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Work Package 4
Pelagic food-web structure, trophic interactions and the role of fish for overall trophic transfer efficiency in the Humboldt Current upwelling system off Peru
Work Package Leaders
- Prof. Dr. Myron Peck (Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research) - myron.peck (at) nioz.nl
- Dr. Rolf Koppelmann (University of Hamburg) - rolf.koppelmann (at) uni-hamburg.de
- Dr. Catriona Clemmesen (GEOMAR) - cclemmesen (at) geomar.de
- Associate Professor Dr. Marta Moyano (University of Agder) - marta.moyano (at) uia.no
The Humboldt Current systems sustains the production of the largest commercial fishery worldwide, the Peruvian anchoveta (Engraulis ringens). Current knowledge still has not revealed why this eastern boundary upwelling system (EBUS) has such a high trophic transfer efficiency compared to other EBUS. Moreover, the impact of projected climate-driven changes in upwelling strength on trophic transfer efficiency is unknown. In WP4, we will investigate the food web characteristics and major trophic pathways to address these questions. This research will be conducted during an oceanographic cruise and a mesocosm experiment, in close collaboration with partners at the Instituto del Mar de Peru (IMARPE).
Specific objectives in WP4 include:
- Conduct process studies on the abundance, distribution and vital rates (feeding, nutritional condition and growth) of fish across oceanographic discontinuities (mesoscale eddies, filaments, OMZ) and upwelling intensities in the HUS;
- Evaluate the relationship between upwelling intensity, trophic transfer and export production (special emphasis on anchovy and mesopelagic fishes);
- Quantify rates of growth, nutritional condition and survival of young anchovy during a largescale mesocosm experiment simulating changes in upwelling intensity
- Contribute parameterizations necessary for trophic modelling within an individual-based model for anchovy larvae and an OSMOSE web model (WP6).


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At a July fundraising event in Chicago, Mrs. Michelle Obama remarked, "So, yeah, there's too much money in politics. There's (sic) special interests that have too much influence." Sen. John McCain has been complaining for years that "there is too much money washing around political campaigns today." According to a 2012 Reuters poll, "Seventy-five percent of Americans feel there is too much money in politics." Let's think about money in politics, but first a few facts.
During the 2012 presidential campaign, Barack Obama raised a little over $1 billion, while Mitt Romney raised a little under $1 billion. Congressional candidates raised over $3.5 billion. In 2013, there were 12,341 registered lobbyists and $3.2 billion was spent on lobbying. During the years the Clintons have been in national politics, they've received at least $1.4 billion in contributions, according to Time magazine and the Center for Responsive Politics, making them "The First Family of Fundraising."
Here are my questions to you: Why do people and organizations cough up billions of dollars to line political coffers? One might answer that these groups and individuals are simply extraordinarily civic-minded Americans who have a deep and abiding interest in encouraging elected officials to live up to their oath of office to uphold and defend the U.S. Constitution. Another possible answer is that the people who spend these billions of dollars on politicians just love participating in the political process. If you believe either of these explanations for coughing up billions for politicians, you're probably a candidate for psychiatric attention, a straitjacket and a padded cell.
A far better explanation for the billions going to the campaign coffers of Washington politicians and lobbyists lies in the awesome government power and control over business, property, employment and other areas of our lives. Having such power, Washington politicians are in the position to grant special privileges, extend favors, change laws and do other things that if done by a private person would land him in jail.
The major component of congressional power is the use of the IRS to take the earnings of one American to give to another.
The Dow Chemical Co. posted record lobbying expenditures last year, spending over $12 million. Joined by Alcoa, who spent $3.5 million, Dow supports the campaigns of congressmen who support natural gas export restrictions. Natural gas is a raw material for both companies. They fear natural gas prices would rise if export restrictions were lifted. Dow and other big users of natural gas make charitable contributions to environmentalists who seek to limit natural gas exploration. Natural gas export restrictions empower Russia's Vladimir Putin by making Europeans more dependent on Russian natural gas.
General Electric spends tens of millions of dollars lobbying. Part of their agenda was to help get Congress to outlaw incandescent light bulbs so that they could sell their more expensive compact fluorescent bulbs. It should come as no surprise that General Electric is a contributor to global warmers who helped convince Congress that incandescent bulbs were destroying the planet.
These are just two examples, among thousands, of the role of money in politics. Most concerns about money in politics tend to focus on relatively trivial matters such as the costs of running for office and interest-group influence on Congress and the White House. The bedrock problem is the awesome power of Congress. We Americans have asked, demanded and allowed congressmen to ignore their oaths of office and ignore the constitutional limitations imposed on them. The greater the congressional power to give handouts and grant favors and make special privileges the greater the value of being able to influence congressional decision-making. There's no better influence than money.
You say, "Williams, you've explained the problem. What's your solution?" Maybe we should think about enacting a law mandating that Congress cannot do for one American what it does not do for all Americans. For example, if Congress creates a monopoly for one American, it should create a monopoly for all Americans. Of course, a better solution is for Congress to obey our Constitution.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University.

subset: commoncrawl


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After previous week and having no luck whatsoever, I was ready to get back in the woods for our annual youth turkey season. Our state has a special season which is one day long so we can take a kid that is under the age of sixteen hunting before everyone has chased the birds all over the place. This year I went with my cousin Greg and his daughter to try and get her first turkey.
He has been getting lots of game camera pictures of birds using his food plots for a couple of months now and it was looking pretty good for her. With the three of us and a camera , we put up a blind and had everything ready to go well before it started getting light. I am glad we were in the blind because I didn't wear near enough cloths and it was pretty chilly, but luckily it was a lot warmer with all of us packed up in that blind than it was outside. Shortly after the sun started peeking over the top of the trees we heard the first bird of the morning gobble. Then, not long after he gobbled, several more started shimming in with him and I knew it was going to be a great morning. All of the turkeys we were hearing gobble were pretty close to the food plot we were set up in and I felt sure that some of them would head our direction.
The first turkeys that showed up were three jakes that didn't want anything to do with my Peep n' Tom strutting decoy, but they sure wanted to pick on the couple of Pretty Penny hen decoys. They hung around for a few minutes and as the big gobblers hit the ground and started getting closer, the jakes began easing their way back out of the field.
Three of the gobblers were at the opposite end of the food plot from where we were set up and gobbling their heads off. They were just inside the woods, and although we couldn't see them it was sure nice to have them gobbling the way they were. After a little while they stopped gobbling and I don't know where they went but I figure they must have gotten with some hens and just shut up.
Then another turkey started gobbling to our left and it wasn't long before he came into the field and started walking away from us. He acted as though he had been spooked but I didn't know what had spooked him. A couple minutes after he left the field, three hens came out and walked up to the decoys and hung out for a while. That is when we noticed a gobbler strutting just inside the woods at the other end of the field. That sucker finally came into the field and hung up about sixty yards, staying there for about thirty minutes just strutting and looking at my Peep n' Tom.
After what seemed like forever, the hens started feeding their way out of the field and I just knew he was going to follow them. Just then the wind picked up and spun my decoy around. When the tom saw that movement he broke out of strut and started walking our way. Greg started helping get Ansley's gun up and in position so she would be ready when he walked in range. When the turkey got to about twenty yards I told them I was on him and to shoot when they were ready. The shot never came and before long he was at twelve yards walking around the decoy trying to pick a fight.
Ansley was having a hard time getting on him because he kept moving. It was a beautiful sight and I was just hoping while she was trying to get a shot at the bird she was paying attention to what was going on. I was wishing it wasn't youth day and had my bow in my hand because those are the shots you dream of when trying to kill a turkey with a bow, or anything for that matter. After I don't know how long, she was finally able to get a shot at him but unfortunately missed him. The bird ran about halfway across the food plot and then looked back at the decoy like, "what was that?"
Ansley was pretty upset. We tried to explain to her that everyone misses, and if they haven't they will if they keep hunting. Then we talked about all of the cool stuff we got to see the bird do and that we would get to hunt him and hear him gobble again another day. That was the kind of bird we love to hunt and hope we run up on a coup le every year because he did everything you want a turkey to do . . . except DIE!!!


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Popcorn is high on fiber, low on calories, but also packed with energy. Compared to sugar-filled candy or chocolate bars, popcorn is still a better (if not the best) choice for snack. If prepare correctly and eat in moderation, it can be considered a healthy snack for kids.
You should consider making your own popcorn rather than buying from outside. Firstly, the corn kernels are inexpensive. Secondly, it's super easy-to-make, and not to mention the wonderful aroma that fills the air. Thirdly, it's healthier as you can control the amount of sugar, butter and Trans fat that go into your family's stomach. Needless to say, plain popcorn is the healthiest choice. But if you find it hard to accept the plain ones, then strike a balance by mixing half of the plain ones with whatever seasoned flavour of your preference.
Besides being an all-time favorite snack, popcorn can be a great science experiment for kids. Making popcorn is not only fun, it's also an interesting "cooking with kids" project for parents. For smaller kids, it's like magic to them when they watch how dried kernels explode and "transform" into popcorn. You can also let them see how the kernel pops in super slow motion from this video clip.
Although popcorn is a healthy and delicious snack, parents should take extra precautions for the health risks involved when introducing popcorn to their kids as mentioned below:
Hence, kids need to sit down while eating their popcorn under close adult supervision.
My son is always curious about popcorn whenever he read about it or sees them from the television shows. After much consideration and lots of empty promises from this health-freak mommy, he finally got to taste his first ever (homemade) popcorn. He was so excited, grinning from ear-to-ear when he held his cup of popcorn for a photo shoot! Much to my "regret" for asking him to pose some eating actions, he conveniently finished off 2 cups in seconds before I could capture the right shot. Of course, I'm no less smarter than him. I only put 20% of popcorn in the cup and filled up the rest of 80% with kitchen towel.
In the end, I decided to swap him with his favourite soft toy to shoot for this post. At least, it's more "obedient" and my popcorn is "safe" throughout the whole shooting. But, I got a "scolding" from my son because I had messed up his "pet" with the popcorn.
Craving for popcorns? Make some today and enjoy them while watching your favourite movies on the couch. (Honey! Shall we fix a date for movie this weekend? I will treat you with my special homemade popcorn.)
If you are still looking for super-easy snacks to entertain your guests during this forthcoming Lunar New Year Festival, popcorn is definitely going to be a great hit. Just be prepared to make double or triple the suggested amount for this recipe.
To find out more information about popcorn, please refer to this site.
>>>>> Click on page 2 below to get the recipe and tips on how to pop the corns and making caramel popcorn……
If you like this article, please share:me and my kiddo loves caramel popcorn!
Wonderful post!! Your son just cracked me up!! Hahaha!! He is so adorable!! Could tell he was super excited about home-made popcorn!
Hey, you know what, in the U.S., popcorn with salt and butter is THE choice. Caramelized popcorn can't even beat that! Surprised, huh!? At least, it was for me. I just told my American friends that popcorn normally means "movies/cinema" to me. And, my American friends even have popcorn for meal!! Geez …
Btw, it's easy to buy popcorn popper in the U.S. I don't know about S'pore & M'sia though because I don't miss eating popcorn. So, I won't think about getting everything for making popcorn. Perhaps, you can try looking for one!! It really makes making popcorn a breeze!! Everything is done via microwaving!!
Thank for showing us how to make popcorn 🙂 I never tried to make popcorn at home before because I always think this is too sweet. And now I know I can control the sugar level~~ will bookmark this.
oh very nice 🙂
I've never made popcorn. I might want to try them on my cny hols!
Yummy! I love caramel popcorn! Still prefer this than the butter, salty popcorn.
Popcorn is super yummy! I love your story! 🙂 And your son looks sooo cute!
How cool! It has been AGES since I last had any popcorns! Caramel popcorns look just inviting!
The only time I have popcorn is at the cinema. Maybe I should DIY and sneak some into the cinema =P
A long time favourite snack for movie lovers. 🙂
I prefer salty popcorn than sweet popcorn 😛
Popcorn is actually a healthy snack if done right.
hehe what a cute photoshoot – both your son and the bear posing with the popcorn! =)
Oh my goodness you're amazing.. Making your own popcorn? Haha I don't think I have quite that much patience! Looks terrific though =)
Ooooo…. I love popcorn but then caramel isn't it too sweet??
A good homemade snack. Lovely!
Great snack…misses those days when pop corn is a must buy before going into the cinema.
LOVE the picture with the stuffed dog and the one of your son. He is such a cutie.
i love popcorn and know that it's a lot healthier than alot of other junk food. but i think the type i like, buttery and salty is still quite calorific? So making it at home with less butter is probably alot better. Thanks for the recipe. We do love making our own homemade popcorn here 🙂
hey big boys like us also love caramel popcorns! yummy delicious!
I could eat so much of this – it looks incredible. Great photos.
I love lots of caramel in my popcorn! I like you use the teddy bear to hold the pop corn. Cute!
I saw Jamie Oliver making herbs popcorn in one of his series. Wanna give it a try?
😀 This was funny & I bet your son and his pet enjoyed the pop corns very much! I wouldn't know it is so easy to pop the corns…. will definitely try it when I am free from "sore throat"! 🙂
MY FAVOURITE! yumyum.
thanks for sharing.
will absolutely make this soon!
Sorry, I couldn't concentrate on the popcorn because your son is JUST TOO CUTE!!!! Such a handsome boy! Pink-cheeked and happy, thanks to mommy's wonderful cooking. Even his popcorn is good stuff. I'm jealous. And that teddy bear … what an adorable shot!
Whink…beautiful caramel popcorn and beautiful smiles with satisfaction!
POPcorn!!! yumm, hey i didnt know you werent supposed to give popcorn to kids under 4 my son and I love munching them while browsing around the supermarket , atleast he is sitting hehe
I love popcorn, and it's my #1 favorite snack! Your caramel popcorn sounds great, and your son looks so happy with it!
My fave! I can never say no to this goodie!!
Your son is so cute! 🙂 haha, I can imagine how u "wrestle" with your kid, just like how I "wrestle" with my girl 😀
May I know what kind of corn kernels did u use?


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...Though I couldn't claim a Mother's Day gift (Seriously, I almost asked. I could do with another little blue box showing up on the doorstep), I did earn an award.
They misspelled "Congratulations" twice. It was a group effort, as the signatures show. |
White computers are expensive computers |
I cried laughter tears while reading this (and the other stuff on the site too). |
Ron Swanson says to take care of yo' self |
Exactly |
I want them. And the cat too. As long as the cat can take care of itself. |
Fo sho |
...and that's why I don't have a dog Linking up to Sunday Funnies at All in a Row(e) All pictures are on my Pinterest page. |


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