Seasonal changes in distribution and abundance of euphausiids in the coastal area of north-eastern Japan

ABSTRACT:   Seasonal changes in distribution and abundance of euphausiids off south-eastern Hokkaido (41°−43°N), Sanriku (38°−41°N), and Joban (36°−38°N) were investigated using cylindrical-conical nets every two months from March 1997 to February 1998. Twenty-six species of seven genera of euphausiids occurred during the survey. Among them, subarctic-transitional Euphausia pacifica was the most abundant throughout the year in coastal waters, as their relative contribution to the total abundance of euphausiids was 89–92%. This species occurred in each coastal water throughout the survey and was abundant from winter to early summer (February–June) off Sanriku and Joban and in autumn in south-eastern Hokkaido. Thysanoessa inspinata occurred off south-eastern Hokkaido and Sanriku throughout the survey, mainly in spring (April) but rarely occurred off Joban. Three other subarctic Thysanoessa species occurred mainly off south-eastern Hokkaido from winter to spring. Conversely, warm- and transitional-water epipelagic species occurred exclusively off Sanriku and Joban in autumn. The characteristics of seasonal distributional patterns of euphausiids are discussed in relation to the spatial and temporal changes of oceanographic conditions and several predators off north-eastern Japan.     

Anaesthetic efficacy and physiological responses to clove oil-anaesthetized kelp grouper Epinephelus bruneus

The efficacy of clove oil as an anaesthetic and at producing a physiological response (plasma cortisol and glucose) was evaluated in the kelp grouper, Epinephelus bruneus . To acquire complete anaesthesia in less than 3 min and recovery in <10 min, three doses of clove oil were tested at 18, 22 and 26 °C. Although higher anaesthetic doses resulted in shorter induction times and longer recovery times, and a lower temperature resulted in longer anaesthesia induction and slower recovery, we found the optimal dose and administering temperature of clove oil to be 250–300 mg L⁻¹ at water temperature of 18 °C, 150–200 mg L⁻¹ at water temperature of 22 °C and 50–100 mg L⁻¹ at water temperature of 26 °C respectively. Following the administration of 150 mg L⁻¹ of clove oil at 22 °C, the plasma cortisol level was highest (4.24 ± 1.571 μg dL⁻¹) after 12 h and the plasma glucose was highest (92.7 ± 9.61 mg dL⁻¹) after 2 h. These results should be useful to the aquaculture industry, where anaesthesia is necessary for a range of activities.     

The influence of different levels of dietary vitamin E on sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax flesh quality

Sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax fillet quality was investigated after feeding with four diets (A, B, C or D) containing different levels of dietary vitamin E (139 mg kg^–1, 254 mg kg^–1, 493 mg kg^–1 and 942 mg kg^–1, respectively). Six-hundred and eighty fish (mean initial weight 208 g) were equally divided into four 20 m³ tanks and fed for 87 days. Filtered seawater with a temperature ranging from 18.2 to 26.3 °C was supplied continuously. At the end of the experiment, fish were stored at 1 °C for 12 days. At one, three, six, nine and 12 days, 20 fish per group were processed for proximate composition, vitamin E and induced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) analyses. No significant differences in proximate composition were registered between groups. The flesh lipid content ranged from 88.0 g kg^–1 (group B) to 96.8 g kg^–1 (group A). Vitamin E fillet content was significantly different between groups, reaching levels of 98.0, 150.7, 225.2 and 302.0 μg g^–1 lipids for group A, B, C and D, respectively. Induced TBARs values were statistically different only for group A compared with the other groups. No significant variations were registered in relation to preservation time. Because of the positive influence of vitamin E on seafood quality and the correlation between its dietary level and flesh deposition, the α-tocopherol content of the diet should be well above fish minimum requirements.     

Growth and mortality of common octopus Octopus vulgaris reared at different stocking densities in Mediterranean offshore cages

Four ongrowing cycles of common octopus ( Octopus vulgaris ), each with two stocking densities, were carried out in an offshore area in order to evaluate the effect of the following variables on growth ( G , % body weight day⁻¹) and mortality ( M , % day⁻¹): weight ( W , 0.5–3.0 kg), temperature ( T , 14–26 °C), stocking density (SD, 6–46 kg m⁻³), size dispersion, expressed as coefficient of variation (CV, 13–42%) and significant wave height (SWH: 0.4–1.2 m). The assays were performed in an 8 m³ stainless-steel floating cage divided into two compartments of 4 m³ each. For the range of temperatures considered (14–26 °C), G depended significantly on T and SWH, with maximum G values being obtained at 18.5 °C and with an important negative effect of SWH. M depended significantly on T, W and CV, mortality being minimal at 18 °C. The two other variables had an antagonistic effect, mortality increasing with greater size dispersion – suggesting that animals should be graded throughout the process – although the effect diminished as the sizes increased. The results point towards two alternatives for the commercial ongrowing of octopus under the particular conditions of the present study: (A) two ongrowing cycles of 3.5 months to reach a final weight of 2.5 kg or (B) one 5-month cycle to reach a final weight of 3.5 kg.     

Annual net production of the five Sargassaceae species in Yoro,western Wakasa Bay,Sea of Japan

ABSTRACT:   Annual net production of the five Sargassaceae species was investigated in Yoro, western Wakasa Bay, Sea of Japan. The Sargassaceae species were collected at a depth of 2.0–2.5 m and subjected to stratified clipping for 13 months. Annual net production was estimated at 2407 g dry wt/m² for Sargassum patens , 2132 g dry wt/m² for Sargassum macrocarpum , 1458 g dry wt/m² for Sargassum siliquastrum , 1197 g dry wt/m² for Myagropsis myagroides , and 1471 g dry wt/m² for Sargassum piluliferum . The ratio of annual net production to maximum biomass (P/B_max) for these species ranged between 1.3 and 1.7, being higher than in previous studies which used the same method. Winter storms with strong wave exposure and relatively calm condition in Yoro were considered to augment P/B_max. The total losses estimated from the different units of stratified clipping were compared. If larger and less segregated units were applied, the total loss would decrease. It was suggested that a 50 cm stratum would be applicable to the larger species (3 m or longer) and a stratum of 20 cm or less would be applicable to mid-sized or smaller species (less than 3 m).     

Temporal variation of seasonality of egg production and the spawning biomass of Pacific anchovy, Engraulis japonicus, in the southern waters of Korea in 1983–1994

Embryonic mortality, egg production and the spawning stock biomass of Pacific anchovy, Engraulis japonicus , off Southern Korea during 1983–1994, and their biological response to oceanographic features in spring and summer, were analysed. The instantaneous mortality rate (IMR) of embryonic stages decreased in spring and increased in summer, with a range of 0.33–1.23 day^–1 in spring and 0.78–1.69 day^–1 in summer. Egg production in summer was three times that during spring and production was low in the late 1980s. Mean lengths of yolk-sac larvae and adult females were greater in spring than in summer, whereas spawning fraction and spawning stock ratio (spawning biomass:adult biomass) were lower in spring than summer. Estimated mean spawning stock biomass ranged from 141 × 10³ to 380 × 10³ MT in spring and from 221 × 10³ to 557 × 10³ MT in summer. Statistically, the seasonal and long-term trends of embryonic mortality, egg production and spawning stock biomass of Pacific anchovy can be explained largely by spring warming, summer cooling and by less abundant zooplankton in the late 1980s.     

Life cycle of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dilophus okamurae</Emphasis> (Phaeophyceae) and its associated invertebrate fauna in Onagawa Bay,Japan

ABSTRACT:   The life cycle of Dilophus okamurae and the associated benthic invertebrate fauna were studied monthly or bimonthly from June 1998 to September 1999 at a depth of 4–7 m in Onagawa Bay along the Pacific coast of north-eastern Honshu, Japan (38°28'N, 149°29'E). Dry biomass ranged from 230 g/m² in June to 10 g/m² in October. Sporophytes with tetrasporangia appeared during July to September 1998. Gametophytes with oogonia or antheridia were observed for the first time in May 1999 during observation. The absence of mature sporophytes in 1999 suggests that the life cycle is completed over two years. The sympatric gastropods Lirularia iridescens , Homalopoma sangrarense, Conotalopia minima and Cantharidus callichroa synchronized with seasonal changes in biomass of this algae. In contrast, Barleeia angustata and B. trifasciata fluctuated independently. The juvenile sea urchin Strongylocentrotus nudus appeared in the algal population starting in October at 0.7 mm mean test diameter at high density, and disappeared after March.     

Effects of dietary protein and lipid level, and water temperature, on the post-feeding oxygen consumption of Atlantic cod and haddock

Tank respirometry was used to study the interactive effects of protein:lipid level (55%:11% vs. 42%:16%; both diets isoenergetic) and temperature (11, 6 and 2 °C) on the magnitude and duration of specific dynamic action (SDA) in juvenile Atlantic cod and haddock. The protein:lipid level did not affect any measured variable. However, numerous temperature and species effects were observed. For example, although the maximum post-feeding oxygen consumption (30–50% above routine metabolic rate; RMR) and SDA duration (∼55–85 h; SDA_DUR) were not affected by temperature, SDA_DUR g⁻¹ of food increased from 11 to 2 °C (from ∼3 to 12 h g food⁻¹). While absolute SDA (mg O₂) decreased by ∼60–65% in cod and ∼75% in haddock from 11 to 2 °C, due to a concomitant decrease in food consumption from ∼2.0% to 0.6% body mass, SDA comprised between 3.3% and 5.2% of the dietary energy content at all temperatures. Finally, RMR at 11 and 2 °C and SDA_DUR at 2 °C were 25–35% and 25% greater in cod, respectively, as compared with haddock. These results suggest that feeding reduced protein diets at low water temperatures is unlikely to improve the growth of these species.     

Determination of the optimal water temperature for the culture of juvenile dusky kob Argyrosomus japonicus Temminck and Schlegel 1843

The effects of temperature on growth, food-conversion ratio (FCR) and feeding intensity of juvenile dusky kob Argyrosomus japonicus (23.7±2.6 g fish⁻¹) were assessed over the temperature range 17.5–28.5 °C in a 42-day growth trial. Growth increased with increasing temperature up to an optimum after which it declined. Specific growth rates were 2.05% and 1.2% day⁻¹ for the fastest (25.3 °C) and the slowest (17.5 °C) treatments respectively. Food-conversion ratio peaked at a lower temperature than growth. Optimal (0.72 kg kg gain⁻¹) and least efficient (1.40 kg kg gain⁻¹) FCR were found at 21.7 and 17.5 °C respectively. Feeding intensity was linearly related to temperature within the range of 17.5–28.5 °C. These results corresponded to the thermal preference (25–26.4 °C) and natural temperature distribution (12–28 °C) of South African dusky kob. Determination of the temperature range that does not limit growth is a prerequisite to assess the relationship between growth and environmental variables such as light intensity, feeding regime and stocking density. Consequently, experiments to determine the effects of these environmental variables on growth and aquaculture potential of dusky kob should be conducted at 24–26 °C.     

Effect of different synthetic gonadotrop-releasing hormone analogues and their combinations with an anti-dopaminergic compound on the reproduction performance of sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus L.)

In this study, three synthetic gonadotrop-releasing hormones (GnRH) (azagly-nafarelin; des-Gly¹⁰-( d -Ala⁶)-LH-RH; and des-Gly¹⁰-( d -Phe⁶)-LH-RH) either alone or in combination with metoclopramide were used to induce reproduction of sterlet. The GnRH analogues were applied in a single dose of 40 μg kg⁻¹ of female and 20 μg kg⁻¹ of male body weight. Metoclopramid was administered in a simultaneous injection of 10 and 5 mg kg⁻¹ of body weight for females and males respectively. There were no significant differences in the ovulatory responses of females; ovulation rates varied between 57% and 80%, and at the temperature of 15.5–16.0 °C about 30–34 h were required for final maturation, when eggs of 17.3±1.3% of body weight were stripped. However, the fertilization rates of the des-Gly¹⁰-( d -Phe⁶)-LH-RH-treated groups were significantly lower than that in the other treatment. In males, the combination of the above peptidergic hormones with metoclopramide gave significantly better results than their single application. The results demonstrate that the final stage of gamete maturation in sterlet may be achieved by several hormonal means. The possibility of using new GnRH analogues without dopamine antagonists yields new perspectives for induced breeding of sturgeons, which have particular importance in the light of meat and roe (caviar) production for human consumption.     

Monthly assessments of proteins, fatty acids and amino acids in Artemia franciscana cultivated in 'Las Salinas de Hidalgo', state of San Luis Potosí, Mexico

This study presents the biochemical contents of Artemia biomass produced in a pond in 'Las Salinas de Hidalgo', State of San Luis Potosí, Mexico. The culture was realized over a period of 1 year in an 80 × 50 × 0.65 m (200 m³) pond. The feed consisted of a mixture of four micro algae. Samples of 1 kg of Artemia biomass (wet basis) were taken monthly and total protein, total lipid, amino acids and fatty acids were assessed. The contents of total protein and lipids showed a similar tendency from July to December (maintained values of about 300 mg g⁻¹ for protein and 90 mg g⁻¹ for lipids). With the exception of methionine and arginine, other seven indispensable amino acids were detected in the monthly samples, having similar values during the period from July to December. The most common fatty acids determined were the C16, C18, C18:1 and C18:3 n 6. Both, C20:4 n 6 and C20:5 n 3, were observed occasionally, but in high quantities. The use of the four micro algae as food for the Artemia cultured extensively, improved the biochemical composition and allows using this crustacean as feed for several species of aquatic organisms used for ornamental or human consumption.     

Effects of water discharge and temperature on the seaward migration of anadromous browntrout, Salmo trutta, smolts

Abstract – The smolt run of anadromous brown trout ( Sulmo trutta ) in a Norwegian river was studied for three consecutive years. The main run occurred in a period of 7–10 days in the middle or second half of May. Support was found for the hypothesis that high water discharge and temperature triggered the run. Few smolts descended when the discharge was low (<50 m³· s⁻¹) and the water temperature was below 4°C. The maximum number were caught when the discharge was moderate (70–150 m³· s⁻¹) and the water temperature high (68°C). The relative importance of these factors varied from year to year. The first-year discharge explained 38% of the variation in the number of smolts migrating. Discharge and temperature together explained 61% in 1992 and 28% in the second and third year, respectively.     

Preventive method of color deterioration of yellowtail dark muscle during frozen storage and post thawing

ABSTRACT:   The aim of this study was to develop a practical preventive method for color deterioration of sliced or filleted yellowtail muscle, especially of dark muscle, during frozen storage and post thawing. When the sliced meats were packaged in a vacuum with low oxygen permeable flexible films and then stored frozen below −40°C, no significant discoloration or browning of dark muscle was observed for 9 months or more. For higher temperature storage at −20°C or −30°C, nitrogen gas substituted packaging was a useful practical method for storing sliced meats for 6 weeks. In order to prevent color deterioration of sliced meats after thawing and subsequent storage at 0°C, the efficacy of materials of packaging was investigated. The most desirable result was obtained by using a film with oxygen permeability of 50–90 cm³/m² per 24 h.     

Target strength measurements of suspended live ommastrephid squid, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Todarodes pacificus</Emphasis>, and its application in density estimations

ABSTRACT:   Average target strength (TS) measurements of free-swimming Todarodes pacificus are required for calculating abundance estimations using the echo integration method. In this study, 31 live T. pacificus (18.0–28.4 cm dorsal mantle length; [ML]) were suspended with mantle tilt angles horizontally similar to free-swimming orientation, and their TS were measured using a 38 kHz split-beam echo sounder. Normalized TS by squared ML of T. pacificus ML was calculated as −73.1 dB: TS = 20 log ML −73.1 dB. The density of T. pacificus at their fishing ground off the northern Sanriku coast, Japan, was then estimated first using the echo integration method with the obtained normalized TS measurements, and then using commercial purse seine fishery CPUE (catch (tons) of squid per haul of purse seine) data. The density of T. pacificus aggregations near the continental shelf edge and upper continental slope was estimated as approximately 50–400 individuals/100 m² using both the echo integration method and CPUE data, both density results were similar. It was considered feasible therefore, to assess T. pacificus biomass directly using the echo integration method.     

Perception of light intensity by Haliotis discus discus based on locomotor activity patterns

ABSTRACT:   An apparatus to measure the locomotor activity of aquatic benthic organisms at variable low light levels was developed and the diurnal behavioral pattern of the abalone Haliotis discus discus was measured at various low light intensities. During the experiment, abalone were exposed to 12 h light–dark cycles of complete darkness, 0 µmol/m²/s throughout the 12 h dark cycle and, during periods I (days 1–8) and III (days 19–26), the 12 h light cycles were set at 10 µmol/m²/s. During period II (days 10–17), abalone were exposed to a light level during the 12 h light cycles of 1 × 10⁻⁵, 1 × 10⁻⁶, 1 × 10⁻⁷ or 1 × 10⁻⁸ µmol/m²/s and the changes in locomotor activity assessed. At daytime levels of 1 × 10⁻⁵ µmol/m²/s, typical behavioral patterns were observed of high locomotory activity during the night-time cycle. However, at lower light intensities, the distinction between day and night activity patterns became less clear and, at intensities lower than 1 × 10⁻⁷ µmol/m²/s, the difference between activity during the light and dark cycles became negligible. Based on this, we conclude that the threshold of light level perception in relation to locomotor activity is approximately 1 × 10⁻⁷ µmol/m²/s. The significance of these results in relation to the entrainment of behavior in abalone is discussed.     

Turtles on the edge: movement of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) along oceanic fronts, spanning longline fishing grounds in the central North Pacific, 1997–1998

Nine juvenile loggerhead sea turtles tracked during 1997 and 1998 in the central North Pacific by satellite telemetry all travelled westward, against prevailing currents, along two convergent fronts identified by satellite remotely sensed data on sea surface temperature (SST), chlorophyll and geostrophic currents. These fronts are characterized by gradients in sea surface height that produce an eastward geostrophic current, with gradients in surface chlorophyll and SST. Six of the turtles were associated with a front characterized by 17°C SST, surface chlorophyll of about 0.2 mg m^–3, and eastward geostrophic current of about 4 cm s^–1, while the other three turtles were associated with a front with 20°C SST, surface chlorophyll of about 0.1 mg m^–3, and eastward geostrophic flow of about 7 cm s^–1. These results appear to explain why incidental catch rates of loggerheads in the Hawaii longline fishery are highest when gear is set at 17°C and 20°C, SST. Further, from the seasonal distribution of longline effort relative to these fronts, it appears that the surface longline fishing ground lies largely between these two fronts during the first quarter and well to the south of the 17°C front, but including the 20°C front, in the second quarter. These findings suggest seasonal or area closures of the longline fishery that could be tested to reduce incidental catches of loggerheads. Finally, these results illustrate the insights which can be achieved by combining data on movement of pelagic animals with concurrent remotely sensed environmental data.     

Effects of fish size and water temperature on the acute toxicity of boron to Japanese flounder <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralichthys olivaceus</Emphasis> and red sea bream <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pagrus major</Emphasis>

ABSTRACT:     The acute toxicities of boron were examined for Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus and red sea bream Pagrus major in terms of fish size and water temperature. Japanese flounder of 0.1–70.0 g and red sea bream of 0.6–20.3 g were exposed to different concentrations of boron for 96 h at 20°C under semi-static conditions. In both fish species, the median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) for 96 h of boron increased linearly with increasing fish size, ranging from 108 to 252 mg B/L for the flounder, and from 97 to 172 mg B/L for the sea bream. The effect of water temperature on acute toxicity was examined for Japanese flounder of 0.6 and 1.5 g at 10, 15, 20 and 25°C, and for red sea bream of 0.6 and 2.4 g at 12, 15, 20 and 25°C. The toxicity of boron for the flounder increased linearly with increasing water temperature. The 96 h LC₅₀ values ranged from 299 to 108 mg B/L for the 0.6 g flounder and from 350 to 113 mg B/L for the 1.5 g flounder. A similar trend was shown for the 2.4 g red sea bream; however, the relationship for the 0.6 g red sea bream was not significant.     

Suspension feeding of the ark shell <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scapharca subcrenata</Emphasis> as a function of environmental and biological variables

ABSTRACT:   To assess the roles of the ark shell Scapharca subcrenata in material cycling in the northern part of Ariake Sound (Mae-no-umi), Japan, filtration of the ark shell fed on small diatoms was examined as a function of environmental and biological variables. The clearance rate ( CR ) specific to the soft-body dry weight ( w ) of the animals (shell length, 8–26 mm) followed a power function of w with an exponent of −0.35. Over the range of 10–20°C, CR increased 2.7 times, and filtration did not occur below a salinity of 14 practical salinity unit. Neither food concentration (10–40 µg/L of chlorophyll- a ) nor weight-specific daily ration (0.5–6%/day in terms of ash-free dry weight) notably affected CR . Using this information on CR as well as data regarding abundance and size distribution, the population filtration rate was calculated to be 1.6 m³/m² per day in the ark-shell culturing ground of Mae-no-umi (mean water depth, ∼3 m), corresponding to the potential to locally process a volume of water equivalent to the water column within 2 days. Because the culturing ground accounts for 12% of Mae-no-umi (mean water depth, ∼8 m), the ark shell seems to play an important role in its material cycling.     

Effects of dietary phosphorus and lipid levels on utilization and excretion of phosphorus and nitrogen by rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). 2. Production-scale study

In a 8-week production-scale experiment at a commercial trout farm, the effects of dietary lipid level and phosphorus level on phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) utilization of rainbow trout (initial mean weight 99 g) were assessed. A low-phosphorus, high-lipid experimental diet (457 g protein, 315 g lipid, 9.1 g P  kg^–1 dry diet) was compared with a commonly used commercial diet (484 g protein, 173 g lipid, 13.6 g P  kg^–1 dry diet). P and N budgets were constructed using data from the production-scale experiment and digestibility data for the two diets. In addition, orthophosphate and ammonia-N waste were measured in effluent over one 24-h period. Relative to the commercial diet, the experimental diet resulted in significantly increased feed efficiency ratio, N retention and P retention, and substantially reduced dissolved, solid and total P waste (g kg^–1 dry feed). Although N retention resulting from the experimental diet was higher, this was attributable to higher N (protein) digestibility of the experimental diet. Solid N waste (g kg^–1 dry feed) resulting from the experimental diet was substantially lower, but dissolved N waste (g kg^–1 dry feed) was not significantly different relative to the commercial diet. Mean effluent orthophosphate production (mg day^–1 kg^–1 fish) of fish fed the experimental diet was substantially lower than that of fish fed the commercial diet ( P  < 0.05), but effluent ammonia-N production (mg day^–1 kg^–1 fish) was not significantly affected by dietary treatment.     

Fish larvae distribution off Mejillones Peninsula (northern Chile) during a coastal upwelling event in Spring 1999: interactions with the cold upwelling plume

We examined the interaction between vertical and horizontal distribution of fish larvae off Mejillones Peninsula (23°S), northern Chile, under conditions of active coastal upwelling. An oceanographic survey covered spatial variability in temperature, chlorophyll- a (chl a ), dissolved oxygen, salinity and water density. Fish larvae were sampled during daytime and nighttime periods through two consecutive days in four stations: two inside and two outside of a well-developed upwelling plume, and at three depth strata: 0–20, 20–80 and 80–200 m. Eighteen taxa were analysed, of which the Myctophidae Diogenychthys atlanticus , Diogenichthys laternatus , and the anchovy Engraulis ringens , were most abundant. Our data showed little evidence for diel vertical migration and larvae were more abundant at depth (>80 m) under low temperature (∼12°C) and low chl a (∼2 mg m^–3), below the highly advective upper layer. The exploratory K -means analysis allowed the separation of data into two distinct habitats: upwelling and nonupwelling types. Most taxa were allocated in nonupwelling waters, i.e. outside the cold plume. However, short-term variations (<24 h) in the position of the upwelling plume influenced both horizontal and vertical occurrence as well as abundance of taxa, and caused variability in temperature, oxygen and chl a . These changes in oceanographic conditions, caused by upwelling circulation and the dynamics of the cold plume, may sharply modify the habitat of fish larvae and have an important role in survivorship and recruitment success.