Vital Economic Activities Research Articles

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Seaweed Production Policies in Tawi-Tawi: A Foundation for Designing a Policy Determination Model

Seaweed farming is a vital economic activity in coastal regions, offering potential for sustainable development and poverty alleviation. In the Philippines, particularly in Tawi-Tawi, seaweed production supports local livelihoods and regional economic growth. Despite its importance, the effectiveness of seaweed production policies in Tawi-Tawi is underexplored. This study identifies critical gaps in these policies, evaluates their effectiveness and implementation, and proposes evidence-based recommendations to enhance sustainability and productivity. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates quantitative data from field surveys and qualitative insights from stakeholder interviews. Findings indicate that the overall level of policy implementation in Tawi-Tawi's seaweed production is slight, with an overall effectiveness mean score of 2.51 (slightly effective). The effectiveness in specific areas includes the local economy (2.71), tourism (2.50), stakeholders (2.44), political (2.52), environment (2.34), and laws (2.55). The correlation coefficient of 0.637 indicates a strong positive relationship between Implementation Perception and Implementation Impact/Efficiency, highlighting the need for improved policy measures. Effective seaweed production policies in Tawi-Tawi are crucial for local economic growth but currently show only slight implementation and effectiveness. Addressing gaps and enhancing collaboration can significantly improve outcomes for the industry and community.

Assessing the economic returns of modern and traditional beehives

Beekeeping is a vital economic activity for smallholder farmers; therefore, it is essential to provide beekeepers with information regarding the profitability and productivity of box hives to encourage them to embrace the technology. However, scant information is available to comprehensively compare the profitability and output of traditional and modern beehives. This study seeks to compare the performance of traditional and modern beehives in Baringo South Sub-County. Simple random sampling was used in conjunction with a cross-sectional survey to collect data from the 197 beekeepers who participated in the study. A gross margin analysis was performed to understand the returns of traditional and modern hives. According to the findings, individuals who used traditional beehives had a higher overall operational cost of Ksh. 1449.44 per hive, whereas those who used modern hives had a total operational cost of Ksh. 1000.73. In addition, the study also demonstrated that those that utilised modern beehives received larger gross margins in Kenyan shillings 7917.74, whilst those who used traditional beehives received Ksh. 5590.59. According to the study’s findings, modern beekeeping generates higher returns than traditional beekeeping. As a result, farmers should be encouraged to employ modern beehives to generate higher returns.

Making the Invisible Visible: The Effects of Gas Flaring on Artisanal Fisheries in the Down-Stream Area of Taylor Creek, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

RATIONALE: Gas flaring is a significant environmental concern in many regions, including the downstream area of Taylor Creek, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Its impact on artisanal fisheries, a vital economic activity in the area, warrants investigation to understand the extent of its effects. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the effects of gas flaring on artisanal fisheries in the downstream area of Taylor Creek, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, from August 2023 to January 2024. METHODS: Structured questionnaires were utilized in a descriptive survey research design to collect data during the specified period. RESULTS: The study found that gas flaring profoundly affects artisanal fisheries activities in the area. These effects include a drastic reduction in fish catch, extinction of certain fish species, increased fish prices, indiscriminate fish mortality, disrupted fishing schedules, altered water body dynamics, impaired spawning activities, fish migration, and economic hardships for fishers. Additionally, gas flaring contributes to fish size reduction, abandonment of the fishing sector by artisanal fishers, increased time spent on fishing, and accelerated degradation of fishing implements. CONCLUSION: Gas flaring negatively impacts artisanal fisheries in the downstream area of Taylor Creek, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Urgent measures are necessary to mitigate these effects and preserve the local ecosystem. RECOMMENDATION: To address these issues, it is recommended that gas flaring be utilized for beneficial purposes such as gas injection or electricity generation. Government intervention is needed to restore extraction areas, and companies must adopt safe and environmentally friendly operations to prevent further environmental degradation. Additionally, new legislation should be enacted to protect the environment and control pollution caused by gas flaring in the study area. These measures are essential for safeguarding the environment and sustaining artisanal fisheries in the region.

Socio-Economic Value of Wetlands: A Case Study of Bihar

This paper delves into the socio-economic significance of wetlands and the associated conservation challenges. Notably, North Bihar heavily relies on wetlands, contributing 64%, while South Bihar contributes 36% to the total wetland area. The diverse importance of these wetlands is evident through their ecosystem services, encompassing domestic use, income generation, ecotourism, and biodiversity support. Vital economic activities, including fisheries and agriculture, thrive, playing a pivotal role in supporting local livelihoods. Despite their cultural and religious significance, Bihar's wetlands confront threats like altered water flow, pollution, and encroachment. Urgent and tailored conservation strategies are essential to ensure the enduring sustainability of these ecosystems. The study offers valuable insights into wetland distribution, services, challenges, and conservation efforts in Bihar. Keywords: Conservation, North Bihar, South Bihar, Socioeconomic Value and Wetlands.

Discovery of Antigens and Cellular Mechanisms in the Protozoan Parasite Sarcocystis aucheniae Using Immunoproteomics

Sarcocystis aucheniae is a coccidian parasite that produces macroscopic sarcocysts in South American camelid (SAC) muscles and causes a disease known as SAC sarcocystosis. This parasitosis hampers the commercialization of llama and alpaca meat, a vital economic activity in the Andean regions. No control or prevention methods are available, and diagnosis is based on postmortem visual inspection of carcasses. The aim of this study was to identify S. aucheniae B-cell epitopes suitable for the development of diagnostic methods for SAC sarcocystosis. To this end, sarcocyst immunoreactive protein bands were analyzed via mass spectrometry, and proteins in each band were identified in silico by searching in the parasite transcriptome. Five highly antigenic, hydrophilic B-cell epitopes, predicted not to cross-react with antibodies against other coccidia, were selected for future development of peptide-based serological tests. In addition, conserved domains present in the identified proteins allowed us to unravel metabolic pathways and mechanisms active in the parasitic stages present in sarcocysts, including aerobic respiration, antioxidant activity, signal transduction, protein synthesis and processing, and host–pathogen interactions. This study provides novel information on the biology of S. aucheniae, as well as new protein sequences that can be used for the development of diagnostic tests and chemotherapeutic approaches for SAC sarcocystosis.

River Rock Gathering Practices and Their Impact on the Taliabo Village Community

This research aims to understand how the Taliabo Village community utilizes the potential of Sausu River rocks, identify the challenges faced by rock gatherers, and explore the socio-economic dynamics of the village in addressing these challenges. This research uses an inductive qualitative analysis. Inductive analysis is an approach that begins with field facts, analyzes them based on relevant theories and arguments, and ultimately yields a conclusion. The results show that gathering rocks in the Sausu River of Taliabo Village is a vital economic activity supporting the livelihood of part of the community. Adapting to natural conditions and using traditional tools like tire rafts and gate-gate demonstrate the community’s resilience and creativity in utilizing local resources. Although flexible working hours offer adaptation to uncertainties, the pricing structure of rocks based on their size provides significant economic opportunities. However, challenges such as natural conditions in the dry season and health issues add difficulties to this work. Furthermore, socio-economic aspects such as the culture of mutual aid underscore the importance of communal cooperation in overcoming hardships. At the same time, limitations in meeting education and housing needs reflect broader challenges faced by the river rock gatherer community in Taliabo Village. Therefore, the Government of Parigi Moutong Regency is recommended to support the rock gathering activities in the Sausu River as an essential part of Taliabo Village’s local economy. It could include providing training and access to more efficient technology to enhance productivity and work safety for river rock gatherers. Additionally, rock gatherers are advised to adopt safer and more sustainable work practices, including ergonomic tools and attention to occupational health and safety. For the Taliabo Village community, it is recommended that the existing mutual aid system be strengthened. These joint initiatives can help address some of the socio-economic challenges the river rock gatherer community faces while strengthening communal resilience against economic and natural uncertainties.

Transportation strategy decision-making process using interval-valued complex fuzzy soft information

<abstract> <p>Transportation is among the more vital economic activities for a business and our daily life actions. At present, transport is one of the key branches playing a crucial role in the development of the economy. Transportation decision-making looks for ways to solve current and anticipated transportation problems while avoiding future problems. An interval-valued complex fuzzy set (IVCFS) is an extended form of fuzzy, interval-valued fuzzy and complex fuzzy sets, and it is used to evaluate complex and inaccurate information in real-world applications. In this research, we aim to examine the novel concept of IVCF soft relations (IVCFSRs) by utilizing the Cartesian product (CP) of two IVCF soft sets (IVCFSSs), which are determined with the help of two different concepts, referred to as IVCF relation and soft sets. Moreover, we investigated various types of relations and also explained them with the help of some appropriate examples. The IVCFSRs have a comprehensive structure discussing due dealing with the degree of interval-valued membership with multidimensional variables. Moreover, IVCFSR-based modeling techniques are included, and they use the score function to select the suitable transportation strategy to improve the value of the analyzed data. Finally, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the suggested work, comparative analysis with existing methods is performed.</p> </abstract>

FISH MARKETING IN SOME LOCAL MARKETS OF CHUADANGA DISTRICT OF BANGLADESH

Fish trading is a vital economic activity in Bangladesh, but marketing and trading practice is quite inadequately studied. Therefore, a study was carried out from July to December 2002 to examine the marketing and trading of fish in the local markets of Chuadunga district. Questionnaire survey, personal interviews, and field survey were carried out in two prominent fish markets named Rail Bazar and Sarojganj Bazar. The study revealed that there were six kinds of marketing channel operating in the study areas. The market participants included fishermen, aratder, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers. The fisherman’s share decreased with the number of intermediaries in a channel. Most market participants financed their business from own funds. A fisherman spent in an average Tk. 222 for marketing 100 kg of fish which covered mainly transportation, personal expenses, aratder’s commission, market tolls, and wastages. Whereas, an intermediary spent Tk.146-169 for marketing of 100 kg fish. Where, a fisherman spent a major share for paying transportation cost and aratder’s commission, an intermediary spent quite a big share for covering losses due to wastages. The marketing margin for intermediaries, the marketing margin ranged form 6-9%. The volume of fish trading depended on the supply of fish and the number of the buyers. The study also identified that inadequate and poor physical condition of the market place, transportation, and capital shortage was only a few of many problems in the study area. Considering the importance of these markets to the economy of the region, the study suggested upgradation of the existing physical facilities of the markets, and facilitation of institutionalized credit facilities for the stakeholders.

The value of marine ecotourism for an European outermost region

Marine ecotourism is a pivotal sector in the blue economy strategies of many nations and is a vital economic activity for peripheral coastal regions and islands; yet a comprehensive understanding of its socioeconomic importance remains poorly quantified due to a lack of systematic evidence collation. This is even more pronounced when compared with other traditional marine activities (i.e. commercial fisheries), which are the target of monitoring programs that span several decades. The paucity of information on marine ecotourism and the disproportionate influence of traditional activities in decision-making arenas represent a practical impediment to promoting the broader agenda of blue growth and ecosystem-based management for Europe's regional seas. This study presents an assessment of the socioeconomic impact of non-extractive recreational activities closely associated with marine biodiversity (i.e. whale watching, diving and big game fishing) in one of Europe's outermost regions: the Azores archipelago (northeast Atlantic). Data were collected through a series of questionnaire surveys of the clients (n = 1740) and managers of marine-tourism businesses (n = 49). Our results suggest that in 2014 approximately 17% of total visitors to the Azores engaged in marine ecotourism activities generating approximately 80€ million in total expenditures to the regional economy (2.2% of regional Gross Domestic Product). Results also indicate that on average a typical marine ecotourist has longer stay and higher expenditure pattern compared to other visitors. These values add a new dimension to arguments in support of marine conservation and call attention to the comprehensive integration of marine ecotourism activities in management plans.

Entrepreneurial Intention among Students to Venture into Entrepreneurship through Flea Market Retailing in Oman

Entrepreneurship is a vital economic activity to support local communities. It is perceived as a significant avenue for influencing the youngsters to a start-up business. The growing number of graduates annually has become one of the main challenges for the Omani government. Therefore, entrepreneurship has become one of the essential measures for reducing the escalating unemployment rate due to the low national recruitment rate in the public and private sectors in Oman. This research aims to examine the extent of the entrepreneurial intention of youngsters, especially among 322 tertiary students from colleges of applied sciences in Oman, to venture into entrepreneurship through the flea market retailing by adopting the theory of planned behavior (TPB). The findings highlight the impact of education on entrepreneurial intentions, which will provide resources in the area of entrepreneurial education to online libraries for research students and also provides useful policy directions to the Oman government in its effort to actively promote entrepreneurship and business ventures through the Al Raffd Funds.

Remarkable diversity, new records and Leishmania detection in the sand fly fauna of an area of high endemicity for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Acre state, Brazilian Amazonian Forest

The species richness of Amazonian phlebotomines is considered to be one of the highest in the world. In the present study, we investigated the richness and diversity of phlebotomine fauna in Xapuri city, Acre state, Western Brazilian Amazonia, which is an area that is highly endemic for cutaneous leishmaniasis. Sand fly collections were performed monthly from August 2013 to July 2015 (288 h total of sampling effort) in intradomiciliary, peridomiciliary, and forested environments of two localities. Collected females were dissected, microscopically examined for flagellates in their guts, and preserved in ethanol. A total of 21,197 specimens comprising 14 genera and 57 species were collected, and the majority of these were Nyssomyia, Psychodopygus, and Trichophoromyia genera. Three new records of phlebotomine species for Acre are presented here, including Brumptomyia brumpti, Psathyromyia pradobarrientosi, and for the first time in Brazil, Th. omagua. In Xapuri, the phlebotomine fauna of different ecotopes was varied in regard to abundance, diversity, and frequency, and they included proven and permissive vectors of Leishmania spp. The fauna discovered in the forested areas (57 species) was richer and more diverse than was that (33 species) identified in the peri‑ and intra-domiciles. The identification of Leishmania subgenera that were present in sand fly guts according to SSU rRNA sequences revealed ten and three species harboring Leishmania of subgenera Viannia and Leishmania (most likely Leishmania amazonensis), respectively. The presence of Leishmania (Leishmania) in sand flies are reported here for the first time in Acre. The presence of L. (Viannia) spp. in Brumptomyia sp. and Lutzomyia sherlocki. and the occurrence of mixed infections with Leishmania of both subgenera in Ps. lainsoni have been reported for the first time in Brazil. Taken together, data from previous studies and from the present study highlight the remarkable complexity of phlebotomine fauna that is possibly due to the well-preserved Xapuri forested areas sustaining vital economic activities of plant extraction and ecological tourism. Our findings also provide new insights into the ongoing adaptation of Trichophoromyia and Psychodopygus species to human habitats.

Socio-Economic Importance of Tree Nursery Enterprises in Lagos State, Nigeria

There is a growing interest to understand the role of tree nursery enterprises in Nigeria and the horn of Africa. Tree nursery enterprises, which are vital economic activities in major cities of Nigeria and particularly in the city of Lagos are not adequately studied and well documented. Therefore, this study seeks to fill a gap in understanding the socioeconomic importance and profitability potential of tree nursery enterprises. Multistage sampling technique with a 3-stage design was adopted in this study using aquantitative data collection techniques through the use of structured questionnaire administered to 120 nursery entrepreneurs. Data were analyzed using descriptive, inferential, and budgetary analysis. The result revealed that tree nursery entrepreneurs are literate, mostly male in their youthful age. Furthermore, the total annual revenue earned by the respondents was ₦1,712,222.22 with a mean annual net income of ₦1,458,038.72 while the return per naira invested was ₦5.71. This shows that tree nursery enterprise is profitable in the study area. However, most entrepreneurs were faced with shortage of land for establishments of tree nursery in the study area. Therefore, appropriate actions in reducing cost of land lease/purchase are recommended to encourage new entrepreneurs and strengthen the sector’s development.
 Keywords: Entrepreneur, Environment, Nursery enterprises, Profitability, Socio-economic and Tree seedlings.

E-government in the Era of Globalization and the Health Crisis caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic, between Standards and Innovation

Research background:E-government has started from the challenges of new technologies by providing e-services to its citizens and has expanded today in more and more fields, including communication with citizens, budget management, macroeconomic forecasts, etc. If we accept the definition according to which eGovernment (or e-government) is an applicability of information technology for the provision of administrative services, information exchange, communication transactions, integration of various electronic systems and autonomous services between government and citizen (G2C), government and business environment (G2B), government and government (G2G) as well as for the processes and interactions of administrative staff in the entire infrastructure of the administration, and through e-government, government services are available to citizens in a convenient, efficient and transparent way, then we will accept and the conclusions of the same research that considers that in e-government there are no identifiable barriers.Purpose of the article:Through this paper we aim to highlight the current economic realities and how some governments have understood to use technology during the pandemic.Methods:The research methodology is based on documentary analysis. The bibliographic study, the secondary analysis of the data, the observation and the analysis complete the documentary analysis and allowed us to obtain some conclusive results.Findings & Value added:The pandemic health crisis has further pushed the limits of technology, which has been transformed into a true universal panacea for solving relatively vital economic activities for a national economy in a global context. A first finding was that the pandemic accelerated the need for digital governance. However, the modalities of action remain open.

Innovative aspects of industrial enterprises activity in process manufacturing industry of Ukraine

The manufacturing industry for a long period of time remains the most important and vital economic activity in the international arena, is a priority in ensuring the security of the state, forming the structure of export trade, promoting the development of other industries. In carrying out the research, the main problem that is relevant in today's conditions is identified - the main imperatives of the development of processing industries on an innovative basis. The peculiarities of the innovation activities of the processing industries, including through the development of scientific and industrial parks, clusters were covered in their scientific works by eminent specialists. The problems of functioning of the food and metallurgical industries on an innovation basis, including through the creation of organizational forms of innovation, are actively investigated by scientists. However, it requires a more detailed further study, in particular, in the development of proposals for the improvement of legislative and other regulatory acts on the activities of scientific, industrial and technological parks, clusters, which can be mechanisms for the innovative development of processing industries. The setting of tasks consists in defining the basic principles for the development of innovative activities of the processing industries in the context of Ukraine’s European integration the study of the main trends in the innovative development of the processing industry in Ukraine in recent years, as well as the development of proposals for improving legislative and other regulatory acts on the activities of science parks, industrial and technological parks, clusters. The aim of the study is to identify innovative aspects of the activities of industrial enterprises of the processing industry of Ukraine. The main methods that were used in the process of conducting a study are analysis, statistical, comparisons, research of documents, legal regulation. Review of domestic experience in the functioning of the processing industry, in particular the food industry and the development of metallurgy in Ukraine in modern conditions of European integration. The features of the current state of development of the food industry in Ukraine are investigated. An assessment of the main economic indicators of the domestic food industry on an innovative basis. The positive aspects of development and the factors constraining the functioning of the food industry are identified. The main development trends are analyzed, the problems and risks of the innovation activities of domestic metallurgical enterprises are identified. Potential areas of cooperation in the functioning of the food and metallurgical industry, particularly in the aspect of the development of special forms of organization of innovation in the context of Ukraine’s European integration, are substantiated. Certain features of the institutional support of the functioning of the processing industries of Ukraine on the basis of innovation. Developed proposals for the further functioning of the processing industries in Ukraine. The field of application of the research results is socio-economic development. One of the main prerequisites for sustainable economic development of the country is the accelerated expansion of the processing industry in Ukraine. The growth of the level of competitiveness of domestic producers is possible through the introduction of institutional mechanisms of state regulation. Considerable attention should be paid to increasing the volume and quality of products in the food and metallurgical industries through systematic technical and economic renewal of enterprises, introduction of innovations that contribute to creating high-quality and safe products, creating and developing forms of organizing innovative activities, as well as attracting investments and creating favorable investment climate.

Risk Management and Insurance Practices in Protecting the GCC Economies: Impact of Climate Change

Climate change can extremely influence the progress of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations by aggravating the burden on these states, hence, preventing them from accomplishing their economic progression. The extreme hotness and abridged precipitation will aggravate the water shortage and upsurge the occurrence of droughts. This would unfavorably influence the food production and deteriorate the present condition of food security and other related issues. The GCC area is anticipated to have more unembellished effects of Sea Level Upsurge than any other state. The current global warming has the potential of putting 6-25 million people and vital economic activities to coastal flooding. The area is one of the highly built-up states of the world. Climate change is one of the biggest challenges that humanity is facing, as it is not only a threat on biodiversity and food security, but is also impeding economic performance and growth. It is worth saying that climate threats are all interlinked. Good examples of the effects of climate change are: global temperature rise, warming oceans shrinking ice sheets, glacial retreat, decreased snow cover, rise in sea level, declining arctic sea, ice ocean acidification, and desertification. This paper focuses on giving attention to decision makers on the seriousness of these risks and to point out how risk management and insurance techniques can help in the survival of their economies. Furthermore, it also opened avenues for universities to get involved in this research area.

Reflections on the theme issue outcomes

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to profile the World Hospitality and Tourism Themes (WHATT) theme issue “Tourism sustainability in the Alpine region: What are the major trends and challenges?” with reference to the experience of the theme editors and writing team.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses structured questions to enable the theme editors to reflect on the rationale for the theme issue question, the starting-point, the selection of the writing team and material and the editorial process.FindingsIt draws on a multidisciplinary approach to identify some key components of sustainable tourism for the French and Italian Alps. It reflects on research and stakeholder interaction that helped to shape the current and future thinking about how Alpine mountain resorts can enhance sustainability in relation to the destination offer, accommodation, transport and mobility and institutional, legal and socio-economic aspects.Practical implicationsThe theme issue outcomes provide lines of enquiry for others to explore, and they reinforce the value of WHATT’s approach to collaborative working and writing.Originality/valueThe work reported in this theme issue provides research-based evidence of the need for rapid adaptation to sustainable tourism development for resorts in the French and Italian Alps. Traditionally designed to facilitate skiing and snow sports, the impact of climate change is forcing a rethink to safeguard Alpine tourism – a vital economic activity to these and most mountain tourism destinations.

Mercury and other trace metals in the seasonal snowpack across the subarctic taiga-tundra ecotone, Northwest Territories, Canada

In Canada's Northwest Territories, mining for base metals and diamonds are vital economic activities which carry risks of adverse environmental impacts. To gather baseline geochemical data against which the impact of future mining activities may be measured, a survey of trace metal concentrations in snow was carried out in 2012 along a 285-km stretch of winter mining road crossing the taiga-tundra ecotone between latitudes 62.8 and 65.5° N. The distribution of 17 elements, including mercury (Hg), was measured and mapped. Results indicate that road traffic along the winter road has only a modest impact on the metal content of the nearby tundra-taiga snowpack, and that this impact is largely due to the mobilization of soil dust and associated elements. However, some enrichment of As, Pb, Sr and Zn in snow was detected near former gold mine sites, likely reflecting the windborne dispersion of contaminated soils. The Hg concentrations in snow across the study area were generally low (≤3.01 ng L−1), and did not covary with any other metals, which suggests atmospheric deposition from distant/diffuse sources. An analysis of air back-trajectories pointed to the most likely distant (>103 km) anthropogenic source regions being eastern Asia or Russia. Using Hg data from the present survey and another source, in combination with gridded maps of snowpack water equivalent, we calculated the potential flux of atmospherically-derived Hg that could be released by spring snowmelt into the Mackenzie River to be in the order of ∼195–404 kg a−1, which may represent a substantial fraction of the estimated total Hg discharge to the Beaufort Sea.

Nutrient and Chlorophyll <i>α</i> Variability at a Micro-Scale Level in a Suspended Mussel Culture

Mussel farming by the long-line system, in the shallow waters of the NW Thessaloniki Gulf, Greece, is a vital economic activity for the local communities. The management practices play an important role both in the environmental quality and the support of the healthy growth of mussels. Αn experimental line of mussels in suspension placed at different sock distances as a management practice was systematically monitored for nutrients, chlorophyll α and dissolved oxygen. The study at four different mussel densities (distances of the socks) lasted from July 2014 to April 2015, covering the growth, reproduction and harvest cycle of mussels. Additional sampling took place in two selected sock distances, 30 and 70 cm, in the second sampling period, May-August 2015. The variability of nutrients along with chlorophyll α and dissolved oxygen, seasonally, spatially and vertically, was examined with the application of multivariate statistical analysis. The results showed low variation of nitrates among the sites but statistically significant differences of dissolved oxygen, ammonium, phosphate and chlorophyll α. The application of environmental indicators (TRIX, EI) in the data set was a useful tool in the identification of different variation schemes of the measured parameters in the cultures of various mussel densities.

Web Quality Index (WQI) for official tourist destination websites. Proposal for an assessment system

Tourism is a vital economic activity in many countries. Cities, regions, countries and destinations of all categories vie for securing tourists and to do so they employ communication and promotion channels such as official websites. Despite the importance of these websites, no comprehensive method of assessment exists to enable communications managers and directors to find out whether their destination's website is effective and where it ranks in comparison to its competitors.This paper presents a hitherto unseen assessment system aimed at meeting this need. Using a host of indicators, grouped into twelve parameters, a Web Quality Index (WQI) has been specifically established for tourist destination websites which, as well as determining an overall index, makes it possible to draw comparison between parameters or spheres of analysis.The assessment system is illustrated using the result of a pilot sample of official websites from ten destinations to confirm the validity and potential of the model put forward.

Temporal change assessment of agricultural land by Satellite Remote Sensing (SRS) technique

Agriculture is the vital economic activity of rural society in nearly all of Pakistan. The Winder-Sonmiani area located at the Makran coast near the city of Hub in Pakistan is economically very promising. Cropping, horticulture, fruit farming and animal husbandry are the common land use activities in the area while fishing along the coast is an important economic activity. Owing to the use of the Satellite Remote Sensing technique (SRST), the triangular basin shape structure of the Winder area has been found to be spatially very promising for agricultural activities. Positive change in the use of agriculture land was detected from the Satellite images of different periods. Use of modern technology and incentives provided by the government have advanced improvement in agriculture.