jenynsi–grass shrimp from Argentina (Sagrario et al., 2002) and BMFs between predators (whiting) and their prey (sole) from Southern North Sea (Weijs et al., 2009). Significant correlations were observed between BDE concentration (ng g−1 lipid wt) and lipid content (%) and weight (g) in dolphins (Spearman’s coefficient = −0.857, p < 0.01, n = 10 between BDE 85 and length and Spearman’s coefficient = 0.721, p < 0.05, n = 10 between BDE 85 and lipid content), in croaker (Pearson’s coefficient = 0.957,

p < 0.01, n = 9 between weight and length and Kendall’s coefficient = −0.571 and −0.618, p < 0.05, n = 9 between length/weight and lipid content) and in scabbardfish from Paraiba do Sul River ( Fig. 4 and Fig. 5), confirming the lipophilic properties of these compounds. Concentrations of BDE 85 in PARP activity croaker liver had a negative correlation with the concentration in muscles (Spearman’s coefficient = −0.782, p < 0.05, n = 9), but a positive relationship with the BDE 47 concentration in liver (Pearson’s coefficient = 0.865, p < 0.01, n = 9). Statistical analysis for PCBs revealed relationships between PCBs congeners in liver, muscles and kidney from dolphins, croaker and scabbardfish

and some PCBs showed correlation with the total length; however no correlations were found between PCB concentrations and lipid content. We thank Dr. Helena Trametinib nmr do Amaral Kehring and Dr. Tércia Guedes for dolphin samples. Rachel Ann Hauser Davis is acknowledged for technical support during fish dissections and English revisions. This study was financially supported by CNPq, FAPERJ and in collaboration with the Institute of Oceanography

of São Paulo University (USP). “
“Recent marine legislation worldwide (e.g. Oceans Act in USA, Australia or Canada; Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) in Europe, and National Protirelin Water Act in South Africa) has been developed in order to protect and restore ecological quality or integrity within estuarine, coastal and offshore systems (Borja et al., 2008 and Borja et al., 2010). Now, with the world economy facing a deep crisis, perhaps this marine environmental legislation can be a source of technological development and job opportunity in different marine sectors. Hence, the European Maritime Policy recognises that the maritime industries and services encompass a wide range of sectoral economic activities, from shipbuilding to shipping and ports, to fisheries and aquaculture, to recreational activities and tourism, to offshore energy exploration and extraction, and to a large number of related technical and economic services. Our responsibility, as marine scientists, is to provide information to these sectors on which different issues within this legislation worldwide need technological development supported with job opportunities.