Kaitlin M. Ehl, Steve M. Raciti, Jason D. Williams, Recovery of salt
marsh vegetation after removal of storm-deposited anthropogenic debris:
Lessons from volunteer clean-up efforts in Long Beach, NY, Marine
Pollution Bulletin, Volume 117, Issues 1–2, 15 April 2017, Pages
436-447, ISSN 0025-326X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.01.086.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X17301157)
Abstract: Abstract
Recovery of vegetation on a Long Island, NY salt marsh was investigated
after the removal of hurricane-deposited large wooden debris through
managed clean-ups involving volunteers. Two years after the removal of
the debris, vegetation cover and species composition were not
significantly different from controls. There was no significant
difference in vegetation recovery among fall and spring debris removal
treatments. Initial vegetation cover of the experimental and control
plots was 95.8% and 1.2%, respectively; after two growing seasons cover
was 78.7% and 71.2%, respectively. The effects of trampling by
volunteers during debris removal were monitored and after one growing
season, trails used during a single clean-up effort had a mean
vegetation cover of 67% whereas those that were used during multiple
clean-up efforts had only 30% cover. We use the results of this study to
offer guidance for organizing effective salt marsh clean-up efforts.
Keywords: Clean-ups; Distichlis; Marine debris; New York; Salt marsh
vegetation; Spartina

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http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/doi/10.1111/jfb.12838/abstract

Lima, A. R. A., Barletta, M., Costa, M. F., Ramos, J. A. A., Dantas, D.
V., Melo, P. A. M. C., Justino, A. K. S. and Ferreira, G. V. B. (2015),
Changes in the composition of ichthyoplankton assemblage and plastic
debris in mangrove creeks relative to moon phases. Journal of Fish
Biology. doi: 10.1111/jfb.12838

Abstract
Lunar influence on the distribution of fish larvae, zooplankton and
plastic debris in mangrove creeks of the Goiana Estuary, Brazil, was
studied over a lunar cycle. Cetengraulis edentulus, Anchovia clupeoides
and Rhinosardinia bahiensis were the most abundant fish larvae (56·6%),
independent of the moon phase. The full moon had a positive influence on
the abundance of Gobionellus oceanicus, Cynoscion acoupa and Atherinella
brasiliensis, and the new moon on Ulaema lefroyi. The full and new moons
also influenced the number of zoeae and megalopae of Ucides cordatus,
protozoeae and larvae of caridean shrimps, and the number of hard and
soft plastic debris, both <5 and >5 mm. Micro and macroplastics were
present in samples from all 12 creeks studied, at densities similar to
the third most abundant taxon, R. bahiensis. Cetengraulis edentulus and
R. bahiensis showed a strong positive correlation with the last quarter
moon, when there was less zooplankton available in the creeks and higher
abundance of microplastic threads. Anchovia clupeoides, Diapterus
rhombeus, U. lefroyi and hard microplastics were positively associated
with different moon phases, when calanoid copepods, Caridean larvae and
zoeae of U. cordatus were highly available in the creeks. Cynoscion
acoupa, G. oceanicus and A. brasiliensis were strongly associated with
the full moon, when protozoeae of caridean shrimps and megalopae of U.
cordatus were also highly available, as were hard and soft
macroplastics, paint chips (<5 mm) and soft microplastics. The results reinforce the role of mangrove creeks as nursery habitats. The moon phases influenced the distribution of fish larvae species, zooplankton and plastic debris by changing their compositions and abundances in the mangrove creeks of the Goiana Estuary when under the influence of different tidal current regimes. Keywords: fish larvae; lunar cycle; microplastics; north-east Brazil; tropical estuary

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Abstract
Every year, millions of pots and traps are lost in crustacean fisheries
around the world. Derelict fishing gear has been found to produce
several harmful environmental and ecological effects, however
socioeconomic consequences have been investigated less frequently. We
analyze the economic effects of a substantial derelict pot removal
program in the largest estuary of the United States, the Chesapeake Bay.
By combining spatially resolved data on derelict pot removals with
commercial blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) harvests and effort, we show
that removing 34,408 derelict pots led to significant gains in gear
efficiency and an additional 13,504 MT in harvest valued at US $21.3
million—a 27% increase above that which would have occurred without
removals. Model results are extended to a global analysis where it is
seen that US $831 million in landings could be recovered annually by
removing less than 10% of the derelict pots and traps from major
crustacean fisheries. An unfortunate common pool externality, the
degradation of marine environments is detrimental not only to marine
organisms and biota, but also to those individuals and communities whose
livelihoods and culture depend on profitable and sustainable marine
resource use.

http://www.nature.com/articles/srep19671.pdf

http://www.nature.com/articles/srep19671#supplementary-information

PDF files
1.
Supplementary Information

http://www.nature.com/article-assets/npg/srep/2016/160121/srep19671/extref/srep19671-s1.pdf

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12:25 PM TUE MARCH 3, 2015

UM researcher says microplastics could threaten Great Lakes fish

By APRIL VAN BUREN

Take a look in your medicine cabinet or your shower and you?re likely to
find microbeads. Those are the small plastic spheres used as exfoliants
in products like face wash or toothpaste. The tiny beads have been big
news since scientists found them showing up in the Great Lakes several
years ago. Last week, Michigan became the latest state to introduce
legislation that would ban products containing microbeads.

Current State speaks with Melissa Duhaime, a researcher in the
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of
Michigan. She?s been researching the impact of microplastic pollution in
the Great Lakes.

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