Gear-Specific Population Demographics of Channel Catfish in a Large Midwestern River

Various gear types have been used to sample populations of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus in lotic systems. However, these gears produce different population characteristics (i.e., recruitment, growth, and mortality). We compared the population demographics of channel catfish in the Wabash River, Indiana, sampled with baited 25- and 32-mm-bar mesh hoop nets and three-phase alternating current (AC) electrofishing. Based on catch per unit effort, the relative abundance of channel catfish sampled with 32-mm hoop nets was lower than that of fish sampled with 25-mm hoop nets and AC electrofishing. Each gear type also resulted in a different length frequency, mean length increasing progressively in sampling with 25-mm hoop nets, 32-mm hoop nets, and AC electrofishing. Similarly, age-frequency distributions differed among gears. The 25-mm hoop nets biased the age structure toward younger individuals (mean age = 2.5), whereas both 32-mm hoop nets (mean age = 4.0) and AC electrofishing (mean age = 5.8) included older fish. Catch-curve analysis generated different mortality rates for the three gear types, the mortality rate being highest (50%) in fish sampled with 25-mm hoop nets. Gear-specific size and age structures led to differences in von Bertalanffy statistics among the 25-mm hoop nets and AC electrofishing, while the results for 32-mm hoop nets were uninterpretable. Because the different gears led to conflicting parameter estimates, management practices based on sampling with single gears may be contradictory. Given the differences in gear selectivity, biologists need to approach management cautiously until calibration to the true size and age structure is conducted

Reef fish assemblages and fisheries in Parque Nacional del Este, Dominican Republic

Parque National del Este is the second largest protected area in the Dominican Republic, comprising 110 km2 of terrestrial habitats located in the southeastern Dominican Republic. Established in 1975, the park delineation did not include the adjacent marine area, despite its long history of commercial fisheries. Since 1994, several U.S. and Dominican partner organizations have conducted scientific investigations of the marine resources of the area. This paper provides data on the status of snapper and groupers reef assemblages and finfish fisheriescollected during 1995 1997. Methods used in the study included: 1) visual transects (20 m x 5 m) of predatory fishes in coral reef habitats and 2) fishermen interviews to obtain data on fishing methods and catch composition. Predatory fishes, particularly groupers and snappers, are rare and generally small (\u3c 30 cm TL). Larger size snappers (Lutjanus griseus, L. analis) and groupers (Mycreroperca bonaci, M. tigris and M. venenosa) were absent in the visualtransect surveys. Only two Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) were found in 142 transects among 7 reef areas. Among groupers, red hind (E. guttatus), coney (E. fulvus) and graysby (E. cr ue nt atu s) dominated the grouper assemblage in visual transect surveys, as well as in fishermen’s catch. Yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus) was the most abundant snapper species in reefs and in fishermen’s catch. Fishermen interviews (n = 120) showed that hook-and-line, traps, and spears were the most commonly used methods. The catch composition reflects the artisanal nature of the fishery. A significant alteration of the park’s fish assemblages due to overfishing is apparent. The designation of zones with different degree of protection (including a no-take zone) is recommended. This plan includes specific regulations on the use of fishing gears, and others regarding minimum size, closed season. These measures should be included in the oncoming Coastal Management Plan, and will allow to: i) evaluate the potential for fisheries recovery ii) protect what little spawning stock biomass remains in the area, and iii) protect nursery grounds important for juvenile stages. There are few data on the potential contribution of up-current areas (Eastern Caribbean) to reef fish recruitment in the park. A research program addressed to this subject is also recommended

[Carta] 1914 nov. 12, Ciudad de México [para] Enrique Olavarría : [informa que enviará unos paquetes de Margaritas]

E. Pugibet, respondiendo a la petición de Enrique de Olavarría, informa que le enviará los paquetes de Margaritas que él desee. El costo de cada paquete es de $1.25; Documento escrito en papel membretado. Informa que le enviará los paquetes de Margaritas que desee. Español