Arctic Char and Governmental Support of Fish Farming
[mynd 1 h]Tomorrow, Wednsday April 24, two master's theses will be presented in the Coastal and Marine Management master's program at the University Centre of the Westfjords. At 12.10, Sarah Kennedy will present her master's thesis, titled The effect of water temperature on the feeding behaviour of Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) in a natural stream: Potential effects of climate change. The thesis advisor is dr. Stefán Óli Steingrímsson, associate professor at Hólar University College, and the external reader is dr. Sigurður S. Snorrason a professor at the University of Iceland. Further information about the thesis can be found in its abstract below.
[Canceled until further notice. A new date will be announced as soon as possible.]
At 18.30, Nora Jacobi will present her master's thesis, titled Examining the Potential of Fish Farming to improve the Livelihoods of Farmers in the Surroundings of Lake Victoria, Kenya: Assessing Impacts of Governmental Support. The thesis advisor is dr. Benedict J. Colombi, Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona, and the external reader is dr.Tumi Tómasson, director of the United Nations University, Fisheries Training Programme. Further information about the thesis can be found in its abstract below.
[mynd 2 h]
Both presentations will be in English and are open to the public.
Sarah Kennedy, at 12.10, in room 1-2 at the University Centre of the Westfjords, Wednesday April 24:
The effect of water temperature on the feeding behaviour of Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) in a natural stream: Potential effects of climate change
Abstract
Climate change is a generally accepted phenomenon that will likely influence a wide range of organisms and ecosystems worldwide through shifts in current temperature regimes. Such temperature shifts are believed to have a particular impact on the freshwater ecosystems in the Arctic. The biggest threat to salmonids, and other freshwater fish species, is that many are geographically isolated and their biology is highly dependent on the surrounding water temperature. I observed how water temperature, and other ecological variables, affected the activity, food intake, and foraging mode of young-of-year (YOY) Arctic char (Salvelinus aplinus) in a warm stream in Northern Iceland. Arctic char did not increase their feeding activity with increasing temperatures, perhaps because they may have already been highly active due to the consistently high temperatures within the study stream. Foraging rate was higher at high water temperatures and light levels earlier in the summer suggesting that these variables may play an important role for the underlying metabolic need for, and the ability of Arctic char to forage on drifting invertebrates; respectively. In addition, mobility during foraging decreased significantly as water temperature and light levels decreased towards the end of the summer. This study shows that although Arctic char survive and grow at high water temperatures (i.e., above 10 °C), their behavioural repertoire, e.g. via increased activity, may be reduces as water temperatures increase further. Increasing our knowledge on the role water temperature plays in altering salmonid behaviour will eventually allow us to gain a better understanding of best management practices for fish and fish habitats likely to be effected by rising temperatures due to global climate change.
[Canceled until further notice. A new date will be announced as soon as possible.]
Nora Jacobi, at 18.30, in room 1-2 at the University Centre of the Westfjords, Wednesday April 24:
Examining the Potential of Fish Farming to improve the Livelihoods of Farmers in the Surroundings of Lake Victoria, Kenya: Assessing Impacts of Governmental Support
Abstract
In Kenya, East Africa, fish-demand is constantly growing. Fish supply, however, lags behind owing to declining natural fish stocks. Aquaculture production in Kenya is still insignificant on a global scale, not following the rapid growth of the sector especially in developing countries. Kenya shows great potential for aquaculture activities that are not yet fully explored. In 2009 the development and commercialization of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) aquaculture became part of the government's Economic Stimulus Programme, aiming to stimulate the growth of the Kenyan economy by creating business opportunities and jobs. Aquaculture production in Kenya increased significantly. It can contribute to food security and poverty alleviation by providing high-quality protein and creating jobs and income. These are important attributes for Kenya where poverty and food insecurity are prevalent. This study uses a series of semi-structured questionnaires to elucidate the impacts of small-scale aquaculture on the livelihoods of farmers in the Nyanza and Western Provinces, Kenya. Foci are (1) farm characteristics, (2) support mechanisms used, (3) fish farm wealth, (4) livelihood changes and (5) future perspectives of aquaculture. Outcomes show that livelihoods and nutritional situation have improved since the introduction of aquaculture, mainly through the generation of income. Overall income creation from aquaculture is best for farmers receiving governmental support. Since support is temporally terminated, more work needs to be done for aquaculture to continue successfully in the future. Stressed is the increased integration of aquaculture in other farming activities to promote cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability.
[Canceled until further notice. A new date will be announced as soon as possible.]
At 18.30, Nora Jacobi will present her master's thesis, titled Examining the Potential of Fish Farming to improve the Livelihoods of Farmers in the Surroundings of Lake Victoria, Kenya: Assessing Impacts of Governmental Support. The thesis advisor is dr. Benedict J. Colombi, Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona, and the external reader is dr.Tumi Tómasson, director of the United Nations University, Fisheries Training Programme. Further information about the thesis can be found in its abstract below.
[mynd 2 h]
Both presentations will be in English and are open to the public.
Sarah Kennedy, at 12.10, in room 1-2 at the University Centre of the Westfjords, Wednesday April 24:
The effect of water temperature on the feeding behaviour of Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) in a natural stream: Potential effects of climate change
Abstract
Climate change is a generally accepted phenomenon that will likely influence a wide range of organisms and ecosystems worldwide through shifts in current temperature regimes. Such temperature shifts are believed to have a particular impact on the freshwater ecosystems in the Arctic. The biggest threat to salmonids, and other freshwater fish species, is that many are geographically isolated and their biology is highly dependent on the surrounding water temperature. I observed how water temperature, and other ecological variables, affected the activity, food intake, and foraging mode of young-of-year (YOY) Arctic char (Salvelinus aplinus) in a warm stream in Northern Iceland. Arctic char did not increase their feeding activity with increasing temperatures, perhaps because they may have already been highly active due to the consistently high temperatures within the study stream. Foraging rate was higher at high water temperatures and light levels earlier in the summer suggesting that these variables may play an important role for the underlying metabolic need for, and the ability of Arctic char to forage on drifting invertebrates; respectively. In addition, mobility during foraging decreased significantly as water temperature and light levels decreased towards the end of the summer. This study shows that although Arctic char survive and grow at high water temperatures (i.e., above 10 °C), their behavioural repertoire, e.g. via increased activity, may be reduces as water temperatures increase further. Increasing our knowledge on the role water temperature plays in altering salmonid behaviour will eventually allow us to gain a better understanding of best management practices for fish and fish habitats likely to be effected by rising temperatures due to global climate change.
[Canceled until further notice. A new date will be announced as soon as possible.]
Nora Jacobi, at 18.30, in room 1-2 at the University Centre of the Westfjords, Wednesday April 24:
Examining the Potential of Fish Farming to improve the Livelihoods of Farmers in the Surroundings of Lake Victoria, Kenya: Assessing Impacts of Governmental Support
Abstract
In Kenya, East Africa, fish-demand is constantly growing. Fish supply, however, lags behind owing to declining natural fish stocks. Aquaculture production in Kenya is still insignificant on a global scale, not following the rapid growth of the sector especially in developing countries. Kenya shows great potential for aquaculture activities that are not yet fully explored. In 2009 the development and commercialization of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) aquaculture became part of the government's Economic Stimulus Programme, aiming to stimulate the growth of the Kenyan economy by creating business opportunities and jobs. Aquaculture production in Kenya increased significantly. It can contribute to food security and poverty alleviation by providing high-quality protein and creating jobs and income. These are important attributes for Kenya where poverty and food insecurity are prevalent. This study uses a series of semi-structured questionnaires to elucidate the impacts of small-scale aquaculture on the livelihoods of farmers in the Nyanza and Western Provinces, Kenya. Foci are (1) farm characteristics, (2) support mechanisms used, (3) fish farm wealth, (4) livelihood changes and (5) future perspectives of aquaculture. Outcomes show that livelihoods and nutritional situation have improved since the introduction of aquaculture, mainly through the generation of income. Overall income creation from aquaculture is best for farmers receiving governmental support. Since support is temporally terminated, more work needs to be done for aquaculture to continue successfully in the future. Stressed is the increased integration of aquaculture in other farming activities to promote cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability.