吕四渔场场虾桁拖网最小网目尺寸的研究

为了养护和管理海洋渔业资源，对虾桁拖网网囊网目进行了选择性试验，以期找到最适网目尺寸，为今后立法和管理提供科学依据。经试验表明，随着网囊网目的加大，50％选择长也随之增加，当网囊网目内径分别为35mm、40mm、45mm时，哈氏仿对虾50％选择体长分别为72．73、74．61、81．43mm；葛氏长臂虾50％选择体分别为70．42、75．60、79．45mm；脊尾白虾50％选择体长分别为88．37、92．05、97．17mm。三种虾类的50％选择体长（L0．5）与网囊网目内径（Me)的线性回归方程如下：哈氏仿对虾：L0．5＝41．469＋0．8697Me R^2=0．9029葛氏长臂虾：L0．5＝39．063＋0．9024Me R^2=0．9927脊尾白虾：L0．5＝57．325＋0．8801Me R^2=0．9911三种虾类混合：L0．5＝37．597＋1．1470Me R^2=0．9996。将网囊网目尺寸由现在的20mm到25mm提高到35－40mm，则在此网目大小，能释放掉大量70mm以下的幼虾，而捕获的商品虾质量有明显改善。根据试验结果和分析，建议对虾桁拖网加强管理，制定相应的法规，规定最小网目尺寸。     

吕四渔场虾桁拖网最小网目尺寸的研究

为了养护和管理海洋渔业资源,对虾桁拖网网囊网目进行了选择性试验,以期找到最适网目尺寸,为今后立法和管理提供科学依据。经试验表明,随着网囊网目的加大,50％选择体长也随之增加。当网囊网目内径分别为35mm、40mm、45mm时,哈氏仿对虾50％选择体长分别为72.73、74.61、81.43mm;葛氏长臂虾50％选择体长分别为70.42、75.60、79.45mm;脊尾白虾50％选择体长分别为88.37、92.05、97.17mm。 三种虾类的50％选择体长(L_0.5)与网囊网目内径(Me)的线性回归方程如下: 哈氏仿对虾:L_0.5=469+0.8697Me R~2=0.9029 葛氏长臂虾:L_0.5=39.063+0.9024Me R~2=0.9927 脊尾白虾:L_0.5=57.325+0.8801Me R~2=0.9911 三种虾类混合:L_0.5=37.597+1.1470Me R~2=0.9996 将网囊网目尺寸由现在的20mm到25mm提高到35～40mm,则在此网目大小下,能释放掉大量70mm以下的幼虾,而捕获的商品虾质量有明显改善。根据试验结果和分析,建议对虾桁拖网加强管理,制定相应的法规,规定最小网目尺寸。     

秋季长江口桁杆拖虾网网囊网目的选择性研究

本文通过秋季采用套网法对东海区桁杆拖虾网的选择性试验,对桁杆拖虾网的3种网囊网目尺寸进行了分析研究,结果表明：当网囊网目尺寸为30mm、35mm和50mm时,哈氏仿对虾的50%选择体长分别为47.15mm、54.98mm和78.48mm;斑节对虾的50%选择体长分别为57.07mm、64.65mm和87.06mm;总体虾类的50%选择体长分别为56.08mm、65.76mm和83.80mm。虾类网囊网目内径（Me）与50%选择体长（L0.5）之间的关系：哈氏仿对虾：L0.5=1.5665Me＋0.1527,R2=1;斑节对虾：L0.5=1.4982Me＋12.161,R2=1;总体虾类：L0.5=1.3392Me＋17.306,R2=0.9856。     

桁杆虾拖网选择性装置的试验分析

设计并研制了一种内、外圆环形刚性框架和柔性六角形网片组合而成的桁杆虾拖网选择性装置。所研制选择性装置在东海区近海桁杆虾拖网中,采用对比试验法开展了海上选择性试验,并针对试验期间主要渔获品种哈氏仿对虾,以Logistic曲线为选择性模型,对六角形网目水平缩结长度分别为D1=31.00 mm,D2=27.50 mm,D3=21.25 mm三种规格选择性装置的选择性效果进行分析。结果表明,3种规格选择性装置均具有选择性效果,其中安装六角形网目水平缩结长度为31.00 mm和27.50 mm的选择性装置的目标网囊内哈氏仿对虾的优势体长均为75~95 mm,相应非目标网囊内哈氏仿对虾的优势体长分别为25~45 mm和35~55 mm,具有较显著的差异性;而安装六角形网目水平缩结长度为21.25 mm的选择性装置的目标网囊内哈氏仿对虾的优势体长35~55 mm,相应非目标网囊内哈氏仿对虾的优势体长同为25~45 mm。六角形网目水平缩结长度31.00 mm的选择性装置对哈氏仿对虾的50%选择体长L50最大,为48.89 mm,而选择性范围SR最小,为16.75 mm,在试验规格范围内的选择性效果最显著。     

东海区拖网网囊网目选择性研究

通过东海区拖网网囊网目对带鱼和小黄鱼的选择性试验，对拖网最适网囊网目尺寸进行了分析研究。结果表明：1．网囊网目45mm，小黄鱼和带鱼的逃逸率均较低，渔获中兼捕大量当年生经济幼鱼；2．网囊网目54mm，小黄鱼的50％选择体长尚小于其优势体长组范围，带鱼的50％，选择体长已部分进入其优势体长组范围；3．网囊网目65mm，选择体长范围与选择鱼种的优势体长组范围基本一致。综合分析认为：目前东海区最理想的拖网网囊网目不小于60mm。     

多囊桁拖网选择性研究中对照网囊网目尺寸的选择

对比作业法是拖网渔具选择性研究中重要的试验方法之一,而对比试验中对照网囊网目的选择至关重要。研究利用多囊桁拖网不同网目尺寸(20、30、35和40mm)网囊捕获的哈氏仿对虾、小黄鱼和棘头梅童鱼渔获体长分布数据,应用几何相似原理,分析过滤性渔具的选择性,并按不同假设条件下(假设1:符合几何相似原理对渔获具有一定的选择性;假设2:对渔获种类没有选择性),探讨如何合理选择对照网囊网目尺寸。结果表明,对照网网囊网目尺寸为20mm,在上述2种假设下,对选择性模型的拟合、简化及对其它网囊的选择性参数没有显著的影响;在考虑了桁拖网渔具各网囊具有相同相对作业强度,以及桁拖网渔具与普通拖网渔具选择性分析方法上的差异等因素后,认为在此项研究中,将小于20mm网目尺寸的网囊视为没有选择性的对照网囊是可行的。     

桁拖网不同网目结构的网囊对虾类的选择性

为改善东海近海桁拖网对主要虾类的选择性,使用对比作业法,在吕泗渔场开展了多个航次、不同网目结构（菱形、方形及转向网目）网囊的选择性试验,并进行了选择性分析。在选择性分析中,将几何相似原理运用于选择性曲线模型（Richards曲线）,并使用极大似然估计法进行参数估计,同时使用假设检验理论对选择性曲线模型进行简化。选择性模型对哈氏仿对虾（Parapenaeopsis hardwickii）和葛氏长臂虾（Palaemon gravier）渔获数据的拟合结果显示,选择性模型具有较好的拟合性,但存在航次间差异;不同网目结构网囊的选择性曲线模型都可简化为Logistic曲线;对于哈氏仿对虾,相比菱形网目网囊,方形网目和转向网目网囊的L50较大,而SR较小（菱形和方形网目之间差异显著,菱形和转向网目之间差异不显著）;对于葛氏长臂虾,方形网目和转向网目网囊的L50较大（菱形和方形网目之间差异显著,菱形和转向网目之间差异不显著）。根据虾类在网囊中的逃逸行为,方形网目、转向网目具有较好选择性的原因在于这2种网目较传统菱形网目不易合拢;不同网目结构网囊的选择性对开展渔具种类选择性研究具有重要意义。     

桁拖网渔具分隔网片对虾类的分隔效率

利用分隔网片将桁拖网渔具网囊分为上下2层(虾囊和鱼囊)以实现虾类和鱼类渔获分离,对于改善桁拖网渔具作业性能、提高目标种类渔获质量以及实现选择性捕捞具有重要的意义.为分析不同网日尺寸(60mm、75mm和90mm)分隔网片对主要渔获种类的分隔效率,在吕泗渔场开展了2个航次的海上生产实验.利用分隔装置性能分析模型,对哈氏仿对虾(Parapenaeopsis hardwickii)和葛氏长臂虾(Palaemon gravier)的渔获数据进行拟合.结果表明,不同虾类接触分隔网片的概率没有显著性差异;虾类个体50%接触概率体长约为40mm,表明大多数进入网具的虾类都能接触分隔网片.随着分隔网片网目尺寸增大,50%选择体长也逐渐增大.因此,分隔网片的分隔效率随之提高.鱼囊和虾囊的网目尺寸相同,但结构有所差异.比较在不同网囊尺寸选择性假设条件下渔获数据的拟合结果后发现,鱼囊和虾囊具有相同选择性的假设更为合理;通过比较发现,分隔网片对虾类的尺寸选择性与相同网目尺寸的网囊选择性具有较大的差异.本研究还对产生这一差异的原因进行了探讨.     

拖网囊网网目及其对东海带鱼选择性的研究

本文介绍了东、黄海拖网囊网网目的套网系列试验结果，指出当带鱼的刺鱼体周相当于网目内周时，其体长一般大于这种网目对带鱼的50％选择体长。文中比较了按照刺鱼体周求算网目内径同用50％选择体长决定网目内径的不同之处。根据网目内径与刺鱼体长的相关式，提出保护东海带鱼资源的拖网囊网最小网目内径为56毫米，并依据网目的选择性及带鱼的生物学资料，讨论了采用这一网目尺寸的可行性。     

盘锦海域桁杆虾拖网网囊网目选择性研究

为了解盘锦海域桁杆虾拖网的网囊网目尺寸是否适宜当地渔业生产,使用套网法研究了该网具不同网目尺寸的网囊对葛氏长臂虾(Palaemon gravieri)和脊尾白虾(Palaemon carinicauda)的选择性。结果显示,试验网囊网目尺寸为20、25和33 mm时,葛氏长臂虾的50%选择体长L0.5分别为30.7、36和40 mm,选择范围SR分别为12.2、10.4和13.8 mm,选择性因数SF分别是1.5370、1.4394和1.3310;脊尾白虾的50%选择体长L0.5分别为38.3、40.2和45.3 mm,选择范围SR分别为9.3、14.4和12.9 mm,选择性因数SF分别是1.913 1、1.608 2和1.372 7。两种虾类的50%选择体长(L0.5)和网囊网目内径(m)的线性回归方程为,葛氏长臂虾:L0.5=0.686 9 m+17.691 8;脊尾白虾:L0.5=0.550 0 m+26.955 7。研究认为:盘锦海域常见的20 mm网囊网目的桁杆拖网会捕获大量的幼虾,对渔业资源造成巨大破坏;建议捕捞葛氏长臂虾可用网囊网目内径为33~38 mm的桁杆虾拖网,捕捞脊尾白虾可用网囊网目内径为24~30 mm的桁杆虾拖网。     

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.     

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.     

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.