Assessing the response of the German Baltic small-scale fishery to changes in the abundance and management of fish resources during 2000-09 - Developing and applying a spatial database to quantify the impacts of changes in resource abundance and management during 2000-09 on the structure and operation of the German Baltic Small-Scale fishery

In the German Baltic, Small Scale Fisheries (SSFs) are important elements of the region’s natural and human environment. However, data available for the German Baltic SSF sector are scarce and characterised by inherent limitations which prevent the sector’s determination and quantification. Furthermore, few studies have been conducted to evaluate how the sector responded to past changes in fishery resource abundance and management. The previous conditions have resulted in the sector being frequently neglected within the context of fishery governance and management, which has in turn compromised its profitability and further development. This situation could further lead to local resource overexploitation and a series of other adverse social and environmental conditions that extend beyond the (confined) limits of the SSF. The major aim of this thesis is to assess how the German Baltic SSF adapted to changes that took place in the wider Baltic region in fish resource abundance and management during 2000-2009. An important objective of the research is to explore how resource abundance and management changes impacted the structure (vessels, gears, etc.) and operation (catches, target species, etc.) of SSFs; for that matter, a thorough literature review was conducted to determine SSFs fundamental characteristics and how these characteristics affect SSFs’ catches, profits, the natural environment and social dynamics of coastal communities. The research also sets forward a novel methodology for the characterisation, definition and subsequent quantification of the sector’s key variables (vessels and technical characteristics, weight of landings, target species, etc.). The methodology combines disparate information and overcomes a series of limitations inherent in primary data. A major outcome is the development of a spatial regional database for the German Baltic SSF, which enables the assessment of the sector’s spatial dynamics with reference to investigated changes. The research constitutes the first known quantitative definition and characterisation of the German SSF and one of the few extensive spatial databases developed specifically for SSFs globally. Results indicate that the German Baltic SSF sector is heterogeneous (i.e. vessels and practiced fishing strategies) and targets numerous different species. The sector covers a broad geographic area (large number of home ports) while secondary harbors located at rural areas exhibit high concentrations of vessels and catches (landings) (decentralisation). The sector has a confined range of operation with respect to the extent of fishing areas. These characteristics were shown to be fundamental for the sector and clearly differentiated it from the larger scale sector. Moreover, these characteristics determined to a large degree its adaptation potential to changes that occurred in the region’s fish resource abundance and management. Changes in fish abundance and the management of fisheries have had a marked impact on the German Baltic SSF. The sector’s landings followed closely the quotas allocation for cod and herring for the German Baltic area. Trends in landings along the area’s harbors were determined by proximity of ports to productive fishing grounds. Trends in the sector’s key variables (vessel numbers, fishing strategies, landings, species composition) along the study area have been influenced by the local combination of the natural and human environment [local abundance of fish stocks, presence of target species, suitability for practicing specific fishing strategy, infrastructure (e.g. processing facilities), livelihood diversification potential]. Likewise, the impact of stipulated regulations differed between the western and eastern parts. Results also indicate the importance of access to resource for the SSF, in terms of catch (landings) and revenues. The SSF has been responsive to management changes directed to the activity of the larger scale, active fishery (e.g. Odra closure to active gear). However, it only partly accommodated for the declines in the catch of the active fishery, while the latter did adapt relatively fast to the changes brought about by management alterations. The research provides an in-depth account of SSFs, their key characteristics and the limitations in their further development, while also highlighting the need for regional assessments. Although the analysis was restricted to the German Baltic, the methodology set forward by the research can be adapted to other regions. Results highlight the benefits of such an approach in the context of fisheries governance and management, while the methodology set forward can enable the extrapolation of how the SSF sector will respond to future management changes or incidents of environmental variability.Im deutschen Teil der Ostsee stellt die kleinskalige Fischerei ein wichtiges Element der regionalen natürlichen und anthropogenen Umwelt dar. Allerdings stehen Daten über diese Fischerei nur begrenzt zur Verfügung, wodurch die genaue Abgrenzung und Quantifizierung des Sektors nur schwer möglich ist. Darüber hinaus wurden nur wenige Studien durchgeführt, die die Auswirkungen von Veränderungen im Fischvorkommen oder im Management auf die kleinskalige Fischerei analysieren. Diese Bedingungen haben dazu geführt, dass der Sektor sowohl in der Fischereipolitik als auch in der Verwaltung regelmäßig vernachlässigt wurde. Diese Situation könnte zukünftig möglicherweise zur Übernutzung lokaler Ressourcen führen und damit eine Reihe von gesellschaftlichen und ökologischen Auswirkungen haben, die über den (begrenzten) Umfang der kleinskaligen Fischerei hinausreichen. Das Hauptziel dieser Arbeit ist die Auswertung möglicher Auswirkungen auf die deutsche kleinskalige Fischerei durch Veränderungen im Vorkommen von Fischressourcen (Menge und Verteilung) und im Fischereimanagement in der erweiterten Ostseeregion im Zeitraum 2000-2009. Dabei wurde das Hauptaugenmerk auf die Struktur (Fahrzeuge, Ausrüstung, etc.) und die Fangaktivität (Fangmenge, Zieltierarten, etc.) gelegt. Dafür wurde zuerst eine umfassende Literaturrecherche durchgeführt, um die wesentlichen Eigenschaften des Sektors identifizieren zu können, und darauf aufbauend untersucht, inwiefern diese Eigenschaften die Fänge, den Erlös, die natürliche Umwelt und die sozialen Dynamiken von Küstengemeinden beeinflussen. Die Arbeit stellt außerdem eine neue Methodik vor, die die Charakterisierung, die Definition und die darauffolgende Quantifizierung der Schlüsselvariablen des Sektors erlaubt (Fischeifahrzeuge und technische Eigenschaften, Gewicht der Anlandung, Zielarten, etc.). Die Methode kombiniert verschiedenartige Informationen und überwindet eine Reihe von Primärdaten immanenten Einschränkungen. Ein wesentliches Resultat ist die Entwicklung einer regionalen, räumlichen Datenbank der kleinskaligen Fischerei in der deutschen Ostsee, die eine Beurteilung der für den Sektor typischen Dynamik ermöglicht. Die Arbeit stellt die erste den Autoren bekannte quantitative Definition und Charakterisierung der deutschen kleinskaligen Fischerei dar und ist eine der wenigen umfangreichen räumlichen Datenbanken, die weltweit existieren. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die deutsche kleinskalige Fischerei sowohl in Bezug auf die Fahrzeuge als auch auf Fangmethoden sehr heterogen ist und dabei eine große Zahl an verschiedenen Zielarten hat. Gemessen an der Zahl und Verteilung der Heimathäfen deckt der Sektor eine große geographische Fläche ab, wobei kleinere Häfen in ländlichen Gegenden eine große Anzahl von Fahrzeugen und hohe Anlandemengen aufweisen (Dezentralisierung). In Bezug auf die Ausdehnung der Fischgründe hat die kleinskalige Fischerei allerdings nur einen eingeschränkten Einsatzbereich. Diese Eigenschaften haben sich als elementar für den Sektor erwiesen und machen ihn klar abgrenzbar gegenüber industrieller Fischerei. Darüber hinaus bedingen diese Charakteristika in großem Maße das Anpassungspotenzial gegenüber Veränderungen der Fischressourcen und des Managements. Veränderungen der Fischbestände und im Fischereimanagement hatten einen deutlichen Einfluss auf die deutsche kleinskalige Fischerei. Die Anlandungen des Sektors waren eng mit der Quotenaufteilung für Dorsch und Hering für die westliche Ostsee verbunden. Die Entwicklung der Anlandemengen in den Häfen der Region wurde durch die Nähe der Häfen zu ergiebigen Fischgründen bestimmt. Die Entwicklung der Schlüsselvariablen des Sektors (Anzahl der Fischereifahrzeuge, Fangtechniken, Anlandungen, Artenzusammensetzung) innerhalb des Untersuchungsgebietes wurde durch lokalspezifische Kombinationen der natürlichen und anthropogenen Umwelt [lokaler Fischreichtum, Vorhandensein der Zielart, Eignung für die Anwendung der konkreten Fangtechnik, Infrastruktur (z.B. Verarbeitungseinrichtungen), Potential zur Diversifizierung des Lebensunterhaltes] beeinflusst. Die vorgeschriebenen Regelungen im östlichen und westlichen Teils der deutschen Ostseeküste wirkten sich unterschlich auf den Sektor aus. Die Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass die Zugänglichkeit zu Ressourcen, ausgedrückt durch Fang (Anlandungen) und Einkommen, für die kleinskalige Fischerei von großer Bedeutung ist. Die kleinskalige Fischerei reagierte auf Managementänderungen, die in erster Linie für die industrielle Fischerei von Relevanz waren (Schließung von Fanggebieten im Bereich der Oder für aktive Fanggeräte). Allerdings konnte die kleinskalige Fischerei nur einen Teil der entgangenen Fänge ausgleichen, wohingegen sich die industrielle Fischerei relativ schnell auf diese Managementmaßnahme einstellen konnte. Die Arbeit beschreibt ausführlich die kleinskalige Fischerei, ihre zentralen Merkmale und die Grenzen für ihre zukünftige Entwicklung, und stellt den Handlungsbedarf hinsichtlich regionaler Bewertungen dar. Auch wenn sich die vorliegende Analyse auf den deutschen Teil der Ostsee beschränkt, kann die Methodik, die durch die wissenschaftliche Untersuchung entwickelt wurde, zur Untersuchung des Themas auch in anderen Regionen angewendet werden. Die Ergebnisse zeigen die Vorteile dieser Herangehensweise auch im Kontext von Fischereipolitik und –management auf, während die Methodik Voraussagen ermöglicht, die Aussagen darüber zulassen, wie der Sektor in Zukunft auf Änderungen im Management oder auf Ereignisse in der natürlichen Variabilität reagieren wird

Successful management of acute thromboembolic disease complicated with heparin induced thrombocytopenia type II (HIT II): a case series

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II (HIT II) is a rare immune-mediated complication of heparin. The diagnosis of HIT is considered in patients exposed to heparin, presenting with thrombocytopenia and thrombosis

Is Demonstrating the Concept of Multi-Use Too Soon for the North Sea?:Barriers and Opportunities from a Stakeholder Perspective

Multi-use (MU) has been promoted as a viable approach to the effective planning and mitigation of user-conflicts in the marine realm. Despite several research and pilot projects demonstrating the approach’s feasibility and benefits, commercially viable MU applications remain patchy and few. Further, MU is neither systematically applied nor purposively planned for even in the imminent event of incompatible and conflicting use of marine space. This paper seeks to identify barriers and opportunities for mainstreaming MU based on desktop study and iterative stakeholder consultation. The findings reveal that the MU concept was frequently framed as ‘co-location’ or ‘co-existence’ and aimed toward mitigating conflict among users. Practice was ahead of theory with little attention to synergistic and efficiency aspects. Barriers for MU application include shortcomings in legislation, sectoral thinking, and burdensome administrative procedures. The main opportunity lies in creating a conducive policy environment where MU risks and transaction costs become low and competitive, respectively. Solutions at the sea basin and national level, upon which further MU application can be anchored, are proposed

Multi-use of the sea:A wide array of opportunities from site-specific cases across Europe

<p><b>Comparison of MU Combinations:</b> (Top) ranked by Drivers—Highest to lowest, and (Bottom) ranked by Added Values—Highest to lowest.</p

Multi-use of the sea as a sustainable development instrument in five eu sea basins

This paper examines the concept of maritime multi-use as a territorial/SPATIAL governance instrument for the enhancement of sustainable development in five EU sea basins. Multi-use (MU) is expected to enhance the productivity of blue economy sectors, as well as deliver additional socio-economic benefits related to the environmental and social dimensions of sustainable development. The paper provides a definition of maritime multi-use and identifies the multi-uses with the highest potential in EU sea basins. In each sea basin, multi-use plays a different role as concerns sustainable development. For the Eastern Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea, the MU focus should remain on the environmental pillar of sustainable development. In the North Sea, North Atlantic and Western Baltic Sea, addressing social sustainability seems a key precondition for success of MU in enhancement of sustainable spatial development at sea. Moreover, it has been suggested to introduce MU key global strategies such as SDGs or Macroregional strategies and action plans and to supplement maritime spatial planning with sectoral incentives and educational efforts as key vehicles supporting MU. The paper concludes by identifying aspects which, in order to inform maritime spatial planning and maritime governance regarding a more conscious application of the aforementioned concept, require further investigation. Key tasks are related to: more profound evaluation of performance of policies supporting MUs, researching the impact of MU on societal goals and on the MU costs and benefits, including external ones, and finally identifying the impact of MU on the development of various sectors and regions on land

The evolving landscape of COVID‐19 and post‐COVID condition in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A study by ERIC, the European research initiative on CLL

In this retrospective international multicenter study, we describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and related disorders (small lymphocytic lymphoma and high-count monoclonal B lymphocytosis) infected by SARS-CoV-2, including the development of post-COVID condition. Data from 1540 patients with CLL infected by SARS-CoV-2 from January 2020 to May 2022 were included in the analysis and assigned to four phases based on cases disposition and SARS-CoV-2 variants emergence. Post-COVID condition was defined according to the WHO criteria. Patients infected during the most recent phases of the pandemic, though carrying a higher comorbidity burden, were less often hospitalized, rarely needed intensive care unit admission, or died compared to patients infected during the initial phases. The 4-month overall survival (OS) improved through the phases, from 68% to 83%, p = .0015. Age, comorbidity, CLL-directed treatment, but not vaccination status, emerged as risk factors for mortality. Among survivors, 6.65% patients had a reinfection, usually milder than the initial one, and 16.5% developed post-COVID condition. The latter was characterized by fatigue, dyspnea, lasting cough, and impaired concentration. Infection severity was the only risk factor for developing post-COVID. The median time to resolution of the post-COVID condition was 4.7 months. OS in patients with CLL improved during the different phases of the pandemic, likely due to the improvement of prophylactic and therapeutic measures against SARS-CoV-2 as well as the emergence of milder variants. However, mortality remained relevant and a significant number of patients developed post-COVID conditions, warranting further investigations

COVID-19 severity and mortality in patients with CLL: an update of the international ERIC and Campus CLL study

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) may be more susceptible to Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to age, disease, and treatment-related immunosuppression. We aimed to assess risk factors of outcome and elucidate the impact of CLL-directed treatments on the course of COVID-19. We conducted a retrospective, international study, collectively including 941 patients with CLL and confirmed COVID-19. Data from the beginning of the pandemic until March 16, 2021, were collected from 91 centers. The risk factors of case fatality rate (CFR), disease severity, and overall survival (OS) were investigated. OS analysis was restricted to patients with severe COVID-19 (definition: hospitalization with need of oxygen or admission into an intensive care unit). CFR in patients with severe COVID-19 was 38.4%. OS was inferior for patients in all treatment categories compared to untreated (p < 0.001). Untreated patients had a lower risk of death (HR = 0.54, 95% CI:0.41–0.72). The risk of death was higher for older patients and those suffering from cardiac failure (HR = 1.03, 95% CI:1.02–1.04; HR = 1.79, 95% CI:1.04–3.07, respectively). Age, CLL-directed treatment, and cardiac failure were significant risk factors of OS. Untreated patients had a better chance of survival than those on treatment or recently treated

EU-wide exposure data of 11 chemical substance groups from the HBM4EU Aligned Studies (2014–2021)

Funding Information: The authors would like to thank everybody who contributed to the HBM4EU Aligned Studies: the participating children, teenagers, adults and their families, the fieldworkers that collected the samples and database managers that made the information available to HBM4EU, the HBM4EU project partners, especially those from WP7 for developing all materials supporting the fieldwork, WP9 for organizing the QA/QC scheme under HBM4EU and all laboratories who performed the analytical measurements. We would like to acknowledge Sun Kyoung Jung from the National Institute of Environmental Research of South-Korea for providing the KoNEHS Cycle III results (crt adjusted). HBM4EU is co-financed under Horizon 2020 (grant agreement No 733032). The authors thank all principal investigators of the contributing studies for their participation and contribution to the HBM4EU Aligned Studies and the national program owners for their financial support. Further details on funding for all the participating studies can be found in the Supplemental Material, Table S12.As one of the core elements of the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) a human biomonitoring (HBM) survey was conducted in 23 countries to generate EU-wide comparable HBM data. This survey has built on existing HBM capacity in Europe by aligning national or regional HBM studies, referred to as the HBM4EU Aligned Studies. The HBM4EU Aligned Studies included a total of 10,795 participants of three age groups: (i) 3,576 children aged 6–12 years, (ii) 3,117 teenagers aged 12–18 years and (iii) 4,102 young adults aged 20–39 years. The participants were recruited between 2014 and 2021 in 11–12 countries per age group, geographically distributed across Europe. Depending on the age group, internal exposure to phthalates and the substitute DINCH, halogenated and organophosphorus flame retardants, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), cadmium, bisphenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), arsenic species, acrylamide, mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol (total DON)), benzophenones and selected pesticides was assessed by measuring substance specific biomarkers subjected to stringent quality control programs for chemical analysis. For substance groups analyzed in different age groups higher average exposure levels were observed in the youngest age group, i.e., phthalates/DINCH in children versus teenagers, acrylamide and pesticides in children versus adults, benzophenones in teenagers versus adults. Many biomarkers in teenagers and adults varied significantly according to educational attainment, with higher exposure levels of bisphenols, phthalates, benzophenones, PAHs and acrylamide in participants (from households) with lower educational attainment, while teenagers from households with higher educational attainment have higher exposure levels for PFASs and arsenic. In children, a social gradient was only observed for the non-specific pyrethroid metabolite 3-PBA and di-isodecyl phthalate (DiDP), with higher levels in children from households with higher educational attainment. Geographical variations were seen for all exposure biomarkers. For 15 biomarkers, the available health-based HBM guidance values were exceeded with highest exceedance rates for toxicologically relevant arsenic in teenagers (40%), 3-PBA in children (36%), and between 11 and 14% for total DON, Σ (PFOA + PFNA + PFHxS + PFOS), bisphenol S and cadmium. The infrastructure and harmonized approach succeeded in obtaining comparable European wide internal exposure data for a prioritized set of 11 chemical groups. These data serve as a reference for comparison at the global level, provide a baseline to compare the efficacy of the European Commission's chemical strategy for sustainability and will give leverage to national policy makers for the implementation of targeted measures.publishersversionpublishe