1997. Distribution and seasonal prevalence of Hematodinium sp. infection of the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) around the west coast of Scotland. -ICES Journal of Marine Science, 55: 846-858.Around Scotland, coastal stocks of the commercially important Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), particularly those within the Clyde Sea Area (CSA), have for some years been known to be infected by syndiniid dinoflagellate endoparasites of the genus Hematodinium. The prevalences of infected Norway lobsters in trawl samples from the CSA are reported for 1992-1995, together with similar data from a range of Scottish west coast sites in 1992, and from the Irish Sea in 1994 and 1995. In the CSA, infection prevalences declined after 1992 and were higher than those recorded in other sampled areas. Infection by Hematodinium was confined to the first half of the year, peaking in the spring and early summer, with medium-sized and female lobsters showng the highest prevalence. Comparison between CSA sites suggests that infection may be influenced by factors directly related to Nephrops age rather than size. In addition to the usual diel variability in catch, in spring male Nephrops showed diel variability in Hematodinium prevalence in trawl samples (being higher in the midnight samples). Females showed no diel variation in prevalence. Underwater television surveys of Nephrops burrow density and data on commercial landings indicate a decrease in Nephrops abundance in the last decade, which might in part reflect the higher levels of infection by Hematodinium during this time.1998 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea

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Developing enduring capacity to monitor ocean life requires investing in people and their institutions to build infrastructure, ownership, and long-term support networks. International initiatives can enhance access to scientific data, tools and methodologies, and develop local expertise to use them, but without ongoing engagement may fail to have lasting benefit. Linking capacity development and technology transfer to sustained ocean monitoring is a win-win proposition. Trained local experts will benefit from joining global communities of experts who are building the comprehensive Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). This two-way exchange will benefit scientists and policy makers in developing and developed countries. The first step toward the GOOS is complete: identification of an initial set of biological Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) that incorporate the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Essential Biological Variables (EBVs), and link to the physical and biogeochemical EOVs. EOVs provide a globally consistent approach to monitoring where the costs of monitoring oceans can be shared and where capacity and expertise can be transferred globally. Integrating monitoring with existing international reporting and policy development connects ocean observations

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