2004年夏季东海区渔业资源状况初析

本文利用2000-2004年夏季东海渔业资源监测调查的资料,初步分析了2004年夏季东海区渔业资源状况。结果表明,2004年夏季监测海域的种类组成以带鱼、小黄鱼、太平洋褶柔鱼、黄、剑尖枪乌贼、刺鲳等为主,渔业资源种间结构较2003年同期略有改善。2004年春夏季水温较2003年同期偏高,有利于渔业生物资源的补充和生长,各类群和主要经济种类的渔获率显著提高,除银鲳外,带鱼、小黄鱼、刺鲳等资源状况趋好,预计伏季休渔结束开捕后,秋汛生产的渔况将好于2003年。     

2004年春季东海区渔业资源状况初析

本文利用2000～2004年春季东海渔业资源监测调查的资料,初步分析了2004年春季东海渔业资源的状况。结果表明,2004年春季监测海域的种类组成以带鱼、小黄鱼、黄鲫、银鲳等为主,其比例呈现下降的趋势。所有种类的平均渔获率与2003年同期相比一下降了27.9%,为2000年以来最低。带鱼、小黄鱼、黄鲫等种类的渔获率也大幅下降。甲壳类、头足类的渔获率则有明显的上升。但从总体上来说,2004年春季的渔业资源状况为近来较差的一年。     

黄渤海主要作业类型渔具的渔业资源利用

为了解黄渤海主要捕捞渔具对渔业资源的利用状况,2009年对张网、拖网和刺网等渔具类型的主要渔具种类开展了渔获结构和捕捞能力调查。结果表明,黄渤海的渔业生产以秋汛为主,张网、拖网和陷阱类渔具网目尺寸小,渔获选择I生差,大量捕捞小黄鱼0带鱼、蓝点马鲛和银鲳等传统经济鱼类当年发生的补充群体,幼鱼比例高。相比而言,刺网的网目尺寸大,渔获选择性强,渔获质量好,幼鱼比例低。建议将黄渤海渔具准入的最小网目尺寸暂定为5．5cm,待今后渔业资源结构发生变化和渔获上岸监管体系完善后再作分类调整。     

东海区夏、秋季大型水母分布区渔业资源特征分析

本文根据1999～2004年的夏季和秋季东海区大型水母和渔业资源的状况,分析了大型水母分布区内的渔业资源特征。结果表明大型水母夏季主要分布于30°30′～33°00′N间,秋季主要分布于32°00′N以北海域,并呈现由夏季到秋季逐渐往北转移的趋势;2003年是大型水母数量最高的年份,该年水母主要分布区内的渔业资源种类数最少,CPUE最低,Margalef种类丰富度指数也最低;2003年夏季水母高发区内渔获种类的优势度也较其它年份发生了显著变化,优势种变为黄;2003年水母高发区内带鱼、小黄鱼和银鲳的当龄鱼较少,银鲳的肥满度增加,小黄鱼的肥满度降低,而带鱼的肥满度未发生显著变化。本文对水母高发区内渔业资源变化的原因进行了初步解释,并对水母的防治措施提出了初步的建议。     

江苏沿岸定置张网主要渔获组成以及对经济鱼类幼体的损害分析

深水张网是吕四渔场传统的作业方式,渔获量占江苏省海洋捕捞总量的比重较大。根据2004年4月~2005年11月吕四渔场深水张网渔业监测资料,结合渔业统计数据,分析了该渔业渔获物种类组成及其季节变化,以及主要经济鱼类渔获物种类组成和幼鱼比例。结果表明,各季节深水张网优势渔获物种类组成具有明显的季节变化特征,春季主要以小黄鱼、黄鲫、焦氏舌鳎和葛氏长臂虾为主,夏季为小黄鱼、黄鲫、焦氏舌鳎和银鲳,秋季为小黄鱼、焦氏舌鳎、棘头梅童鱼、灰鲳和银鲳,冬季为小黄鱼、焦氏舌鳎、棘头梅童鱼和斑鰶;小黄鱼和焦氏舌鳎是深水张网渔业常年优势渔获物。主要经济鱼类小黄鱼以6月份平均网产最高,但主要以幼鱼为主,2004年和2005年的平均体重分别仅0.81 g/ind和1.04 g/ind,幼鱼渔获尾数分别占到99.1%和99.8%,累计损害幼鱼尾数分别达1.84×107ind和2.37×107ind;银鲳平均体重3.22 g/ind和3.8 g/ind,累计损害幼鱼尾数分别为4.84×105ind和4.41×105ind。建议对深水张网渔业加强管理,可对该渔业提前一个月休渔,提高网囊网目尺寸,并强化管理力度。     

延长拖网伏季休渔期的渔业资源养护效应

海洋伏季休渔制度是当前中国最主要的渔业资源管理制度之一,并在实践中得到不断调整与完善,新的海洋伏季休渔制度已于2017年发布实施。为论证新制度延长拖网休渔期的渔业资源养护效应,本研究依据2015—2017年每年5月东海区拖网大面定点调查资料,利用Ricker动态综合模型,从拖网的渔获结构特征和带鱼(Trichiurus japonicus)的种群动力学过程视角开展了相应的量化分析研究。研究结果表明, 5月拖网利用主体为带鱼和小黄鱼(Larimichthys polyactis),带鱼和小黄鱼的性成熟比例分别为92.04%～95.57%和13.82%～29.55%,幼鱼比例分别为74.94%～88.90%和0.03%～4.19%;带鱼种群经过4.5个月的休渔,其单位补充量资源量、单位补充量渔获量和平均渔获质量与3.5个月休渔期相比较,分别增加了7.04%、8.96%和20.78%。以上结果表明,提前并延长拖网休渔期,东、黄海主要经济渔业资源带鱼与小黄鱼的产卵群体和幼鱼得到进一步保护,资源增殖效果随着休渔期的不断延长而增加,新制度的休渔时间设置更趋合理。但由于开捕后的带鱼与小黄鱼渔获仍主要以当龄鱼为主,有必要同时配套执行现已颁布的最小网目尺寸和开捕标准等其他渔业资源管理措施,以确保伏季休渔制度主导下的渔业资源养护效果能真正得到巩固,渔业资源的种群结构能够得到切实好转与不断合理化。     

南黄海族小黄鱼昼夜渔获率差异的统计学分析

利用2004年度东海区重点渔场底曳拖网渔业资源监测资料,从中选用小黄鱼网次渔获率作为指标值,应用LSD方法对南黄海族小黄鱼昼夜渔获率差异进行了统计学分析,以揭示小黄鱼昼夜的活动规律。结果表明,小黄鱼在不同的洄游阶段昼夜网次间渔获率无显著性差异,昼夜无垂直移动现象,常年处于底层,为典型的底层鱼类;在利用底曳拖网船进行渔业资源调查时,无需修正昼夜网次间小黄鱼的渔获率,用获取的调查数据即可估算资源量。     

东海区延长伏季休渔期渔业资源增殖效果分析

为评价2017年东海区延长伏季休渔期的渔业资源增殖效果,依据2014—2017年每年5月上旬和8月下旬东海区拖网大面定点调查资料,分析了2017年和2014—2016年的8月下旬(休渔后期)的渔业资源密度、资源结构和资源补充能力的同比差异,以及5月上旬和8月下旬的资源密度环比差异。结果表明,总渔业资源、鱼类及3种典型资源种带鱼(Trichiurus japonicus)、小黄鱼(Larimichthys polyactis)、银鲳(Pampus argenteus)的资源密度同比和环比均以2017年为高;2017年资源密度相对增长率鱼类甲壳类头足类;2017年休渔后期主要经济种类的生物量或尾数合计比例均高于2014—2016年,生态优势种更为集中;以带鱼、小黄鱼和银鲳为代表种的休渔后期资源补充数量和单位亲鱼量补充量均以2017年为最高。研究认为,东海区延长伏季休渔期具有渔业资源增殖效果,其中对鱼类的贡献最大;但现有休渔制度对渔业资源仅起到短期暂养的养护作用,延长休渔期的渔业增产效果仅仅限于当年。     

东海区带鱼底拖网昼夜渔获率差异的统计分析

以2004年和2005年东海区重点渔场底拖网渔业资源监测资料,从中选取带鱼渔获率作为指标值,并将昼夜不同网次渔获率分成4组,应用最小显著性差异法(LSD)对东海区带鱼昼夜渔获率进行了统计学分析,以揭示带鱼昼夜的活动规律,并利用样本均值的95%置信区间法估算带鱼昼夜渔获率的差异程度,为东海区渔业资源大面定点调查带鱼昼夜网次间渔获率的差异修正提供量化指标。结果表明,东海区带鱼昼间与夜间的渔获率具有统计学上的显著性差异,昼间的渔获率显著地高于夜间的渔获率,带鱼昼间栖息于底层和近底层,夜间垂直移动到中上层;使用拖网规格为100◇×4 m/88 m、网囊网目为25 mm的调查网具,2004年昼间和夜间带鱼渔获率均值的95%置信区间分别为:220.89±12.94和128.23±10.75;2005年昼间和夜间带鱼渔获率均值的95%置信区间分别为:176.28±20.63和105.23±9.71;取2年带鱼昼夜差异程度的平均值,最保守的估计是昼间网次的渔获率均值是夜间的1.69倍。本研究从统计学分析角度证实了以往的无量化的带鱼昼夜渔获率存在差异的观察结果,推断了带鱼具有昼夜垂直移动的习性,其意义在于利用LSD法可以分析其它鱼种的昼夜栖息特征并提供昼夜渔获率均值差异程度的量化指标。     

东海区主要经济鱼类开捕规格的初步研究

根据1997-2000年东海区底拖网渔、№资源调查资料，以Beverton—Holt模型的单位补充量渔获最方程估算东海区18种主要经济鱼类的最适开捕年龄。运用von Bertalanffy，丰长方程估算最适开捕体长。结合鱼类生长的拐点年龄、临界年龄和初届性成熟年龄的体长，以及各鱼种实测最小性成熟体长，确定开捕规格。结果表明，目前东海区产量较高的带鱼（Trichiurus japonicus）和小黄鱼（Larimichthys polyactis）的建议开捕规格分别应为体长230mm和170mm。调整后的开捕规格与旧开捕规格相比，带鱼、短尾大眼鲷（Priacanthus macracanthus）、灰鲳（Pampus cinereus）、自姑鱼（Argyrosomus argentatus）均有所增大，小黄鱼、银鲳（Pampus argenteus）的开捕规格有所减小，变化较小的有蓝点马鲛（Scomberomorus niphonius）、日本鲭（Somber japonicus）、慌圆鲹（Decapterus maruadsi）等。建议以这18种主要经济鱼类为指标种类，制定新的法定开捕体长和幼鱼比例检查措施，实现东海区渔业资源的可持续利用。     

Association between the interannual variation in the oceanic environment and catch rates of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) in the Atlantic Ocean

The environmental processes associated with variability in the catch rates of bigeye tuna in the Atlantic Ocean are largely unexplored. This study used generalized additive models (GAMs) fitted to Taiwanese longline fishery data from 1990 to 2009 and investigated the association between environmental variables and catch rates to identify the processes influencing bigeye tuna distribution in the Atlantic Ocean. The present findings reveal that the year (temporal factor), latitude and longitude (spatial factors), and major regular longline target species of albacore catches are significant for the standardization of bigeye tuna catch rates in the Atlantic Ocean. The standardized catch rates and distribution of bigeye tuna were found to be related to environmental and climatic variation. The model selection processes showed that the selected GAMs explained 70% of the cumulative deviance in the entire Atlantic Ocean. Regarding environmental factors, the depth of the 20 degree isotherm (D20) substantially contributed to the explained deviance; other important factors were sea surface temperature (SST) and sea surface height deviation (SSHD). The potential fishing grounds were observed with SSTs of 22–28°C, a D20 shallower than 150 m and negative SSHDs in the Atlantic Ocean. The higher predicted catch rates were increased in the positive northern tropical Atlantic and negative North Atlantic Oscillation events with a higher SST and shallow D20, suggesting that climatic oscillations affect the population abundance and distribution of bigeye tuna.     

Growth performance,digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass,Lateolabrax japonicus fed with fructooligosaccharide

In this experiment, a feeding trial was performed to determine the effects of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass, Lateolabrax japonicus juveniles (initial weight 38.3 ± 0.5 g), and the fish were examined following feeding with six levels of FOS (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 g/kg) for 28 days. Significant enhancement of weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) was found in fish fed 1 g/kg FOS incorporated diets (p < .05), while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the 1, 2 g/kg FOS groups reduced significantly compared with the control (p < .05). Besides, the crude lipid in the 4, 6 g/kg FOS groups increased significantly compared with the control (p < .05). On the other hand, the erepsin and lipase activities significantly elevated in intestine of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS (p < .05) and the lysozyme activity in serum of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than that in the control (p < .05). Moreover, the alkaline phosphatase activities in serum of fish fed 0.5, 1, 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than in control (p < .05). Regression analysis showed that the relationships between dietary FOS levels and either SGR, FCR, erepsin or lysozyme activities were best expressed by regression equations, and the optimal inclusion levels are 1.37, 1.80, 3.06, 3.11, 1.93 and 1.80 g/kg for SGR, FCR, erepsin, lipase, lysozyme and total superoxide dismutase activities, respectively. Overall, this study revealed that FOS incorporated diets could beneficial for L. japonicus culture in terms of increasing the growth, digestion and immune activities. Under the present experimental condition, the optimal supplementary level of FOS in the diet of L. japonicus is 1–3 g/kg.     

Protein and amino acid composition from the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris exposed to prolonged starvation

Protein and amino acid composition of the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris (Cuvier, 1797) during fasting for 27 days were determined. Average protein content of octopus mantle was of 711.19 ± 46.80 g kg^?1 DW, and it decreased with increasing fasting days. The non‐essential amino acids content was higher (486.18 ± 11.08 g kg^?1 protein) than essential amino acids (425.82 ± 9.15 g kg^?1 protein) at the start of the experiment (unstarved animals). The results suggest that the amino acid profile of the mantle where the most abundant amino acids are Arg, His, Lys, Gly, Leu and Pro could indicate a prolonged fasting condition (>20 days) or poor nutrition of O . vulgaris. This study supports the idea of using mantle for metabolic needs of starved O . vulgaris suggesting that the degradation pathway of amino acids to pyruvate and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates was favoured contrary to the degradation pathway of ketogenic amino acids. Special considerations should be taken concerning Thr, Ile, Ser, Ala, Asx (Asp, Asn), Glx (Glu, Gln) (because of their fast intake) and Lys and His (due to their stable contents) during a prolonged period of fasting.     

Involvement of gonadal steroids in final oocyte maturation of white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops): in vivo and in vitro studies

Plasma estradiol-17 (E₂), testosterone (T), 17,20-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) and 17,20,21-tri-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20-S) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops) that were induced to undergo final oocyte maturation (FOM) with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Plasma DHP levels increased in females of both species in association with oocyte germinal vesicle migration (GVM) and germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and decreased thereafter. Plasma 20-S levels also increased with oocyte GVM in white bass, but were several-fold lower than DHP levels. Circulating E₂ and T levels were greatest during GVM and GVBD in both species and decreased to low levels during oocyte hydration and ovulation. Follicles from white perch and white bass which received a priming injection of hCG in vivo, produced both DHP and 20-S in vitro after exposure to hCG and their oocytes underwent GVBD. Ovarian incubates from unprimed fish of either species produced only E₂ and T and their oocytes did not complete GVBD. Oocytes from unprimed bass, but not perch, matured when follicles were exposed to hCG in vitro. Both trilostane and cycloheximide blocked in vitro production of DHP and 20-S and oocyte GVBD by white perch follices. DHP and 20-S were equipotent inducers of FOM in the GVBD bioassay. None of several other structurally-related steroids tested were effective within a physiological range of concentrations. These results indicate a role for DHP and 20-S in the control of FOM in white perch and white bass.     

Cardiac,ventilatory and metabolic responses of two ecologically dissimilar species of fish to waterborne cyanide

Changes in heart rate, ventilatory activity and oxygen consumption were determined in trout (Salmo gairdneri) and brown bullhead catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus) during exposure to a steadily increasing concentration of waterborne cyanide selected to produce death in 8–9 hours for each species. The lethal cyanide concentration for the bullheads was an order of magnitude higher than for trout. Trout developed an immediate and gradually increasing bradycardia throughout the exposure period. Cyanide produced tachycardia in the bullhead followed by a gradual onset of bradycardia as the concentration of cyanide was raised. Pericardial injection of atropine (a muscarinic cholinergic antagonist) indicated that bradycardia in the trout was due initially to increased vagal tone but later due to the direct effect of cyanide on the heart. Hyperventilation in the trout persisted throughout the exposure period, although the rate and amplitude fluctuated and was variable between individual fish. During the last hour of exposure (highest cyanide concentration), ventilation was characterized by rapid, shallow breaths followed by a sudden respiratory arrest. The bullheads exhibited hyperventilation during the first 3 hours of exposure followed by a gradual, linear drop in ventilation rate and amplitude until death occurred. Cardiac and ventilatory responses in both species were attributed to stimulation of central and peripheral chemoreceptors by cyanide. Evidence is presented which suggests the initial response in the bullheads was due, at least in part, to gustatory stimulation by the cyanide. Oxygen consumption of the trout remained above pre-exposure levels for the majority of the test period. Oxygen consumption in the bullhead paralleled the changes in heart and ventilatory rates. Whole-body lactate levels of fingerlings of both species during cyanide exposure were measured to estimate the extent of anaerobiosis. Whole-body lactate levels were much greater in the bullheads than the trout, indicating a higher capacity for anaerobiosis, possibly due to a greater fuel supply. Overall, the trout responded to cyanide in a manner similar to that produced by environmental hypoxia whereas the bullheads experienced a gustatory stimulus which masked the hypoxia-like response.     

An overview of stress physiology of fish transport: changes in water quality as a function of transport duration

This study brings an integrated analysis about the relationship between water deterioration and its physiological consequences in live fish transport. The analysis was focused on the transport water and its deterioration, and physiological challenges imposed on the fish. Usual commercial handling procedures employed to mitigate fish stress during transport were discussed. Future topics of research for the establishment of safer fish transport protocols were proposed. Transport was classified into short (≤8 h) or long transport (>8 h). The main issue in short transports should be the prevention of water pH reduction, while in long transports it is the increase in ammonia. Plasma cortisol is the most employed marker for stress and is acutely elevated upon short episodes of transport, but remains elevated even in long‐transport events. Plasma glucose is perhaps a better marker for handling stress. Plasma lactate, pH, osmolality CO₂ and ions should be more often evaluated. Plasma Na⁺ and Cl^‐ are very useful markers of acidosis, due to their respective exchange for H⁺ and , for acid–base regulation. The establishment of species‐specific transport protocols should be preceded by such combined analyses of water and physiological parameters.     

Are hatchery‐reared abalone naïve of predators? Comparing the behaviours of wild and hatchery‐reared northern abalone,Haliotis kamtschatkana (Jonas, 1845)

Abalone populations have declined worldwide, generating interest in enhancement using hatchery‐reared individuals. In many cases, such restoration efforts have met with limited success due to high predator‐induced mortality rates. Furthermore, the mortality rates of outplanted hatchery abalone are often considerably higher than for wild individuals. This study uses northern abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana) as a case study to determine whether hatchery‐reared abalone behave differently than their wild counterparts. In the field, outplanted hatchery‐reared abalone were significantly less responsive than wild abalone, in terms of number of abalone responding and intensity of response, to nearby movement and to physical contact with an inert probe. Also, when encountering a cue to which all abalone responded (a seastar predator), hatchery‐reared individuals remained subdued. Anti‐predator behavioural deficits in hatchery‐reared abalone were more pronounced in 4‐year‐old individuals than in 1‐year‐old individuals, suggesting an influence of either age or amount of time spent in the hatchery environment. These behavioural differences are expected to increase the vulnerability of hatchery‐reared abalone to predators, and are likely a major cause of their elevated predator‐induced mortality when outplanted.     

Effects of cadmium on the kinetics of calcium uptake in developing tilapia larvae, Oreochromis mossambicus

The toxic effects of Cd²⁺ on Ca²⁺ influx kinetics in developing tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) larvae were evaluated. Addition of 20 µg l^-1 of Cd²⁺ to the environment of 0 and 3 day-old larvae competitively inhibited the Ca²⁺ uptake within 4h resulting in a great increase in K_m values for Ca²⁺ influx (19.3 and 17.4 fold, respectively) as compared with their respective controls. Consequently, the actual Ca²⁺ influx of larvae in solutions of 0.2 mM Ca²⁺ are suppressed by 32–45%. Also, 3 day-old larvae were more sensitive to internally accumulated Cd²⁺ than 0 day-old larvae. Although the Ca²⁺ influx in 0 and 3 day-old larvae may be restored to the levels of their respective controls with 24h of being transferred to a 20 µg l^-1 Cd²⁺ solution, total body Ca²⁺ content was significantly reduced in 3 day-old larvae. Increased Ca²⁺ uptake efficiency ensures sufficient Ca²⁺ for normal growth. However, rapid increase in Ca²⁺ influx after hatching also leads to higher Cd²⁺ uptake. Exposure to Cd²⁺ will lead to a drop in body Ca²⁺ content resulting in retardation of larval growth. Therefore, we conclude that if Ca²⁺ uptake is interfered with at this critical stage of development, larvae will not be able to maintain normal levels of body Ca²⁺ and will show signs of Cd²⁺ poisoning.     

Migratory dynamics of stream-spawning longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus)

Abstract– Literature evidence suggests that lake-dwelling longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus) enter tributary streams to spawn, Until the present study, the dynamics of this breeding migration had never been investigated quantitatively. During the summers of 1991 and 1992, longnose gar were captured as they entered Weaubleau Creek, Missouri, a tributary of Harry S. Truman Reservoir. The in-stream spawning migration began in early April and ended in late May, and was positively correlated with stream flow and water level, and negatively correlated with water temperature. In-stream residence times ranged from 15 to 94 days, with males exhibiting longer residence times than females. Once in-stream, longnose gar travelled as far as 10 km upstream and occupied certain pools at greater relative frequencies. Although the reason for this preferential utilization is not completely understood, it may relate to pool depth and riffle proximity. Longnose gar disperse from the spawning stream great distances, with gar captured in Weaubleau Creek being recaptured up to 48 km away. This information should provide fisheries biologists the means to consider the reproductive ecology of this species in their conservation and management decisions.     

Nutritional regulation of hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation and polyunsaturated fatty acid composition in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The desaturation and elongation of [1-¹⁴C]18:3n-3 was investigated in hepatocytes of the tropical warm freshwater species, zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation/elongation pathway was assayed before and after the fish were fed two experimental diets, a control diet containing fish oil (FO) and a diet containing vegetable oil (VO; a blend of olive, linseed and high oleic acid sunflower oils) for 10 weeks. The VO diet was formulated to provide 1% each of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3, and so satisfy the possible EFA requirements of zebrafish and tilapia. At the end of the dietary trial, the lipid and fatty acid composition was determined in whole zebrafish, and liver, white muscle and brain of tilapia. Both zebrafish and tilapia expressed a hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation/elongation pattern consistent with them being freshwater and planktonivorous fish. The data also showed that hepatic fatty acid desaturation/elongation was nutritionally regulated with the activities being higher in fish fed the VO diet compared to fish fed the FO diet. In zebrafish, the main effect of the VO diet was increased fatty acid Δ6 desaturase activity resulting in the production of significantly more 18:4n-3 compared to fish fed the FO diet. In tilapia, all activities in the pathway were greater in fish fed the VO diet resulting in increased amounts of all fatty acids in the pathway, but primarily eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3). However, the fatty acid compositional data indicated that despite increased activity, desaturation of 18:3n-3 was insufficient to maintain tissue proportions of EPA and DHA in fish fed the VO diet at the same level as in fish fed the FO diet. Practically, these results indicate that manipulation of tilapia diets in commercial culture in response to the declining global fish oil market would have important consequences for fish fatty acid composition and the health of consumers. Scientifically, zebrafish and tilapia, both the subject of active genome mapping projects, could be useful models for studies of lipid and fatty acid metabolism at a molecular biological and genetic level. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.