Using fisher local ecological knowledge to improve management: the Murray crayfish in Australia

a b s t r a c t The use of data provided by fishers is a contentious topic in fishery management. We compare fisher local ecological knowledge, fisher catch data and scientific data for Murray crayfish (Euastacus armatus) size and sex ratios in the River Murray, Australia, to determine if these data are consistent and if fisher knowledge can be a reliable input into fisheries management. Data were obtained through field surveys of crayfish populations, face-to-face fisher interviews and catch cards completed by fishers. All data sources indicated that there were higher numbers of crayfish <90 mm OCL compared to ≥90 mm OCL and the sex ratio of larger crayfish (≥90 mm OCL) was skewed towards females. Fisher catch card and scientific survey data showed the size frequencies of male and female crayfish were significantly different. Study results suggest that fisher local ecological knowledge can be a reliable source of information to improve fisheries management

The politicisation of science in the Murray-Darling Basin, Australia:discussion of ‘Scientific integrity, public policy and water governance’

Many water scientists aim for their work to inform water policy and management, and in pursuit of this objective, they often work alongside government water agencies to ensure their research is relevant, timely and communicated effectively. A paper in this issue, examining 'Science integrity, public policy and water governance in the Murray-Darling Basin, Australia’, suggests that a large group of scientists, who work on water management in the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) including the Basin Plan, have been subject to possible ‘administrative capture'. Specifically, it is suggested that they have advocated for policies favoured by government agencies with the objective of gaining personal benefit, such as increased research funding. We examine evidence for this claim and conclude that it is not justified. The efforts of scientists working alongside government water agencies appear to have been misinterpreted as possible administrative capture. Although unsubstantiated, this claim does indicate that the science used in basin water planning is increasingly caught up in the politics of water management. We suggest actions to improve science-policy engagement in basin planning, to promote constructive debate over contested views and avoid the over-politicisation of basin science

Identifying challenges to implementation of clinical practice guidelines for sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with melanoma in Australia: protocol paper for a mixed methods study

Introduction Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a diagnostic procedure developed in the 1990s. It is currently used to stage patients with primary cutaneous melanoma, provide prognostic information and guide management. The Australian Clinical Practice Guidelines state that SLNB should be considered for patients with cutaneous melanoma >1 mm in thickness (or >0.8 mm with high-risk pathology features). Until recently, sentinel lymph node (SLN) status was used to identify patients who might benefit from a completion lymph node dissection, a procedure that is no longer routinely recommended. SLN status is now also being used to identify patients who might benefit from systemic adjuvant therapies such as anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD1) checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy or BRAF-directed molecular targeted therapy, treatments that have significantly improved relapse-free survival for patients with resected stage III melanoma and improved overall survival of patients with unresectable stage III and stage IV melanoma. Australian and international data indicate that approximately half of eligible patients receive an SLNB. Methods and analysis This mixed-methods study seeks to understand the structural, contextual and cultural factors affecting implementation of the SLNB guidelines. Data collection will include: (1) cross-sectional questionnaires and semistructured interviews with general practitioners and dermatologists; (2) semistructured interviews with other healthcare professionals involved in the diagnosis and early definitive care of melanoma patients and key stakeholders including researchers, representatives of professional colleges, training organisations and consumer melanoma groups; and (3) documentary analysis of documents from government, health services and non-government organisations. Descriptive analyses and multivariable regression models will be used to examine factors related to SLNB practices and attitudes. Qualitative data will be analysed using thematic analysis. Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval has been granted by the University of Sydney. Results will be disseminated through publications and presentations to clinicians, patients, policymakers and researchers and will inform the development of strategies for implementing SLNB guidelines in Australia

‘Multi-Epitope-Targeted’ Immune-Specific Therapy for a Multiple Sclerosis-Like Disease via Engineered Multi-Epitope Protein Is Superior to Peptides

Antigen-induced peripheral tolerance is potentially one of the most efficient and specific therapeutic approaches for autoimmune diseases. Although highly effective in animal models, antigen-based strategies have not yet been translated into practicable human therapy, and several clinical trials using a single antigen or peptidic-epitope in multiple sclerosis (MS) yielded disappointing results. In these clinical trials, however, the apparent complexity and dynamics of the pathogenic autoimmunity associated with MS, which result from the multiplicity of potential target antigens and “epitope spread”, have not been sufficiently considered. Thus, targeting pathogenic T-cells reactive against a single antigen/epitope is unlikely to be sufficient; to be effective, immunospecific therapy to MS should logically neutralize concomitantly T-cells reactive against as many major target antigens/epitopes as possible. We investigated such “multi-epitope-targeting” approach in murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) associated with a single (“classical”) or multiple (“complex”) anti-myelin autoreactivities, using cocktail of different encephalitogenic peptides vis-a-vis artificial multi-epitope-protein (designated Y-MSPc) encompassing rationally selected MS-relevant epitopes of five major myelin antigens, as “multi-epitope-targeting” agents. Y-MSPc was superior to peptide(s) in concomitantly downregulating pathogenic T-cells reactive against multiple myelin antigens/epitopes, via inducing more effective, longer lasting peripheral regulatory mechanisms (cytokine shift, anergy, and Foxp3+ CTLA4+ regulatory T-cells). Y-MSPc was also consistently more effective than the disease-inducing single peptide or peptide cocktail, not only in suppressing the development of “classical” or “complex EAE” or ameliorating ongoing disease, but most importantly, in reversing chronic EAE. Overall, our data emphasize that a “multi-epitope-targeting” strategy is required for effective immune-specific therapy of organ-specific autoimmune diseases associated with complex and dynamic pathogenic autoimmunity, such as MS; our data further demonstrate that the “multi-epitope-targeting” approach to therapy is optimized through specifically designed multi-epitope-proteins, rather than myelin peptide cocktails, as “multi-epitope-targeting” agents. Such artificial multi-epitope proteins can be tailored to other organ-specific autoimmune diseases

Genome-wide identification and phenotypic characterization of seizure-associated copy number variations in 741,075 individuals

Copy number variants (CNV) are established risk factors for neurodevelopmental disorders with seizures or epilepsy. With the hypothesis that seizure disorders share genetic risk factors, we pooled CNV data from 10,590 individuals with seizure disorders, 16,109 individuals with clinically validated epilepsy, and 492,324 population controls and identified 25 genome-wide significant loci, 22 of which are novel for seizure disorders, such as deletions at 1p36.33, 1q44, 2p21-p16.3, 3q29, 8p23.3-p23.2, 9p24.3, 10q26.3, 15q11.2, 15q12-q13.1, 16p12.2, 17q21.31, duplications at 2q13, 9q34.3, 16p13.3, 17q12, 19p13.3, 20q13.33, and reciprocal CNVs at 16p11.2, and 22q11.21. Using genetic data from additional 248,751 individuals with 23 neuropsychiatric phenotypes, we explored the pleiotropy of these 25 loci. Finally, in a subset of individuals with epilepsy and detailed clinical data available, we performed phenome-wide association analyses between individual CNVs and clinical annotations categorized through the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO). For six CNVs, we identified 19 significant associations with specific HPO terms and generated, for all CNVs, phenotype signatures across 17 clinical categories relevant for epileptologists. This is the most comprehensive investigation of CNVs in epilepsy and related seizure disorders, with potential implications for clinical practice

Framing Two Environmental Flow Trials in the Murray-Darling Basin, South-Eastern Australia

We make sense of the world around us through mental knowledge structures called ‘frames’. Frames, and the metaphors that help to form and maintain them, can be studied through examining discourse. In this paper, we aim to understand the framing of two trials with environmental water by analysing interview-derived discourse. Two separate flow trials, involving changes to river operating rules and practices, were undertaken in the Edward/Kolety-Wakool river system in Australia’s Murray-Darling Basin in 2017 and 2018, as part of the adaptive delivery of water for the environment. Semi-structured interviews with 18 actors in the Edward/Kolety-Wakool river system were undertaken in 2019, in which they reflected on the trials and the use of environmental water in the area. Analysis of the interviews suggest four framings of environmental water, which we have labelled business, engineering, science and medical. Each frame privileges expert practice, potentially marginalising other ways of experiencing and knowing the river system. ‘Participants’ in the social learning/adaptive management occurring in this situation, especially those with authority or influence, should be open to exploring alternate framings of situations. We present this small research project as a practical example of how a focus on revealing and considering discourse can provide interested actors with avenues for co-creation of new understandings and practice

Framing Two Environmental Flow Trials in the Murray-Darling Basin, South-Eastern Australia

We make sense of the world around us through mental knowledge structures called ‘frames’. Frames, and the metaphors that help to form and maintain them, can be studied through examining discourse. In this paper, we aim to understand the framing of two trials with environmental water by analysing interview-derived discourse. Two separate flow trials, involving changes to river operating rules and practices, were undertaken in the Edward/Kolety-Wakool river system in Australia’s Murray-Darling Basin in 2017 and 2018, as part of the adaptive delivery of water for the environment. Semi-structured interviews with 18 actors in the Edward/Kolety-Wakool river system were undertaken in 2019, in which they reflected on the trials and the use of environmental water in the area. Analysis of the interviews suggest four framings of environmental water, which we have labelled business, engineering, science and medical. Each frame privileges expert practice, potentially marginalising other ways of experiencing and knowing the river system. ‘Participants’ in the social learning/adaptive management occurring in this situation, especially those with authority or influence, should be open to exploring alternate framings of situations. We present this small research project as a practical example of how a focus on revealing and considering discourse can provide interested actors with avenues for co-creation of new understandings and practice

Research For A Sustainable Future: Environmental monitoring of variable flow trials conducted at Dartmouth Dam, 2001/02-07/08 - Synthesis of key findings and operational guidelines

Dartmouth and Hume Dams are operated as part of the 'River Murray System' by the River Murray Division of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA). Hume Dam was built 1919-36 and is the primary regulating storage in that river system. It was enlarged 1950-61 to accommodate additional water from the Snowy Mountains Scheme. Dartmouth Dam was constructed later (between 1973 and 1979) on the Mitta Mitta River, a major tributary entering Hume Reservoir (Figure 1). Dartmouth Reservoir has a larger capacity (3908 GL) than Hume Reservoir (approx 3000 GL) and is primarily used as "drought reserve" to supplement storage in Hume. Dartmouth Reservoir can take several years to fill because of its large storage capacity relative to its catchment size. Hume typically fills and empties more frequently, sometimes annually. Although the primary purpose of Dartmouth and Hume Reservoirs is to increase the security of water supply for irrigation, stock, domestic and town use, dam operations also mitigate flooding in the valleys below them (Hume and Dartmouth Dams Operations Review Panel 1998)

Using Adaptive Management to Meet Multiple Goals for Flows Along the Mitta Mitta River in South-Eastern Australia

In this chapter we reflect on a relatively small but influential example of adaptive management which seeks to enhance the environmental benefits of the flow regime in the highly regulated Mitta Mitta River in Australia's Murray-Darling Basin. In 1999 an operational review recommended the reintroduction of greater in-stream flow variability in the Mitta Mitta River in an attempt to improve river health. The river managers have worked towards this through managed variable releases from Dartmouth Dam. These variable releases have been trialled four times from 2001-2008, with the explicit intention of learning more about the ecological impacts of variable flows while still achieving operational goals for the River Murray System overall. The ecological impact of the variable releases was studied via a series of consultancies by a University freshwater ecology team. They concluded that variable flow improved ecological condition compared with the condition after periods of relatively constant flow for greater than 1 month, although the benefits of it are relatively short-lived. Principles were developed over time through discussions between river managers and the research team. These principles are being progressively refined and incorporated into the current operational plan for the river, and learning continues. We suggest that three key ingredients enabled and supported adaptive management in this particular case; aspects of the operational context, the people involved and the trusting relationships that developed

Re-operation of large dams to improve the condition of regulated rivers: An integrated adaptive management approach (Mitta Mitta River, south-eastern Australia)

Flow regulation and water extraction have significantly modified the flow regimes of rivers throughout the world and have contributed to the decline in the biophysical condition of these rivers (Ward & Stanford 1995). To ameliorate this decline, environmental flows have been implemented, or are being considered for implementation in many rivers (Arthington et al 2006). However, in most regulated rivers only a small proportion of water is allocated for environmental purposes. To achieve a significant improvement in the condition of regulated rivers it is essential that consumptive water is also released from dams in a way that achieves environmental benefits at the same time as meeting supply requirements. The challenge for river managers is to alter the operation of dams and weirs to deliver environmental benefits at the same time sustain the industries and communities that rely on water from these systems