应用Beverton-Holt单位补充量产量模型估算东海区带鱼生物学参考点F_(0.1)和F_(MSY)

应用Beverton-Holt单位补充量产量模型,估算东海区带鱼生物学参考点F0.1、FMSY及其对应的MSY、Y0.1,并探讨了开捕年龄tc与上述生物学参考点的关系。结果表明,在当前的开捕年龄条件下,带鱼的F0.1比FMSY降低了31.71%,而单位补充量产量Yw/R只下降了4.46%;F0.1、FMSY随tc的提高而不断增大;若以MSY/R为管理目标,当tc为3.08龄时,Yw/R取得最大值329.41 g,可承受较大的捕捞强度;若以Y0.1/R为管理目标,当tc为2.50龄时,Yw/R取得最大值281.32 g,而F0.1仅为0.66。     

把不确定性引入生物学参考点F0.1和Fmax的估计以评估东海带鱼渔业资源

东海带鱼(Trichiurus haumela)是东海区重要经济鱼类之一,目前还没有研究在生物学参考点F0.1和Fmax的估计中引入不确定性并在此情况下对东海区带鱼渔业资源进行量化评估。文章应用蒙特卡罗模拟方法研究了渔业数据中不同水平的不确定性和不同初次捕捞年龄对F0.1和Fmax估计的影响,用其与现在的捕捞死亡系数Fcur做比较,初步评估了东海带鱼渔业资源。计算结果表明,高水平的不确定性将会增加在F0.1和Fmax估计中的差异,从而使其被定义为过度捕捞的可能性减小。经过比较表明,F0.1比Fmax是一更好的参考点,且东海区带鱼渔业明显处于过度捕捞状态。不同初次捕捞年龄下单位补充量渔获量的变化情况的研究表明,增大初次捕捞年龄可以减小现在的捕捞死亡率大于参考点死亡率的概率,从而增大初次捕捞年龄可以改善现在捕捞过度的资源状况。     

长江鲥鱼资源评估与管理

本文根据1973～1975年对长江鲥鱼调查的生物学资料以及1970～1985年的渔业统计资料,应用Ricker和Fox模式进行评析,评析的结果是: 1、如果开捕年龄t_(?)为1.9龄,其最佳捕捞死亡系数F为0.6。 2、根据对雌鲥单位补充量繁殖力的估算,当t_(?)=1.9时,F>0.5,资源将处在高危险区;而当t(?)>3.9时,下论F值多大,资源将不会处在高危险区。 3、最大持续产量MSY的269.4吨,其相应捕捞努力量f_(MSY)为12938流刺网网片数。 4、最适产量Y_(?)为262吨,其相应的捕捞努力量f_(?)为10111流刺网网片数。 5、当前(1985年)的状况是:t_(?)=1.9龄,F=2.003,总捕捞努力量已超过30000流刺网网片数。雌鲥单位补充量繁殖力的相对值低于2.61％。其资源量已从1974年的1862吨减少到1985年的39.8吨。显然,当前长江鲥鱼资源的利用已出现补充型捕捞进度,资源处在高危险区中的最危险点,资源已严重衰竭。为此,作者提出为恢复,保护和管理该珍贵渔业资源的八点建议。计算和绘图均用自编程序在电子计算机ABACUS—11和HP7475A X—Y绘图仪上进行。     

东海带鱼生殖和补充特征的变动

根据1986—2000年对东海和南黄海渔获带鱼的生物学基础调查，利用世代分析方法计算了东海带鱼的资源数量，分析了东海带鱼生殖和补充特征的变动状况，同时研究了环境与带鱼补充量变动的关系。结果表明，随着捕捞压力的增大，东海带鱼的最小成熟体长、产卵亲体的平均体长、平均体重组成进一步缩小，个体繁殖力提高而卵径变小；实行伏季休渔后，东海带鱼的补充群体数量大幅度增加，单位亲体的补充量比伏休前增加45％～60％，证明了伏季休渔的生态效益；带鱼补充群体数量与亲体数量、海中温度、伏休时间成正比。目前东海带鱼的亲体数量仍显不足，应进一步减少对带鱼的捕捞强度。     

东海群带鱼的增殖曲线和资源管理措施

本文利用渔捞统计、年龄组成等生物学资料,探讨了东海群带鱼的增殖关系,得出东海群带鱼的增殖曲线为 R=1525Ae~(-0.0016A) 。最大补充量时所需的亲鱼量 A_M=600。并将从增殖曲线公式求得的增殖关系理论值,用亲鱼与补充量关系模式进行了模拟计算。求得了最初被捕年龄t_0=1～5时的资源持续产量和最大持续产量。计算结果表明: (1)t_c=1时,原始资源水准时的亲鱼量 A_V=4659,平均体重W=414.9克,捕捞对象资源量(尾数)N_V=9.9×10~3。虽然鱼体大,平均体重大,但由于资源增殖率低,资源量水准也低。 (2)最大持续产量时亲鱼量A=600,只有原始资源水准时的1/8,平均体重只有原始资源水准时的1/4。但由于补充量为最大,捕捞对象资源量(尾数)却增加了近35倍,资源量(重量)亦增加9倍。 (3)目前由于捕捞强度不断增大,产量超过了资源最大持续产量,1978年亲鱼量已下降到A=154,只有最大持续产量时的1/4,这是资源利用过度的危险水平。捕捞对象资源量和补充量都只有最大持续产量时的1/2多一点。 (4)要使资源恢复到最大持续产量水准,必须采取限制产量的措施。将产量控制在低于持续产量水平,使剩余的亲鱼量能逐步恢复到A=600水平。如果1979年将产量控制在1978年产量的80%水平,到1980年亲鱼量或可恢复到A=600水平。这样再过两年,产量     

渔业管理中生物学参考点的理论及其应用

生物学参考点常被表示为与渔业管理相关联的捕捞死亡率和生物量,是单从生物学角度来衡量渔业资源及其开发状况的指标。通常可分为目标参考点、限制参考点和阈值参考点。目标参考点是为了持续获得某一目标渔获量所需的最小生物量和相应捕捞死亡率,包括目标生物量(Bmsy)、目标产卵亲体量(Smsy、SSB35%、SSB40%)、目标捕捞死亡率(Fmsy、Fmax、F0.1、Fmed、F40%、F40%)等参数。限制参考点用于保证捕捞死亡率不会高到危害鱼类种群的可持续利用和其生物量不会低到危害其生存,主要包括Fmsy、Fmax、F0.1、Fcrash、F20%、Bloss等参数。阈值参考点介于目标参考点和限制参考点之间,包括预防性捕捞死亡率Fpa、预防性生物量Bpa,主要对渔业资源的开发和管理进行预警,防止生物量小于BL。生物学参考点主要应用动态综合模型、产量模型和亲体量补充量关系模型来估算,估算过程中需要考虑到补充、生长、死亡等生命史过程中的不确定性。本文对生物学参考点的发展和应用进行了综述,并以金枪鱼渔业为例阐述它在渔业管理上的应用。近几十年来,我国近海渔业资源出现衰退,亟需利用生物学参考点的原理和方法对重要渔业资源种类进行...     

东海带鱼性早熟原因的研究

东海带鱼性早熟原因有以下4个: 1.东海带鱼承受巨大捕捞压力自1960—1980年,东海机动渔船艘数(马力)连续增多,到1980年达到1960年艘数(马力)的11倍。带鱼在东海海洋捕捞量中占21.99—38.85％,高于大黄鱼、小黄鱼、墨鱼和马面(鱼屯),居于突出地位,在东海区渔业资源捕捞过度形势下,承受巨大捕捞压力。 2.东海带鱼捕捞死亡增大 1976—1979年每年基本消灭去年的一个世代,70年代东海带鱼捕捞死亡显然比60年代增大。 3.东海带鱼个体平均肛长趋小 1962年平均肛长为253.1毫米,1976—1979年平均肛长趋小到224.3毫米。 4.东海带鱼补充速度加快 70年代东海带鱼从肛长238毫米以下个体中快速补充,1978年、1979年性成熟个体中最小肛长趋小到180毫米。     

基于Ｂｅｖｅｒｔｏｎ－Ｈｏｌ鲇鱼山水库翘嘴鲌种群管理研究

作者于2007年4月至2008年4月间，在鲇鱼山水库采集翘嘴鲌（Culter alburnus Basilewsky）样本885尾。对鲇鱼山水库翘嘴鲌的种群管理进行了研究，建立了翘嘴鲌的种群管理模型。建立了Beverton-Holt种群管理模型。在目前开捕年龄tc=2龄，自然死亡系数M=0.4654，捕捞死亡系数F=0.5485，生长系数k=0.2331的情况下，鲇鱼山水库翘嘴鲌渔获物的平均体长为29.91cm，平均体重为278.76g，平均年龄为2.05龄；单位补充量渔获量（Yw/R）为467.2851g/尾。建议将鲇鱼山水库翘嘴鲌的捕捞年龄提高到3龄，有效的保护性成熟个体，提高种群补充数量，并目前捕捞强度下渔获量达到最大值，以达到最大经济效益。     

东海底拖网渔业资源现状

本文以2005年底拖网的常规监测资料为依据，对东海区底拖网渔业资源的渔获物种类组成、单位捕捞努力量渔获量（CPUE）以及主要渔获物生物学特征进行了分析，结果表明。带鱼和刺鲳为底拖网渔业资源优势种，所占比例分别为60．31％和14．53％，小黄鱼、龙头鱼、黄鲫和镶鲳为次要优势种，所占比例均超过1％，各个月份的优势种有所差异；全年的单位捕捞努力量渔获量为205．8kg／h；带鱼的优势肛长组为170-230mm，小黄鱼的优势体长组为120-140mm，刺鲳的优势叉长组为130-150mm。建议降低目前的海洋捕捞努力量，延长伏季休渔时间，加强渔业资源养护和管理力度等。     

东海区伏季休渔渔业生态效果的分析研究

以１９９０ ～１９９８ 年我国东海区的海洋渔业统计资料和渔业资源动态监测资料为依据,分析研究１９９５ ～１９９８ 年伏季休渔对东海区渔业生态效果的影响。结果表明,带鱼等主要经济鱼类的产卵群体得到了有效保护;经济幼鱼的渔获比例及其资源密度指数有所提高,幼鱼群体养护效果也较明显;渔获个体的生物学特征值具有转好的趋势;主要经济鱼类资源生物量明显增加;渔业资源的种间结构得到一定程度的改善;年渔获产量明显增加,单位捕捞努力量渔获量（ＣＰＵＥ） 有所提高。     

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.     

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.     

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.