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NOTÌCIAS / NEWS |
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| EU promotes ambitious plans to protect tunas and swordfish in the Atlantic and Mediterranean 14.11.2011 The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) is holding its 22nd Regular Meeting in Istanbul from 11 to 19 of November 2011. In this annual meeting, the European Union and other ICCAT Contracting Parties will agree on management and control measures for the sustainable protection of tuna and tuna-like species in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. These measures will be based on scientific advice released on 17 October 2011 and will include the setting of Total Allowable Catches (TACs) where recommended by the ICCAT scientific committee, e.g. for bigeye tuna, and North and South Atlantic albacore. The European Union will table ambitious proposals for the conservation of Mediterranean swordfish, and tropical tunas and sharks, in line with the recommendations of the Scientific Committee. The EU will also promote mitigation measures against incidental catches of seabirds. As regards bluefin tuna, the TAC for 2012 was set last year at 12,900 tonnes and is expected to be maintained, as no new advice has become available in the meantime. At the meeting, utmost attention will be paid to check that all Contracting Parties comply with the conservation and enforcement rules in place, in particular with regard to bluefin and tropical tuna, to ensure a level playing field between parties and to strengthen the measures' efficiency. To further improve the traceability of bluefin tuna throughout the market chain, and to enhance the ability to detect fraud and deter illegal shipments, the EU will continue to lead the development of an electronic Catch Documentation System for Bluefin Tuna (e-BCD), which would replace the existing paper-based system. At the same time, the EU will promote the adoption of Catch Document Programmes for other species managed by ICCAT. In line with Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki's recent letter to ICCAT's Chairman, the EU will propose to launch an initiative to consolidate and further improve scientific advice to facilitate sound and effective decisions by ICCAT fisheries managers. This will include incentives for Contracting Parties to submit the catch data required to assess the stocks, including sharks, under the ICCAT Convention. The EU will also continue its fight against IUU (illegal, unreported and unregulated) fishing by promoting the adoption of Port State Measures. Background ICCAT's objective is to maintain populations of tuna and tuna-like fish found in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean at sustainable levels. The EU is a full member of ICCAT and plays a leading role to achieve this objective. Fonte EU |
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Safra de atum em 2011 termina mais cedo
24.10.2011 Pela primeira vez desde a génese do POPA, a quota anual estabelecida para o atum patudo (5050 toneladas em 2011) foi alcançada. A ocorrência de peixe e o desenvolvimento das técnicas de “mancha” pelos atuneiros (onde os barcos procuram segurar os cardumes de atum debaixo de si, alternando com outros que entretanto vão efectuar descargas aos portos) deverão ter sido as principais razões para este facto ter acontecido. Embora se tenham ainda negociado mais 1000 toneladas de acréscimo à quota estabelecida no mês de Agosto, em Setembro foi novamente alcançado o limite permitido e as embarcações ficaram limitadas à captura de bonito (que não ocorreu em grande número) e voador. Neste contexto e com as capturas a não assegurarem o rendimento necessário à manutenção da actividade, as embarcações foram encerrando a safra ao longo do mês de Setembro, mantendo-se a pescar em Outubro uma única embarcação (que terminou a sua actividade na primeira quinzena do mês). Neste cenário, a equipa de 11 observadores do POPA em 2011 (8 permanentes e 3 temporários), realizou um trabalho excepcional, garantindo sempre a cobertura necessária da frota, recolhendo inúmeros dados cruciais ao conhecimento e gestão da pescaria (e espécies associadas) e contribuindo, uma vez mais, para a proximidade entre os profissionais da pesca (que mais uma vez se mostraram disponíveis e receberam os observadores do POPA condignamente) e os investigadores e decisores políticos. Um grande bem haja à equipa POPA de 2011! |
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| Low cost device for commercial fishing 22.09.2011 Commercial fishing would now be some way cheaper with the advent of low cost device that could revolutionize it. According to the scientists a new, hi-tech global tracking device could revolutionise commercial fishing industry operations. The devise has been successfully launched after a series of successful trials across the South West of England. Succorfish has worked closely with Seafish to design its newest and most advanced vessel monitoring system; the SC2. The device has been developed exclusively for the fishing industry and will allow vessels to accurately map and monitor their position using dual GPRS/GSM software to within one metre, provides closer access to marine protected areas. It will improve and increase overall inshore fishing activity. The low cost device complies with current UK fishing laws and uses real time satellite and mobile phone technology, as well as online tracking software, to monitor and record the course and position of vessels via up-to-the-minute reporting. Nick Prust, SWIFA Chairman and owner of one of the vessels that took part in the trials commented that this the device that the industry has been looking for and the system will be a real asset to fisherman regardless of their fishing methods. It will give us continued access to fishing grounds with spatial and temporal restrictions whilst allowing us to co-exist alongside newly proposed MPA’s. George Henricks, Commercial Director of Succorfish said that the device has been successfully participated in the inshore VMS trial. All of those parties have a common goal in that they want to see the long-term security of both the marine environment and the livelihoods of the fishermen. Therefore, by designing and developing a product like the SC2, we can directly support the industry and make huge strides towards achieving its goal. Scientists said that the SC2 has been developed in conjunction with Seafish and CEFAS following a 12 months pilot project to monitor the UK’s inshore fishing activity. Source: afloat.ie |
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| Sea turtle deaths decreases by 90 percent in US fisheries 19.09.2011 Accidental deaths of sea turtle has been drastically drop by 90 percent in US fisheries, confirms a report. As per a research report conducted by Duke University Project GloBAL and Conservation International, the accidental deaths of sea turtle in fishing gear in US coastal waters has declined by 90 percent since 1990. This dramatic drop was a result of measures that have been put into place over the last 20 years to reduce bycatch in many fisheries, as well as to overall declines in U.S. fishing activity. According to the study about 4,600 sea turtles die each year in US coastal waters. Before measures to reduce bycatch were put in place, total sea turtle takes surpassed 300,000 annually. Of these, 70,000 turtles were killed accidentally. The study used data collected from 1990 to 2007 by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to determine bycatch rates across more than 20 fisheries operating in Atlantic waters from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian border, and in the Pacific Ocean, along the West coast and around Hawaii. Scientists said that during the study period shrimp trawls in the Gulf of Mexico and southeastern U.S. accounted for up to 98 percent of all by-catch takes and deaths. All six marine turtle species that occur in U.S. waters are categorized as threatened or endangered on the U.S. Endangered Species List. They are loggerheads, leatherbacks, hawksbills, olive ridleys, Kemp's ridleys and green sea turtles. Elena Finkbeiner, a PhD student at Duke and lead author of the paper, said that the reduction of bycatch and mortality shows important progress by NMFS, which serves as a model for reducing sea turtle bycatch in other parts of the world. She said that the research shows there are effective ways available for policymakers and fishing industries to reduce sea turtle bycatch, as long as they are implemented properly and consistently. She also told that the study provides a baseline to examine what is working and what can be improved in preventing sea turtle bycatch. This will increase observer coverage and bycatch reporting. Source: sciencedaily.com |
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European Union and United States agree to strengthen cooperation to combat illegal fishing
The EU and the United States have already put in place a number of legal measures to combat IUU fishing, such as the EU's IUU Regulation and the U.S. High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act. Both participate actively in international fishery management organizations and promote international instruments to address IUU fishing.Today’s agreement commits the EU and the U.S. to work together to adopt the most effective tools to combat illegal fishing. It commits them to continue to strengthen monitoring and enforcement of management measures in their role as parties to regional fishery management organizations and to various international treaties, and commits them to using tools that prevent IUU operators from benefiting economically from their illegal activities.The new agreement includes a system to exchange information on IUU activities; promotes management measures at regional fishery management organizations that strengthen the control, monitoring and enforcement of vessels operation within certain areas; encourages other countries to ratify and implement the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s Committee on Fisheries’ Port State Measures Agreement; and promotes the sustainable use of fisheries resources while preserving marine biodiversity. The EU is in the process of reforming its Common Fisheries policy designed to rebuild its fisheries, and the U.S. is turning a corner in ending overfishing and rebuilding stocks. Beyond domestic boundaries, there is increasing need for international cooperation, especially among major fishing and seafood-importing nations, to improve global fisheries management of shared marine resources and to preserve the associated employment and other economic benefits of sustainable fisheries.The document signed today by the European Union and the United States is an important step toward achieving these goals. Source: EU |
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| US seeks ban on tuna trade 17.08.2011 The Centre for Biological Diversity has urged the US to seek ban on the bluefin tuna trade in order to boost its population. According to the information the ban would slow illegal fishing and improve compliance the catch limits of Atlantic bluefin tuna. The Centre for Biological Diversity has requested that the US seek protection for the tuna under an international treaty that would ban cross-border trade of this imperiled fish. Bluefin tuna has been listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which would allow countries to shut down the black market that has fueled much of the tuna’s dramatic decline. Catherine Kilduff, a Center staff attorney Kilduff said that it is very true that illegal fishing is a scourge on bluefin tuna which undermines any attempt to recover healthy population levels. Any hope of pulling bluefin tuna back from the brink of extinction depends on unprecedented global cooperation to reduce overfishing. Compliance with catch levels is critical to preventing the extinction of Atlantic bluefin tuna in part because, in June, the National Marine Fisheries Service denied Endangered Species Act protection to the enormous, warm-blooded fish in response to a Center for Biological Diversity petition. Kilduff said that they simply have to have trade restrictions to curb the widespread exploitation that threatens the future of this magnificent species. The next CITES meeting will occur in 2013. At the most recent meeting, in March 2010, a proposal to list Atlantic bluefin tuna was overwhelming voted down despite US support. Source: VASEP |
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| EU fishing policies under scanner 19.07.2011 EU fishing rules are irregular and broken so the Westminster government is calling for serious reform. The fishing rules that government EU fishing industry is fundamentally broken and this is presented ahead of new European Commission proposals. The commission is publishing its plans for reforming the Common Fisheries Policy this week, with protracted negotiations over the proposals expected in the next two years. Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon wanted to give EU more control over fisheries to reflect regional differences across Europe and an end to "micro-managing" by Brussels. He assure to end discards and want to use up there quota on higher-value stock, or they are species that have no commercial value. To make the dicsrds ban effective there is a need of practical measures, feels Benyon. He said that the UK has a number of such schemes, including giving fishermen higher quotas in return for not discarding any fish, minimum landing sizes to ensure bigger mesh nets are used to stop small, immature fish being caught and efforts to encourage consumers to eat new species. Source: scotsman.com |
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| New shark-repellent hooks has reduced accidental catches of sharks form commercial fishing, says a report. 20.06.2011 According to a report scientists have developed a new type of fishing hook that aims to reduce the amount sharks accidentally caught from commercial fishing. Scientists confirmed that the new hook, The SMART Hook (Selective Magnetic and Repellent-Treated Hook), is a combination of two shark repellent technologies -- magnetism and shark-repellent metal -- into standard fishing hooks capable of interfering with the highly sensitive electrical sense found in a shark's nose. The main purpose behind such a hook is that sharks will avoid these hooks, leaving them baited for market-valuable fish, such as tuna, that do not have an electrical sense and won't be repelled by the hook. Shark Defense researcher Patrick Rice has asuccessfully tested the SMART Hooks with the support of a National Science Foundation (NSF) and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant. The test happened by conducting feeding trials with bonnethead sharks. The sharks were simultaneously given bait attached to regular hooks and Smart Hooks, both with their barbs removed to ensure the sharks were not injured. Researchers found a 66 percent reduction of baits eaten from small, recreational-sized hooks and a 94 percent reduction of baits eaten from larger, commercial-sized hooks, following a total of 50 tests with two different groups of sharks. Craig O'Connell, a researcher, said in a Shark Defense press release, that combining a magnetic repellent with a galvanic repellent is very important, because many studies have shown that sharks behave differently to magnets or metals alone. He added that there are many species of shark, and they seek out their prey differently. Source: newdesignworld.com |
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Atum capturado nos Açores e processado em São Jorge entre os mais sustentáveis do mundo, de acordo com a Greenpeace 30.05.2011 Em Julho de 2010 a Greenpeace Austrália publicou mais uma edição do “Canned Tuna Guide”, onde o consumidor pode encontrar informação acerca das marcas de conservas de atum disponíveis no mercado australiano, nomeadamente, quais as marcas aconselhadas pela sua sustentabilidade e aquelas cujas espécies de atum utilizadas estão sobreexploradas ou utilizam artes de pesca destrutivas. Das 12 marcas avaliadas apenas uma obteve uma pontuação acima dos 70%, valor a partir do qual se considera que o nível de sustentabilidade é Bom. Com uma pontuação de 86% a marca inglesa Fish-4-Ever (www.fish-4-ever.com) ocupa o primeiro lugar desta lista, seguida da marca Aldi, com uma pontuação de apenas 57%. Entre a gama de produtos comercializados pela Fish-4-Ever encontra-se o “Bonito dos Açores ao Natural”, capturado nos Açores, com arte de salto-e-vara, e processado na Fábrica de Santa Catarina, na Calheta, em São Jorge. A marca Fish-4-Ever, no que respeita à origem do pescado que comercializa, tem uma das mais exigentes políticas de sustentabilidade do mundo e é a única marca de conservas do Reino Unido com uma abordagem às grandes questões ambientais que hoje em dia se levantam. A conserveira Santa Catarina é parceira do Programa de Observação para as Pescas dos Açores (POPA), gerido pelo Centro do Imar da Universidade dos Açores, desde 1998. Nos últimos anos tem desenvolvido uma relação cada vez mais estreita com o Programa, ostentando nos seus produtos as certificações de sustentabilidade que o mesmo garante todos os anos para a frota atuneira da região – “Dolphin Safe” e “Friend of the Sea”. |
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| Proposal to privatise EU oceans 23.05.2011 EU Fisheries is closely studying the proposal to reform the discarding rules that would privatise oceans. In order to end discarding in EU waters the Fisheries of European Union is considering reformation of EU's fishing industry by giving vessels quota shares guaranteed for periods of at least 15 years. The commission will issue a proposal on reforming the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in July, to take effect in 2013. Reports in media discussed that some environmentalists describe as "virtual privatisation of the oceans". Final decisions on fishing quotas will stay with politicians, not scientists. One of the central planks of the proposed reforms is to eliminate discards, by switching to quota systems based on how many fish are landed in port rather than how many are caught. But according to Markus Knigge of the Pew Environment Group, fish stocks are a public resource, and this is the virtual privatisation of the oceans. Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, suggested some of the ideals were too lofty. He added the scientists are telling everybody that MSY for all stocks at all times is an impossibility, and certainly by 2015. He is also concerned that centrally determined rules will be imposed across EU waters without taking account of local needs and practices. Boris Worm, a noted fisheries scientist from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada, said stronger systems did exist elsewhere that the EU could adopt. EU Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki has previously said she was impressed by the scale of public opposition to discards across the EU, with more than half a million people signing a petition publicised by UK "celebrity chef" Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. She said that the draft proposal envisages phasing in a complete discard ban, obliging vessels to "record and land" all catches. The commission's draft is currently being discussed by EU member states and European parliamentarians, and to a certain extent by stakeholders including fishermen and conservation groups. Source: VASEP |
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| Número recorde de candidaturas ao POPA em 2011! 14.04.2011 Em 2011 candidataram-se ao cargo de observador de pescas 192 pessoas! Número que nunca tinha sido registado na história do Programa. A entrada do POPA no ano de 2010 nas redes sociais e vários sítios de divulgação de trabalhos na área da biologia podem ser responsáveis por este significativo incremento no número de candidatos. Foram seleccionados 48 para entrevista com o coordenador do programa em Lisboa, Horta e via Internet. Neste momento, a equipa já está estruturada integrando 8 elementos que acompanharão a pesca de atum nos próximos 6 meses. Antes do embarque, os observadores vão participar numa formação intensiva que decorrerá no Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, Faial, e será ministrada por vários investigadores da casa. Os novos observadores chegam dia 23 de Abril, iniciam a formação a 24 e estarão prontos a embarcar a partir do dia 4 de Maio. Bem vindos aos Açores e ao POPA! |
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| Fisheries: Questions and answers on the new EU fisheries control rules 14.04.2011 The credibility of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) depends on an effective enforcement and application of the agreed rules. With the adoption of detailed rules to apply the EU Fisheries Control Regulation, the reform of the EU’s control and enforcement policy is now complete. > leia mais... |
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| Fisheries: The EU "zero tolerance" campaign against illegal fishing gets tougher 14.04.2011 Getting away with fishing illegally will become much more difficult for fishermen, as the EU's new system for fisheries control is now fully operational. With the adoption of detailed rules on how to carry out controls throughout the market chain "from net to plate", the EU now has the means to break with the past and establish a real culture of compliance to stop overfishing and help make EU fisheries truly sustainable. The new system ensures traceability throughout the whole chain from the time when the fish is caught until it reaches the consumer. > leia mais... |
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| Fish discard scheme underway 16.02.2011 The Fisheries Secretary has announced an expansion to Scotland's innovative 'catch quota' trials, where fishermen can land more fish while catching less. Where as under traditional quotas vessels have a set limit on the fish they can land and are forced to throw excess fish back in the sea dead, Scotland's catch quota scheme allows for all fish caught to be landed. Following successful trials in 2010 involving 17 Scottish vessels, an expanded 26 vessel scheme gets underway this month. As well including boats from the whitefish fleet heartland in the North East of Scotland, skippers from across the country are taking part, including the West Coast, Orkney and Shetland. Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "The scourge of fish discards is a practice enforced on our fishermen by Europe's despised Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). However, even while working under this broken framework, we are determined to find innovative measures to reduce discards and support more sustainable fishing practices by the Scottish fleet. "We want to see our fishermen land all they catch and command a price for each fish - in return for taking less out of the sea in the first place. While catch quotas alone do not provide all the answers, it offers an important first step and provides the basis for more sustainable solutions in the future. "Around half the whitefish fleet - 58 skippers - applied for the catch quota scheme this year, demonstrating the support within the industry. However it's frustrating that we are only being given the capacity to include 26 vessels, largely due to opposition and uncertainty from other countries who share Europe's waters with Scotland. "This year, for some vessels, we also plan to test catch quotas beyond cod and extend to haddock and whiting. This will help us understand how the approach works in complex mixed fisheries, where quotas for different species can vary vastly. "2011 is a critical year as we look to influence negotiations on the future of the CFP. The success of the catch quota trials can only strengthen our position, as Scotland demonstrates it can lead the way within the EU towards sustainable and discard-free fisheries." Under catch quotas vessels can land, rather than be forced to discard, an extra amount equal to 12 per cent of the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for cod. To ensure there are no discards, the fishing practices of participating vessels is fully documented through on-board cameras. The Scottish Government has provided 400,000 pounds for the purchase and installation of the new monitoring equipment. In 2009, Scottish vessels were forced by the Common Fisheries Policy to discard almost 28,000 tonnes of fish, around a quarter of the whitefish catch, valued at 33 million pounds. Source: scotland.gov.uk |
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| Discarding fish a big problem for industry 17.01.2011 A TV show has spotlighted a big problem of the UK fishing industry such a discards of fish. It is fact that the UK fishing industry has been open, transparent and future-focused – despite facing challenges such as discards. According to Seafish, the authority on seafood the fishing industry, which has been in the spotlight this week on Channel 4, has been dealing with the issue of discarding fish for some years. Chief Executive of Seafish, Dr Paul Williams, commented that discarding represents a terrible waste of our precious natural resources and the public have now seen how devastated fishermen are when they have to throw dead fish back into the sea. The problem of discarding is there but the focus on solutions is yet to be shown. Seafish, the fishermen, the scientists and Government have been working on ways to mitigate these problems for many years – some of which offer real hope for the future, alongside possible changes to the Common Fisheries Policy. According to Seafish main part of mitigating discards is putting more resources into measurement. “We have to know how many fish are discarded – not knowing that undermines our best efforts at managing fish stocks sustainably. Source: seafish.org |
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Datasets do POPA no OBIS-SEAMAP 17.01.2011 O OBIS-SEAMAP é um sistema de informação biogeográfico que permite análises ecológicas espaciais de populações de megainvertebrados (mamíferos marinhos, aves e tartarugas marinhas). Esta imensa base de dados online permite visualizar (através de mapas georeferenciados) a distribuição de muitas espécies a nível mundial, com base nos dados que são recolhidos e partilhados pelas mais diversas instituições/investigadores. Associada a esta informação, podem-se encontrar outras referencias no que diz respeito a ecologia, biologia, distribuição das espécies...O Programa de Observação para as Pescas dos Açores foi convidado pela OBIS a partilhar a informação que tem vindo a recolher desde 1998 relativamente aos animais já mencionados, convite que aceitámos com agrado. Assim sendo e a partir de agora, os dados do POPA estão integrados neste projecto e podem ser consultados por qualquer utilizador que tenha interesse na matéria. O POPA continua assim a cumprir um dos seus objectivos que é o de possibilitar e facilitar o acesso à informação que produz. |
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| Observadores do POPA - Entrega de candidaturas até 21 de MARÇO! 12.01.2011 Desde 1 de Janeiro de 2011 que o POPA (Programa de Observação para as Pescas dos Açores) se encontra a receber propostas de candidatura para observador de pescas. No novo ano, a equipa POPA começa a preparar-se atempadamente para a cobertura da pescaria de atum nos Açores, que irá decorrer, à semelhança de outros anos, entre finais de Abril e Outubro. Os observadores, equipados e formados pelo Programa, irão recolher informação diária sobre as capturas mas também sobre as espécies de cetáceos, teleósteos, aves e tartarugas marinhas associadas a esta actividade. Damos preferência aos candidatos que têm formação em biologia, experiência de embarque e disponibilidade total para realizar o trabalho (6 meses). Porém, o único requisito que apresentamos, é a maior idade do candidato (18 anos), alargando-se desta maneira o grupo de pessoas que pode concorrer ao Programa. Mais uma vez, contamos formar uma equipa sólida, que durante os 6 meses de trabalho, contribua para o alargamento da extensa base de dados do POPA que cada vez mais é requisitada por diversas entidades ligadas ao sector das pescas e da investigação. Todos os interessados devem fazer o download do formulário de inscrição no nosso site, preenchê-lo devidamente e enviá-lo por mail para miguel@uac.pt Embarcam nesta aventura? |
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