Research on the Basking Shark Forming an argument to list the Basking Paper

On the Basking Shark Forming an argument to list the Basking Shark as an Endangered species (with consideration to ES - Research Paper Example The color of basking shark is typically blackish to grey-brown, grey or blue-grey above and below the body and fins, often with irregular white blotches on the underside of the head and abdomen (Compagno, 2001 from COSEWIC, 2007). Basking sharks prefer cool and temperate coastal shelf waters and are distributed worldwide. In the North Atlantic (Compagno, 2001), basking sharks are sighted in waters off countries as far south and east as Senegal, through Europe, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Canada, along the eastern seaboard of the United States and into the Gulf of Mexico. In the North Pacific, they are observed as far south and west as Japan, through to China, Alaska, British Columbia, along the western seaboard of the United States and Mexico (Compagno, 2001, from COSEWIC, 2007). Habitat requirements The habitat requirements for basking shark (Sim et al, 1997) are associated with the oceanographic events on zooplankton concentration. Fronts off headlands, around islands and in bays with strong fluctuation of water masses from tidal flow were also frequented. In a study conducted by Compagno (2001), it recorded basking shark in the epipelagic zone by aerial surveys, in pelagic driftnet fisheries and is caught in bottom trawls off the St. Lawrence River, Scotian Shelf and Scotland. Te Newfoundland Observer Program (NOP) also noted that basking sharks have been caught in trawl nets fishing in depths up to 1370m. Fifteen percent of the records from waters deeper than 1000m were also observed. Skomal (2005) suggested that basking sharks migrate to different wintering habitats. They are seen to be influenced by patterns of prey distribution, varying by depths, location, and season (COSEWIC, 2007). Observed on the habitat trends of the basking sharks is the consistency of target areas and preference for high concentration of zooplankton. This has been linked to both large and small scale oceanographic conditions that change quickly (Sims and Quayle, 1998, from COSEWIC, 20 07). Reproduction and Mortality The pairing of the basking shark (Sims et al, 2000) is perceived to occur in early summer. This is based on the observed courtship behavior which is nose to tail circling, and scarring. The gestation period of basking shark with a litter of six young is at 2.6 years (Pauly, 2002). The assumed length at birth is 1.5m. The time between successive litters may be two to three years (Compagno, 2001) and like other lamnoid sharks, the basking sharks develop embryonic ovophagy which supplies nutrients to the developing embryos (Compagno, 2001, from COSEWIC, 2007). The longevity of the basking shark is approximated at 50 years. The age of maturity is about 12 to 16 years in males and 16 to 20 years in females (UK CITES, 2002). Generally, females are presumed to mature at larger sizes than males with an estimated size at 4.6 to 6.1m in length at the stage of maturity. Yearly productivity ranges from 0.013 to 0.023 based on the methodology of Smith et al (1998) . They used age at maturity, maximum age and average fecundity. Smith et al (1998) suggested that the potential for recovery or rebound rate may be lower for basking shark when compared to other species of Pacific sharks. Pauly (2002) determined the natural mortality to be 0.068 based on the age of maturity at 18 years for female which midrange is 16 –

Traditional family Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Traditional family - Essay Example Life has become so expensive and it is not possible for the man's income to be enough to bring the food on the table. For this case, both parents are forced to work in order to provide for their children. The wife was left alone to do all the house chaos in a traditional family setting which is different today since one can employ a house girl or boy to do the house jobs while the wife go for a white collar job. On the other hand a man was treated like a king and the wife as a servant in the traditional family but today the wife has a bit of freedom since she can choose what she want with her life. House chaos in a traditional family setting was divided in gender. For example, the woman takes care of the children inside the home and the man works outside the home. Each person knew what he or she was supposed to do for example the boys were supposed to help their father while the girls were supposed help their mothers with cooking and washing dishes. Traditional family has some values which are usually social standards brought about by natural forces of nature. These values have been tested customs which normally provide emotional and physical support for rearing offspring. The religious value and traditions reinforce these social values. The traditions reflect a natural order responsible for providing and protecting children as they grow and learn. The tradition family was seen as an institution responsible for bring up physically and emotional healthy children. Naturally, a family institution is suited for supporting each other through unconditional love; growing children and providing for them both physically and emotionally. There has been too much divorce and cohabitating in the society today such that the traditional family is on the decline. There is more than fifty percent divorce in our society today. In the United States, people spends less time in marriage than they used to do as they see no use of marriage and family as well as bearing children. Due to the fact that traditional constituted, the people now see that marriage and family are not satisfying the social and intimacy need of many people. Traditionally, the main aim of marriage was to produce a male heir who was supposed to carry on the family line and not to provide mutual companionship and support for husband and wife. Today, this is very different as people are comfortable with either they get a male or female child. Recent studies have shown that a female child look after their old parent more than their male counterparts against the traditional believe that the male child was better in looking after their aging parent. Many people today value their nuclear family other than the extended family due to drastic economic changes that have affected our economy. For this case, one has to have a smaller family in order to provide basic food to them all with difficulty. On the other hand it is not also possible for one to build big quarters for our extended family hence we are forced to live with our nuclear family.