Predicting the occurrence of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) larvae in the northern Gulf of Mexico: building a classification model from archival data

Although bluefin tuna are found throughout the Atlantic Ocean, spawning in the western Atlantic has been recorded predominantly in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) in spring. Larval bluefin tuna abundances from the northern GOM are formulated into an index used to tune the adult stock assessment, and the variability of this index is currently high. This study investigated whether some of the variability in larval bluefin tuna abundances was related to environmental conditions, by defining associations between larval bluefin tuna catch locations, and a suite of environmental variables. We hypothesized that certain habitat types, as defined by environmental variables, would be more likely to contain bluefin tuna larvae. Favorable habitat for bluefin tuna larvae was defined using a classification tree approach. Habitat within the Loop Current was generally less favorable, as were warm‐core rings, and cooler waters on the continental shelf. The location and size of favorable habitat was highly variable among years, which was reflected in the locations of larval bluefin tuna catches. The model successfully placed bluefin tuna larvae in favorable habitat with nearly 90% accuracy, but many negative stations were also located within theoretically favorable habitat. The probability of collecting larval bluefin tuna in favorable habitat was nearly twice the probability of collecting bluefin tuna larvae across all habitats (35.5 versus 21.0%). This model is a useful addition to knowledge of larval bluefin tuna distributions; however, the incorporation of variables describing finer‐scale features, such as thermal fronts, may significantly improve the model’s predictive power.     

Age‐dependent distribution of juvenile southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) on the continental shelf off southwest Australia determined by acoustic monitoring

Juvenile southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii, SBT) were monitored in nearshore waters off southwest Australia using acoustic tagging and monitoring over five austral summers (2002/2003–2006/2007) to determine patterns in age‐based distribution of SBT. A total of 20–70 receivers were deployed in early December along one to three cross‐shelf transects and at three inshore topographic features (lumps) where SBT are known to occur; and a total of 59–84 juvenile SBT (41–90 cm fork length) were tagged and released each year. After several months, receivers were recovered, and data extracted. In 2002/2003 and 2003/2004, 2‐yr‐old SBT were detected more frequently in nearshore areas than did 1‐yr old fish. Similarly in 2004/2005 and 2006/2007, it was the larger 1‐yr‐old SBT that were detected more frequently at inshore lumps (>85% of detections) while small 1‐yr‐old SBT were detected more widely over the study area. In 2005/2006, although large 1‐yr‐old SBT were still detected more frequently at inshore lumps than small 1‐yr old SBT, the percentage of all detections at lumps was lower at 31.5%, indicating wider distribution of both small and large age‐1 fish. The observed age‐dependent distribution pattern may be enhanced by the distribution of prey, which disperse or concentrate depending on the local oceanography.     

Worldwide status of burbot and conservation measures

Although burbot ( Lota lota Gadidae) are widespread and abundant throughout much of their natural range, there are many populations that have been extirpated, endangered or are in serious decline. Due in part to the species' lack of popularity as a game and commercial fish, few regions consider burbot in management plans. We review the worldwide population status of burbot and synthesize reasons why some burbot populations are endangered or declining, some burbot populations have recovered and some burbot populations do not recover despite management measures. Burbot have been extirpated in much of Western Europe and the United Kingdom and are threatened or endangered in much of North America and Eurasia. Pollution and habitat change, particularly the effects of dams, appear to be the main causes for declines in riverine burbot populations. Pollution and the adverse effects of invasive species appear to be the main reasons for declines in lacustrine populations. Warmer water temperatures, due either to discharge from dams or climate change, have been noted in declining burbot populations at the southern extent of their range. Currently, fishing pressure does not appear to be limiting burbot populations world-wide. We suggest mitigation measures for burbot population recovery, particularly those impacted by dams and invasive species.     

基于生活史特征的数据有限条件下渔业资源评估方法比较

渔业资源评估是开展渔业资源管理,维系渔业可持续发展的基础工作。传统的渔业资源评估方法需要统计产量、资源丰度指数甚至年龄结构等大量数据,由于调查经费和数据的缺乏,全球仅1%的鱼种进行过系统性的资源评估。近年来,在数据有限(data-limited)条件下如何开展资源评估已日益成为学术界的关注热点。本文将基于生活史特征的评估方法分为仅需要生活史参数,需要产量数据和生活史参数,需要产量数据、生活史参数及体长或年龄数据等3大类,分别从方法、数据要求、输出结果及局限性进行了系统回顾分析,提供了关于生活史特征参数的常见估算方法,并就其中两种模型对北大西洋大青鲨(Prionace glauca)的可持续渔获量进行了初步评估与比较。最后,对数据缺乏模型的使用及模型在中国近海渔业资源评估中的运用提出了建议。     

多波束渔用声呐作用距离预报建模及性能分析

多波束渔用声呐是海洋渔业实现高效、精准和选择性捕捞的重要工具。为了系统分析多波束渔用声呐探测性能及主要制约因素对作用距离的影响,针对圆柱形阵多波束渔用声呐,采用水声学系统仿真的方法,分别对主要为噪声和混响环境下的渔用声呐探测性能进行分析,对不同海况下噪声不同目标强度鱼群的探测性能进行比较,分析窄带系统和宽带系统降低混响的能力,并对噪声和混响混叠环境下的渔用声呐探测性能进行仿真分析;最终,从系统设计、发射方式、接收方式等多个角度提出提高渔用声呐探测性能的方法,为远距离、高分辨率多波束渔用声呐的研制提供改进的方向。     

Toward an environmental predictor of tuna recruitment

Bigeye tuna are of global economic importance and are the primary target species of Hawaii's most valuable commercial fishery. Due to their high commercial value, bigeye tuna are relatively well studied and routinely assessed. Larval and adult bigeye surveys have been conducted for many years and are supported by ongoing research on their physiology and life history. Yet, modeling stock dynamics and estimating future catch rates remain challenging. Here, we show that an appropriately lagged measure of phytoplankton size is a robust predictor of catch rates in Hawaii's bigeye tuna fishery with a forecast window of four years. We present a fishery‐independent tool with the potential to improve stock assessments, aid dynamic fisheries management, and allow Hawaii's commercial longline fishing industry to better plan for the future.     

Using acoustic telemetry and snorkel surveys to study diel activity and seasonal migration of round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) in an estuary of the Western Baltic Sea

In just two decades, round goby Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas) has dispersed throughout most of the Baltic and the North American Great Lakes. It thrives in shallow sheltered areas, where it is impacting native fauna. In Denmark, researchers, governmental institutions and fishers have joined in an effort to establish a sustainable round goby fishery. To do so, basic information about the movement of round goby is essential, so the movements of 50 round gobies were tracked using acoustic telemetry. The results revealed that activity took place mainly at night and seasonal migrations were common. The most frequent migration behaviour observed was a seaward return migration during winter, which was further confirmed by a snorkel survey. Tracking data also revealed riverine upstream dispersal. The results demonstrate that the round goby can be mapped using telemetry, and it is suggested that fishing for round goby may improve efficiency by targeting seasonal migration corridors.     

我国蓝色粮仓科技创新的发展思路与实施途径

蓝色粮仓建设对保障食物安全、推动经济发展、催生新兴产业、彰显国家权益、改善生态环境以及突破产业瓶颈具有重要意义。在当前科技和产业背景下,如何卓有成效地构建蓝色粮仓已成为社会各界关注的热点。本文明确了蓝色粮仓的概念和特点,分析了蓝色粮仓构建的必要性和可行性,提出了实现渔业产业由大国向强国跨越以及提升科技创新和产业发展能力的总体目标,从聚焦重大需求、构建科技创新链,坚持原创驱动、突破重大科学问题,强化集成示范、支撑产业健康持续发展等方面论述了实施途径,即按照基础研究、重大共性关键技术、典型应用示范全链条布局的要求,坚持生态优先谋划,陆海统筹布局,针对种质创制、健康养殖、资源养护、友好捕捞、流通加工五大产业类型需求,实施良种引领、空间拓展、技术升级、产业示范四大行动,建立智慧养殖、智能捕捞、绿色加工三大体系,满足优质蛋白供给和产业转型升级两大需求,最终构建中国特色的蓝色粮仓。     

马鞍列岛及其东部海域鱼类群落格局与环境因子之间的关系

为探究岛礁海域渔业资源群落格局,于2016年8月、12月及2017年2月和5月对马鞍列岛及其东部海域进行了渔业资源季度调查。利用聚类分析、非度量多维标度(nMDS)和生物环境相关分析(BIOENV)等方法,对该海域的鱼类群落组成、时空动态及其与环境因子的相关性进行了研究。共采集鱼类96种,隶属于12目47科77属,其中鲈形目占比最大,其生物量和丰度占比均超过50%。龙头鱼为全年优势种,春季优势种包括刺鲳、黑鳃梅童鱼和宽体舌鳎;夏季优势种为小黄鱼、带鱼和六丝矛尾虾虎鱼;秋季和冬季优势种相同,为棘头梅童鱼和凤鲚。聚类分析和nMDS结果显示,马鞍列岛及其东部海域鱼类群落可分为站位组I (岛礁周围站点为主)、站位组II (邻近岛礁站点为主)和站位组III (远离岛礁站点为主)。除春季站位组I与站位组III、站位组II与站位组III外,鱼类群落种类组成在各季节不同站位组之间皆存在显著差异。BIOENV分析显示,在底层水温、底层盐度和水深3个因素中,底层水温对鱼类群落影响最大。     

西藏渔业资源现状、存在问题及保护对策

西藏自治区是中国平均海拔最高、河流数量最多、湖泊面积最大的省区,也是西南重要安全屏障,战略地位尤为凸显。近年来,西藏雅鲁藏布江等重点水域受到外来物种入侵、过度捕捞、水电工程建设等人类活动影响,渔业资源出现衰退趋势。本团队在西藏拉萨、山南、林芝、日喀则等主要城市重点走访调研西藏渔业产业规模、渔业资源和设施装备建设现状,在雅鲁藏布江流域开展实地渔业资源环境科学考察,分析梳理西藏渔业产业、渔政队伍建设和渔业基础设施装备现状面临的主要问题及其影响因素,以期为了解西藏渔业产业发展和渔业资源现状提供必要的数据支撑,为有关部门制定涉及西藏渔业资源环境相关政策法规提供参考。