Modelling South Pacific jack mackerel spatial population dynamics and fisheries

Since the 1970s, South Pacific jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi) is one of the world's most important commercial exploited fish stock. The peak in the catch was achieved in the 1990s, after which the catch for all fleets steadily decreased due to strong fishing mortality and potentially unfavourable environmental conditions. An application of the ecosystem and fish population model SEAPODYM was developed for this species in the South Pacific Ocean to determine the extent of environmental and fisheries drivers on the stock dynamics. We combined publicly available fishing data, acoustic biomass estimates and expert knowledge to optimise fish population dynamics parameters (habitats, movements, natural and fishing mortality). Despite a large proportion of missing catch over the simulation period, the model provides realistic distributions of biomass, a good fit‐to‐data and is in agreement with the literature. The feeding habitat is predicted to be delineated by water temperature between 15°C for the first cohorts and 8.5°C for the oldest and dissolved oxygen concentration above 1.8 ml/L. Optimal spawning temperature is estimated to 15.57°C (S.E.: 0.75°C). The core habitat is predicted off Central Chile which is also the main fishing ground. There are other areas of higher fish concentration east of New Zealand, in the eastern part of the southern convergence and off Peru and northern Chile. However, there is a clear continuity between these different large sub‐populations. Fishing is predicted to have by far the highest impact, a result that should be reinforced if all fishing mortality could be included.     

Transport and survival processes of eggs and larvae of jack mackerel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trachurus japonicus</Emphasis> in the East China Sea

ABSTRACT:   Recent surveys showed substantial aggregation of larvae of jack mackerel in the southern East China Sea, indicating intensive spawning grounds near Taiwan. A numerical model was applied to investigate transport and survival processes of eggs and larvae of jack mackerel from the spawning area to the nurseries. The results show that: (i) the distributions of larvae simulated by the model agreed well with those obtained by field survey; (ii) the stock of jack mackerel in the Sea of Japan is composed of both groups from north of Taiwan and from the western coast of Kyushu. It takes more than two months for the former to reach the Sea of Japan, while it is within 40 days for the latter; and (iii) large proportions of the eggs and larvae spawned off the north of Taiwan are transported rapidly to the Pacific side of Kyushu by the Kuroshio Current, and the rest slowly to the east or north-east along the continental slope in the East China Sea. In contrast to the larval flux, survivors are more abundant in the northern East China Sea than in the Pacific Ocean, indicating that survival in the northern East China Sea would determine the jack mackerel stock in Japan.     

Multiple cohorts of juvenile jack mackerel Trachurus japonicus in waters along the Tsushima Warm Current

The jack mackerel, Trachurus japonicus, has a prolonged spawning season and widely spread spawning grounds. The population in the coastal waters of Japan seems to be composed of several cohorts spawned seasonally from different waters. To understand its population structure along the Tsushima Warm Current, we analysed hatchdates and growth histories of fish from Kunda Bay, the southern, central and northern East China Sea (ECS), the southern Sea of Japan, and Maizuru Bay. Seven cohorts were detected from fish collected between June 2005 and June 2006 in Kunda Bay. Comparing hatchdate distributions and growth trajectories of the seven cohorts with those of the other five regional samples, we did not find that cohorts collected in Kunda Bay originated in the southern ECS. Therefore, these coastal waters of Japan appear to be significant spawning grounds for juvenile jack mackerel.     

The spatial structure of the oceanic spawning of jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi) off central Chile (1998–2001)

The jack mackerel population has a widespread oceanic spawning habitat off central Chile, extending more than one thousand nautical miles offshore. In this paper, the spatial structure of jack mackerel eggs density is analyzed on the basis of four surveys carried out in oceanic waters (32°S–39°S, 75°W–92°W), from 1998 to 2001. In each survey, a grid of plankton stations was sampled through vertical hauls with WP2 plankton nets by using several purse-seine fishing ships sampling simultaneously along the E–W transects. With the aim of finding the bulk of the egg distribution within the surveyed area, an exploratory analysis between jack mackerel egg densities, latitude, longitude, and sea surface temperature (SST) was carried out. The spatial structure of the egg distribution was studied using geostatistical techniques. The bulk of the jack mackerel spawning tends to occur offshore between 80°W and 92°W, is maximal at 35°S and associated to SST warmer than 15–16 °C. All of the variograms showed clear spatial autocorrelations without anisotropy, with the range fluctuating between 125 and 252 nautical miles. The range of variograms suggests that the spawning of jack mackerel is a large scale process, probably reflected in the adult behavior of the spawning by favoring a high dispersion of eggs and/or associated with sea surface temperature characterizing the subtropical frontal zone (16–18 °C) off central Chile.     

Gonadal maturation and spawning migration of stocked female barfin flounder Verasper moseri off the Pacific coast of northern Japan

Commercial catches of barfin flounder Verasper moseri, an important target flatfish for stock enhancement programs in northern Japan, have recovered remarkably since the large-scale release of seedlings from Hokkaido in 2006. However, their reproductive ecology remains unclear. Our study of 2008–2012 investigated seasonal changes in the maturity of stocked female barfin flounder (n = 4,123) off the Pacific coast from Hokkaido to Tohoku (35.7°–43.4°N). Histological observation of ovaries revealed that fish undergoing vitellogenesis were observed mainly off Hokkaido and partially off northern Tohoku during August–January (40.2°–43.4°N). However, fully matured or spawning fish were not found near those areas. They were observed only in southern Tohoku. Ongoing spawning was observed off southernmost Tohoku (35.8°–37.5°N around 300 m depth) from early February through late April, when commercial landings had decreased drastically off Hokkaido. Spent fish were caught only rarely off southern Tohoku, but were observed frequently off Hokkaido during April–June. These results demonstrate that spawning grounds form at the upper continental slope off southernmost Tohoku during February–April. Relations between maturation traits and seasonal landings strongly suggest that female barfin flounder repeatedly migrate more than 700 km from feeding grounds off Hokkaido to spawning grounds off southern Tohoku.     

气候变化对东南太平洋智利竹筴鱼渔获量的影响

为了探讨气候变化对智利竹筴鱼(Trachurus murphyi)渔获量的长期影响, 采集 1900—2016 年北大西洋涛动

(North Atlantic Oscillation, NAO)、太平洋年代际涛动(Pacific Decadal Oscillation, PDO)、厄尔尼诺(El Ni?o)等 8 个

低频气候变化参数, 全球海气温度异常指标时间序列数据和 1970—2016 年东南太平洋智利竹筴鱼总渔获量数据,

在对其进行相关性分析的基础上, 运用 BP 神经网络模型构建了东南太平洋智利竹筴鱼渔获量预测模型, 并以效率

系数为评价规则对预测模型进行评价, 进而得到了最优预测模型。最后对最优预测模型进行了因子敏感性分析, 提

取了对东南太平洋智利竹筴鱼(Trachurus murphyi)影响较大的因子。最优预测模型拟合效果显示, 渔获量拟合值与

观测值有基本一致的变化趋势, 两个序列的线性相关系数为 0.745, 模型拟合效果良好。最优模型因子敏感性分析

表明, 在研究期间, 影响东南太平洋智利竹筴鱼渔获量的气候变化表征因子主要为北大西洋涛动、太平洋年代际涛

动和北太平洋指数。     

7.

Sizes of adult bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis in different areas of the western Pacific Ocean     

Tomoyuki Itoh 《Fisheries Science》2006,72(1):53-62

ABSTRACT:   The length frequencies of adult Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis caught near Japan, near Taiwan, in the tropical western Pacific Ocean, and in the South Pacific Ocean, were compared. The largest catches consisted of medium-sized adults (160–209 cm fork length) taken near Japan and large adults (≥210 cm) taken near Taiwan. Small adults (120–159 cm) were occasionally caught in the Sea of Japan. Small numbers of medium-sized and large adults were caught in the tropical western Pacific and the South Pacific. The length frequencies of the fish greater than 160 cm in length caught in different areas around Japan were similar to each other. As adult bluefin tuna grow older they spawn earlier, and their distribution, movements, and spawning areas change.     

8.

Genetic population structure in the Chilean jack mackerel, Trachurus murphyi (Nichols) across the South-eastern Pacific Ocean     

Leyla Crdenas  Andrea X. Silva  Antonios Magoulas  Josefina Cabezas  Elie Poulin  F. Patricio Ojeda 《Fisheries Research》2009,100(2):109-115

The Chilean jack mackerel Trachurus murphyi, is a pelagic fish from the Carangidae family that is distributed in the South Pacific Ocean. Because this species constitutes an important economic resource across the South Pacific and plays an important ecological role in this ecosystem there is a growing interest in determining its population structure. In this study, we used molecular markers (mitochondrial DNA sequences and microsatellites) from Chilean jack mackerel samples to investigate its genetic population structure across the South Pacific Ocean. The mitochondrial DNA did not detect a genetic structure in T. murphyi populations in the Pacific Ocean, but revealed very low haplotype diversity and a short genealogy history compared to other small-pelagic species. The same general pattern of a lack of genetic structure was found with microsatellite loci; however, a large genetic diversity was revealed with microsatellite markers. The present results did not support the existence of different stock units for T. murphyi across the South Pacific Ocean but a more holistic approach will be necessary to determine an adequate management strategy for this fishery.     

9.

Distribution of jack mackerel (Trachurus japonicus) larvae and juveniles in the East China Sea, with special reference to the larval transport by the Kuroshio Current   总被引：2，自引：0，他引：2  

CHIYUKI SASSA  YOSHINOBU KONISHI  KEN MORI 《Fisheries Oceanography》2006,15(6):508-518

Horizontal distribution patterns of jack mackerel (Trachurus japonicus) larvae and juveniles were investigated in the East China Sea between 4 February and 30 April 2001. A total of 1549 larvae and juveniles were collected by bongo and neuston nets at 357 stations. The larvae were concentrated in the frontal area between the Kuroshio Current and shelf waters in the upstream region of the Kuroshio. The abundance of small larvae (<3 mm notochord length) was highest in the southern East China Sea (SECS) south of 28°N, suggesting that the principal spawning ground is formed in the SECS from late winter to spring. Jack mackerel also spawned in the northern and central East China Sea (NECS and CECS, respectively), as some small larvae were also collected in these areas. In the SECS, the abundance of small larvae was highest in February and gradually decreased from March to April. The habitat temperature of small larvae in the SECS and CECS (20–26°C) was higher than that in the NECS (15–21°C), suggesting higher growth rates in the SECS and CECS than in the NECS. The juveniles (10‐ to 30‐mm standard length) became abundant in the NECS off the west coast of Kyushu Island and CECS in April and were collected in association with scyphozoans typical of the Kuroshio waters. However, juveniles were rarely collected in the SECS, where the small larvae were concentrated. Considering the current systems in the study area, a large number of the eggs and larvae spawned and hatched in the SECS would be transported northeastward by the Kuroshio and its branches into the jack mackerels’ nursery grounds, such as the shallow waters off the west coast of Kyushu and the Pacific coast of southern Japan.     

10.

Diet of young southern bluefin tuna <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thunnus maccoyii</Emphasis> in the southwestern coastal waters of Australia in summer     

Tomoyuki Itoh  Hans Kemps  John Totterdell 《Fisheries Science》2011,77(3):337-344

The diet of juvenile (predominantly age 1) southern bluefin tuna Thunnus maccoyii (SBT, N = 720), caught over 11 years of the recruitment monitoring survey off southern Western Australia during summer, consisted overwhelmingly of teleosts (97.4% by volume). Pilchard Sardinops sagax (27.4%V), blue mackerel Scomber australasicus (16.7%V), and jack mackerel Trachurus declivis (14.2%V) were the major taxa, with pilchard more abundant in coastal waters and jack mackerel more frequently encountered in fish caught closer to the shelf-edge. Prey size varied from 5 to 240 mm, with 67% of ingested items measuring between 30 and 50 mm. Pilchard dominated the prey size category 130–190 mm (84% by number), but the overall contribution of this species to the diet of juvenile SBT was much lower than previously reported. Future research in relation to the feeding ecology of juvenile SBT should focus on the biology and ecology of the young lifestages of the main prey species in this area and on prey distribution and dynamics as a key factor linking environmental change and SBT distribution.     

11.

Distribution and migration of age-0 jack mackerel (Trachurus japonicus) in the East China and Yellow Seas, based on seasonal bottom trawl surveys     

CHIYUKI SASSA  KEISUKE YAMAMOTO  YOUICHI TSUKAMOTO  YOSHINOBU KONISHI  MUNEHARU TOKIMURA 《Fisheries Oceanography》2009,18(4):255-267

We examined the distribution and migration of age-0 jack mackerel in the East China Sea (ECS) and Yellow Sea, based on data from seasonal bottom trawl surveys. Sampling was conducted at 79–161 stations during five cruises in spring (April–June), early summer (May–July), late summer (August–October), autumn (October–December), and winter (January–February). During early summer, jack mackerel (mean 92 mm fork length), which were estimated to have hatched in the southern East China Sea (SECS) during winter, began to occur abundantly, especially along the shelf-break region of the central East China Sea (CECS). In late summer, the distribution center of young fish (mean 126 mm) shifted northward into the shelf region of northern East China Sea (NECS), corresponding with the rise of bottom water temperature and high prey abundance. In winter when the bottom water temperature declined in the shelf region, the distribution center of jack mackerel (mean 144 mm) shifted southward, with high densities occurring in the SECS and CECS. In spring, overwintering jack mackerel that had become age-1 (mean 175 mm) were distributed abundantly along the shelf-break region of the ECS. On the other hand, jack mackerel were only sporadically found, generally at low densities, in the Yellow Sea during all seasons. High densities of jack mackerel were largely restricted to areas of >15°C bottom water temperature during all seasons. Our results indicate that the seasonal shifts of the 15°C isotherm of the bottom layer and the food conditions are significant environmental factors determining the migration of jack mackerel within the ECS.     

12.

南海北部近海竹荚鱼资源密度的概率分布型特征     

晏然  范江涛  陈作志  蔡研聪  张魁  许友伟  徐姗楠 《中国水产科学》2019,26(1):91-98

竹荚鱼(Trachurusjaponicus)是中国南海北部近海主要渔获物之一,其空间分布具有非均匀性。根据2014—2017年南海北部近海两个周期(2014—2015年为第1周期, 2016—2017年为第2周期)的底拖网调查数据,以单位捕捞努力量(catchperuniteffort,CPUE)表征资源密度,采用柯尔莫可洛夫-斯米洛夫检验(Kolmogorov-Smirnov,K-S test)探索了11种概率分布特征。结果表明,南海北部陆架区竹荚鱼不具明显的概率分布特征,而北部湾海域竹荚鱼资源密度服从对数正态分布型且第二周期较第一周期更为显著。同时,采用基于对数正态理论模型法(对数正态模型与Delta模型)与调查设计法(均值法)对该海域进行资源密度估值比较,发现基于对数正态理论模型更切合竹荚鱼资源密度结构分布特征,而在对数正态理论模型中Delta模型法更适用于该物种资源密度估值。     

13.

Environmental factors and recruitment of mackerel, Scomber scombrus L. 1758, along the north-east Atlantic coasts of Europe     

A. Borja  A. Uriarte  & J. Egaña 《Fisheries Oceanography》2002,11(2):116-127

Increasingly, scientific publications refer to some of the environmental factors affecting the recruitment in fish species. However, presently, there is little information available concerning the influence of the environment on the recruitment of Scomber scombrus, the North-east Atlantic mackerel (NEAM). In this contribution, North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), upwelling and turbulent mixing (or `turbulence') series were compared with recruitment estimates, at age-0. The results show that the southern prespawning migration pattern of the Atlantic mackerel is directed towards areas with low turbulent mixing at spawning time, providing a `stable environment' for egg and larval survival. In the southern areas, where the spawning starts, the turbulence conditions of prespawning and spawning periods have the largest influence on the success of recruitment; this is related, possibly, to the more `stable' weather in the subsequent months and for the remainder of the year. In contrast, in the northern areas, the role of turbulence over the entire year becomes increasingly more relevant; this is related, possibly, to the high levels of turbulence during autumn and winter, which may become limiting to the survival of juveniles. About 50% of the variability in the Atlantic mackerel recruitment may be explained by means of environmental variables, such as turbulence. Other variables, such as upwelling and NAO, are only slightly, or not, statistically significant.     

14.

春季钓鱼岛海域竹鱼产卵群体生物学特征的研究          下载免费PDF全文

李建生  严利平  胡芬  凌建忠 《渔业科学进展》2010,31(3):1-5

利用2005年3月在钓鱼岛海域捕获的竹鱼产卵群体样品测定数据,对其主要生物学特征、主要产卵期和繁殖力特征进行了研究。结果表明,钓鱼岛海域是春季东海南部竹鱼的主要产卵场,主要产卵期为3月中下旬。根据叉长和体重的频率分布图,可以看出该产卵群体主要有3个叉长优势组,其中以200～220mm和230～240mm叉长组为主,260～270mm叉长组个体极少;体重的组成特征与叉长组成基本一致。由于所取样品处于产卵后期,因此条件生长因子相对较小。个体绝对生殖力在12264～37629粒/尾,个体平均绝对生殖力为27844±10179粒/尾;单位长度生殖力范围为50～157粒/mm,平均值为121±42粒/mm;单位纯体重生殖力为82～238粒/g,平均值为202±68粒/g。     

15.

Distribution and abundance of copepod nauplii in southern part of the East China Sea: implications for prey availability to jack mackerel Trachurus japonicus larvae     

Yuji Okazaki  Tomohide Noguchi  Hideaki Nakata  Kou Nishiuchi 《Fisheries Science》2008,74(6):1235-1244

In the southern part of the East China Sea (ECS), a large spawning ground of jack mackerel Trachurus japonicus has recently been found: Larval survival during the period of transport from the spawning ground along the shelf break is potentially a critical stage prior to recruitment. As such, the distribution of copepod nauplii in this region was investigated during the main spawning period in 2003–2006. The average naupliar density in 2003 was significantly higher than the other years along the shelf break, which is a major transport pathway for jack mackerel larvae (sea-surface temperature 20–23°C). Estimated egg production rates for Paracalanus spp., one of the most dominant genera of copepods in the southern ECS, based on temperature and chlorophyll-a concentration could not fully explain the spatial and annual variation in naupliar distribution and abundance. Although naupliar densities showed significant positive correlations with chlorophyll-a concentration for all years, an analysis of covariance revealed that naupliar density in 2003 was high even if the effect of chlorophyll-a concentration was excluded. This suggests that apart from copepod production, adult female distribution plays an important role in variability of the naupliar distribution and abundance in the southern ECS.     

16.

Forecasting of jack mackerel landings (Trachurus murphyi) in central‐southern Chile through neural networks          下载免费PDF全文

Laura Naranjo  Francisco Plaza  Eleuterio Yáñez  María Ángela Barbieri  Felipe Sánchez 《Fisheries Oceanography》2015,24(3):219-228

In the present study, the performance of neuronal networks models in monthly landing forecasting of jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi) in central‐southern Chile (32°S–42°S) was assessed. Thus, monthly estimations for 10 environmental variables, fishing effort (fe) and jack mackerel landings for the period 1973–2008 were used. A preliminary analysis was done in order to remove strongly correlated variables. Sea surface temperature (SST) and fe are established as input variables, then, a non‐linear cross correlation analysis was performed to estimate the lag between the input variables and jack mackerel landings. Two models were adjusted: model one includes both training and testing cases randomly selected using all data involved in the analysed period; for model 2, the data is divided into two time series: the first from 1973 to 2002 used for training and the second between 2003 and 2008 used for validation. The external validation process for model 1 showed an explained variance of 92%, with a standard forecasting error of 30%. The explained variance for model 2 was 81%, with a standard forecasting error of 38%. Finally, the sensitivity analysis for both models showed the fe as the most influential variable to jack mackerel landings, which presents functionality depending on anthropogenic effects rather than environmental conditions.     

17.

Physical oceanography of the North Carolina continental shelf during the fall and winter seasons: implications for the transport of larval menhaden     

Werner  Blanton  Quinlan  Luettich  Jr 《Fisheries Oceanography》1999,8(Z2):7-21

The circulation over the continental shelf off the southern Middle Atlantic Bight (MAB) and northern South Atlantic Bight (SAB) is examined for the fall and winter periods. Observational data are compared with results from a three-dimensional numerical model to identify the dominant processes on the shelf. By considering wind-forcing, tides, and a specified upstream inflow (into the MAB), the observed and modelled flow fields are in close agreement in the mid- and inner shelf regions. The resulting larval drift indicates a seasonal dependence of transport pathways from spawning grounds to estuarine nursery areas for menhaden larvae and other offshore-spawning estuarine-dependent fish. Specifically, the physical oceanography of the MAB and SAB during the fall and winter months suggests a north-to-south shift in spawning areas providing recruits to the Carolina estuaries, in agreement with the observed migration of the spawning populations.     

18.

Decadal changes in the diet of northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) migrating off the Pacific coast of northeastern Japan     

SHIROH YONEZAKI  MASASHI KIYOTA  NORIHISA BABA 《Fisheries Oceanography》2008,17(3):231-238

Decadal changes in northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) diet were examined based on the stomach contents data collected off the Pacific coast of northeastern Japan from January to April, 1953–1988. Seventeen families of fish and seven families of squid were identified from the stomach contents. Dominant prey species in terms of percentage of occurrence and wet weight were Japanese sardine (Sardinops melanostictus), chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus), and myctophid fishes. Demersal fishes, sparkling enope squid (Watasenia scintillans), and oceanic squids were also preyed on at low incidences. Decadal‐scale diet composition of northern fur seals revealed shifts in the significance of Japanese sardine and chub mackerel in parallel with the decadal alternation in the dominance of these species within the pelagic fish community off the Pacific coast of northeastern Japan. These results suggest that northern fur seals can use a variety of prey resources in this wintering area by switching the diet according to the distribution and abundance of prey species.     

19.

Physical oceanography of the North Carolina continental shelf during the fall and winter seasons: implications for the transport of larval menhaden     

Werner  Blanton  Quinlan  & Luettich  Jr 《Fisheries Oceanography》1999,8(S2):7-21

The circulation over the continental shelf off the southern Middle Atlantic Bight (MAB) and northern South Atlantic Bight (SAB) is examined for the fall and winter periods. Observational data are compared with results from a three-dimensional numerical model to identify the dominant processes on the shelf. By considering wind-forcing, tides, and a specified upstream inflow (into the MAB), the observed and modelled flow fields are in close agreement in the mid- and inner shelf regions. The resulting larval drift indicates a seasonal dependence of transport pathways from spawning grounds to estuarine nursery areas for menhaden larvae and other offshore-spawning estuarine-dependent fish. Specifically, the physical oceanography of the MAB and SAB during the fall and winter months suggests a north-to-south shift in spawning areas providing recruits to the Carolina estuaries, in agreement with the observed migration of the spawning populations.     

20.

Estimation of the spawning grounds of chub mackerel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scomber japonicus</Emphasis> and spotted mackerel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scomber australasicus</Emphasis> in the East China Sea based on catch statistics and biometric data     

Ryuji Yukami  Seiji Ohshimo  Mari Yoda  Yoshiaki Hiyama 《Fisheries Science》2009,75(1):167-174

The spawning grounds of the chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) and spotted mackerel (Scomber australasicus) in the East China Sea were estimated based on catch statistics of the Japanese large- and medium-type purse seine fishery from 1992 to 2006. Biometric data were obtained from specimens caught by purse seiners in the East China Sea from 1998 to 2006. Gonadosomatic index (GSI) at 50% sexual maturity of chub mackerel and spotted mackerel females was 2.5 and 2.6, respectively. Using this criterion for GSI, chub mackerel larger than 275 mm and spotted mackerel larger than 310 mm in fork length were considered to be mature. Mature chub mackerel was observed in the area of 15–22°C sea surface temperature (SST), and mature spotted mackerel was observed in the area of 17–25°C SST. The spawning period of chub mackerel ranged from February to June, and that of spotted mackerel ranged from February to May in the East China Sea. The spawning grounds were estimated from the distributions of catch per unit effort (CPUE) of spawners and SST. As a result, the spawning ground of chub mackerel was estimated to be in the central and southern part of the East China Sea and the area west of Kyushu in February, March, and April, and in the central part of the East China Sea, the area west of Kyushu and Tsushima Straight in May, and in Tsushima Straight and western part of the Sea of Japan in June. The spawning ground of spotted mackerel was estimated to be in the central and southern part of the East China Sea and southern coastal area of Kyushu in February, March, and April, and the central and southern part of the East China Sea and the area west of Kyushu in May.     

Sizes of adult bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis in different areas of the western Pacific Ocean

ABSTRACT:   The length frequencies of adult Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis caught near Japan, near Taiwan, in the tropical western Pacific Ocean, and in the South Pacific Ocean, were compared. The largest catches consisted of medium-sized adults (160–209 cm fork length) taken near Japan and large adults (≥210 cm) taken near Taiwan. Small adults (120–159 cm) were occasionally caught in the Sea of Japan. Small numbers of medium-sized and large adults were caught in the tropical western Pacific and the South Pacific. The length frequencies of the fish greater than 160 cm in length caught in different areas around Japan were similar to each other. As adult bluefin tuna grow older they spawn earlier, and their distribution, movements, and spawning areas change.     

Genetic population structure in the Chilean jack mackerel, Trachurus murphyi (Nichols) across the South-eastern Pacific Ocean

The Chilean jack mackerel Trachurus murphyi, is a pelagic fish from the Carangidae family that is distributed in the South Pacific Ocean. Because this species constitutes an important economic resource across the South Pacific and plays an important ecological role in this ecosystem there is a growing interest in determining its population structure. In this study, we used molecular markers (mitochondrial DNA sequences and microsatellites) from Chilean jack mackerel samples to investigate its genetic population structure across the South Pacific Ocean. The mitochondrial DNA did not detect a genetic structure in T. murphyi populations in the Pacific Ocean, but revealed very low haplotype diversity and a short genealogy history compared to other small-pelagic species. The same general pattern of a lack of genetic structure was found with microsatellite loci; however, a large genetic diversity was revealed with microsatellite markers. The present results did not support the existence of different stock units for T. murphyi across the South Pacific Ocean but a more holistic approach will be necessary to determine an adequate management strategy for this fishery.     

Distribution of jack mackerel (Trachurus japonicus) larvae and juveniles in the East China Sea, with special reference to the larval transport by the Kuroshio Current

Horizontal distribution patterns of jack mackerel (Trachurus japonicus) larvae and juveniles were investigated in the East China Sea between 4 February and 30 April 2001. A total of 1549 larvae and juveniles were collected by bongo and neuston nets at 357 stations. The larvae were concentrated in the frontal area between the Kuroshio Current and shelf waters in the upstream region of the Kuroshio. The abundance of small larvae (<3 mm notochord length) was highest in the southern East China Sea (SECS) south of 28°N, suggesting that the principal spawning ground is formed in the SECS from late winter to spring. Jack mackerel also spawned in the northern and central East China Sea (NECS and CECS, respectively), as some small larvae were also collected in these areas. In the SECS, the abundance of small larvae was highest in February and gradually decreased from March to April. The habitat temperature of small larvae in the SECS and CECS (20–26°C) was higher than that in the NECS (15–21°C), suggesting higher growth rates in the SECS and CECS than in the NECS. The juveniles (10‐ to 30‐mm standard length) became abundant in the NECS off the west coast of Kyushu Island and CECS in April and were collected in association with scyphozoans typical of the Kuroshio waters. However, juveniles were rarely collected in the SECS, where the small larvae were concentrated. Considering the current systems in the study area, a large number of the eggs and larvae spawned and hatched in the SECS would be transported northeastward by the Kuroshio and its branches into the jack mackerels’ nursery grounds, such as the shallow waters off the west coast of Kyushu and the Pacific coast of southern Japan.     

Diet of young southern bluefin tuna <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thunnus maccoyii</Emphasis> in the southwestern coastal waters of Australia in summer

The diet of juvenile (predominantly age 1) southern bluefin tuna Thunnus maccoyii (SBT, N = 720), caught over 11 years of the recruitment monitoring survey off southern Western Australia during summer, consisted overwhelmingly of teleosts (97.4% by volume). Pilchard Sardinops sagax (27.4%V), blue mackerel Scomber australasicus (16.7%V), and jack mackerel Trachurus declivis (14.2%V) were the major taxa, with pilchard more abundant in coastal waters and jack mackerel more frequently encountered in fish caught closer to the shelf-edge. Prey size varied from 5 to 240 mm, with 67% of ingested items measuring between 30 and 50 mm. Pilchard dominated the prey size category 130–190 mm (84% by number), but the overall contribution of this species to the diet of juvenile SBT was much lower than previously reported. Future research in relation to the feeding ecology of juvenile SBT should focus on the biology and ecology of the young lifestages of the main prey species in this area and on prey distribution and dynamics as a key factor linking environmental change and SBT distribution.     

Distribution and migration of age-0 jack mackerel (Trachurus japonicus) in the East China and Yellow Seas, based on seasonal bottom trawl surveys

We examined the distribution and migration of age-0 jack mackerel in the East China Sea (ECS) and Yellow Sea, based on data from seasonal bottom trawl surveys. Sampling was conducted at 79–161 stations during five cruises in spring (April–June), early summer (May–July), late summer (August–October), autumn (October–December), and winter (January–February). During early summer, jack mackerel (mean 92 mm fork length), which were estimated to have hatched in the southern East China Sea (SECS) during winter, began to occur abundantly, especially along the shelf-break region of the central East China Sea (CECS). In late summer, the distribution center of young fish (mean 126 mm) shifted northward into the shelf region of northern East China Sea (NECS), corresponding with the rise of bottom water temperature and high prey abundance. In winter when the bottom water temperature declined in the shelf region, the distribution center of jack mackerel (mean 144 mm) shifted southward, with high densities occurring in the SECS and CECS. In spring, overwintering jack mackerel that had become age-1 (mean 175 mm) were distributed abundantly along the shelf-break region of the ECS. On the other hand, jack mackerel were only sporadically found, generally at low densities, in the Yellow Sea during all seasons. High densities of jack mackerel were largely restricted to areas of >15°C bottom water temperature during all seasons. Our results indicate that the seasonal shifts of the 15°C isotherm of the bottom layer and the food conditions are significant environmental factors determining the migration of jack mackerel within the ECS.     

南海北部近海竹荚鱼资源密度的概率分布型特征

竹荚鱼(Trachurusjaponicus)是中国南海北部近海主要渔获物之一,其空间分布具有非均匀性。根据2014—2017年南海北部近海两个周期(2014—2015年为第1周期, 2016—2017年为第2周期)的底拖网调查数据,以单位捕捞努力量(catchperuniteffort,CPUE)表征资源密度,采用柯尔莫可洛夫-斯米洛夫检验(Kolmogorov-Smirnov,K-S test)探索了11种概率分布特征。结果表明,南海北部陆架区竹荚鱼不具明显的概率分布特征,而北部湾海域竹荚鱼资源密度服从对数正态分布型且第二周期较第一周期更为显著。同时,采用基于对数正态理论模型法(对数正态模型与Delta模型)与调查设计法(均值法)对该海域进行资源密度估值比较,发现基于对数正态理论模型更切合竹荚鱼资源密度结构分布特征,而在对数正态理论模型中Delta模型法更适用于该物种资源密度估值。     

Environmental factors and recruitment of mackerel, Scomber scombrus L. 1758, along the north-east Atlantic coasts of Europe

Increasingly, scientific publications refer to some of the environmental factors affecting the recruitment in fish species. However, presently, there is little information available concerning the influence of the environment on the recruitment of Scomber scombrus, the North-east Atlantic mackerel (NEAM). In this contribution, North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), upwelling and turbulent mixing (or `turbulence') series were compared with recruitment estimates, at age-0. The results show that the southern prespawning migration pattern of the Atlantic mackerel is directed towards areas with low turbulent mixing at spawning time, providing a `stable environment' for egg and larval survival. In the southern areas, where the spawning starts, the turbulence conditions of prespawning and spawning periods have the largest influence on the success of recruitment; this is related, possibly, to the more `stable' weather in the subsequent months and for the remainder of the year. In contrast, in the northern areas, the role of turbulence over the entire year becomes increasingly more relevant; this is related, possibly, to the high levels of turbulence during autumn and winter, which may become limiting to the survival of juveniles. About 50% of the variability in the Atlantic mackerel recruitment may be explained by means of environmental variables, such as turbulence. Other variables, such as upwelling and NAO, are only slightly, or not, statistically significant.     

春季钓鱼岛海域竹鱼产卵群体生物学特征的研究

利用2005年3月在钓鱼岛海域捕获的竹鱼产卵群体样品测定数据,对其主要生物学特征、主要产卵期和繁殖力特征进行了研究。结果表明,钓鱼岛海域是春季东海南部竹鱼的主要产卵场,主要产卵期为3月中下旬。根据叉长和体重的频率分布图,可以看出该产卵群体主要有3个叉长优势组,其中以200～220mm和230～240mm叉长组为主,260～270mm叉长组个体极少;体重的组成特征与叉长组成基本一致。由于所取样品处于产卵后期,因此条件生长因子相对较小。个体绝对生殖力在12264～37629粒/尾,个体平均绝对生殖力为27844±10179粒/尾;单位长度生殖力范围为50～157粒/mm,平均值为121±42粒/mm;单位纯体重生殖力为82～238粒/g,平均值为202±68粒/g。     

Distribution and abundance of copepod nauplii in southern part of the East China Sea: implications for prey availability to jack mackerel Trachurus japonicus larvae

In the southern part of the East China Sea (ECS), a large spawning ground of jack mackerel Trachurus japonicus has recently been found: Larval survival during the period of transport from the spawning ground along the shelf break is potentially a critical stage prior to recruitment. As such, the distribution of copepod nauplii in this region was investigated during the main spawning period in 2003–2006. The average naupliar density in 2003 was significantly higher than the other years along the shelf break, which is a major transport pathway for jack mackerel larvae (sea-surface temperature 20–23°C). Estimated egg production rates for Paracalanus spp., one of the most dominant genera of copepods in the southern ECS, based on temperature and chlorophyll-a concentration could not fully explain the spatial and annual variation in naupliar distribution and abundance. Although naupliar densities showed significant positive correlations with chlorophyll-a concentration for all years, an analysis of covariance revealed that naupliar density in 2003 was high even if the effect of chlorophyll-a concentration was excluded. This suggests that apart from copepod production, adult female distribution plays an important role in variability of the naupliar distribution and abundance in the southern ECS.     

Forecasting of jack mackerel landings (Trachurus murphyi) in central‐southern Chile through neural networks

In the present study, the performance of neuronal networks models in monthly landing forecasting of jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi) in central‐southern Chile (32°S–42°S) was assessed. Thus, monthly estimations for 10 environmental variables, fishing effort (fe) and jack mackerel landings for the period 1973–2008 were used. A preliminary analysis was done in order to remove strongly correlated variables. Sea surface temperature (SST) and fe are established as input variables, then, a non‐linear cross correlation analysis was performed to estimate the lag between the input variables and jack mackerel landings. Two models were adjusted: model one includes both training and testing cases randomly selected using all data involved in the analysed period; for model 2, the data is divided into two time series: the first from 1973 to 2002 used for training and the second between 2003 and 2008 used for validation. The external validation process for model 1 showed an explained variance of 92%, with a standard forecasting error of 30%. The explained variance for model 2 was 81%, with a standard forecasting error of 38%. Finally, the sensitivity analysis for both models showed the fe as the most influential variable to jack mackerel landings, which presents functionality depending on anthropogenic effects rather than environmental conditions.     

Physical oceanography of the North Carolina continental shelf during the fall and winter seasons: implications for the transport of larval menhaden

The circulation over the continental shelf off the southern Middle Atlantic Bight (MAB) and northern South Atlantic Bight (SAB) is examined for the fall and winter periods. Observational data are compared with results from a three-dimensional numerical model to identify the dominant processes on the shelf. By considering wind-forcing, tides, and a specified upstream inflow (into the MAB), the observed and modelled flow fields are in close agreement in the mid- and inner shelf regions. The resulting larval drift indicates a seasonal dependence of transport pathways from spawning grounds to estuarine nursery areas for menhaden larvae and other offshore-spawning estuarine-dependent fish. Specifically, the physical oceanography of the MAB and SAB during the fall and winter months suggests a north-to-south shift in spawning areas providing recruits to the Carolina estuaries, in agreement with the observed migration of the spawning populations.     

Decadal changes in the diet of northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) migrating off the Pacific coast of northeastern Japan

Decadal changes in northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) diet were examined based on the stomach contents data collected off the Pacific coast of northeastern Japan from January to April, 1953–1988. Seventeen families of fish and seven families of squid were identified from the stomach contents. Dominant prey species in terms of percentage of occurrence and wet weight were Japanese sardine (Sardinops melanostictus), chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus), and myctophid fishes. Demersal fishes, sparkling enope squid (Watasenia scintillans), and oceanic squids were also preyed on at low incidences. Decadal‐scale diet composition of northern fur seals revealed shifts in the significance of Japanese sardine and chub mackerel in parallel with the decadal alternation in the dominance of these species within the pelagic fish community off the Pacific coast of northeastern Japan. These results suggest that northern fur seals can use a variety of prey resources in this wintering area by switching the diet according to the distribution and abundance of prey species.     

Physical oceanography of the North Carolina continental shelf during the fall and winter seasons: implications for the transport of larval menhaden

The circulation over the continental shelf off the southern Middle Atlantic Bight (MAB) and northern South Atlantic Bight (SAB) is examined for the fall and winter periods. Observational data are compared with results from a three-dimensional numerical model to identify the dominant processes on the shelf. By considering wind-forcing, tides, and a specified upstream inflow (into the MAB), the observed and modelled flow fields are in close agreement in the mid- and inner shelf regions. The resulting larval drift indicates a seasonal dependence of transport pathways from spawning grounds to estuarine nursery areas for menhaden larvae and other offshore-spawning estuarine-dependent fish. Specifically, the physical oceanography of the MAB and SAB during the fall and winter months suggests a north-to-south shift in spawning areas providing recruits to the Carolina estuaries, in agreement with the observed migration of the spawning populations.     

Estimation of the spawning grounds of chub mackerel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scomber japonicus</Emphasis> and spotted mackerel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scomber australasicus</Emphasis> in the East China Sea based on catch statistics and biometric data

The spawning grounds of the chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) and spotted mackerel (Scomber australasicus) in the East China Sea were estimated based on catch statistics of the Japanese large- and medium-type purse seine fishery from 1992 to 2006. Biometric data were obtained from specimens caught by purse seiners in the East China Sea from 1998 to 2006. Gonadosomatic index (GSI) at 50% sexual maturity of chub mackerel and spotted mackerel females was 2.5 and 2.6, respectively. Using this criterion for GSI, chub mackerel larger than 275 mm and spotted mackerel larger than 310 mm in fork length were considered to be mature. Mature chub mackerel was observed in the area of 15–22°C sea surface temperature (SST), and mature spotted mackerel was observed in the area of 17–25°C SST. The spawning period of chub mackerel ranged from February to June, and that of spotted mackerel ranged from February to May in the East China Sea. The spawning grounds were estimated from the distributions of catch per unit effort (CPUE) of spawners and SST. As a result, the spawning ground of chub mackerel was estimated to be in the central and southern part of the East China Sea and the area west of Kyushu in February, March, and April, and in the central part of the East China Sea, the area west of Kyushu and Tsushima Straight in May, and in Tsushima Straight and western part of the Sea of Japan in June. The spawning ground of spotted mackerel was estimated to be in the central and southern part of the East China Sea and southern coastal area of Kyushu in February, March, and April, and the central and southern part of the East China Sea and the area west of Kyushu in May.