Article
Environmental Sciences
Stephanie N. Kennedy, Mandy Keogh, Milton Levin, J. Margaret Castellini, Marianne Lian, Brian S. Fadely, Lorrie D. Rea, Todd M. O. Hara
Summary: The Steller sea lion population west of 144 degrees W longitude has experienced a significant decline, with some rookeries in the Aleutian Islands failing to recover. Differences in immune cell signaling proteins and mercury concentrations were found among regions, suggesting potential impacts on immune status in pups. Regional variations in cytokine and chemokine measurements were observed, indicating potential differences in immune system development and hematopoietic cell differentiation. No direct associations were found between mercury concentrations and immune proteins or liver-related enzymes. These findings highlight the importance of considering regional differences in immune factors and mercury exposure for ecological and risk assessment studies in Steller sea lions and other wildlife.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Pathology
Ching Ching Shirley Kot, Boaz Arzi, Janny V. Evenhuis, Philip H. Kass, Frank J. M. Verstraete
Summary: Through examining the skulls of Steller sea lions, it was found that adults had more dental issues and temporomandibular joint problems than young adults, which could play a significant role in their health and survival.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PATHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Sergey D. Ryazanov, Peter A. Permyakov
Summary: The translation mainly describes the survival status of Steller sea lions in the North Pacific Ocean, with a decline in numbers in certain areas of Asia, while noting the continuous growth of reproductive aggregation on Tuleny Island. The survey found that the sea lions on the island were mainly local animals, and a certain proportion were entangled in marine debris.
ZOOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kyle S. Tidwell, Brett A. Carrothers, Daniel T. Blumstein, Zachary A. Schakner
Summary: The research found that hazing Steller sea lions can temporarily reduce their numbers and make them more likely to move away from humans, decrease foraging behavior. However, over time, the sea lions' response to hazing measures will weaken, indicating that they will gradually become accustomed to these measures.
FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Jonathan J. Scordino, Adrianne M. Akmajian, Stacy L. Edmondson
Summary: This study analyzed the diets of Steller and California sea lions in northwest Washington and found that they have diverse diets that vary seasonally and annually. The two species utilize the same haul-out sites and show significant dietary niche overlap.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Rhea L. Storlund, David A. S. Rosen, Marco Margiocco, Martin Haulena, Andrew W. Trites
Summary: Pinniped hearts have been studied through dissection, but in vivo measurements of cardiac structure, function, and electrophysiology are lacking. Electrocardiograms and echocardiograms were performed on Steller sea lions, northern fur seals, and a walrus under anesthesia. The results showed similarities with other pinniped species but also significant differences, with reduced cardiac contractility in anesthetized Steller sea lions compared to awake terrestrial mammals.
JOURNAL OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Tobias K. Mildenberger, Casper W. Berg, Alexandros Kokkalis, Adrian R. Hordyk, Chantel Wetzel, Nis S. Jacobsen, Andre E. Punt, J. Rasmus Nielsen
Summary: The study compares the effectiveness of two precautionary approaches in recovering over-exploited fish stocks, finding that both methods reduce the risk of overfishing at the expense of expected yield. The success of these strategies depends on HCRs, life-history parameters, and the level of scientific uncertainty.
FISH AND FISHERIES
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Lee Cronin-Fine, Andre E. Punt
Summary: This study investigates the best method for modeling time-varying selectivity and the most robust likelihood function for size-composition data given time-varying selectivity in fisheries assessments. The results show that discrete time blocking can effectively capture time-varying selectivity, leading to a reduction in estimated parameters and variance of quantities. The multinomial likelihood function is preferred as it provides better estimates for desirable management quantities more frequently than others.
FISHERIES RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yu Kanaji, Hikari Maeda, Hiroshi Okamura, Andre E. Punt, Trevor Branch
Summary: Stock assessment approaches are often oversimplified due to lack of biological knowledge and insufficient data. In this study, integrated population models were developed to analyze the status and trends of fishery-targeted coastal dolphin species in Japan. The multispecies model was selected as the preferred option, showing the importance of considering ecological processes in assessments.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oceanography
Georgina A. Gibson, Matthew R. Baker, William T. Stockhausen, Sarah Hinckley, Carolina Parada, Kerim Aydin, Kenneth O. Coyle, Albert J. Hermann, Thomas P. Hurst, Andre E. Punt
Summary: The Gulf of Alaska Integrated Ecosystem Research Program (GOAIERP) conducted a multi-disciplinary study to examine the influence of the environment on the survival and recruitment of early life stages of commercially and ecologically important groundfish species. The integration of Eulerian ecosystem models and Lagrangian Individual-Based Models provided valuable insights into recruitment processes and their potential application to fisheries management. However, coordination between model development, experimentation, and field sampling is challenging and requires careful consideration of data analysis and model validation.
DEEP-SEA RESEARCH PART II-TOPICAL STUDIES IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Nicole Danaher-Garcia, Richard Connor, Gavin Fay, Kelly Melillo-Sweeting, Kathleen M. Dudzinski
Summary: Social network analysis helps explore social structure and individual contributions to social cohesion. This study compares the association and pectoral fin contact networks of Atlantic spotted dolphins, finding a correlation between the two networks and suggesting that association can substitute for physical interaction.
BEHAVIOURAL PROCESSES
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Kevin D. E. Stokesbury, Gavin Fay, Robert Griffin
Summary: The offshore windfarm industry and fisheries industry conflict due to differing approaches to the marine environment, lack of mutual understanding, significant money at stake, and values placed on marine conservation. A framework is needed to standardize and quantify scientific data in order to facilitate effective communication.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nicole Danaher-Garcia, Richard Connor, Gavin Fay, Kelly Melillo-Sweeting, Kathleen M. Dudzinski
Summary: There was a long-term partial fusion between two communities of Atlantic spotted dolphins. The strongest associations were between adult males, and frequent affiliative contact was observed between individuals. This is different from terrestrial mammals, as spotted dolphins show a weaker aggressive response towards outsiders.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Christopher M. Legault, John Wiedenmann, Jonathan J. Deroba, Gavin Fay, Timothy J. Miller, Elizabeth N. Brooks, Richard J. Bell, Joseph A. Langan, Jamie M. Cournane, Andrew W. Jones, Brandon Muffley
Summary: This study evaluated the effectiveness of age-based stock assessments and data-limited methods in preventing overfishing and rebuilding overfished stocks. The results showed that using specific data-limited methods and a statistical model with retrospective adjustment can achieve better performance than other methods in achieving these goals.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Fisheries
Daniel R. Goethel, Kristen L. Omori, Andre E. Punt, Patrick D. Lynch, Aaron M. Berger, Carryn L. de Moor, Eva E. Plaganyi, Jason M. Cope, Natalie A. Dowling, Richard McGarvey, Ann L. Preece, James T. Thorson, Milani Chaloupka, Sarah Gaichas, Eric Gilman, Sybrand A. Hesp, Catherine Longo, Nan Yao, Richard D. Methot
Summary: Marine population modeling is an important research field that supports fisheries interventions. It has made recent advancements to address challenges like climate change and enduring issues such as data limitations. The review highlights the integration of various dimensions in fisheries models, facilitated by interdisciplinary research teams and improved data collection protocols. However, the implementation of model-based advice and sharing of confidential data remain challenges. The authors recommend participatory co-management approaches, wider inclusion of local knowledge and stakeholder input, and improved communication and engagement in fisheries management to make better informed decisions.
REVIEWS IN FISH BIOLOGY AND FISHERIES
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Sean Pascoe, Andre E. Punt, Trevor Hutton, Paul Burch, Pia Bessell-Browne, L. Richard Little
Summary: Consideration of economic outcomes is common in fisheries management globally, but few jurisdictions prioritize economic objectives. Australia's federally managed fisheries have adopted maximum economic yield (MEY) as their primary objective, with biomass-based target reference points used in harvest control rules. In the absence of explicit estimates for biomass-based MEY (BMEY), proxy estimates based on maximum sustainable yield (BMSY) are used. However, estimating BMEY in multi-species fisheries is challenging due to assessments conducted at the individual species level, while economic activity spans across species. This complexity is further compounded in fisheries with multiple fishing gears and targeting practices. Using an age-structured bioeconomic model, this study estimates BMEY for key species in a multi-species, multi-metier fishery, revealing higher optimal biomass levels compared to the current proxy-based system, with economic targets sensitive to changing prices and fishing costs.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Cody S. Szuwalski, Anne B. Hollowed, Kirstin K. Holsman, James N. Ianelli, Christopher M. Legault, Michael C. Melnychuk, Dan Ovando, Andre E. Punt
Summary: Climate change can impact global fisheries productivity. Maintaining current management targets is more beneficial for biodiversity protection than increasing catch through climate adaptation in maximum sustainable yield (MSY) based management. The conservation gain of maintaining management targets increases as the harmful impacts of climate change on productivity worsen. New management tools are needed to balance conservation and food production in ecosystems with non-stationary productivity.
FISH AND FISHERIES
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
A. J. Warlick, G. K. Himes Boor, T. L. McGuire, K. E. W. Shelden, E. K. Jacobson, C. Boyd, P. R. Wade, A. E. Punt, S. J. Converse
Summary: Knowledge about demographic and environmental factors is crucial for designing effective conservation measures. This study used an integrated population model to analyze the endangered Cook Inlet population of beluga whales. The research revealed possible depression in survival and fecundity, and predicted a continued decline with a 17-32% probability of extinction in 150 years. The study highlights the usefulness of integrated population modeling in understanding population dynamics and identifying factors contributing to the failure of protected populations to recover.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
K. M. Maltby, J. G. Mason, H. Cheng, G. Fay, R. L. Selden, L. Williams, C. L. Alves
Summary: Climate change is having an increasing impact on marine fisheries worldwide. The focus of research has shifted from vulnerability to resilience, with a growing interest in determining and operationalizing resilience. However, there are challenges and ambiguity in the concept of social-ecological resilience, and greater transparency, communication, and community involvement are needed in resilience research and practice.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Halley E. Froehlich, Rebecca R. Gentry, Sarah E. Lester, Richard S. Cottrell, Gavin Fay, Trevor A. Branch, Jessica A. Gephart, Easton R. White, Julia K. Baum
Summary: The seafood industry in the United States is experiencing rapid changes due to the ongoing trade war with China, the global COVID-19 pandemic, and new governance mandates. The focus is on offshore aquaculture development, but integrated management is needed to avoid harm to wild fisheries. To promote sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, precise and strategic fisheries reforms, integration of aquaculture with fisheries, improved data collection for aquaculture, addressing social resistance, and reconciling nationalism in a global market are essential.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Tammy L. Silva, David N. Wiley, Michael A. Thompson, Peter Hong, Les Kaufman, Justin A. Suca, Joel K. Llopiz, Hannes Baumann, Gavin Fay
Summary: The study revealed a strong spatial overlap between humpback whales, great shearwaters, and sand lance, indicating a close relationship among the species. Identifying sand lance habitats can help predict areas where predators aggregate, informing species protection and management strategies.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2021)
