sounding holy wells was an artistic and cultural heritage project to imaginatively explore holy wells in Cork through workshops, audio recordings, and oral histories.(Re)sounding holy wells was an artistic and cultural heritage project led by Vicky Langan, independent artist, and Dr Richard Scriven, Department of Geography, UCC, to imaginatively explore holy wells in Cork through workshops, audio recordings, and oral histories. It blended contemporary artistic production and cultural heritage in an active and community focused style. Using a collaborative approach with both primary schools and community heritage groups, the project examined and highlighted the roles of holy wells as cultural amenities and sites of vernacular heritage. Through creative workshops, students and local residents shared their accounts of holy wells, focusing on oral history, spoken non-fiction, and photographs/drawings. Primary school classes made audio recordings and took photos at the wells. Fresh understandings of the wells were produced through the use of audio by combining field recordings with accounts of the holy wells from young people and community members

Audio and ludic engagements with spiritual heritage at an Irish holy well

This article reflects on audio methods and field recordings as means of examining how a cultural-spiritual space can be experienced by young people through an arts heritage project undertaken with primary school children in rural Ireland. Contributing to the growing role of sound and audio in geographical research, we consider how a series of participatory workshops at a holy well fostered curiosity and ludic engagements with the place enhancing the understanding of this location in a process that merged creative practice, spiritual heritage and wonder