Bycatch Research Articles

The current state of the benthic communities in the area of the Cape Svyatoy settlement of the Iceland scallop in the Barents Sea

The aim. Assessment of the current state of the zoobenthos in the southern part of the Cape Svyatoy settlement of the Iceland scallop in five years after the finish of its commercial exploitation.Material and methods used. Analyzed material was sampled from the R/V «Professor Boyko» during a resource survey of the Icelandic scallop in the Barents Sea in September 2023. A complete quantitative taxonomic analysis of the Sigsbee trawl bycatches of bottom invertebrates was carried out at 85 stations within twelve-mile zone of the Cape Svyatoy settlement of the Icelandic scallop. Four indices were used for assessment of the macrobenthos ecological quality: Clark’s W-statistic, the predominant life strategy index DE, AMBI and M-AMBI indices.The results. The main characteristics of macrozoobenthos in the area of the Cape Svyatoy settlement of the Iceland scallop are described (taxonomic composition, distribution of species richness, diversity, total abundance and biomass, list of the most abundant species, characteristics and distribution of the main bottom communities). The level of average benthic biomass within the study area is estimated as lower than expected given the long preceding warm period. Based on comparison of 2016 and 2023 benthic data, the positive dynamics of the trophic structure of benthos are noted. According to results of bio-testing the ecological state of benthos, in the main part of the study area, is assessed as good and undisturbed, with the exception of area to southeast of Cape Svyatoy, where the lower values of ecological status, abundance and species diversity of benthos are caused by natural environmental conditions.Practical significance: The results of the study provides insight into the bottom communities’ recovery after intensive fishing pressure.

Ecosystem-based fisheries management of crab fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

We review ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) of crab fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) and discuss considerations for future EBFM efforts under a rapidly changing climate. Specifically, we review governance frameworks, ecosystem policy, fishery ecosystem plans, catch accounting systems, trawl bycatch controls, trawl area closures and habitat protections, gear modifications, a Crab Rationalization Program, Ecosystem and Economic Status Reports, and Ecosystem and Socioeconomic Profiles. The strongest EBFM features of this management system include mechanisms to avoid overfishing, use of scientific knowledge, consideration of ecosystem connections, appropriate monitoring, acknowledging uncertainty, stakeholder involvement, and decisions that reflect societal choice. Some EBFM principles, such as the efficacy of gear and area closures and accounting for the dynamic nature of ecosystems have room for improvement. In spite of the large number of EBFM measures in place, three of the eight BSAI crab stocks with biomass estimates were below their minimum stock size thresholds, and thus classified as “overfished” in 2023. The lack of apparent correspondence between implemented EBFM actions and crab stock trends may indicate that environmentally driven sporadic recruitment, spikes in natural mortality, and stock range shifts mute favorable responses to EBFM actions or that outstanding critical EBFM measures have yet to be addressed. In the face of recent large-scale changes in the marine ecosystems of the BSAI and an outlook for greater changes in the future, it is increasingly important to routinely reevaluate interactions between crab, their ecosystems, fisheries and fishing communities.

Current Situation of Heat Stress Studies on Kendo Players: A Scoping Review.

Background/Objectives: Global warming and the rise in the average temperature in recent years have increased the risk of heat stroke and also deteriorated performance among athletes. Kendo, a traditional Japanese martial art and also a competitive sport, is reported to have high incidents of heat stroke and related mortality. However, there is no heat management guideline for this specific sport to date and research on its heat management practices and risk factors for heat stroke are limited. The present study conducted a scoping review on studies focused on heat stress and the heat management practices of Kendo players. Methods: A literature search was conducted using five databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, Ichu-shi Web, CiNii, and Google Scholar) and also manually from the references of searched articles. Results: Overall, the studies that have investigated the heat stress of Kendo players are scarce and outdated. Of the 15 references that met screening criteria, 11 studies were conducted in a field setting. The vast majority were conducted on male university students and there was a lack of research on females and on different age groups. Common measures of heat management practices used in previous studies were weight changes before and after training (n = 14), body temperature (n = 9), and heart rate (n = 8). Only a few studies used multiple measures to determine heat stress. Conclusions: Considering the continuation of global warming and the increasing risk of heat stroke, further investigation on heat stress, its association with health and performance, and current heat management practices in Kendo players are warranted.

The Development of DNA Markers to Resolve Uncertainties of Seabird Bycatch Identification From Longline Fisheries in Australian Waters.

Incidental mortality in fisheries is a major driver of population declines for albatrosses and petrels globally. However, accurate identification of species can be difficult due to the poor condition of bycaught birds and/or visual similarities between closely related species. We assessed three genetic markers for their ability to distinguish the 36 albatross and petrel species listed in Annex 1 to the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) and in Australia's Threat Abatement Plan (TAP) for the bycatch of seabirds during oceanic longline fishing operations. We generated 275 new sequences, from 29 species, to improve the coverage of reference databases for these listed species. The combined use of the selected Cytochrome b and Control Region markers enabled the identification of 31 of 36 listed seabirds to species level and four to sister species. One petrel species could not be evaluated as no reference sequences were available. We tested these markers on 59 feathers from bycaught seabirds and compared these to onboard visual identification. We successfully assigned all procellariiforms to species (n = 58), whereas only two seabirds were correctly identified to species visually onboard, highlighting the difficulty of visual species assignment and the need for alternative methods. We assessed the utility of our two chosen markers for the assignment of all procellariiform species, with 74% of species with reference sequences identified to species or sister species level. However, a precautionary approach is needed for application beyond our listed species due to unvalidated reference sequences. The approach described here provides a streamlined framework for the molecular identification of seabird bycatch. This approach is recommended for use in fisheries within and outside Australian waters to improve the resolution of bycatch reporting and to corroborate logbook entries, observer reports and audits of images captured by electronic monitoring systems as well as help inform conservation efforts.

Improving the Knowledge of the Pest Scaptocoris castanea Perty (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Cydnidae), Further Information for its Early Detection and Prevention Based on Ecological Niche Modeling

Scaptocoris castanea Perty is an important soil-borne pest that attacks roots of various crops in all its stages. In South America it is widely distributed and in North America there are two isolated records registered more than 40 years ago. Early detection and prevention are key features for pest management; therefore, having a detailed understanding of the life cycle and knowing how to identify all the stages of the invader is essential. Despite the importance of S. castanea in agriculture, there are no descriptions or illustrations to aid the identification of its nymphs so here we describe and illustrate the fifth instar. To prevent its expansion it is important to know where the species is and where it could get established. We explored if the North American records might belong to established populations and two possible scenarios could have occur either they were accidental catches or they belong to established populations adapted to novel climates as they are in regions where the environmental conditions are outside the range of those where the species is established. The regions we identified where it could get established and preventive actions should be taken are in Belize, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, and Peru. Finally, the extent of the regions it could invade in the next two decades are very different depending on the capacity of the species to adapt to novel climates.

Comparative Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal Differences in the Responses of Diploid and Triploid Eastern Oysters to Environmental Stress.

Triploid oysters are commonly used as the basis for production in the aquaculture of eastern oysters along the USA East and Gulf of Mexico coasts. While they are valued for their rapid growth, incidents of triploid mortality during summer months have been well documented in eastern oysters, especially at low salinity sites. We compared global transcriptomic responses of diploid and triploid oysters bred from the same three maternal source populations at two different hatcheries and outplanted to a high (annual mean salinity = 19.4 ± 6.7) and low (annual mean salinity = 9.3 ± 5.0) salinity site. Oysters were sampled for gene expression at the onset of a mortality event in the summer of 2021 to identify triploid-specific gene expression patterns associated with low salinity sites, which ultimately experienced greater triploid mortality. We also examined chromosome-specific gene expression to test for instances of aneuploidy in experimental triploid oyster lines, another possible contributor to elevated mortality in triploids. We observed a strong effect of hatchery conditions (cohort) on triploid-specific mortality (field data) and a strong interactive effect of hatchery, ploidy, and outplant site on gene expression. At the low salinity site where triploid oysters experienced high mortality, we observed downregulation of transcripts related to calcium signaling, ciliary activity, and cell cycle checkpoints in triploids relative to diploids. These transcripts suggest dampening of the salinity stress response and problems during cell division as key cellular processes associated with elevated mortality risk in triploid oysters. No instances of aneuploidy were detected in our triploid oyster lines. Our results suggest that triploid oysters may be fundamentally less tolerant of rapid decreases in salinity, indicating that oyster farmers may need to limit the use of triploid oysters to sites with more stable salinity conditions.

Role of Peripheral Parenteral Nutrition Composition on Clinical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Gastrectomy or Colectomy: A Phase III Indian Clinical Trial.

Various types of parenteral nutritional products exist, each with specific formulations designed to meet the diverse nutritional needs of patient's post-abdominal surgery. Here, two different parenteral nutrition (PN) solutions BFLUID and NUTRIFLEX PERI are compared in terms of therapeutic efficacy and safety profile. A prospective, multi-center, randomized, parallel-group, non-inferiority Phase III clinical trial compared two PN solutions namely BFLUID (N = 78) and NUTRIFLEX PERI (N = 72) in 150 patients undergoing gastrectomy or colectomy. Primary endpoints included length of hospital stay while secondary endpoints included assessment and comparison of length of ICU/HDU stay, assessment of incidents of infections and mortality, change in blood levels of vitamin B1, change in nutritional parameters, thrombophlebitis, pain at the injection site, and recording of adverse events (AEs). There was no significant difference in terms of length of hospital stay, length of ICU/HDU stay as well as changes in nutritional parameters from baseline and change in blood levels of vitamin B1 from baseline. Both study groups exhibited comparability in terms of AEs, pain at the injection site, and the incidence of phlebitis. There was no significant difference in the number and severity of adverse events reported in both groups. Additionally, no signs of infection were observed in patients from either group. The trial successfully demonstrated the non-inferiority of BFLUID to NUTRIFLEX PERI. Moreover, the results indicated that PN enriched with high levels of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), essential amino acids (EAAs), and thiamine is both safe and efficacious for adult patients undergoing gastrectomy or colectomy. Goyal A, Pathak A, BS Madhu, Soni H, Bhatt K, Raju KVVN, et al. Role of Peripheral Parenteral Nutrition Composition on Clinical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Gastrectomy or Colectomy: A Phase III Indian Clinical Trial. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(9):871-878.

Body condition of stranded Razorbills and Atlantic Puffins in the Western Mediterranean.

Annual mass migrations of seabirds between their breeding and wintering grounds are critical for ensuring their survival and reproductive success. It is essential to comprehend their physical condition in order to identify the causes of death and to facilitate conservation efforts. This study focuses on evaluating the age, body condition index, and metabolites in liver and muscle (triglycerides, glycerol, glycogen, cholesterol, lactate, and glucose) of stranded Razorbills (n = 84) and Atlantic puffins (n = 11). The study was conducted along the Andalusian coast of Spain during the winter season of 2022-2023. The study examined the body condition of stranded individuals and their metabolic state to determine potential factors that may have caused their deaths. The study found that the majority of stranded individuals were juveniles. Both species exhibited low levels of carbohydrate (glucose and glycogen) in their tissues and high levels of lactate in their muscles. These findings could suggest that the individuals had undergone prolonged, strenuous exercise, demanding energy on anaerobic pathways, which may have been associated with migration. The study highlights the significance of adhering to standardized protocols when assessing the body condition of stranded seabirds. Doing so can help to identify causes of death and facilitate conservation efforts. A proposed index for body condition, which incorporates biometric measurements and individual physical condition, provides a comprehensive means of understanding the health of these unique species. This study underscores the importance of further research into the conservation measures and recommendations for protecting seabird populations. It is critical to comprehend the contributing factors of mass mortality incidents to work towards safeguarding these species and preserving their vital migration patterns.

Quantitative Assessment and Temporal Fluctuation of a Multiday Shrimp Trawl Bycatch off Digha Coast, West Bengal, India

Quantitative Assessment and Temporal Fluctuation of a Multiday Shrimp Trawl Bycatch off Digha Coast, West Bengal, India

Beyond Blood Sugar: How Left Atrium Strain Predicts Cardiac Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes.

Speckle tracking echocardiography is an innovative imaging technique that evaluates myocardial motion, including the function of the left atrium (LA). The assessment of the left atrium's function across its dimensions can have diagnostic and prognostic roles in various cardiovascular conditions. Left atrial strain has been recognized as a valuable predictor of mortality and cardiovascular incidents in the general population across various conditions. For individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), left atrial dysfunction, as gauged by speckle tracking echocardiography, appears particularly prognostic. Parameters such as peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) and left atrial stiffness have been linked with heightened risks of severe cardiovascular events, including atrial fibrillation (AF), heart failure (HF) hospitalizations, or mortality. Consequently, recognizing left atrial dysfunction early is crucial for accurate diagnosis, guiding treatment choices, comprehensive patient management, and prognosis evaluation. Using two-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking echocardiography, results from recent studies report that treatment with empagliflozin significantly enhanced LA function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, improving left atrial strain (LAS) contraction and reservoir values. Furthermore, treatments with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP)-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors were shown to improve LA reservoir strain more effectively than insulin alone, suggesting their potential in reducing cardiovascular complications in T2DM patients. This narrative review further addresses ongoing challenges and potential enhancements needed to boost the clinical value of left atrium strain, emphasizing its significance in managing and improving outcomes for diabetic patients.

Reassessing heart failure therapy in Thailand: Patient insights and treatment outcomes from the Thai heart failure registry

BackgroundThis research analyzed the demographics, management, and outcomes of patients with heart failure (HF) in Thailand. MethodsThe Thai Heart Failure Registry prospectively enrolled patients diagnosed with HF from 36 hospitals in Thailand. Follow-up data were recorded at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. This study primarily focused on two outcomes: mortality and HF-related hospitalizations. ResultsThe study included 2639 patients aged at least 18. Their mean age was 59.2 ± 14.5 years, and most were male (68.4%). Patients were classified as having HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, 80.7%), HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF, 9.0%), or HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF, 10.3%). Guideline-directed medical therapy utilization varied. Beta-blockers had the highest usage (93.2%), followed by mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (65.7%), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (39.3%), angiotensin receptor blockers (28.2%), angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (16.1%), and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (8.0%). The study monitored a composite of mortality and HF incidents, revealing incidence rates of 11.74, 12.50, and 8.93 per 100 person-years for the overall, HFrEF, and HFmrEF/HFpEF populations, respectively. ConclusionsDespite high guideline-directed medical therapy adherence, the Thai Heart Failure Registry data revealed high mortality and recurrent HF rates. These findings underscore limitations in current HF treatment efficacy. The results indicate the need for further investigation and improvements of HF management to enhance patient outcomes.

Forecasting fish mortality from water and air quality data using deep learning models.

The high rate of aquatic mortality incidents recorded in Taiwan and worldwide is creating an urgent demand for more accurate fish mortality prediction. Present study innovatively integrated air and water quality data to measure water quality degradation, and utilized deep learning methods to predict accidental fish mortality from the data. Keras library was used to build multilayer perceptron and long short-term memory models for training purposes, and the models' accuracies in fish mortality prediction were compared with that of the naïve Bayesian classifier. Environmental data from the 5 days before a fish mortality event proved to be the most important data for effective model training. Multilayer perceptron model reached an accuracy of 93.4%, with a loss function of 0.01, when meteorological and water quality data were jointly considered. It was found that meteorological conditions were not the sole contributors to fish mortality. Predicted fish mortality rate of 4.7% closely corresponded to the true number of fish mortality events during the study period, that is, four. A significant surge in fish mortality, from 20% to 50%, was noted when the river pollution index increased from 5.36 to 6.5. Moreover, the probability of fish mortality increased when the concentration of dissolved oxygen dropped below 2mg/L. To mitigate fish mortality, ammonia nitrogen concentrations should be capped at 5mg/L. Dissolved oxygen concentration was found to be the paramount factor influencing fish mortality, followed by the river pollution index and meteorological data. Results of the present study are expected to aid progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and to increase the profitability of water resources.

Spatial ecology and thermal preferences of muskellunge within a Midwest impoundment

AbstractMuskellunge are a valuable sportfish species which has been stocked throughout North America. Stocking is a strategy to generate angling opportunities by introducing species to waterbodies that otherwise would not have contained the fish, such as impoundments and reservoirs. Therefore, understanding the ways fish interact with different waterbodies is critical for managers to understand. To that end, we utilized a year‐long passive telemetry study with muskellunge in a reservoir known for its muskellunge angling. Additionally, we employed temperature loggers to track lake temperatures. We found that smaller female muskellunge were more resident at sites compared to similar‐sized males, although fish did not exhibit site‐specific preferences. We also found that fish moved high distances over the course of the year without time‐specific differences. Furthermore, we found evidence that muskellunge was selected for thermal refuges in the reservoir; however, in summer, when water temperatures were elevated, fish inhabited water, which has been shown to increase incidental mortality. The results of this study indicate a need for muskellunge managers, especially in reservoirs, to consider water temperature in angling regulations. Additionally, our results highlight a need for adding habitat structure in reservoirs and altering stocking densities of fish. Collectively, these results will help inform managers on muskellunge spatial interactions within a reservoir and achieve management goals.

Home range and dynamic space use reveals age‐related differences in risk exposure for reintroduced parrots

AbstractIndividual‐level differences in animal spatial behavior can lead to differential exposure to risk. We assessed the risk‐exposure of a reintroduced population of kākā (Nestor meridionalis) in a fenced reserve in New Zealand by GPS tracking 10 individuals and comparing the proportion of each individual's home range beyond the reserve's fence in relation to age, sex, and fledging origin. To estimate dynamic space use, we used a sweeping window framework to estimate occurrence distributions (ODs) from temporally overlapping snapshots. For each OD, we calculated the proportion outside the reserve's fence to assess temporal risk exposure, and the area, centroid, and overlap to represent the behavioral pattern of space use. Home range area declined significantly and consistently with age, and the space use of juvenile kākā was more dynamic, particularly in relation to locational changes of space use. The wider‐ranging and more dynamic behavior of younger kākā resulted in more time spent outside the reserve, which aligned with a higher number of incidental mortality observations. Quantifying both home range and dynamic space use is an effective approach to assess risk exposure, which can provide guidance for management interventions. We also emphasize the dynamic space use approach, which is flexible and can provide insights into a species' spatial ecology.

Stock status indicators for Cobia Rachycentron canadum in the Indian EEZ

Regional fisheries for cobia (Rachycentron canadum) along the Indian coast was assessedusing length-based stock status indicators. Drift gill nets-cum-hook and line fisheries landedbigger sized cobia as bycatch while multi-day mid-water trawls landed juveniles. Dominantsize groups in the landings along the west coast were 40–160 cm and 60-120 cm on theeast coast. Gear selectivity operating at regional levels because of the multi-gear fisheriesand fishing grounds of the Indian EEZ affects the size distribution of fish caught. Comparedto drift gill net-cum-hooks and line units targeting large pelagics in deeper waters, smallersize groups of cobia dominated as bycatch in trawls. The length at first capture (Lc50) beingsmaller than the estimated length at first maturity of about 60 cm, implementing size-basedoutput controls such as Minimum Legal Size (MLS) is suggested. The indicators for fishingmortality rates (Fmax) on the cobia stocks were on the higher side in certain locations only,but being part of the multi-species bycatch mix, there is little scope to introduce fishinggear regulations solely for cobia. However, the option of short-term, targeted spatiotemporaleffort regulations with fishers’ participation can be explored, based on the stockassessments made at local or regional levels. Keywords:Cobia, Fishery indicators, Length-based indicators,Minimum Legal Size, Rachycentron canadum, Stockstatus

Analysis of bycatches from mid-water trawl fishery targeting ribbonfish Trichiurus lepturus on the north-west coast of India

Commercial trawl fisheries are closely associated with bycatch and discards and itsignificantly affects the non-target resources, biodiversity, ecosystem function and habitat.The present study analysed bycatch based on data obtained from commercially operatedmultiday midwater trawlers operating off the north-west coast of India during August2017-December 2019. The data revealed that bycatch and discards constituted about 53and 6% respectively of the trawl catch. Mid-water trawl bycatch comprised 92 Teleosts,8 Cephalopods, 12 Crustaceans and 11 Elasmobranch species. The bycatch is mainlycomprised of cuttlefishes, squids, threadfin breams, sciaenids, bullseye and lizardfishes.Further, 93.68% of the bycatch consisted of commercially important fish, hence it wasretained in the vessel. The bycatch rate was high in September (72.81±37.44 kg h-1) whereas,for discards, it was in August (16.25±10.84 kg h-1). Keywords:Arabian Sea. Bycatch, Discard, Midwater trawl,Ribbonfish

Machine-learning aiding sustainable Indian Ocean tuna purse seine fishery

Among the various challenges facing tropical tuna purse seine fleet are the need to reduce fuel consumption and carbon footprint, as well as minimising bycatch of vulnerable species. Tools designed for forecasting optimum tuna fishing grounds can contribute to adapting to changes in fish distribution due to climate change, by identifying the location of new suitable fishing grounds, and thus reducing the search time. While information about the high probability to find vulnerable species could result in a bycatch reduction. The present study aims at contributing to a more sustainable and cleaner fishing, i.e. catching the same amount of target tuna with less fuel consumption/emissions and lower bycatch. To achieve this, tropical tuna catches as target species, and silky shark accidental catches as bycatch species have been modelled by machine learning models in the Indian Ocean using as inputs historical catch data of these fleets and environmental data. The resulting models show an accuracy of 0.718 and 0.728 for the SKJ and YFT, being the absences (TPR = 0.996 for SKJ and 0.993 for YFT, respectively) better predicted than the high or low catches. In the case of the BET, which is not the main target species of this fleet, the accuracy is lower than that of the previous species. Regarding the silky shark, the presence/absence model provides an accuracy of 0.842. Even though the model's performance has room for improvement, the present work lays the foundations of a process for forecasting fishing grounds avoiding vulnerable species, by only using as input data forecast environmental data provided in near real time by earth observation programs. In the future these models can be improved as more input data and knowledge about the main environmental conditions influencing these species becomes available.

Impact of turbidity on the gill morphology and hypoxia tolerance of eastern sand darter (Ammocrypta pellucida).

Anthropogenic stressors such as agriculture and urbanization can increase river turbidity, which can negatively impact fish gill morphology and growth due to reduced oxygen in the benthic environment. We assessed the gill morphology, field metabolic rate (FMR), and two hypoxia tolerance metrics (oxygen partial pressure at loss of equilibrium, PO2 at LOE, and critical oxygen tension, Pcrit) of eastern sand darter (Ammocrypta pellucida), a small benthic fish listed as threatened under the Species at Risk Act in Canada, from rivers in southern Ontario. Field trials were conducted streamside in the Grand River (August 2019; mean NTU 8) and in the comparatively more turbid Thames River (August 2020; mean NTU 94) to test the effect of turbidity on each physiological endpoint. Gills were collected from incidental mortalities and museum specimens, and were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin and immunofluorescent staining. The between-river comparison indicated that turbidity significantly increased interlamellar space and filament width but had no significant influence on other gill morphometrics or FMR. Turbidity significantly increased PO2 at LOE (i.e., fish had a lower hypoxia tolerance) but did not significantly impact Pcrit. Therefore, although turbidity influences hypoxia tolerance through LOE, turbidity levels were not sufficiently high in the study rivers to contribute to measurable changes in gill morphology or metabolism in the wild. Determining whether changes in gill morphology or metabolism occur under higherturbidity levels would help resolve the ecological importance of turbidity on species physiology in urban and agricultural ecosystems.

On the biology of blackbellied angler, Lophius budegassa Spinola, 1807, in the north-western Mediterranean

In the Mediterranean Sea, the blackbellied angler, Lophius budegassa Spinola, 1807, represents a relevant fraction of the commercial by-catch of bottom trawling and small-scale fisheries that use passive gears (e.g., set nets, bottom longlines, etc.). Despite its importance, there are no comprehensive studies on the population dynamics of this species, and there is still scarce and scattered knowledge of its biology and ecology. Biomass, morphometric, and biological data of the blackbellied angler were collected from 1994 to 2021 by means of the Mediterranean International Bottom Trawl Survey (MEDITS) programme in the Ligurian and northern Tyrrhenian Seas, and in the EU Data Collection Framework during the period of 2006-2021. Furthermore, ageing was performed on specimens collected from 2013 to 2021 during the MEDITS programme. There were high values for the density indices and the spatial distribution of biomass in the central sector of the investigated area (the Tuscan Archipelago), mostly on the continental shelf. The length-weight relationship showed negative allometric growth when considering the sexes together, and no difference between the sexes. The size at first maturity (L50) was estimated at 39.4 cm total length (TL) in females and at 29.2 cm TL in males. The obtained Von Bertalanffy growth parameters were: in females, L∞ = 74.50 cm, k = 0.10 years-1, and t0 = -0.40 years; in males, L∞ = 61.30 cm, k = 0.14 years-1, and t0 = -0.38 years. There were differences in growth between males and females for L∞ (χ2 = 10.04; p < 0.05) and k (χ2 = 6.12; p < 0.05).

Implementation of Sweden's first digi-physical hospital-at-home care model for high-acuity patients.

To evaluate Sweden's first implementation of a 24/7 high-acuity virtual in-patient ward through a digi-physical in-patient care (DPIPC) program, a hospital-at-home care model combining a virtual hospital-based medical command centre and in-person ambulating medical services functioning as an extension of the Department of Medicine at a secondary-level hospital in Stockholm. A single-centre descriptive study where adult patients with acute medical illness requiring inpatient-level care were assessed for voluntary treatment in the DPIPC program as a substitute for traditional in-patient care. The primary outcome was patient satisfaction with care. Secondary outcomes included health care use, safety, and quality during the care episode. From October 2022 to June 2023 a total of 200 patients were treated within the DPIPC program. The program covered 63 unique medical conditions, with infectious disease (44%) and pulmonary disease (17%) being the most common. The median length of stay (LOS) in the DPIPC program was 3 days (IQR 3) with a median LOS of 2 days (IQR 3) in the physical hospital prior to inclusion. There were no incidents of patient mortality or hospital-related complications during the DPIPC period. A total of 11 (5.5%) patients were escalated to the traditional hospital, 4 (36.4%) of which required ambulance. The median DPIPC patient satisfaction was 10 (IQR 0) and Net Promotor Score was 88. Implementing a 24/7 high-acuity virtual in-patient ward is feasible and safe for selected patients with acute medical illnesses. Patient satisfaction and care quality within the program is high.