Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Cape fur seal'

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Australian National University, 2001.
Title from PDF title page (viewed May 8, 2005). Consists of reprints of thirteen published papers, some co-authored with others, plus an introductory chapter, two unpublished manuscripts, and a conclusion. Includes bibliographical references.

Includes abstract.
Includes bibliographical references.
At the root of this thesis was the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) Programme’s project "Top Predators as Biological Indicators of Ecosystem Change in the BCLME" (LMR/EAF/03/02). The objectives of this project were to assess the utility of top predators as biological indicators of ecosystem change in the Benguela Current Ecosystem, and implement an appropriate, integrated, system-wide monitoring programme based on top predators, to support ecosystem-based management in the Benguela Current Ecosystem.

The Cape fur seal Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus colony at the Robberg Peninsula, Plettenberg Bay, on the south-east coast of South Africa, was driven to extirpation by indiscriminate harvesting by the late 1800s and seals only began to recolonise this site in the 1990s. This study describes the recolonisation process from 2000 to 2009, exploring within- and between-year variation in the number of seals using the site. Numbers increased over the study period from less than 300 animals to over 3 100. Year and month were important in explaining variability in seal counts, whereas sea condition, time of day and lunar phase had minimal explanatory power. Within-year variation in seal counts decreased during the study period, which may indicate an increasing proportion of resident (as opposed to transient) seals in the colony. However, the colony is currently still in a transition phase with a low ratio of breeding to non-breeding animals and low numbers of pups born on the colony (currently still < 100 per year). The influx of seals to the Robberg area may be associated with an increase in prey availability in the area. The relative protection afforded by the Nature Reserve status of the Robberg Peninsula and the existence of a Marine Protected Area adjacent to it are likely to contribute to the growth of this colony. However, human interference associated with fishing and/or ecotourism on the Peninsula may prevent the colony from developing into a breeding colony. Faecal (scat) sampling was employed to study the diet of this increasing seal population at Robberg. Species composition and size of prey were determined, temporal variation in the diet was explored, and the potential for competition between seals and the fisheries around Plettenberg Bay was investigated. Of the 445 scats collected, 90 % contained hard prey remains. These comprised of 3 127 identified otoliths representing 15 teleost prey species, 25 cephalopod beaks representing three 6 species and three feathers representing two bird species. The seals' most important prey species in terms of numerical abundance and frequency of occurrence in the diet were anchovy, sardine, horse mackerel, sand tongue-fish and shallow-water hake (in decreasing order of importance). The proportion of anchovy in the diet increased during the study period, while sardine decreased. Sardine was the only species that increased significantly in the diet during the upwelling season. Little evidence was found of direct competition between seals and linefisheries in Plettenberg Bay, both in terms of prey species composition and quantities consumed. Scat sampling in seals holds promise as a method to track long-term changes in prey species availability. The conservation and management of this colony are discussed in light of the research findings.

Bibliography: pages 168-180.
This thesis adopts an holistic approach to evaluation of the "seal problem", which encompasses the operational and biological interactions between the South African fur seal and fisheries in the Benguela Ecosystem. The operational interactions are examined using a qualitative assessment, and speculative, single-species simulation models are developed to improve understanding of seal population dynamics, present options for seal management and explore seal-fishery interactions. The models show that the probability of a seal living longer than 20 years is 14%; that the population has increased at a rate of 5.1 % p.a. since the last major census in 1983; that in 1988 there were an estimated 1.5 million seals that consumed over 2 million tons of fish; that although seal population size is usually estimated by multiplying the number of pups by a factor of 4, this factor is very variable and under different culling regimes is usually greater than 4; that historically, the mean population : pup ratio is 4.55. The most effective means of reducing the population is to cull both pups and bulls (the population decrease resulting mainly from reduced pup production caused by disturbance during bull culling). Culling pups is the least effective means of population control. Culling cows alters the population sex ratio drastically and is considered undesirable. To achieve a small or negative population growth rate, more bulls and pups need to be culled than have been taken historically. Each of the fisheries is found to be subject to operational interactions with seals, this being most severe for the purse-seine fishery. The per capita consumption of fish by seals is similar under any management regime so it is not justified to adopt a particular culling strategy to reduce overall consumption. When either seal predation or fishing mortality is reduced, the model simulates an increase in fishery yield of Cape hakes. But there is inadequate understanding of hake population dynamics at present, and depending on the interactions between species, decreased predation may result in increased or decreased fishery yields. This study shows that operational interactions are a real problem and this biases the opinion of fishermen towards seals as competitors for fish resources.

[For the Abstract, please see the PDF files below, namely "front.pdf"] CONTENTS. Chapter 1 Introduction. Chapter 2 Gross and microscopic visceral anatomy of the male Cape fur seal with reference to organ size and growth. Chapter 3 Age determination and growth in the male Cape fur seal: part one, external body. Chapter 4 Age determination and growth in the male Cape fur seal: part two, skull. Chapter 5 Age determination and growth in the male Cape fur seal: part three, baculum. Chapter 6 Suture age as an indicator of physiological age in the male Cape fur seal. Chapter 7 Sexual dimorphism in the adult Cape fur seal: standard body length and skull morphology. Chapter 8 Reproduction in the male Cape fur seal: age at puberty and annual cycle of the testis. Chapter 9 Diet and foraging behaviour of the Cape fur seal. Chapter 10(a) The Impact of the fur seal industry on the distribution and abundance of Cape fur seals. Chapter 10(b) South African Airforce wildlife rescue: Cape fur seal pups washed from Black Rocks, Algoa Bay, during heavy seas, December 1976. Chapter 11(a) Operational interactions between Cape fur seals and fisheries: part one, trawl fishing. Chapter 11(b) Operational interactions between Cape fur seals and fisheries: part two, squid jigging and line fishing. Chapter 11(c) Operational interactions between Cape fur seals and fisheries: part three, entanglement in man-made debris. Chapter 12 Concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni & Zn) and organochlorine contaminants (PCBs, DDT, DDE & DDD) in the blubber of Cape fur seals. Chapter 13 Endoparasites of the Cape fur seal. Chapter 14(a) Preliminary investigations of shark predation on Cape fur seals. Chapter 14(b) Aggressive behaviour of an adult male Cape fur seal towards a great white shark Carcharodon carcharias. Chapter 15 Conclusions and future directions.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 161-202).
How predators affect the behaviour of their prey is one of the most studied subjects in behavioural ecology, with many hypothesis and models explaining how animals should behave and even more descriptive studies detailing how they do. The unification of the empirical with the theoretical, however, remains limited. The overall aim of my thesis was to address this paucity at Seal Island, South Africa, where recently quantified patterns of predation pressure by white sharks Carcharodon carcharias on Cape fur seals Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus suggested a landscape of fear particularly apposite to this.

Bibliography : leaves 59-65.
Competition for pelagic fish resources was investigated by assessing the overlap in the food base of three land-based predators: Cape gannet (Morus capensis), Cape fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) and humans operating via a purse-seine fishery. Multivariate analysis the diet composition of gannets and seals and the catch composition of the pelagic fishery indicated that there were three ""feeding regimes"" during the 21-year study period: (1978-1998), an anchovy-dominated regime (1978-1983), an intermediate regime (1984-1990) and a sardine-abundant regime (1991-1998). It further showed that anchovy (Engraulis capensis) and sardine (Sardinops sagax) contributed substantially to the catches of all three top predators. Analysis of size-distributions of catches showed that the three predators generally caught the same sizes of anchovy and sardine, reflecting very little resource partitioning. The analysis demonstrated stronger competition between gannets and the purse-seiners than between gannets and seats, especially during seasons of poor recruitment. Furthermore, seasonal differences in the catches of the three predators are related to the recruitment, growth and migration of the prey species. The study confirmed previous observations that gannets prefer sardine to anchovy by showing gannet exploitation of sardine in the early 19905, when anchovy was still abundant. The gannets, which are species-specific feeders, may be impacted by substantial removals of pelagic fish resources by a large seal population and a large fishery.

Dyer Island is thought to host one of the most abundant populations of white sharks on the planet; this is often credited to the large (55 – 60,000) Cape fur seal colony at Geyser Rock. Yet relatively little work has ever been produced from the area. This may be attributed to the harshness in its location as a study site, exposed to wind and swell from west to east which limits research periods. This study accounts for over 220 hrs of manual tracking at Dyer Island with a further 68 added from the inshore shallow areas of the bay. Sharks focused their movements and habitat use to reefs or channels that allowed access to Cape fur seals. Movement- Based Kernel Estimates (MKDE) were used to compute home range estimates for shark movements through and around the heterogeneous structures of Dyer Island and Geyser Rock. Inshore two core areas were revealed, one being the major reef system at Joubertsdam and the other at a kelp reef where the tracked shark had fed on a Cape fur seal. At Dyer Island one core area was identified in a narrow channel, ‘Shark Alley’, here a second tracked shark foraged for entire days within meters of rafting Cape fur seals. Rate of Movement (ROM) and Linearity (LI) of tracks were low during daytime and movements were focused around areas such as Shark Alley or other areas close to the seal colony before moving into deeper water or distant reefs with higher rates of ROM and LI at night. If moonlight was strong foraging would take place to the south of Geyser Rock but with higher ROM and LI than observed during the day. Foraging patterns in this study contrast studies from other sites in South Africa and home range and activity areas were comparatively much smaller than observed in Mossel Bay. It has been established that several known white sharks forage at Dyer Island and the other studied aggregation sites, such differences in foraging would suggest that they are able to adapt their foraging behaviour to suit the environment they are in; making them site specific in their foraging ecology. Both satellite and acoustic telemetry are revealing aggregation hotspots of white sharks in South Africa. It is important that such information is used to assist the recovery of the species which has been protected since 1991, yet is rarely considered in planning of coastal developments.
Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2012.
Zoology and Entomology
MSc
Unrestricted

Predators and the risk associated with their presence may affect group composition, group size, movement patterns, and habitat use of prey species. The removal of predators, or their reintroduction following long periods of absence, equally can have profound impacts on their prey, triggering ecological cascades and ultimately shaping the biota of entire landscapes. While such processes are well documented in terrestrial ecosystems, similar results are absent in the marine realm, largely due to logistical difficulty. One exception to this is the study of white shark and seal interactions at coastal island rookeries, where white shark presence is seasonal, and seals exhibit marked behavioural differences between seasons. What is lacking from these studies, however, is how subsurface habitat around the islands, specifically refugia, may influence the behaviour of seals and their interactions with white sharks. I address this challenge by comparing both seal movement patterns and shark-seal interactions at Geyser Rock, Gansbaai with the established seal and shark patterns at Seal Island, False Bay. White sharks aggregate at both islands during the austral winter and seals encounter these aggregations when commuting to and from their respective rookeries to offshore foraging areas. The seascape around Geyser Rock is comparably more featured, including kelp beds and extensive shallow (5-10m depth) reef systems, whereas Seal Island is largely featureless, with neither extensive kelp nor reefs. At Geyser Rock, predations by white sharks were rarely observed (0.1 predations/hour) compared to Seal Island (1.24 predations/hour) and lacked the focused spatiotemporal peak at sunrise to the south of the island. Seals at Geyser Rock did not show a relationship between group formation and season, which was clearly demonstrated at Seal Island. This suggests that seals at Geyser Rock may be less reliant on group formation (safety in numbers) and selfish herd tactics within such groups to reduce predation risk. Rather, seals at Geyser Rock avoided deep open water patches during winter and shifted their movement patterns to and from the island to sectors with greater subsurface habitat heterogeneity. While I was limited in quantifying spatiotemporal patterns of predation risk around Geyser Rock (predation events were rare and widely dispersed), these results strongly suggest that seals actively avoid deep open water and show a preference for high structural complexity sectors during the risky winter months when shark presence is highest. This finding represents a habitat-escape tactic unidentified in previously studied white shark/pinniped systems. Together these results provide empirical support for both the risk-allocation hypothesis and refugia hypotheses within marine predator-prey systems.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 62-66).
The Analysis of variance is a robust technique whereby the total variation present in a set of data is partitioned into two or more components (Wayne, 1999). In this thesis, ANOVA was used to uncover the differences in goby length preyed on by three different colonies of fur seals at the Namibian coast. Moreover, ANOVA was used to investigate temporal differences in lengths of goby preyed on by fur seals in each location of the seal colonies. Results of the analysis are shown in the Analysis and results section, and the findings are discussed in the discussion section. But before these two sections, there are three sections of the thesis. The first section is the general introduction that explains about the general situation and the targets of this thesis. The second section gives a general background on the ANOVA technique. The third section explains the nature of the data and gives background information on gobies.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: As the world finds itself increasingly unable to avoid the negative impacts of the physical phenomena associated with climate change, adaptation to climate change has been brought to the forefront of the international agenda. The range of adaptation technologies available can be categorized into three basic strategies (IPCC, 1990): Protection, (managed) Retreat, or Accommodation. The practice of adapting existing developments and infrastructure in the coastal zone by the process of accommodation has not yet seen wide implementation as a formalised adaptation strategy. In order for a community to accept and successfully implement accommodation strategies, all community stakeholders are required to accept and live with a certain level of managed risk, and to also rethink the concept of failure. As a result, accommodation practices implemented globally have been closely related to fields such as risk - and disaster management. Structural innovations in the field of accommodation measures include advanced technologies to elevate existing buildings safely above flood levels, and even “amphibious” houses. In Cape Town, South Africa, the choice between protection, retreat or accommodation as an adaptation measure remains complex. Not much discussion has yet been generated concerning accommodation measures that could be implemented to reduce the risk to existing properties that are already inappropriately located in the risk zone (e.g. seaward of the coastal hazard line), by accommodating the dynamic coastal processes taking place. Accommodation has been found to be most feasible in Cape Town at case study sites with a stable, non- or slowly eroding shoreline, which are also subject to flooding. The elevation of buildings and the alteration of buildings for flood-proofing, in unison with proactive risk and disaster management, could be implemented to accommodate the impacts of flooding on affected infrastructure. Located on Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard, Bakoven serves as a case study sample of such a site where an accommodation-based adaptation solution could be feasible. Both global and regional downscaled climate models have been found to deliver a large range of future climate conditions. Assuming best estimate future predictions, Bakoven properties have been found vulnerable to extreme flooding during both status quo and future extreme events. Environmental conditions at Bakoven are favourable for the construction of piled foundations. Stringent environmental and heritage constraints imposed by local government would, however, render accommodation strategies unviable. It is recommended that government at all levels be willing to adopt a more flexible approach to governing coastal areas, to ensure that the regulations they impose remain as dynamic as the environments which they govern. The viability and possible benefits of accommodation measures, rather than protection or retreat approaches should be carefully considered on an individual case-by-case basis, in unison with the local community.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wêreldwyd is gemeenskappe besig om toenemend te ervaar dat hul nie die nadelige gevolge van klimaatsverandering kan vryspring nie. Juis daarom, is aanpassing tot klimaatsverandering noodsaaklik. Die verskeidenheid van beskikbare benaderinge tot klimaatsverandering aanpassing kan in drie hoof kategorieë ingedeel word, volgens die IPCC (1990): Beskerming, (stelselmatige) Retireer of Akkomodasie. Die aanpassing van bestaande infrastruktuur d.m.v. akkomodasie is nog nie wyd geïmplementeer as ‘n amptelike aanpassings strategie nie. Ten einde die sukses van ‘n akkommodasie strategie te verseker, sal gemeenskappe genoodsaak wees om ‘n sekere vlak van residuele risiko te aanvaar en die konsep van die ‘faling’ te herdefinieer. Akkommodasie oplossings wêreldwyd is daarom nouliks verwant aan risiko- en rampsbestuur. Innovasies in die struktuurindustrie om die risiko van klimaatsverandering te akkommodeer, sluit onder andere in die fisiese oplig van geboue na ‘n hoër, veilige vlak, en ook die bou van sogenaamde “amfibiese” huise. In Kaapstad is die bepaling van die mees gepaste en voordelige aanpassings oplossing, net soos in die res van die wêreld, kompleks. Die moontlikheid van die gebruik van akkommodasie benaderinge en tegnologieë, eerder as beskermingsstrategieë, is nog nie welbekend of algemeen geïmplementeer nie. Daar bestaan wel ‘n geleentheid om hierdie tegnologieë toe te pas in die geval van bestaande strukture wat seewaarts van die dinamiese kusproses lyn, geleë is. Hierdie studie het bevind dat akkommodasie oplossings moontlik suksesvol kan wees by spesifieke gevallestudies langs Kaapstad se kuslyn waar die kuslyn grootendeels stabiel is. Die oplig en verandering van geboue om vloedbestand te wees, tesame met proaktiewe risiko- en rampsbestuur maatreëls, word by sommige van hierdie gevallestudies aanbeveel om die impak van klimaatsverandering te akkomodeer. Bakoven, ‘n klein gemeenskapsbuurt op Kaapstad se kuslyn, is ‘n voorbeeld van ‘n geval waar ‘n akkommodasie oplossing moontlik goed kan werk. Globale klimaatsmodelle lewer ‘n wye reeks van toekomstige klimaatsvoorspellings vir die jaar 2063. Tydens die toets van die mees waarskynlike toekomstige klimaats-scenario, is bevind dat Bakoven kwesbaar is vir die verwagte vloeding a.g.v. seevlakstyging verwag teen 2063. Daar is ook bevind dat selfs tydens huidige storms, sommige strukture aan Bakoven se kus kwesbaar is. Die omgewingstoestande by Bakoven word beskou as voordelig vir die konstruksie van heipale as fondasies om die geboue hoër op te lig. As gevolg van streng munisipale regulasies met omgewings- en geskiedkundige bewaring as doel, is hierdie opsie egter nie moontlik nie. Dit word aanbeveel dat die regulasies wat deur regeringsamptenare daargestel word, aanpasbaar genoeg moet wees om die veranderende kusomgewing in ag te neem. Die moontlikheid en volhoubaarheid van ‘n akkommodasie oplossing, eerder as ‘n beskermings- of opgee benaderinge, moet deeglik ondersoek word vir elke ‘n individuele geval, in samewerking met die betrokke gemeenskap.

More frequent and harsh storms coupled with sea level rise are affecting Canada’s sensitive coastlines. This research studies Isle Madame in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia which has been designated by Natural Resource Canada as a sea level rise vulnerable coastal community in Canada. The research models the spatial and temporal impacts of sea level rise from storm surge by focusing on identifying vulnerable areas in the community via geographical information systems (GIS) using ArcGIS, as well as modeling dynamic coastal damage via system dynamics using STELLA. The research evaluates the impacts in terms of the environmental, social, cultural, economic pillars that profile the coastal community for a series of modelled Storm Scenarios. This research synthesizes information from a variety of sources including the coastal ecology and natural resources, as well as human society and socioeconomic indicators included in the four mentioned pillars. The objective of the research is to determine vulnerable areas on Isle Madame susceptible to storm damage, and consequently, to improve local community knowledge and preparedness to more frequent harsh storms. This research therefore presents a dynamic model for the evaluation of storm impacts in Isle Madame designed with the goal to help the community ultimately to plan and implement a strategy to adapt to pending environmental change.

The purpose of this thesis is to develop a power seat structure that can serve as an alternativeto the one developed by Koenigsegg for their upcoming model Gemera and potentially others.The power seat structure will be designed around an existing chassis and will use it as areference to create an accommodating power seat structure. It will be designed to be used witha fixed-back seat that is used in the development process of the Gemera.Koenigsegg requires that the power seat structure allows for horizontal and lifting motion, aswell as tilting. These functions will be adapted to the power seat structure designed by theproject group.Due to confidentiality concerns, some parts of this thesis will not be made available to thepublic.

The Knysna seahorse Hippocampus capensis is South Africa’s only endemic seahorse species, and is found in only three adjacent estuaries along the southern coast. The conservation of this endangered species is important on a national and international level. This study presents the first research on this species within the Knysna estuary since 2001 and specifically focuses on aspects of its ecology within a residential marina estate (Thesen Islands Marina). The physico-chemical and habitat features of the marina were described and the population ecology, habitat use, and behaviour of the Knysna seahorse were investigated. Physico-chemical conditions within the western section of the marina, characterised by high water current velocities, were similar to that of the adjacent estuary. The eastern section of the marina was characterised by lower water current velocities and higher turbidity. Four major habitat types were identified within the marina canals: (I) artificial Reno mattress (wire baskets filled with rocks); (II) Codium tenue beds; (III) mixed vegetation on sediment; and (IV) barren canal floor. Seahorse densities within the marina were significantly higher compared to densities found historically within the estuary. Highest seahorse densities were specifically found within the artificial Reno mattress structures and within the western section of the marina. Seahorse density varied spatially and temporally and the type of habitat was an important predictor for seahorse occurrence. An experimental investigation found that H. capensis chooses artificial Reno mattress habitat over Zostera capensis when given a choice. GoPro cameras were used successfully to investigate daytime seahorse behaviour within the Reno mattress habitat. Seahorses were more active during the morning, spent most of their time (> 80 %) feeding, and morning courting behaviour for this species were confirmed. However, during the summer holiday period (mid-December to mid-January) few seahorses were observed on camera, which suggests that the increase in motor boat activity and the related increase in noise had a negative effect on H. capensis feeding and courting behaviour. The marina development, and in particular the Reno mattresses, created a new habitat for this endangered species within the Knysna estuary. In addition to the protection and restoration of natural habitats in which H. capensis is found, the conservation potential of artificial structures such as Reno mattresses should be realised.

La délimitation des frontières maritimes revêt une importance capitale pour un grand nombre États, que cela soit d’un oint de vue symbolique, culturel, stratégique ou économique. Néanmoins, le droit international conventionnel reste au mieux largement ambigu, au pire entièrement silencieux sur la question de savoir quelles sont les méthodes précises pour résoudre les éventuels différends entre États pouvant surgir lors de la délimitation de leurs espaces maritimes. Face à ces ambiguïtés et silences conventionnels et face aussi à une pratique étatique incohérente et dépourvue d’une opinio juris, c’est principalement dans leur propre vision que les juridictions internationales ont puisé la règle de l’équidistance/circonstances pertinentes, en vertu de laquelle toute délimitation maritime décidée, quel que soit l’espace maritime considéré, y inclus le plateau continental étendu, et quelle que soit la configuration côtière, débute par la construction d’une ligne d’équidistance provisoire. Cette ligne pourra éventuellement être modifiée pour tenir compte descirconstances particulières de chaque affaire dans une deuxième phase de la délimitation. En dépit de la consécration claire et – une première dans l’histoire de la CIJ – unanime de la règle de l’équidistance/circonstances pertinentes dans l’affaire de la Délimitation maritime en mer Noire en 2009, de nombreuses zones d’ombre et difficultés d’ordre technique existent dans sa mise en œuvre pratique par les cours et tribunaux internationaux, notamment en ce qui concerne le risque d’une part trop importante de subjectivité, voire d’arbitraire, particulièrement en ce qui concerne le choix des points de base et le rôle joué par la proportionnalité. De même, afin de garantir une « matérialisation » efficace de la frontière maritime décidée sur le « terrain », une collaboration étroite entre le juriste d’une part et le cartographe, l’hydrographe, le géologue et le géographe d’autre part s’impose
The delimitation of maritime boundaries is of utmost importance for many states, whether on a symbolic, cultural, strategic or economic level. Nevertheless, international treaty law is at best largely ambiguous, at worst entirely silent as to what the precise methods for resolving possible disputes that might surface during the delimitation process are. Confrontedwith these ambiguities and silences, but also with incoherent state practice devoid of any opinio juris, it is primarily from their own vision that international jurisdictions have drawn the equidistance/relevant circumstances rule, according to which, regardless of the maritime zone concerned, including the extended continental shelf, and regardless of the coastalconfiguration, every decided maritime delimitation begins with the establishment of a provisional equidistance line. This line can later be modified in a second phase of the delimitation to take into account the particular circumstances of each case. In spite of the unequivocal and – a premiere in the history of the Court – unanimous consecration of theequidistance/relevant circumstances rule by the ICJ in the Delimitation in the Black Sea case in 2009, numerous unsettled areas and technical difficulties remain in the delimitation process, notably regarding the risk of too great a degree of subjectivity, if not arbitrariness, particularly regarding the choice of the base points and the role to be played by proportionality. Likewise, in order to guarantee a smooth “materialisation” of the border on the “ground”, a close collaboration between the jurist on the one hand and the cartographer, geologist, hydrologist and geographer on the other hand is indispensable

New Zealand fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) show pronounced inter-sexual differences in adult body size, and males will potentially mate with many females. Consequently, selection is thought to act differently upon pups during growth. Little is known about how male and female fur seal pups conserve energy, and use milk for growth especially as they fast for significant periods. There has been a plethora of studies that have viewed pinnipeds as ideal models for the differential investment theory, but the evidence remains equivocal. This study investigated a species that has shown some support for differential investment in the past, in the form of pup growth and maternal attendance behaviour, and looked at the potential that these intersexual differences are due to differential utilisation of maternal resources (different body compositions) and/or differential fasting strategies by pups, which may be determined by fasting mass loss rates. This study hopes to encompass both aspects of differential investment, such as maternal attendance, as well as differential fasting strategies of pups by looking at their fasting mass loss rates. This study found that males were larger and longer throughout the lactation period, yet grew at the same rate as females. There was no detectable intersexual difference in the maternal provisioning provided by mothers, in the form of attendance. There was some evidence that males and females have different fasting strategies, in that females, from a subset of pups exhibited significantly higher mass specific mass loss rates. This finding should be treated with caution however, as sample size was low, and cross sectional samples revealed no significant differences. Furthermore, study of the activity rates of the same pups over the duration of the fast, found no significant intersexual differences in activity rates. These results suggest that further studies are needed that encompass both aspects of differential investment theory, as well as differential utilisation by pups.

Chapter 1 Introduction. Chapter 2 Gross and microscopic visceral anatomy of the male Cape fur seal with reference to organ size and growth. Chapter 3 Age determination and growth in the male Cape fur seal: part one, external body. Chapter 4 Age determination and growth in the male Cape fur seal: part two, skull. Chapter 5 Age determination and growth in the male Cape fur seal: part three, baculum. Chapter 6 Suture age as an indicator of physiological age in the male Cape fur seal. Chapter 7 Sexual dimorphism in the adult Cape fur seal: standard body length and skull morphology. Chapter 8 Reproduction in the male Cape fur seal: age at puberty and annual cycle of the testis. Chapter 9 Diet and foraging behaviour of the Cape fur seal. Chapter 10(a) The Impact of the fur seal industry on the distribution and abundance of Cape fur seals. Chapter 10(b) South African Airforce wildlife rescue: Cape fur seal pups washed from Black Rocks, Algoa Bay, during heavy seas, December 1976. Chapter 11(a) Operational interactions between Cape fur seals and fisheries: part one, trawl fishing. Chapter 11(b) Operational interactions between Cape fur seals and fisheries: part two, squid jigging and line fishing. Chapter 11(c) Operational interactions between Cape fur seals and fisheries: part three, entanglement in man-made debris. Chapter 12 Concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni & Zn) and organochlorine contaminants (PCBs, DDT, DDE & DDD) in the blubber of Cape fur seals. Chapter 13 Endoparasites of the Cape fur seal. Chapter 14(a) Preliminary investigations of shark predation on Cape fur seals. Chapter 14(b) Aggressive behaviour of an adult male Cape fur seal towards a great white shark Carcharodon carcharias. Chapter 15 Conclusions and future directions.

A system which quantifies the number of food pellets eaten by salmon in a sea cage would be beneficial to both fish farmers, and researchers. Such a system could be used for reducing food wastage, determining time-related feeding patterns, ensuring fish receive the correct dosage of drugs, etc. We developed algorithms for detection and counting of food pellets from recorded video image sequences, which could be used to determine actual feeding rates in a sea cage. The number of food pellets eaten over time is determined by counting the number of pellets not eaten. The method involves counting the number of pellets of a known size, falling through the view area of an underwater video camera. The size of the view area of the camera varies with the size of the food pellets used. The pellets, which appear white underwater, are counted as they enter the view area of the underwater camera, and are tracked in this area to avoid recounting. For each video frame in the sequence, image preprocessing is done, followed by object detection, object classification, and object tracking and counting. Original algorithms were developed for this project to automatically threshold images, track objects in consecutive frames, and count the objects entering the view area of the camera. The algorithms were implemented on a personal computer based image processing system. Experiments were carried out to test the algorithms with pellet densities used in actual feeding situations. The utility of the algorithms was confirmed by the experimental results. The average count error for the tests performed was approximately +/-10%. The recommended improvements to the counting algorithms should significantly reduce this error.

Excess nutrients in the form of uneaten food or waste from intensive, monospecies aquaculture farms can have negative effects on the surrounding natural ecosystem, causing eutrophication and benthic habitat degradation. Biomitigative techniques such as Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) are being investigated for their ability to reduce these negative environmental impacts. IMTA is the co-culture of multiple species from complementary trophic levels, physically orientated in such a way that excess waste nutrients from the fed component are intercepted by the extractive species. For IMTA systems to become a sustainable aquaculture design alternative, it is important to ensure that infrastructure orientation and stocking densities of the extractive species maximize the amount of excess nutrients intercepted and overall system efficiency. Previous research has shown that the majority of wastes from fed finfish are made up of large organic particulates which sink rapidly to the benthos underneath or near the fish cages and which would be available to benthic deposit-feeding species. The California sea cucumber (Parastichopus californicus) is a promising extractive species for IMTA on the west coast of Canada due to its deposit-feeding behaviour and its relatively high market price. Owing to the sea cucumber’s morphology and ability to move through restricted spaces, containment can be difficult without reducing nutrient transfer and overall IMTA system efficiency (i.e. mesh sizes needed to contain small sea cucumbers may restrict flow of farm particulates to them). The overall goal of the present work is to effectively contain juvenile sea cucumbers in such a way that maximizes benthic extraction of large-particulate nutrients within an IMTA system.
Graduate

Text in Afrikaans. Abstracts in Afrikaans, English and Zulu
This study explored how nine adolescent learner-participants with cerebral palsy or other physical disabilities responded to an emotional support programme (EOP) of 20 intervention sessions, aimed at developing their emotional intelligence. The research study highlighted the utilisational value and importance of emotional intelligence, which is associated with problem-solving skills, career success, selfactualisation, stress management and the like. The rationale for compiling the EOP was in accordance with the rationale for the research study, being embedded in diverse learning needs, support for learners, and the design of learner opportunities. The study focused among others on the development and implementation of an EOP based on Bar-On as conceptual model (2000), together with the five core competencies of social and emotional learning (SEL), namely: responsible decision-making, emotional self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship skills. The Lions Quest SEL-programme, Skills for Adolescence, formed the basis of the EOP, although the researcher had to adapt it for her learner-participants’ special educational needs. The EOP was further extended with the knowledge obtained through the literature study regarding emotional intelligence and adolescence, and was aligned with the aims of the South African school curriculum in respect of emotional intelligence skills, as stated in the aims of the subject Life Skills. The researcher’s embedded, mixed-method research design allowed the larger qualitative component to include the smaller quantitative component, so that the specific phenomenon could be understood from different participants’ perspectives. Qualitative data was collected by means of metaphor interviews and collage activities. The quantitative research component of the study refers to the standardised Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory: Youth Version (EQ-i:YV) together with the researcher’s own structured questionnaire. The researcher did not interpret the data obtained from the quantitative data collection instruments in isolation, but used it to expand and verify the results of her qualitative generated data. The integrated data results of the learner-participants brought the answer to the research problem: most of the adolescent learner-participants with special educational needs who had participated in the EOP, did indeed benefit through their involvement, and their emotional intelligence (the phenomenon under scrutiny) had improved.
Die studie ondersoek hoe nege adolessente leerder-deelnemers met serebrale en fisieke gestremdhede op ’n emosionele ondersteuningsprogram (EOP) van 20 intervensiesessies reageer met die doel om hulle emosionele intelligensie te ontwikkel. Die benuttingswaarde en belangrikheid van emosionele intelligensie word deur die navorsingstudie uitgelig. Hoë emosionele intelligensie word geassosieer met probleemoplossingsvaardighede, werksukses, selfverwesenliking en streshantering, onder andere. Die rasionaal vir die samestelling van die EOP stem ooreen met die rasionaal vir die navorsingstudie en is gevestig in uiteenlopende leerbehoeftes, ondersteuning aan leerders, en die skep van leergeleenthede. Die studie fokus op die samestelling en implementering van ’n emosionele ondersteuningsprogram (EOP) gebaseer op Bar-On (2000) se konstruk van emosionele intelligensie as konseptuele model van die studie saam met die vyf kernbevoegdhede van sosiale en emosionele leer (SEL), naamlik: verantwoordelike besluitneming, emosionele selfbewussyn, selfbestuur, sosiale bewussyn en verhoudingsvaardighede. Die Lions Quest SEL-program, Skills for Adolescence, vorm die grondslag van die EOP, alhoewel die navorser baie aanpassings vir haar leerder-deelnemers se spesiale onderwysbehoeftes moes maak. Die EOP is verder uitgebrei deur die kennis wat die navorser tydens die literatuurstudie ingewin het ten opsigte van emosionele intelligensie en adolessensie, en sluit aan by die Suid-Afrikaanse skoolkurrikulum-doelwitte wat verband hou met emosionele intelligensie-vaardighede soos uiteengesit in die doelwitte vir die vak Lewensvaardighede. Die navorser se ingebedde, gemengdemetode-navorsingsontwerp laat toe dat die groter kwalitatiewe komponent die kleiner kwantitatiewe komponent insluit, sodat die spesifieke fenomeen vanuit verskillende deelnemers se perspektiewe verstaan kon word. Kwalitatiewe data is deur middel van die metafooronderhoud en collage-aktiwiteit ingesamel. Die kwantitatiewe navorsingskomponent van die studie verwys na die gestandaardiseerde Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory: Youth Version (EQ-i:YV) tesame met die navorser se eie gestruktureerde vraelys. Die navorser het die data wat sy uit die kwantitatiewe datainsamelingsinstrumente verkry het, nie net in isolasie geïnterpreteer nie, maar dit ook gebruik om die resultate van haar kwalitatief-gegenereerde data uit te brei en te verifieer. Die geïntegreerde data-resultate van die leerder-deelnemers bied die antwoord op die: die meerderheid van die adolessente leerderdeelnemers met spesiale onderwysbehoeftes wat aan die EOP deelgeneem het, het inderdaad gebaat by hulle deelname, en hulle emosionele intelligensie (die fenomeen wat ondersoek is) het verbeter.
Ucwaningo luhlola ukuthi ngabe ukuzibandakanya kwabafundi abangabadlalindima abayisishiyagalolunye abasesigabeni sobubhungu/sobutshitshi abakhubazeke ngokwengqondo noma ngayiphi indlela emzimbeni baphendule kanjani kuhlelo oluxhasa ngokommoya (emotional support programme) kumihlangano engama- 20 yokunceda, ehlose ekuqiniseni ubuhlakani bommoya. Isifundo socwaningo siveze ukubaluleka kokusebenzisa kanye nokubaluleka kobuhlakani bommoya, okuhambisana namakhono okuxazulula izinkinga, impumelelo yobizo lomsebenzi, ukuzibonakalisa, ukulawula ingcindezi yengqondo kanye nokunye. Isizathu sokuhlela i-ESP sasihambisana nenhloso yesifundo socwaningo, esitholakala kwizidingo zemfundo ezahlukahlukene, kanye nokuhleleka kwamathuba omfundi. Ucwaningo lubheke hlangana nokunye nokuthuthukiswa kanye nokusetshenziswa kohlelo lwe-ESP olususelwa ku-Bar-On njengemodeli yegama (2000), kanye namanye amacebo abalulekile amahlanu ohlelo lokufunda kwabantu kanye nokufunda ngokwemizwa (SEL), wona yilawa alandelayo: Ukumelana nezinqumo ozithethe, ukwazi imizwa yakho, ukuziphatha ngokwakho, ukuxwayiswa komphakathi kanye namakhono okwenza ubudlelwano. Uhlelo lwe- Lions Quest SEL, Skills for Adolescence, akha isisekelo se-ESP, yize umcwaningi kwakufanele aluguqule lolu hlelo ukwenzela ukuba luhambisane nezidingo ezikhethekile zemfundo yafundi abadlala indima. . Uhlelo lwe--ESP lwaqhubeka nokukhuliswa ngolwazi olwalutholakala ngocwaningo lombhalo wobuciko obumayelana nobuhlakani bokusebenzisa imizwa kanye nesigaba sobutshitshi/sobubhungu, kanti lolu hlelo lwaluhambisana nezinhloso zekharikhulami yezikole zaseNingizimu Afrika mayelana namakhono okusebenzisa obuhlakani bokusebenzisa imizwa, njengoba kushiwobkwizinhloso zesifundo samaKhono Empilo (Life Skills). Isakhiwo somcwaningi esequkethwe, sohlelo-oluvangene locwaningo siye savumela isigaba esikhulu socwaningo olugxile kukhwalithi (qualitative) ukuba sixube isigaba esincane esigxile kumanani (quantitative), ukuze kuzwisiseke uhlelo oluthize ngokwemiqondo yabadlalindima abehlukahlukene. Idatha yohlelo lwequalitative yaqoqwa ngokusebenzisa izinhlolombono zokungathekisa kanye nemisebenzi yokuhlanganisa imifanekiso eminingi. Isigaba socwaningo olugxile kumanani sichaza uhlelo olufanayo lwe--Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory: Youth Version (EQi:YV) kanye nemibhalo yemibuzo ehlelwe wumcwaningi. Umcwaningi akazange achaze idatha etholakele kumathuluzi okuqoqa idatha encike kumanani yodwa, kodwa le datha iye yasetshenziselwa ukukhulisa kanye nokuqinisekisa imiphumela yakhe eyakhiwe ngokwendlela yekhwalithi. Imiphumelo ehlangene yedatha yomfundi ongumdlalindima ilethe impendulo kwinkinga yocwaningo: Iningi labafundi abadlala indima abasesesigabeni sobubhungu/sobutshitshi abadinga imfundo ekhethekile abazibandakanye ohlelweni lwe-ESP, ngempela baye bazuza ngokuzibandakanya kwabo, kanti-ke izinga labo lokusebenzisa ikhono lobuhlakani bemizwa buye bathuthuka kakhulu (the phenomenon under scrutiny).
Inclusive Education
D. Ed. (Inklusiewe Onderwys)

Japanese yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata has been commercially farmed in Japan since the 1940s. In comparison, sea-cage farming of yellowtail kingfish Seriola lalandi in Australia is still developing, with commercial production commencing in 1998. In Australia, S. lalandi is parasitised by Zeuxapta seriolae and Benedenia seriolae. In Japan, S. quinqueradiata is parasitised by Heteraxine heterocerca and B. seriolae. These monogeneans affect industries in both countries and management of these parasites is required to prevent impacts on fish health and commercial losses. I investigated efficacy (% reduction of mean parasite abundance) for orally administered praziquantel, fenbendzole and oxfendazole against Z. seriolae and B. seriolae on S. lalandi and the efficacy of orally administered praziquantel and febantel against H. heterocerca and B. seriolae on S. quinqueradiata. Medications were administered to fish by surface coating feed pellets or via direct intubation of the stomach. Seriola lalandi administered fenbendazole and oxfendazole by surface coating of feed had lower abundance of the gill parasite Z. seriolae. Seriola quinqueradiata intubated with febantel had lower abundance of the gill parasite H. heterocerca. Neither fenbendazole nor oxfendazole administered to S. lalandi in Australia, nor febantel administered to S. quinqueradiata in Japan resulted in a lower abundance of the skin parasite B. seriolae. Praziquantel was first administered to S. lalandi by surface coating of feed. Fish rejected medicated feed, suggesting praziquantel affected its palatability. Fish treated with feed medicated with praziquantel had fewer Z. seriolae and B. seriolae than untreated fish. Praziquantel administered to S. lalandi by intubation allowed a more accurate dose to be tested without differential feeding or reduced palatability obstructing results, and resulted in fewer Z. seriolae (99.5-100 % reduction) and B. seriolae (91 – 97.7 % reduction). Intubated praziquantel also led to fewer recruitment life stages of Z. seriolae and B. seriolae, even at low doses, but did not completely eliminate them from S. lalandi. Praziquantel administered to S. lalandi alone and combined with cimetidine had high efficacy (>99%) against Z. seriolae. In comparison, praziquantel administered alone resulted in fewer B. seriolae (68.3 – 69.7 % reduction) than the same doses of praziquantel combined with cimetidine (36.9 – 40.9 % reduction). A 90.4 -100% reduction in H. heterocerca was achieved when praziquantel was administered by intubation to S. quinqueradiata in Japan but there was only a 22-77.8 % reduction in B. seriolae. The dose of PZQ (150 mg kg⁻¹ body weight day⁻¹ for 3 days) on the label of a commercially available product used to treat B. seriolae in Japanese aquaculture resulted in a 50.9% reduction against B. seriolae, but completely eliminated H. heterocerca. In trials against Z. seriolae and B. seriolae on S. lalandi in South Australia, I also screened 27 other anthelmintics and antiparasitics from the chemical groups: amprolium derivatives, benzimidazoles, benzyl ureas, diphosphate salts, imidazothiazoles, macrocyclic lactones, nitromidazoles, organophosphates, piperazines, salicylanilides, substituted phenols and tetrahydropyrimidines. Of these, only the benzimidazole, albendazole, was effective against Z. seriolae and none appeared to have an effect against B. seriolae.
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Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2010