Search Results (20)

Some mid-eighteenth-century Political Economists, among them Adam Smith, employed the conceptual and methodological tools from General Grammar. Instead of offering, at the outset, a set of formal definitions of their concepts, they departed from ordinary language’s words (‘popular notions’, as Smith puts it) and endeavored to map all the different meanings of a particular notion. The goal of this paper is to follow Smith’s efforts as Grammarian by offering a mapping of the meanings of the word trade in the Wealth of Nations. According to Smith, trade has (1) a proper and original meaning as occupation or métier, that is, a specific productive activity or branch of labor; (2) a derived meaning as business, when it involves the employment of capital in pursuit of profit; and (3) an abstract meaning as commerce, especially when referring to a sector of economic activity, such as domestic or foreign trade. The article argues that key Mercantilist errors also stem from a grammatical confusion between these meanings, illustrating the critical aspect of Smith’s Political Economy. Full article

Holothurian fisheries have become a prominent métier in the Mediterranean due to increasing worldwide demand for sea cucumbers. In these newly explored grounds, their fisheries are poorly understood, especially considering the applied tactics and socioeconomics of the harvesting fleet. This study examines the small-scale holothurian (Holothuria) fishery métiers and associated socioeconomics in the Hellenic Seas—a main Mediterranean fishery ground. Holothuria fishing licenses increased in 2020 and stabilized (130) in the next years. Holothuria poli and H. tubulosa are the target species, caught by hand, using the surface air supply method or free diving. Most fishermen harvest holothurians close to the port of origin, and only the fleet from Kalymnos exploits remote grounds over the Greek territory. According to harvesting tactics, three economically viable métiers are practiced; however, shifting to alternative fishery resources is necessary to grant annual income. Sea cucumbers are sold fresh from fishermen to merchandisers who process the catch into final products (trepang) and export them. For most fishermen (64.7%), fishing for holothurians is the main occupation, gaining a highly variable monthly income (EUR 700 to 4000). The presented results refine the métiers and associated economics of an active holothurian fishery fleet, providing essential information for the viability of coastal fishery societies. Full article

The catch composition of a coastal gillnet fishery in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea was analyzed through a two-year experimental fishing survey. Seven fish species occurred regularly in the hauls. Surmullet, Mullus surmuletus, which is the most valuable demersal fish in Greek waters and the intended target of the gillnets in small-scale fisheries, was the most abundant and systematically caught species. Almost all surmullets were larger than their minimum conservation reference size. However, three commercially exploited species (Diplodus annularis, Pagellus acarne, and P. erythrinus) were caught systematically as undersized individuals. In addition, these three species were caught mostly as immature individuals. Moreover, the operational season of the surveyed métier overlapped completely with the reproductive period of five commercially exploited species (D. annularis, M. barbatus, M. surmuletus, Sphyraena sphyraena, and Trachurus trachurus). Improvements and the establishment of additional technical measurements should be considered for the small-scale gillnet fisheries in the studied area to attenuate their detrimental effects and achieve a better compromise between sustainable exploitation of the local multi-species fish resources and the need for an economically sustainable practice. Full article

The effect of thermophilic species invasion in the eastern Mediterranean is well-noted in the literature. During the last decade in western Greek waters, small-scale fisheries (SSF) catches exhibit increased relative contribution of rabbitfishes, which have originated from the Red Sea and inhabited the country’s southeastern part since the Second World War. This study has used quantitative and qualitative information to assess the short-term economic effect of the rabbitfishes’ expansion in the SSF métier targeting the indigenous thermophilic parrotfish in the South Ionian Sea. The short-term micro-level negative economic effects of the rabbitfishes’ invasion and the corresponding adverse effects on fishers’ economic wealth have been estimated. The results indicate attitudinal differences among fishers, although their local ecological knowledge may enable them to avoid rabbitfishes’ hot spots and mitigate the respective economic losses, that particularly for smaller SSF vessels already seem to be quite important. As climate warming may further facilitate the expansion of rabbitfishes, outcompeting parrotfish, the latter métier may eventually become economically unsustainable. Fine-scale analysis at the métier level enables addressing the specificities of social-ecological systems and can contribute to informed and more effective decision making related to SSF, which is an important building block of Mediterranean coastal communities. Full article

In Mediterranean, the exploitation and exportation of holothurians as food is increasing during the last 25 years, with Turkey and Greece as leading countries. In Greece, the fishery is expanding by the development of two métiers; however, official monitoring is missing, creating concerns on the future viability of the industry. To evaluate the status and future perspectives of holothurian fisheries, an extensive field survey has been completed (May 2019–July 2021) covering 162 sites dispersed in the Hellenic Seas. Field data included the assessment of the abundance of holothurians (via 100 m transect replicates), and catch per unit of effort (C_NPUE and C_BPUE, based on 10-min commercial fishing practices). H. tubulosa, H. poli, H. mammata and H. sanctori were fished in 41.35% of the surveyed stations. H. poli (C_NPUE 168 specimens, C_BPUE 22.24 kg) and H. tubulosa (C_NPUE 127 specimens, C_BPUE14.51 kg) were the most common species, forming locally dense populations. Mean annual catch was 275 metric tons (2016–2021) according to the processing of the units’ data; 62% of the production was made by H. tubulosa and 38% by H. poli. Our results suggest the existence of exploitable grounds in the north Aegean, the central Cyclades, and the north Dodecanese, according to the prevalent environmental conditions (organic load) and fishing pressure. Full article

Chromotope, the 19th Century Chromatic Turn, is a multidisciplinary ERC research programme that focuses on the “chromatic turn” of the 1860s in France and England, following the invention of the first synthetic dyes. This project, based on a partnership between Sorbonne University (PI: Charlotte Ribeyrol), Oxford University, and the Conservatoire national des arts et métiers (Cnam), investigates how this turn led to new ways of thinking about colour in art, literature, history, and science throughout the second half of the 19th century. One of the key aims of this research is to reappraise the role played by the Cnam in the dissemination of knowledge about synthetic dyes, from the creation in 1852 of the first chair in dyeing and printing until the Interwar period, when a collection of dyes including more than 2500 references, obtained from major European firms, was formed. A full inventory based on the description of each container has just been made together with a bibliographical research. Nevertheless, 2% of the containers are unlabeled and the reattribution of their composition is the main goal of our study. In order to set an appropriate analysis protocol to identify these orphan containers, a preliminary work was conducted on a random selection of identified dyes. For this purpose, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were used on 13 samples from different dye classes. The relevance of this protocol will be discussed for the identification of unknown compounds. Full article

The effect of blade sweep has been studied numerically with the Lattice Boltzmann Method on a family of low-speed free-vortex axial fans with sweeps of ±45°. Good overall aerodynamic agreement is first demonstrated on all fans at the design condition, particularly in the tip gap. The local larger wall-pressure fluctuations seen in the unswept and backward swept fans compared to the forward case are traced to the stronger tip vortices that remain in the rotational plane or even move upstream. These stronger and faster vortices interacting with the fan blades are then responsible for the larger noise levels observed in the acoustic spectra of these fans, and particularly for large subharmonic humps. Excellent agreement between experimental and numerical noise predictions is finally reported stressing the dominant tip noise. Full article

In the multi-gear coastal fleet in the Algarve (South Portugal), fishers own licenses for various fishing gears. However, they generally do not use all these licenses, and therefore, it is difficult to estimate the impacts this fleet has on the local environment. In this study, two types of questionnaires were used directed to the local fishers from the multi-gear fleet during interviews carried out between November 2019 and July 2021 with the objective to validate the métiers proposed for this fleet in a previous study using multivariate analysis on past landing profiles. A total of 10 out of the 11 proposed métiers were validated, including four métiers with gillnets, three with dredges, two with trammel nets, and one with traps. Additional métiers were identified not found in the previous study. The results obtained with the two types of questionnaires are presented, and their usefulness in validating the gear used and the seasonality of fishing activities are discussed, as well as their contribution to a clearer distinction between target species and commercial by-catch. Full article

Assessing the social cost of fisheries is generally seen as a matter of how to monetize the components of fisheries. This paper presents an assessment of the societal cost of fishing activities, seen as a social process that is expected to contribute to the better management of aquatic resources, affecting sustainable development in coastal areas around the world. The originality of this article lies in considering the sustainability assessment from a deliberative perspective. It aims at defining the types of guiding concepts, frameworks, and information sets that might be appropriate for decision support, as we enlarge our scope of concern from fisheries to the ecosystems of eco-regions in the long term. In defining the societal cost of fisheries, through interviews, the objective is, first of all, to identify the social effects (positive and negative) of fishing métiers. By comparing fishing activities in a multi-criteria and multi-actor analysis, this evaluation is intended as a means for the actors to express in different ways (scientific indicators, institutional objectives, etc.) their judgment regarding the sustainability of the fishing profession. This analysis is the basis for defining the methods of monetizing these effects in different eco-regions (West African coastal upwelling and the deltas of Southeast Asia). Full article

Jellyfish are often described as a nuisance species, but as our understanding shifts to more ecosystem-based conceptions, they are also recognized as both important components of marine ecosystems and a resource for humans. Here, we describe global jellyfish fisheries and review production, fishing methods, and applications based on the existing literature. We then focus on future development of a European jellyfish fishery based on current and recent EU research initiatives. Jellyfish have been a staple food in East Asia for eons and now show a potential for non-food applications as well. The main fishing methods are mostly traditional, with set-nets, driftnets, hand-nets, and scoop-nets utilizing small crafts or beach-seines. All require a lot of manual labor, thus providing vital, albeit seasonal, occupation to weaker populations. Larger commercial vessels such as purse seines and trawlers are newly introduced métiers which may enable a larger catch per unit effort and total catch, but pose questions of selectivity, bycatch, vessel stability, and transshipment. Social concerns arising from the seasonality of jellyfish fisheries must be met in SE Asia, Latin America, and in any location where new fisheries are established. In the EU, we recognize at least 15 species showing potential for commercial harvesting, but as of 2021, a commercial fishery has yet to be developed; as in finfish fisheries, we advise caution and recognition of the role of jellyfish in marine ecosystems in doing so. Sustainable harvesting techniques and practices must be developed and implemented for a viable practice to emerge, and social and ecological needs must also be incorporated into the management plan. Once established, the catch, effort, and stock status must be monitored, regulated, and properly reported to FAO by countries seeking a viable jellyfish fishery. In the near future, novel applications for jellyfish will offer added value and new markets for this traditional resource. Full article

The multi-gear coastal vessels in the Algarve (South Portugal) own licenses for various fishing gears. However, it is generally uncertain what gears they use, which is problematic as each individual gear is responsible for unique impacts on the resources and the environment. In this study, landing profiles identified for the multi-gear coastal fleet (2012–2016) were used as support in defining potential métiers using k-mean clustering analysis (CLARA) along with information from past studies on métiers. The results showed that more than 50% of the vessels were engaged in the octopus fishery year-round, using traps, while a small percentage (~13%) were entirely dedicated to clam dredging. In general, gillnets (21%) were used to target monkfish, hake and bastard soles, while trammel nets (6%) were used to target cuttlefish, with some vessels alternating the fishing gears (either seasonally or annually) according to target species. The method for the initial characterization of this fleet’s métiers and its efficiency with limited data is discussed, as well as the utility of this segmentation in support of management advice. Full article

Mixed fisheries refer to fishing activities that catch more than one species simultaneously, and a species may be fished using different gear. A trawl fishery shares these features to exploit multiple species simultaneously, with diverse fishing gear and strategies. The situation becomes more complex when interactions among fleet dynamics, fishing activities, and fishery resources are involved and influence each other. Information regarding the operational patterns may be hidden in a set of long-term big data. This study aims to investigate the fishery structure and fleet dynamics of trawl fisheries in Taiwan for spatial planning and management, based on a long-term dataset from a management system that collects information by using voyage data recorders (VDR) and dockside observers. We applied a two-step data mining process with a clustering algorithm to classify the main groups of fishery resources and then identified 18 catch métiers based on catch composition. The target species, operation pattern, and fishing season were determined for each métier, and associated with the relevant fishery resources and the fishing gear used. Additionally, fishing effects on target species were estimated using information on fishing grounds and trajectories from VDR. The métier-based approach was successfully applied to define the six major fishery resources targeted by trawlers. We examined the key features of fishing activity associated with catch composition and spatial-temporal fishing metrics, which could be used to provide suggestions for the spatial planning and management of the mixed trawl fishery in the offshore waters of Taiwan. Full article

The global exploring feature of the surrogate model makes it a useful intermedia for design optimization. The accuracy of the surrogate model is closely related with the efficiency of optima-search. The cokriging approach described in present studies can significantly improve the surrogate model accuracy and cut down the turnaround time spent on the modeling process. Compared to the universal Kriging method, the cokriging method interpolates not only the sampling data, but also on their associated derivatives. However, the derivatives, especially high order ones, are too computationally costly to be easily affordable, forming a bottleneck for the application of derivative enhanced methods. Based on the sensitivity analysis of Navier–Stokes equations, current study introduces a low-cost method to compute the high-order derivatives, making high order derivatives enhanced cokriging modeling practically achievable. For a methodological illustration, second-order derivatives of regression model and correlation models are proposed. A second-order derivative enhanced cokriging model-based optimization tool was developed and tested on the optimal design of an automotive engine cooling fan. This approach improves the modern optimal design efficiency and proposes a novel direction for the large scale optimization problems. Full article

Human pressures on marine ecosystems significantly increased during last decades. Among the intense anthropic activities, industrial fisheries have caused the alteration of habitats, the reduction of biodiversity and the main fish stocks. The aim of this research, carried out in the Adriatic Sea, was to test a repeatable Marine Spatial Planning framework aimed at enhancing fisheries sustainability through the application of Decision Support Tools and the composition of a catalog of possible measures. The use of these tools proved very useful to identify possible criticalities and facilitate an effective exchange with fisheries stakeholders, local authorities, and fishermen, whose involvement was an indispensable step in the process. Tool-based analyses allowed to assess the spatial footprint of a range of anthropogenic pressures from human activities (e.g., fisheries, maritime traffic, and aquaculture). Within this multi-pressure scenario, special attention was paid to fishing-related disturbances and potential conflicts across different fishing métier and with other sectors. Specifically, results highlighted the spatial features of the major fishing pressures (e.g., abrasion from trawling) affecting essential fish habitats, marine mammals and turtles in the study area. A portfolio of possible management measures is identified for the study area. It provides clear evidence that, in order to mitigate emerging conflicts and cumulative impacts, it is necessary to combine and integrate different types of measures: spatial measures modulated over time, monitoring and control, actions to fill knowledge gaps, concertation—involvement—co-management actions, improvement of governance systems, actions to support innovation in the sector, etc. Given the complex set of measures discussed, this work can provide a useful contribution to the management of fisheries both at local and regional level, fostering the transition to sustainable fisheries. Full article

Under some circumstances, composites with a corrugated reinforcement geometry show larger necking strains compared to traditional straight reinforced composites. In this work, finite element modeling studies were performed for linearly hardening materials, examining the effect of material parameters on the stress–strain response of both corrugation and straight-reinforced composites. These studies showed that improvements in necking strain depend on the ability of the corrugation to unbend and to provide a boost in work hardening at the right time. It was found that there is a range of matrix yield strengths and hardening rates for which a corrugated geometry will improve the necking strain and also a lower threshold of reinforcement yield strength below which no improvement in necking strain is possible. In addition, benefit maps and surfaces were generated that show which regions of property space benefit through corrugation and the corresponding improvement in necking strain that can be achieved. Full article