An overlooked play? Structure, stratigraphy and hydrocarbon prospectivity of the Carboniferous in the East Irish Sea–North Channel basin complex

Seismic mapping of key Paleozoic surfaces in the East Irish Sea–North Channel region has been incorporated into a review of hydrocarbon prospectivity. The major Carboniferous basinal and inversion elements are identified, allowing an assessment of the principal kitchens for hydrocarbon generation and possible migration paths. A Carboniferous tilt-block is identified beneath the central part of the (Permian–Mesozoic) East Irish Sea Basin (EISB), bounded by carbonate platforms to the south and north. The importance of the Bowland Shale Formation as the key source rock is reaffirmed, the Pennine Coal Measures having been extensively excised following Variscan inversion and pre-Permian erosion. Peak generation from the Bowland source coincided with maximum burial of the system in late Jurassic–early Cretaceous time. Multiphase Variscan inversion generated numerous structural traps whose potential remains underexplored. Leakage of hydrocarbons from these into the overlying Triassic Ormskirk Sandstone reservoirs is likely to have occurred on a number of occasions, but currently unknown is how much resource remains in place below the Base Permian Unconformity. Poor permeability in the Pennsylvanian strata beneath the Triassic fields is a significant risk; the same may not be true in the less deeply buried marginal areas of the EISB, where additional potential plays are present in Mississippian carbonate platforms and latest Pennsylvanian clastic sedimentary rocks. Outside the EISB, the North Channel, Solway and Peel basins also contain Devonian and/or Carboniferous rocks. There have, however, been no discoveries, largely a consequence of the absence of a high-quality source rock and a regional seal comparable to the Mercia Mudstone Group and Permian evaporites of the Cumbrian Coast Group in the EISB

Does a spatiotemporal closure to fishing Chrysophrys auratus (Sparidae) spawning aggregations also protect individuals during migration?

Understanding migration dynamics of fishes that aggregate-spawn is critical if spatiotemporal closures to fishing are expected to protect them. Concern over fishing of Chrysophrys auratus spawning aggregations in embayments near a west Australian city led to an annual 4-month spatial fishing closure. However, the extent to which it protects fish migrating to and from aggregations is unclear. Acoustic telemetry demonstrated a bimodal pattern of entry to and departure from the main embayment via only one of several pathways. Among years, 33%–56% of fish occurred in the pathway prior to the closure, but most left before it ceased. Fish were detected within the closure in multiple but not always consecutive years. Variation in migration timing and aggregation philopatry may alter capture risk, but pre- and postspawning migratory fish are fished in the main pathway and adjacent reefs, which would presumably impact spawning aggregation biomass. Assessment of this would assist in understanding whether expansion of the closure’s spatial and temporal limits is necessary to ensure spawning biomass or whether current management is sufficient

Managing North American Major Professional Sport Teams in the New Millennium: A Focus on Building Brand Equity

Following a decade that produced astonishing player salaries, continued player mobility, widespread corporate involvement, and skyrocketing ticket prices and broadcast rights fees, North American major league professional sport teams enter the 21st century encountering a number of significant challenges. An analysis of the aforementioned trends yields valuable insight into the future of professional team sport management in North America and leads to the identification of a primary concern of team owners and operators, that of managing the franchise\u27s brand equity. With team owners increasingly reaping profits from the long-term appreciation of the team\u27s value while continuing to lose money on a yearly basis, there will be an increased focus on strengthening team brands. This new focus will lead management to build and maintain brand equity through two primary means: the acquisition of assets and the enhancement of customer relationships. Each of these predictions is explained in depth in this paper and examples are provided