Swordfish Vertical Distribution and Habitat Use in Relation to Diel and Lunar Cycles in the Western North Atlantic

The vertical movement patterns of eight Swordfish Xiphias gladius from 109- to 249-cm lower jaw fork length in the western North Atlantic were studied utilizing pop-up archival transmitting tags. Deployments ranged from 120 to 151 d. Swordfish demonstrated significant differences in depth and temperature distributions between daytime and nighttime periods. Individual Swordfish behavior was characterized by occupying surface waters of less than 100 m during the night and depths greater than 400 m during daytime hours, vertical movements between the surface and depth occurring during crepuscular hours. The maximum depth recorded was 1,448 m (one of the deepest recorded depths for the species). Daytime surfacing behavior was seen in all tagged Swordfish, a rare finding for Swordfish in tropical latitudes. A dominant diurnal period of 1 cycle/d was found from a power spectral density analysis of five of the tagged Swordfish, a novel method for determining periodicity in the behavior of tagged animals. Regression analysis indicated a significant positive relationship between depth and fraction of the moon illuminated, supporting anecdotal and vessel logbook information from local Swordfish fisheries indicating changes in depth in relation to lunar phase

The Use of Science in Environmental Advocacy for Coastal Resource Management

Environmental advocacy in Bolinao has played an important role in the prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of potential and felt impacts of the various activities in the coastal zone. Most initiatives have been spurred by the sharing of knowledge and information in mobilizing community advocates. Facilitating action in four key areas–development planning, coastal aquaculture, concession systems, and tourism– involved the provision of venues for information transfer. These included the conduct of orientations and consultations, sharing of results of research project undertaken, lobbying, and use of primers, newsletters, and theater. Mechanisms for sustaining these actions and upholding the Coastal Resource Management (CRM) principles (sustainable, equitable, empowering) long after projects have been phased out were initiated through the establishment of a Coastal Resource Management Center, and the institutionalization activities through existing institutions, such as the local government, academic institutions, and peoples’ organizations.Maximizing knowledge and information, popularizing information, and sharing this with members of the community and getting them to use it, as well as enjoining them to act, are the challenges that must be faced. Environmental advocacy, as a tool for empowering different community sectors in evolving a consensus for CRM has become an integral feature of development work in Bolinao

Lingayen Gulf (Philippines) experience : if we have to do it again

The coastal management qf the Lingayen Gulf represents a pioneering effort in the Philippines to manage a coastal area that is larger than small islands. After 4 years of research and plan preparation, implementation was initiated with the declaration of the Gulf as an environmentally critical area, and the establishment of the Linguyen Gulf Coastal Area Management Commission. An analyses of the organization and performance of the Commission provided major lessons for future initiatives in coastal management. Programs on law enforcement through punitive measures and vigorous public environmental education through the mass media are easy to implement, and have significant potential to create immediate positive impact among local communities. At the same time, a program on capacity building of management partners at all local governance levels, is crucial for long-term impact. Otherwise, programs on resource management and livelihood development, which require substantial technical inputs, cannot be appropriately implemented

Participatory Metalegal and Legal Processes for the Coastal Development Plan of Bolinao, Pangasinan

The Coastal Development Plan that was passed into law as the Municipal Fisheries Ordinance of Bolinao, Pangasinan, is a concrete example of community participation in policy development. Among the effective metalegal strategies used during the evolution of the plan into an ordinance were the lobbies staged by the federation of people’s organizations (KAISAKA), the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (MFARMC), and the Municipal Mayor. The capacity of various sectors to participate actively in the passage of the plan was enhanced through legal consultations and training provided by the Marine Fisheries Resources Management Project, in partnership with Tanggol Kalikasan, the legal arm of Haribon Foundation. The experience underscores the need for development projects to include the metalegal training of community constituents as a requisite for the latter to actively participate in the formulation of policies and laws for coastal resources management

An Overview of the IGOS Coastal Theme

The Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) Coastal Observation Theme seeks to develop a strategy for integrated global observations that will provide improved understanding of earth system variability and change in the coastal zone, with a particular emphasis on the land-sea-air interface. The program's representatives, expected benefits, milestones, priorities and observing requirements are outline in this presentation

Participatory Monitoring and Feedback System: An Important Entry Towards Sustainable Aquaculture in Bolinao, Northern Philippines

The aquaculture industry in Caquiputan Channel contributed P2.3M to municipal revenues in 1998. However, the uncontrolled construction of fish pens and fish cages have contributed to the deterioration of the water quality in the Caquiputan Channel. Despite monitoring of parameters (e.g. DO, salinity, and temperature), low production was implicated because of limited dissolved oxygen supply.A participatory monitoring of fish pens and fish cages was facilitated to pave the way for sustainable aquaculture. A system for monitoring and disseminating information on water quality, production and zonation of pens and cages, has been pursued to assess the situation and identify mechanisms to regulate aquaculture activities. The feedback system adopted has raised and facilitated environmental awareness, issue identification, and implementation, of solutions to some major issues. Furthermore, the results have resulted in policy reforms, as embodied in the provisions on aquaculture in the Municipal Fisheries Ordinance

Recreational Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) Fishery: Angler Practices in South Florida (USA)

The management of highly migratory species (HMS) is a complex domestic and international system that was initially established to regulate HMS taken in commercial fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean. For managing HMS taken in recreational fisheries, the authority and the data required is lacking and remains to be stipulated by regulating bodies. In the United States, Florida saltwater anglers target various HMS, but swordfish (Xiphias gladius) is a favorite among anglers. The recreational swordfish fishery off the Southeast Florida coast has experienced resurgence in recent years, with directed tournaments resuming in 2001 after being absent almost 20 years. Today, South Florida supports the largest group of recreational swordfish anglers in the world. Despite the increasing popularity and interest, little data is available describing the recreational swordfish fishery and its socio-economic aspects in South Florida. This study aimed to compile, describe, and identify the demographics, fishing tactics, costs, and fishery management perceptions of recreational swordfish anglers in South Florida based on nonprobability purposive sampling organized through the Southeast Swordfish Club (SESC). The sample size (n = 38) represented about 16–38% of the SESC members and between 6% and 8% of the recreational anglers that actively targeted swordfish in South Florida during the time of the survey. We acknowledge the sample size was small (n = 38), but believe the study encompassed the most active swordfish anglers given their knowledge, expertise, and connection with the fishery in terms of participants, fishing effort, and fishing techniques. As such, it is highly probable that a large portion of the recreational swordfish angling population was represented by members of the SESC in terms of swordfishing gear, techniques, and socio-economics, which reduced apparent bias in the study. Overall, the annual income of recreational swordfish anglers in 2007 ranged from US$15,000 to$200,000 with an average income of $91,940 (n = 33). Sixty-nine percent of polled anglers indicated they had more than 26 years of recreational fishing experience and 81$14,210 on annual costs associated with swordfishing, which was 16% of their annual income. Many polled anglers also reported they were dissatisfied with the current swordfish management regulations

Strategies in Mobilizing Coastal Communities for Community-Based Coastal Resource Management in Bolinao, Pangasinan

The Marine Fishery Resources Management Project (MFRMP) hopes to facilitate partnership between the local government unit and the local communities in managing the coastal resources of Bolinao. Mobilization, both at the community and municipal levels, has been very important in promoting community-based strategies in coastal resources management. The community organization process in the municipality has gone through several levels; and different organizations have been formed. In empowering individuals and organizations, strategies tend to be varied and fluid depending on the need, the reason for mobilization, and the resources at hand. The Bolinao experience showcases different strategies used in implementing the resource enhancement, coastal zoning, harvest regulation, and capability building components of the program. These have included the formation of people's organizations, the mobilization of zonal action teams for each of the four zones, the creation and orientation of fishery and aquatic resources management councils at the barangay and municipal levels, and the active collaboration with the local government unit. These strategies and approaches have provided the people and the communities a wealth of experience and lessons that provide helpful insights in undertaking different endeavors. The strategies employed in the mobilization activities have significantly contributed to the empowerment of communities and individuals who are the primary managers of their resources

Participatory coastal development planning in Bolinao, Northern Philippines : a potent tool for conflict resolution; case study

Meeting: International Workshop on Community-Based Natural Resource Management, 10-14 May 1998, Washington, DC, U