Farming the High Seas: Biological performance of the offshore cultivated oysters Ostrea edulis and Crassostrea gigas in the North Sea.

Aquaculture production plays an increasingly important role to meet the global demand for aquatic products and expands continuously. Most mariculture organisms are produced in coastal areas, where space is scarce and stakeholder conflicts exist. For extensive cultures farming off the coast at offshore sites could be a solution to eliminate these problems and facilitate further expansion of environmentally friendly and sustainable aquaculture. The aim of this study was to examine the biological adequacy of two candidate species for such an offshore ostreiculture, the European flat oyster Ostrea edulis and the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. Research focused on growth, condition and survival. Oyster spat of both species was transferred to different offshore sites in the North Sea in 2004 and 2007 and cultivated for six month during growing season. Samples were taken every six to eight weeks from April to October and growth rates, condition indices and survival rates were measured. To enable a deeper insight in oyster condition, elemental (carbon, nitrogen) and biochemical compositions (protein, glycogen and lipid levels) as well as lipid class and fatty acid compositions were investigated. Furthermore, the macroparasitic infestation of oysters at offshore cultivation sites and for comparison, at nearshore wild banks, was investigated. Low infestation rates or even a complete absence of such parasites would be a major advantage for shellfish production activities and would therefore play an important role in the list of site-selection criteria for a certain region. Results showed that both oyster species grow successfully in high-energy offshore environments. Mean growth rates were similar to those measured in individuals from coastal habitats (wild banks and cultures) and the condition index revealed normal seasonal variations in both species. Survival rates of both species were extremely high. However, at one single site a high mortality rate was observed for O. edulis at the end of the experiment. Differences in the increase of shell length and dry mass were observed between sites and size classes. Taking these results into account site selection criteria for different offshore locations are presented. Biochemical results showed an increase in glycogen from spring to early summer for both species, which is related to high food abundance during spring phytoplankton bloom. However, during summer, glycogen storage revealed clear differences between O. edulis and C. gigas: glycogen levels decreased substantially in C. gigas, eventually owing to reproductive activity only of the Pacific oyster. Total protein did not show significant seasonal variations, while lipids were accumulated during growing season, more pronounced in C. gigas, and decreased in autumn. Phospholipids and triacylglycerols were the main lipid classes in both species. Fatty acids resembled the compositions of nearshore grown oysters. This indicates that oysters exhibited a natural biological performance during offshore cultivation. Additionally, no macroparasites have been found in oysters from offshore cultivation sites, which provides a high-potential advantage for aquaculture activities in the open ocean. It can be summarized that oysters are successful candidates for offshore aquaculture operations, e.g. as a multi-use of offshore wind farming areas. As oysters are bioextractive organisms, oyster cultivation as an essential component of integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) approaches in offshore areas is recommended in particular

Nordic renaissance in the writings of Hans Friedrich Blunck illustrated with an example of two trilogies : „Das werdende Volk” and „Die Väter”

Materiały z konferencji naukowej: Nacional’nye kody v evropejskoj literature XIX-XXI vekov, 27.11.-29.11.2015 Nižnnij Novgorod.In the 1930s there was a trend in literature called ”Nordic Renaissance”. One of its representatives was Hans Friedrich Blunck whose books "Das werdende Volk" and "Die Väter" dealt both with Nordic tribes and ancestors. His aim was to showcase the Nordic heroes and turn them into role models for the German nation

Modern Russian writers on the German book market

Целью настоящей статьи является обзор тенденций, касающихся присутствия современных русских писателей на книжном рынке Германии. Заинтересованность немецкого читателя русской литературой восходит к XIX cтолетию. Однако на протяжении многих лет перечень книг значительно менялся. Наряду с всегда читаемой классикой появлялся интерес к творчеству эмигрантов, диcсидентов, к запрещенным в СССР писателям. В настоящее время попрежнему издается русская классика. Кроме того, читательская аудитория Германии проявляет большой интерес к литераторам, пользующимся успехом в России, а также к авторам, постоянно живущим за границей, в том числе в немецкоязычных странах.The purpose of this article is to review trends concerning the presence of contemporary Russian writers on the book market in Germany. The interest of the German readers in the Russian literature dates back to the 19th century. However, over the years the list of books has significantly changed. In addition to the attention to the classical literature, there appeared interest in the works of immigrants, dissidents and writers banned in the Soviet Union. At the present time Russian classics is still being published. Moreover, German readers are very keen on reading both writers who are successful in Russia and the authors constantly living abroad, including German-speaking countries

Return of the native: Survival, growth and condition of European oysters reintroduced to German offshore waters

The European oyster (Ostrea edulis) is under significant threat across its natural distribution range and even functionally extinct in some regions, such as in the German North Sea. Due to its ecological significance in terms of biodiversity and other ecosystem services, the species, and the habitat it provides, are defined as highly endangered by the OSPAR Convention. Restoration measures are gaining momentum in Europe and conclusive recommendations for large‐scale biogenic reef restoration are relevant for example within the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the Habitats Directive. This study examined whether present‐day environmental conditions of sublittoral offshore waters are ecologically suitable for the return of European oysters. Seed oysters (shell length ~2 mm) were deployed in cages in offshore field experiments in 10–26 m water depth. Survival, growth, and condition were investigated over the course of 2 years. Survival was high, even over winter. Growth was excellent, with oysters reaching a mean length of 55.0 ± 7.2 mm shell length and 19.2 ± 6.1 g wet weight after 2 years. The formation of firmly aggregated oysters was observed and confirms O. edulis as a reef‐building species. The overall condition of oysters in the field was excellent, identified by high condition indices and early reproductive activity. These findings are highly relevant for future restoration measures in the North Sea as they confirm that present‐day environmental conditions and small, hatchery‐produced seed oysters are suitable of supporting sustainable and successful restoration efforts even in sublittoral offshore waters

Современные русские писатели на книжном рынке Германии

The purpose of this article is to review trends concerning the presence of contemporary Russian writers on the book market in Germany. The interest of the German readers in the Russian literature dates back to the 19th century. However, over the years the list of books has significantly changed. In addition to the attention to the classical literature, there appeared interest in the works of immigrants, dissidents and writers banned in the Soviet Union. At the present time Russian classics is still being published. Moreover, German readers are very keen on reading both writers who are successful in Russia and the authors constantly living abroad, including German-speaking countriesЦелью настоящей статьи является обзор тенденций, касающихся присутствия современных русских писателей на книжном рынке Германии. Заинтересованность немецкого читателя русской литературой восходит к XIX cтолетию. Однако на протяжении многих лет перечень книг значительно менялся. Наряду с всегда читаемой классикой появлялся интерес к творчеству эмигрантов, диcсидентов, к запрещенным в СССР писателям. В настоящее время попрежнему издается русская классика. Кроме того, читательская аудитория Германии проявляет большой интерес к литераторам, пользующимся успехом в России, а также к авторам, постоянно живущим за границей, в том числе в немецкоязычных страна