scholarly journals Vessel Strikes of Large Whales in the Eastern Tropical Pacific: A Case Study of Regional Underreporting

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Ransome ◽  
Neil R. Loneragan ◽  
Luis Medrano-González ◽  
Fernando Félix ◽  
Joshua N. Smith
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
Coastal Region ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Tropical Pacific ◽  
Eastern Tropical Pacific ◽  
Small Vessels ◽  
True Number ◽  
Fishing Fleets

Vessel strike is recognized as a major modern threat to the recovery of large whale populations globally, but the issue is notoriously difficult to assess. Vessel strikes by large ships frequently go unnoticed, and those involving smaller vessels are rarely reported. Interpreting global patterns of vessel strikes is further hindered by underlying reporting biases caused by differences in countries’ research efforts, legislation, reporting structures and enforcement. This leaves global strike data “patchy” and typically scarce outside of developed countries, where resources are more limited. To explore this we investigated vessel strikes with large whales in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP), a coastal region of ten developing countries where heavy shipping and high cetacean densities overlap. Although this is characteristic of vessel strike “hotspots” worldwide, only 11 ETP strike reports from just four countries (∼2% of total reports) existed in the International Whaling Commission’s Global Ship Strike Database (2010). This contrasts greatly with abundant reports from the neighboring state of California (United States), and the greater United States/Canadian west coast, making it a compelling case study for investigating underreporting. By reviewing online media databases and articles, peer review publications and requesting information from government agencies, scientists, and tourism companies, we compiled a regional ETP vessel strike database. We found over three times as many strike reports (n = 40), from twice as many countries (n = 8), identifying the geographic extent and severity of the threat, although likely still underestimating the true number of strikes. Reports were found from 1905 until 2017, showing that strikes are a regional, historic, and present threat to large whales. The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) was the most commonly hit species, and whale-watch industries involving small vessels in areas of high whale densities were recognized as a conservation and management concern. Industrial fishing fleets and shipping were suggested to be underrepresented sectors in the database, and are likely high-risk vessels for strikes with whales. We demonstrate the implications of known vessel strike reporting biases and conclude a more rapid assessment of global vessel strikes would substantially benefit from prioritized research efforts in developing regions, with known vessel strike “hotspot” characteristics, but few strike reports.

scholarly journals Do Derivatives Hinder the Financial Contagion? A Case Study of Developed Countries’ Stock Markets

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 89-101
Author(s):  
Saeed Rasekhi ◽  
Nasim Nabavi
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
The United States ◽  
Financial Contagion ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Derivative Instruments ◽  
Copula Method ◽  
Negative Effect

The main purpose of this study is to test the effect of the derivative instruments on financial contagion in developed countries including France, Germany, South Korea, Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, considering the United States as the source of the crisis. Therefore, at first, existence of the contagion in the markets was investigated using the ARMA-GARCH-COPULA method, and then, the effect of the derivative instruments on the contagion for the selected countries was examined during the time period 01: 2007: to 08:2018. The results confirm the negative effect of the derivatives on the contagion.

scholarly journals Damage Estimation using Shock Zones: A case study of Amphan tropical cyclone

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Medha ◽  
Biswajit Mondal ◽  
Gour Doloi ◽  
S.M. Tafsirul Islam ◽  
Murari Mohan Bera
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Cyclone ◽  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
Coastal Region ◽  
Unit Price ◽  
Economic Damage ◽  
Damage Estimation ◽  
Price Approach ◽  
Shock Zone ◽  
Relief Efforts

Abstract The tropical cyclone affects millions of people living in the coastal regions. The changing climate has led to an increased intensity and frequency of cyclones, therefore increasing the damage caused to people, the environment, and property. The Bay of Bengal is most prone to tropical cyclones, which affects Bangladesh and the eastern coastal region of India due to geographical proximity. Hence, a comprehensive understanding of the inundation damage and intensity caused becomes essential to focus the relief efforts on the affected districts. This study identified the shock zone and assessed the inundation associated damage caused by recent cyclone Amphan in the area of Bangladesh and West Bengal in India. The shock zonation was based on the track of cyclones, cyclone wind speed zones, elevation, wind impact potentiality, and agricultural population area. The identification of the affected area was done using integrated Landsat and SAR data, and economic damage cost was assessed using the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Unit price approach. The total people affected due to inundation are 2.4 million in India and 1.4 million in Bangladesh and the damage totaled up to 5.4 million USD. The results of this study can be used by concerned authorities to identify the shock zones and be used for rapid assessment of the damages.

scholarly journals International fisheries threaten globally endangered sharks in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean: the case of the Fu Yuan Yu Leng 999 reefer vessel seized within the Galápagos Marine Reserve

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa Bonaccorso ◽  
Nicté Ordóñez-Garza ◽  
Diana A. Pazmiño ◽  
Alex Hearn ◽  
Diego Páez-Rosas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pacific Ocean ◽  
Marine Reserve ◽  
Tropical Pacific ◽  
Shark Species ◽  
Tropical Pacific Ocean ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Eastern Tropical Pacific ◽  
International Conventions ◽  
Galapagos Marine Reserve

AbstractShark fishing, driven by the fin trade, is the primary cause of global shark population declines. Here, we present a case study that exemplifies how industrial fisheries are likely depleting shark populations in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean. In August 2017, the vessel Fu Yuan Yu Leng 999, of Chinese flag, was detained while crossing through the Galápagos Marine Reserve without authorization. This vessel contained 7639 sharks, representing one of the largest seizures recorded to date. Based on a sample of 929 individuals (12%), we found 12 shark species: 9 considered as Vulnerable or higher risk by the IUCN and 8 listed in CITES. Four species showed a higher proportion of immature than mature individuals, whereas size-distribution hints that at least some of the fishing ships associated with the operation may have been using purse-seine gear fishing equipment, which, for some species, goes against international conventions. Our data expose the magnitude of the threat that fishing industries and illegal trade represent to sharks in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean.

scholarly journals Is There an Optimal ENSO Pattern That Enhances Large-Scale Atmospheric Processes Conducive to Tornado Outbreaks in the United States?

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 1626-1642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang-Ki Lee ◽  
Robert Atlas ◽  
David Enfield ◽  
Chunzai Wang ◽  
Hailong Liu
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Southern Oscillation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Tropical Pacific ◽  
Positive Phase ◽  
Eastern Tropical Pacific ◽  
Climate Signal ◽  
Upper Level ◽  
Tornado Outbreaks

Abstract The record-breaking U.S. tornado outbreaks in the spring of 2011 prompt the need to identify long-term climate signals that could potentially provide seasonal predictability for U.S. tornado outbreaks. This study uses both observations and model experiments to show that a positive phase TransNiño may be one such climate signal. Among the top 10 extreme outbreak years during 1950–2010, seven years including the top three are identified with a strongly positive phase TransNiño. The number of intense tornadoes in April–May is nearly doubled during the top 10 positive TransNiño years from that during 10 neutral years. TransNiño represents the evolution of tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures (SSTs) during the onset or decay phase of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation. A positive phase TransNiño is characterized by colder than normal SSTs in the central tropical Pacific and warmer than normal SSTs in the eastern tropical Pacific. Modeling experiments suggest that warmer than normal SSTs in the eastern tropical Pacific work constructively with colder than normal SSTs in the central tropical Pacific to force a strong and persistent teleconnection pattern that increases both the upper-level westerly and lower-level southwesterly over the central and eastern United States. These anomalous winds advect more cold and dry upper-level air from the high latitudes and more warm and moist lower-level air from the Gulf of Mexico converging into the east of the Rockies, and also increase both the lower-tropospheric (0–6 km) and lower-level (0–1 km) vertical wind shear values therein, thus providing large-scale atmospheric conditions conducive to intense tornado outbreaks over the United States.

scholarly journals Case Study of the Access to the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Vaccine Against Tuberculosis in the United States

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dewan Raja
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
The United States ◽  
Bacillus Calmette Guerin ◽  
Bcg Vaccination

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a vaccine that is used worldwide to prevent tuberculosis. Some developed countries, such as the United States, do not routinely administer this vaccine. This article presents the case study of a family who struggled to obtain the BCG in the months before a planned trip to a country in which tuberculosis is prevalent. The application of the BCG vaccination and its availability in the United States, particularly for children, is discussed.

scholarly journals Do Derivatives Hinder the Financial Contagion? A Case Study of Developed Countries’ Stock Markets

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-101
Author(s):  
Saeed Rasekhi ◽  
Nasim Nabavi
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
The United States ◽  
Financial Contagion ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Derivative Instruments ◽  
Copula Method ◽  
Negative Effect

The main purpose of this study is to test the effect of the derivative instruments on financial contagion in developed countries including France, Germany, South Korea, Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, considering the United States as the source of the crisis. Therefore, at first, existence of the contagion in the markets was investigated using the ARMA-GARCH-COPULA method, and then, the effect of the derivative instruments on the contagion for the selected countries was examined during the time period 01: 2007: to 08:2018. The results confirm the negative effect of the derivatives on the contagion.

scholarly journals Damage Estimation using Shock Zones: A case study of Amphan tropical cyclone

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Medha ◽  
Biswajit Mondal ◽  
Gour Doloi
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Cyclone ◽  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
Coastal Region ◽  
Unit Price ◽  
Economic Damage ◽  
Damage Estimation ◽  
Price Approach ◽  
Shock Zone ◽  
Relief Efforts

Abstract The tropical cyclone affects millions of people living in the coastal regions. The changing climate has led to an increased intensity and frequency of cyclones, therefore increasing the damage caused to people, the environment, and property. The Bay of Bengal is most prone to tropical cyclones, which affects Bangladesh and the eastern coastal region of India due to geographical proximity. Hence, a comprehensive understanding of the inundation damage and intensity caused becomes essential to focus the relief efforts on the affected districts. This study identified the shock zone and assessed the inundation associated damage caused by recent cyclone Amphan in the area of Bangladesh and West Bengal in India. The shock zonation was based on the track of cyclones, cyclone wind speed zones, elevation, wind impact potentiality, and agricultural population area. The identification of the affected area was done using integrated Landsat and SAR data, and economic damage cost was assessed using the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Unit price approach. The total people affected due to inundation are 2.4 million in India and 1.4 million in Bangladesh and the damage totaled up to 5.4 million USD. The results of this study can be used by concerned authorities to identify the shock zones and be used for rapid assessment of the damages.

Gendered differences in emigration and mobility perspectives among European researchers working abroad

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Scheibelhofer
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
The United States ◽  
Research Strategy ◽  
The Future ◽  
Highly Skilled

This paper focuses on gendered mobilities of highly skilled researchers working abroad. It is based on an empirical qualitative study that explored the mobility aspirations of Austrian scientists who were working in the United States at the time they were interviewed. Supported by a case study, the paper demonstrates how a qualitative research strategy including graphic drawings sketched by the interviewed persons can help us gain a better understanding of the gendered importance of social relations for the future mobility aspirations of scientists working abroad.

‘A Routh O’ Auld Nick-Nackets’ – the antiquarian collection of John Rae

2015 ◽  
Vol 36-37 (1) ◽  
pp. 163-183
Author(s):  
Paul Taylor
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Nineteenth Century ◽  
Social Context ◽  
Moral Education ◽  
The United States ◽  
Representative Case ◽  
National Museums ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The University

John Rae, a Scottish antiquarian collector and spirit merchant, played a highly prominent role in the local natural history societies and exhibitions of nineteenth-century Aberdeen. While he modestly described his collection of archaeological lithics and other artefacts, principally drawn from Aberdeenshire but including some items from as far afield as the United States, as a mere ‘routh o’ auld nick-nackets' (abundance of old knick-knacks), a contemporary singled it out as ‘the best known in private hands' (Daily Free Press 4/5/91). After Rae's death, Glasgow Museums, National Museums Scotland, the University of Aberdeen Museum and the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, as well as numerous individual private collectors, purchased items from the collection. Making use of historical and archive materials to explore the individual biography of Rae and his collection, this article examines how Rae's collecting and other antiquarian activities represent and mirror wider developments in both the ‘amateur’ antiquarianism carried out by Rae and his fellow collectors for reasons of self-improvement and moral education, and the ‘professional’ antiquarianism of the museums which purchased his artefacts. Considered in its wider nineteenth-century context, this is a representative case study of the early development of archaeology in the wider intellectual, scientific and social context of the era.

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