Search Results (88)

On 19 December 2015 and 21 February 2017, Longyearbyen was hit by major avalanches from the steep hillside of the mountain Sukkertoppen. In this article, we specifically consider the 2015 avalanche that destroyed eleven houses and buried nine people; seven were located and rescued, while two died. We describe the meteorological conditions leading up to the avalanche, the rescue operation, the media coverage, and the immediate aftermath of the catastrophe. Both events came as a result of warming, strong easterly winds, and drifting snow, with the December 2015 event being the most extreme. The 2017 avalanche damaged two houses, but no people were hurt. We analyse the catastrophes in relation to the knowledge of the risks and impacts of avalanches in Longyearbyen, as provided through field-based student courses at the University Centre of Svalbard (UNIS). To protect against further avalanche accidents, parts of Longyearbyen have been restructured, and physical barriers against avalanches have been installed on the hillside of Sukkertoppen. Now there are snow drift fences to reduce snow accumulation in the release areas, avalanche protection fences mounted in the hillside, and a large wall at the foot of the mountain to catch avalanche debris in the future. In hindsight, the accidents have contributed to an increased national awareness of the danger of severe weather events. Full article

This review examines the animal welfare implications associated with the purse seine fishing method as applied to the following small pelagic species: Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus), Peruvian anchoveta (Engraulis ringens), Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias), and Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus). The analysis is based on synthesized data from the purse seine Method Profile, recently introduced in the catch branch of the fair-fish database—an open-access platform dedicated to compiling, evaluating, and systematically categorizing technical and/or scientific literature on aquatic animal behaviour and welfare. The Method Profile is a novel tool that outlines the commercial relevance of the respective fishing method, its target species, and general operational setup. It provides a structured overview of welfare hazards encountered across the main phases of the fishing process, including prospection, setting, capture, hauling, emersion, gear release, sorting, storage, and stunning and slaughter. In addition, this profile also addresses bycatch and discarding issues as well as environmental hazards associated with the fishing method. Identified welfare concerns in purse seining for the four small pelagic species include high stress levels resulting from intense crowding—primarily leading to hypoxia, mechanical injuries, and mortality—as well as issues related to scooping or pumping fish on board, (live) storage, and the lack of effective stunning and slaughter protocols. Furthermore, the bycatch rate of (undersized) target and diverse non-target species, as well as ghost fishing from abandoned, lost, or discarded gear, pose significant risks requiring effective mitigation. In this review, we critically evaluate factors influencing the welfare outcomes of the four pelagic species caught by purse seine and discuss potential mitigation strategies, such as operational improvements, gear modifications, and management measures. Full article

Tomicus brevipilosus Eggers is a major forest pest affecting Pinus yunnanensis Franch and Pinus kesiya var. Langbianensis (A.Chev.) Gaussen ex Bui in Southwest China. While attractants exist for related species, this study aimed to develop a more effective, tailored attractant for T. brevipilosus. We assessed the activity of host plant volatiles using electroantennography (EAG). Female and male beetles showed strong responses to different compounds: females to β-pinene, terpinolene, (+)-3-carene, and (R)-(+)-limonene; males to (+)-3-carene, 2-isopropyl-5-methylanisole, and D(+)-camphor. An optimized blend of these compounds achieved a high selection rate (57 ± 20%) in olfactory assays. This study represents a crucial preliminary investigation. The concentrations and release systems (rubber septa and centrifuge tubes) were optimized under controlled conditions to identify the most promising candidate for future scaling, rather than for immediate large-scale application. In semi-field cage bioassays, trap catch was highest at mid-canopy height (1.5 times branch-free height), under the cage canopy, and in treatments with low-to-moderate canopy density. This work provides a foundation for developing improved monitoring and management tools for T. brevipilosus. Full article

Pine wilt disease, transmitted primarily by Monochamus alternatus (Hope, 1842) adults, causes severe ecological and economic losses globally. Conventional chemical controls face challenges of resistance and non-target toxicity. This study identified Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. strain B4 as a high-virulence biocontrol agent against adult M. alternatus. Laboratory bioassays compared four strains (B1–B4), with B4 exhibiting rapid lethality (LT₅₀ = 6.61 days at 1 × 10⁸ spores/mL) and low median lethal concentration (LC₅₀ = 9.63 × 10⁵ spores/mL). Critically, B4 infection induced significant behavioral suppression, including reduced appetite and mobility prior to death. In forest trials, pheromone-enhanced nonwoven fabric bags impregnated with B4 spores reduced trap catches by 66.4% within one month, with effects persisting for over a year without reapplication. The slow-release carrier system enabled continuous spore dissemination and sustained population suppression. These results demonstrate that B4’s dual action—rapid lethality and behavioral disruption—provides an effective, eco-friendly strategy for sustainable pine wilt disease management. Full article

Artificial light has been shown to enhance the fishing efficiency of fishing gear by attracting marine organisms. This study introduces a novel approach by incorporating noctilucent materials into crab pots and evaluates their effects on catch performance. Based on the crab pots commonly used on the coast, four types of crab pots were tested: ordinary crab pots (Con-pot), ordinary crab pots equipped with noctilucent sticks (Exp-pot 1), crab pots equipped with noctilucent nets (Exp-pot 2), and crab pots equipped with both noctilucent nets and sticks (Exp-pot 3). The results showed that the noctilucent material exhibits 6 h persistent emission in darkness after just 10 min of solar charging. Exp-pot 3 could significantly enhance fishing efficiency, which increased by 63.84% compared to the Con-pot. The proportion of crabs in Exp-pot 3 was the highest (86.35%), and the individual weight of crabs in Exp-pot 3 was the heaviest (61.5 g), which was 38.30% heavier than that in the Con-pot. Notably, Exp-pots 2 and 3 demonstrated superior selectivity with higher W₅₀ values (53.01 g and 54.49 g), narrower SRs (33.04–72.98 g and 32.95–76.03 g), effectively balancing target catch retention with undersized crab release, indicated that noctilucent nets exhibited stronger weight selectivity for crabs compared to noctilucent sticks. These results demonstrate that functional materials have broad potential applications in fishing gear, which could enhance the catch efficiency and individual size of crab caught. Full article

Internationally, introduced invasive species inflict incalculable damage on native species and primary production. In New Zealand, wallabies, which were introduced from Australia, are damaging the native and agricultural environments, and their range is spreading. As a first step towards the long-term goal of eradicating wallabies from New Zealand, the Tipu Mātoro National Wallaby Eradication Programme has the immediate goal of restricting wallabies to containment areas designated in regional pest management plans and to eliminate outlier populations by 2025. The success of this strategy is put at risk if people catch wallabies and release them outside the containment areas. We sought to characterise the motivations, beliefs, and attitudes of members of the public who might engage in this illegal behaviour by surveying members of the New Zealand public. We discovered that a very small proportion of the public supported the illegal catch-and-release of wallabies. Respondents, including hunters, that supported catch-and-release believed that wallabies create economic benefits and do not severely damage the environment. They also believed that hunting helps control wallaby numbers. These results yielded a variety of specific policy implications required to reduce catch-and-release behaviour. Full article

Skipjack tuna constitutes a crucial fishery resource in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) purse seine fishery, with high economic value and exploitation potential. It also serves as an essential subject for studying the interaction between fishery resource dynamics and marine ecosystems, as its resource abundance is significantly influenced by marine environmental factors. Skipjack tuna can be categorized into unassociated schools and associated schools, with the latter being predominant. Overfishing of the associated schools can adversely affect population health and the ecological environment. In-depth exploration of the spatial distribution responses of these two fish schools to environmental variables is significant for the rational development and utilization of tuna resources and for enhancing the sustainability of fishery resources. In sparsely sampled and complex marine environments, geographic similarity methods effectively predict tuna resources by quantifying local fishing ground environmental similarities. This study introduces geographical similarity theory. This study focused on 1° × 1° fishery data (2004–2021) released by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) combined with relevant marine environmental data. We employed Geographical Convergent Cross Mapping (GCCM) to explore significant environmental factors influencing catch and variations in causal intensity and employed a Geographically Optimal Similarity (GOS) model to predict the spatial distribution of catch for the two types of tuna schools. The research findings indicate that the following: (1) Sea surface temperature (SST), sea surface salinity (SSS), and net primary productivity (NPP) are key factors in GCCM model analysis, significantly influencing the catch of two fish schools. (2) The GOS model exhibits higher prediction accuracy and stability compared to the Generalized Additive Model (GAM) and the Basic Configuration Similarity (BCS) model. R² values reaching 0.656 and 0.649 for the two types of schools, respectively, suggest that the geographical similarity method has certain applicability and application potential in the spatial prediction of fishery resources. (3) Uncertainty analysis revealed more stable predictions for unassociated schools, with 72.65% of the results falling within the low-uncertainty range (0.00–0.25), compared to 52.65% for associated schools. This study, based on geographical similarity theory, elucidates differential spatial responses of distinct schools to environmental factors and provides a novel approach for fishing ground prediction. It also provides a scientific basis for the dynamic assessment and rational exploitation and utilization of skipjack tuna resources in the Pacific Ocean. Full article

The Eastern Aegean Sea hosts a diverse assemblage of elasmobranchs, many of which are vulnerable or endangered. This study presents a fishery-independent assessment of species composition, catch characteristics, and spatial patterns in bottom trawl fisheries between Lesvos Island and Ayvalik. A total of 48 surveys were conducted between September 2022 and October 2024, identifying nine elasmobranch species, with Scyliorhinus canicula (small-spotted catshark) and Mustelus mustelus (common smooth-hound) dominating the catch. Biological parameters, sex ratios, and condition upon capture and release were recorded, while catch per unit effort (CPUE) and diversity indices were used to evaluate temporal patterns. The survival probability was negatively affected by the trawl duration and elevated temperatures, emphasizing the need for mitigation measures. Spatial models revealed high-density zones that likely function as foraging or nursery grounds. Seasonal shifts in community composition were also evident. Many non-commercial species were discarded irrespective of their size or condition. These findings underscore the ecological importance of this understudied region and support the need for spatially explicit, species-specific management strategies, including gear selectivity improvements, seasonal closures, and Electronic Monitoring. The study offers a critical baseline for enhancing the sustainability of elasmobranch populations in the Eastern Mediterranean. Full article

The purpose of this study is to determine the current state of angler knowledge, opinions, awareness, and use of catch-and-release (C&R) best practices and to identify the main socio-economic factors that determine attitudes and willingness to use C&R among Polish anglers. Knowledge of this issue contributes to more effective management of fisheries and fish stocks. The research was conducted through an online survey form using a technique called CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interview). The questionnaire used consisted of 25 questions, including basic socio-economic questions, questions about seniority, frequency, location and method of fishing, and specific factual questions related to knowledge and practices regarding C&R. A total of 1574 respondents participated in the survey. The majority of respondents were male (97.5%). The survey showed that Polish anglers are overwhelmingly willing to practice C&R: 48.8% of respondents always and 44.0% often voluntarily release the fish they catch. Statistical analysis revealed a significant relationship between the use of this practice and the age of the angler (r = 0.46; p = 0.0001). Anglers under the age of 55 were the most likely to use C&R (p = 0.0097). The majority of respondents believe that C&R is important for improving fish stocks, but their knowledge and practices in this area have serious shortcomings. Inadequate knowledge of issues such as barotrauma or safe hook types, as well as inappropriate practices such as photographing and unhooking fish, can negatively affect their survival and ultimately the status of living water resources and ecosystem quality. These shortcomings may be due to inadequate education of anglers and fishery managers. Full article

Compared to a single horizontal or inclined tunnel, a U-shaped underwater tunnel combines both types. If such tunnels catch fire, the resulting scenarios will lead to varying intensities of induced airflow, which significantly impact the internal heat transfer mechanisms. This study numerically simulated the effects of varying induced airflow strengths on the heat transfer proportion and temperature distribution within the tunnel. Key variables including the inclination angle of tunnel sections, the heat release rate (HRR) of the fire source, and its distance to the tunnel opening were systematically investigated. The results indicate that when the fire is in the horizontal tunnel section, the primary factor affecting the temperature field distribution is the HRR of the fire. As the fire source moves toward the inclined tunnel section, a transition to strong induced airflow occurs above the corner at low angles of inclination. As the slope increases, the transition position shifts downstream, toward the lower side of the corner. At this point, the tunnel is affected by strong induced airflow. Using dimensionless analysis, models were developed for temperature field distribution under strong and weak induced airflow, guiding underwater tunnel spray activation temperature and firefighting and rescue efforts. Full article

The wild resources of Spinibarbus caldwelli, once an important economic fish in southern China, have been drastically reduced in recent years due to environmental changes and human activities. The Liuxi River S. caldwelli National Aquatic Germplasm Reserve was established in Conghua District, Guangzhou city, and the release of S. caldwelli was carried out. However, traditional fishery resource survey methods yield less accurate results when the abundance of the surveyed species is low or when they are difficult to catch. As a non-destructive and non-invasive approach, environmental DNA (eDNA) is widely employed in aquatic species monitoring, though its detection efficiency may be affected by environmental conditions. Therefore, this study explored the eDNA monitoring methods of S. caldwelli in Liuxi River from the following four aspects: (1) the relationship between eDNA release and biomass/abundance; (2) the concentration and diffusion range of eDNA over time in a lentic ecosystem; (3) the diffusion range of eDNA in a lotic ecosystem; and (4) the effects of eDNA application in field monitoring. Our results showed a correlation between eDNA concentration and abundance/biomass of S. caldwelli. eDNA of S. caldwelli can diffuse up to 18 m in lentic ecosystems within 2 h and decreases with distance. eDNA of S. caldwelli released by 10 individuals in Liuxi River could be detected 900 m downstream. Field studies in Liuxi River showed that the eDNA method has high sensitivity in detecting the presence or absence of species and is highly consistent with the results of traditional methods. This study explored the application of environmental DNA technology in species monitoring in Liuxi River. Our aim was to evaluate the applicability and potential of eDNA in ecological monitoring of stream fishes. Full article

To avoid the spread and environmental impacts of the European catfish (Silurus glanis), which arrived in Portugal around 2006, it is fundamental to understand anglers’ behaviors and perceptions. To address this need, 339 Portuguese anglers were surveyed online and face-to-face and divided into two groups (catfish anglers, n = 115; and non-catfish anglers, n = 224). The majority of surveyed anglers were males (>95%) who consider that catfish is not beneficial to the development of angling (>62%) and acknowledge its negative impact on other fish species (>84%), mainly by predation (>89%). Catfish anglers perceive the species as more positive for angling and for other fish species. Principal Component Analysis showed that anglers’ behaviors are mainly driven by their awareness of the impacts of European catfish and by their angling experience. Regression modeling inferred the probabilities of two anglers’ behavior (targeting catfish and practice of catch and release) and one perception (catfish is beneficial to angling), which are considered promoters of catfish invasion, and detected strong correlations among these three variables. Therefore, it is strongly advised to implement an educational and law enforcement program to stop illegal practices that promote the dissemination of invasive fish species like European catfish. Full article

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a human pathogen that glides on host cell surfaces by a repeated catch and release mechanism using sialylated oligosaccharides. At a pole, this organism forms a protrusion called an attachment organelle composed of surface structures, including an adhesin complex and an internal core structure. To clarify the structure and function of the attachment organelle, we focused on a core component, P65, which is essential for stabilization of the adjacent surface and core proteins P30 and HMW2, respectively. Analysis of its amino acid sequence (405 residues) suggested that P65 contains an intrinsically disordered region (residues 1–217) and coiled-coil regions (residues 226–247, 255–283, and 286–320). Four protein fragments and the full-length P65 were analyzed by size exclusion chromatography, analytical centrifugation, circular dichroism spectroscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering, limited proteolysis, and negative staining electron microscopy. The results showed that P65 formed a multimer composed of a central globule with 30 and 23 nm axes and four to six projections 14 nm in length. Our data suggest that the C-terminal region of P65 is responsible for multimerization, while the intrinsically disordered N-terminal region forms a filament. These assignments and roles of P65 in the attachment organelle are discussed. Full article

The safety-catch concept involves a protecting group that remains stable under a range of chemical conditions and subsequently becomes labile under one of those conditions upon a chemical modification of the protecting group. The safety-catch approach introduces flexibility into the scheme, enabling the use of the same reagent in two distinct steps of the chemical process. For example, it facilitates α-amino deprotection and final cleavage in a solid-phase peptide synthesis scheme. Herein, we developed a safety-catch linker based on sulfinyl designed to enable peptide elongation via fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) chemistry. Subsequently, upon chemical modification (oxidation of the sulfinyl group into the corresponding sulfone), the peptide is released using a secondary amine via a β-elimination reaction, which also serves to remove the Fmoc group in each step. The optimization of both key reactions, oxidation of the linker, and peptide release were achieved using a multi-detachable system, which allows specific control of both reactions. The use of this linker opens the possibility of cleaving peptides from the solid support without trifluoroacetic acid. Full article

Background: During the 2024 annual meeting in London, The European Society of Cardiology released new guidelines (GLs) on chronic coronary syndromes (CCSs) and simultaneously published them in the European Heart Journal. Method: A few experts on the topic from Europe, South America, India, and Asia, who attended the presentation and the Question and Answer sections, met virtually to comment on the GLs after carefully reading the 123-page document. Result: There is a consensus that the presented GLs are a comprehensive, up-to-date, clear document of the available data on how to diagnose and treat CCSs and a definite step forward compared to all previous GLs. Of particular value are (a) the efforts to link both diagnosis and treatment to the underlying pathophysiology with the recognition that not all the ischaemic episodes are the same; (b) the decision to adopt the graphic of the so-called “Diamond Approach”, although its spirit that no antianginal drug is superior to another is not fully adopted; and (c) the innovative way it condenses and expresses the relevant messages with eye-catching illustrations. Conclusions: The present article summarises and comments on the 123-page GLs, highlighting strengths and weaknesses according to the thoughts of the authors. Full article