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- Mirera, David Oersted, 1975-
(författare)
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Capture-based mud crab (Scylla serrata) aquaculture and artisanal fishery in East Africa- Practical and ecological perspectives : Mud crab ecology and aquaculture
- 2014
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Mud crab Scylla serrata is a crustacean that spends most of its life cycle in the mangrove environment throughout its range. Fishery and aquaculture of this crab are significant economic activities in coastal areas in the tropics and sub-tropics because of the meat quality and nutritional value. However there is a significant shortage of information on the ecology, fishery and aquaculture of these crabs in sub-Saharan Africa. This impacts the development of a sustainable aquaculture and fishery for the benefit of coastal communities. The present study analyses various aspects of mud crab ecology, fishery, aquaculture and social economics in East Africa using multidisciplinary approaches. The results are given in seven papers based on field and laboratory studies. The study established for the first time that high intertidal mangrove back-flats constitute a key habitat for the earliest instars of S. serrata (4 -30 mm CW). It also showed that diurnal tidal migration behaviour occurs in small juveniles that migrate to sub-tidal habitats during the day, possibly due to variable predation risks. Monthly sampling of juveniles in Kenya and Tanzania indicated continuous recruitment throughout the year. The large numbers of juvenile crabs along mangrove fringes indicate that these habitats could serve as sites suitable for collection of juvenile crabs for aquaculture. However, these areas must also be managed and protected to support the recruitment to the wild crab populations. An assessment of the crab fishery indicated that artisanal crab fishers possess significant traditional knowledge mainly inherited from their parents that enabled them to exploit the resource. Such knowledge could be useful for the development of the aquaculture and in management of the fishery. Mud crab fishing was found to be a male dominated activity, and fishers on foot practiced fishing in burrows at spring low tides. Interviews indicated that the average size of marketable crabs has declined over the years and a weak management system was observed with most fishers operating without a license. Due to the knowledge required regarding the local conditions, fishers are unable to shift to new areas. Furthermore fishers and could not fish at neap tides. Such limitations provide a “natural closure” of the fishery. Also foot fishers cover fairly limited distances in their daily operations, an aspect that can be utilized to effect site-specific management for the fishery if necessary. Laboratory and field experiments indicated that cannibalistic interactions are heavily influenced both by size differences of crabs and the availability of shelter but no significant effect was found for different stocking densities. Such information is of direct importance for crab farmers in East Africa, where seed from the wild are of multiple sizes and there is a need to grade juvenile crabs and provide shelter at stocking to ensure maximum survival. Experimental studies in earthen pond and mangrove pen cultures indicated high mortality rates. Comparing growth in earthen pond and mangrove pen systems indicated that growth rates were generally high in both systems, but significantly lower in pen systems without shelter, suggesting that shelter may have a stronger effect on growth than has been previously thought. Similar to artisanal mud crab fishery, an assessment of small-scale mud crab farming by organized community groups in Kenya indicated low level of women participation. A good knowledge of the market existed among the mud crab farming groups where hotels and exporters offered the highest prices. However there is a need for national policies to be directed to support small-scale aquaculture development by ensuring training and capacity building for women, operation and management of groups, data management and provision of user rights for communities working in the mangrove environment. Market analyses showed that the common market size of crabs in East Africa ranged between 500-1000 g and are thus larger than in Southeast Asia where the average size is reported at 300 g. Prices for mud crabs were over 50 % lower in Tanzania than in other East African countries and most of the profit was earned by middlemen and exporters. Cost revenue analysis showed that it would be more profitable to farm smaller commercial crabs, and develop a market for 300 g crabs to increase the profitability of crab farming in East Africa. Also, the same analyses found that farming large crabs in individual cages, which is the dominant culture form in East Africa today, had very low profitability due to high labor costs and low growth rates. Using a step-wise function of natural growth it was shown that growth rates of S. serrata cultured in cages was 40 % of the growth rates obtained in experimental pond and pen cultures, which were similar to natural growth. Therefore the good performance of grow-out cultures of juvenile mud crabs in earthen ponds and mangrove pens showed a potential to develop into a profitable and sustainable intervention. However, more work is needed to improve survival in culture systems and address the identified limitations of crab seeds and feed to enable development of sustainable mud crab aquaculture in East Africa.
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| 2. |
- Hallberg, Per, 1965-
(författare)
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Applanation Resonance Tonometry for Intraocular Pressure Measurement
- 2006
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is one of the major risk factors for glaucoma. Since glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness, reliable methods for measuring the IOP are important. This doctoral dissertation presents a new method, applanation resonance tonometry (ART), for measurement of IOP. The method is based on resonance sensor technology combined with the novel multipoint analysis of continuously sampled data of both contact force and contact area. The ART was evaluated in in vitro porcine-eye studies as well as in clinic on both healthy volunteers and patients. A new symmetric probe with a larger sensor tip and improved aligning light was developed and evaluated in vitro. It showed that the error from off-centring was highly reduced. The new ART probe, used as a biomicroscope device (ARTBiom) and as a handheld device (ARTHand), was further evaluated in a clinical study designed in accordance with the International Standard Organisation’s (ISO) requirement. Both the ARTBiom and the ARTHand met the precision set by the requirements. Laser surgery is a common way to correct vision. The biomechanical effect of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) on IOP measurements was evaluated using Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) and ART in an in vitro study. Both methods were affected, but to a different extent. The flat contact probe of GAT, as compared with the convex tip of ART, and single point vs. multipoint approach, provide explanation to the ART advantage regarding measurement error of IOP after PRK. In conclusion, resonance sensor technology has made it possible to introduce a new multipoint method for measuring IOP, and the method is relevant for measuring IOP in humans. It may be possible to reduce errors in the clinical measurement of IOP with this new method, especially after corneal surgery. The ART has the potential to become a useful clinical instrument for IOP measurement.
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| 3. |
- Mwandya, Augustine, 1969-
(författare)
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Fish community patterns in Tanzanian mangrove creeks
- 2009
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Human beings have exploited the biota of mangrove systems for centuries and fish continue to be one of the main products harvested from these habitats. The assumption of mangroves functioning as recruitment areas for juvenile fish from neighbouring habitats such as seagrass beds and coral reefs is a common argument for conservation and management of mangrove ecosystems. Yet, mangrove systems are increasingly in decline worldwide primarily because of destructive anthropogenic activities. In the present thesis, fish assemblages in various mangrove creeks in Tanzania were investigated. Specifically, it dealt with the distribution, abundance and trophic structure of fishes in space and time as predicted by habitat characteristics and environmental conditions occurring naturally and following human-induced changes of clearing for construction of ponds for salt production and fish farming. In addition, the variation in population density and genetic connectivity of the economically important striped mullet (Mugil cephalus) was examined. In undisturbed creeks the fish abundance and assemblage composition showed inconsistent spatial patterns within and among different creeks that appear to be strongly influenced by species-specific responses to dominant bottom substrate types and to some extent to water depth and clarity. Seasonality had little impact on most fish assemblage variables. The genetic analysis showed mixed demes of Mugil cephalus and significant separation between Zanzibar Island and Tanzania mainland. Anthropogenic effects were found on the structural and functional organisation of fish assemblages resulting in lower densities, species numbers, diversity and number of trophic groups in the reservoirs compared to less disturbed sites. These changes in fish assemblage composition seem to be caused by an increase in salinity and water temperature as well as by the loss of refuge and feeding grounds. The findings in this thesis will contribute to coastal management planning for conservation and suggests integration of various activities (like fish farming and salt production) in order to maximise the economical use of deforested areas.
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