Scenario-based analyses evaluate potential outcomes of proposed regulatory changes in recreational fishery

2019 ◽  
Vol 77 (6) ◽  
pp. 2333-2343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alyssa S Thomas ◽  
Taciano L Milfont ◽  
Michael C Gavin
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Maximum Size ◽  
Potential Outcomes ◽  
Effective Management ◽  
Large Fish ◽  
Recreational Fisheries ◽  
Size Limit ◽  
Regulatory Changes ◽  
Regulation Change

Abstract Understanding current and predicting future behaviour of fishers is fundamental to designing effective management strategies. The management of most recreational fisheries requires releasing fish not meeting size or daily limits, and assuming the majority survive. In the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand, a maximum size limit imposed on the blue cod (Parapercis colias) fishery aimed to achieve a more balanced sex ratio for this hermaphroditic species. We tested three alternative size limit scenarios (current, increased, and no maximum size) in a study with recreational fishers (N = 420) to investigate whether regulation change would influence their intentions to discard fish and fishing satisfaction. Increasing or eliminating the maximum size led to lower discard intentions and greater fishing satisfaction, suggesting strategies to achieve both management goals (e.g. more large fish) and increased fisher satisfaction (potentially increasing compliance). More broadly, the results demonstrate the benefits of using scenarios to evaluate potential regulatory changes prior to implementation.

Conservation, Ecology, and Management of Catfish: The Second International Symposium

2011 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
International Symposium ◽  
Maximum Size ◽  
Large Fish ◽  
Blue Catfish ◽  
Conservation Ecology ◽  
Size Limit ◽  
Catch And Release ◽  
The North ◽  
Gill Net

<em>Abstract</em>.—Blue catfish <em>Ictalurus furcatus </em>were introduced into North Carolina reservoirs in the mid-1960s and have recently become a popular target for anglers pursuing large catfish. In 2008, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission enacted a maximum size limit for blue catfish at Badin Lake and Lake Norman where only one fish greater than 813 mm could be harvested daily. Surveys indicated that few fish larger than 813 mm were present in either system and that the time to reach the size limit was 12 years in Badin Lake and 20 years in Lake Norman, on average. Although few large fish were present in either system, tournament anglers at Lake Norman kept larger fish in a higher proportion than found in gill-net surveys or harvested during a recent creel survey. Modeling results suggested that the regulation would have little or no impact on increasing the number of large catfish in either population. However, the regulation will protect some rare fish that grow to the maximum size limit and potentially allow recapture opportunities if catch-and-release mortality is low.

scholarly journals Influences of fisher attitudes and behaviour on regulation non-compliance: A case study from the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand recreational blue cod fishery

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Alyssa S. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Maximum Size ◽  
Human Dimensions ◽  
Management Style ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Indirect Methods ◽  
Size Limit ◽  
Management Regime ◽  
Management Regimes

<p>Although it has been noted that fisheries is 90% managing people, most management regimes focus solely on the other 10%; the biological aspect. Furthermore, despite the growing popularity of recreational fishing and increased awareness of its biological effects, there exists even less literature on the human dimensions in this domain than in commercial fisheries. In New Zealand, the Marlborough Sounds recreational blue cod fishery is strictly regulated, due to its popularity and a top-down management regime, with limited fisher involvement. Despite substantial biological information on the fishery, there is only one piece of human dimensions research, carried out before the current management regime came into force. This thesis responds to calls for greater integration of human behaviour into fisheries analyses and management. Specifically, the aim is to explore fisher attitudes towards and compliance with the fishery regulations.  The research presented here is a combination of intercept and online surveys of over 500 fishers and is interdisciplinary in nature. Four related studies, aimed towards publication, provide important insights for a more inclusive management style in the future. The first chapter examines fisher attitudes and the factors shaping them, a poorly understood area. Responses reveal that although overall, fishers were dissatisfied with the current regulations, inexperienced and non-locally-resident fishers display more positive attitudes towards the regulations. The second core chapter examines regulation non-compliance, a worldwide fisheries problem that can undermine the effectiveness of a management regime. As rule-breaking behaviour is often a sensitive behaviour, two indirect methods (Randomized Response and Item Count) are tested against direct questioning in estimating violations of three recreational blue cod fishing regulations. Results show mixed effectiveness for the indirect methods, with a significantly higher estimate of non-compliance estimate obtained for only one of the three regulations. The third core chapter uses structural equation modeling to examine the drivers of non-compliance with the size and daily limits for blue cod. Knowledge of these drivers is essential to increasing voluntary compliance with the regulations and these results demonstrate that social norms are the largest influence for both the regulations. Finally, the fourth core chapter examines the potential effects of the maximum size limit on the number of blue cod discarded as well as fisher satisfaction and compliance. A scenario approach reveals that either increasing or eliminating the maximum size limit could offer significant gains compared with the control scenario.  The four chapters contribute to the global literature on subjects including fisher attitudes, estimating sensitive behaviours, drivers of non-compliance, discards in recreational fisheries and natural resource management. Taken together, the results reaffirm the benefits of including the human dimensions in fisheries management regimes. For the Marlborough Sounds recreational blue cod fishery, a shift away from the current, top-down and biologically focused management regime is suggested. I also argue that a more inclusive management strategy may be the best chance for success and allow the fishery to be saved for future generations; a goal shared by both fishers and management.</p>

scholarly journals Influences of fisher attitudes and behaviour on regulation non-compliance: A case study from the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand recreational blue cod fishery

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Alyssa S. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Maximum Size ◽  
Human Dimensions ◽  
Management Style ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Indirect Methods ◽  
Size Limit ◽  
Management Regime ◽  
Management Regimes

<p>Although it has been noted that fisheries is 90% managing people, most management regimes focus solely on the other 10%; the biological aspect. Furthermore, despite the growing popularity of recreational fishing and increased awareness of its biological effects, there exists even less literature on the human dimensions in this domain than in commercial fisheries. In New Zealand, the Marlborough Sounds recreational blue cod fishery is strictly regulated, due to its popularity and a top-down management regime, with limited fisher involvement. Despite substantial biological information on the fishery, there is only one piece of human dimensions research, carried out before the current management regime came into force. This thesis responds to calls for greater integration of human behaviour into fisheries analyses and management. Specifically, the aim is to explore fisher attitudes towards and compliance with the fishery regulations.  The research presented here is a combination of intercept and online surveys of over 500 fishers and is interdisciplinary in nature. Four related studies, aimed towards publication, provide important insights for a more inclusive management style in the future. The first chapter examines fisher attitudes and the factors shaping them, a poorly understood area. Responses reveal that although overall, fishers were dissatisfied with the current regulations, inexperienced and non-locally-resident fishers display more positive attitudes towards the regulations. The second core chapter examines regulation non-compliance, a worldwide fisheries problem that can undermine the effectiveness of a management regime. As rule-breaking behaviour is often a sensitive behaviour, two indirect methods (Randomized Response and Item Count) are tested against direct questioning in estimating violations of three recreational blue cod fishing regulations. Results show mixed effectiveness for the indirect methods, with a significantly higher estimate of non-compliance estimate obtained for only one of the three regulations. The third core chapter uses structural equation modeling to examine the drivers of non-compliance with the size and daily limits for blue cod. Knowledge of these drivers is essential to increasing voluntary compliance with the regulations and these results demonstrate that social norms are the largest influence for both the regulations. Finally, the fourth core chapter examines the potential effects of the maximum size limit on the number of blue cod discarded as well as fisher satisfaction and compliance. A scenario approach reveals that either increasing or eliminating the maximum size limit could offer significant gains compared with the control scenario.  The four chapters contribute to the global literature on subjects including fisher attitudes, estimating sensitive behaviours, drivers of non-compliance, discards in recreational fisheries and natural resource management. Taken together, the results reaffirm the benefits of including the human dimensions in fisheries management regimes. For the Marlborough Sounds recreational blue cod fishery, a shift away from the current, top-down and biologically focused management regime is suggested. I also argue that a more inclusive management strategy may be the best chance for success and allow the fishery to be saved for future generations; a goal shared by both fishers and management.</p>

Paddlefish: Ecological, Aquacultural, and Regulatory Challenges of Managing a Global Resource

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Management Strategies ◽  
State Level ◽  
Recreational Fisheries ◽  
Biologically Relevant ◽  
The Public ◽  
Regulatory Changes ◽  
Stock Assessments ◽  
Limited Entry ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
New Research

<i>Abstract</i>.—The Paddlefish <i>Polyodon spathula</i> has been identified and characterized disparately by commercial harvesters, anglers, managers, and the public, from a rough fish, to a food fish, to a trophy sport fish, to one of North America’s most economically valuable and evolutionarily irreplaceable fish species. It is most commonly harvested with recreational fishing methods often used only for low-valued species, including snagging (the most common method) and archery since adults are primarily filter feeders and thus not susceptible to more traditional angling methods used for sport or game fishes. The prevalence of recreational snagging throughout the Mississippi and Missouri basins increased greatly over the period 1950–1975, associated with impoundment of upper Mississippi and Missouri mainstem and tributary reaches. More Paddlefish became accessible to snaggers below dams as spawning and feeding migrations were impeded and fish aggregated in tailwaters. The variability of legal and administrative classifications of Paddlefish and differing perceptions of the species by harvesters, managers, and the public have resulted in a fish with a complex identity. While Paddlefish in the past have been petitioned for federal listing under the Endangered Species Act, to date they have not been listed. Recreational fisheries management strategies, goals, and objectives have varied widely, perhaps understandably, since the species is managed at the state level. To assess the current situation, we administered an electronic survey to state Paddlefish managers from each of the 25 current and former range states, requesting information on Paddlefish status, regulations, perceptions, and management strategies. The legal and administrative classification of Paddlefish by each state remains the primary factor in how they are managed, and we identified several regional management strategies. Paddlefish regulations continue to evolve based on new research findings and stock assessments. The most impactful regulatory changes have been the development of limited entry Paddlefish fisheries requiring the purchase of a special Paddlefish permit and three instances where recreational fisheries and stock assessments are supported in part by voluntary roe-donation programs. Management of Paddlefish across the Mississippi Basin at biologically relevant or regional scales remains the most rational and desirable long-term goal.

scholarly journals Survival and Inoculum Production of Gibberella zeae in Wheat Residue

Plant Disease ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 88 (7) ◽  
pp. 724-730 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. Pereyra ◽  
R. Dill-Macky ◽  
A. L. Sims
Keyword(s):  
Management Strategies ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Gibberella Zeae ◽  
Effective Management ◽  
Head Blight ◽  
Fusarium Spp ◽  
Residue Decomposition ◽  
Inoculum Production ◽  
Mesh Bags

Survival and inoculum production of Gibberella zeae (Schwein.) Petch (anamorph Fusarium graminearum (Schwabe)), the causal agent of Fusarium head blight of wheat and barley, was related to the rate of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) residue decomposition. Infested wheat residue, comprising intact nodes, internodes, and leaf sheaths, was placed in fiberglass mesh bags on the soil surface and at 7.5- to 10-cm and 15- to 20-cm depths in chisel-plowed plots and 15 to 20 cm deep in moldboard-plowed plots in October 1997. Residue was sampled monthly from April through November during 1998 and every 2 months through April to October 1999. Buried residue decomposed faster than residue placed on the soil surface. Less than 2% of the dry-matter residue remained in buried treatments after 24 months in the field, while 25% of the residue remained in the soil-surface treatment. Survival of G. zeae on node tissues was inversely related to the residue decomposition rate. Surface residue provided a substrate for G. zeae for a longer period of time than buried residue. Twenty-four months after the initiation of the trial, the level of colonization of nodes in buried residue was half the level of colonization of residue on the soil surface. Colonization of node tissues by G. zeae decreased over time, but increased for other Fusarium spp. Ascospores of G. zeae were still produced on residue pieces after 23 months, and these spores were capable of inducing disease. Data from this research may assist in developing effective management strategies for residues infested with G. zeae.

scholarly journals Small size today, aquarium dumping tomorrow: sales of juvenile non-native large fish as an important threat in Brazil

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
André L. B. Magalhães ◽  
Mário Luis Orsi ◽  
Fernando M. Pelicice ◽  
Valter M. Azevedo-Santos ◽  
Jean R. S. Vitule ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Strategies ◽  
Biological Traits ◽  
Large Fish ◽  
Native Range ◽  
Invasion Risk ◽  
Pangasianodon Hypophthalmus ◽  
Arapaima Gigas ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
Astronotus Ocellatus ◽  
Amphilophus Citrinellus

ABSTRACT Informal sales of large-bodied non-native aquarium fishes (known as “tankbusters”) is increasing among Brazilian hobbyists. In this study, we surveyed this non-regulated trade on Facebook® from May 2012 to September 2016, systematically collecting information about the fishes available for trading: species, family, common/scientific names, native range, juvenile length, behavior, number of specimens available in five geographical regions from Brazil. We also assessed the invasion risk of the most frequently sold species using the Fish Invasiveness Screening Test (FIST). We found 93 taxa belonging to 35 families. Cichlidae was the dominant family, and most species were native to South America. All species are sold at very small sizes (< 10.0 cm), and most display aggressive behavior. The hybrid Amphilophus trimaculatus × Amphilophus citrinellus, Astronotus ocellatus, Uaru amphiacanthoides, Osteoglossum bicirrhosum, Cichla piquiti, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, Datnioides microlepis and Cichla kelberi were the main species available. The southeast region showed the greatest trading activity. Based on biological traits, the FIST indicated that Arapaima gigas, C. kelberi and C. temensis are high-risk species in terms of biological invasions via aquarium dumping. We suggest management strategies such as trade regulations, monitoring, euthanasia and educational programs to prevent further introductions via aquarium dumping.

scholarly journals Mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) Species Associated with Cacao Mild Mosaic Virus and Evidence of Virus Acquisition

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 994
Author(s):  
Alina S. Puig ◽  
Sarah Wurzel ◽  
Stephanie Suarez ◽  
Jean-Philippe Marelli ◽  
Jerome Niogret
Keyword(s):  
Mosaic Virus ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Mild Mosaic ◽  
Effective Management ◽  
Coat Protein Region ◽  
Maconellicoccus Hirsutus ◽  
Virus Acquisition ◽  
Mild Mosaic Virus ◽  
Pseudococcus Comstocki ◽  
Genus One

Theobroma cacao is affected by viruses on every continent where the crop is cultivated, with the most well-known ones belonging to the Badnavirus genus. One of these, cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV), is present in the Americas, and is transmitted by several species of Pseudococcidae (mealybugs). To determine which species are associated with virus-affected cacao plants in North America, and to assess their potential as vectors, mealybugs (n = 166) were collected from infected trees in Florida, and identified using COI, ITS2, and 28S markers. The species present were Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi (38%; n = 63), Maconellicoccus hirsutus (34.3%; n = 57), Pseudococcus comstocki (15.7%; n = 26), and Ferrisia virgata (12%; n = 20). Virus acquisition was assessed by testing mealybug DNA (0.8 ng) using a nested PCR that amplified a 500 bp fragment of the movement protein–coat protein region of CaMMV. Virus sequences were obtained from 34.6 to 43.1% of the insects tested; however, acquisition did not differ among species, X2 (3, N = 166) = 0.56, p < 0.91. This study identified two new mealybug species, P. jackbeardsleyi and M. hirsutus, as potential vectors of CaMMV. This information is essential for understanding the infection cycle of CaMMV and developing effective management strategies.

scholarly journals Kahawai Phylogeny and Phylogenetics:  A Genetic Investigation into Commercial and Recreational Fisheries Management and Practice

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Brenton Hodgson
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Common Ancestor ◽  
Coastal Communities ◽  
Commercial Fishing ◽  
Recreational Fisheries ◽  
Monophyletic Clade ◽  
Genetic Investigation ◽  
Fish Stocks ◽  
Modern Times ◽  
The Family

<p>Globally, commercially exploited fish species are coming under more and more pressure as the population of humans grow. Protein from the sea has traditionally been available to coastal communities throughout history. In modern times however, traditional artisanal fisheries have been replaced by commercial fishing industries. It is estimated by some authorities that these modern fisheries have led to decreases in pre-exploitation biomass of desirable species of up to 90%. As desirable species decline, secondary species become more valuable and subject to exploitation. An issue with this exploitation is that management decisions of fish stocks are often based on political or commercial concerns rather than sound science focussed on preserving stocks, and ultimately, fishing industries. To investigate phylogenetic and phylogeographic relationships of fish, kahawai (Arripis trutta) was used as a proxy species. A. trutta is one of only four members of the genus Arripis, which in turn is the sole member of the family Arripidae. It was found that a single, highly connected population of A. trutta inhabit New Zealand waters, and approximately 15 migrants per generation make the journey between New Zealand and Australia, genetically linking these populations. A phylogeny of A. trutta was resolved using mitochondrial DNA, and while COX1 data supported the hypothesis that A. trutta forms a monophyletic clade within the Stromateoids (medusa fish, squaretails and drift fish) and the Scombrids (tuna, mackerel and their allies) suggesting a common ancestor, other data collected during the investigation does not support this hypothesis.</p>

scholarly journals WINTER GRAZING VERSUS SUPPLEMENTS - CHEAPER DAIRYING SYSTEMS

1988 ◽  
pp. 11-14
Author(s):  
J.P. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Conservation Practices ◽  
Early Winter ◽  
Dairy Farmers ◽  
Farm Machinery ◽  
Practical Solution ◽  
Winter Grazing

Present economics dictate New Zealand dairy farmers either increase producton or reduce expenditure to maintain net farm income. Costs associated with present feed conservation practices,are high and so cheaper alternatives for bridging a winter feed deficit are considered. Making no conservation would mean generating additional feed energy by foregoing some milkfat production. Lower cow conversion ratios of milkfat from pasture in late lactation means it is more economic to create additional feed at the end of the season by drying-off earlier rather than calving later. Utilising additional cow liveweight as a store of energy has high metabolic inefficiencies. At today's prices, grazing cows off to overcome the deficit is the most economic and practical solution. Economically, alternatives to traditional supplement systems requre a massive reduction of capital farm machinery to be viable. Management strategies, both to control the spring feed surplus and to increase average farm herbage masses in early winter without loss of growth or quality, need to be developed.

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