Australian Vessel Performance in the East Coast Tuna Longline Fishery

A sample of daily observations on the activities of Australian vessels longlining for yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares, during 1987-90 was analyzed, using a production junction approach, to determine the effects of vessel characteristics and operational practices and conditions. Significant differences were found between the tuna fisheries in the northern and southern regions of the inshore yellowfin tuna fishery in the east Australian Exclusive Economic Zone. The type of vessel used, and fishing practices such as soaktime, patrolling the longline, and choice of surface water temperature were found to have significant effects on yellowfin tuna catch rates

Using a well-being approach to develop a framework for an integrated socio-economic evaluation of professional fishing

© 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd The principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development and Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management require that fisheries be managed for social as well as environmental and economic objectives. Comprehensive assessments of the success of fisheries in achieving all three objectives are, however, rare. There are three main barriers to achieving integrated assessments of fisheries. Firstly, disciplinary divides can be considered “too hard” to bridge with inherent conflicts between the predominately empirical and deductive traditions of economics and biophysical sciences and the inductive and interpretative approach of much of the social sciences. Secondly, understanding of the social pillar of sustainability is less well developed. And finally, in-depth analysis of the social aspects of sustainability often involves qualitative analysis and there are practical difficulties in integrating this with largely quantitative economic and ecological assessments. This article explores the social well-being approach as a framework for an integrated evaluation of the social and economic benefits that communities in New South Wales, Australia, receive from professional fish harvesting. Using a review of existing literature and qualitative interviews with more than 160 people associated with the fishing industry the project was able to identify seven key domains of community well-being to which the industry contributes. Identification of these domains provided a framework through which industry contributions could be further explored, through quantitative surveys and economic analysis. This framework enabled successful integration of social and economic, and both qualitative and quantitative information in a manner that enabled a comprehensive assessment of the value of the fishery

Chasing the thrill or just passing the time? Trialing a new mixed methods approach to understanding heterogeneity amongst recreational fishers based on motivations

Human dimensions researchers and fisheries managers have long recognized the value of exploring the heterogeneity that exists amongst recreational fishers. Understanding the differences between fishers has the potential to assist managers in developing targeted communication strategies, direct resources to active management more efficiently and improve understanding of how fishers will respond to changes in regulations or new management interventions. Human dimensions research has traditionally explored fisher heterogeneity through research into the different reasons why people choose to fish, as well as attempts to categorize or segment fishers using variable based approaches. These studies have, to date, relied primarily on large scale, quantitative survey techniques with a particular focus on fisher avidity and commitment. They are therefore limited in their ability to explain how different fishing motivations might interact within an individual, why particular motivations are prioritized, and how this might influence fisher behavior and attitudes. This study trialed a mixed methods approach to understanding fisher heterogeneity based primarily on motivations using a case study in NSW, Australia. This trial involved utilizing a person-centered approach known as Latent Class Analysis (LCA), followed by qualitative, in depth focus group discussions. This revealed five distinct fisher classes; Social fishers, Trophy Fishers, Outdoor Enthusiasts, Generalists and Hunter-Gatherers, each with distinct and significantly different combinations of catch and non-catch-related motivations. The qualitative analysis sought to explore the intersection of motivations and attitudes towards management within and across the different fisher classes. The results highlighted the importance of more detailed examination of the intersection between motivations and attitudes in future LCA, with a particular focus on the potential influence of mastery (or challenge/experience) motivations on fisher attitudes to wards marine and fisheries management approaches

A Model of the Market for ITQ in Australia's Multi-species South East Fishery

Around 100 commercial fish species are utilized by the trawl sector of the Australian South East Fishery, of which sixteen major species were brought into an ITQ management system in 1992. A revenue function approach is used to analyze catch, price and effort data for the period 1990-96, and to develop a set of individual vessel supply curves for quota species, and demand curves for quota. The latter, together with the quota supply constraints, are used to predict market prices of leased quota for each of the sixteen species. Predicted quota prices are compared with observed values, and the implications of various policy measures, including removing some species from the ITQ system, or removing some vessels from the fishery, are discussed.Key words: quota market, Australia, multi-species fisher

Maritime security and the Blue Economy: intersections and interdependencies in the Indian Ocean

Maritime security is essential to supporting the Blue Economy. Many maritime security forums have been key supporters of the Blue Economy concept, particularly in the Indian Ocean region (IOR). This paper will explore the co-evolution and co-dependence of Blue Economy and maritime security agendas, with a particular focus on the IOR. It identifies two primary interactions between Blue Economy and maritime security interests. Firstly, maritime security is an enabler of the Blue Economy, for example, through safeguarding navigation routes, providing important oceanographic data to marine industries and protecting rights over valuable marine resources and activities within claimed zones of maritime jurisdiction. Secondly, an often overlooked role that maritime security plays in the Blue Economy is by being itself a source of economic development and growth. An expanded Blue Economy will create greater demand for maritime security capabilities, and this, in turn, will trigger increased investment and growth in these capabilities. The enhanced and increasingly diverse role that maritime security will continue to play in the Blue Economy can be seen across all sectors in the IOR

Safety and immunogenicity of a novel multiple antigen pneumococcal vaccine in adults: A Phase 1 randomised clinical trial

BACKGROUND: Pneumococcal vaccines, combining multiple protein antigens, provide an alternative approach to currently marketed vaccines and may provide broader protection against pneumococcal disease. This trial evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of a novel vaccine candidate PnuBioVax in healthy young adults. METHODS: In a Phase 1 double-blind study, 36 subjects (18–40 years) were randomised to receive 3 doses of PnuBioVax, 28 days apart, at one of three dose levels (50, 200, 500 µg) or placebo. Safety assessments included rates of emergent adverse events (AEs), injection site and systemic reactions. Immunogenicity endpoints included antibody titre against PnuBioVax and selected pneumococcal antigens. RESULTS: In the placebo (n = 9) and PnuBioVax (n = 27) vaccinated subjects, there were 15 and 72, reported TEAEs, respectively. The majority of TEAEs were classified as common vaccine related AEs. There were no serious AEs. Common vaccine-related AEs occurred in 13 PnuBioVax (48%) and 2 placebo (22%) subjects and were all headaches (mild and moderate). Injection site reactions, mostly pain and tenderness (graded mild or moderate) were reported, in particular in the 200 µg and 500 µg PnuBioVax groups. There were no clinically significant changes in vital signs, ECG or blood chemistries. Subjects receiving the higher dose (200 and 500 μg) demonstrated a greater fold increase in IgG titre compared with the starting dose (50 μg) or the placebo group. The fold-increase was statistically significantly higher for 200 and 500 µg PnuBioVax vs 50 µg PnuBioVax and placebo at each timepoint post-immunisation. Most subjects receiving 200 and 500 µg PnuBioVax demonstrated a ≥2-fold increase in antibody against pneumolysin (Ply), Pneumococcal surface antigen (PsaA), PiaA (Pneumococcal iron acquisition), PspA (Pneumococcal surface protein A) and pilus proteins (RrgB and RrgA). CONCLUSIONS: All dose levels were considered safe and well tolerated. There was a statistically significant increase in anti-PnuBioVax IgG titres at the 200 and 500 µg dose levels compared to 50 µg and placebo. Trial registration number: NCT02572635https://www.clinicaltrials.gov

A novel, multiple-antigen pneumococcal vaccine protects against lethal Streptococcus pneumoniae challenge

Current vaccination against Streptococcus pneumoniae uses vaccines based on capsular polysaccharides from selected serotypes, and has led to non-vaccine serotype replacement disease. We have investigated an alternative serotype-independent approach, using multiple-antigen vaccines (MAV) prepared from S. pneumoniae TIGR4 lysates enriched for surface proteins by a chromatography step after culture under conditions that induce expression of heat shock proteins (Hsp, thought to be immune adjuvants). Proteomics and immunoblots demonstrated that compared to standard bacterial lysates, MAV was enriched with Hsps and contained several recognised protective protein antigens, including pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) and pneumolysin (Ply). Vaccination of rodents with MAV induced robust antibody responses to multiple serotypes, including non-pneumococcal conjugate vaccine serotypes. Homologous and heterologous strains of S. pneumoniae were opsonised after incubation in sera from vaccinated rodents. In mouse models, active vaccination with MAV significantly protected against pneumonia, whilst passive transfer of rabbit serum from MAV vaccinated rabbits significantly protected against sepsis caused by both homologous and heterologous S. pneumoniae strains. Direct comparison of MAV preparations made with or without the heat-shock step showed no clear differences in protein antigen content and antigenicity, suggesting that the chromatography step rather than Hsp induction improved MAV antigenicity. Overall, these data suggest that the MAV approach may provide serotype-independent protection against S. pneumoniae

Economic behavior of fishers under climate-related uncertainty: results from field experiments in Mexico and Colombia

This paper presents the results of economic experiments run among fishermen from the Mexican and Colombian Pacific. The experimental design aims at studying behavior under uncertainty concerning the possible effects of climate change on fisheries. We find that subjects’ risk-aversion diminishes the level of catches and changes fishing practices (e.g. adopting marine reserves), provided that fishermen have ex ante information on possible climatic consequences. Furthermore, social preferences (e.g. for cooperation and reciprocity) also play an important role regarding extraction from common-pool resources. Other factors, such as income, gender and religion are also found to have some influence. These results have important implications for adaptation actions and the management of coastal fisheries

Reduction of visual acuity decreases capacity to evaluate radiographic image quality

Aim: To determine the impact of reduced visual acuity on the evaluation of a test object and appendicular radiographs. Methods: Visual acuity was reduced by two different magnitudes using simulation glasses and compared to normal vision (no glasses). During phase one phantom images were produced for the purpose of counting objects by 13 observers and on phase 2 image appraisal of anatomical structures was performed on anonymized radiographic images by 7 observers. The monitors were calibrated (SMPTE RP133 test pattern) and the room lighting was maintained at 7 ±1 lux. Image display and data on grading were managed using ViewDEX (v.2.0) and the area under the visual grading characteristic (AUCVGC) was calculated using VGC Analyzer (v1.0.2). Inferential statistics were calculated using SPSS. Results: For the evaluation of appendicular radiographs the total interpretation time was longer when visual acuity was reduced with 2 pairs of simulation glasses (15.4 versus 8.9 min). Visual grading analysis showed that observers can lose the ability to detect anatomical and contrast differences when they have a simulated visual acuity reduction, being more challenging to differentiate low contrast details. No simulation glasses, compared to 1 pair gives an AUCVGC of 0.302 (0.280, 0.333), that decreases to 0.197 (0.175, 0.223) when using 2 pairs of glasses. Conclusions: Reduced visual acuity has a significant negative impact on the evaluation of test objects and clinical images. Further work is required to test the impact of reduced visual acuity on visual search, technical evaluation of a wider range of images as well as pathology detection/characterization performance