Estimating common dolphin bycatch in the pole-and-line tuna fishery in the Azores

Small-scale artisanal fisheries can have a significant negative impact in cetacean populations. Cetacean bycatch has been documented in the pole-and-line tuna fishery in the Azores with common dolphins being the species more frequently taken. Based on data collected by observers on ∼50% of vessels operating from 1998 to 2012, we investigate the influence of various environmental and fisheries-related factors in common dolphin bycatch and calculate fleet-wide estimates of total bycatch using design-based and model-based methods. Over the 15-year study dolphin bycatch occurred in less than 0.4% of the observed fishing events. Generalized additive modelling results suggest a significant relationship between common dolphin bycatch and duration of fishing events, sea surface temperature and location. Total bycatch calculated from the traditional stratified ratio estimation approach was 196 (95% CI: 186–205), while the negative binomial GAM estimated 262 (95% CI: 249–274) dolphins. Bycatch estimates of common dolphin were similar using statistical approaches suggesting that either of these methods may be used in future bycatch assessments for this fishery. Our work shows that rates of common dolphin bycatch in the pole-and-line tuna fishery in the Azores are low, despite considerable variations between years. Dolphins caught were released alive although the fate of these individuals is unknown. Continued monitoring will provide a better understanding of dolphin bycatch and more accurate estimates essential in the development of potential mitigation measures.

Download Full-text

Policy formalization of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) post-ratification of Minamata Convention for Sustainability (case study of ASGM Gorontalo)

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/201912502006 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 125 ◽

pp. 02006

Author(s):

Fenty Puluhulawa ◽

Amanda Adelina Harun

Keyword(s):

Environmental Sustainability ◽

Research Method ◽

Gold Mining ◽

Local Community ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Research Result ◽

Small Scale ◽

Significant Negative Impact ◽

Alternative Solutions

Indonesia ratified the Minamata Convention in Kumamoto Japan through Law No. 11 of 2017 concerning the Minamata agreement. This ratification is intended to provide protection for the environment from the use of mercury-based materials. Previous studies showed that the use of mercury in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) had a significant negative impact on health and the environment. The problem is whether the problems that need to be done in the application of the above regulations and maintaining environmental sustainability? The research method was carried out through related discussions and discussions with 25 relevant stakeholders, from miners, and local community, which was selected purposively. The research result was analysed qualitatively. This type of research is a combination of normative juridical and empirical juridical. For normative juridical law materials are used regarding relevant laws and regulations and cases. Data analysis was carried out descriptively. The result of the study indicate that The Minamata Convention has not been implemented as expected. The research recommended the need for policies to formalize ASGM in Gorontalo as a solution to facilitate access to mercury use. The need to educate miners about the dangers of using mercury, need alternative solutions to technology interventions for miners.

Download Full-text

Estimating Bycatch From Non-representative Samples (II): A Case Study of Pair Trawlers and Common Dolphins in the Bay of Biscay

Frontiers in Marine Science ◽

10.3389/fmars.2021.795942 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Etienne Rouby ◽

Laurent Dubroca ◽

Thomas Cloâtre ◽

Sebastien Demanèche ◽

Mathieu Genu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Current Knowledge ◽

Anthropogenic Activities ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Common Dolphin ◽

Bay Of Biscay ◽

Multilevel Regression ◽

North East ◽

Wide Range ◽

Common Dolphins ◽

Post Stratification

Marine megafauna plays an important functional role in marine ecosystems as top predators but are threatened by a wide range of anthropogenic activities. Bycatch, the incidental capture of non-targeted species in commercial and recreational fisheries, is of particular concern for small cetacean species, such as dolphins and porpoises. In the North-East Atlantic, common dolphin (Delphinus delphis, Linné 1758) bycatch has been increasing and associated with large numbers of animals stranding during winter on the French Atlantic seashore since at least 2017. However, uncertainties around the true magnitude of common dolphin bycatch and the fisheries involved have led to delays in the implementation of mitigation measures. Current data collection on dolphin bycatch in France is with non-dedicated observers deployed on vessels for the purpose of national fisheries sampling programmes. These data cannot be assumed representative of the whole fisheries' bycatch events. This feature makes it difficult to use classic ratio estimators since they require a truly randomised sample of the fishery by dedicated observers. We applied a newly developed approach, regularised multilevel regression with post-stratification, to estimate total bycatch from unrepresentative samples and total fishing effort. The latter is needed for post-stratification and the former is analysed in a Bayesian framework with multilevel regression to regularise and better predict bycatch risk. We estimated the number of bycaught dolphins for each week and 10 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) divisions from 2004 to 2020 by estimating jointly bycatch risk, haul duration, and the number of hauls per days at sea (DaS). Bycatch risk in pair trawlers flying the French flag was the highest in winter 2017 and 2019 and was associated with the longest haul durations. ICES divisions 8.a and 8.b (shelf part of the Bay of Biscay) were estimated to have the highest common dolphin bycatch. Our results were consistent with independent estimates of common dolphin bycatch from strandings. Our method show cases how non-representative observer data can nevertheless be analysed to estimate fishing duration, bycatch risk and, ultimately, the number of bycaught dolphins. These weekly-estimates improve upon current knowledge of the nature of common dolphin bycatch and can be used to inform management and policy decisions at a finer spatio-temporal scale than has been possible to date. Our results suggest that limiting haul duration, especially in winter, could serve as an effective mitigation strategy.

Download Full-text

The Stock Market’s Reaction to Strict Environmental Inspection: Evidence from Heavily Polluting Listed Companies in China

International Journal of Banking and Finance - Vol. 15, Number 2, 2020 ◽

10.32890/ijbf2020.15.2.5 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Xie Tingting ◽

Wang Yong

Keyword(s):

Environmental Governance ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Listed Companies ◽

Small Scale ◽

Corporate Value ◽

Governance System ◽

Study Approach ◽

Significant Negative Impact ◽

The Impact ◽

Polluting Firms

As an important part of the new environmental governance system in China, the policy effect of Central Environmental Inspection has gained more attention. Based on the data from heavily polluting listed companies in China, this paper examines the impact of Central Environmental Inspection on corporate value by using an event study approach. The result of the study demonstrates that the Central Environmental Inspection causes a general and significant negative impact on the corporate value of heavily polluting listed companies. More specifically, the market value of private firms and small-scale firms declined more than that of state-owned firms and big-scale firms. In addition, under the deterrent of the Central Environmental Inspection, political connections have no longer become the effective way for polluting firms to evade strict environmental regulation.

Download Full-text

In the Wrong Place at the Wrong Time: Identifying Spatiotemporal Co-occurrence of Bycaught Common Dolphins and Fisheries in the Bay of Biscay (NE Atlantic) From 2010 to 2019

Frontiers in Marine Science ◽

10.3389/fmars.2021.617342 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Helene Peltier ◽

Matthieu Authier ◽

Florence Caurant ◽

Willy Dabin ◽

Pierre Daniel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atlantic Coast ◽

Sea Bass ◽

Fishing Effort ◽

Small Scale ◽

Common Dolphin ◽

Bay Of Biscay ◽

The European Union ◽

Fishing Activity ◽

Fishing Vessels ◽

Common Dolphins

The first Unusual Mortality Event (UME) related to fishing activity along the Atlantic coast recorded by the French Stranding Network was in 1989: 697 small delphinids, mostly common dolphins, washed ashore, most of them with evidence of having been bycaught. Since then, UMEs of common dolphins have been observed nearly every year in the Bay of Biscay; unprecedented records were broken every year since 2016. The low and unequally distributed observation efforts aboard fishing vessels in the Bay of Biscay, as well as the lack of data on foreign fisheries necessitated the use of complementary data (such as stranding data) to elucidate the involvement of fisheries in dolphin bycatch. The aim of this work was to identify positive spatial and temporal correlations between the likely origins of bycaught stranded common dolphins (estimated from a mechanistic drift model) and fishing effort statistics inferred from Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) data on vessels >12 m long. Fisheries whose effort correlated positively with dolphin mortality areas after 2016 included French midwater trawlers, French Danish seiners, French gillnetters, French trammel netters, Spanish bottom trawlers, and Spanish gillnetters. For the French fleet only, logbook declarations, sales, and surveys carried out by Ifremer were integrated into fishing effort data. Six fleets were active in common dolphin bycatch areas at least twice between 2016 and 2019: gillnetters fishing hake, trammel netters fishing anglerfish, bottom pair trawlers fishing hake, midwater pair trawlers fishing sea bass and hake, and Danish seiners fishing whiting. Except for changes in hake landings in some fisheries, there were no notable changes in total fishing effort practice (gear or target species) based on the data required by the ICES and Council of the European Union that could explain the large increase in stranded common dolphins recorded along the French Atlantic coast after 2016. Small scale or unrecorded changes could have modified interactions between common dolphins and fisheries, but could not be detected through mandatory data-calls. The recent increase in strandings of bycaught common dolphins could have been caused by changes in their distribution and/or ecology, or changes in fishery practices that were undetectable through available data.

Download Full-text

The Stock Market’s Reaction to Strict Environmental Inspection: Evidence from Heavily Polluting Listed Companies in China

International Journal of Banking and Finance - Vol. 15, Number 2, 2020 ◽

10.32890/ijbf.15.2.2020.9035 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

pp. 95-117

Author(s):

Xie Tingting ◽

Wang Yong

Keyword(s):

Environmental Governance ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Listed Companies ◽

Small Scale ◽

Corporate Value ◽

Governance System ◽

Study Approach ◽

Significant Negative Impact ◽

The Impact ◽

Polluting Firms

Download Full-text

Comparison of Time spent between an electronic and a paper-based laboratory information system by laboratorians at a polyclinic in Greater Accra, Ghana: A time-motion study

10.31124/advance.12917756.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Philip Boakye

Keyword(s):

Information System ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Laboratory Information System ◽

Time Motion ◽

Accessible Information ◽

Motion Study ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Significant Negative Impact ◽

Key Issues ◽

Motion Studies

The acceptance of electronic laboratory information system (LIS) is gradually increasing in developing countries. However, the issue of time effectiveness due to computerization is less clear as there is fewer accessible information. One of the key issues for laboratorians is their indecision with LISs’ would-be effect of time on their work. A polyclinic in Ghana was in the process of implementing electronic LIS. Several of the laboratorians did not have knowledge and skill in computing and there were disagreeing views on the time effectiveness of the LIS after implementation. The management of the polyclinic laboratory was concerned to assess time advantageousness of recording data when using the electronic LIS compared with paper-based LIS. <div><br></div><div>Five randomly selected laboratorians were provided two sheets of paper with tables to document the time they spent for both paper-based and electronic LIS. Data were collected for a total of 230 records,115 electronic LIS and 115 paper-based LIS. The t-test (mean-comparison test) was computed to compare the means of both electronic and paperbased LIS times. </div><div><br></div><div>There was a statistical significant difference in the time spent between electronic and paper-based LIS. The time spent between paper-based and electronic LIS was 0.41 minutes (95% CI 0.15 to 0.66) longer than in electronic LIS. </div><div><br></div><div>LIS can be adopted in polyclinics without having significant negative impact on time spent between electronic and paper-based LIS. More time–motion studies that include laboratorians are however necessary in order to get a more complete picture of time spent between electronic and paper-based LIS. </div>

Download Full-text

ASSESSMENT OF THE SPATIOTEMPORAL DYNAMICS OF THE MACROPHYTE THICKET ECOSYSTEMS IN THE NEVA BAY AND THE ADJACENT WATERS OF THE EASTERN GULF OF FINLAND

Proceedings of International Conference "Managinag risks to coastal regions and communities in a changinag world" (EMECS'11 - SeaCoasts XXVI) ◽

10.31519/conferencearticle_5b1b93849b8ce5.05692343 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Ekaterina Maksimova ◽

Vladimir Zhigulsky ◽

Vladimir Shuisky ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Aquatic Vegetation ◽

Temporal Dynamics ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Spatiotemporal Dynamics ◽

Gulf Of Finland ◽

Active Growth ◽

Nesting Sites ◽

Significant Negative Impact ◽

And Migration ◽

Neva Bay

The macrophyte thicket ecosystems of higher aquatic vegetation in the Neva Bay (NB) and Eastern Gulf of Finland (EGoF) perform many important roles, including acting as the habitats, nesting sites and migration sites for aquatic and semi-aquatic birds, creating the specific conditions necessary for the spawning and growth of many species of fish, and taking part in the self-purification of the aquatic ecosystems. Many anthropogenic disturbances, hydraulic works in particular, have a significant negative impact on these macrophyte thicket ecosystems. In recent years, the active growth of a new type of macrophyte thicket has been observed in the NB. This is due to the aftereffects of the construction of the Saint Petersburg Flood Prevention Facility Complex (FPFC). It is quite likely that the total macrophyte thicket area in these waters is currently increasing. In the future, it will be necessary to assess the environmental impacts of the hydraulic works on the macrophyte thicket of the NB and EGoF, taking into account the background processes of the spatiotemporal dynamics of the reed beds in the waters in question. To do this, it will be necessary to carry out a comprehensive study of these ecosystems and identify patterns in their spatial and temporal dynamics. The program of the study has been developed and is currently being implemented by Eco-Express-Service, a St. Petersburg eco-design company.

Download Full-text

On the Major Differences between the Banking Systems of the EAEU States

Economics and Management ◽

10.35854/1998-1627-2020-4-397-406 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 397-406

Author(s):

T. E. Chekanova

Keyword(s):

Financial Stability ◽

Systems Approach ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Banking Regulation ◽

Member States ◽

Banking Systems ◽

Significant Negative Impact ◽

The Difference ◽

The Government ◽

Major Factors

The presented study examines the problems of integration of the national banking systems of the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).Aim. The study aims to examine the major differences in various aspects of functioning of banking systems in the EAEU member states in terms of their impact on integration processes.Tasks. The author identifies the most prominent features of the banking systems of the EAEU states; reveals the depth of the existing differences through a comparative analysis of various indicators of national banking systems; outlines ways of overcoming integration problems associated with differences in the banking sectors of the Union states.Methods. This study is based on universal general scientific methods and elements of comparative, functional, and economic analysis within the framework of a systems approach. The author uses regulatory documents and banking reports of the EAEU states, statistical and analytical materials of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), and data of Moody’s international rating agency.Results. The study identifies a number of aspects that contain the major differences in the functioning of banking systems in the EAEU member states; highlights the disproportions in the scale, level of development, financial stability, and risks of the banking spheres of the Union states; comparatively analyzes the proportion of banking and non-banking structures in the system and the share of the government and non-resident companies in the capital of banks; marks the difference in the pricing of banking services; determines differences in the existing approaches to banking regulation and the established standards; analyzes the major differences in the legislative acts of the central banks and governments of the EAEU member states and in the terms and definitions used. According to the results of the study, the major factors hindering the development of integration processes between the banking systems of the EAEU states are identified.Conclusions. The existing differences between the banking systems of the EAEU countries are diverse and multifaceted. The author states that the aspects addressed in this study have a significant negative impact on the further development of integration processes, describing the major directions and actions of the member states aimed at minimizing the exiting differences, which are required to facilitate the convergence of the states and the transition towards a common financial market.

Download Full-text

Reserved Bed Program Reduces Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit Capacity Strain: An Implementation Study

Neurosurgery ◽

10.1093/neuros/nyz024 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 86 (1) ◽

pp. 132-138

Author(s):

Christopher D Shank ◽

Nicholas J Erickson ◽

David W Miller ◽

Brittany F Lindsey ◽

Beverly C Walters

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care ◽

Economies Of Scale ◽

Negative Impact ◽

The United States ◽

Fiscal Year ◽

Implementation Study ◽

Service Line ◽

Hospital Units ◽

Significant Negative Impact ◽

Operational Issues

Abstract BACKGROUND Neurosciences intensive care units (NICUs) provide institutional centers for specialized care. Despite a demonstrable reduction in morbidity and mortality, NICUs may experience significant capacity strain with resulting supraoptimal utilization and diseconomies of scale. We present an implementation study in the recognition and management of capacity strain within a large NICU in the United States. Excessive resource demand in an NICU creates significant operational issues. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of a Reserved Bed Pilot Program (RBPP), implemented to maximize economies of scale, to reduce transfer declines due to lack of capacity, and to increase transfer volume for the neurosciences service-line. METHODS Key performance indicators (KPIs) were created to evaluate RBPP efficacy with respect to primary (strategic) objectives. Operational KPIs were established to evaluate changes in operational throughput for the neurosciences and other service-lines. For each KPI, pilot-period data were compared to the previous fiscal year. RESULTS RBPP implementation resulted in a significant increase in accepted transfer volume to the neurosciences service-line (P = .02). Transfer declines due to capacity decreased significantly (P = .01). Unit utilization significantly improved across service-line units relative to theoretical optima (P < .03). Care regionalization was achieved through a significant reduction in “off-service” patient placement (P = .01). Negative externalities were minimized, with no significant negative impact in the operational KPIs of other evaluated service-lines (P = .11). CONCLUSION Capacity strain is a significant issue for hospital units. Reducing capacity strain can increase unit efficiency, improve resource utilization, and augment service-line throughput. RBPP implementation resulted in a significant improvement in service-line operations, regional access to care, and resource efficiency, with minimal externalities at the institutional level.

Download Full-text

The Influence of Urban Sprawl on Air Pollution and the Mediating Effect of Vehicle Ownership

Processes ◽

10.3390/pr9081261 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 1261

Author(s):

Aiping Tao ◽

Qun Liang ◽

Peng Kuai ◽

Tao Ding

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Urban Sprawl ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Empirical Support ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Vehicle Ownership ◽

Mediating Role ◽

Effect Model ◽

Significant Negative Impact ◽

The Impact

Based on the panel data of 224 prefecture-level and above cities in China from 2003 to 2016, this paper empirically studies the impact of urban sprawl on air pollution and introduces a mediating effect model to test the mediating role of vehicle ownership concerning the impact of urban sprawl on air pollution. The research in this paper arrives at three conclusions. First, urban sprawl has a significant positive effect on air pollution, and this conclusion is still valid after solving the endogeneity problem and conducting a robustness test. Second, the results of mediating effect test show that urban sprawl indirectly affects air pollution through the partial mediating effect of vehicle ownership. By removing the mediating effect, urban sprawl has a significant negative impact on air pollution, indicating that the mediating effect of vehicle ownership is higher concerning the impact of urban sprawl on air pollution. Third, further panel quantile regression results show that the higher the level of air pollution, the weaker the mediating effect of vehicle ownership and the stronger the direct effect of urban sprawl on air pollution. These conclusions can provide some empirical support for solving the air pollution problems caused by urban sprawl in China.

Download Full-text