Technological solutions and operational measures to prevent escapes of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) from sea cages

Escapes of cod (Gadus morhua) from sea cages represent an economic problem for farmers and a potential environmental problem. We estimate that 0–6% of cod held in sea‐cage farms in Norway were reported to have escaped each year from 2000 to 2005, which is a high proportion compared with salmon. We interviewed employees at 19 coastal sea‐cage cod farms in Norway to investigate both how and why cultured cod escape and to document cage handling and management strategies that were effective in minimizing escapes. Based on the interviews, we describe five working hypotheses that may explain why a greater proportion of cod than salmon escape: (1) cod are more willing to escape than salmon; (2) cod bite the net cage and create wear and tear; (3) net cages have insufficient technical standards for cod culture; (4) cod are placed in sea cages at considerably smaller sizes than salmon; and (5) cod are more popular feed for predators. Preliminary testing of the hypothesis that cod bite netting and create holes was done by placing pre‐damaged net panels with cut twines and control panels inside sea cages. Holes in the pre‐damaged net panels increased in size over a period of 3 months. The type of damage indicated that biting of netting twines was the likely cause.     

Loads applied to aquaculture nets by the biting behaviour of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)

Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) bite at netting materials in sea-cages, which is known to weaken and destroy net materials, contribute to the formation of net holes and lead to escapes. We determined the lateral pulling forces applied to nets through biting by cod in a laboratory set-up. A sensor for automatic logging of the lateral pulling force was used to obtain data for over 1000 undisturbed, objectively collected biting events. Lateral pull force varied between cod of different size (180 and 610 g) and different net types, ranging from 0.9 to 9.4 N. Further, pull forces were on average 1.5–2.5 times stronger during lengthy biting events compared to single, brief bites. Maximum lateral pulling forces exerted by 610 g cod were similar to their body weight in air, while 180 g fish were able to pull with a force equivalent to twice their own weight in air. All recorded lateral pull strengths significantly exceeded the known force needed to break single nylon fibres of the netting material. Our results advance understanding of mechanisms and forces involved when cod interact with sea-cage nets and provide important baseline data for the design and production of more bite-resistant netting.     

Tensile properties for netting materials used in aquaculture net cages

In order to perform a strength analysis of a net cage, it is crucial to know the tensile stiffness properties of the netting material. A new method for testing was established in order to determine the tensile properties of knotless netting materials. We applied it to a variety of netting materials and developed stress–strain relations. The stiffness was expressed as a constant value for relatively small strains, while for large strains the stress–strain relation was defined by a third degree polynomial. The average value of the constant stiffness for the tested wet netting materials was 81 N mm⁻² with a standard deviation of 9 N mm⁻² for strains less than 10%. For netting materials treated with anti-fouling paint, the average constant stiffness value was 131 N mm⁻² with a standard deviation of 13 N mm⁻² for strains less than 30%. The results are valid for uniaxial static loading of netting.     

Drag force acting on biofouled net panels

Measurements were made to assess the increase in drag on aquaculture cage netting due to biofouling. Drag force was obtained by towing net panels, perpendicular to the incident flow, in experiments conducted in a tow tank and in the field. The net panels were fabricated from netting stretched within a 1 m² pipe frame. They were towed at various speeds, and drag force was measured using a bridle-pulley arrangement terminating in a load cell. The frame without netting was also drag tested so that net-only results could be obtained by subtracting out the frame contribution. Measurements of drag force and velocity were processed to yield drag coefficients.

Clean nets were drag tested in the University of New Hampshire (UNH) 36.5 m long tow tank. Nets were then exposed to biofouling during the summer of 2004 at the UNH open ocean aquaculture demonstration site 1.6 km south of the Isles of Shoals, New Hampshire, U.S.A. Nine net panels were recovered on 6 October 2004 and immediately drag tested at sea to minimize disturbing the fouling communities. The majority of the growth was skeleton shrimp (Caprella sp.) with some colonial hydroids (Tubularia sp.), blue mussels (Mytilus edulus) and rock borer clams (Hiatella actica). Since the deployment depth was 15 m (commensurate with submerged cages at the site), no algae were present. The net panels had been subject to several different antifouling treatments, so the extent of growth varied amongst the panels. Drag force measurements were made using a bridle-pulley-load cell configuration similar to that employed in the tow tank. Fixtures and instruments were mounted on an unpowered catamaran that was towed alongside a workboat. Thus, the catamaran served as the “carriage” for field measurements.

Increases in net-only drag coefficient varied from 6 to 240% of the clean net values. The maximum biofouled net drag coefficient was 0.599 based on net outline area. Biofouled drag coefficients generally increased with solidity (projected area of blockage divided by outline area) and volume of growth. There was, however, considerable scatter attributed in part to different mixes of species present.     

Experimental susceptibility of Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua (L.), and Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus (L.), to different genotypes of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus

Viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) is a well-characterized disease of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, which has also caused economic losses in marine turbot farms in the British Isles. We have previously demonstrated that turbot, Scophthalmus maximus, are susceptible to isolates of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) that are endemic in the marine environment, highlighting a potential risk to marine aquaculture. Given the increasing interest in the intensive rearing of additional aquaculture species such as Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, and Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus, this study aimed at investigating the susceptibility of these species to VHSV. Both species were found to be largely resistant to VHS following immersion challenge with a selection of 18 isolates, representing the known marine VHSV genotypes. Only one and two VHSV-associated mortalities occurred out of a total of 1710 and 1254 halibut and cod, respectively. These findings suggest that there is a low direct risk to the development of commercial cod and halibut aquaculture from the existing endemic reservoir of VHSV. This study, coupled to field observations has, however, highlighted the fact that both species can become infected with VHSV. The known adaptability of RNA viruses, together with the selection pressures associated with intensive aquaculture would thus advocate a cautious approach to VHSV surveillance within these emerging industries.     

Laboratory trials on the effects of different diets on growth and survival of the common whelk, Buccinum undatum L. 1758, as a candidate species for aquaculture

Newly hatched juvenile Buccinum undatum can be reared under laboratory conditions. Good was growth is achieved when juveniles were fed on combined diets (blue mussel, cod, and fish pellets). Juveniles reached shell heights of 33.0 ± 4.2 mm, 26.9 ± 3.8 ± mm, 23.2 ± 2.2 mm, and 20.1 ± 1.6 mm, after 14 months of fedding on a combined diet, blue mussel, cod, and fish pellets, respectively under ambient sea temperature and salinity. After 14 months juveniles fed blue mussel had the highest survival rates (67%) followed by those fed a combination of all other experimental diets (61%), cod waste (53%) and fish-feed pellets (46%). High mortalities were recorded in most treatments during the summer months between June and September. This species appears to have an aquaculture potential, as juveniles readily feed on artificial diets at an early age, show high survival rates and could potentially reach market size in 2 years or less. The major constraint in realising this potential at present, is the relatively low value of the species; if market values increased as a result of serious depletion of natural populations, hatchery production of juveniles for intensive aquaculture or restocking could become economically viable.     

基于FUNWAVE-TVD模型的离岸养殖围网内外波浪场数值模拟研究

本研究利用完全非线性Boussinesq数值模型FUNWAVE-TVD耦合多孔介质模型,建立了模拟围网波浪场的数值模型。将计算结果和实验数据进行对比分析,验证了该模型计算规则波在穿过网箱后传播过程的准确性。进一步研究了波高和周期等因素对围网内外波浪场特性的影响,探讨了围网波浪场特性与这些水动力因素的内在联系。结果显示,离岸养殖围网的存在使波浪场背浪侧出现衰减,波高衰减率受波浪周期影响较大,最大波高衰减达到93.3%。同时,较低频规则波的波高衰减区域呈辐射状趋势扩散,并随着波浪进一步传播,最大波高衰减位置开始向两侧扩散,围网背浪侧的波高衰减程度减小,波高有恢复趋势,而高频波浪的波高衰减区域则较为集中。本研究可为实际海域桩网围护的位置和构造提供分析依据。     

ANTICIPATING THE GROWTH OF AN OCEAN AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY

In assessing the future expansion of aquaculture in coastal-ocean environments, most studies focus only on the constraint posed by the local environmental assimilative capacity. In open-ocean environments, however, the assimilative capacity is difficult to gauge. We develop an alternative economic approach for projecting the growth of the open-ocean aquaculture industry. We evaluate equilibria in the market for seafood, where the product may be supplied either by a wild-harvest fishery or open-ocean aquaculture or both. In our framework, the net demand for farmed fish determines the size of the aquaculture industry and, in turn, the levels of pollution discharges. We illustrate our approach with a case study of a groundfish fishery and the proposed open-ocean aquaculture of Atlantic cod in New England. We find that, for a range of competitive production costs for aquaculture, the optimal industry structure would comprise both a wild-harvest fishery and aquaculture.     

RISK ASSESSMENT IN OPEN-OCEAN AQUACULTURE: A FIRM-LEVEL INVESTMENT-PRODUCTION MODEL

ABSTRACT

We develop a framework for risk assessment in open-ocean aquaculture. The framework consists of three components: a firm-level investment-production model simulates a specific grow-out project and estimates the project's benefit-cost values, a second model calculates the risk premium for a risk-averse investor, and a third model quantifies the option value for a risk-neutral investor. We show that under uncertainty, the traditional NPV rule for making an investment should be modified. We illustrate our models using a case study of open-ocean aquaculture of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in New England.     

Engineering procedures for design and analysis of submersible fish cages with copper netting for exposed marine environment

Novel design and analysis procedures are needed for engineering of the offshore fish farms utilizing copper alloy netting. Existing technologies developed for fish cages with polymer nets are not directly transferrable to the fish cages with copper netting. In particular, the structural integrity of fish cage/mooring systems, and initial high costs of fish cages with copper netting are two major concerns in the engineering for open ocean aquaculture. We propose the modified engineering procedures, which address these concerns and allow for retrofitting of existing fish farming systems with polymer nets. These procedures are illustrated by considering two case studies: design of a rigid-frame and flexible gravity-type fish cages. Performance of both designs is analyzed after the field trials in the North Atlantic and South Pacific oceans, correspondingly.     

Chemical cues promote settlement in larvae of the green-lipped mussel, Perna canaliculus

The large (70,000 tonnes) mussel aquaculture industry for the endemic New Zealand green-lipped mussel, Perna canaliculus Gmelin, currently relies almost entirely (80%) on wild caught seed that is often harvested attached to great quantities of floating algae. Natural vagaries in catches of wild mussel seed frequently result in shortages of mussel seed that, at times, have severely affected commercial aquaculture production. Both field and laboratory experiments were used to establish that chemical cues derived from algae significantly increase settlement of mussel larvae on artificial substrates. This is the first time an algal chemical cue has been implicated in the settlement behavior of P. canaliculus larvae. These results have potential commercial implications for improving mussel seed supply through inducing higher or more reliable levels of mussel settlement for aquaculture seed collection.     

Effects of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide,substance P, 5-hydroxytryptamine,met-enkephalin and neurotensin on the swimbladder smooth muscle of two teleost species,Gadus morhua andAnguilla anguilla

The effects of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), substance P (SP), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), neurotensin (NT) and met-enkephalin (mEnk) on the smooth muscles of the teleost swimbladder were studied in two teleost species, the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and the eel (Anguilla anguilla). The study was made on isolated strip preparations of the muscularis mucosae, using putative transmitters corresponding to the immunoreactive materials that have previously been localized by immunohistochemical methods in nerves or endocrine/paracrine cells of the teleost swimbladder and/or the gastrointestinal canal. VIP was relaxatory on both cod and eel swimbladder smooth muscle, SP and 5-HT were constrictory in both species, and mEnk was excitatory on the eel swimbladder smooth muscle. Clear effects of these agents were usually seen at a concentration ofca. 10 nM in cumulative concentration/effect experiments. NT had no effect in either species. In the eel, the effects on the pneumatic duct were generally greater than on the swimbladder proper. The study indicates that the 5-HT and peptides previously observed by immunohistochemistry have physiological functions in the swimbladder.     

Enhancement of image-based fecundity methods: Gravimetric sampling at sea and safer sample preservation

Collecting accurate fecundity samples in the field is challenging as field scales are often unreliable and inaccurate in rough seas. In addition, the storage and use of caustic preservatives may be difficult and dangerous. Quantifying the efficacy of both a non-caustic alternative to traditional preservatives, and the use of pre-weighed vials in sampling protocols is essential in improving the accuracy and utility of field samples. Streck Tissue Fixative (STF) is a less toxic alternative to traditional preservatives and proved effective in the short- and long-term preservation of haddock (Melogrammus aeglefinus) and cod oocytes (Gadus morhua). We found no time series trend or systematic change in the number of oocytes counted and there was stabilization in size decay by the second month, which is comparable to traditionally used preservatives. In examining the use of pre-weighed vials we compared several different vial types. Plastic vials with an o-ring showed a satisfactory predictable loss and we were able to develop a system of time dependent corrections for evaporative rate. Thermal effect was also examined, with evaporative loss decreasing at low temperatures. The effectual use of an alternative preservative and the validation of the use of pre-weighed vials have the potential to increase the efficiency and accuracy of field sampling.     

An adaptive method of damage detection for fishing nets based on image processing technology

For offshore aquaculture cages, structural damage can cause serious economic property damage to the aquaculture industry, thus it is necessary to carry out regular inspections of the cage structure. At present, the main method of detecting netting damage is that the staff sneak into the water for manual investigation. This method not only does not guarantee personal safety, but is also labor-intensive and inefficient. This paper proposes a new feature curve method for non-contact underwater netting damage detection, which can effectively recognize damaged netting and analyze the degree of damage for the underwater net and return to its damage position. The new method presented in this paper was designed taking into consideration of effect of seaweed growth: Firstly, an image block within the ROI (region of interest) region was processed by bilateral filter. Secondly, the binary image was obtained via the OSTU (the maximum inter-class variance method) method and connected domain detection was performed. Thirdly, the feature gradient histogram was calculated according to the area of the mesh hole and the local peaks of the curve (named as feature curve) was searched to determine the position of damage in the netting. The proposed method combined the image processing technology with aquaculture engineering seamlessly, and reduced the complexity of the detection system greatly, and significantly improved the efficiency of the netting detection. Finally, the MATLAB program was developed to realize the netting detection process and the proposed method had been verified by the actual underwater netting experiment. The experimental results showed that the netting damage detection method proposed in this paper can successfully detect crack of the netting despite image degradation in water.     

大潮差下浅海养殖围网防纠缠技术试验研究

大潮差海况条件会对养殖围网设施敷设产生较大影响,会发生网衣堆积严重、易纠缠、贴底网衣离底、网衣撕裂等生产安全事故,因此,网衣防纠缠技术研究非常重要。研究制作了小尺寸围网模型,采用装配横纲、沉力纲、浮力纲的方法设计3种不同的围网网衣沉降和升浮技术方案,进行模拟涨潮、落潮的网衣堆积试验研究。选取网衣堆积较明显的水位(水位分别降低30~60 cm)进行分析。结果显示:水位降低30 cm时,方案C,即采用浮沉力纵向向下递增分布的方法,网衣堆积高度最大,堆积系数最小;当水位降低分别为40 cm、50 cm、60 cm时,也得出同样的结果。研究表明:网衣堆积高度越大,堆积系数越小,网衣能够在更多层面堆积,发生纠缠的可能性越小。实际应用效果证明方案C适合在大潮差海域应用。     

海水网箱网衣防污技术的研究进展

海水网箱养殖中,网衣污损附着物会影响网箱设施安全及其养殖鱼类的健康生长,因此,网衣防污是网箱养殖业备受关注的问题。本文在简述海水网箱网衣分类与特点的基础上,重点介绍了人工清除法、防污涂料法、机械清除法、金属合金网衣防污法、箱体转动防污法、生物防污法、网衣本征防污法等网衣防污技术最新研究进展;结合本课题组在网衣防污方面的研究成果,分析上述防污技术的特点,为网衣防污技术的深入研究以及水产养殖业的绿色发展提供参考。我国海水网箱养殖业大有可为,但网衣防污工作仍任重道远。     

Higher food abundance reduces the catchability of cod (Gadus morhua) to longlines on the Faroe Plateau

The cod fishery at the Faroes has been managed since 1996 by an effort management system where it is assumed that there is a direct relationship between fishing mortality and fishing effort. We show that this relationship is weak. Due to a factor five variation in the primary production on the Faroe Plateau, the annual growth rate of cod may vary by a factor of five. Commercial catch-per-unit-effort data in combination with stock assessment estimates showed that there was a negative correlation between the annual growth rate of cod and their catchability with longlines, as well as with the total fishing mortality of cod on the Faroe Plateau. Furthermore, mark-recapture experiments showed that longline-caught cod in comparison with trawl-caught cod had a lower condition factor, a lower stomach content of natural prey, and a higher content of longline baits. During the feeding season in September–December, longline-caught cod exhibited a larger displacement distance than trawl-caught cod. These results were largely confirmed by storage tag data. Consequently, during low-productive periods, (i) the longline-dominated cod fishery at the Faroes exerted fishing mortalities that by far exceeded safe biological limits, and (ii) longline catch-per-unit-effort series might overestimate stock size considerably.     

Experimental mycobacteriosis in Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L

Piscine mycobacteriosis causes losses in a number of fish species both in the wild and in aquaculture worldwide. Mycobacterium salmoniphilum infections have on several occasions been reported in farmed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. The present study tested and confirmed the susceptibility of Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L., an important yet relatively novel aquaculture species, to infection with M. salmoniphilum. Atlantic cod injected intraperitoneally with a suspension of this bacterium were maintained together with cohabitant (COH) fish in a flow-through marine water system at 10-11 °C. The fish were supervised daily and samples taken at 2, 7, 14, 23, 34 and 53 weeks post-infection and examined pathologically, bacteriologically and using molecular biology. Injected mycobacteria were re-isolated in high concentrations from both injected and COH fish groups. Death attributable to mycobacterial infection was observed in both injected (47%) and COH (28%) fish groups. Extensive development of granuloma in visceral organs, mainly the mesenteries, spleen, kidney and liver (lesser extent) and at later stages of the infection in heart tissues and gills, was observed in both injected and COH fish. Granulomas underwent a temporal progression of distinct morphological stages, culminating in well-circumscribed lesions surrounded by normal or healing tissue. Acid-fast bacilli were detected in both granulomas and non-granulomatous tissues. This study confirms that Atlantic cod is highly susceptible to M. salmoniphilum infection and that this bacterial species may be a threat to cod both in the wild and in the aquaculture.     

Spatiotemporal distribution of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) with intact and blocked olfactory sense during the spawning season in a Norwegian fjord with intensive salmon farming

In several areas along the Norwegian coast local fishermen claim that wild migrating Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) have changed their spawning migratory behaviour following establishment of salmon farms, and no longer enter their natural spawning grounds in the fjords. This has created a heated debate in Norway and, in some areas, passed down a moratorium on establishing new salmon farms. Research has so far not been able to show a causal connection, but it has been suggested that water-soluble odorants from high density salmon stocks in commercial fish farms might be responsible for the avoidance of areas with fish farming and abandonment of nearby traditional spawning grounds. The aim of this study was to test this hypothesis by studying the spatiotemporal distribution of wild migrating cod tagged with acoustic transmitters using an array of automatic listening stations in Øksfjord, a Norwegian fjord with intensive fish farming and traditional spawning grounds for cod. The tagged cod were released either in the outer parts of Øksfjord, i.e. in the area they were caught, or in the inner part of the fjord close to their traditional spawning areas. The olfactory sense was physically blocked for 50% of the fish. Only one cod released in the outer part of the fjord visited the traditional spawning grounds. The majority of the cod that were released in the inner part of the fjord remained in this area for approximately three weeks before they left the fjord. There were no differences in spatiotemporal distribution between cod with intact and cod with blocked olfactory sense. Thus, the results provided no evidence that migrating wild cod avoid areas with fish farming as a response to odorants, but the results do not per se contradict the fishermen's observation that coastal cod have changed their migratory pattern in this fjord.     

Rodlet cells in Murray cod,Maccullochella peelii peelii (Mitchell), affected with chronic ulcerative dermatopathy

We have previously identified an unknown cell type in the gills of Murray cod affected with chronic ulcerative dermatopathy (CUD), a condition that causes severe erosion of epidermis surrounding cephalic and lateral line sensory canals. The condition arises in aquaculture facilities that utilize groundwater, with the cause of the condition suggested to be an unknown contaminant(s). Light and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize and quantify the unknown cells in CUD‐affected Murray cod. The cells were identified as rodlet cells and were characterized by their oval or round shape, basally located nucleus, thick fibrillar capsule surrounding the cell, and multiple rodlet sacs containing a central electron‐dense core within the cell. Rodlet cells were present in the gills, kidney and intestine of non‐CUD‐affected and CUD‐affected Murray cod; however, differences in the numbers were observed between the groups of fish. A significantly greater number of rodlet cells were observed in the gills and collecting ducts of CUD‐affected fish. This is the first report of rodlet cells in Murray cod, and we suggest that the increased rodlet cell numbers in CUD‐affected Murray cod may be in response to unknown water contaminant(s) present in the groundwater that give rise to CUD.