Beneficial co‐culture of jellyfish Rhopilema esculenta (Kishinouye) and sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka): implications for pelagic‐benthic coupling

This study investigated monthly changes of sedimentation and sediment properties in three different culture systems (ponds) – i.e. jellyfish Rhopilema esculenta monoculture (J), sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus and jellyfish co‐culture (SJ) and sea cucumber monoculture (S) – to verify the feasibility of co‐culturing jellyfish and sea cucumbers. Results showed that jellyfish culture accelerated the settling velocity of total particulate matter (TPM). Average TPM settling velocities in the SJ (75.6 g m^?2 day^?1) and J (71.1 g m^?2 day^?1) ponds were significantly higher than that in the S pond (21.7 g m^?2 day^?1) from June to September during the jellyfish culture period. Average settling velocities of organic matter (OM), total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) in the SJ pond increased significantly by 3.0, 2.9, 3.3 and 3.8 times, respectively, compared with those in the S pond. Sediment contents of OM, TOC, TN and TP in the SJ and J ponds were significantly higher than those in the S pond during the jellyfish culture season. The specific growth rate of sea cucumbers feeding on SJ sediment was significantly higher than that of those feeding on S sediment. Co‐culturing sea cucumbers with jellyfish may help alleviate benthic nutrient loading due to the jellyfish and provide a secondary cash crop.     

Effects of stocking density on production and economics of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) polyculture in periphyton-based systems

The present research investigated the effect of stocking density on pond (75 m², depth 1.2 m) production of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) stocked at a fixed 3:1 tilapia:prawn ratio. Three stocking densities were tried in triplicate: 20 000 ha⁻¹ (treatment TP‐20), 30 000 ha⁻¹ (TP‐30) and 40 000 ha⁻¹ (TP‐40). The ponds were provided with bamboo as substrate for periphyton development. Bamboo poles (mean diameter 5.5 cm and 5.0 poles m⁻²) were posted vertically into pond bottoms, resulting in 60% additional substrate area in each pond. On average, 43 genera of algae and 17 genera of zooplankton were identified from pond water, whereas 42 genera of algae and six genera of microfauna were attached to bamboo substrates. No differences were observed between treatments in the ash‐free dry matter (AFDM), chlorophyll a and phaeophytin a content of periphyton (P>0.05). Survival of tilapia and prawn and individual weight gain of tilapia were lower (P<0.05) in treatment TP‐40. The net yields were higher (P<0.05) in treatments TP‐30 (2209 and 163 kg ha⁻¹ 105 day⁻¹ of tilapia and prawn respectively) and TP‐40 (2162 and 141 kg ha⁻¹ of tilapia and prawn respectively) than in treatment TP‐20 (1505 and 136 kg ha⁻¹ of tilapia and prawn respectively). The net tilapia yields were quadratic correlated (R²=0.92) with fish stocking density. The cost–benefit analysis shows that the net profit margin was highest in treatment TP‐30 (69%), followed by TP‐20 (50%) and TP‐40 (44%).     

Phylogenetic analysis of bacterial communities in the shrimp and sea cucumber aquaculture environment in northern China by culturing and PCR–DGGE

In this study, we investigated the bacterial communities in the shrimp and sea cucumber culture environment, including shrimp ponds (SP), sea cucumber ponds (SCP), mixed-culture ponds (MCP) and the effluent channel (EC) in Qingdao, China. Bacteria cultivation showed that the counts of heterotrophic, nitrate-reducing and sulfate-reducing bacteria in the sediment of SP were higher than that in the sediment of SCP and MCP, varying between 8.7 × 10⁴ and 1.86 × 10⁶, 2.1 × 10⁴ and 1.1 × 10⁵, and 9.3 × 10¹ and 1.1 × 10⁴ CFU g^?1, respectively. In contrast, the counts of ammonium-oxidizing and nitrifying bacteria in the sediment of SP was lower than that in the sediment of SCP and MCP. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of 16S rDNA gene and dendrogram analyses showed that bacterial diversity in the mixed-culture environment was higher than that in the monocultures. The similarity of bacterial community between EC and SCP or MCP was higher than that between EC and SP. These results indicated that sea cucumber culture played a significant role in influencing the environmental bacterial communities that were composed mainly of Flavobacteriaceae (64.3%), Bacteriodetes (21%) and delta proteobacteria (14.7%), including the genera of Croceimarina, Lutibacter, Psychroserpens and so on. The results explained the benefit of sea cucumber culture in shrimp ponds at the level of microbial ecology.     

Growth and mortality of Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam., 1819, in relation to size on longline in Mersin Bay, Izmir (Turkey – Aegean Sea)

The growth and mortality rate of different size of mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis, were compared in Mersin bay, Izmir. Mussel sampling was performed on a monthly basis over 1 year, together with hyrobiological parameters. Water temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a, total particulate matter (TPM) and particulate organic carbon (POC) were determined. Average chlorophyll a, TPM and POC values were 3.88±1.62 μg L⁻¹, 13.12±3.68 mg L⁻¹ and 252±121.89 μg L⁻¹ respectively. Initial mean lengths of mussels for each size group were 10 mm (9.91±0.25 mm), 20 mm (20.14±0.29 mm), 30 mm (30.66±0.21 mm), 40 mm (40.14±0.21 mm), 50 mm (50.62±0.21 mm), 60 mm (59.77±0.21 mm) and 70 mm (69.47±0.62 mm). Maximum growth in length occurred during the spring–summer months. The annual length increments of mussel size groups were 46.22, 41.42, 30.3, 28.03, 20.63, 16.34 and 12.03 mm from small to large size groups respectively. Small mussels grew faster than large mussels and reached commercial size at the same time. Mortality was <5% for all groups at the end of the experiment.     

Optimum dietary protein and lipid levels for growth of juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus

A feeding trial of three protein (200, 300 and 400 g kg⁻¹) and two lipid levels (20 and 100 g kg⁻¹) was conducted to determine the proper dietary protein and lipid levels for growth of juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. Dietary protein and lipid levels were adjusted by adding with different levels of soybean meal, squid liver oil and soybean oil, respectively. Three replicate groups of sea cucumbers (average weight of 1.3 g) were fed the experimental diets for 12 weeks. At the end of the feeding trial, survival was not affected by dietary protein and lipid levels (P > 0.05). Weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) of sea cucumbers were significantly affected by dietary protein (P < 0.006) and lipid levels (P < 0.001). The highest WG and SGR were observed in sea cucumbers fed the 200 and 400 g kg⁻¹ protein diet with 20 g kg⁻¹ lipid (P < 0.05). WG and SGR of sea cucumbers fed the diet containing 20 g kg⁻¹ lipid were higher than those of sea cucumbers fed the 100 g kg⁻¹ lipid diets (P < 0.05) at each dietary protein level. Apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, crude protein, carbohydrate and gross energy of sea cucumbers fed the 20 g kg⁻¹ lipid diets were significantly higher than those of the 100 g kg⁻¹ lipid diets at 200 and 400 g kg⁻¹ protein (P < 0.05). Moisture, crude protein, crude lipid and ash contents were not significantly different among the groups. The results of this study indicate that the diet containing 200 g kg⁻¹ protein (170 g kg⁻¹ digestible protein) with 20 g kg⁻¹ lipid (13 g kg⁻¹ digestible lipid) may be sufficient for optimum growth of juvenile sea cucumber.     

Influence of Nitzschia sp. on release of nitrogen and phosphorus from sediment in pond breeding sea cucumbers

Due to the tonic and nutritive virtues of sea cucumbers, increased commercial aquaculture has resulted in the expansion of breeding ponds, a primary form of sea cucumber production. Expansion of such production methods has led to increased settling of organic wastes onto the seabed, resulting in enriched sediments. Nitzschia sp. serves as an edible sea cucumber feed. Release characteristics of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from sediments in the presence of different biomass densities of Nitzschia sp. were studied via laboratory static cultures. pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) in the overlying water and biochemical components (i.e., protein, chlorophyll a) of Nitzschia sp. were assessed. When the biomass of Nitzschia sp. was more than (2–5) × 10⁴ ind/cm², the release of N and P nutrients was significantly promoted; additionally, the DO content of the overlying water was relatively high and the pH was relatively stable, which favoured the accumulation of proteins and chlorophyll a in Nitzschia sp. The results indicated that Nitzschia sp. promotes the release of N and P in sediments while absorbing them to maintain their own growth and promote the accumulation of nutrients, such as proteins, for the sea cucumbers. At the same time, the algae release oxygen, increasing the DO of the overlying water, providing a healthy breeding environment for the sea cucumbers. Application of Nitzschia sp. has the potential to reduce environmental harm caused by sea cucumber cultivation and thus achieve sustainable aquaculture.     

Effect of water exchange on effluent and sediment characteristics and on partial nitrogen budget in semi-intensive shrimp ponds in New Caledonia

An experiment was conducted in six earthen ponds with 20 shrimps m^?2Litopenaeus stylirostris (Stimpson) during the warm season in New Caledonia to study the dynamics of wastes in relation with water exchange rate (WER). The nitrogen budget was established, taking into account the different forms of nitrogen in the water, sediment, feed and shrimp. Data from a wide range of treatments applied in unreplicated ponds were treated using regression analysis to establish the relationship between WER and partial nitrogen budget, sediment characteristics and shrimp performance. To compare effluent quality between treatments during the season, data were analysed using the non‐parametric sign test. The water outflow was characterized by a decrease in the concentrations of N‐mineral forms (TAN, NO₂^?–NO₃^?), an increase in the concentration of organic soluble and sestonic organic forms (expressed in terms of particulate nitrogen, particulate organic carbon, chlorophyll a) compared with the water inflow. Increasing WER increased the amount of exported wastes and mainly in the organic forms and TAN can be considered as negligible. The nitrogen budget showed that 19–46% of nitrogen input (feed+water) was exported into the coastal environment. The results showed that the quality of the sediment decreased as WER decreased. The potential negative impact of the developing industry in New Caledonia on the costal environment could be partially reduced in a first step by decreasing WER. However, if applied in the farms, this practice should be linked to a close survey of the evolution of sediment quality.     

Responses of scallop biodeposits to bioturbation by a deposit‐feeder Apostichopus japonicus (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea): does the holothurian density matter?

The deposit‐feeding holothurians can reduce the negative impact of bivalve farming by feeding and reworking bivalve wastes (biodeposits) in the context of co‐culture. To test effects of the bioturbation by holothurians of different densities on bivalve wastes, a stocking density regime of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (35.4 ± 1.2 g, mean ± SE) was set at 0.0, 6.6, 13.2 ind m^?2, and responses of the biotic parameters including chlorophyll a concentration (Chl. a), bacterial biomass and the abiotic ones as oxidation‐reduction potential (ORP), organic matter (OM), organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN) and organic phosphorus (OP) in biodeposits discharged by Japanese scallop Patinopecten yessoensis were investigated. Results showed that A. japonicus grew in a density‐dependent manner, and the density‐dependent effect on both biotic and abiotic parameters in biodeposits were also observed. Apostichopus japonicus stimulated a transfer process from reduction to weak reduction state of the biodeposits with a trend of higher density holothurians stimulating the process more. Furthermore, A. japonicus significantly controlled the bacterial abundance and Chl. a, as well as reducing the contents of OM, OC, TN and OP in the biodeposits. Yet, the response of abiotic parameters delayed rather than that of biotic parameters, underling the biotic parameters could be more sensitive to bioturbation than the abiotic ones. Our study suggests that the bioturbation of A. japonicus plays an important role in retarding organic waste accumulation and cleansing nutrients in bivalve farming wastes under co‐culture condition and the bioremediation capacity may be closely dependent on its stocking density in practice.     

Geochemical changes in white seabream (Diplodus sargus) earth ponds during a production cycle

The knowledge of geochemical processes in fishponds is important in defining farming strategies and the carrying capacity of these systems, and is therefore essential for the management and sustainability of semi‐intensive aquaculture in earth ponds. The main purpose of the present work, developed in the Aquaculture Research Station located in Ria Formosa, was to study the geochemical changes in semi‐intensive earth ponds of white seabream Diplodus sargus L. during a production cycle, and relate it to farming conditions (fish biomass and feeding rate). Settled material and sediment samples were collected in a fish production pond and in a non‐fish production pond during 2 years. The results obtained showed that particle‐settling rates (S, g m⁻² day⁻¹) increased linearly with time (t, days): S=0.7t–34, in the fishpond. Increasing deposition of particulate material increased the organic matter content of bottom sediments, particularly during the second production year. Organic matter mineralization, during periods of high temperatures, led to high nutrient concentrations in porewater (NH₄⁺, 965 μM; NO₃⁻, 40 μM; HPO₄²⁻, 39 μM) and subsequently to an increase in benthic primary production in the fishpond. The geochemical similarities between fishpond sediments and shallow coastal system's sediments, along with the high fish survival rate (94%), suggest that for the assayed farming conditions there were no environmental constraints within the pond. However, some impact on bottom sediments, namely, an increase in settled material, organic matter deposition, nutrients in porewater and microphytobentos production, was evident above a fish biomass of 500 g m⁻³ and a feeding rate of 150 kg month⁻¹, indicating that pond environmental conditions should be carefully monitored from this point on.     

Sea cucumber habitat differentiation and site retention as determined by intraspecific stable isotope variation

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios (δ¹³C/δ¹⁵N) were assessed as a means to ascertain the recent in situ feeding history of the common New Zealand sea cucumber Australostichopus mollis in relation to nutrient enrichment from a longline green‐lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) farm in Northern New Zealand. δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N isotopic signatures and the ratios of sea cucumbers sampled from within the impact footprint of the mussel farm were compared with those of sea cucumbers residing on adjacent natural reefs. Sea cucumbers from beneath mussel farming longlines had significantly different δ¹³C stable isotope signatures in comparison with sea cucumbers collected from neighbouring natural reef habitats. This difference supports the hypothesis that sea cucumbers in the same bay maintain distinctly different feeding histories, with those residing beneath mussel farming longlines deriving tissue carbon from sediment impacted by farming activities. This hypothesis is further supported by the finding that the isotope signature of sediment collected from beneath the mussel farm is consistent with the expectation that sea cucumbers were feeding on and consuming sediment enriched with bivalve waste (faeces and pseudo‐faeces). In contrast, the nitrogen stable isotope signature (δ¹⁵N) was found to be similar between sites for both sea cucumbers and assumed food sources. Both findings lend support to the viability of future sea cucumber/green‐lipped mussel farm polyculture systems. Sea cucumbers in different locations (mussel farm, natural reef) possessed distinctly different isotope signatures, suggesting that mixing of sea ranched sea cucumbers with natural reef populations would be negligible or non‐existent. Similarities between the isotope signatures in low metabolic tissue of sea cucumbers residing at the mussel farm site to that of mussel farm‐impacted sediment suggest that cucumbers beneath mussel farms appear to have high rates of retention at the farm site.     

Habitat differentiation between sei (Balaenoptera borealis) and Bryde's whales (B. brydei) in the western North Pacific

Two closely related baleen whale species, sei and Bryde's whales, in the western North Pacific were studied to identify differences in habitat use. Data were obtained from May to August 2004 and 2005. This study examined the relationship between oceanographic features derived from satellite data and the distribution of sei and Bryde's whales using basic statistics. We investigated oceanographic features including sea surface temperature (SST), sea surface chlorophyll a (Chl‐a), sea surface height anomalies (SSHAs), and depth of the habitat. These two whale species used habitats with different SST, Chl‐a, and SSHA ranges. The 0.25 mg m^?3 Chl‐a contour (similar to the definition of the Transition Zone Chlorophyll Front) was a good indicator that separated the habitats of sei and Bryde's whales. Then generalized linear models were used to model the probabilities that the whale species would be present in a habitat and to estimate their habitat distribution throughout the study area as a function of environmental variables. The potential habitats of the two species were clearly divided, and the boundary moved north with seasonal progression. The habitat partitioning results indicated that SST contributed to the patterns of habitat‐use and might reflect differences in prey species between the two whales. This study showed that the habitats of the sei and Bryde's whales were clearly divided and their potential habitat‐use changed seasonally.     

Effect of dietary inclusion of various plant ingredients as an alternative for Sargassum thunbergii on growth and body composition of juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus

Two feeding experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of dietary inclusion of different plant ingredients on growth and body composition of juvenile sea cucumber. In the first experiment, three replicate groups of the sea cucumber (average weight of 1.5 ± 0.05 g) were fed one of the seven experimental diets containing Sargassum thunbergii (CON), Undaria (UND), Laminaria (LAM), Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata (BRA), fermented soybean (FSB), distillers dried grain (DDG) and rice straw powder (RIC) for 10 weeks. After the feeding trial, survival was not significantly different among the dietary treatments. Specific growth rate (SGR) of sea cucumber fed the FSB diet (0.73) was significantly higher than that of sea cucumber fed the other diets (P < 0.05), except for the DDG diet (0.64). The lowest SGR was observed in sea cucumber fed the CON diet (0.14). Based on the result of the first experiment, the second experiment was conducted to determine the proper level of dietary DDG for growth of juvenile sea cucumber. Three replicate groups of sea cucumber (average weight of 1.6 ± 0.02 g) were fed one of the five experimental diets containing different levels (g kg^?1) of DDG (DDG0, DDG10, DDG20, DDG30 and DDG40) for 12 weeks. Survival was not significantly different among the treatments (P > 0.05). The best SGR was obtained in sea cucumber fed the DDG10 diet (10.1) and the value of sea cucumber fed the DDG40 diet (5.6) was the lowest (P < 0.05). The SGR of sea cucumber fed the DDG10 diet did not differ from that of sea cucumber fed the DDG20 diet (P > 0.05). Moisture, crude protein, crude lipid and ash contents of whole body in sea cucumber among the dietary treatments (P > 0.05) did not differ significantly at both experiments. Results of two feeding trial suggest that dietary inclusion with 100 g kg^?1 FSB or 100–200 g kg^?1 DDG may improve growth of juvenile sea cucumber, and especially DDG could be used as a good ingredient for the low‐cost feed formulation.     

Growth and potential purification ability of Nitzschia sp. benthic diatoms in sea cucumber aquaculture wastewater

The growth patterns and water treatment capacity of Nitzschia sp. benthic diatoms in different concentrations of sea cucumber aquaculture wastewater (0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 80% and 100%) and f/2 medium were studied. Nitzschia sp. grew in different concentrations of aquaculture wastewater and showed remarkable differences in their rate of growth among the treatment groups. Nitzschia sp. grew most quickly (0.83 ind/day) and showed the greatest total chlorophyll‐a content in 30% wastewater. The total chlorophyll‐a content and growth rate of Nitzschia sp. were strongly correlated (R² > 0.98). The total lipid (TL), total protein, exopolysaccharide (EPS) and intracellular polysaccharide (IPS) contents of the diatoms were highest in 100% wastewater and showed significant differences among the experimental groups (p < 0.05). Total nitrogen (TN), ammonium‐nitrogen (NH₄‐N) (AN), nitrate nitrogen (NO₃‐N) (NN), nitrite nitrogen (NO₂‐N) (NIN) and total phosphate (TP) contents were significantly reduced after cultivation. TN uptake peaked at 54.58% in 30% wastewater. AN uptake exceeded 95% in 30% wastewater and 100% wastewater. NN uptake peaked at 56.42% in 80% wastewater, whereas TP uptake ranged from 16.80% to 27.69%. These results suggest that Nitzschia sp. biomass can be enhanced via cultivation in low‐concentration (30%) wastewater, after which their cultivation may be continued in high‐concentration (100%) wastewater, increasing their nutritional value and aiding in the removal of surplus nitrogen and phosphorus in sea cucumber aquaculture wastewater. Application of Nitzschia sp. using the recirculating wastewater‐treatment methods described has the potential to reduce environmental harm caused by sea cucumber cultivation and thus achieve sustainable aquaculture.     

不同季节刺参养殖池塘沉积物菌群结构及其影响因素

本研究以辽宁省营口地区刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)养殖池塘为研究对象,利用高通量测序技术,构建不同季节刺参养殖池塘沉积物菌群16S rRNA基因测序文库,解析刺参养殖池塘沉积物菌群的季节性差异和共性,查明影响沉积物菌群构成的主导环境因子。结果显示,营口地区刺参养殖池塘沉积物菌群的丰度和多样性以夏季最高,春秋次之,冬季最低。不同季节刺参养殖池塘沉积物差异菌群呈显著性季节演替特征(P<0.05)。其中,春季差异菌群主要隶属于拟杆菌门(Bacteroides),夏季差异菌群主要隶属于酸杆菌门(Acidobacteria)、疣微菌门(Verrucomicrobia)和浮霉菌门(Planctomycetes),秋季差异菌群主要隶属于厚壁菌门(Firmicutes),冬季差异菌群主要隶属于放线菌门(Actinobacteria)。尽管不同季节沉积物细菌组分比例不同,但第一优势菌门均隶属于变形菌门(Proteobacteria)(相对丰度>43.19%)。环境因子中,影响刺参养殖池塘沉积物菌群的主导环境因子为温度、总有机碳、总氮和pH。本研究将为刺参养殖池塘微生态调控提供理论参考。     

Optimization of fertilization rate for maximizing periphyton production on artificial substrates and the implications for periphyton-based aquaculture

The effects of four rates of application of fertilizer, with cow manure (3000 kg ha⁻¹), urea (100 (kg ha⁻¹) and triple super phosphate (TSP) (100 kg ha⁻¹) (treatment F)), treatment F × 0.5 (treatment 0.5F), treatment F × 1.5 (treatment 1.5F) and treatment F × 2 (treatment 2F), on periphyton, plankton and water quality in tropical freshwater ponds were studied. The highest periphyton biomass in terms of dry matter (3.27 mg cm⁻² substrate), ash-free dry matter (2.06 mg cm⁻² substrate) and chlorophyll a (7.49 µg cm⁻² substrate) developed in treatment 1.5F. The ash content of periphyton was lower in treatment 1.5F (38% of dry matter) than in other treatments (57–66% of dry matter). Total ammonia and chlorophyll a of water increased with fertilization rate. Treatment 1.5F (cow manure, urea and TSP at rates of 4500, 150 and 150 kg ha⁻¹ respectively) appears to be the optimum, yielding high quantity and quality periphyton. By supplying a substrate area for periphyton equivalent to the pond surface, it was estimated that this level of fertilization could support a fish production of around 5000 kg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹, without recourse to supplementary food.     

Quantitation of inert feed ingestion in larval silver sea bream (Sparus sarba) using auto-fluorescence of alginate-based microparticulate diets

The ingestion of an inert feed as a sole food source was investigated in larval silver sea bream (Sparus sarba) fed an alginate-based microparticulate diet. Using the auto-fluorescent properties of pigments associated with the alginate base, ingestion and gut content were investigated over a 6 h experimental period in fed and unfed larvae. By extracting and measuring chlorophyll a (Chl a) and phaeopigment content of feeding larval fish and relating this to standardized Chl a and phaeopigment content of the diet, relative to diet weight, it was determined that individual fed 7-day old larvae had a maximum gut content of 1.05±0.09 g diet while 14-day old fed fish had a maximum gut content of 3.17±0.90 g diet. On average, the gut content of 14-day old fish was 2.89 times greater than the gut content of 7-day old fish. The dry weight of larval sea bream increased from 43±4.2 g at day 7 to 134.3±20.4 g at day 14 indicating that growth of fish fed this inert feed was substantial. Gut pigment dynamics suggested that Chl a was degraded to phaeopigments by 7-day but not 14-day old larvae and the individual gut dietary content varied considerably in 14-day old fish. The maximum Chl a and phaeopigment content in larval sea bream was 0.4 ng ind^–1 and 0.55 ng ind^–1 for 7-day old fish and 1.54 ng ind^–1 and 2.81 ng ind^–1 for 14-day old fish respectively. The present method may potentially allow simple and direct assessment of larval fish feed ingestion in both an experimental and commercial setting.     

Repeated reaching of the harmful algal bloom of Karenia spp. around the Pacific shoreline of Kushiro,eastern Hokkaido,Japan, during autumn 2021

Unprecedented large-scale algal blooms were observed during autumn 2021 around the Katsurakoi fishing port, Kushiro, eastern Hokkaido, Japan. Monitoring of shoreline water showed that chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentrations and the cell density of Karenia spp., dominated by Karenia selliformis, repeatedly increased synchronously between September and November 2021. These increases were associated with a southerly wind-driven current, which transported offshore water on the shelf towards the shoreline at the sea surface. The blooms were prolonged as a result of algal accumulation in the semi-closed fishing port. The maximum Chl a concentration and cell density exceeded 50 µg Chl a/L and 10⁴ cells/mL, respectively. During the autumn bloom of Karenia spp., the nitrate?+?nitrite and phosphate concentrations in the water were lower than those in 2019 and 2020, and the silicate concentration was comparable. The ammonium concentration during the bloom was notably higher than before the bloom period, reaching 15 µM. Mass mortality of several fish species and echinoderms that were cultured using rearing water intake from the same shoreline occurred synchronously with the increase in Karenia spp.

     

玉足海参与凡纳滨对虾的混养效果

在室内条件下进行了玉足海参与凡纳滨对虾的混养实验,分析了单养与混养两种条件下养殖水体营养盐结构以及底质成分的变化,测定了对虾与海参的存活率与生长性能。结果显示,混养海参可以明显改变养殖系统的营养盐结构,可使水体中的磷酸盐和硝酸盐浓度有所升高,同时也可有效地控制系统中氨氮浓度。混养海参也可以大幅度地降低沉积物中有机质和硫化物含量,实验结束时混养组硫化物含量为(7.71±1.33)mg/kg,仅相当于单养组浓度的1/3。混养海参对对虾生长及存活具有明显的促进作用,其中混养组对虾体长特异增长率为(0.69±0.13)%/d,显著优于单养组(0.45±0.06)%/d;混养组对虾成活率可达72.5%±22.9%,显著高于对照组55.0%±17.5%。在混养系统内,对虾不会对海参的生存造成负面影响,海参能够有效地选择摄食和利用沉积物中的营养物质(对食物中有机质的同化率可达36.36%±13.79%),并以较快的速度生长。结果表明,在对虾养殖系统中混养玉足海参具有明显的环境与经济效益。本研究可为我国海水养殖业的可持续发展提供一定的科学依据。     

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

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

Survival and growth of the sea cucumber Holothuria leucospilota Brandt: a comparison between suspended and bottom cultures in a subtropical fish farm during summer

The feasibility of co‐culturing the sea cucumber Holothuria leucospilota Brandt in a subtropical fish farm was investigated in a field study. Sea cucumbers were cultured in the fish farm in cages suspended at 4 m deep (suspended culture) and directly on the seafloor (bottom culture). The survival and growth of the sea cucumbers were monitored twice during the 3‐month, summer experimental period (May 26–August 14, 2010). Results showed that the suspension‐cultured sea cucumbers exhibited excellent survival rate (100%) during the whole study period. There also occurred no mortality in the bottom‐cultured sea cucumbers during the first culture period (May 26–July 13); but all these died from anoxia caused by water column stratification during the second culture period (July 14–August 14). The specific growth rate of the bottom‐cultured sea cucumbers (1.05 ± 0.21 % day^?1) was nearly double that of the suspended culture animals (0.57 ± 0.21 % day^?1) during the first culture period, and the growth rates of the suspended culture sea cucumbers in the second culture periods (0.46 ± 0.24 % day^?1) was only a little lower than that of the first period. The sea cucumbers H. leucospilota could ingest and assimilate sediment with high organic matter content with an average assimilation efficiency of 14.9 ± 3.9%. This study indicated that fish farm detritus can be effectively used as a food source for the sea cucumber and that it can be turned into a valuable secondary crop in the form of the sea cucumber biomass.