scholarly journals Determining salmon provenance with automated otolith reading

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chandler E Kemp ◽  
Susan K Doherty
Keyword(s):  
Classification Accuracy ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Biological Data ◽  
Training Requirements ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Novel Technique ◽  
Hatchery Fish ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Release Location

Synthetic otolith marks are used at hundreds of hatcheries throughout the Pacific Rim to record the release location of salmon. Each year, human readers examine tens of thousands of otolith samples to identify the marks in salmon that are caught. The data inform dynamic management practices that maximize allowable catch while preserving populations, and guide hatchery investments. However, the method is limited by the time required to process otoliths, the inability to distinguish between wild and un-marked hatchery fish, and in some cases classification processes are limited by the subjective decisions of human readers. Automated otolith reading using computer vision has the potential to improve on all three of these limitations. Our work advances the field of automated otolith reading through a novel otolith classification algorithm that uses two neural networks trained with an adversarial algorithm to achieve 93% classification accuracy between four hatchery marks and unmarked otoliths. The algorithm relies on hemisection images of the otolith exclusively: no additional biological data are needed. Our work demonstrates a novel technique with modest training requirements that achieves unprecedented accuracy. The method can be easily adopted in existing otolith labs, scaled to accommodate additional marks, and does not require tracking additional information about the fish that the otolith was retrieved from.

Play it Again Sam — an Essay on Salmon Enhancement

1974 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 1433-1456 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Larkin
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Pacific Salmon ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Provincial Government ◽  
Research Information ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Successful Program ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Management And Development ◽  
Economic Worth

For more than 100 years efforts have been made to increase the abundance of the various species of Pacific salmon. The success of these ventures is largely a matter of conjecture because the scale of natural fluctuations is sufficient to mask the effect of human intervention. No well-defined program for salmon enhancement has yet been developed for British Columbia as a whole. This is mainly attributable to the pressures for providing protection for the existing stocks in the circumstances of an intensive fishery and increasing effects of other resource uses.From a social point of view, salmon enhancement is a highly desirable activity. Salmon occupy a special place in the culture of residents of the Pacific coast. Salmon arc economically valuable and salmon fishing provides a rich source of employment. Recreational fisheries are valuable but their true economic worth is difficult to judge. Benefit:cost ratios for salmon enhancement should be calculated for whole programs rather than for individual projects to obtain an approach consistent with the desirable strategy of development.From a biological point of view, salmon enhancement is feasible. There is potential in the ocean for growing more salmon; many historic runs can be rebuilt and there are many opportunities for colonizing watersheds that are currently inaccessible to salmon. Harvesting of increased stocks of salmon could pose risks for natural stocks that are relatively unproductive. More effective management and development of new strains of salmon may be required in these circumstances. Predator-control programs may in some instances be useful adjuncts to salmon-enhancement projects.The types of enhancement activity that will most likely be rewarding are those that interfere least with the natural life history. Removal of obstructions, regulation of stream flow, construction of artificial spawning channels, are typical simple measures that involve less research information and less risk than rearing hatcheries.Priorities for different salmon-enhancement projects involve consideration of the regional economic and social conditions as well as appreciation of the biological and physical problems. Regardless of priorities it is essential to a successful program that there be a commitment to continuity. Additionally, the total administrative complex for salmon enhancement should involve research components.The execution of a successful salmon-enhancement program depends on the establishment of an agency with the single responsibility of salmon enhancement. The financing of a successful program should depend partly on revenues generated from the resource users, such as a tax on commercially caught salmon, a license for saltwater angling. Special grants from federal and provincial governments would also be appropriate. Regardless of the administrative arrangements, it is urgently necessary that provincial government involvement be more substantial than it is at present. With their control over resource management practices, the provincial government is in a vital position for maintenance of freshwater environments.An investment of at least $100 million, and probably twice that amount, could be undertaken in a salmon-enhancement program that could be executed within 10 years. There are compelling reasons for starting on this enhancement program immediately.

The Development of the Vertebral Column of the Pacific Herring (Clupea pallasii)

1940 ◽  
Vol 5a (1) ◽  
pp. 11-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes M. Gwyn
Keyword(s):  
Vertebral Column ◽  
Clupea Harengus ◽  
Pacific Herring ◽  
Embryological Development ◽  
Vertebral Number ◽  
Clupea Pallasii ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
The Pacific

Embryological development is followed over a period of ten weeks after hatching. The mode of formation of the components of the vertebral column is compared with that in Clupea harengus, and is described in detail where differences are observed or additional information is available. Development appears essentially similar in the two species, although in general more rapid relative to length in C. pallasii. At hatching, myotome formation is complete and the ultimate vertebral number of an individual is presumably determined by that time. During ossification of the vertebral column, complex growth gradients from one or more centres are observed.

scholarly journals Local ecological knowledge on the goliath grouper epinephelus itajara (teleostei: serranidae) in southern Brazil

2006 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leopoldo Cavaleri Gerhardinger ◽  
Rosemeri Carvalho Marenzi ◽  
Áthila Andrade Bertoncini ◽  
Rodrigo Pereira Medeiros ◽  
Maurício Hostim-Silva
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Local Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Biological Data ◽  
Knowledge System ◽  
Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Local Conservation ◽  
Spawning Aggregations ◽  
Long Line ◽  
Goliath Grouper

The goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara is a large sized (> 400 kg) and critically endangered marine fish, which is protected in many countries, including Brazil. Through the application of semi-structured interviews, we investigated the local ecological knowledge of seven fishermen specialist on catching E. itajara from the Babitonga bay, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Local long-line fisheries for E. itajara seemed to be a disappearing tradition in the studied site, with a detailed inherent local ecological knowledge system, which is also being lost. Our study also showed that fishermen engaged in recent fisheries, such as spear-fishing, can also possess a detailed local ecological knowledge system. Through the analysis of fishermen local ecological knowledge, several aspects of E. itajara life history were registered. This species is found in the inner and outer Babitonga bay, from saline waters to areas with a large input of freshwater, and inhabits submerged wooden substrates and artificial reefs such as shipwrecks, mooring pillars and cargo containers. It is known to spawn in December and subsequent summer months in the studied area. Spawning aggregations are usually seen in December (during full moon), being also eventually observed in January and February by our informants. While lobsters, spadefishes and octopuses seem to constitute the most important food items of inner bay E. itajara, outer bay individuals may feed on catfishes, crustaceans and other fish species. The goliath grouper is regarded as pacific and curious fish, but frequently display agonistic behavior in the presence of divers. Based on the perception of well experienced spear fishermen, we hypothesize that E. itajara undertakes seasonal migrations from the inner to the outer bay during summer, and that the studied population is suffering from growth over-fishing. Our data provides a practical evidence of how joining scientific and local ecological knowledge will likely benefit E. itajara local conservation and management practices by adding important new biological data into the decision-making process.

scholarly journals Strengthening the Effectiveness of Aid Delivery in Teacher Education: A Fiji Case Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Donasiano Kalou Ruru
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Development ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
National Development ◽  
International Aid ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Aid Effectiveness ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Paris Declaration ◽  
The Pacific

<p>As a result of increasing development challenges and higher aid allocations to the Pacific, questions of aid effectiveness have become increasingly important. Efforts to professionalise aid delivery tools have been accompanied by debates over whether delivery tools are effective and compatible with more democratic and empowering relationships with beneficiaries. My research examines the effectiveness of international aid to teacher development, using the AusAID funded projects at Lautoka Teachers' College as a case study and the Fiji College of Advanced Education as background study. The conditions governing aid delivery mechanisms are explored, including logical frameworks, participatory processes, and financial probity. These conditions have been drawn from the 'Paris Declaration of Aid Effectiveness' and each is considered to be critical if aid effectiveness is to be enhanced and the investment sustained. Based on participatory research methodology, carried out through 'talanoa sessions', semià à ¢ structured interviews, and analysis of programme documents, the study explored the extent to which aid programmes and management practices are constrained by donor conditions, succeed in meeting their stated aims, and what sort of unintended consequences are generated. Further, the research identified how aid can best improve future aid to the Fiji education system through its delivery, impact and sustainability for national development, as laid out in the Pacific Principles of Aid Effectiveness The study also highlights the growing convergence between the 'aid donors' interests' and 'aid recipients' needs'. The debate on this relationship is necessary to reinvigorate thinking on the effectiveness of aid delivery for Fiji. The study draws up a practical framework, an aid bure designed as a heuristic device to assess the effectiveness of aid delivery for Fiji. The model may also be relevant to the wider Pacific context, and contribute to the global quest for a concrete guide to best practice which above all will continue to foster more sensitive, effective and enduring links between recipient countries and international aid donors.</p>

Learning with Privileged Information for Improved Target Classification

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 50-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roman Ilin ◽  
Simon Streltsov ◽  
Rauf Izmailov
Keyword(s):  
Classification Accuracy ◽  
Wide Area ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Target Classification ◽  
Privileged Information ◽  
Training Time ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Motion Imagery ◽  
Learning Using Privileged Information

This work considers “Learning Using Privileged Information” (LUPI) paradigm. LUPI improves classification accuracy by incorporating additional information available at training time and not available during testing. In this contribution, the LUPI paradigm is tested on a Wide Area Motion Imagery (WAMI) dataset and on images from the Caltech 101 dataset. In both cases a consistent improvement in classification accuracy is observed. The results are discussed and the directions of future research are outlined.

Development of a Risk Register Spreadsheet Tool for Enterprise- and Program-Level Risk Management

2017 ◽  
Vol 2604 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Patrick O'Har ◽  
Christopher W. Senesi ◽  
Keith R. Molenaar
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
The United States ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Enterprise Risk ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Enterprise Level ◽  
Staff Commitment ◽  
Departments Of Transportation

Enterprise risk management is an area of growing interest for state departments of transportation in the United States. This research developed a risk register spreadsheet tool—applicable at the enterprise and program levels—that supports the user in identifying risk events, defining risk categories, and assessing the likelihood (probability) and consequence (effect) of an event occurring. A state-of-the-practice survey was conducted with regard to the use of risk register tools to support enterprise- and program-level risk management at U.S. state departments of transportation, international transportation agencies, and nontransportation organizations. On the basis of the survey results and to further inform development of the risk register tool, several organizations were selected for in-depth interviews to gather additional information on their risk management practices and use of risk register tools. The resultant risk register reflects information from the interviews and examples provided by the participants. The spreadsheet-based risk register is an editable template that does not use any macros or custom code. In addition to the editable template, two prepopulated examples—one for enterprise-level risk management and one for program-level risk management—were created. While the risk register tool can help facilitate good practice risk management, the findings of this research indicate that an organization's risk management governance along with staff commitment, availability, and capability to support risk management activities are equally, if not more, important to effective risk management as the risk register tool itself.

scholarly journals The Effects of Forestry Site Preparation on Mountain Beaver Demographics and Associated Damage to Tree Seedlings

2010 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 127-135
Author(s):  
Wendy Arjo
Keyword(s):  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Tree Seedlings ◽  
Animal Damage ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Mountain Beaver ◽  
Aplodontia Rufa ◽  
Species Specific

Abstract Timber resources are a vital part of the economy in the Pacific Northwest, yet reforestation efforts are often hampered by animal damage. Understanding the factors that influence seedling damage can assist managers in implementing appropriate techniques to reduce species-specific damage. I radio-collared and monitored mountain beavers (Aplodontia rufa) from preharvest to seedling planting to determine the impacts of forest management practices on demographics. In addition, I monitored Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) seedlings on 28 plots on two harvest units (Vesta and Schoolhouse) to determine the effects of chemical site preparation on mountain beaver foraging and subsequent seedling damage. Mountain beaver densities differed between silvicultural treatments (F3,39 = 3.58, P < 0.02), although reproductive success did not (χ2 = 0.14, df = 1, P = 0.70). Larger mountain beaver home ranges were documented in the mature timber compared with those following harvest. Home ranges were also larger in the chemical site preparation portion of the unit (mean = 3.37 ± 0.9 ha) than in the nontreated portion of the unit (mean = 0.82 ± 0.17 ha) on Vesta. Herbicide treatment did not promote seedling damage on either unit. Vegetation does not appear to be the only factor influencing mountain beaver movements and seedling damage. Availability of water is very important for mountain beavers and may also influence their foraging choice, as well as contributing to their increased movements in mature timber (reduced groundwater) versus clearcut areas. Understanding the effects of vegetation on population demographics and subsequent seedling damage may allow for initiating a nonlethal management method using alternative forage.

scholarly journals Changes in Herbicide Use after Adoption of HR Canola in Western Canada

2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 492-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. Smyth ◽  
M. Gusta ◽  
K. Belcher ◽  
P. W. B. Phillips ◽  
D. Castle
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Active Ingredient ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Herbicide Resistant ◽  
Production Technologies ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Herbicide Use

This article examines the changes in herbicide use in relation to canola production in Western Canada, comparing 1995 and 2006. The commercialization and widespread adoption of herbicide-resistant (HR) canola has changed weed management practices in Western Canada. Before the introduction of HR canola, weeds were controlled by herbicides and tillage as the leading herbicides at that time required tillage to allow for soil incorporation of the herbicide. Much of the tillage associated with HR canola production has been eliminated as 64% of producers are now using zero or minimum tillage as their preferred form of crop and soil management. Additionally, there have been significant changes regarding the use and application of herbicides for weed control in canola. This research shows that when comparing canola production in 1995 and 2006, the environmental impact of herbicides applied to canola decreased 53%, producer exposure to chemicals decreased 56%, and quantity of active ingredient applied decreased 1.3 million kg. The cumulative environmental impact was reduced almost 50% with the use of HR herbicides. If HR canola had not been developed and Canadian canola farmers continued to use previous production technologies, the amount of active ingredient applied to control weeds in 2007 would have been 60% above what was actually applied.

Phylogeography of black bears (Ursus americanus) of the Pacific Northwest

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (7) ◽  
pp. 1218-1223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen D Stone ◽  
Joseph A Cook
Keyword(s):  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Pacific Coast ◽  
Ursus Americanus ◽  
Black Bear ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Southeast Alaska ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
The North ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
And Control

Phylogeographic study across codistributed taxa provides temporal and spatial perspectives on the assemblage of communities. A repeated pattern of intraspecific diversification within several taxa of the Pacific Northwest has been documented, and we contribute additional information to this growing data set. We analyzed variation in two mitochondrial genes (cytochrome b and control region) for the black bear (Ursus americanus) and expand previous analyses of phylogeographic variation. Two lineages (coastal and continental) exist; the coastal lineage extends along the Pacific coast from the Takhin River north of Glacier Bay National Park, southeast Alaska, to northern California, whereas the continental lineage is more widespread, occurring from central Alaska to the east coast. Both lineages occur along the coast of southeast Alaska, where interlineage divergence ranged from 3.1 to 3.6% (uncorrected p distances). Multiple lineages of other species have also been identified from southeast Alaska, indicating a complex history for the assembly of biotic communities along the North Pacific coast. The overlapping of the distributions of the black bear lineages with those of other birds and mammals suggests comparable routes of colonization.

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