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