[mynd 1 h]On Monday April 29, two master‘s thesis will be presented in the Coastal and Marine Management master‘s program at the University Centre of the Westfjords. At 14.30, Scott Harper will present his master‘s thesis titled, In situ optical monitoring of Pyrodinium bahamense in Palawan, Philippines. In the thesis Scott Harper examines the feasibility of an inexpensive and simple method for monitoring toxic dinoflagellate in thePhilippines. The thesis advisor is dr. Halldór Pálmar Halldórsson, director of the University of Iceland‘s Research Centre in Suðurnes and the external reader is dr. Jörundur Svavarsson, a professor of Marine Biology at the University of Iceland. See further information about the thesis in its abstract below.

At 17.00, Rikab Rajuuden presents his master‘s thesis, titled Expansion of Lophius piscatorius distribution in Iceland: Exploring the Ecological and Economic Viability for Establishing Sustainable Monkfish Fisheries in Northwestern Iceland. The thesis advisor is Bjarni Jónsson, ichthyologist at BioPol Marine Biotechnology Company in Skagaströnd, and the external reader is dr. Scott Heppell, Assistant Professor at Oregon State University, USA. See further information about the thesis in its abstract below.
[mynd 2 h]
Scott Harper, at 14.30

In situ optical monitoring of Pyrodinium bahamense in Palawan, Philippines

Abstract

Pyrodinium bahamense, a toxic dinoflagellate, is the leading cause of "red tide" algal blooms in the Philippines. Current monitoring practices do not address the need for an early warning system, due to the high costs and expertise required in the implentation of available methods. The feasibility of an inexpensive and simple method for monitoring HABs was examined. The approach was based on analysis of colour, derived from in situ digital images, supplemented by basic environmental measurements - salinity, temperature, and light intensity. The influence of these parameters on growth - and thus the ability to predict a bloom - was explored, alongside the notion that P. bahamense should alter the colour balance of a water body, indicating the initiation of a bloom. Colour was analyzed in respect to the three basic components of a digital image: Red, green, and blue. Three bodies of water and three rivers surrounding the island of Palawan, Philippines were examined. The colour balance was consistent in most cases, and a unique colour composition was found for each location. Light intensity readings were always within the optimal growth range for P. bahamense, and the same is true for salinity with one exception. Temperature was too high 36% of the time, but 34% of these results exceeded the optimal range by only 1°Ce, and samples were taken at the surface. Thus, the environmental parameters examined seemed consistently within the optimal range for P. bahamense growth. In situ optical monitoring results were encouraging, but inconclusive due to the lack of a P. bahamense bloom occurance during study.

Rikab Rajuuden, at 17.00.

Expansion of Lophius piscatorius distribution in Iceland: Exploring the Ecological and Economic Viability for Establishing Sustainable Monkfish Fisheries in Northwestern Iceland

Abstract

Global climate change has had profound impacts on marine ecosystems by altering physical parameters such as: ocean temperature; salinity; and hydrographic features, which largely govern species richness and distribution of fish populations. In Iceland, climate change has induced northwest expansion of monkfish (Lophius piscatorius) distribution; enhancing unintended consequences which affect fisheries management under the ITQ system. This study examined the impacts of three broadly-defined regions (Northwest region, South region, and East region) collectively and individually by its constituent ports on annual monkfish landings from 1999-2012, proportion of exclusively caught versus by-caught monkfish from 1999-2012, and trends in fishing company ownership from 2002-2012. It analyzed weaknesses in monkfish management and the ITQ system while providing amendments that resolve contemporary issues marginalizing fishing-dependent communities. The study sought to provide evidence supporting the need to establish monkfish fisheries in the northwest region of Iceland. Since 1999, the South region has accounted for 47.2% (12,134 t) of monkfish landings in Iceland, while the Northwest region has accounted for 41.3% (10,607 t) of total monkfish landings. In the same time period, 42.9% of South region landings were identified as by-catch in the lumpfish season, while only 33.1% of Northwest region landings were caught as by-catch. Since 2008, the Northwest region has demonstrated greater contribution to annual monkfish landings than the South region with a 359% increase in average annual monkfish catch per port and 357.1% increase in regional contribution to annual average monkfish catch. This study indicates tremendous growth in both overall and port landings for the Northwest region; however, fishing company ownership has remained low and stagnant. Improvements to monkfish management include resolving information gaps; application of population dynamic modeling; and gear modifications. Recommendations for the amendment of the ITQ system are posited: cost recovery scheme; resource rental strategy; and quota recovery and re-distribution in support of the establishment of owned and operated monkfish fisheries in the Northwest region of Iceland.