Economic Costs of Historic Overfishing on Recreational Fisheries: South Atlantic & Gulf of Mexico Regions

Ocean fish are a vital renewable resource for human populations, providing food, employment, and recreation. Many fish stocks worldwide, however, are in a state of serious decline due to overfishing, environmental degradation, climate change, and other stressors. Fishing effort worldwide has remained relatively constant with only slight increases recorded, while the global production of marine fisheries has decreased (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2010). The South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions of the United States have witnessed significant declines in fish stocks that are important to recreational and commercial fisheries. As of 2011, nine fish populations across the two regions were officially classified as "overfished." An additional 12 populations were classified as "subject to overfishing." Biological overfishing occurs when harvest rates from fishing exceed the growth rates of fish stocks. The resulting declines in fish populations can impact the economy at large. This study examines an important component of the costs of overfishing in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions -- recreational catch losses from historic overfishing and their associated economic impacts. Our analysis covers nine federally managed overfished stocks in these two regions over the period 2005–2009, the most recent years for which the necessary data were available prior to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf. Those stocks are black sea bass, red grouper, red porgy, red snapper, and snowy grouper in the South Atlantic; and gag, gray triggerfish, greater amberjack, and red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico. Recreational fishing has long been an important economic activity in these regions. The money spent by recreational fishermen on charter fishing excursions, tackle, bait, fuel, and other expenses supports employment and economic activity across those regions. Our analysis assumes that recreational fisheries could have contributed more to regional economic activity had the stocks been capable of producing greater yields over the study period of 2005–2009. We estimate the size of the recreational catch loss for each species for each year and the economic activity that could have resulted had that catch been available. To arrive at our estimates of recreational catch loss, we compared average annual recreational harvests and effort for each stock for each year over the study period to potential estimated harvests and effort had the stocks been producing at optimum yield. We sourced our measures of optimum yield and maximum sustainable yield for each individual stock from regional stock assessments and fishery management plans. We valued the resulting catch loss by using data on trip expenditures by recreational fishermen in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Effort and expenditure data were sourced from the Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey and includes trips that caught, targeted, or caught and/or targeted the stocks in our analysis.1 Economic multipliers were used to estimate the total direct, indirect, and induced economic activity that could have been generated by those recreational fishing expenditures. Our estimates of catch loss and associated economic impacts are not additive across stocks since trips and their respective expenditures may be associated with multiple stocks. Our analysis finds that recreational fisheries in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico could have contributed millions of dollars more in additional recreational expenditures and associated economic activity had the fish species been producing at optimum yield over the study period. The greatest direct losses were associated with South Atlantic black sea bass and South Atlantic red snapper. Recreational fishermen in the South Atlantic spent $41.7 million on average annually to realize 44$52.8 million greater each year over the five-year study period had the stock been producing at optimum yield. An additional $52.8 million in recreational expenditures each year could have generated an additional$138 million in economic output and $40.3 million in income, and supported 896 jobs annually for the region. In the case of South Atlantic red snapper, fishermen spent$9.2 million on average annually over the study period to catch 37% of the recreational catch that could have been available under optimum yield. We estimate that recreational expenditures on South Atlantic red snapper could have been $15.9 million greater each year and could have contributed an additional$41.6 million in economic output and $12.2 million in income, and supported 270 jobs for the region annually between 2005–2009. In the Gulf region, the greatest losses were associated with red snapper, where recreational fishermen spent$22.4 million to realize 64% of the optimal catch that could have been available. We estimate that recreational expenditures on Gulf red snapper could have been $12.7 million greater each year had the stock been producing at optimum yield. An additional$12.7 million in recreational expenditures each year could have generated an additional $33.2 million in economic output and$9.7 million in income, and supported 215 jobs annually for the region. Our findings support the conclusion that overfished stocks can lead to significant economic losses for regional economies through forgone recreational fishing expenditures. This is only one component of the cost of overfishing. Our analysis does not estimate the value of catch losses in commercial fisheries or the broader impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity. The total value of catch losses resulting from historic overfishing would be greater still if other impacts had been considered. Despite these limitations, this study provides strong economic evidence in support of maintaining healthy ocean fish populations and continuing efforts to rebuild stocks currently subject to overfishing or classified as overfished

Schisms in Schooling: Domains of Power as seen from Our Students

This study investigated the dynamics of power available to students who are assigned to participate in small group instruction as an intervention to low academic scores. It proposes that student experiences of the phenomenon of small group instruction are not currently present in the research literature concerning low student performance in public education, and therefore the research literature is incomplete. A case study was conducted at a public school in St. Louis, Missouri, which resulted in a case of two teachers and five students recruited to participate. Through document analysis, classroom observations, and participant interviews, the participants provided data from which inferences, implications, and conclusions about the status quo of student participation were uncovered. The theoretical framework through which these status quos were uncovered included Critical Race Theory, which led to a study design based on Patricia-Hill Collins\u27 Four Domains of Power used as lenses to define as well as highlight the intersections of social location within an institution. These lenses were then used to further understand the social location thus the agency of students within the institution of public education. The findings depicted a matrix of status quos in which students are acted upon in order to integrate them into the current society and its norms, rather than realize themselves in order to further become conscious and critical actors unto themselves

More Than a Witness: How Dance/Movement Therapy Uses the Body for Processing Exposure to Interparental Violence

Children are often overlooked when violence between two parents occurs. As a result, they grow up with the potential to become adults who repeat their parents’ violent actions or become victims of violence. This theory based study aims to highlight the often secretive nature of domestic violence between parental figures, heighten awareness of the effects of child exposure to the violence, reveal how those effects manifest in them as adults, and educate readers about the power of the body during traumatizing events. Through this study, a modality is offered for processing those traumatic experiences using the body through movement. That modality is dance/movement therapy

The role of DNA methylation on gene expression in actue lymphoblastic leukemia

Epigenetic modification of the genome has more influence on gene expression than DNA sequence alone. DNA hypermethylation and deacetylation of histone complexes has been shown to down regulate expression of associated genes. These epigenetic modifications may play an important role in the pathogenesis of cancer. Demethylation agents and histone deacytlase inhibitors used to restore gene activity to previous levels could lead to development of novel anti-cancer drugs."NIH K99CA132784 (K. H. Taylor)

Clinical Nurse Specialists\u27 Efforts to Reduce Restraint Use on General Practice Units

Learning objectives: The learner will be able to describe the patterns related to the initiation of physical restraints. The learner will be able to explain characteristics of patients who require the use of physical restraints on General Practice Units. The learner will be able to apply elements of bedside rounding to impact physical restraint use or other quality initiatives. Background: Facilities utilize restraints to prevent falls, self harm, and to protect invasive medical devices despite known complications from restraint use. Henry Ford Macomb Hospital (HFMH) has seen an increase in physical restraint use on General Practice Units thus prompting the implementation of bedside rounding by Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) to decrease restraint use and support nursing staff. Purpose: The purpose of this project was to identify patterns of physical restraint use, patient characteristics, and evaluate the impact of bedside restraint rounding by CNSs. Methods: Retrospective chart review. Pre/post test design February 1st, 2018 to January 31st, 2019 and February 1st, 2019 to January 31st 2020. Inclusion Criteria: Individuals admitted to HFMH GPUs that had orders for physical restraints. The total number of charts reviewed was 637. Data Analysis: Continuous variables were evaluated for normality using Shapiro Wilk tests, histograms, and QQ plots. If normality assumptions were met, continuous variables were compared between time points using independent two group t tests, and if normality assumptions were violated, they were compared using Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Categorical variables were compared using chi square tests or Fisher’s exact tests. Statistical significance was set at p Results: Most restraints were initiated in the ICU. Neurology/Stroke GPU had the highest number of restraint orders overall. [see figures] Impact on Nursing Care: CNS rounding improved the utilization of least restrictive devices and influenced a reduction of violent restraint orders demonstrating the impact of CNS rounding. Restraint rounding in the ICU can help prioritize and implement early intervention methods for patients being transferred to the GPUs. The night shift had the highest number of restraint orders. Delirium and “sun downing” that occurs on the night shift, combined with fewer experienced nurses and reduced supportive staff could be a reason for the increased restraint use. The Neurology/Stroke unit had the most frequent orders for restraints. This could be due to the closure of the nearby psychiatric ED services in Sept 2018. This prompts the need for additional education for nurses on behaviors of patients with neurological and psychiatric diagnoses. Day of the week (Thursday and Friday) and month (April and August) were collected to identify if rounding and resources need to be increased and targeted during these times. Limitations: Nurse’s perceptions of restraints and receptiveness of rounding; Time/availability to round for sustainability; Documentation; New restraint order process in June 2018. Areas for Future Research: CNS led rounding on other quality initiatives. Utilization of an alternative research design. Continued study after tailored and proactive rounding strategies have been implemented. Study effectiveness of rounding tool. Implications for Practice: Understanding the patterns of restraints use and patient characteristics allows for tailored approaches to reduce restraints. CNS presence at the bedside can lead to improved outcomes. Futures efforts will be focused on reducing the length of time in restraints. Modify rounding to impact length of time in restraints? Modify rounding tool based on study findings.https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/nursresconf2021/1001/thumbnail.jp

The Role Of Periodontal Disease In Lymphatic Function

Research poster addressing the question: Does periodontal disease affect lymphatic function? Gingival lymphatic vessels drain interstitial fluid and transport immune cells to lymph nodes but despite this, it is unknown how the lymphatic system impacts periodontal disease in humans. In light of this, studies have been observed on animals with the vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGFC), a growth factor known to be increased in periodontal patients. VEGFC is involved in lymphatic hyperplasia and lymphangiogenesis, the proliferation of lymphatic endothelial cells. This growth factor is believed to affect gingival lymphatic function in periodontitis patients. When reviewing the literature, it is evident that the VEGFC receptor is of main interest when investigating lymphatics and periodontitis. One study found that inducing the overexpression of VEGFC in mice infected with P. gingivalis resulted in lymphatic hyperplasia and reduced lymphatic flow, meaning the invasive bacteria is not being cleared out as it should. Another study found that mice lacking gingival lymphatics experienced greater bone loss in periodontitis than mice with functional lymphatic systems.https://dune.une.edu/dh_studpost/1007/thumbnail.jp