Effects of fish farming on nutrients and benthic community structure in the Eastern Aegean (Turkey)

The impact of a sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L., 1758) farm on water quality and benthic community structure was investigated at a fish farm site in Engeceli Bay (western part of Izmir Bay) between April 2001 and February 2002. The characteristics of the water column in the fish farm were investigated in terms of physical and chemical parameters. Concentrations of nitrate, phosphate and ammonium ions in all sampling stations within the Bay were compared with the water quality parameters measured at the outer part of Izmir Bay (Eastern Aegean Sea). While there were significant differences from season to season of the levels of ammonium, orthophosphate, total phosphate and nitrite, there were no significant differences among stations. However, nitrate values and organic carbon contents showed significant differences among sampling stations. A reference station was selected to compare benthic groups. While the reference site is characterized by a sandy bottom with the lowest carbon and highest diversity values, the other stations with silty‐clay bottoms showed higher organic enrichment and lower diversity with increasing abundance of polychaeta. Organic enrichment and particle size of sediments were closely associated with faunal groups particularly with polychaeta and mollusca.     

Effects of marine fish farming on nutrient composition and plankton communities in the Eastern Aegean Sea (Turkey)

The hypothesis that the presence of fish farming zones affects the water quality and plankton communities was investigated in an Aegean Sea fish farm during February, June, September and January 2000–2001. In the spatial coverage, a total of 12 stations were sampled; three of them were reference stations. A variance analysis was applied to the measurements made at the stations near the fish farms and at the control stations. While no significant differences in concentrations of nutrients, chlorophyll a, particulate organic carbon and particulate organic nitrogen were detected between the stations and the control sites within one season, significant differences were detected between the parameter values measured except for total dissolved phosphorus and dissolved organic phosphorus at different seasons. The seasonal differences were also significant with regard to the biodiversity. Together with these temporal differences in general, there was a higher diversity of species at the control site as compared with the other stations in September, which was the key season to detection of significant changes. The most important consideration is that it is not sufficient to take the instantaneous values for the physico‐chemical variables; rather, it is necessary to monitor the biological parameters in order to define the differences in the ecosystem.     

Water quality and bacterial populations in a tropical marine cage culture farm

A study was conducted to investigate fluctuations in different physical and chemical parameters, and bacterial populations in a tropical marine cage culture farm for one annual cycle. Samples were collected from the centre of the farm (station 1) and away from the cages (station 2). There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in water quality parameters, such as temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, conductivity and pH between the two stations during the neap and spring tides. Nutrient concentrations and bacterial counts were slightly higher at station 1 than station 2, but the differences were not significant (P > 0.05). In general, nutrients and chlorophyll a concentrations in the study area were higher than those reported in the pristine marine environment. There were significant correlations (P < 0.05) between some nutrients (soluble reactive phosphorus, nitrite and nitrate) and bacterial counts. There were no significant differences P > 0.05) in nutrient levels and bacterial populations between the neap and spring tides, probably because of the large number of farms operating in the shallow channel. The present study indicates that high organic loading from the fish farming activities could cause deterioration of the water quality in the cage-culture system as well as in the surrounding environment.     

深沪湾浮游植物的分布

本文根据1998年5月、9月两航次调查材料,对深沪湾网采浮游植物样品进行鉴定,结果表明,深沪湾浮游植物种类丰富,两个航次共鉴定到种的为161种,浮游植物生物量较高,其中9月份较5月份高。有足够的饵料生物供应,适合于水产养殖,浮游植物丰度和多样性指数较高。优势度低,渔业环境质量良好。     

胶州湾鱼类生物量粒径谱特征

为了解胶州湾海域鱼类群落粒径结构特征,本研究根据2016-2017年4次底拖网调查数据构建了胶州湾鱼类生物量粒径谱,比较分析了各季节鱼类生物量粒径谱特征参数的异质性。结果显示,胶州湾Sheldon型鱼类生物量粒径谱呈现单峰模式,鱼类粒径范围为-3~10粒径级,粒径分布相对均匀,且峰值位于5~6粒径级,主要由大泷六线鱼和褐菖鲉等小型鱼类构成。各季节鱼类标准化生物量粒径谱曲率和曲度差异显著,其中春季曲率最大且曲线较平缓,夏季曲率最小且曲线相对陡峭。谱线曲度和曲率的季节变化主要与粒径小的细纹狮子鱼、大泷六线鱼、玉筋鱼及长丝虾虎鱼等地方常栖性种类和赤鼻棱鳀、白姑鱼等季节洄游性种类的出现有关。Abundance-biomass comparison(ABC)曲线表明,春季处于未干扰状态,冬季处于中度干扰状态,夏秋季处于严重干扰状态。研究表明,胶州湾鱼类群落总体处于严重干扰状态,鱼类生物量谱呈现单峰型,粒径结构以小型粒径鱼类为主,且地方常栖性和季节洄游性鱼类等补充群体的数量和粒径大小影响鱼类生物量粒径谱的峰型和曲率。     

Growth and survival of the scallop Lyropecten (=Nodipecten) nodosus (L. 1758) in suspended culture in the Cariaco Gulf (Venezuela) during a non-upwelling period

Growth and survival of the scallop Lyropecten nodosus were studied in 1997 at two sites (inner and outer Turpialito Bay) during a non‐upwelling period normally occurring between August and November. Individuals had an initial shell height of 4.86 cm (SD=1.64 cm). Both experimental groups were held in suspended plastic baskets at the same depth (4 m). Measurements of shell height and dry weights of shell, gonad, digestive gland, remaining tissues and shell biofouling were taken at monthly intervals. Environmental parameters, including temperature, phytoplanktonic biomass, total particulate material (TPM) and associated organic (POM) and inorganic (PIM) fractions, were recorded simultaneously. At the end of the study, significant differences in growth and survival of scallops were observed between the two experimental sites. Scallops maintained inside the bay showed a 22% greater increase in shell height (7.41±0.27 cm) than those placed outside the bay (6.37±0.41 cm). Survival of scallops inside the bay was 31% higher compared with scallops outside. The greater availability of food of phytoplanktonic origin during the first two experimental months (July and August) together with greater POM throughout the whole experimental period except September, at the inner bay site, probably explained survival and growth differences observed between the two locations. Results suggest that, during the non‐upwelling period (characterized by low primary productivity and high water temperatures), POM of sedimentary origin may play an important role as an energy source required for metabolic and reproductive activities of L. nodosus.     

密云水库水生生物调查

根据密云水库1996～1998年浮游生物、底栖生物的生物量、组成和季节变化，对其所能提供的滤食性鱼类的鱼产力进行了粗略的估算。调查结果表明浮游植物生物量各站点平均值为1.05mg／L，最高峰出现在6月和8月，优势类群为硅藻门和绿藻门；浮游动物生物量各站点平均值为1.87mg／L，最高峰出现在7～9月，优势类群为桡足类；底栖生物数量和生物量各站点平均值分别为数量2478.05m     

Environmental effects of a marine fish farm of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) in the NW Mediterranean Sea on water column and sediment

This study examined the effects of organic enrichment on water column, sediments and macrofauna caused by a fish farm in the Mediterranean Sea. Samples were collected on four sampling campaigns over a one‐year cycle. Significant differences were found in the water column in dissolved oxygen, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, phosphate and total phosphorus concentrations between the fish farm and the control. The increase in the dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphate concentrations at the fish farm modified the stoichiometric ratios between nutrients, with silicate acting as limiting nutrient at the fish farm 11% more than at the control. Nevertheless, chlorophyll a concentration in the water column was higher at the control station, probably due to the fouling of the underwater fish farm structures. Significant differences were found in sediment concentrations of organic matter, total phosphorus and redox potential between the fish farm and the control. The Canonical Correlation Analysis indicated that organic matter, total phosphorus, redox potential and% of gravels accounted for 68.9% of the total variance in the species data. Changes were observed in macrofauna, with a decrease in number of species and up to a nine‐fold increase in abundance with respect to the control.     

Impact of fish and pearl farming on the benthic environments in Gokasho Bay: Evaluation from seasonal fluctuations of the macrobenthos

ABSTRACT: In order to clarify the influence of mariculture on the benthic fauna, samples of the macrobenthos were collected from Gokasho Bay, where intensive fish culture and pearl oyster culture have been carried out. Monthly samples collected from the fish farm and pearl farm sites during June 1995 to July 1996 revealed that the community structure of the two sites showed distinct differences with seasonal fluctuations. At the fish farm site, azoic conditions were found from July to November; after December, the diversity increased markedly through successive recruitments of small-sized species such as the polychaetes Capitella sp. and Pseudopolydora paucibranchiata , and the amphipods Aoroides spp.; macrofaunal density, biomass and species richness peaked from March to April. At the pearl farm site, a higher diversity, including larger-sized species, and no clear seasonal fluctuations in abundance was found, and the community structure was similar to that at the control site. These results show the large impact by fish farming on the macrofauna, whereas pearl farming causes less effect on the benthic fauna. It is suggested that the difference in the level of organic input between the two sites results in the differences in the dissolved oxygen content of the bottom water, sulfide content of the sediments and, subsequently, the macrobenthic assemblages.     

Effects of intensive mariculture on the sediment environment as revealed by phytoplankton pigments in a semi‐enclosed bay,South China Sea

Phytoplankton pigment concentrations in the surface sediments of a fish and oyster farm in Dapeng Cove, South China Sea, were measured monthly to investigate the effects of mariculture on the environment from December 2011 to December 2012. The highest contents of the identified phytopigments, sulphides and total organic carbon in the surface sediments were all found at the fish farm, followed by the oyster farm; the lowest contents were detected at the control site. Fucoxanthin in the surface sediments was the most abundant carotenoid and was significantly correlated with chlorophyll a (Chl a; r = 0.922, P < 0.01). This finding suggested that the deposited diatoms could be the main source of the Chl a concentration. Besides a differential sedimentation of phytoplankton (i.e. higher downflux at fish and oyster site than that at control site), we assume that the extent of pigment diminution from the fish site to control site was also controlled by the chemical conditions of the surface sediments. The fish farm provided the most optimum preservation conditions for the phytopigments and was a good sink for phytodetritus among the three sites because of its anoxic and reductive characteristics. Phytoplankton pigments could be useful biomarkers to evaluate the influence of mariculture on sediment environment.     

桑沟湾不同养殖区大型底栖动物的群落结构特征

于2016年9月和11月对我国北方典型筏式养殖海湾—桑沟湾的筏式贝藻养殖区和网箱养殖区的大型底栖动物进行调查,研究了桑沟湾不同养殖区大型底栖动物的种类组成、数量分布、群落结构及生物多样性等群落特征,分析了底栖动物与海洋环境因子的关系,以了解养殖活动对大型底栖动物的影响。结果显示,调查共鉴定出大型底栖动物67种,其中,环节动物多毛类36种,软体动物12种,节肢动物门甲壳类和全足类16种,棘皮动物3种。桑沟湾大型底栖动物的优势种主要为多毛类,贝藻区的绝对优势种为刚鳃虫和长叶索沙蚕,网箱区的绝对优势种为异足索沙蚕和多丝独毛虫。生物量和丰度的特性为9月网箱区11月网箱区9月贝藻区,多样性指数的趋势相反。研究表明,底栖动物群落特征与底质有机碳、总磷、硫化物和氧化还原电位等因素有关,桑沟湾大规模养殖活动对底栖动物群落组成和分布产生了一定的影响。     

Evaluation of Weaning Strategies for Intensively Reared Australian Freshwater Fish, Murray Cod, Maccullochella peelii peelii

The Australian Murray cod supports a growing national industry. However, with regard to the process of weaning fry, there is a lack of information and optimal procedures need to be developed. The aim of the present investigation was to test the biological and economic efficacy of different weaning strategies for Murray cod. Three weaning strategies were tested on triplicate groups of fish: (1) only Artemia for 5 d, 7 d on Artemia plus starter diet, and 14 d on dry diet only; (2) 12 d on Artemia plus starter diet and 14 d on dry diet only; and (3) directly to dry diet for the entire experimental period. No significant differences were recorded in the growth and feed efficiency, while significantly higher mortality (38.4 ± 0.35%) was recorded in fish weaned directly onto dry diet. Fish subjected to the first 5 d on Artemia only showed a growth reduction during this period, which was compensated by a phase of enhanced growth during the dry‐diet phase. No significant differences were noted in the proximate composition of fish under the different treatments. The economic evaluation suggested that the treatment with the simultaneous supply of Artemia and starter diet is preferable.     

汕头南澳白沙湾浮游植物群落结构及水体营养盐分布特征

2010年5月(夏季)和9月(秋季)分别对南澳白沙湾鱼类养殖区、贝藻混养区、龙须菜(Gracilaria lemaneifor-mis)栽培区和对照区的水体浮游植物及营养盐进行了调查。结果表明,浮游植物共5门、71属、152种;其中,硅藻门97种,甲藻门34种,绿藻门9种,蓝藻门2种;硅藻是该海域浮游植物群落优势类群。浮游植物密度在时间上表现为秋季高于夏季,夏季和秋季最高值分别为57.05×104个/L和808.70×104个/L,均值为11.44×104个/L和119.22×104个/L。浮游植物密度在空间分布规律为非养殖区大于养殖区、湾外高于湾内;最高值均出现在对照区表层,最低值出现在贝藻混养区微表层。按水层分布为:表层>底层>微表层,按功能区分布为:对照区>鱼类养殖区>龙须菜栽培区>贝藻混养区。浮游植物多样性指数和均匀度表现出较好的一致性。微表层对浮游植物、总氮、总磷的富集系数,夏季分别为0.85、1.68、1.87,秋季为0.48、1.74、1.51;表明微表层对浮游植物无富集作用,对总氮、总磷有明显的富集作用。按照浮游植物群落结构指数评价,贝藻混养区为贫营养,其他各功能区均为中营养。夏季水质好于秋季,龙须菜栽培对养殖水体起到了很好的生态修复作用。     

泉州湾春、夏季浮游植物的生态特征

本文根据2001年5月、8月两航次调查材料,对泉州湾网采浮游植物样品进行鉴定,结果表明:两个航次鉴定到种的共有129种,中肋骨条藻(skeletonema costatum)为主要种类,其中5月浮游植物的细胞数量和种类数均多于8月。泉州湾的浮游植物具有多样性指数低、丰富度低、优势度高、均匀度低的特点。     

Influence of mesoscale physical forcing on trophic pathways and fish larvae retention in the central Cantabrian Sea

This study was carried out over the central Cantabrian shelf during a post‐bloom phase in May. Late phases of the spring phytoplankton bloom, which are characterized by high crustacean mesozooplankton biomass, have been proposed to be a particular case for high‐energy flow towards large metazoans. The overall objective of the study is to analyse the influence of mesoscale physical forcing on primary production patterns, its implications on food web pathways, and on larval fish distribution during a period of intense spawning of Sardina pilchardus and Scomber scombrus. Physical and biological variables of different trophic levels show coupled cross‐shelf and along‐shelf heterogeneity. Quasi‐geostrophic analysis and other indirect approaches, such as the depth of the slope salinity maximum, reveal predictable patterns of vertical instabilities associated with mesoscale physical forcing that enhance production of large‐size phytoplankton. The latter is expected to enhance the energy flow towards higher trophic levels at a time of high mesozooplankton biomass. Distributions of S. pilchardus and S. scombrus eggs and larvae indicate retention related to the coastal salinity front and the overall eastward circulation pattern. The observed mesoscale physical processes may favour survival of early stages of fish by their influence on the energy flow of primary production towards higher trophic levels and larval retention at the coast.     

象山港三种不同养殖方式对浮游动物群落的影响

为探究不同营养类型养殖方式对半封闭海湾浮游生态系统的影响,于2015年在象山港的鱼类网箱养殖、牡蛎筏式养殖和海带筏式养殖3种养殖区内外分别进行大、中型和中、小型浮游动物群落及相关环境因子的四季研究。结果显示,牡蛎养殖区内大、中型浮游动物群落结构变化明显,夏、秋季优势种太平洋纺锤水蚤的优势度下降,冬季优势种腹针胸刺水蚤的优势度上升;网箱养殖区内浮游动物群落变化不明显,变化主要为大、中型浮游动物优势种,春、冬季腹针胸刺水蚤的优势度下降,秋季优势种种类组成变化明显;海带养殖区内浮游动物群落和优势种变化均不明显。此外,3种养殖方式对浮游动物的生物量、丰度和α多样性均未产生明显影响。结合象山港的水文特征和养殖区内外的环境因子,研究表明,牡蛎养殖区浮游动物群落变化是牡蛎滤食行为和铁港水交换能力差的综合结果,而浮游动物优势种变化可能与水体总磷含量较高有关;因目前网箱养殖规模小且西沪港水动力条件较好,网箱区内局部环境和浮游动物的变化较小;海带养殖因面积小且仅春、冬季养殖,不足以对水质和浮游动物产生影响。此外,本研究显示不同环境中,大、中型浮游动物群落结构的变异较中、小型浮游动物明显,这可能与中、小型浮游动物群落的稳定性较高有关。     

大鹏澳海水鱼类网箱养殖对水环境的影响

根据2001~2002年对大亚湾大鹏澳海水鱼类网箱养殖海域水环境的监测资料,分析讨论了网箱养殖对水环境的影响。结果表明,该海域水环境质量较好,除夏季溶解氧(DO)和春季的硫化物浓度超第二类海水水质标准情况较严重外(超标率均为62.5%),其他水环境因子一般不超标。养殖区DO和叶绿素a(Chla)浓度均显著低于对照区(t-test,P<0.05),而NH4-N和PO4-P浓度则一般高于对照区,其他水环境因子的空间分布差异不大。海水CODMn、BOD5和硫化物主要与网箱养鱼生产季节性强的特点有关;而水温、盐度、透明度、悬浮物、DO和pH的季节变化主要受控于大亚湾亚热带季风气候,NO2-N、NO3-N、DIN、PO4-P和SiO4-Si等营养因子的季节变化主要受降雨和浮游植物的影响,Chla的季节变化则主要受水温和N:P比的影响,与网箱养鱼的关系并不明显。     

渤海鱼类群落结构的年际变化

基于2010年和2012–2014年每年8月渤海渔业资源底拖网调查数据,根据优势种、单位个体重、相对资源量、Jaccard种类组成相似性系数和群落结构数量生物量曲线等指标,研究渤海鱼类群落结构的年际变化,结果显示:(1)2010年和2012–2013年,总鱼类和底层鱼类种类数一直呈下降趋势,2014年有所恢复;2010年和2012–2014年暖温种种类数基本上呈下降趋势;(2)底层鱼类优势种由小个体的虾虎鱼(Gobiini sp.)代替大个体的小黄鱼(Pseudosciaena polyactis),中上层鱼类优势种则由植食性为主的黄鲫(Setipinna taty)和斑(Konosirus punctatus)转向浮游动物食性的鳀(Engraulis japonicus);(3)2010年和2012–2014年渤海底层鱼类和总鱼类年间站位相对资源量两两间都不存在显著性差异(P0.05),2013年与2014年间总鱼类及2014年与2010年底层鱼类年间站位相对资源量方差无显著性差异(P0.05),其他年份两两间都为方差不齐(P0.05),底层鱼类和总鱼类站位相对资源量年际存在极端异常值;(4)2010年和2012–2014年单位数量鱼体的个体重逐年下降,渤海鱼类这几年严重趋向小型化;(5)5种组内相似、组间相异贡献率高的鱼类种类,其年度相对资源量和分布变化较大;根据生物量与数量优势度曲线及W统计值判断,2010年渤海鱼类群落结构比较稳定,2012年相对稳定,2013年和2014年处于干扰状态,特别是2013年的鱼类群落结构处于比较严重的干扰状态。综上所述,渤海鱼类群落结构在2010年和2012–2014年发生了较大改变,处于受干扰不稳定状态。     

The effects of feeding frequencies on seasonal changes in growth rate and chemical composition of farmed cod (Gadus morhua)

Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) were fed with dry feed, in sea net pens from May 2003 to September 2004, under natural conditions occurring in Northern Norway, with a sea temperature varying from 3.3 ° to 16.6 °C. The fish was either fed five times or three times a week, once a day to saturation until December 2003, and after that five times or twice a week, once a day to saturation until September 2004. Fish fed five times a week had a higher FCR 1.47 compared with 1.35 for fish fed three to twice a week for the entire period. No significant differences were found in growth or chemical composition in the cod due to the feeding intervals. The best growth of the fish was in the first summer from May to September 2003 with a specific growth rate (SGR) of 0.81% per day. From June to September 2004, the SGR was 0.42% per day. From December to May, the SGR was negligible caused by low‐water temperature, darkness, and sexual maturation. The liver index increased from 7% to a maximum of 16% during the growth period except during the sexual maturation period from November to April, where it shows a slight decrease. Maturation and seasonal variation are the factors having the largest influence on the growth and chemical composition of the cod.     

The effects of trout culture on diet and food availability of native freshwater fish populations

Cultivation of a species or population and distribution to various regions has raised the idea of negative impacts on native species. The effect of non‐native species on native species may be caused by competition for source, predation, hybridization, and parasite/disease transport. The present study aims to evaluate the possible effects of a trout farm established on the banks of Kocaba? Stream (Çanakkale, Turkey) on feeding characteristics of some freshwater fish (Phoxinus phoxinus, Barbus oligolepis, and Squalius cii). The samples were collected monthly over a year at two stations located before and after the trout farm and at a control station on the tributary not impacted by the effects of the farm. Fish and environmental samples were gathered monthly with an electroshocker and some fishing tools between August 2015 and July 2016. The fish diet and resource incorporation into biomass were evaluated by gut content and stable isotope analyses. Changes in diet preferences when the species are exposed to source stresses and some individuals fed on farm‐based feed contaminated from the farm in Kocaba? Stream. In this study, it was observed that native fish populations in aquaculture regions were influenced by diet preferences. Designing enclosed systems limiting feed and waste transit in aquaculture establishments may be suitable for sustainability of these species.