The Japanese pond smelt (Hypomesus nipponensis) stock has been observed to fluctuate quite rigorously over the years with sustained periods of low catch in Lake Kasumigaura and Kitaura of the Ibaraki prefecture, Japan which would adversely affect the socioeconomic livelihood of the local fishermen and fisheries industry. This study was aimed at determining the factors affecting the stock fluctuation of the pond smelt through the different years in the two lakes. Through exploratory analysis it was found that the pond smelt had significant relationship with total phosphorus (TP) level in both lakes. The global mean land and ocean temperature index (LOTI) was also found to be indirectly related to the pond smelt stock in lake Kasumigaura and Kitaura at the latitude band of 24˚N to 90˚N (l). Both TP and LOTI had inverse relationship with pond smelt trajectory in both lakes. For both Lake Kasumigaura and Kitaura, TP for the individual lakes and LOTI (l) were used as independent variables using generalized linear model and response surface methods for modeling the stock dynamics of the pond smelt in the two lakes. Model selection was based on significant parameter estimates (p < 0.05), Akaikes Information Criterion and R 2 values. Phosphorus loading is an indication of increasing anthropogenic activities in the surrounding area having negative impact on the pond smelt population. When management decisions are being made regarding pond smelt fishery and sustainability plans in the Ibaraki prefecture, the effects of TP and LOTI should be taken into account. Future research needs to be directed towards deeper understanding the mechanisms by which TP and LOTI affect pond smelt population in Lake Kasumigaura and Kitaura for more effective management. * Corresponding author. A. A. Singh et al.211

We estimated the population size of the pond smelt Hypomesus nipponensis at the beginning of the fishing season in Lake Kasumigaura and Lake Kitaura, Japan using two DeLury methods and cohort analysis. A growth curve was estimated on the basis of monthly standard length. The relationship between standard length and weight was utilized for calculating the mean weight on the survey day in a particular month. Total monthly catches in Lake Kasumigaura and Lake Kitaura were calculated using partial monthly pond smelt catch obtained from processing plants located near the lakes between July and December. The total monthly catch was calculated from the total monthly catch weight and the monthly mean weight. The number of boats operating each month, compiled by the Kasumigaura-Kitaura Fisheries Office of Ibaraki Prefecture, was also employed. The estimated initial population sizes were compared with the population level index (PLI) estimated from survey data before the start of the fishing season. No significant differences were detected among the initial population sizes estimated by DeLury method, cohort analysis and PLI. The estimates ranged from 7.4 million to 410 million in Lake Kasumigaura, and from 7.7 million to 44 million in Lake Kitaura.

We first report on preparation and ionic conductivity of a Mg2+-included metal–organic framework (MOF) having Type A feature, i.e., anionic framework including Mg2+ as counter cations. We prepared Mg3[(MnMo6O18)2L] (L12–...