Discards from the commercial gillnet fishery for dusky flathead, Platycephalus fuscus, in New South Wales, Australia: spatial variability and initial effects of change in minimum legal length of target species

A scientific observer programme was used to quantify the composition and magnitude of discards in the gillnet fishery for dusky flathead, Platycephalus fuscus (Cuvier), in three barrier estuaries in New South Wales, Australia, during the 2001 fishing season. Regulations only permit the retention of legal‐sized dusky flathead and legal‐sized blue swimmer crab, Portunus pelagicus L., and mud crab, Scylla serrata (Forskål); all other organisms were discarded. Sampling was stratified into two time periods; before and after 1 July 2001 which coincided with the increase in the minimum legal length (MLL) of dusky flathead from 33 to 36 cm total length (TL). Eighty one catches were sampled, yielding 38 finfish species and two portunid crab species. Legal‐sized dusky flathead were the most abundant organism captured, accounting for 23–47% by number and 34–54% by weight of the mean observed catch depending on the estuary and survey period, with a mean catch of 25–59 flathead weighing 13–25 kg per fishing‐night. Species composition and relative abundance of catches differed among estuaries, but not between sampling periods. Predominant bycatch species included legal and undersize blue swimmer crab, sea mullet, Mugil cephalus L., luderick, Girella tricuspidata (Quoy & Gaimard), bream, Acanthopagrus australis (Günther) and yellowfin leatherjacket, Meuschenia trachylepis (Günther). These five species accounted for 82% of total bycatch by number and 71% by weight, pooled across the three estuaries. More crabs were retained than discarded, with retained legal‐size crabs (byproduct) accounting for 16% of total bycatch by number and 13% by weight, with an average of 5–22 crabs weighing 1–6 kg being caught per fishing‐night, depending on the estuary. Overall, 7% of dusky flathead captured (number) were below the MLL of 36 cm and discarded, suggesting the nets as currently configured may be relatively selective in catching legal‐size flathead. However, 41% of dusky flathead were <40 cm TL, indicating that if the MLL for this species is increased to this length as proposed, new nets must be introduced into the fishery. The findings are discussed in terms of making the flathead fishery more sustainable, including alternative management strategies for the fishery.     

Growth,food intake,protein retention and fatty acid profile in Octopus vulgaris (Cuvier, 1797) fed agglutinated moist diets containing fresh and dry raw materials based on aquaculture by‐products

The lack of specific compound diets for cephalopods is limiting the industrial development of some species. In this study, four agglutinated moist diets were tested in individually reared Octopus vulgaris (979 ± 151 g) for 8 weeks. All diets were based on bogue Boops boops, accidentally reared in fish farms (aquaculture by‐product), and agglutinated with alginate and calcium. One diet was based exclusively on bogue fillets, two on bogue fillets complemented with meat from two crab species (Portunus pelagicus, Grapsus grapsus) and the last one on bogue and G. grapsus meals. As a control diet, bogue and P. pelagicus were supplied fresh on alternate days. All diets induced similar feed intake (2.1–2.6% day^?1). However, the meal‐based diet induced negative growth in comparison with the control and the other agglutinated diets (0.80–0.85% day^?1). Higher lipid content in agglutinated diets (28–30% dw) in comparison with the control diet (16% dw) led to higher protein retention in muscle. These results underline the inadequacy of traditional meals in diets for cephalopods and that the inclusion of crab meat did not increase feeding rates and growth in O. vulgaris. The dietary fatty acid, with high levels of oleic and linoleic acid and low levels of ARA, clearly reflected in digestive gland, while only decreasing ARA and increasing EPA levels were observed in muscle, with no apparent negative effect on growth.     

Influences of hanging ratio,fishing height,twine diameter and material of bottom-set gillnets on catches of dusky flathead <Emphasis Type="Italic">Platycephalus fuscus</Emphasis> and non-target species in New South Wales,Australia

ABSTRACT:   Three experiments were done to test for the influences of different (i) hanging ratios (E = 0.5, 0.65 and 0.8); (ii) fishing heights (25 and 12 meshes); and (iii) twine diameters (0.41, 0.56 and 0.62 mm) and materials (multifilament nylon and multimonofilament nylon polyamide) on catches and by-catches in the estuarine gillnet fishery for Platycephalus fuscus in New South Wales, Australia. In each experiment, the various 100-m treatment panels comprising 80-mm (nominal) mesh rigged according to the different configurations being examined were configured in a single gang between 1090 and 1310 m in length, and fished according to commercial practices. The results showed no significant differences between different hanging ratios or twine diameters for the numbers, weights and size compositions of catches and by-catches. Twine material had an effect on only one key by-catch species ( Acanthopagrus australis ), with fewer caught in panels made from multifilament nylon compared with multimonofilament nylon. In contrast to the above modifications, lowering the fishing height of the floatline significantly reduced total by-catch by up to 46% and the individuals of key by-catch species ( Mugil cephalus , A. australis and Girella tricuspidata ) by between 60 and 85% with no effect on catches of targeted P. fuscus , or legally retained byproduct, Portunus pelagicus . The results are used to provide directions for the future management of this fishery and have relevance to other similar bottom-set gillnet fisheries.     

Effect of shading colours on growth and pigment content of Gracilaria fisheri (Xia & Abbott) Abbott,Zhang & Xia (Gracilariales,Rhodophyta)

Sporeling and tissue propagation of agarophytic seaweed, Gracilaria fisheri, aimed to investigate the optimal shading colour for the preservation. This study was conducted under different shading colours indoor and outdoor experiments. The indoor experiment: tissues and sporelings of the seaweed were cultured in plastic chambers under fluorescent lights and were wrapped with white, green, blue and red colour PVC sheets of light intensity of 20 ± 1 μmol m^?2 s^?1. The outdoor tissues were cultured in the plastic tanks under different shadings of Saran sheets: white, green, blue and black covering the hoop‐houses with light intensity of 110 ± 10 μmol m^?2 s^?1. The results showed that different shading colours strongly influenced growth of G. fisheri sporelings and tissues but little effect on pigmentation. After 40 days, the highest growth rates of G. fisheri tissues and sporelings were found under red light with 1.44 and 1.89% day^?1 respectively. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) on pigment content of tissues indoor, whereas it was found that chlorophyll concentration of the sporelings under green light with 416.8 μg g^?1 fresh weight was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those in other treatments. After 8‐week culture, outdoor tissues showed the highest growth rate with 1.71% day^?1 in the green hoop‐house. The study has found that G. fisheri cultivation was less influenced by epiphytes in the back hoop‐house with 15%. This study showed the feasibility of successful cultivation of G. fisheri sporelings and tissues.     

Effects of codend circumference and twine diameter on selection in south-eastern Australian fish trawls

Two experiments, done in a south-eastern Australian trawl fishery targeting school whiting (Sillago flindersi: Sillaginidae), examined the relative efficiencies and selectivities of five codends and extension sections made from double-twine, 90-mm (inside stretched length) mesh netting. All extension sections were made from 3-mm diameter twine and were 100 meshes long and 100 meshes in circumference, while the codends were 25 meshes in length. The first experiment tested three codends made from 4-mm diameter twine: one with a circumference of 100 meshes and two of 200-mesh circumference, with one of the latter incorporating two cross-sectional joins in its extension piece. The second experiment compared two 200-mesh circumference codends, one constructed from 3-mm diameter twine and the other from 5-mm diameter twine. The codends were alternately fished with a small-meshed control. The results showed a general trend of reduced selection by the 200-mesh circumference and thicker twined codends, and especially by the industry-preferred 200-mesh circumference codend constructed from 5-mm diameter twine. Experiment 1 found that the 100-mesh codend caught significantly fewer school whiting, retained catch and total catch than did the two 200-mesh codends, and the 200-mesh codend with the modified extension section caught significantly fewer school whiting and retained catch than did the 200-mesh codend with the straight extension. In the second experiment, the 200-mesh 5-mm twine codend caught significantly more total and retained catch, school whiting, and longspine flathead (Platycephalus longispinis: Platycephalidae) than did the 200-mesh 3-mm twine codend. Across all codends, the smallest lengths at 50% probability of retention (L₅₀) were estimated for longspine flathead, redfish (Centroberyx affinis: Berycidae) and longfin gurnard (Lepidotrigla argus: Triglidae) in the 5-mm 200-mesh codend. The limited size range of school whiting resulted in unreliable estimation of selectivity in the 200-mesh 5-mm twine codend, but this design was the only one that retained a substantial proportion of individuals below the minimum marketable length (15 cm fork length). While the 200-mesh 5-mm twine codend retained commercial quantities of school whiting, it seems far from optimal. It is suggested that a more efficient design comprising possibly smaller, square-shaped meshes should be developed and used in conjunction with temporal, spatial and catch restrictions.     

Larval feeding behaviour of angel fish Pterophyllum scalare (Cichlidae) fed copepod Eucyclops serrulatus and cladoceran Ceriodaphnia quadrangula

Three different live diets, Eucyclops serrulatus, Ceriodaphnia quadrangula and equal combination of E. serrulatus copepodid and C. quadrangula, were offered to angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) larvae viz 1‐week, 2‐week and 3‐week old at prey densities of 2, 5 and 10 individuals mL^?1. Results showed that 1‐week‐old P. scalare larvae consumed E. serrulatus copepodid at a rate of 31.3–56.7 ind. h^?1, C. quadrangula at 8.0–12.0 ind. h^?1, and mixture of E. serrulatus and C. quadrangula at 20.7–40.7 ind. h^?1. For 2‐week‐ and 3‐week‐old larvae, consumption rate increased accordingly. The electivity indices (E) of P. scalare (1‐week‐old larvae) for E. serrulatus copepodid were +0.18, +0.23 and +0.22 at prey densities of 2, 5 and 10 ind. mL^?1 respectively. Tendency towards E. serrulatus copepodid consumption reduced by aging P. scalare as indicated by the E values for 2‐ and 3‐week‐old larvae. However, growth and survival of P. scalare larvae was greatest when fed on combination of copepod E. serrulatus and C. quadrangula.     

Can bycatch in a flatfish gillnet fishery be reduced with rectangular mesh?

Gillnets fished in North Carolina, USA, estuaries have high rates of bycatch relative to the target catch of southern flounder, Paralichthys lethostigma Jordan & Gilbert. This study tested whether rectangular‐mesh gillnets would maintain catch rates of southern flounder and reduce fish bycatch relative to conventional diamond‐mesh gillnets in two North Carolina estuaries. In the Neuse River estuary, catch rates of legal southern flounder were not different between the two mesh shapes, but the bycatch of red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus (Linnaeus) and other fish species was reduced with rectangular‐mesh net. In the Newport River estuary, southern flounder and red drum catches were reduced in rectangular‐mesh net, but the decrease was greater for red drum. Catches of sublegal southern flounder were reduced in the rectangular‐mesh net in both estuaries. Reduced catch rates of sublegal southern flounder and bycatch species suggest rectangular mesh may help manage stocks of estuarine fish species in areas where gillnets are used to target flatfishes.     

Inter‐ and intra‐specific interactions affecting crustacean trap fisheries—Implications for management

The UK coastal trap fisheries target two key species, European lobster Homarus gammarus (L.) and brown crab Cancer pagurus L. Their stock status is assessed periodically using size‐based, yield‐per‐recruit analysis. Fishery trends are described using landings and, where available, effort data to estimate catch per unit of effort (CPUE), nominally proportional to abundance. Despite being caught together, assessments assume that concurrent capture of these species does not distort their individual CPUE estimates. Here, an in situ experiment tested impacts of inter‐specific and intra‐specific interactions by pre‐loading baited traps with different species and observing subsequent catches. Pre‐loaded European lobster significantly reduced brown crab catches, whereas, other species produced no such effects. The findings highlight the likely inconsistency of using CPUE as an index of abundance if landings data originate from a mixed‐species fishery in which species interactions and targeting behaviour of fishers are unknown or un‐quantified.     

Effect of ENSO on the distribution and concentration of catches and reproductive activity of anchovy Engraulis ringens in northern Chile

Anchovy makes up 90% of pelagic fishery catches in northern Chile. For the present work, anchovy (Engraulis ringens, Jenyns 1842) catches between 1997 and 2016 were analyzed to determine changes in distribution, concentration, and reproductive behavior before, during, and after ENSO events, using spatial indexes: gravity center (GC), inertia, coverage (CI), Gini index, and gonadosomatic index (GI). At the start of ENSO, anchovy catches increased and concentrated along the coast (rising Gini index), while CI decreased. During ENSO, Gini decreased, registering a southward displacement of the GC and smaller catches. In the long run, anchovy occupied lesser area (<CI) starting from 2008, concentrating in coastal areas. It developed a size structure composed mainly of specimens smaller than 17.0 cm. In addition, specimens < 12.0 cm were positively correlated with thermal anomalies, CI and MEI, reaching more than 60% of the catches during the 1997–1998 and 2015–2016 ENSO cycles. Results suggest that the warm phase of ENSO alters the anchovies’ reproductive activity, delaying its onset up to 4 weeks, and reducing GI intensity to 50%, due to increased participation in the reproductive process of individuals 12.0–13.5 cm. Therefore, large‐scale environmental processes, such as ENSO, significantly affect size structure and contribute to reduction of occupied area and higher reproductive activity of small‐size anchovies.     

Vaccination strategies with oral booster for surubim hybrid (Pseudoplatystoma corruscans × P. reticulatum) against haemorrhagic septicaemia

This study evaluated the efficiency of differently prepared vaccines against Aeromonas hydrophila in the hybrid surubim (Pseudoplatystoma corruscans × P. reticulatum). Survival and haemato‐immunological parameters were compared between the treatments: non‐vaccinated fish (C); bacterin‐vaccinated fish (B); bacterin plus oral booster vaccinated fish (B+O); bacterin and toxoid‐vaccinated fish (B+T) and bacterin, toxoid and oral booster‐vaccinated fish (B+T+O). Fourteen‐days vaccinated fish from B+O and B+T+O were fed with an oral booster for 4 days. After 1 week, the fish were intraperitoneally challenged with 2 × 10⁸ CFU mL^?1 of A. hydrophila. Fish from the treatment B+T+O showed the lowest cumulative mortality (11.36%) 96 h after challenge, compared with other treatments (22.72–44.04%), and a relative survival of 74%. Serum immunoglobulin in B+T+O fish was higher than in other treatments. All vaccinated fish showed an increased agglutination titre when compared with non‐vaccinated fish, both before and after challenge. Fish fed with oral booster showed an increase in phagocytic percentage before and after challenge. It can be inferred that the oral booster vaccination was efficient in reducing mortality in hybrid surubim by enhancing the response against haemorrhagic septicaemia due to A. hydrophila infection.     

Aeromonas jandaei and Aeromonas veronii caused disease and mortality in Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

Diseases caused by motile aeromonads in freshwater fish have been generally assumed to be linked with mainly Aeromonas hydrophila while other species were probably overlooked. Here, we identified two isolates of non‐A. hydrophila recovered from Nile tilapia exhibiting disease and mortality after exposed to transport‐induced stress and subsequently confirmed their virulence in artificial infection. The bacterial isolates were identified as Aeromonas jandaei and Aeromonas veronii based on phenotypic features and homology of 16S rDNA. Experimental infection revealed that the high dose of A. jandaei (3.7 × 10⁶ CFU fish^?1) and A. veronii (8.9 × 10⁶ CFU fish^?1) killed 100% of experimental fish within 24 h, while a 10‐fold reduction dose killed 70% and 50% of fish, respectively. When the challenge dose was reduced 100‐fold, mortality of the fish exposed to A. jandaei and A. veronii decreased to 20% and 10%, respectively. The survivors from the latter dose administration were rechallenged with respective bacterial species. Lower mortality of rechallenged fish (0%–12.5%) compared to the control groups receiving a primary infection (37.5%) suggested that the survivors after primary infection were able to resist secondary infection. Fish exposed to either A. jandaei or A. veronii exhibited similar clinical signs and histological manifestation.     

Pre‐impoundment stock assessment of two Pimelodidae species caught by small‐scale fisheries in the Madeira River (Amazon Basin – Brazil)

The middle stretch of the Madeira River has supported an intensive commercial fishery for several decades. Developed in an area of rapids and waterfalls, this fishery focuses primarily on catfish stocks, mainly pimelodids. Data from fish landings collected in the years immediately prior to the start in operations of two large hydroelectric dams were used to estimate growth and mortality rates for Pirinampus pirinampu (Spix & Agassiz) and Brachyplatystoma platynemum Boulenger. In addition, stock assessment was carried out for both species, and the results used to evaluate the status of the fishery. Mean population parameters were L_∞ = 80.85 cm (total length), k = 0.52 year^?1, ? = 3.53, A_0.95 = 6 year, M = 0.87, F = 1.41–1.64 and Z = 2.28–2.51 for P. pirinampu; and L_∞ = 95.55 cm (total length), k = 0.28 year^?1, ? = 3.40, winter point = 0.41, A_0.95 = 11 year, M = 0.55, F = 0.16–0.35 and Z = 0.71–0.90 for B. platynemum. Yield‐per‐recruit analysis indicated P. pirinampu was overfished and that the stock of B. platynemum was under‐exploited. Moreover, overfishing of the P. pirinampu stock and the effects of fragmentation caused by the construction of the dam should be monitored.     

Spat availability of commercial bivalve species recruited on artificial collectors from the northern Gulf of California. Seasonal changes in species composition

This study reports a year‐round recruitment of spat of four commercial bivalve species; Pteria sterna, Euvola vogdesi, Pinctada mazatlanica and Pinna rugosa collected in the region of Puerto Peñasco, north‐eastern coast of the Gulf of California. Bimonthly recruitment of commercial bivalve spat on netlon^® collectors was evaluated for six sites from June 2007 to August 2008. To describe spat recruitment abundances with environmental parameters, sea surface temperature (°C) and surface chlorophyll a concentration (mg m^?3) were characterized by means of monthly Aqua/MODIS satellite data. For each species a repeated measures anova was used to evaluate differences in the number of spat between months, sites and depths. Maximum sea surface temperature was recorded in August–September (~31.5°C) and the minimum in January–February (~15°C), while the minimum surface chlorophyll a was observed in June–September (mean range = 1.5–2 mg m^?3) and the maximum in January–March (mean range = 2–5 mg m^?3). Spat recruitment showed distinct patterns; P. sterna can be characterized as having a Winter–Spring pattern, E. vogdesi a winter pattern, while P. mazatlanica and P. rugosa a summer spat recruitment pattern. This information constitutes part of the fundamental data needed for the development of aquaculture and conservation initiatives in the region based on wild spat supply.     

Sampling techniques for burbot in a western non‐wadeable river

Burbot, Lota lota (L.), populations are declining throughout much of their native distribution. Although numerous aspects of burbot ecology are well understood, less is known about effective sampling techniques for burbot in lotic systems. Occupancy models were used to estimate the probability of detection () for three gears (6.4‐ and 19‐mm bar mesh hoop nets, night electric fishing), within the context of various habitat characteristics. During the summer, night electric fishing had the highest estimated detection probability for both juvenile (, 95% C.I.; 0.35, 0.26–0.46) and adult (0.30, 0.20–0.41) burbot. However, small‐mesh hoop nets (6.4‐mm bar mesh) had similar detection probabilities to night electric fishing for both juvenile (0.26, 0.17–0.36) and adult (0.27, 0.18–0.39) burbot during the summer. In autumn, a similar overlap between detection probabilities was observed for juvenile and adult burbot. Small‐mesh hoop nets had the highest estimated probability of detection for both juvenile and adult burbot (0.46, 0.33–0.59), whereas night electric fishing had a detection probability of 0.39 (0.28–0.52) for juvenile and adult burbot. By using detection probabilities to compare gears, the most effective sampling technique can be identified, leading to increased species detections and more effective management of burbot.     

Effect of using sodium bicarbonate to adjust the pH to different levels on water quality,the growth and the immune response of shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei reared in zero‐water exchange biofloc‐based culture tanks

The bioflocs technology proved to be a sustainable technique used in zero‐water exchange shrimp culture systems. However, the pH and alkalinity may decrease due to the biofloc formation process and Nitrification. A 48‐day experiment was performed to investigate the effects of different pH (7.1–7.6; 7.6–8.1) conditions on water quality, the growth and the health status of shrimp in biofloc technology (BFT) through using sodium bicarbonate to adjust pH respectively. Two pH treatments and one control were compared: T0 — control, T1 — pH 7.6 — NaHCO₃, T2 — pH 8.1 — NaHCO₃, each treatment consisted of three replicate tanks (90 L water volume) and each replicate stocked with 30 shrimp (equivalent to 333 shrimp m^?3). Significant physical, chemical and biological differences (P < 0.05) were detected among treatments. At the end of the experiment, water quality, the growth and the immune response of shrimp in control were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than the other treatments. Moreover, the T2 treatment had a better performance in these three aspects. The results indicated that it was necessary to adjust the pH and alkalinity in the BFT, and a higher pH as well as alkalinity for shrimp growth and the stability of the BFT were more favourable.     

Habitat associations of dolphinfish larvae in the Gulf of Mexico

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the northern Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) as essential habitat of common dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) and pompano dolphinfish (C. equiselis) during early life and to characterize conditions in which they were found. Eight ichthyoplankton surveys were conducted during the summer months from 2007 to 2010 in northern Gulf waters off Texas and Louisiana (26–28°N, 87–93°W), during which 1145 dolphinfish larvae were collected. C. hippurus, the dominant dolphinfish species, were collected in 57% of sampling sites with an overall mean density of 0.73 larvae 1000 m^?3, whereas C. equiselis were only collected at 18% of sites with a mean density of 0.12 larvae 1000 m^?3. Generalized additive models (GAMs) were used to examine the relationship between several environmental parameters and C. hippurus presence/absence and density. Both presence/absence and density GAMs indicated that catches of C. hippurus larvae increased near fronts and eddies and that increased abundances were most strongly associated with higher salinities and cooler temperatures. In addition, our models showed that C. hippurus larvae were positively associated with C. equiselis larvae, suggesting that C. hippurus and C. equiselis use similar habitats. Results of this study indicate that the Gulf may represent important spawning and/or nursery habitat of dolphinfishes and that mesoscale features and physicochemical conditions influence the distribution and abundance of C. hippurus larvae in this region.     

Progression of African Catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) early stages challenged with two common pond fertilizers in incubation media

Early‐stage indicators of the African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) (egg fertilization and hatching rates, larval survival rate and time to hatch) were assessed in aqueous solutions of NPK 15‐15‐15 and layer manure. Recommended use rates (RUR) of NPK 15‐15‐15 and layer manure have volume‐equivalent of 15 mg/L and 28 mg/L respectively. Solutions containing *0.7RUR, *1.0RUR and *1.5RUR dilutions were used as treatments within‐fertilizer. There were significant differences in pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), total hardness and total metal levels in treatments of NPK (p < 0.0001) and layer manure (p < 0.0001). Fertilization, hatching rate and larval survival were significantly lower while incubation was significantly longer in treatments of NPK (p < 0.001) and layer manure (p < 0.0001) in comparison with control. In NPK treatments, the indicators correlated with pH (r ?0.96 to ?0.98, p < 0.0001), with 99.1%–99.6% (p < 0.0001) of changes of indicators explained by pH. In manure treatments, the indicators correlated with DO and pH (r = 0.92 to 0.998) (p < 0.0001), with 98.1%–99.7% (p < 0.0001) of changes explained by DO and pH. NPK and layer manure have deleterious effect on C. gariepinus early stages. The toxicity and explanatory physico‐chemical parameters should be considered when the fertilizers target aquatic productivity.     

The effect of free ammonia nitrogen,pH and supplementation with oxygen on the growth of South African abalone,Haliotis midae L. in an abalone serial‐use raceway with three passes

The farming of abalone, Haliotis midae L., can be intensified in serial‐pass systems, but water re‐use increases the concentration of NH₃ (free ammonia nitrogen, FAN) and reduces water pH. Changing the percentage dietary protein from 33% to 26% reduced the concentration of FAN (F_{42, 252} = 2.79; P < 0.0001) in a serial‐pass system and did not reduce weight gain (F_{1, 12} = 1.09; P = 0.31) or length gain (F_{1, 12} = 1.08; P = 0.31). Low water pH was the most important variable to contribute to a reduction in abalone growth (weight gain: F_{1, 19} = 64.5; P < 0.0001; r² = 0.76; length gain: F_{1, 19} = 41.9; P < 0.0001; r² = 0.67). In addition, supplemental oxygen (103% saturation) improved length gain (t = 3.45, P = 0.026) in abalone exposed to an average FAN concentration of 2.43 ± 1.1 μg L^?1) and an average pH value of 7.6 ± 0.13, relative to a treatment with no oxygen supplementation. Thus, in an abalone serial‐use raceway with three passes, FAN was not the first growth‐limiting variable. It is suggested that future studies should examine the major causes of reduced water pH in serial‐use systems and their effect on the growth and health of H. midae.     

Effect of thin twine on gill net size-selectivity analyzed with the direct estimation method

ABSTRACT: To analyze the effect of thin twine on gill net size selectivity, a series of fishing experiments using gill nets of two twine thicknesses (no. 0.8 of 0.16 mm diameter and no. 3 of 0.28 mm diameter) and three nominal mesh sizes (41 mm, 46 mm and 51 mm) was conducted in outdoor water tanks containing a rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) population of known size frequency. For nets of the same nominal mesh size, mesh openings of the no. 0.8 twine nets were approximately 2 mm larger than those of the no. 3 twine nets. The effects of both mesh opening and twine thickness are combined in the conventional analysis with the selectivity curve against fish length. Selectivity against the ratio of fish girth to mesh perimeter was calculated to avoid the direct effect of changes in mesh openings due to twine diameter at the same nominal mesh size. Results demonstrated that the thinner twine gill net was more likely to capture rainbow trout of smaller girth than the mesh perimeter. Fish with girths smaller than the mesh perimeter were often retained by the net with its body tangled by the thinner twine, possibly due to the increased flexibility of the thinner twine.