ECOST PROJECT WP4 ECOLOGICAL MODEL SECOND MEETING March 2006 DAKAR, SENEGAL WP.4 ECOLOGY CO-LEADER PROGRESS REPORT Karl Aiken, PhD UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES, JAMAICA

WP4: Development of the Ecological component of the ECOST model Start date: Month 9 Start date: Month 9 Person-months: 48 Person-months: 48 Objectives: Objectives: 1. To develop the ecological components 2. Describe trophic relationships in selected marine and freshwater ecosystems in West Africa, Asia and the Caribbean 3. Explore ecosystem-level impacts on fishing effort and environmental stresses.

WP4: Development of the Ecological component of the ECOST model Summary of Work Description. Summary of Work Description. Work is description is divided into four sections: Work is description is divided into four sections: 1. WP4.1. Methodology using the Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) approach 2. WP4.2. Time series fitting in Ecosim: evaluating fisheries and environmental effects 3. WP4.3. Addressing uncertainty 4. WP4.4. Applications.

WP4. Deliverable Evaluating food chains and relationships in each (eco)system Evaluating food chains and relationships in each (eco)system Estimation of food consumption by fishes (via experiments and gut content analyses) Estimation of food consumption by fishes (via experiments and gut content analyses) Production inventory and documentation of fishers’ practices Production inventory and documentation of fishers’ practices Publication & distribution of first preliminary results Publication & distribution of first preliminary results Modeling of trophic chain and use of Ecosim and Ecospace (cont’d.) Modeling of trophic chain and use of Ecosim and Ecospace (cont’d.)

WP4. Deliverables (cont’d.) Comparative analyses of these ecosystems in relation to functioning and optimal use of natural primary production related to biodiversity Comparative analyses of these ecosystems in relation to functioning and optimal use of natural primary production related to biodiversity Determination of the positive results Determination of the positive results D5 (Month 20) and contributions to other deliverables e.g. D7 (Month 35) and others D5 (Month 20) and contributions to other deliverables e.g. D7 (Month 35) and others Posters for ECOST seminars Posters for ECOST seminars Participation in delivery of P1-6, B1-3, F1, P7-18, B4-10 and F2. Participation in delivery of P1-6, B1-3, F1, P7-18, B4-10 and F2.

WR2.P4. ECOLOGY: MILESTONES & EXPECTED RESULTS R2 and R3 meetings for validation of results R2 and R3 meetings for validation of results Other meetings for incorporation of the results into ECOST dynamics Other meetings for incorporation of the results into ECOST dynamics Models and database to be made available to interested persons, potential users and beneficiaries of ECOST. Models and database to be made available to interested persons, potential users and beneficiaries of ECOST. Major expected results: Contribution to the ECOST modeling. Major expected results: Contribution to the ECOST modeling.

WP 4. ECOLOGY; PROGRESS REPORT: CO-LEADER ECOLOGY (JAMAICA) Since the Rome meeting in October, 2005 we have achieved the following; Since the Rome meeting in October, 2005 we have achieved the following; Identified a small office space Identified a small office space Selected a replacement Ecologist Selected a replacement Ecologist Created Project Manager & Administrative Assistant posts Created Project Manager & Administrative Assistant posts Set up salaries Set up salaries Determined duties for Ecologist (and other staff) Determined duties for Ecologist (and other staff) Made internal administrative arrangements for the ECOST project Made internal administrative arrangements for the ECOST project

Progress Report (Cont’d.) Determined a customized Methodology for research data collection Determined a customized Methodology for research data collection Began preliminary familiarization with the Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) software Began preliminary familiarization with the Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) software Began office equipping. Began office equipping.

PROBLEMS A major recurring problem is Communications with Portsmouth. A major recurring problem is Communications with Portsmouth. addresses may be outdated. addresses may be outdated. Update addresses. Update addresses.

WP4. Next Steps Needed to Achieve Objectives Refining of Methodology to continue. Refining of Methodology to continue. Training to begin in EwE software use in Summer (?), 2006 Training to begin in EwE software use in Summer (?), 2006 But before this can begin, we need to collect some basic data to analyze with the EwE software But before this can begin, we need to collect some basic data to analyze with the EwE software Field trips to begin at selected sites to collect data Field trips to begin at selected sites to collect data Literature review of Ecology subject area to continue Literature review of Ecology subject area to continue END END