Publications On Managingthe Whales

New NMFS ScientificReports Published

The publications listed below may beobtained from either the Superintendentof Documents (address gi ven at endof title paragraph on affected publica­tions) or from D822, User ServicesBranch, En vironmental Science Infor­mation Center, NOAA, Rockville, MD20852. Writing to the agency prior toordering is advisable to determine avail­ability and price, where appropriate(prices may change and prepaymentis requ ired).

NOAA Technical Report NMFS Cir­cular 431. Flescher, Donald D. "Guideto some trawl-caught marine fishesfrom Maine to Cape Hatteras, NorthCarolina." March 1980. 34 p. For saleby the Superintendent of Documents,U.S. Government Printing Office,Washington, DC 20402.

Abstract

Fishes covered are those regularly caughtduring trawling operations. Similar shapedfishes are grouped together. On each pagethe written keys are connected by lines tothe fish illustrations; consequently, tech­nical terms in the keys are illustrated as theyare used. Notes on the size and range ofeachfish are included.

NOAA Technical Report NMFS Cir­cular 432. Yoshida, Howard O. "Syn­opsis of biological data on bonitos ofthe genus Sarda." May 1980. 50 p.

Abstract

Published and some unpublished infor­mation on the biology and resources of thethree species of Sarda, S. australis, S.chiliensis, and S. sarda, are compiled,reviewed, and analyzed in the FAO speciessynopsis style.

Feb. /98/,43(2)

NOAA Technical Report NMFS Cir­cular 433. Setzler, Eileen M., WalterR. Boynton, Kathryn V. Wood, HenryH. Zion, Lawrence Lubbers, NancyK. Mountford, Phyllis Frere, LutherTucker, and Joseph A. Mihursky."Synopsis of biological data onstriped bass, Morone saxatilis (Wal­baum)." June 1980. 69 p.

Abstract

This synopsis reviews literature on thetaxonomy, morphology, distribution, lifehistory, population, ecology, recreationaland commercial harvest, and culture of thestriped bass, Marone saxatilis (Walbaum).

The striped bass is an anadromous spe­cies distributed along the Atlantic coastfrom northern Florida to the St. LawrenceEstuary, Canada; along the Gulf of Mexicofrom western Florida to eastern Louisiana;and along the Pacific coast from Ensenada,Mexico, to British Columbia, Canada. Pop­ulations have been establ ished in numerousinland reservoirs and lakes. Striped bassspawn from mid-February in Florida untilJune or July in Canadian waters, and frommid-March to late July in California waters.Spawning occurs at or near the surface infresh or nearly fresh waters at temperaturesfrom 10° to 23°C; peak spawning usuallyoccurs between 15° and 20°C. Yolk-saclarvae (prolarvae) range from 2.0 to 3.7mm TL (total length) at hatching. Larvalfeeding is usually initiated from 4 to 10 daysafter hatching. At about 13 mm TL, larvalstriped bass form small schools and moveinshore; during their first summer, juvenilefish move downstream into higher salinitywaters in many areas. Most estuarine stocksof striped bass along the Atlantic coast areinvolved in two types of migration: theupstream spring spawning migration andthe offshore coastal migrations which ap­parently are not associated with spawningactivity. Male striped bass reach sexualmaturity at an earlier age than females; mostmales are mature in 2 yr and females in theirfourth or fi fth year.

Publication of "Conservation andManagement of Whales," by K.Radway Allen, has been announced bythe University of Washington Press,Seattle, WA 98195. The author is amember of the Scientific Committeeof the International Whaling Commis­sion. He was formerly chief of theDivision of Fisheries and Oceanog­raphy at Cronulla, New South Wales,Australia.

Based on a series of lectures by theauthor at the University of Washingtonin 1978, the book outlines the mainconcepts and techniques which havegradually evolved in the study of whalepopulations and reviews their applica­tion to the management of whales.

The author briefly discusses the biol­ogy of whales and the history of whal­ing, as well as whale populationsand the history of their regulation inchapters I and 2. The following fourchapters examine population models;methods of estimating populations andvital parameters; problems and sourcesof error in the estimation of populationsand vital parameters; and managementstrategies, risks, and alternati ves.

The l20-page book is available fromthe publisher for $12.50.

Accidents and SafetyOn and In the Water

Marine safety has long been a NOAAconcern. Several new reports on ma­rine-related accidents shed more lighton their circumstances and preventionand provide a basis for safer marineresearch, fishing, and recreation.

Surviving Hypothermia

Hypothermia has long been recog­nized as a serious threat to outdoorand maritime workers and recreation­ists. It is also believed to be a majorfactor in about one-third of all U.S.drownings. In addition, it claims hik­ers, mountaineers, and even urban resi­dents and motorists caught in severewinter storms.

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The study of hypothermia, and tech­niques to prevent or treat it is rapidlybearing fruit. In recent months, NOAAresearchers have discovered that many"drowning victims" can be success­fully resuscitated -some after beingunder water 20-30 minutes.

NOAA, of course, has been at theforefront in funding research into hy­pothermia problems and solutions. InJanuary 1980 the University of RhodeIsland hosted the first InternationalHypothermia Conference and Work­shop which explored cold exposureproblems in great depth.

With the proceedings of that impor­tant meeting temporarily in limbo, URIopted to produce xerographic copiesof the reports and papers, pi us awide collection of additional support­ive reports on hypothermia in a three­ring binder. The entire package, over600 pages, is available postage paidfor $25.00.

If costly, it is also important data."The information presented is extreme­ly important, up-to-date, and will helpsave lives," says Neil Ross, conferencechairman. The articles range from basicknowledge about hypothermia and itsprevention and treatment to highly tech­nical and medical reports.

The notebook has two parts: I) Tech­nical papers (arranged alphabeticallyby author), and 2) miscellaneous arti­cles. Reports from many of the world'sleading medical researchers and ex­perts on all aspects of accidental hypo­thermia are presented. The data isimportant to those who need it forresearch, education, or survival. Theproceedings can be ordered from theURI Marine Advisory Service, Divi­sion of Marine Resources, Univer­sity of Rhode Island, Narrangansett,RI02882.

Underwater Accidents

The National Underwater AccidentData Center (NUADC) at the Univer­sity of Rhode Island has collected,investigated, and analyzed data on1,372 underwater diving fatalities from1970-78. The result is "U.S. Un­derwater Diving Fatality Statistics,

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1970-78," Rep. No. URI-SSR-80-13,available for $3.00 from NUADC,P.O. Box 68, Kingston, RI 02881.

The 40-page report provides a wealthof accident data by diver age, experi­ence, pursuit, location, surroundings,cause of death, and more. Accidentterms are defined and selected acci­dents are discussed and analyzed.Appendices incl ude an "UnderwaterAccident Report Form" and" AutopsyProtocol for Victims of Scuba DivingAccidents." A list of additional refer­ences is also provided.

Report data shows that one of everythree "occupational" diving fatal itiesinvolved either commercial fisheriesventures or scientific research by per­sons associated with an academic insti­tution. Notably, scientific diving forpaid consulting purposes was fatal ityfree for the entire period. Not count­ing diving instruction and unspecifiedactivities, spearfishing, abalone div­ing, and shell/lobster fishing accountedfor about half the nonprofessional div­ing fatalities between 1970 and 1978.

To be most useful, of course, thesedata need a poi nt of reference (i .e., howmany persons were at risk). As it is, thereader has :10 way of knowing whethera fisheries scientist, abalone diver, oran underwater welder is most at lisk­or why.

Lightning Summary

EDIS' National Climatic Center(NCC) has publ ished a "General Sum­mary of Lightning, 1959-1979" byHenry Vigansky of the center. It in­cludes a narrative of unusual lightning­associated deaths and injuries, tables ofoccurrences by state for the year 1979,and nationwide statistics (by year) forthe period 1959-1979.

Water and trees were most hazard­ous. During the 21-year period, 15percent of the 2,210 recorded lightningvictims in the United States were stand­ing under trees. But another 12 percentof those killed were either boating,fishing, or swimming.

The year 1979 saw the fewest numberof recorded deaths during the 21 years,

63. The greatest number occurred in1963, when 210 people were reportedkilled by lightning. The greatest num­ber of deaths from lightning in 1979were recorded in Texas, where sevenpeople were killed; during the 21-yearperiod Florida, with 223 fatalities, ledthe list.

A magnetic tape has also been pre­pared containing lightning statistics forthe period 1959-1979. The tape con­tains the date/time (year, month, dayand hour), location (state and county),number of fatalities, number of injuriesand estimated amount of property dam­age for each lightning-associated reportappearing in the NCC's Storm Datapublication. There are about 14,000 in­dividual reports for the 21-year period.

Inquiries about the availability of thesummary and tape should be addressedto Henry Vigansky, National CI imaticCenter, Federal Building, Asheville,NC 28801.

Aquatic Plantsand their Control

Publ ication of "Aquatic Plants,Lake Management, and EcosystemConsequences of Lake Harvesting"has been announced by the Institutefor Environmental Studies, Universityof Wisconsin-Madison, 120 WARFBuilding, 610 Walnut, Madison, WI53706. Edited by J. E. Breck, R. T.Prentki, and O. L. Loucks, it is avail­able for $6.50, paid in advance. Micro­fiche copies are also available fromNTIS, 5285 Port Royal Road, Spring­field, VA 22161 for $3.50.

The report is divided into six sec­tions: I, Macrophyte biology; II, nu­trient loading and flux of phosphorusfrom sediment; III, effects of harvest­ing on the consumer community; IV,mechanical harvesting options; V, in­stitutional settings; and VI, overviewof the conference findings.

The 435-page report provides a goodreview of the current status and knowl­edge of macrophyte biology, harvestpractices, nutrient cycling, and theinstitutional mechanisms for imple­menting treatments.

Marine Fisheries Review