Effect of shelter acclimation on the post-release survival of hatchery-reared black-spot tuskfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Choerodon schoenleinii</Emphasis>: laboratory experiments using the reef-resident predator white-streaked grouper <Emphasis Type="Italic">Epinephelus ongus</Emphasis>

A critical component of many releasing projects is the identification and subsequent implementation of optimal release strategies that can decrease post-release predation mortalities. We performed laboratory experiments to investigate whether acclimation to shelters affects the post-release survival of hatchery-reared black-spot tuskfish Choerodon schoenleinii in the presence of a reef-resident predator, the white-streaked grouper Epinephelus ongus. Tuskfish were exposed to groupers under three different experimental conditions/treatments: (1) acclimation of fish to shelters prior to their exposure to groupers; (2) no acclimation of fish to shelters, but with shelters available during their exposure to groupers; (3) fish not acclimated to shelters and no shelters available during their exposure to groupers. Tuskfish that were acclimated to shelters utilized shelters more frequently than did non-acclimated fish, and the survival rate of acclimated fish was higher than those of fish in the other treatments. These results suggest that pre-release acclimation to shelters improves the post-release survival of hatchery-reared black-spot tuskfish.     

Post-release movement and diel activity patterns of hatchery-reared and wild black-spot tuskfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Choerodon schoenleinii</Emphasis> determined by ultrasonic telemetry

ABSTRACT:   Post-release movement and diel activity patterns of hatchery-reared and wild black-spot tuskfish were examined using ultrasonic telemetry. Five hatchery-reared and four wild fish were released in the sandy bottom of Urasoko Bay, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan, and monitored using automated monitoring receivers from November 2005 to February 2006. Both hatchery-reared and wild fish tended to stay near the release site for over two weeks, before leaving the release site. Both hatchery-reared and wild tuskfish showed diurnal rhythm intermittently; signals were recorded more frequently in the daytime and less frequently in the nighttime, suggesting that the fish of both origins were active during the day and inactive during the night. These findings indicate that the one-year-old hatchery-reared tuskfish have some consistent behavioral characteristics with those of the wild.     

Movements of immature hatchery-reared Mekong giant catfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pangasianodon gigas</Emphasis> released in the Mekong River,measured using acoustic telemetry

Twenty-eight immature hatchery-reared Mekong giant catfish Pangasianodon gigas tagged with acoustic transmitters were released in the Mekong River, Thailand from 2002 to 2004. Twenty-four and four fish were tagged with normal transmitters and pressure-sensitive transmitters, respectively. Five to seven automated monitoring receivers were used for monitoring the post-release movements. The tagged catfish could be detected for up to 97 days, the first detection taking place at the release point, where the fish remained for several days. Sixteen tagged fish (57%) were not detected at any later point. These fish may have passed along the opposite (Laos) side of the river without notice because the width of the river was larger than the detection range of the transmitter. The remaining 12 tagged fish (43%) could be detected by the receivers installed, excluding the release point receiver. Of these 12 tagged fish, six showed long-distance (30–80 km) upstream movements and one long-distance (50 km) downstream movement. These seven fish (25%) were detected only during the daytime, suggesting that the Mekong giant catfish is diurnal.     

Relative impacts of native and non‐native crayfish on shelter use by an indigenous benthic fish

• 1. The North American signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus has been widely introduced throughout Europe where it is expanding its range and in many areas replacing the native white‐clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes. There is concern with regards to the impact of this species replacement on benthic fish. Interspecific behavioural interactions and competition for shelter between the benthic fish, bullhead Cottus gobio and A. pallipes and P. leniusculus were measured to assess the comparative impact of native and non‐native crayfish.
• 2. Both white‐clawed crayfish and signal crayfish were dominant over bullhead. Bullheads moved away from approaches of crayfish, left shelters on entry of crayfish and rarely entered an occupied shelter. Signal crayfish made significantly more aggressive approaches towards bullheads than white‐clawed crayfish.
• 3. Alone, bullheads spent most of their time by day under shelter (median 96%), reflecting a highly entrained behavioural response, which was relaxed by night (median 60%). Both crayfish species reduced shelter use by bullheads although the extent of shelter sharing by bullheads was higher in trials with white‐clawed crayfish than with signal crayfish.
• 4. Sampling in the River Wharfe, northern England, where signal and white‐clawed crayfish and bullhead currently exist, demonstrated a negative relationship between the densities of signal crayfish and bullhead, with high bullhead abundance where crayfish were absent or where white‐clawed crayfish were present at low density.
• 5. Assuming that shelter is sometimes limited under natural conditions, crayfish are likely to displace bullheads from shelters, which may increase predation risk for bullheads. Although the effects of signal crayfish on bullhead shelter use were more intense, the pattern was highly evident for the native white‐clawed crayfish. The higher fecundity and densities attained by signal crayfish may be more significant than differences in the behaviour of the two crayfish species in determining the impact of crayfish on bullheads.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Post-release mortality of bonefish, Albula vulpes, exposed to different handling practices during catch-and-release angling in Eleuthera, The Bahamas

Abstract  Bonefish, Albula spp., are popular sportfish that inhabit shallow nearshore environments in tropical and subtropical seas. Although catch and release is a common voluntary practice for anglers seeking bonefish, the post-release fate of bonefish is poorly understood. Gastrically implanted acoustic transmitters were used to assess the short-term (<48 h) and long-term (>48 h) post-release mortality of bonefish, Albula vulpes (Linnaeus), in Eleuthera, The Bahamas, subjected to gentle handling (quick retrieval, 0–15 s of air exposure and brief handling time) or rough handling (longer retrieval, 30–60 s of air exposure and extended handling time). Of the 12 fish captured and released, one was preyed upon by two lemon sharks, Negaprion brevirostris (Poey), within the first hour post-release, and this fish was handled roughly. The transmitter from another bonefish was found on the substratum 2 days post-release near the site at which the fish was originally caught. Of the remaining 10 fish, all were tracked and alive for at least 13 days and up to 24 days, suggesting that the negative impacts of catch-and-release angling that lead to mortality for bonefish likely occur within minutes post-release.     

Seawater acclimation of tilapia, Oreochromis spilurus spilurus Günter, fry and fingerlings

The effect of size and acclimation period to full-strength sea water was investigated using the mortality, growth, chloride cell proliferation and plasma Na concentration in four size groups (0.03-1.6 g mean initial weight) of mixed-parentage, sex-reversed, all-male fry and fingerlings of Oreochromis spilurus spilurus Günter obtained from University of Stirling. The fish were transferred from fresh water to sea water (36.6%₀) through a continuous salinity increase during a 48, 72 or 120 h acclimation period. Survival was high in all groups, although the smallest fish (0.03 g) showed significantly higher mortality than the larger fish. The acclimation regime had no effect on growth rate, but 120 h acclimation gave highest final weight in the newly released group. Regardless of acclimation period, size and plasma Na concentration during the acclimation period, the plasma Na level stabilized within 12 h after full salinity in the two largest size groups. Ovoid voluminous chloride cells proliferated in all groups during the acclimation period, and numbers stabilized with stable salinity. It is concluded in this study that O. spilurus spilurus can successfully be acclimated to sea water with a gradual continuous acclimation period of 48 h, even as newly released fry (0.03 g). However, an acclimation period of 120 h gave the highest final weight for this size group.     

The influence of instream cover and predation risk on microhabitat selection of stone loach Barbatula barbatula (L.)

Abstract— The microhabitat selection of stone loach ( Barbatula barbatula ) in relation to instream cover and predation risk was investigated in artificial streams. In one experiment, stone loach were presented different combinations of shelter structures, two at a time, that provided visual isolation, flow refuge, both, or none. In all cases, visual isolation shelters were selected by the fish, with little use of clear shelters and no apparent selection of flow refuges. In a second experiment, diel activity patterns and habitat selection of stone loach were measured when visual isolation structures were placed in the riffle only, pool only, both riffle and pool or in no habitat. Stone loach were marked with passive integrated transponder tags and a sensor plate was placed between the riffle and pool habitats to measure diel activity patterns. Habitat use was measured by releasing drop gates between the two habitats at the end of each trial. More stone loach used the pool than the riffle in all treatments, but use of the riffle increased when cover was present only there. Furthermore, stone loach were most active between 2100 and 0300. To determine the effect of predation threat on habitat use by stone loach, one adult brown trout ( Salmo trutta ) was added to each pool. The presence of trout caused stone loach to move into the riffle, especially the smaller loach. Overall, the study showed that stone loach used cover in a visual isolation context, preferring deeper water when there was no predation risk, but made more use of shallower water in the presence of brown trout.     

The understudied and underappreciated role of predation in the mortality of fish released from fishing gears

The assumption that animals released from fishing gears survive has frequently been scrutinized by researchers in recent years. Mortality estimates from these research efforts can be incorporated into management models to ensure the sustainability of fisheries and the conservation of threatened species. Post‐release mortality estimates are typically made by holding the catch in a tank, pen or cage for short‐term monitoring (e.g. 48 h). These estimates may be inaccurate in some cases because they fail to integrate the challenges of the wild environment. Most obvious among these challenges is predator evasion. Stress and injury from a capture experience can temporarily impair physiological capacity and alter behaviour in released animals, a period during which predation risk is likely elevated. In large‐scale commercial fisheries, predators have adapted their behaviour to capitalize on impaired fishes being discarded, while in recreational catch‐and‐release fisheries, exercise and air exposure can similarly impede the capacity for released fish to evade opportunistic predators. Owing to the indirect and often cryptic nature of this source of mortality, very few studies have attempted to document it. A survey of the literature demonstrated that <2% of the papers in the combined realms of bycatch and catch‐and‐release have directly addressed or considered post‐release predation. Future research should combine field telemetry and laboratory studies using both natural and simulated predation encounters and incorporate physiological and behavioural endpoints. Quite simply, predation is an understudied and underappreciated contributor to the mortality of animals released from fishing gears.     

Shelter colour preference of the postlarvae of the giant freshwater prawn <Emphasis Type="Italic">Macrobrachium rosenbergii</Emphasis>

The addition of artificial shelters of various materials has been used in Macrobrachium rosenbergii tanks and ponds as a means of increasing productivity. The present study investigated the shelter colour preference of M. rosenbergii postlarvae (age 15–18 days after metamorphosis) in the laboratory. Shelter occupancy tests were performed on four groups of 200 postlarvae in four 57-l aquaria, into which were placed shelters made of rigid coloured netting sewn into four-layered cubes open on two sides. The shelters were presented in six colour pairs: black vs dark green, black vs light green, black vs blue, dark green vs light green, dark green vs blue, and light green vs blue. Colour preference was tested six times for each colour pair. The data obtained were analyzed using Thurstone’s law of comparative judgment. The mean z-score was significantly highest (i.e., highest preference) for the black shelter. Vision was involved in the detection of and approach to the shelter. When released in aquaria, intact-eyed individual postlarvae directly approached the shelter straight away, whereas blind postlarvae (paint over the eyes) swam around randomly and occupied the shelter only after accidental contact much later. Postlarvae in open water out of the shelter exhibited frequent aggressive contact, while those in the shelter were quiescent. The use of black shelters in rearing tanks is thus recommended for reducing stress and aggression among M. rosenbergii postlarvae in the hatchery.     

Pre-stocking acclimatisation of brown trout Salmo trutta: effects on growth and capture in a fast-flowing river

Abstract  A field experiment was carried out over two consecutive years in a fast-flowing river to evaluate the effects of a 5-day acclimation period on the subsequent growth and capture of stocked juvenile brown trout, Salmo trutta L. Post-stocking growth of both acclimated and non-acclimated fish remained very poor for at least 44 to 50 days. After this slow start, all fish grew significantly but acclimated trout performed 40.1% better than non-acclimated individuals. However, the better growth did not lead to higher capture rates. Capture success post-stocking was low, regardless of acclimation. Flooding, combined with low fitness of the stocked fish in the first weeks was considered the main reason for the unsatisfactory stocking success. It was concluded that in-stream acclimation aids rapid adaptation of stocked trout and thus imparts some growth advantages, although this does not necessarily result in higher yields.     

Quantitative estimation of the predation of marine ranched striped jack <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudocaranx dentex</Emphasis> by herons

The Goto station of the Japan Sea-Farming Association conducted marine ranching experiments with striped jack Pseudocaranx dentex from 1988 to 1999 in the Goto Islands, Nagasaki, Japan. Marine ranching is a stocking method where released fish are fed for some period after release in order to decrease initial mortality from starvation. Ranched fish were fed for 0, 90, and 15 days after stocking in 1997, 1998, and 1999, respectively. During the experiment, herons (grey heron Ardea cinerea, black-crowned night heron Nycticorax nycticorax, and great egret Egretta alba) were often observed preying on released fish in the ranching area. The present study estimated the number of fish preyed upon by herons during observation periods in 1997, 1998, and 1999 from the number of herons that flew into the ranching area and the predation rate on ranched fish by herons. The former was counted during sightings. The latter was estimated from the sighting observations and heron regurgitations. The number of herons that flew into the ranching area increased with the feeding period. The numbers of fish lost to predation by herons in 1997, 1998, and 1999 were estimated to be 0, 5,741, and 829, respectively.     

Influence of acclimation temperature on the induction of heat-shock protein 70 in the catfish Horabagrus brachysoma (Günther)

Every organism responds to heat stress by synthesizing a group of evolutionarily conserved proteins called the heat-shock proteins (HSPs) that, by acting as molecular chaperones, protect the cell against the aggregation of denatured proteins and play a significant role in adaptation to temperature. The present study aimed to investigate the critical thermal maxima (CTMax) and the expression of HSP70 in different tissues (gill, brain, muscle and liver) of an endemic catfish Horabagrus brachysoma acclimated at either 20 or 30°C for 30?days. To understand the HSP70 response, fish acclimated to the two temperatures were exposed to preset temperatures (26, 30, 34, 36 and 38°C for 20°C acclimated fish and 32, 34, 36, 38 and 40°C for 30°C acclimated fish) for 2?h, followed by 1?h recovery at their respective acclimation temperatures. The HSP70 levels in the gill, brain, muscle and liver tissues were determined by Western blotting of one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A significant (P?相似文献   

The influence of hook size, type, and location on hook retention and survival of angled bonefish (Albula vulpes)

Bonefish (Albula spp.) support a circum-tropical sport fishery in which anglers predominantly release angled fish. The influence of hook location, size, and type on hook retention, post-release feeding ability and survival were evaluated. Overall, 46% of bonefish held in large holding tanks expelled hooks within a 14-day observation period. Hooks located in the lip were expelled 2.6 times more frequently than hooks located in the gut. Barbless hooks were expelled 3.9 times faster when located deep in the oral cavity compared to barbed hooks, but there was no difference in expulsion rates among barbed and barbless hooks in shallow-hooked fish. For the two hook sizes studied, hook size had no impact on hook expulsion rates or duration of hook retention regardless of hook location or type. The presence of a hook had no significant effect on weight change, indicating the presence of a hook did not impede feeding ability. No post-release mortality was observed for bonefish during the short duration of this study. Leaving a difficult to remove hook in a bonefish is recommended to increase the likelihood of post-release survival, especially in cases where the threat of bonefish predators is high.     

Red drum,Sciaenops ocellatus L., stock enhancement in Biscayne Bay,FL, USA: assessment of releasing unmarked early juveniles

The State of Florida’s practice of releasing unmarked early juvenile red drum Sciaenops ocellatus L. to create a recreational fishery in Biscayne Bay, FL, USA, was assessed. Cohorts were reared in ponds to an early juvenile size of ≈ 50 mm total length. Fish were then harvested and transported immediately to release locations within 24 h. Substantial mortality often resulted after harvesting and immediate transport of early juveniles. Weak correlations between post-transport mortality, transport conditions and fish characteristics (i.e. age, size and condition) suggested that stressors operating before or during pond harvest were predetermining toleration of transport. Seine sampling 1–6 days after cohorts were released indicated that fish ‘disappeared’ from release sites faster than the rates of mortality observed for their siblings monitored in food-rich, predator-free tanks. Visual and immunological analyses of gut contents suggested that juvenile great barracuda Sphyraena barracuda (Walbaum) and adult redfin needlefish Strongylura notata (Poey) were the major predators. Strategies for reducing pre- and post-release mortality and directions for future research are suggested. Discontinuing the release of unmarked organisms of any type is strongly recommended.     

Early marine survival and movements of escaped Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. juveniles from a land‐based smolt farm during autumn

The aim of this study was to examine early marine survival and movements of simulated escaped Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. pre‐smolt and smolt from a commercial smolt farm during autumn. One‐third of the pre‐smolt most likely died in the immediate vicinity of the release location, whereas the corresponding mortality for smolts was lower (8.5%) during the 5‐week study period. The surviving pre‐smolt left the farm area after 2–3 days, predominantly along the shore. In contrast, most of the surviving smolts left the farm area during the first day and 54% seemed to move away from the shore and adopt a more pelagic movement pattern than pre‐smolt. The number of surviving fish recorded in the fjord decreased throughout the study period, possibly due to a combination of fish migrating out of the fjord or undetected mortality. Compared with existing knowledge on migration of released farmed smolts during spring, our results indicate less directional and slower movement rates during autumn. Only two of the tagged fish were detected upstream in the rivers following release. A rapid dispersion of escapees indicates that the potential for recapturing escapees is limited unless recapture efforts are initiated immediately after escape. Hence, there is a need for development of technology that detects and prevents escapees to enter the sea.     

Post-release mortality of angled sand mullet (Myxus elongatus: Mugilidae)

Grey mullets (Mugilidae) are important to recreational fisheries throughout the developed world. In Australia, several species are angled and then released in large numbers; all with virtually unknown fate. In response to the need for such data to facilitate effective stock management, this study sought to quantify the post-release mortality and key causal factors for sand mullet (Myxus elongatus). A total of 125 fish were conventionally angled, and then released along with 50 controls into floating cages in a south eastern Australian estuary, where they were monitored for four days. Five treatment fish died, providing a non-significant mortality of 4%. The few fatalities were mostly explained by a significant positive relationship with the length of trace (between the float and hook) used, and bleeding during release. While sand mullet appear quite tolerant of catch and release, their welfare nevertheless could be improved through simple changes to fishing strategies.     

The effects of temperature on the uptake and metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene in isolated gill cells of the gulf toadfish,Opsanus beta

The effects of acclimation temperature and acute temperature change on the uptake and metabolism of the procarcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) by gill cells of the gulf toadfish, Opsanus beta, were examined. BaP was rapidly accumulated by isolated gill cells and uptake rates were directly proportional to BaP concentration in the medium (1 to 100 μg/ml). Uptake rates were higher in cells isolated from fish acclimated to 18°C when compared to cells from 28°C acclimated fish at all incubation temperatures. When cells were exposed to BaP at the respective acclimation temperatures of the fish, uptake rates were similar (0.14 ± 0.01 at 18°C and 0.12 ± 0.01 μg BaP/s/10 mg cells at 28°C). This finding is discussed in view of results which showed a partial compensation of membrane fluidity in plasma membranes isolated from fish from the two acclimation temperatures. At higher incubation temperatures, cells from fish acclimated to 18°C metabolized BaP at a greater rate than those at 28°C (49.6 ± 1.92 and 43.0 ± 2.24 μg/g/8h, respectively, at 23°C). Low but detectable activities of common biotransformation enzymes (aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase, glutathione-S-transferase) and cytochrome P-450 content were found, however, no significant differences were evident between cells from fish acclimated to different temperatures. To whom to address correspondence     

The influence of predation risk on habitat selection and food intake by Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.)

Abstract— Large piscivorous fish are assumed to affect habitat selection and food intake of prey fish. To study the effects of cannibalistic Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), on smaller stunted charr, we sampled the prey fish in littoral and pelagic habitats using gill nets, before and shortly after the release of large charr in a small lake (0.52 km²). In the habitats where the risk of predation was highest, the catch per unit effort de creased from 13.3 to 4.8 fish per 100 m² of gillnet after release of pred ators. The large decrease in numbers of charr < 18 cm corresponded with the predicted vulnerable prey sizes, according to a model based on the size distribution of predators. The occurrence of planktivorous fish and weight-specific food intake decreased in the high risk habitat and remained unaffected in the low risk habitats. Changes in the food intake of prey fish could not be explained in terms of fish length, indicating that prey fish changed diet when the risk of predation was high.     

Impact of a new artificial shelter on Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus, L.) behaviour and culture performance during the endogenous feeding period

Shelter is of major importance in many species of fish both in the wild and in aquaculture. Sheltering behaviour of Arctic charr has been poorly studied in aquaculture. A new type of shelter made of PVC agricultural drain cut in half was tested on culture performance and behaviour during the endogenous feeding period. This device offered grooves where alevins could position themselves and lie in a vertical position. A first experiment compared fish with and without shelter in incubator compartments. All fish were measured at 122, 158, and 190 days post fertilization (dpf) and observed at 126, 139 and 157 dpf. Fish provided with shelter showed better growth performances, lower mortality and started first exogenous feeding about six days later compared to fish without shelter. These effects from shelter provision were also associated with much less mobility in fish provided with shelter. At 126 dpf, all fish provided with shelter were immobile while other fish displayed horizontal stationary body movement (86%) or swam against the water current (7%). At 157 dpf, 85% of fish without shelter were immobile compared to 95% in fish provided with shelter. Both categories displayed stationary body movements. In most cases, there was one single fish per groove and a stable average value of 2.4 grooves was maintained between two successive fish throughout the study. The second experiment was a preference test where the fish were placed in similar compartments but occupied by a half shelter. We found that 61% of the fish were located under the shelter at 122 dpf while at 157 dpf, 58% were on the shelter and 42% out of the shelter. The present results revealed Arctic charr behavioural characteristics in the presence of a new type of artificial shelter at very early stages of development. This shelter enables the fish to stabilize in a vertical position without producing any movement and to choose by itself its favorite location throughout development. This device could be used to improve Arctic charr growth, performance and fish welfare during the endogenous feeding period.     

象山港黄姑鱼增殖群体早期生态适应特征

通过分析增殖放流3个月内象山港黄姑鱼(Nibea albiflora)增殖群体的摄食能力和生长速率,阐述了黄姑鱼放流初期对自然水体的生态适应特征。研究结果表明,放流结束1个月,黄姑鱼增殖群体的摄食能力较弱,空胃率高达80.95%,饵料生物生态位宽度指数仅为自然群体的63.0%;肝脏指数较放流前明显降低,说明肝脏储能大幅消耗;特定生长速率仅为0.079%/d,个体生长基本处于停滞状态。随时间推移,增殖群体对自然水体的适应能力逐渐增强,至放流结束2个月,其空胃率下降到了46.15%,饵料生物生态位宽度指数上升到了2.16,与自然群体的空胃率(38.24%)和饵料生物生态位宽度指数(2.62)相比差距已经大幅度缩小,摄食能力明显提升,肝脏指数基本恢复至放流前水平;生长速率较前一时期明显加快,呈现出一定的补偿性生长特征。