Non‐indigenous fish in protected spaces: Trends in species distribution mediated by illegal stocking

1. Many freshwater non‐indigenous species (NISs) are stocked for recreational fishing, in some cases illegally in protected areas. In this study, fish communities were monitored using environmental DNA, electrofishing and anglers’ catches as the sources of samples in a mountainous Biosphere Reserve in Asturias (northern Spain), where stocking is forbidden.
2. Three NISs have been introduced illegally in the protected area and have shown increasing populations in the last two decades. Two species used as fishing bait, Squalius carolitertii (chub) and Phoxinus phoxinus (minnow), are expanding in running waters. Oncorhynchus mykiss (rainbow trout) was also detected and is likely to have been introduced for angling or from fish farm escapes.
3. The results suggest that sustained illegal stocking contributed to the increase of the three NISs. In contrast, Salmo trutta (brown trout) of northern European lineages, identified from *90 alleles at the LDH‐C1 locus, and formerly legally stocked for angling, is decreasing, most likely as a result of climate change. Climate change could also contribute to the expansion of the two non‐indigenous cyprinids to colder upstream areas.
4. Through the application of a social survey, it was found that unlike other population groups, anglers in the region significantly preferred stocking over environmental improvement for the management of fish populations. The results obtained suggest that raising the awareness of anglers about the importance of safeguarding native fish species could help to prevent the spread of NISs in protected areas.

     

Evaluation of the effect of stock enhancement in the coastal waters of Guangdong,China

A total of 14.573 million fish fry and 96.32 million shrimp larvae were released across 31 locations into the coastal waters off Guangdong, China, in 2010. The released fish and shrimp were sampled through a combination of market and fishing log‐book surveys. The combined fishery production reached 362 868 kg. The input–output ratio was 1:5.99 for released fish (over 3 years) and 1:11.01 for released shrimp (over 2 years). The average increase in income was 721 RMB per capita. Approximately 240 thousand fish (after 3 years) and 1.2 million shrimp (after 2 years) survived to sexual maturity and could contribute to the spawning stock. The stockings were approximately one‐seventh of the fish and one‐half of the shrimp stocking carrying capacities, respectively. Based on these results, the intensity of stocking could be increased. Stocking and recapture strategies should be adjusted to align with the optimal stocking carrying capacity determined from this study.     

Analysing extensive fish culture systems by transparent population modelling: bighead carp, Aristichthys nobilis (Richardson 1845), culture in a Chinese reservoir

A transparent population modelling approach is used to analyse a large-scale extensive fish culture system, the bighead carp, Aristichthys nobilis (Richardson 1845), fishery in a Chinese reservoir. The population model incorporates explicit submodels for density-dependent growth and size-dependent mortality, and allows the assessment of stocking density, seed fish size, fishing mortality (fishing effort), and gear selectivity. The process of model building and parameter estimation from stocking and catch data is described in detail. The full analysis is carried out in computer spreadsheets where all model components are visible and can easily be modified to take account of specific conditions, or to explore different assumptions. The practical use of the model in management decision making is discussed, together with data requirements and the possible need for experimental management.     

长江鱼类体长变化及其对资源变动的指征作用

本研究通过文献调研和野外调查相结合的方式, 对 20世纪 80年代以来部分代表性长江鱼类体长值变化进行了定量分析, 并探究了其变化对资源变动的指征作用。研究结果表明: (1) 对宜昌江段 7 种典型鱼类近 10~40 年体长变化的分析发现, 其种群体长特征值变化与生物学特性密切相关, 资源本底值高、食性广泛、性成熟年龄低且繁殖力强的鱼类在禁渔政策实施后体长增加较快, 反之则增加缓慢或不明显; (2) 对宜昌江段、金沙江、赤水河和洞庭湖 4 处水域近 20~40 年鱼类群落体长特征值的分析表明, 其变动大致可分为下降、波动上升和明显上升 3 个阶段, 与鱼类保护政策实施进程有较好的对应性; (3) 宜昌江段铜鱼和优势种鱼类群落的平均体长与单位捕捞努力量渔获量呈正相关关系(相关系数分别为 0.66 和 0.88), 表明鱼类体长特征值与资源丰度密切相关; (4) 基于 Logistic 曲线对宜昌江段鱼类群落体长特征值的分析预测表明, 2030 年该值将达 1.22, 与 20 世纪 80 年代鱼类群落体长特征值接近, 据此预测该江段鱼类资源在 2030 年可恢复到 20 世纪 80 年代水平。本研究发现天然水域鱼类体长特征值变动与种群、群落健康状况密切相关, 对资源丰度及其变动有较好的指示性作用, 可以作为长江鱼类资源常态化监测的一项重要参考指标。     

Factors influencing the yield of brown trout, Salmo trutta m. lacustris L., in northern Finnish lakes

Abstract Lake-to-lake variation in brown trout, Salmo trutta m. lacustris L., yield from stocking was examined in 34 lakes in northern Finland. The trout were mainly stocked as 2–3-year-old fish. Catch statistics were compiled with information on water quality, water level fluctuations, fishing effort and lake geomorphology. Absolute brown trout yields (kgha^-1) increased with increasing stocking rate, but there was an indication of non-linearity at higher stocking densities. Relative yields (kg per thousand trout released) were highest at low stocking rates. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to determine the best predictive model for lake-to-lake variability in brown trout yields. Seventeen measured regressands were used initially, and then replaced with scores obtained in a principal component analysis of highly correlated water quality variables and species-specific fish yields. Three major determinants of brown trout yields in these lakes were found in both analyses: fish community, stocking rate and fishing effort. Brown trout yields from stocking were higher in lakes with proportionally high yields of vendace or vendace and whitefish and proportionally low yields of pike.     

Impact evaluation of spear fishing on fish communities in an urban area of São Miguel Island (Azores Archipelago)

This study was conducted in São Miguel Island (Azores archipelago) providing the first evidence from Macaronesia of spear fishing impacts on fish communities. The shoreline was monitored during 10 months by access point surveys where 220 fishers were interviewed and 27 target fish species were identified. Mean sizes of top predators and highly vulnerable species were generally less than the respective minimum first maturation length. Species intrinsic vulnerability was moderate with an average of 46.7 (max. 100). There are indications that spear fishers, in the absence of high trophic level and larger species, target smaller and lower trophic level fish, atypical of a highly selective fishery. Daily bag limits were not respected in 36.9% of spear fishing operations and 59% of the catch from the area was illegally sold, a practice likely to have negative consequences for the commercial sector.     

Indirect effects of bottom fishing on the productivity of marine fish

One quarter of marine fish production is caught with bottom trawls and dredges on continental shelves around the world. Towed bottom‐fishing gears typically kill 20–50 per cent of the benthic invertebrates in their path, depending on gear type, substrate and vulnerability of particular taxa. Particularly vulnerable are epifaunal species, which stabilize the sediment and provide habitat for benthic invertebrates. To identify the habitats, fisheries or target species most likely to be affected, we review evidence of the indirect effects of bottom fishing on fish production. Recent studies have found differences in the diets of certain species in relation to bottom fishing intensity, thereby linking demersal fish to their benthic habitats at spatial scales of ~10 km. Bottom fishing affects diet composition and prey quality rather than the amount of prey consumed; scavenging of discarded by‐catch makes only a small contribution to yearly food intake. Flatfish may benefit from light trawling levels on sandy seabeds, while higher‐intensity trawling on more vulnerable habitats has a negative effect. Models suggest that reduction in the carrying capacity of habitats by bottom fishing could lead to lower equilibrium yield and a lower level of fishing mortality to obtain maximum yield. Trawling effort is patchily distributed – small fractions of fishing grounds are heavily fished, while large fractions are lightly fished or unfished. This patchiness, coupled with the foraging behaviour of demersal fish, may mitigate the indirect effects of bottom fishing on fish productivity. Current research attempts to scale up these localized effects to the population level.     

Combining fishery prohibition with stocking of landlocked salmon, Salmo salar L.: an effort to gain bigger yield and individual size

After stocking landlocked salmon, Salmo salar L., in Lake Änättijärvi, all fishing was prohibited for 18 months to provide time for the fish to establish and reach a larger size prior to capture. The potential benefit of the fishery prohibition was severely diminished by emigration of the stocked fish down the watercourse to other lakes. Only 19% of the recaptures of Carlin-tagged individuals came from Lake Änättijärvi. Also, the CPUE of test fishing in Lake Änättijärvi indicated a steep decline in the density of stocked fish during the fishery prohibition period. The mean weight of landlocked salmon in the combined recaptures from Lake Änättijärvi and other lakes downstream was 660 g. When fishing was not prohibited, the corresponding mean weight at recapture was 442 g. It is recommended that landlocked salmon stocking should be carried out in lakes with relatively low fishing pressure.     

Dispersion of stocked brown trout, Salmo trutta L., and landlocked salmon, Salmo salar L., from stocking sites in Lake Oulujärvi, Finland

Movement and recaptures of two hatchery-reared brown trout, Salmo trutta L., stocks and landlocked salmon, Salmo salar L., released at different sites in regulated Lake Oulujärvi, were studied in relation to release site. Five groups of fish from each stock were released in approximately equal numbers. Most of the fish released in June and July were recaptured within 3 months, whereas the majority of the fish released in early winter (October and November) were caught the following spring, about 7–9 months after stocking. The release site had a significant effect on recapture rate. The results showed that fishing restrictions targeted mainly at gill net fishing are needed to preserve the stocked fish from overfishing. Significantly fewer recaptures were observed from the landlocked salmon stocking compared with brown trout. The recaptures from the landlocked salmon stocking indicated more active movement and less clumping compared with the two brown trout stocks.     

Stocking of brown trout, Salmo trutta L.: effects of acclimatization

One-year-old hatchery brown trout, Salmo trutta L., ( n  = 16 520) from a sea-run, local brood stock were marked and released (scatter-planted) into the River Laisälven in northern Sweden. Eight different groups were created using Alcian blue and Visible Implant Elastomer tags. Half the fish were kept in small enclosures in four stocking areas for 6 days before release. The other half were released just after transportation. To evaluate the effect of acclimatization on post-stocking performance, the areas were electric fished 2 months later. During the electric fishing survey, a higher number of the acclimatized hatchery fish were recaptured than those released immediately. The growth rate of stocked fish differed significantly between stocking areas and fish held in enclosures grew more than those released directly. The rate of recapture of hatchery fish varied between stocking areas (6.4–17.4%). Movements of juveniles within and between the stocking areas were low, and only 3.6% of the recaptured fish were found in an area not originally stocked. These results showed that acclimatization of fish before release increases the number and size at recapture within a stocking area.     

The Effect of Cyprinid Introductions on Angler Success in the River Derwent, Derbyshire

In an attempt to increase fish standing crop and improve angler-catch, stocking was undertaken in the middle reaches of the River Derwent in Derbyshire using four cyprinid species. Each fish was marked with a dyespot, and nearly 2000 fish were introduced before the 1980–81 fishing season began. Bankside observations and catch return sheets were used to collect information on the number of marked and unmarked fish taken by angling. The percentage of captured fish that were marked reached 50% during summer 1980, although this was lower during winter 1980–81. A relatively small proportion of the fish caught were taken in angling matches. Anglers reported that the fishing had improved from‘poor’to‘good', and catches by a single angler in one day exceeded 20 kg. It is thought that the success of the operation was due to the fact that the stock fish were obtained from local rivers, were of a large size (> 20 cm) and were introduced when the river was at normal level. The implications of the results on management options are considered, and it is suggested that the quality of sport demanded by anglers in rivers of this type may be most easily sustained by periodic stocking with suitable fish.     

环境DNA技术在象山港水域鱼类多样性调查中的应用与评估

通过对象山港水域环境 DNA (eDNA)样品的采集和高通量测序分析, 并结合渔业资源调查数据, 阐述象山港主要鱼类群落的种类组成和多样性特征, 探讨了环境 DNA 技术在典型海域鱼类多样性研究中的应用前景。结果显示, 共从象山港水域环境 DNA 样品中检测到 26 个常见鱼类物种, 隶属于辐鳍鱼纲(Actinopterygii)的 7 个目中的 21 个属。其中, 丰度最高的两个目为鲱形目(Clupeiformes)、鲈形目(Perciformes), 其相对丰度合计占到总鱼类物种丰度的 92.5%。在所有鱼类中, 象山港海域渔获物中资源量较高的斑鰶(Konosirus punctatus)和黑棘鲷(Acanthopagrus schlegelii)在环境 DNA 调查中序列丰度最大, 分别占到鱼类总丰度的 45.85%和 17.69%, 其次是髭缟虾虎鱼 (Tridentiger barbatus)和花鲈(Lateolabrax japonicus), 几个门类序列丰度与渔获物种资源量组成变化趋势相似。与传统调查方法相比, 环境 DNA 测定灵敏性高、数据准确性高且成本低, 适用于相关海域的鱼类多样性研究。本研究不仅可以丰富象山港水域生态系统的结构功能信息, 还可以为系统开展该水域海洋生态系统管理与修复工作提供基础信息支持。     

Patterns of fish community composition and biodiversity in riverine fish sanctuaries in Bangladesh: Implications for hilsa shad conservation

Understanding biodiversity and community composition is a prerequisite to sustainable exploitation and conservation of fisheries. We assessed the spatial and seasonal patterns of fish community composition and biodiversity in seasonal no-take riverine sanctuaries in Bangladesh, which aim to conserve the anadromous hilsa shad (Tenualosa spp. and Hilsa keele). Fish samples were collected during monsoon, as well as pre- and postmonsoon, from five sites within two sanctuaries and one site in an open fishing area. Although total abundance was similar along the rivers, species richness was significantly higher at the open fishing site due to its connectivity to nearby habitats. The diversity apparently decreased in a downstream direction. Fish communities at two upstream sites were separated from other sites in multivariate space largely due to higher abundance of hilsa at downstream sites and presence of floodplain-oriented species at the two upstream sites. Short body length and high trophic level at all sites indicated that fish communities were overexploited. Our results also indicated that riverine hilsa sanctuaries in Bangladesh are rich in fish species diversity and support several threatened species designated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Our study also suggested that since hilsa abundance shapes community patterns, it can therefore impact riverine ecosystem functioning in the sanctuary areas. The findings of this study can serve as an important baseline for future biodiversity assessment, conservation and impact assessment of conservation in rivers, and therefore help to establish multispecies ecosystem-based management of riverine fisheries around the world.     

Blackfin tuna (Thunnus atlanticus) fishing around FADs in Martinique (French West Indies)

This paper examines the fishing of blackfin tuna (Thunnus atlanticus) around Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) in Martinique (French West Indies). It is based on the compared analysis of catches from monthly experimental fishing surveys and sampling of commercial landings. The data collected in these two different ways allowed comparison of blackfin tuna length frequencies. A large part of the commercial landings were made up of young immature tuna with a fork length of less than 40 cm, whereas the experimental longline catches were mainly made up of fish with a fork length ranging between 55 and 75 cm. We give evidence that these discrepancies were mostly due to the fishing technique used. Indeed, contrarily to the experimental surveys, Martinican fishermen only fish during daytime and usually on the surface by trolling. This way, fishermen do not have access to the largest fish, which are found deeper. Our results suggested that a new fishing technique such as vertical longlining, could improve commercial catches of big blackfin tuna under FADs.     

Effects of increasing the stocking density of large carps by 20% on 'cash' carp–small fish polyculture of Bangladesh

This experiment was carried out in the framework of a project to develop a viable fish polyculture technology under Bangladeshi conditions that allows simultaneous fish production of small indigenous species for the farmers' family consumption and of large carp species as a cash crop. The objectives of this experiment were to assess the effects on fish performance and on the environment of adding 20% large fish to the basic ‘cash crop’ carp–small fish polyculture consisting of 10 000 fish ha^?1 of the large carp rohu Labeo rohita (Hamilton), catla Catla catla (Hamilton) and common carp Cyprinus carpio (L.) at a species ratio 1:1:1, and 15 000 fish ha^?1 of each small indigenous fish punti Puntius sophore (Hamilton) and mola Amblypharyngodon mola (Hamilton) (control). The treatment ponds were stocked with additional 2000 large fish ha^?1, either all rohu, or all catla, or all common carp, or half rohu and half common carp, or half catla and half common carp. The results obtained and the analysis of interactions through the food web that affect food resource availability of the different fish species and account for the trends and differences observed among treatments confirm the positive effect of common carp on rohu reported in previous experiments and show that a 20% increase in large carps stocking neither affect the survival of the large carps nor reduce harvesting biomass of the small fish for the farmer's family consumption. Increased stocking densities of each large carp species did not significantly reduce its own harvesting weight and mean growth rate, while significantly increased rohu and catla (but not common carp) harvesting biomass and yield. The complex relations between species led to inter‐ and intraspecific competition, which in some treatments increased growth or yield of one species and in other treatments of other species, so that the gains on one species and the losses on the other led to no significant total harvested biomass differences between treatments. Yet, the results herein reported may help farmers to select their species stocking ratios. Thus, if the main target of the farmer is rohu, then a stocking density increase of 10% common carp and 10% rohu would improve rohu growth rate (due to common carp) and result in 50% higher rohu harvesting biomass and yield. If the main target of the farmer is catla, then a 20% increase in catla stocking density would lead to 20% higher catla harvesting biomass.     

Assessing electric fishing sampling effort to estimate stream fish assemblage attributes

The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) obligates authorities to assess the ecological status of rivers. The sampling of the fish assemblage must be based on a reliable and cost‐effective monitoring programme, and it should be optimised to measure the ecological quality cost‐effectively. The efficiency of single‐pass versus three‐pass backpack electric fishing was measured to assess ecological status. The data included 295 electric fishing samplings from 137 rivers in Finland and a 5‐year data series from six small forest streams in mid‐eastern Finland. Compared with three‐pass electric fishing, single‐pass electric fishing in the same area increased the risk of missing rare fish species and species with low catchability. The concordance of the calculated fish metrics (e.g. proportion of tolerant and intolerant species) between one‐ and three‐pass measurements was, however, high, suggesting that single‐pass electric fishing was a suitable sampling procedure to evaluate ecological status. Increasing the area sampled by single‐pass removals stabilised the variances in the fish metrics and similarity indexes. It was concluded that in small streams electric fishing an area 24–27 times the stream width and in general a minimum of 300 m², but preferably more than 450 m², was adequate to estimate fish assemblage attributes reliably in boreal streams.     

The large‐scale stocking of young anadromous whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) and corresponding catches of returning spawners in the River Tornionjoki,northern Baltic Sea

Stocking and fishing effort are two important potentially conflicting factors in fish stock management that require appropriate assessment to ensure a sustainable fishery. In the River Tornionjoki, which discharges into the northern Baltic Sea, a summer‐ascending whitefish, Coregonus lavaretus L., stock has long been a target by traditional dipnet fishing. Enhancement stocking of young whitefish started in the River Tornionjoki in the 1970s after a collapse in catches, with millions of age‐0 whitefish stocked annually in the river, but after about three decades, the stocking rates were considerably reduced. As a result, dipnet catches of whitefish in the Kukkolankoski Rapids rose simultaneously, peaking in the 1980s and 1990s, and then subsequently decreased. There was a significant positive correlation between stocking intensity and catch, both in weight and in numbers, revealing a strong relationship between whitefish releases and dipnet catch. Changes in gillnet fishing effort in the sea affected dipnet catches in weight as well as in mean size of captured whitefish. When the combined effect of stocking and gillnet effort was evaluated, only stocking significantly affected dipnet catches.     

Economic efficiency and optimum stocking densities in fish polyculture: an application of data envelopment analysis (DEA) to Chinese fish farms

Polyculture is commonly practiced in pond aquaculture where several fish species are reared together, creating a multi-output production structure. This study applied a nonparametric data envelopment analysis (DEA) technique for multiple outputs to: (1) measure economic or ‘revenue' efficiency and its technical and allocative components for a sample of Chinese polyculture fish farms; and (2) derive the optimum stocking densities for different fish species. The mean economic efficiency was estimated to be 0.74. Technical inefficiencies accounted for most of the production inefficiencies in Chinese fish farms. On average, farmers should increase grass carp and decrease black carp stocking rates. Smaller farms and those from the developed regions were found to be relatively more technically and economically efficient.     

Fisheries management in inland and coastal waters in Denmark from 1987 to 1999

Fishing is a major recreational activity in Denmark, involving both inland and coastal waters. Anglers, aged 18–67, and amateur fishermen, aged 12–67, must hold a valid fishing permit. Fees are used for stocking, river restoration and fisheries research. All proposals for stocking inland waters require stocking plans based on the carrying capacity of the aquatic habitat in question. All stocking is undertaken using hatchery-reared fish that are the offspring, either of wild fish caught in nature for subsequent stripping, or of more or less domesticated fish stocks that have lived in captivity for several generations. Stocking is also subject to genetic guidelines. This paper reviews the status of fisheries in Danish inland waters, their regulation, socio-economic aspects, stocking, aquaculture and the main problems and trends.