南海及临近海域黄鳍金枪鱼渔场时空分布与海表温度的关系

为得到南海及临近海域黄鳍金枪鱼(Thunnus albacores)渔场最适宜栖息海表温度(SST)范围,基于美国国家海洋大气局(NOAA)气候预测中心月平均海表温度(SST)资料,结合中西太平洋渔业委员会(WCPFC)发布的南海及临近海域金枪鱼延绳钓渔业数据,绘制了月平均SST和月平均单位捕捞努力量渔获量(CPUE)的空间叠加图,用于分析南海及临近海域黄鳍金枪鱼渔场CPUE时空分布和SST的关系。结果表明,南海及临近海域黄鳍金枪鱼CPUE在16℃~31℃均有分布。在春季和夏季(3~8月),位于10°~20°N的大部分渔区CPUE较高,其南北侧CPUE较低;而到了秋季和冬季(9月到次年2月),高产渔场区域会向南拓宽。CPUE在各SST区间的散点图呈现出明显的负偏态分布,高CPUE主要集中在26℃~30℃,最高值出现在29℃附近;在22℃~26℃范围内CPUE散点分布较为零散,但在这个范围也会出现相当数量的高CPUE;在22℃以下的CPUE几乎属于低CPUE和零CPUE;零CPUE的平均SST为26.7℃(±3.2℃),低CPUE的平均SST为27.8℃(±2.1℃),高CPUE的平均SST为28.4℃(±1.5℃),高CPUE在各SST区间的分布要比零CPUE和低CPUE更为集中。采用频次分析和经验累积分布函数计算其最适SST范围,得到南海及临近海域黄鳍金枪鱼最适SST为26.9℃~29.4℃。本研究初步得到南海及临近海域黄鳍金枪鱼中心渔场时空分布特征及SST适宜分布区间,可为开展南海及临近海域金枪鱼渔情预报工作提供理论依据和参考。     

中西太平洋长鳍金枪鱼(Thunnus alalunga)延绳钓渔场分布的时空变化

为提高中西太平洋金枪鱼延绳钓渔业作业效率和应对多变的渔业政策等提供参考,本研究根据2011年2月-2012年1月间中水集团远洋渔业股份有限公司的10艘延绳钓渔船的作业数据,结合海洋表层水温(SST)等环境因子,统计分析了单位努力量渔获量(CPUE)、渔获量和SST之间的关系并利用频度累加法分析了该海域长鳍金枪鱼渔场分布的时空变化。结果显示,中西太平洋海域,深度为200 m和150 m的水温全年基本维持不变,但SST变动较大并对渔场分布和CPUE有较大影响。渔场的周年变动是由14°S左右向26°S转移再回归14°S的一个往复过程;20°S以北的渔场全年连续存在,高渔获量和高产CPUE主要分布于SST为28-29℃的水域;23°S以南的渔场,因为受到复杂天气状况的限制,只有5-8月适合生产作业,高渔获量和高产CPUE主要分布于SST为22-24℃的水域,被调查船只在南部渔场,在此期间,被调查作业船只以全年14.4%的作业天数,捕获了占全年总渔获量27.6%的长鳍金枪鱼渔获物。若加强作业船只和渔具的抗风浪性,则可以在25°S以南的海域探索新的全年稳定存在的长鳍金枪鱼渔场。     

中西太平洋长鳍金枪鱼(Thunnus alalunga)延绳钓渔场分布的时空变化

为提高中西太平洋金枪鱼延绳钓渔业作业效率和应对多变的渔业政策等提供参考,本研究根据2011年2月-2012年1月间中水集团远洋渔业股份有限公司的10艘延绳钓渔船的作业数据,结合海洋表层水温(SST)等环境因子,统计分析了单位努力量渔获量(CPUE)、渔获量和SST之间的关系并利用频度累加法分析了该海域长鳍金枪鱼渔场分布的时空变化。结果显示,中西太平洋海域,深度为200 m和150 m的水温全年基本维持不变,但SST变动较大并对渔场分布和CPUE有较大影响。渔场的周年变动是由14°S左右向26°S转移再回归14°S的一个往复过程;20°S以北的渔场全年连续存在,高渔获量和高产CPUE主要分布于SST为28-29℃的水域;23°S以南的渔场,因为受到复杂天气状况的限制,只有5-8月适合生产作业,高渔获量和高产CPUE主要分布于SST为22-24℃的水域,被调查船只在南部渔场,在此期间,被调查作业船只以全年14.4%的作业天数,捕获了占全年总渔获量27.6%的长鳍金枪鱼渔获物。若加强作业船只和渔具的抗风浪性,则可以在25°S以南的海域探索新的全年稳定存在的长鳍金枪鱼渔场。     

北太平洋长鳍金枪鱼延绳钓渔场分布及其与海水表层温度的关系

根据北太平洋长鳍金枪鱼渔获量、海水表层温度等数据,研究了长鳍金枪鱼渔获量的分布区及其海水表层温度(SST)的统计特征.结果表明,北太平洋长鳍金枪鱼渔场主要分布于25～40°N之间的海域.长鳍金枪鱼渔场区平均SST为23.6℃,中位数为24.5℃,多数渔场区位于暖温带海域,其平均SST多数为16～28℃,产量数据分布为正偏.海水表层温度为16～23℃的海域,长鳍金枪鱼的平均产量和平均CPUE变化趋势类似,且表层温度为18～20℃的海域,长鳍金枪鱼的平均产量最高.渔获量分布于表层温度为16～23℃和24～27℃海域,但主要集中于16～23℃的范围.交叉相关分析表明长鳍金枪鱼CPUE同太平洋年际振荡指数具有相关性.     

南太平洋长鳍金枪鱼垂直活动水层空间分析

为了解南太平洋长鳍金枪鱼(Thunnus alalunga)的垂直活动水层分布特征及其适宜的垂直活动水层深度,采用Argo数据重构了研究海域次表层20℃和25℃等温线深度场,并结合2010年~2012年中水集团南太平洋长鳍金枪鱼延绳钓渔船实际生产统计数据,绘制了20℃和25℃等温线深度与长鳍金枪鱼单位捕捞努力量渔获量(CPUE)叠加图,分析南太平洋长鳍金枪鱼的垂直活动水层分布特征。结果表明,研究海域20℃和25℃等温线深度存在明显的季节性变化,且长鳍金枪鱼渔场时空分布随着20℃等温线深度的220 m等深线和25℃等温线深度的140 m等深线时空变动而季节性南北移动。长鳍金枪鱼中心渔场主要分布于10°S以南、160°E~175°E之间,中心渔场所处海域,其20℃等温线深度多在220 m以深,超过250 m的海域CPUE均偏低;25℃等温线深度多在140 m以浅,浅于80 m的海域则难以形成中心渔场。采用频次分析与经验累积分布函数(ECDF)相结合的方法,计算出南太平洋长鳍金枪鱼适宜的垂直活动水层深度为88~238 m。文章初步得出了南太平洋长鳍金枪鱼的垂直分布特征及其适宜的垂直活动水层深度,可用于指导延绳钓投钩深度,为中国南太平洋长鳍金枪鱼延绳钓生产作业提供理论参考。     

基于卫星AIS的中西太平洋金枪鱼延绳钓渔场分布研究

根据2017年7-12月中西太平洋金枪鱼延绳钓渔船卫星AIS数据及海表温度数据,利用全局空间自相关中的莫兰指数及局部空间自相关中的热点分析方法,得到了中西太平洋金枪鱼延绳钓中心渔场位置及变动情况,并提取了中心渔场处海表温度范围。结果表明:1)中西太平洋金枪鱼延绳钓渔船捕捞努力量存在空间自相关并呈显著聚集分布模式,所得热点区域可以作为中西太平洋金枪鱼延绳钓作业中心渔场。2)各月均存在多个中心渔场,其中8月中心渔场范围与7月大致相同,部分中心渔场存在向北扩张或向外扩大的趋势; 9月最大中心渔场东移,出现在180°附近,其它渔场较之前有不同程度的扩散或缩小; 10-12月中心渔场较为集中,主要分布在170°～180°E及155°W附近海域,且单位渔区捕捞努力量大于7-9月。3)中心渔场处不同海表温度范围主要与金枪鱼鱼种有关:155°W、20°N夏威夷群岛附近冷舌区,主要分布着大眼金枪鱼(Thunnus obesus)和黄鳍金枪鱼(Thunnus albacares),海表温度为25. 5～27. 5℃; 10°S～10°N暖池区域,主要为大眼金枪鱼和鲣(Katsuwonus pelamis),海表温度为28. 0～30. 3℃;赤道南部冷暖锋面交汇处,主要为长鳍金枪鱼(Thunnus alalunga),海表温度为25. 0～29. 0℃。     

南海圆舵鲣栖息地影响因素分析

圆舵鲣(Auxis rochei)是南海外海最具开发潜力的小型金枪鱼之一。根据 2013—2019 年南海区灯光罩网调查数据, 结合遥感获得的海表温度(sea surface temperature, SST)、海面高度(sea surface height, SSH)、叶绿素 a 浓度 (chlorophyll a, CHLA)数据, 采用栖息地适应性指数模型原理, 以标准化后的单位捕捞努力量渔获量(catch per unite effect, CPUE)作为栖息地质量高低的指标, 建立 CPUE 与海洋环境因子关系模型, 分析不同环境因子对圆舵鲣栖息地的影响及栖息地对海洋环境变化的适应性。结果表明, 南海圆舵鲣渔场 SST、SSH、CHLA 因子的最适值分别为 28.6 ℃、81.0 cm、0.11 mg/m³ 。对不同海洋环境因子赋予不同的权重系数, 分别与 CPUE 建立适应性指数模型, 各模型 R² 均大于 0.8, 模型解释度较好。采用最小二乘法原则对模型权重系数进行分析, SST 的系数为 0.26, SSH 系数为 0.52, CHLA 的系数为 0.22, 表明 SSH 对栖息地的影响最大。采用 2019 年调查数据对模型进行验证, 模型准确度均超过 75%, 模型预测准确。     

中西太平洋长鳍金枪鱼渔场重心时空分布研究

长鳍金枪鱼作为高度洄游的大洋性鱼类,有较高的经济价值。为掌握中西太平洋长鳍金枪鱼的资源时空分布以可持续开发利用,笔者根据2009—2018年世界各国在中西太平洋的长鳍金枪鱼延绳钓作业数据,利用统计和K-means聚类方法探究长鳍金枪鱼资源的时间变化趋势与空间分布特征。研究结果显示：2009—2018年间长鳍金枪鱼渔场重心主要分布在E 155°～W 160°,S 15°～S 30°海域;北半球冬季(12月—翌年2月)主要集中在北半球低纬度海域(N 0°～N 10°),渔场重心向西北偏移;南半球冬季(6—8月)主要集中在南半球低纬度海域(S 12°～N 22.5°),渔场重心向东南偏移。渔场重心的空间分布受海面温度异常的影响较显著：当海面温度距平值整体偏高时,渔场重心零散分布于中部海域;海面温度距平值相对偏低时,渔场重心向东南与西北两侧偏移。本研究结果有助于中西太平洋长鳍金枪鱼的可持续开发利用与科学管理。     

瓦努阿图及周边海域金枪鱼延绳钓上钩率和渔场分布的初步研究

根据2013年中水集团远洋股份有限公司的两艘金枪鱼延绳钓船的渔场数据、放钓数据以及渔获物数据,研究了全年各月份渔场分布情况及主要渔获物单位捕捞努力量渔获量变化。结果表明,渔获物包括长鳍金枪鱼、黄鳍金枪鱼、大眼金枪鱼、旗鱼类等,根据相对重要性指数,确定优势种为黄鳍金枪鱼和长鳍金枪鱼,其相对多度分别为75%和10%。长鳍金枪鱼的日均高产单位捕捞努力量渔获量渔区集中在S 15°~17°纬度区间以及南部S 26°~27°纬度区间,黄鳍金枪鱼高单位捕捞努力量渔获量渔区集中分布在S 8°~13°的纬度区间,长鳍金枪鱼高产渔区海表温度集中在20~22℃和27~30℃,黄鳍金枪鱼高产渔区则集中在海表温度28~29℃海域。     

秋冬季智利竹(竹夹)鱼栖息地指数模型比较

秋冬季是智利竹筴鱼的主要渔汛,准确建立其渔场预报模型具有现实的意义。为了找出适宜的秋冬季智利竹筴鱼栖息地指数模型,论文根据2003-2009年5-9月智利竹筴鱼的商业捕捞数据, 结合海表面温度(SST)和海表面高度(SSH)的海洋环境因子,以作业次数为基础,采用外包络法分别建立SST、SSH 的适应性指数(SI),采用算术平均法(AMM)、几何平均法(GMM)建立栖息地指数(HSI)模型计算其栖息地指数,并以2010-2011年度的捕捞数据进行验证。研究结果表明：以作业次数为基础,采用外包络法建立SST、SSH 的适应性指数为最适,5-9月SST权值分别为0.4、0.7、0.5、0.7、0.1的算术平均法适合秋冬季智利竹筴鱼栖息地指数模型。研究也以为,不同月份的SST和SSH对秋冬季智利竹筴鱼渔场分布有着不同的影响。     

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.     

Production of diatom–bacteria biofilm isolated from Seriola lalandi cultures for aquaculture application

Controlled incorporation of selected microalgae and bacteria in aquaculture systems can be beneficial because they can act as microbiological control. That is why the characteristics of biofilm generated naturally in Seriola lalandi culture cages were analysed, their potential benefit to the growth of larvae was studied, and their controlled use for improving the larval viability and as a vector to improve incorporation of previously studied probiotic bacteria was tested. According to biodiversity results, these biofilms are composed of a diatom–bacteria mix showing a decrease in biodiversity in laboratory culture conditions being dominated by Navicula phyllepta and bacteria of the family Rhodobacteraceae. This can be produced on mesh substrates incorporated in bioreactors with rapid growth rate and adhesiveness. Preliminary results from the addition of substrates with this specific biofilm in larvae culture systems showed that it is consumed by the larvae without negative effects, while positive effects on the viability of larvae in combination with probiotics were observed. Considering preliminary results, the addition of these specific substrates with diatom–bacteria biofilms could be a good improvement for aquaculture systems and together with the use of probiotics can contribute to maintaining a stable and controlled system improving the viability of the larval fish culture in its early stages.