基于GAM模型分析水温垂直结构对热带大西洋大眼金枪鱼渔获率的影响

通过模型分析环境变量对延绳钓大眼金枪鱼渔获率的影响,评估适宜垂直活动空间对大西洋大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔获率的作用。首先采用回归分析检验环境变量对延绳钓渔获率(由单位捕捞努力渔获量(catch per unit fishing effort,CPUE)表示)的影响显著性,结合时空变量,采用GAM(generalized additive model)模型分析各变量对大眼金枪鱼CPUE非线性作用。模型结果表明,环境因子和时空变量对热带大西洋延绳钓大眼金枪鱼渔获率空间分布影响明显。大西洋大眼金枪鱼延绳钓的高渔获率月份出现在夏季和冬季,空间上在赤道以北和30?~50?W。12℃等温线深度对大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔获率的影响表现为抛物线形状,高渔获率出现在深度较浅的250 m水层,随着12℃等温线深度的增加,大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔获率降低。温跃层下界深度和深度差对大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔获率的影响都是穹顶状。随着温跃层下界深度值和深度差由小变大至200 m,延绳钓渔获率递增;温跃层下界深度和深度差超过200 m后,延绳钓渔获率变小。温跃层下界深度和深度差对大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔获率影响显著的水层分别是200 m和50 m。研究结果显示,12℃等温线深度和温跃层对热带大西洋延绳钓大眼金枪鱼渔获率影响是交叉的,在大眼金枪鱼适宜垂直活动水层受限到和延绳钓作业深度相同时,延绳钓渔获率最高;在适宜垂直活动空间过深或者过浅时,延绳钓渔获率都变小,但可以通过改变作业方式提高渔获率。采用延绳钓CPUE进行渔场和资源评估要考虑金枪鱼适宜垂直活动空间。     

大西洋中部金枪鱼延绳钓性能评估初步研究

利用2009～2010年我国大西洋中部金枪鱼延绳钓调查数据,对金枪鱼延绳钓钓具性能进行评估。结果表明:金枪鱼延绳钓具有较好的种类选择性,大眼金枪鱼渔获量和尾数分别占总渔获量的73.67%和76.00%;大眼金枪鱼(Thunnus obesus)、黄鳍金枪鱼(Thunnus albacares)和剑鱼(Xiphias gladius)未达到性成熟的渔获尾数比例分别为13.00%、25.97%和48.93%;1～6号钓钩,大眼金枪鱼上钩率随钓钩深度增加呈递增趋势,6～8号钓钩上钩率呈递减趋势,6号钓钩上钩率最大为9.46尾/千钩;3号至8号钓钩上钩率均大于7尾/千钩,表明1号和2号钓钩利用率偏低;根据钓钩理论深度,推测大眼金枪鱼主要分布水层为220m～350m。通过调节缩短率和浮子绳长度对钓具进行优化,使得钓钩分布水层与大眼金枪鱼分布水层更为接近,提高钓钩利用率。     

太平洋大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔获分布及渔场环境浅析

本文主要根据收集到的渔获量数据、海水表层温度数据和有关文献资料 ,应用GIS技术对太平洋大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔业进行了定量或定性分析。结果表明 :太平洋大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔场主要分布在 2 0°N～2 0°S之间的热带海域 ,具纬向分布特征。对渔获产量同海表温度的分月统计显示 :太平洋大眼金枪鱼渔场最适月平均表层水温约 2 8～ 2 9℃ ,渔场出现频次为偏态分布型。最后 ,结合有关文献综合讨论分析了海表温度、溶解氧含量、海流等环境因子与金枪鱼渔场分布和形成机制的关系     

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℃。     

基于贝叶斯概率的印度洋大眼金枪鱼渔场预报

本文采用贝叶斯概率为模型基础框架,利用来自印度洋金枪鱼管理委员会(IOTC)的大眼金枪鱼延绳钓历史渔获统计数据和美国国家海洋大气管理局(NOAA)的海温最优插值再分析数据,进行适用于印度洋金枪鱼延绳钓渔场的模型参数估算与预报模型构建。模型回报精度验证结果表明,印度洋大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔场综合预报的准确率达到了65.96%。模型预报结果用概率百分比来表示,符合渔业资源分布的客观特点。利用中分辨率成像光谱仪MODIS提供的SST产品进行业务化运行的渔场预报,利用模型结果每周生成印度洋大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔场概率预报图,用不同大小的圆形来表示渔场概率的高低,可以为印度洋区域的远洋渔业生产提供信息支持。     

大西洋中部大眼金枪鱼垂直分布与温度、盐度的关系

根据2001年7月4日至10月27日3艘在大西洋中部公海海域作业的中国金枪鱼延绳钓船上随机观测到的大眼金枪鱼(Thunnus obesus)的上钩钩号,应用悬链线钩深计算公式,分别计算出各钩号的钩深;根据STD仪测得的温度、盐度的垂直分布以钩深为引数,查出该尾鱼捕获时的温度和盐度数据。根据大眼金枪鱼的取样数据,利用频度统计的方法,推算出各水层、水温、盐度范围的渔获率。渔获率最大的水层、水温、盐度范围为大眼金枪鱼的最适水层、水温和盐度范围;渔获率为前3位的水层、水温、盐度范围为大眼金枪鱼活动较频繁的水层、水温和盐度范围。结果表明：大西洋中部,大眼金枪鱼的最适水层为240．00～269．99m水深、最适水温为12．00～12．99℃、最适盐度为35．00～35．09;大西洋中部渔场大眼金枪鱼活动较频繁的水层为240．00～329．99m水深、水温为10．00～12．99℃、盐度为35．00～35．29。     

大西洋大眼金枪鱼资源开发研究

统计分析了1995-2004年间大西洋大眼金枪鱼总渔获量及各渔区、各主要生产国的渔获量变化情况,结果表明：整个大西洋大眼金枪鱼渔获量呈下降趋势,其开发类型主要有延绳钓、饵钓和围网,其中以延绳钓的渔获量最大,1995-2004年期间以西北大西洋（21区）产量最高,为9.53×10^7t,东北大西洋与中西大西洋相对渔获量较少,各为2.47×10^4t,我国对大西洋大眼金枪鱼开发程度不高,占总渔获量的比例较小,针对我国的情况提出开发大西洋大眼金枪鱼相关建议。     

日本与毛里塔尼亚签订了自2011年起为期五年的金枪鱼延绳钓船入渔协定

毛里塔尼亚伊斯兰共和国位于非洲西北部,西濒大西洋。毛里塔尼亚水域分布有大眼金枪鱼,可全年捕捞,但盛渔期为9～11月。日本与毛里塔尼亚从1991年起就签有日本远洋金枪鱼延绳钓船入渔的民间渔业协定至今(2010年12月)。     

西北印度洋大眼金枪鱼渔场预报模型建立与模块开发

根据1990—2003年印度洋大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔业数据和美国国家海洋和大气管理局提供的海表温度、叶绿素-a历史环境数据,应用环境因子叠加方法,构建了西印度洋大眼金枪鱼渔场预报模型,用于金枪鱼渔场预报。分析得出各月适宜海表温度、叶绿素-a浓度范围和历史高产区空间位置;导入实时海表温度、叶绿素-a等遥感栅格数据,分别提取适宜海表温度、适宜叶绿素-a浓度和历史高产区的空间栅格数据集,最后在空间上对3种栅格数据进行空间叠加并取交集。交集所指空间区域即为大眼金枪鱼潜在渔场位置。通过精度检验,表明该模型渔场预报精度为60.5%。并以VC++6.0工具为开发平台,对此模型进行了设计开发,实现了模块预报西北印度洋大眼金枪鱼渔场。     

热带印度洋大眼金枪鱼渔场时空分布与温跃层关系

为了解印度洋大眼金枪鱼(Thunnus obesus)温跃层参数适宜分布区间及季节变化,采用Argo浮标剖面温度数据重构热带印度洋各月平均温跃层特征参数,并结合印度洋金枪鱼委员会(IOTC)大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔业数据,本文绘制了月平均温跃层特征参数和月平均CPUE的空间叠加图,用于分析热带印度洋大眼金枪鱼渔场CPUE时空分布和温跃层特征参数的关系。结果表明,热带印度洋温跃层上界深度、温度和下界深度都具有明显的季节性变化,大眼金枪鱼中心渔场分布和温跃层季节性变化有关。夏季季风期间,高CPUE渔区温跃层上界深度在30~50 m,浅于冬季的50~70 m;温跃层上界温度范围为24~30℃。在冬季季风期间,高CPUE区域对应的温跃层上界温度范围为27~30℃;从马达加斯加岛北部沿非洲大陆至索马里附近海域,温跃层下界深度在170~200 m时的渔区CPUE普遍较高;当深度超过300 m时,CPUE值均非常低。采用频次分析和经验累积分布函数计算其最适温跃层特征参数分布,得出大眼金枪鱼最适温跃层的上界、下界温度范围分别是26~29℃和13~15℃;其上界、下界深度范围分别是30~60 m和140~170 m。文章初步得出印度洋大眼金枪鱼中心渔场温跃层各特征参数的适宜分布区间及季节变化特征,为金枪鱼实际生产作业和资源管理提供理论参考。     

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.