Solutions for Recovering and Sustaining the Bounty of the Ocean Combining Fishery Reforms, Rights-Based Fisheries Management, and Marine Reserves

Food security, economic opportunities, and other benefits provided by a healthy ocean are in jeopardy because of years of overexploitation of many fisheries, and the challenges will intensify in many locales as climate and the environment continue to change. The good news is that solutions are gaining traction. Mandates to end overfishing that use scientifically determined catch limits and rights-based approaches to fishery management have produced impressive results in ending overfishing and recovering depleted stocks. Similarly, spatial protections, such as fully protected marine reserves, are increasing the diversity, size, and abundance of species within reserves; some of that bounty reaches fished areas outside of them. We review the effects of combining catch limits, rights-based fisheries approaches, and establishment of marine reserves and discuss additional advantages of these combined solutions in securing sustainable and profitable fisheries, community goals, and healthy ecosystems. This paper highlights the contribution of emerging science-based solutions and the steps needed to replicate and scale these successes. Triple-wins for the environment, the economy, and society can be achieved through integrated fisheries management and protection as conscious steps toward reversing the current degradation of our ocean’s living resources.This manuscript is based on a keynote lecture given by Jane Lubchenco at One Planet, One Ocean: The 2nd International Ocean Research Conference, Barcelona, Spain, November 17–21, 2014. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the Oceanography Society and can be found at: http://www.tos.org/oceanography/archive/28-2_barner.htm

Did the \u3cem\u3eDeepwater Horizon\u3c/em\u3e Oil Spill Affect Growth of Red Snapper in the Gulf of Mexico?

The explosion of the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil platform in 2010 released more than 200 million gallons of crude oil into the northern Gulf of Mexico (GoM). Elevated levels of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were abundant in the upper water column throughout the event. Previous research suggests that PAHs may have negatively affected fishes in the northern GoM. Our objective was to test whether crude oil contamination from the DWH oil spill was correlated with changes in growth rates in adult Red Snapper, Lutjanus campechanus. We fit von Bertalanffy growth curves and back-calculated length-at-age using data collected from 2011–2013 during long-line surveys in the northern GoM and on the West Florida Shelf. No significant variation in von Bertalanffy growth parameters existed among the catch years; a combined-years model gave L∞, k, and t0 values of 82.91, 0.20, and 0.43, respectively. No significant difference existed between pre- (back-calculated) and post-DWH growth curves. However, annual widths of the fourth, fifth, and sixth increments (the dominant cohorts in the population) declined significantly post-DWH (2010–2012) by 13%, 15%, and 22%, respectively, and were significantly smaller than the mean width of each respective increment in pre-spill years (2006–2009). While the DWH event was related temporally to growth declines in the dominant adult age groups, other environmental factors (winds, temperature, and river discharge) may also affect growth. Accordingly, meridional (V) and zonal (U) winds, sea level height anomalies (a proxy for water temperature variation), and Mississippi River discharge were compared to increment widths but none of the factors were strongly correlated with variation in age-specific growth increments (maximum Pearson’s r = 0.47). Therefore, we are unable to reject the hypothesis that the DWH resulted in growth rate declines as opposed to climatic variation

Functional outcomes after peroneal tendoscopy in the treatment of peroneal tendon disorders

The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes following peroneal tendoscopy for the treatment of peroneal pathology. Correlation between pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and peroneal tendoscopic diagnostic findings was also assessed. Twenty-three patients with a mean age of 34 ± 8.8 years undergoing peroneal tendoscopy were pre- and post-operatively assessed with the foot and ankle outcome score (FAOS) and the Short Form-12 (SF-12) outcome questionnaires. Follow-up was over 24 months in all patients. The sensitivity and specificity of MRI were calculated in comparison with peroneal tendoscopy, including the positive predictive value (PPV). Both the FAOS and the SF-12 improved significantly (p < 0.05) at a mean follow-up of 33 ± 7.3 months significantly. MRI showed an overall sensitivity of 0.90 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.82-0.95) and specificity of 0.72 (95% CI 0.62-0.80). The PPV for MRI diagnosis of peroneal tendon pathology was 0.76 (95% CI 0.68-0.83). The current study found good clinical outcomes in patients with peroneal tendon disorders, treated with peroneal tendoscopy. Although a relatively small number of patients were included, the study suggests good correlation between tendoscopic findings and pre-operative MRI findings of peroneal tendon pathology, supporting the use of MRI as a useful diagnostic modality for suspected peroneal tendon disorders. Level IV, retrospective case serie

The Use of a Synthetic Cartilage Implant for Hallux Rigidus: A Systematic Review

Background. Hallux rigidus is a common pathology afflicting the foot, for which various joint salvage techniques have been described with a multitude of different implants. Recently, a synthetic cartilage implant composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) received FDA premarket approval for the treatment of arthritis of the great toe. The purpose of this study was to (1) systematically review the clinical evidence supporting the use of a PVA implant in hallux rigidus and (2) determine the strength of the recommendation that can be made supporting the use of a PVA implant by evaluating the quality of evidence available. Methods. A systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis. Using the terms “cartiva OR polyvinyl alcohol OR synthetic cartilage OR hemiarthroplasty AND hallux rigidus OR great toe arthritis OR first toe arthritis” we searched the PubMed/Medline database. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Clinical Practice Guideline and Systematic Review Methodology. Results. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria, 6 of these were derived from a single randomized controlled trial. A moderate recommendation can be given for the use of a PVA implant for hallux rigidus based on short-term outcomes. A limited recommendation can be given for the use of a PVA implant for hallux rigidus based on mid-term outcomes. Conclusion. There are limited studies available detailing the outcomes of a PVA implant for hallux rigidus; however, the results that are available demonstrate a high level of evidence. Levels of Evidence: Level I: Systematic revie

Strategies for revision surgery after primary double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction

The purpose of this article was to discuss pre- and intra-operative considerations as well as surgical strategies for different femoral and tibial tunnel scenarios in revision surgery following primary double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Based on the current literature of ACL revision surgery and surgical experience, an algorithm for revision surgery after primary double-bundle ACL reconstruction was created. A guideline and flowchart were created using a case-based approached for revision surgery after primary double-bundle ACL reconstruction. Revision surgery after primary double-bundle ACL reconstruction can be a challenging procedure that requires flexibility and a repertoire of surgical techniques. The combination of pre-operative planning with 3D-CT reconstruction, in addition to careful intra-operative assessment, and the use of this flowchart can simplify the ACL revision procedure.