Catch and effort of the shore and skiboat linefisheries along the South African Eastern Cape Coast

An assessment of catch and effort in the Eastern Cape shore and skiboat linefisheries was undertaken between 1994 and 1996 by means of roving creel and access point surveys. Catch-and-effort data were obtained from direct observation of 3 273 shore-fishers, 172 recreational and 223 commercial skiboat outings. Total effort in the region was high at 903 186 fisher-days year-1 in the shore fishery and 64 266 and 24 357 fisher-days year-1 in the commercial and recreational skiboat sectors respectively. The fisheries are multispecies in nature. The shore fishery consisted of 66 species, the recreational skiboat fishery 44 species and the commercial skiboat fishery 48 species. Just 10 species accounted for 75, 83 and 90% of the catch of the shore, recreational and commercial skiboat fishery respectively. The average catch per unit effort (cpue) was low in all sectors, 1.15 kg fisher-1 day-1 in the shore fishery, 9.4 kg fisher-1 day-1 in the recreational skiboat fishery and 21.5 kg fisher-1 day-1 in the commercial skiboat fishery. Catch data showed that professional and club anglers are more successful fishers. Comparisons with historic records for Port Elizabeth revealed that the cpue in the shore fishery had declined markedly, whereas the total effort increase was negligible (0.1%). In addition, the species composition of the fishery has changed.Keywords: access point surveys, catch and effort, linefishery, roving creel surveyAfrican Journal of Marine Science 2002, 24: 341–35

Considerations on the feasibility of a directed fishery for Panga pterogymnus laniarius (Pisces: sparidae)

Recent assessments of the status of the panga Pterogymnus laniarius stock on the Agulhas Bank, South Africa, showed that catches could be sustained at considerably higher levels than those harvested at present. Although the stock could be successfully harvested using available fishing methods, the sympatry of this species with other commercial species, such as shallow-water Cape hake Merluccius capensis, Cape horse mackerel Trachurus trachurus capensis and other deep-reef species was of concern, because these species would form a significant bycatch in a panga-directed fishery. These findings highlight the problems of bycatch management and emphasize the need for creativity by both scientists and fishers in designing new and improved methods for selectively exploiting bycatch fish resources

The role of the Tsitsikamma National Park in the management of four shore-angling fish along the south-eastern Cape coast of South Africa

The role of the Tsitsikamma National Park (TNP) in the management of four important shore-angling fish (Diplodus sargus capensis, Diplodus cervinus hottentotus, Pachymetopon grande and Dichistius capensis) was evaluated using data obtained from two independent studies conducted over a similar time period, along the south-eastern Cape coast of South Africa. Shore-angling catches were analysed from (i) data gathered from roving creel surveys conducted in the open access areas from Kei Mouth to Stil Bay between April 1994 and February 1996, and (ii) monthly research fishing conducted in the TNP between February 1995 and January 1997. Results from a tag and release study conducted within a small area (c. 5 km) of the TNP revealed that the four study species were resident. Size frequency analyses revealed that the mean individual length (and mass) of the four species was significantly higher in the TNP than in the open access areas. Catch per unit effort data suggest that the species were between five and 21 times more abundant in the TNP. Analysis of anglers' daily catches revealed that the current bag limits (five per person per day) were seldom reached or exceeded even within the TNP, indicating the ineffective nature of this restriction. This study confirms the value of marine protected areas as an effective tool for the management of these and possibly other resident reef-associated fish that are vulnerable to overexploitation. Keywords: fish movement, marine protected areas, reef fish management, shore-angling fisheryAfrican Journal of Marine Science 2002, 24: 27–3

A survey of the South African shore-angling fishery

Roving creel surveys and aerial surveys of shore-angling were undertaken as part of a national investigation into linefishing in South Africa. Shore patrols utilized a random stratified sampling procedure to collect catchand-effort data, and a questionnaire provided information on fishing effort, angler demographics, economics and attitudes towards current regulations. A total of 1 677 patrols, covering 19 616 km, was conducted betweenApril 1994 and February 1996, during which period 9 523 anglers had their catches checked and 4 490 were interviewed. A further 16 497 km were covered by aerial surveys, when 22 609 anglers were counted. Fromthe aerial surveys, angler densities were highest on the KwaZulu-Natal coast (4.65 anglers.km–1), followed by the Southern Cape coast (2.29 anglers.km–1), the Eastern Cape coast (0.36 anglers.km–1) and the WestCoast (0.12 anglers.km–1). Catch rates varied from 1.5 kg.angler –1.day–1 on the Southern Cape coast to 0.45 kg.angler–1.day–1 on the KwaZulu-Natal coast. Total effort was estimated at 3.2×106 angler days.year–1 and the total catch was estimated at 4.5×106 fish.year–1 or 3 000 tons.year–1. Targeted species varied regionally, with elf Pomatomus saltatrix (29%) being the most sought after species on the KwaZulu-Natal coast, kob Argyrosomus japonicus (18%) on the Eastern Cape coast and galjoen Dichistius capensis on the Southern Cape coast (30%) and along the West Coast (50%). The catch composition by mass was dominated byP. saltatrix on the KwaZulu-Natal coast (29%), the Eastern Cape coast (26%), and on the Southern Cape coast (56%) and by white stumpnose Rhabdosargus globiceps (40%) on the West Coast. Although anglersgenerally supported the regulations currently governing the linefishery, the questionnaire results showed that knowledge and compliance of them was poor. A low level of law enforcement was found, except for inKwaZulu-Natal. Management of the linefishery is discussed in relation to the findings of this study

Diagnostic Accuracy of Symptoms, Physical Signs, and Laboratory Tests for Giant Cell Arteritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Importance: Current clinical guidelines recommend selecting diagnostic tests for giant cell arteritis (GCA) based on pretest probability that the disease is present, but how pretest probability should be estimated remains unclear. Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of symptoms, physical signs, and laboratory tests for suspected GCA. Data Sources PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched from November 1940 through April 5, 2020. Study Selection: Trials and observational studies describing patients with suspected GCA, using an appropriate reference standard for GCA (temporal artery biopsy, imaging test, or clinical diagnosis), and with available data for at least 1 symptom, physical sign, or laboratory test. Data Extraction and Synthesis: Screening, full text review, quality assessment, and data extraction by 2 investigators. Diagnostic test meta-analysis used a bivariate model. Main Outcome(s) and Measures: Diagnostic accuracy parameters, including positive and negative likelihood ratios (LRs). Results: In 68 unique studies (14 037 unique patients with suspected GCA; of 7798 patients with sex reported, 5193 were women [66.6%]), findings associated with a diagnosis of GCA included limb claudication (positive LR, 6.01; 95% CI, 1.38-26.16), jaw claudication (positive LR, 4.90; 95% CI, 3.74-6.41), temporal artery thickening (positive LR, 4.70; 95% CI, 2.65-8.33), temporal artery loss of pulse (positive LR, 3.25; 95% CI, 2.49-4.23), platelet count of greater than 400 × 103/μL (positive LR, 3.75; 95% CI, 2.12-6.64), temporal tenderness (positive LR, 3.14; 95% CI, 1.14-8.65), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate greater than 100 mm/h (positive LR, 3.11; 95% CI, 1.43-6.78). Findings that were associated with absence of GCA included the absence of erythrocyte sedimentation rate of greater than 40 mm/h (negative LR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.08-0.44), absence of C-reactive protein level of 2.5 mg/dL or more (negative LR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.25-0.59), and absence of age over 70 years (negative LR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.27-0.86). Conclusions and Relevance: This study identifies the clinical and laboratory features that are most informative for a diagnosis of GCA, although no single feature was strong enough to confirm or refute the diagnosis if taken alone. Combinations of these symptoms might help direct further investigation, such as vascular imaging, temporal artery biopsy, or seeking evaluation for alternative diagnoses

An economic valuation of the South African linefishery

Economic data collected during 1995 and 1996 in a national survey of shore-anglers and skiboat fishermen is used to provide an economic assessment of aspects of recreational, subsistence and commercial linefishing on the South African coastline. Results show that more than 90% of shore-anglers have incomes which lie in the highest two quintiles of the distribution of incomes, and tha

A framework for Distributional Formal Semantics

Formal semantics and distributional semantics offer complementary strengths in capturing the meaning of natural language. As such, a considerable amount of research has sought to unify them, either by augmenting formal semantic systems with a distributional component, or by defining a formal system on top of distributed representations. Arriving at such a unified framework has, however, proven extremely challenging. One reason for this is that formal and distributional semantics operate on a fundamentally different `representational currency': formal semantics defines meaning in terms of models of the world, whereas distributional semantics defines meaning in terms of linguistic co-occurrence. Here, we pursue an alternative approach by deriving a vector space model that defines meaning in a distributed manner relative to formal models of the world. We will show that the resulting Distributional Formal Semantics offers probabilistic distributed representations that are also inherently compositional, and that naturally capture quantification and entailment. We moreover show that, when used as part of a neural network model, these representations allow for capturing incremental meaning construction and probabilistic inferencing. This framework thus lays the groundwork for an integrated distributional and formal approach to meaning

Giant Cell Arteritis and COVID-19: Similarities and Discriminators. A Systematic Literature Review

OBJECTIVE: To identify shared and distinct features of giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to reduce diagnostic error that could cause delays in correct treatment. METHODS: Two systematic literature reviews determined the frequency of clinical features of GCA and COVID-19 in published reports. Frequencies in each disease were summarised using median and range. RESULTS: Headache was common in GCA but was also observed in COVID-19 (66% for GCA, 10% for COVID-19). Jaw claudication or visual loss (43% and 26% in GCA, respectively) were not reported in COVID-19. Both diseases featured fatigue (38% for GCA, 43% for COVID-19) and elevated inflammatory markers (CRP elevated in 100% of GCA, 66% of COVID-19), but platelet count was elevated in 47% of GCA but 4% of COVID-19. Cough and fever were commonly reported in COVID-19 and less frequently in GCA (cough, 63% for COVID-19 versus 12% for GCA; fever, 83% for COVID-19 versus 27% for GCA). Gastrointestinal upset was occasionally reported in COVID-19 (8%), rarely in GCA (4%). Lymphopenia was more common in COVID-19 than GCA (53% in COVID-19, 2% in GCA). Alteration of smell and taste been described in GCA but their frequency is unclear. CONCLUSION: Overlapping features of GCA and COVID-19 include headache, fever, elevated CRP and cough. Jaw claudication, visual loss, platelet count and lymphocyte count may be more discriminatory. Physicians should be aware of the possibility of diagnostic confusion. We have designed a simple checklist to aid evidence-based evaluation of patients with suspected GCA

Clinical pathways for patients with giant cell arteritis during the COVID-19 pandemic: an international perspective

Giant cell arteritis, a common primary systemic vasculitis affecting older people, presents acutely as a medical emergency and requires rapid specialist assessment and treatment to prevent irreversible vision loss. Disruption of the health-care system caused by the COVID-19 pandemic exposed weak points in clinical pathways for diagnosis and treatment of giant cell arteritis, but has also permitted innovative solutions. The essential roles played by all professionals, including general practitioners and surgeons, in treating these patients have become evident. Patients must also be involved in the reshaping of clinical services. As an international group of authors involved in the care of patients with giant cell arteritis, we reflect in this Viewpoint on rapid service adaptations during the first peak of COVID-19, evaluate challenges, and consider implications for the future

Avoidance as a strategy of (not) coping: qualitative interviews with carers of Huntington's Disease patients

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