Pacific States Research Articles

Fisheries interactions and the challenges for target and nontargeted take on shark conservation in the Mexican Pacific.

Sharks have been of great cultural and socioeconomic importance in Mexico since the late 19th century, when the first fisheries were prosecuted in the Gulf of California to export fins to China. Mexican shark and ray fisheries are classified mainly by the size of the fishing vessel and include small- (7.5-10m), medium- (10-27m), and large-sized (>27m) fisheries. All are multispecies fisheries that use longline or gillnet gear, with their relative productivity varying over time. Off the Pacific coast, early shark small size vessel fisheries in the Gulf of California were driven by the need for vitamin A from livers, especially during World War II. As this fishery declined, new shark fishing opportunities arose because of government support and the development of the medium-sized fishery, which was capable of farther offshore excursions. Shark meat became an important part of the diets of poor and impoverished citizens during the 1950s and 1960s. The establishment of a Mexican Exclusive Economic Zone in 1976 pushed foreign vessels from Asia out of Mexican waters and led to the development of the large-sized vessel fishery to exploit pelagic sharks in offshore waters. By the early 1980s, Mexico shark fisheries were among the most productive in the world; however, a national economic crisis reduced effort and landings until the late 1980s, when several new fisheries emerged. Landings from Pacific states fluctuated between ~13,000 and 24,000t (dressed weight) during 1987-2012 but expanded steadily thereafter because of government support and offshore fleet expansion. Shark fisheries landings from the Mexican Pacific are currently at their highest recorded levels, exceeding 31,000t; however, a lack of species-specific landings and life history information has precluded population assessments of targeted stocks. In addition, though several recent management measures have been enacted to protect Mexican shark and ray fishery resources, the enforcement of these regulations is severely lacking. Therefore, the long-term sustainability of current fishing levels is unknown but should engender concern based on anecdotal evidence of serial depletion among historical elasmobranch targets in the Mexican Pacific.

Южная часть Тихого океана в Инициативе «Пояс и путь»: аспекты безопасности

The article analyses the implementation of China’s mega-strategy the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in the South Pacific. The key parameters shaping the security milieu of this subregion are outlined, China’s measures in the context of the BRI realization are revealed and systemized, the key BRI vulnerability factors in the South Pacific are distinguished. In the author’s view, stressing its significance as the non-traditional security provider to the South Pacific states, without timely and comprehensive measures to cope with the COVID-19 pandemics as part of its BRI strategy China may become a hostage of this approach.

The Mode Most Traveled: Parking Implications and Policy Responses

A disproportionate number of Americans drive to work alone – at the individual state level, the figure ranges from a low of 58% in New York to 85% in Alabama. What factors explain this travel behavior and what sort of policy responses are required to effect changes? In responding to this question, we used multiple test beds and made the case for using a demand side management approach to remedy parking problems particularly observed in cities central business districts. To this end, we provide an overview of travel behavior and information on policy levers by generating detailed profiles that capture the travel behavior of commuters in the Pacific states of the continental United States. Building off the result that revealed San Francisco as an outlier, we examine the efficacy of modifying parking rates, via elasticity measures, to influence the demand for parking by developing a two-stage panel data regression optimization model for managing parking in the City of San Francisco. A key contribution of the research is deriving these price elasticities of parking demand estimates using panel data methods. Coefficient estimates from the panel data regression are used to fit a linear prediction model that is the primary input to the optimization model. The balance of the thesis focuses on parking information by discussing the design and implementation of ParkPGH, a novel smart parking application that provides real time and predictive information on garage parking availability in downtown Pittsburgh. At its core is a predictive model that uses as input historical parking, weather and event data to provide estimates of available parking spaces. We provide an example of the model implementation using data from the Theater Square garage where we utilize neural network-based predictors and multiple net searches to generate both continuous and binary estimates of parking availability. Provision was made for the binary classifier given the need to reduce the possibility of Type II errors.

Profiling commuters’ travel behavior in the pacific states of the continental U.S.

We develop a more nuanced understanding of commuters’ travel mode choices by generating detailed profiles that capture the travel behavior of commuters in the Pacific states of the continental US. These profiles are created by utilizing the US Census Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) data. The microdata sample set allows for the estimation of fine-grained models that showcase how individual commuters make travel mode choices. Our results show appreciable locational variation in mode choices and statistically significant differences in commuting profile across and within population segments. A key revealing finding demonstrates that across the three states analyzed, the total number of vehicles driven for any day of the week could be reduced by up to 10 million assuming the commuting patterns observed in San Francisco applies to the rest of the states. We conclude with insights and policy implications provided by the study on making transportation-related infrastructure decisions.

Whitebark Pine in the National Parks of the Pacific States: An Assessment of Population Vulnerability

Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) is a long-lived tree found in high-elevation forests of western North America that is declining due to the non-native white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola) and climate-driven outbreaks of mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae; MPB). The National Park Service established a monitoring program for whitebark pine in seven parks, including Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yosemite, Lassen Volcanic, Crater Lake, Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades National Parks. Using these data, we summarized stand structure, presence of blister rust, and MPB prevalence to provide a baseline for future monitoring. Next, we used a stochastic, size-structured population model to speculate on future trends in the seven national park populations under conditions of increased MPB activity and ongoing blister rust infection observed in Crater Lake. We found that blister rust infected 29 to 54% of whitebark pine in all the parks except the two southernmost, Sequoia & Kings Canyon and Yosemite, where infections rates were 0.3% and 0.2%, respectively. The proportion of dead trees in Sequoia & Kings Canyon and Yosemite was low (0 to 1%), while they ranged from 10 to 43% in the other parks. Model projections suggested an average population decline of 25% in the parks over the next century using Crater Lake conditions, declines which are possible if blister rust continues to spread and climate change results in a significant increase in the frequency or severity of MPB outbreaks. Overall, our study describes conditions at seven western parks and illustrates potential rates of whitebark pine decline if pest outbreaks and/or blister rust infections worsen.

Официальная помощь в целях развития как аспект австралийско-китайского соперничества в Южно-Тихоокеанском регионе

Due to China's increasing involvement in South Pacific, there is a growing interest on the part of the middle and great powers in providing the Pacific island States with an increasing amount of material assistance. With its unique geographical location, as well as numerous initiatives in the humanitarian, trade, economic and defence areas, Australia's influence is reinforced by its status as the major ODA source in Oceania. At the same time, despite Australia's clear advantage in providing ODA to South Pacific states, the region is attracting an increasing number of countries aimed at providing ODA to South Pacific countries, especially China.

Legal consequences of ocean change in the South Pacific – outline of the problem

Global climate change scenarios are seen as future concerns, but this is not the case for the Pacific island countries and territories. The natural sciences have already built substantial knowledge about the oceanographic, geological and atmospheric processed associated with global warming and ocean change. Nonetheless, deep views from the social sciences, as well as legal perspective, need to be collected, analysed and executed, in order to know what happens when the climate change effects threaten the viability of sovereign states. Small island developing states contributed the least to global warming, yet they are suffering the most from its effects, while legal consequences of losing the most or all of their territory will lead those nations to the threat of losing sovereign status in the international arena. The Pacific Ocean, being the largest water basin on Earth, remains an isolated region in terms of geopolitics and research. This article is therefore a modest attempt to collect models and scenarios of the future of the Pacific states concerning their full existence as the equal legal entities, but also to present some international law proposals in this matter. Secondly, its goal is to sensitize European readers to certain issues of the geographically remote South Pacific, which might eventually affect all of us.

Looking back on development and disaster‐related displacement and resettlement, anticipating climate‐related displacement in the Asia Pacific region

The realisation that climate change might necessitate resettlement of people displaced initially raised interest in the experience of development‐forced displacement and resettlement (DFDR). Looking back, in 1980 the first international policy on involuntary resettlement was approved to address perceived weaknesses in state property and expropriation law to safeguard people in the way of development projects. Since then international policy and praxis have brought global attention to developmentally displaced people but have not guaranteed them an effective safeguard. Recently, renewed attention has focussed on state legal and governance frameworks substantively and procedurally. Identifying four key policy objectives that resonate with climate change displacement I analyse their treatment in a data base of DFDR laws and regulations from 40 Asia Pacific states. This analysis finds overall little legal congruence. Innovative new formulations in some Asian state laws address recent public criticisms and research findings, but mostly are yet to demonstrate positive outcomes for displaced people. Pacific states increasingly abandon expropriation law to negotiate lease terms for public infrastructure projects with customary landowners that do not extinguish customary title. Any laws governing climate change relocations must protect rights, livelihoods, well‐being, inclusive decision‐making and community initiatives with procedures whilst not relinquishing climate‐change‐reducing action.

Spatioseasonal Variations of Atmospheric Ammonia Concentrations Over the United States: Comprehensive Model‐Observation Comparison

AbstractAtmospheric ammonia plays an important role in a number of environmental issues, including new particle formation and aerosol indirect radiative forcing. Over the United States, atmospheric ammonia has seen an increasing trend due in most part to the declining SO2 and NOx emissions. We conduct the first comprehensive assessment of multiyear Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS)‐Chem simulated ammonia concentration ([NH3]) over conterminous United States along with surface observations from all 90 National Atmospheric Deposition Program Ammonia Monitoring Network (AMoN) sites that have at least 2 years of continuous measurements. Model‐simulated [NH3] is along empirically expected lines with regard to temporal trends, seasonal variations, and spatial distribution. GEOS‐Chem‐simulated [NH3], compared to AMoN observed values, has weighted average correlation (τ) of 0.50 ± 0.15 and mean fractional bias (MFB) of −8.8 ± 56%. Most sites (63 out of 90) have −60% < MFB < +60%. The deviations from observed values vary spatially and seasonally, and there is significant wintertime underestimation (−44 ± 58%) across most of conterminous United States (except the Pacific states). The largest positive deviations occur in the Pacific states (101 ± 46%) and the largest negative deviations in the Southern Plain states (−73 ± 39%) and the Mountain states (−73 ± 84%), both in the winter months. Over the Great Plains region, GEOS‐Chem simulated [NH3] shows a much stronger dependence to emissions than AMoN observed [NH3], indicating scope for improved representation of emissions for the region. Over Southeast United States, there appears to be the strong effect of the changing emissions of SO2 and NOx in both modeled and observed [NH3].

Who Received the Most Rain Today?: An Analysis of Daily Precipitation Extremes in the Contiguous United States Using CoCoRaHS and COOP Reports

AbstractEvery day, thousands of volunteers across the United States report the amount of precipitation they have received in the past 24 hours. This study focuses on the largest of these volunteer-submitted reports for each day, using precipitation measurements from the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) from January 2010 to December 2017 as well as observations from the U.S. Cooperative Observer Program (COOP) network from January 1981 through December 2017. Results provide clarity on spatial variability, temporal variability, and seasonal cycle of contiguous U.S daily precipitation extremes (DPEs). During 2010–17, the DPEs ranged from 11 mm on 28 March 2013 in Oregon to 635 mm on 27 August 2017 in Texas during Hurricane Harvey. Coastal states are most prone to high daily precipitation totals, especially those bordering the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic Gulf Stream. The average DPE value varies with season; it is greater than 175 mm in late August and less than 100 mm through meteorological winter. These observations also show that location of the DPE varies with season as well. For example, 28.5% of February extremes fall in Pacific states, whereas all August extremes occur east of that region. Perhaps most importantly, these findings demonstrate strength in numbers. The large daily sample size of CoCoRaHS and COOP networks forms a basis for monitoring, mapping, and categorizing DPEs, and other aspects of extreme precipitation, with considerable spatial detail.

Spatial distribution of inequalities in end-stage renal disease in the United States

This paper assesses the locally varying effects of socioeconomic, racial and morbidity-related geographic heterogeneity on end-stage renal disease prevalence in the contiguous United States. Employing an exploratory spatial data analysis and a geographically weighted Poisson regression that takes into account spatial nonstationarity, spatial autocorrelation and the nature of count data, findings indicate a striking continental divide in the United States not only in terms of ESRD burden but also in terms of all of its risk factors whose effects significantly vary over space. A deepening of socioeconomic heterogeneity has the strongest ESRD prevalence-increasing-effects in counties of the southeastern states. On the other hand, rising prevalence of comorbid conditions and behavioral risk factors such as obesity, diabetes and binge drinking prevalence has the strongest ESRD prevalence-increasing-effects in counties of the Pacific states.

Russia, China and the Pacific Countries of Latin America: Opportunities for Multilateral Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region

The article is devoted to the problems of the development of modern relations of Russia, China and the Pacific states of Latin America. Author focuses on potential of cooperation of these states in multilateral formats and dialogues and the reform of the economic and institutional order in the Asia-Pacific. The relevance of such cooperation is increasing due to the crisis of the international order that has emerged in the Asia-Pacific region. This crisis manifests itself in two aspects. First, we may observe a certain lack of institutions of regulation of economic relations and ideas for their further development. Such a complex agenda is shaped by Russia and China in relation to Eurasia (the concept of “Greater Eurasia”), but the promotion of a similar agenda in the APEC faces many contradictions. Second, the Asia-Pacific region is becoming an area of confrontation between the United States and China, which is also manifested in the struggle for the future configuration of the regional order in the region. The Pacific countries of Latin America were not affected by either the Russian or Chinese mega-initiatives of recent years, which are aimed precisely at creating a new international order. Meanwhile, these countries are APEC members and participants in many regional initiatives, as well as potentially significant economic partners for both Russia and China. Moreover, the author believes that a similar level of economic development and similar needs objectively bring together the views and approaches of the leading Eurasian powers and the Pacific states of Latin America to the development of multilateral institutions of the regional order. However, the historically established institutional and political linkage of these countries to the United States currently determines their support for American initiatives. This provision, however, is not a given, and some irregularity of the American regional policy under the Trump administration makes the development of dialogue with these countries on the broad problems of multilateral cooperation in Eurasia and the Asia-Pacific region even more in demand. The author considers the proposed analysis and some conclusions as an opportunity for academic and expert discussion on the identified issues.

Using photovoice to foster a student vision for natural spaces on a college campus in the Pacific Northwest United States

ABSTRACTUndergraduate students face a host of stressors and may be particularly susceptible to encountering health-related challenges throughout college life. Seventy-two (N = 72) undergraduate students enrolled at a newly developed university campus located in the pacific northwest United States used the photovoice research method in crafting a vision for how natural spaces on campus might be maintained and minimally developed to promote student health. Five student-created themes emerged: 1) mental and physical health, 2) developing community spaces, 3) sustainable infrastructure design, 4) preserving natural habitat and history of the region, and 5) addressing issues related to homelessness. Initial evidence suggests that many aspects of the student vision may be incorporated into future campus environmental planning efforts. Additional research is needed in determining whether community-based greenspace planning on college campuses can positively impact the extent to which students access natural spaces for the purposes of alleviating stress and promoting health.

Investigating Nigerian-European Union Relations: A Focus on the EU’s Strategic Interests in Nigeria since 1999

This paper investigates the strategic and diplomatic relationships between Nigeria and EU following the return of the Nigerian state to the civilian rule in 1999. However, Nigeria’s foreign relations with the EU dated to 1970s when it led a group of forty-six African, Caribbean and Pacific states (ACP) during the negotiation between the European Economic Community (EEC), which led to the formation of the Lomé Convention of 1975. Nigeria’s leadership role towards the creation of the Lomé Convention of 1975 was a significant marker in its efforts to promote and advance economic ingratiation between the ACP and EEC (now the EU). Given the historical antecedents of the Nigerian-EU relations from the 1970s till the late 1990s, however, this paper argues that, following the return to democracy in 1999, new multilateral diplomacy had to be embarked upon to engage constructively with the international community in respect to challenges of peace, security, development, and democracy. To achieve these strategic objectives, Nigeria has constructively partnered with the European Union (EU) in five areas—good governance, developmental cooperation, regional security, energy, and trade. Nonetheless, Nigerian relations with EU had improved following its return to civil rule in 1999. But the relationship has always been asymmetrical and predicated on the motivation of the European Union to advance its strategic interests in Nigeria.

Disarmament is the New War, Gold is the New Opium, and Ecohealth is the Historic Victim.

In Colombia, the convergence of drug trafficking, illegal armed groups, and gold production and trade threatens peace and stability in the post-FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) era, as had the narcotics trade previously. Armed groups and criminal organizations have increased and consolidated their influence over illegal mining and may be diverting US$5 billion from Colombia’s annual economy. As of 2014, 46% of the total area (78 939 ha) exploited for alluvial gold was in the Afro-Colombian Pacific States, in which unregulated mining was the main driver of deforestation. The informal job market represents 49% of the workforce and absent other economic alternatives, this workforce of ex-guerrillas, organized crime groups and corrupt officials will sustain the black markets that permeate gold mining. Human health consequences of unregulated gold mining are largely unrecognized, but include the spread of malaria and other insect-borne diseases, and we suggest diseases such as babesiosis.

Сучасні геополітичні концепції: висновки для України.

The purpose of this paper is to analyze current geopolitical concepts and determine their significance for Ukraine. It is emphasized that the correct realization of the achievements of geopolitics as one of the leading sciences of the twenty-first century enables the states to choose their foreign policy of development, to protect national interests and to develop in the international arena. At the same time, it is emphasized that modern geopolitics is a complex complex of sometimes ambiguous and controversial projects and projects. Often geopolitical concepts contribute to the functioning of superpowers. Therefore, it is important to adequately analyze current geopolitical concepts and determine the possibility of adopting their ideas for specific use. It is emphasized that the relevance of this study is substantiated by the need to update and make more effective Ukraine’s geopolitical strategy using existing scientific achievements and modernization potential of the state. Such geopolitical concepts as the concepts of convergence, neo-mondialism, neo-Eurasianism, the concept of the «horizon line» by J. Attali, the futurological concept of C. Santoro catastrophes, the idea of Orientalism of Said are analyzed. Their specific features are defined. The concept of geoeconomics and the outlined geoeconomic spatial approach of J. Attali are considered, in particular, possible geoeconomic spaces in the world. Likely possible scenarios of catastrophes by K. Santoro. It was noted that both in the concept of Mondialism and in the concept of Eurasianism, Ukraine was given the role not of an independent actor, but of a bridgehead for imperial ambitions. Futuristic ideas are effective in predicting particular geopolitical processes and can be used to refresh a geopolitical strategy, and can be used by orientalist scholars and statesmen and politicians to gain a deeper understanding of different cultures in international relations. It is concluded that the main directions of development of modern geopolitical concepts are: globalization dimension, interconnection between all states of the world, development of market relations and liberalism, increase of the number of local wars, redistribution of geopolitical points of influence, reformation of international organizations. It is emphasized that one of the main aspects in this context is the enhancement of the power of the Pacific States and certain Eastern countries. The geopolitical role of countries in the African continent remains ambiguous. It is determined that it is important for the Ukrainian state to position itself as a strong «middle» state; to develop information technologies; establish more effective partnerships with countries in Asia, Africa and the East; even more actively participate in international events and become a member of international organizations; create its geopolitical concept and strategy; definitively determine geopolitical identity. It is emphasized that the prospects for further research are the study of other modern geopolitical concepts, as well as the analysis and forecasting of the geopolitical picture of the world and changes in the location of the centers of power and the role of Ukraine in them.

Spatial Distribution of Inequalities in End-Stage Renal Disease in the United States

This paper assesses the locally varying effects of socioeconomic, racial and morbidity-related geographic heterogeneity on end-stage renal disease prevalence in the contiguous United States. Employing an exploratory spatial data analysis and a geographically weighted Poisson regression that takes into account spatial non-stationarity, spatial autocorrelation and the nature of count data, findings indicate a striking continental divide in the United States not only in terms of ESRD burden but also in terms of all of its risk factors whose effects significantly vary over space. A deepening of socioeconomic heterogeneity has the strongest ESRD prevalence-increasing-effects in counties of the southeastern states. On the other hand, rising prevalence of comorbid conditions and behavioral risk factors such as obesity, diabetes and binge drinking prevalence has the strongest ESRD prevalence-increasing-effects in counties of the Pacific states.

Status of Pacific Martens (Martes caurina) on the Olympic Peninsula, Washington

Pacific martens (Martes caurina) remain common in montane regions of the Pacific states, yet their distribution and status on the Olympic Peninsula, Washington, is uncertain. Between 1968–2008, six reliable marten detections exist; a dead juvenile female (2008) indicates martens were reproducing on the Peninsula within the last decade. To assess the status of martens, we describe carnivore surveys conducted from 1991–2008 (n = 223 stations). Additionally, we present results from three survey efforts we conducted from 2013–2016 (n = 747 stations). Although a suite of carnivore species was detected, surveys from 1991–2008 failed to detect either martens or fishers. Surveys from 2013–2016 detected reintroduced fishers, and resulted in two marten detections near Mt. Olympus, 4 km apart. A marten was photographed opportunistically near Mt. Cruiser in 2015, 44 km from Mt. Olympus. Altogether, nine reliable detections of Pacific martens were obtained between 1968 and 2016, including three since 2008. Evidence suggests martens are absent from the lower elevation regions they once occupied and occur at exceedingly low densities at higher elevations. To understand the trend in marten populations on the Peninsula and develop appropriate conservation strategies, additional broad- and fine-scale surveys using detection devices that enable the genetic identification of individuals will be needed.

State Law of the Sea Practice in Asian Pacific States

State Law of the Sea Practice in Asian Pacific States

The evolution and intensification of Cyclone Pam (2015) and resulting strong winds over the southern Pacific islands

Cyclone Pam (2015), a category-5 storm, in the southern Pacific in March 2015 caused severe damages over the islands states in the southern Pacific. Cyclone Pam was originated from an active convective region in the Madden-Julian oscillation (MJO) and evolved from convective clouds into a tropical cyclone. This study numerically investigated the effects of convective processes on the evolution and intensification of Cyclone Pam and the resulting strong winds with the use of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model through examining sensitivities to cloud microphysics schemes. The numerical simulations successfully reproduced the eastward propagation of the MJO and the aggregation of convective clouds that transformed to a tropical cyclone. It was found that microphysics processes affect the diabatic heating and therefore the evolution of tropical convection into a tropical cyclone. The potential instability for convective development and the actual development of deep cumulus clouds both contribute to the sensitivity of the simulated TC to the choice of the cloud microphysics schemes. Even with such sensitivity, this study successfully reproduced the cyclone track accurately in all the experiments and therefore is able to generate consistent hazard information from the cyclone.