A comparison of monofilament gillnet and small hook longline selectivity in a multispecies artisanal fishery in the Algarve, southern Portugal

As part of the ongoing studies concerned with the small-scale fisheries of the South of Portugal, experimental fishing was carried out with monofilament gillnets and small hook longlines within the same area. Sixty-two species were caught, of which 20 were common to both gears. Pronounced differences in terms of the relative importance of different species in the catches were observed. Size selection patterns also differed, with highly overlapped hook catch distributions and few species showing evidence for size selectivity. In contrast, strong selectivity was characteristic of species which tend to be wedged in gillnets. Whereas smaller stretched mesh sizes (particularly 40 and 50 mm) caught significant numbers of illegal sized fish, this was mininmal in the longlines. Some implications for management are discussed

The Influence Of Assistive Technology Devices On The Performance Of Activities By Visually Impaired

Objective: To establish the influence of assistive technology devices (ATDs) on the performance of activities by visually impaired schoolchildren in the resource room. Methods: A qualitative study that comprised observation and an educational intervention in the resource room. The study population comprised six visually impaired schoolchildren aged 12 to 14 years old. The participants were subjected to an eye examination, prescribed ATDs comprising optical and non-optical devices, and provided an orientation on the use of computers. The participants were assessed based on eye/object distance, font size, and time to read a computer screen and printed text. Results: The ophthalmological conditions included corneal opacity, retinochoroiditis, retinopathy of prematurity, aniridia, and congenital cataracts. Far visual acuity varied from 20/200 to 20/800 and near visual acuity from 0.8 to 6 M. Telescopes, spherical lenses, and support magnifying glasses were prescribed. Three out of five participants with low vision after intervention could decrease the font size on the screen computer, and most participants (83.3%) reduced their reading time at the second observation session. Relative to the printed text, all the participants with low vision were able to read text written in smaller font sizes and reduced their reading time at the second observation session. Conclusion: Reading skills improved after the use of ATDs, which allowed the participants to perform their school tasks equally to their classmates.732103107Resnikoff, S., Pascolini, D., Etya'ale, D., Kocur, I., Pararajasegaram, R., Pokharel, G.P., Global data on visual impairment in the year 2002 (2004) Bull World HealthOrgan., 82 (11), pp. 844-851Visual standards: aspects and ranges of vision loss with emphasis on population surveys. (2002) 29th International Congress of Ophthalmology., , www.icoph.org/pdf/visualstandardsreport.pdf, International Council of Ophthalmology [Internet]. Sydney, Australia, April. Available fromAmorim, A., Paraguay, A.I., Barbosa, E.M., Spelta, L.L., Martinelli, M.A., Bersch, R.C., Comissão temática 1:conceituação e estudo de normas. (2009), pp. 13-39. , http://www.pessoacomdeficiencia.gov.br/app/sites/default/files/publicacoes/livro-tecnologia-assistiva.pdf, In: Brasil. Subsecretaria Nacional de Promoção dos Direitos da Pessoa com DeficiênciaTecnologia Assistiva. Brasília: Corde;Burton, M., Nieuwenhuijsen, E.R., Epstein, M.J., Computer-related assistivetechnology: satisfaction and experiences among users with disabilities (2008) AssistTechnol., 20 (2), pp. 99-106. , quiz 84-85Fok, D., Polgar, J.M., Shaw, L., Jutai, J.W., Low vision assistive technology deviceusage and importance in daily occupations (2011) Work., 39 (1), pp. 37-48Alves, C.C., Monteiro, G.B., Rabello, S., Gasparetto, M.E., de Carvalho, K.M., Assistivetechnology applied to education of students with visual impairment (2009) Rev Panam Salud Publica., 26 (2), pp. 148-152Carvalho, K.M., Freitas, C.C., Kimolto, E.M., Gasparetto, M.E., [Assessment and management of low vision students attended in a room with resources for visual deficiency] (2002) Arq Bras Oftalmol., 65 (4), pp. 445-449. , Portuguesehttp://www.prg.unicamp.br/auxiliosopticos/, Auxílios ópticos Faculdade de Ciências Médicas Universidade Estadual de Campinas. [Optical aids]. Available fromArrigucci Jr., D., Os melhores contos de Rubem Braga. (1997), São Paulo: Global;Pacheco, J., Quando eu for grande quero ir à primavera e outras histórias. (2003), São Paulo: Didática Suplegraf;Montilha, R.C., Temporini, E.R., Nobre, M.I., Gasparetto, M.E., Kara-José, N., [Utilization of optical devices and equipments by students with visual impairment] (2006) Arq Bras Oftalmol., 69 (2), pp. 207-211. , PortugueseHerrero, M.J., Mateus, G.G., García, M., Ramón, M.P., Moasquete, M.J., Characteristics of reading in people with low vision. (1997), Madrid: Once;Freire, F.M., Escrita/leitura e computadores: o uso do editor de texto na escolar. (2003), In: Valente JA, Prado ME, Almeida ME, editors. Educação a distância via internet. São Paulo: AvercampChiang, M.F., Cole, R.G., Gupta, S., Kaiser, G.E., Starren, J.B., Computer and World WideWeb accessibility by visually disabled patients: problems and solutions (2005) SurvOphthalmol., 50 (4), pp. 394-405. , ReviewWatson, A.H., Ito, M., Smith, R.O., Andersen, L.T., Effect of assistive technology in apublic school setting (2010) Am J Occup Ther., 64 (1), pp. 18-2

Local indicators for global species: Pelagic sharks in the tropical northeast Atlantic, Cabo Verde islands region.

Pelagic sharks are an important bycatch in pelagic fisheries, especially for drifting longlines targeting swordfish. In the Cabo Verde Archipelago (tropical NE Atlantic), pelagic shark catches can reach a significant proportion of the total catches. Due to the increased concern on the status of pelagic shark species, this study was developed to enhance the current knowledge of those sharks in the Cabo Verde region in comparison to the adjacent areas, especially associated with European Union (EU) pelagic longline fishing activity. Stock status indicators for the two main species, blue shark (Prionace glauca) and shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus), were developed, based on fisheries data from logbooks and onboard scientific observers, including analysis of size frequency distributions and standardized catch-per-unit-of-effort (CPUE) indexes over time. The standardized CPUEs have been stable or increasing for both species in the past 10 years, indicating no signs of local depletion. In terms of sizes, the blue shark catch is composed mainly of adults, which can be a sign of a stable population. On the contrary, the catch of shortfin mako is composed mainly of juveniles, which in conjunction of a decrease of mean size might be a cause of concern, highlighting possible overfishing on the species in the region. Thirty satellite tags, 25 archival miniPATs and 5 SPOT GPS, were deployed in the Cabo Verde Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), showing that those species are highly mobile. The biomass and size distributions were modeled with spatial and seasonal models (GAMs) identifying locations where juveniles are predominantly concentrated and that should be prioritized for conservation. This work presents new information on the status of pelagic sharks in the Cabo Verde region in the context of those highly migratory species, and can now be used to promote more sustainable fisheries in the region

ANÁLISE EXPLORATÓRIA DOS POTENCIAIS EFEITOS DAS MUDANÇAS CLIMÁTICAS NOS "VALES DA UVA GOETHE"

The future of agriculture has been conditioned by uncertainties about the effects of climate change. Thus, the main goal of this work is to develop an exploratory analysis of the potential impacts of climate change in dynamics in the vitiviniculture in the region bounded by the Indication of Origin of Vales da Uva Goethe. The analysis was developed based on direct consultation at producers and production and climate data. The results indicate that only share of producers has related changes in the quantity and quality of the grapes to the effects of climate change. However, there was an actual change in climate. The average monthly minimum temperatures increased from 5.75°C to 8.30°C 1924-2012, which can increase the probability of occurrence of disease and pests associated with high average temperatures.O futuro da agricultura está condicionado as incertezas envolvidas em relação aos efeitos das mudanças climáticas. Deste modo, o objetivo principal deste trabalho é desenvolver uma análise exploratória a respeito dos potenciais impactos decorrentes da mudança na dinâmica climática na vitivinicultura na região delimitada pela Indicação de Procedência dos Vales da Uva Goethe. A análise foi desenvolvida com base em consulta direta aos produtores e dados climáticos e da produção da região. Os resultados indicam que apenas parcela dos produtores relaciona as variações na quantidade e na qualidade das uvas aos efeitos das mudanças climáticas. Todavia, constatou-se uma efetiva alteração no clima. As temperaturas médias mínimas mensais aumentaram de 5,75° C para 8,30° C entre 1924 a 2012, o que pode elevar a probabilidade de ocorrência de doenças e pragas associadas às altas temperaturas médias.El futuro de la agricultura está condicionado las incertidumbres sobre los efectos del cambio climático. Por lo tanto, el objetivo principal de este trabajo es desarrollar un análisis exploratorio de los impactos potenciales del cambio climático en la dinámica de la viticultura en la región limitada por la Indicación del Origen de Vales da Uva Goethe. El análisis se desarrolló con base en la consulta directa con los productores y de los datos de la producción y climáticos. Los resultados indican que sólo una parte de los productores en relación con los cambios en la cantidad y calidad de la uva a los efectos del cambio climático. Sin embargo, hubo un cambio real en el clima. Las temperaturas mínimas promedio mensual aumentó de 5,75°C para 8,30°C entre 1924-2012, lo que puede aumentar la probabilidad de ocurrencia de enfermedades y plagas asociado con altas temperaturas medias