Plenty more fish in the sea?

Only in the last century did humans overwhelmingly accept that fisheries resources are finite. Consequently, ‘there are more fish still in the sea than ever came out of it’ served as a popular metaphor for unbounded expectations for half a millennium, expectations that also extended to use of the planet in general. By reconstructing historical fishing back 1200 years, we identify when this metaphor actually ceased to be true. For some of our most important stocks, it has not been true for centuries, although surprisingly, for fishes globally, it applied until the last century. We demonstrate, however, that there can still be ‘plenty more fish in the sea’ and that with effective management they provide a continuous flow of benefits for our future.     

Stressing fish in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS): does stress induced in one group of fish affect the feeding motivation of other fish sharing the same RAS?

As a consequence of water re‐use and high stocking densities, Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) may lead to an accumulation of substances released by the fish into the water, e.g. cortisol and alarm pheromones. This study investigated the effect of stressing fish on the feeding motivation of other fish not subjected to stress but sharing the same water of stressed fish. Two identical RAS were used (operated at 30 L kg feed^?1 day^?1) and contained grouped (stressed fish) and individually (receiving water from stressed fish) housed Nile tilapia. A stress test was applied in grouped housed fish on days 17 and 55. Feeding behaviour (intake and latency) was recorded in the individually housed fish 3 days before, during and 3 days after the stress test. The results showed no effect on feeding behaviour in fish receiving the water from stressed fish. These results could be a consequence of insufficient cortisol/alarm cues' release by the stressed fish into the water or inactivity of such substances, either due to a trapping effect of humic acids or due to degradation in the nitrification and denitrification processes. Future research is needed to clarify how these processes may affect the water concentration of cortisol and alarm pheromones and should be extended by measuring other behavioural and physiological traits.     

Do estuaries with different fishing activity have different fish assemblages and populations?

Commercial and recreational fishing have impacts on fish assemblages and populations, but does their combined fishing pressure result in different fish assemblages in estuaries with only one type of fishing activity? This pilot study tested the model that estuaries with only one type of fishing activity have fewer impacts on fish assemblages and populations than estuaries with more than one type because the fishing pressure in the latter will be greater and results in different fish assemblages and taxa. Fish assemblages and populations, including diversity, abundance and size, did not significantly differ despite exposure to different fishing activities. Detecting differences in fish assemblages in estuaries associated with different fishing activities is difficult as smaller scale spatial and temporal factors have a significant influence on the patterns observed. This highlights the importance of paying close attention to the design of sampling programmes. The nested design of this study enabled identification of where greater effort is required to increase the capacity to detect differences. Recommendations for future studies are provided.     

Estuarine fishes in two large eastern Australian coastal rivers—does prawn trawling influence fish community structure?

Fish communities were sampled quarterly over a 2-year period at sites along the estuarine gradient of two large coastal rivers, the Richmond and Clarence, located in eastern Australian (NSW). A total of 175 582 fish from 73 species was captured, with two species making up 65% of this total. Many fish species of economic importance in local coastal waters were captured, predominantly as juveniles. Multivariate analysis revealed three significantly different groupings of sites corresponding to the marine, brackish and tidal-freshwater zones of the two rivers. The two rivers were remarkably similar in terms of overall abundance and diversity of fish, and structuring of fish communities, despite a large-scale and intensive prawn trawling industry operating on the Clarence River. Dependency of fishes on estuarine habitats and the distribution of some of the dominant fish species in relation to estuarine gradients are discussed.     

What controls fish functional diversity patterns in Colombian Andean streams?

Understanding the mechanisms that structure communities have been a major challenge in ecological theory. Functional trait-based approaches are increasingly used for studying the processes underlying community assembly. However, species-poor systems of Andean streams these processes are largely unknown. Tropical Andean streams are highly variable in space-time and characterised by the harsh or stable environment, resulting in a high taxonomic and ecological diversity. In this study, we tested the influence of environmental variables on the fish functional structure. We proposed that in ecosystems with harsh environments, environmental filtering will structure fish assemblages, and in ecosystems with a more stable environment, limiting similarity will prevail, increasing functional diversity. We analysed fish assemblages using functional diversity indices, fourth-corner RLQ analyses and multiple regression models. Environmental variables such as altitude, stream width, sub-Andean vegetation and pH influenced functional diversity. For instance, high values of functional redundancy were registered at high elevation streams, reflecting fish assemblages composed of highly dominant species with similar functional traits such as species of the genus Astroblepus. However, we found differences between Astroblepus species in the number and distance of gill rakers which might indicate resource partitioning and coexistence. On the other hand, our results show both stochastic dynamics and environmental filtering are structuring fish assemblages in low and high elevation Andean streams respectively.     

Is the use of turmeric in the diet safe for fish?

With this study, we aimed to assess the safety of using Curcuma longa in fish feed. Juvenile Astyanax aff. bimaculatus (0.83 ± 0.04 g) were kept in 24 80‐L aquaria, at a density of 0.5 fish L^?1 for 60 days. Six diets supplemented with 0.0, 20.0, 40.0, 60.0, 80.0 and 100.0 g kg^?1 were evaluated. Histopathological analysis of the gills showed that there was an increasing linear effect of turmeric on the frequency of lamellar aneurysm, hypertrophy of mucous cells, oedema and necrosis. There was a quadratic effect of turmeric supplementation on the frequency of fusion and disruption of secondary lamellae, vacuolation and hypertrophy of the epithelial cells, and the estimated values to minimize these variables were 4.63, 25.93 and 24.46 g kg^?1 respectively. There was a quadratic effect of turmeric on the gills index (I_BRA), and the estimated value to minimize this index was 30.23 g kg^?1. No effect of turmeric on the frequency of histopathological changes and organ index in fish liver was observed. Thus, we conclude that turmeric is not hepatotoxic for A. aff. bimaculatus; however, its use is safe at concentrations up to 30.23 g kg^?1 diet as a function of its gill toxic effect at higher doses.     

Cage fish culture in Lake Victoria: A boon or a disaster in waiting?

Fish catches in Lake Victoria have been on the decline while demand for fish has been increasing. Cage culture with >3,000 cages, over 3 million tilapias and valued at US$ 12 million is trying to fill the gap. This study reviews the development of cages and the need to develop a decision support tool for effective management. Existing literature and data on fisheries and cage culture held by the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) were used in the analysis. Cage culture is a promising venture that may increase productivity, offer employment and enhance economic well‐being. However, site suitability for the installation of cages is poorly regulated with most developments (>45%) located within 200 m of the shoreline that are breeding grounds of fish and conflict with other lake users. Waste feed increases eutrophication, and enhances growth of algae and water hyacinth in the lake. Recent isolated fish kills were attributed to low dissolved oxygen concentrations (<0.64 mg/L), and an increasing occurrence of fish disease are signs of poor management practices among cage farmers. Cage culture may turn into an environmental disaster if not managed well, and there is need for robust policies and increased awareness to reduce environmental impacts.     

Can underwater refuges protect fish populations against cormorant predation? Evidence from a large‐scale multiple pond experiment

Artificial structures can protect fish against predation by cormorants (Phalacocorax spp.). However, their effectiveness in larger water bodies with different fish communities in the presence of natural vegetation still needs to be explored. Using a large‐scale field experiment with 24 ponds stocked with differently composed fish communities, the present study investigates the extent to which the effect of artificial refuges on fish is species‐specific and determined by the characteristics of the fish community. This study provides strong experimental evidence for artificial refuges protecting fish against predation from cormorants, even in the presence of submerged vegetation. The effect of refuges was, however, highly species‐specific and depended on the composition of the fish community. Strong positive effects of refuges on rudd, Scardinius erythrophthalmus (L.), and roach, Rutilus rutilus (L.), populations were observed, especially in ponds where these species dominated. Overall, the total biomass of young‐of‐the‐year, 1‐year‐old and adult rudd and roach was on average 500, 7 and 15 times lower in ponds without than in ponds with refuges, respectively. No effect of artificial refuges on other fish species was found. This study indicates that artificial refuges can facilitate the coexistence of predation vulnerable fish populations with cormorants in lakes and ponds.     

What is the optimal density of larval seeding in Acropora corals?

In situ larval seeding is a low-cost technique that is currently under development for the large-scale restoration of coral populations. One problem that still needs to be solved is the preparation of coral larvae for seeding, i.e., how many larvae are required to restore a certain area? In this study, we focused on the relationship between the numbers of larvae, settlers, and survivors for three?months post-settlement to determine the optimal larval seeding density. A comparison of three different larval densities (low, middle, and high) indicated that the number of settlers was proportional to the larval density, suggesting that settler density is determined by the number of larvae supplied. However, the survival rate of settlers on high-density plates was much lower than the corresponding rates on low- or middle-density plates during the first month after settlement. Moreover, most of the seeded corals had not survived on the low-density plates at three?months after settlement. Therefore, the middle larval density (i.e., 5000?larvae?m^?2) appears to be optimal for seeding on grid plates.     

The aquarium hobby: can sinners become saints in freshwater fish conservation?

The aquarium hobby is popular worldwide, but it has positives and negatives for freshwater fish conservation. The most damaging impacts of the aquarium trade on ecosystems are overharvesting and invasive species. Consequently, many conservationists and academics have the perception that aquarium hobbyists are generally harmful to species conservation. Without overlooking these major drawbacks of the aquarium hobby, we aim to establish common ground between hobbyists and conservationists by correcting some misconceptions and showing the benefits of serious aquarium hobbyists in the conservation of freshwater fishes and their habitats. Our overview illustrates that the aquarium hobby is not insensitive to the pernicious effects of this enduring hobby on natural systems and that serious aquarists and their associations can directly assist and fund scientific research, increase conservation awareness among the general public and even participate in ex situ and in situ conservation programmes for native fish species at national or international levels. Whilst the relationship between conservationists and the aquarium hobby has often been antagonistic in recent years, ultimately most biologists and aquarists share a love of the species they study or maintain, and this common interest could be the basis for a more positive and productive relationship.     

Behavioural thermoregulation in cold-water freshwater fish: Innate resilience to climate warming?

Behavioural thermoregulation enables ectotherms to access habitats providing conditions within their temperature optima, especially in periods of extreme thermal conditions, through adjustments to their behaviours that provide a “whole-body” response to temperature changes. Although freshwater fish have been detected as moving in response to temperature changes to access habitats that provide their thermal optima, there is a lack of integrative studies synthesising the extent to which this is driven by behaviour across different species and spatial scales. A quantitative global synthesis of behavioural thermoregulation in freshwater fish revealed that across 77 studies, behavioural thermoregulatory movements by fish were detected both vertically and horizontally, and from warm to cool waters and, occasionally, the converse. When fish moved from warm to cooler habitats, the extent of the temperature difference between these habitats decreased with increasing latitude, with juvenile and non-migratory fishes tolerating greater temperature differences than adult and anadromous individuals. With most studies focused on assessing movements of cold-water salmonids during summer periods, there remains an outstanding need for work on climatically vulnerable, non-salmonid fishes to understand how these innate thermoregulatory behaviours could facilitate population persistence in warming conditions.     

Fishers' targeting behaviour in Mediterranean: does vessel size matter?

Fishers have a considerable knowledge about how fish stocks behave; knowledge that is difficult to acquire in other ways. Short‐term fisher tactics employed on trip by trip basis can change significantly due to their targeting behaviour, which in turn can lead to changes in catch composition and production output. A stochastic distance function was used to examine a Mediterranean pelagic fleet's technical efficiency and fishers' ability to modulate their targeting behaviour. The purse seine fleet operated under increasing returns to scale, suggesting that the larger vessels could potentially amplify their short‐term profitability by increasing the levels of inputs and harvests. Production was mainly joint, yet the possibility for limited substitution between species existed. The observed fishers' targeting behaviour was dissimilar between fleet segments due to differences in fishing effort and vessel characteristics, with larger vessels able to modify their revenue more than smaller ones. The estimated differences between the two fleet segments could be important in designing effective management regimes aimed at reducing resource overexploitation through individual input controls.     

Can timing of spawning explain the increase in egg size with female size in salmonid fish?

A common observation is that egg size increases with maternal size within populations. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain this phenomenon. Most recently, it was suggested that the optimal egg size depends on female size due to correlations between (i) breeding time and egg size selection and (ii) female size and breeding time, and as such, the positive egg size–maternal size relationship represents an adaptive strategy. Here, we test the second of these two premises in two salmonid species, Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) for which we have detailed breeding and egg size data. The body size of spawning females decreased throughout the season in coho salmon, but not in Atlantic salmon. Furthermore, we did not find a direct correlation between egg size and breeding time, which would also be expected if this premise was correct. Accordingly, breeding date does not appear to be as important as other factors in shaping among female differences in egg size.     

Does sand content in spawning substrate result in early larval emergence? Evidence from a lithophilic cyprinid fish

The spawning success of lithophilic salmonids is strongly influenced by the fine sediment content (“fines”) of spawning substrates, yet knowledge on the impacts of fines on the spawning of non‐salmonid lithophiles remains limited, despite their ecological and socio‐economic importance in European rivers. Consequently, the aim here was to use an ex‐situ experiment to investigate the impact of sand content on egg survival and timing of larval emergence of the surface‐spawning cyprinid European barbel Barbus barbus. Thirty incubator boxes within a recirculating system were filled with one of five experimental sediment mixtures (0%–40% sand by mass) that each contained 300 fertilised eggs at a depth of 50 mm. Emerged, free‐swimming larvae were captured and counted daily to assess grain‐size effects on larval survival and emergence. Specifically, total proportion of emerged larvae, cumulative daily proportion of emerged larvae and time required to reach 50% emergence were measured during the study. Whilst the proportion of sand in the sediments did not have a significant impact on egg‐to‐emergence survival (mean survival per treatment 75%–79%), it significantly affected the timing of larval emergence to the water column; early emergence was detected in treatments with elevated sand content (on average, 50% emergence after 12–13 days versus 19 days in the control). Similar to findings from salmonid studies, these results suggest high sand content in spawning gravels can influence timing of larval emergence and potentially cyprinid lithophilic fish survival.     

Do traditional fishers recognise reef fish species declines? Shifting environmental baselines in Eastern Brazil

Local fisher knowledge is an important source of information for the adjustment of environmental baselines relative to anthropogenic impacts on marine ecosystems. This knowledge is also susceptible to the shifting baseline syndrome. Four generations of fishers neighbouring a marine park in Eastern Brazil, were surveyed regarding the conservation status of nine reef fish species. Shifts in environmental baselines were detected among fisher generations. Fishers older than 50 years not only caught larger individual fish, but catches of large fish occurred four decades ago, suggesting that bigger fish are in decline in the region. Of nine reef fish species, seven exhibited significant declining catch trends based on information provided by fishers. Such declining status was not reported by all informants of younger generations, so the ability to identify such species increases significantly with fisher age. The fish species most cited as overexploited were Mycteroperca bonaci (Poey), Epinephelus morio (Valenciennes) and Ocyurus chrysurus (Bloch), emphasising that special attention should be given to the management and conservation of these species in Eastern Brazil. These results also showed that knowledge acquired by elder fishers (> 50 years old) can provide valuable insights into the conservation status of reef fish and the adjustment of environmental baselines for proper management of a marine park.     

Does urea reabsorption occur via the glucose pathway in the kidney of the freshwater rainbow trout?

This study tested the hypothesis that the renal reabsorption of urea occurs via the glucose transport pathway in the freshwater rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The relationship between glucose transport and urea transport was examined by experimentally elevating the rate of renal glucose reabsorption via infusion of the fish with exogenous glucose, and by inactivating the glucose transporters via the administration of phlorizin. Under all treatments, urea was reabsorbed against a concentration gradient, with plasma levels of urea being higher than urine levels. Glucose was almost completely reabsorbed (88%) whereas urea was reabsorbed less efficiently (47%) but to a greater extent than water (22%). Glucose and urea reabsorption were both found to be correlated with Na⁺ and Cl^– reabsorption, though the latter were 20 fold and 200–300 fold higher than glucose and urea transport rates, respectively. Glucose infusions greatly increased glucose reabsorption but urea reabsorption was unaffected. Phlorizin treatment completely blocked glucose reabsorption, but urea reabsorption was again unaffected. We conclude that there is no relationship between glucose and urea handling in the trout kidney, thus disproving the hypothesis.     

Do fish isotopic niches change in an Amazon floodplain lake over the hydrological regime?

Floodplain lakes are ecosystems characterised by annual flood and dry cycles. Fish ecology is influenced by the flood pulse due to the large influx of allochthonous food resources and diversification of habitats during the flood cycle, while during the dry cycle, fishes tend to be confined in reduced habitat. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seasonal variation in trophic niche width and overlap of four species—Mylossoma duriventre, Prochilodus nigricans, Cichla.pleiozona and Serrasalmus rhombeus—in an Amazonian floodplain lake. Stable isotope analyses were used to estimate trophic niche width and overlap during the flood and dry seasons. We hypothesised broader niche width for all species during the flood cycle and a higher degree of overlap between the two piscivorous fishes during the dry cycle. Isotopic niche width was 72% broader for P. nigricans, 61% for S. rhombeus and 54% for C. pleiozona during the dry cycle, which did not support our hypothesis. Core niche width overlaps were not observed between piscivorous species in either flood or dry cycle. The results indicate that seasonal variation in isotopic niche width is specific to feeding habit. Understanding how fish trophic ecology responds to changes in the hydrological regime during the seasons is crucial for sustainable fishery management in a region where many people rely heavily on fish for nutritional and economic purposes.     

How does summer environmental degradation influence native mussels in Corbicula invaded rivers?

1. Droughts and heat waves are becoming more frequent, persistent, and intense in a global warming context. Although previous studies reported Corbicula mass mortality events associated with the occurrence of extreme summer conditions, knowledge of their effects lags behind ecosystem functioning.
2. The goal of this study was to determine whether summer environmental degradation (droughts, extreme temperatures, and spikes in ammonium concentration) influences the survival and behaviour of native mussels in rivers invaded by Corbicula and, in consequence, their functioning in ecosystems.
3. Unio delphinus mussels were exposed to increasing summer environmental degradation. Water column and pore water samples were collected at six sampling time-points for nutrient analysis. Environmental conditions, survival and behaviour were monitored at 12-hour intervals.
4. Mortality risk was greatest under no-flow conditions, reaching 100% of mortality after 84 ± 22 hours of exposure to anoxic (<2 mg O₂ L⁻¹) conditions. At the sub-lethal level, quiescent conditions impaired filtration activity. In addition, when facing rising temperatures, native mussels buried deeply and vertical movements were depleted.
5. There were significant differences between the water column and the pore water in physicochemical characteristics. Oxygen and nitrate concentration were generally higher in the water column. In contrast, ammonium and phosphate maximum concentrations were measured in the pore water.
6. The results suggest that environmental degradation affects the role of mussels in ecosystem functioning. For instance, prolonged valve closure under poor water quality conditions may have impacts on particle removal from the water column. Furthermore, impairment of vertical movements may reduce nutrient release from sediments.
7. The present study has key implications for water management and for the conservation of mussel populations. For instance, a responsible approach for maintaining ecosystem integrity should include the water needs of freshwater mussels in environmental flow recommendations and the conservation of riparian vegetation corridors to mitigate the effects of increased water temperature in rivers.

     

Reproductive resilience or sweepstakes recruitment? Assessing drivers of lifetime reproductive success in exploited marine fish

Understanding the processes that drive reproductive success in marine fish stocks is critical to effective fisheries management. These processes can be difficult to investigate, especially in age-structured populations, because they occur at transgenerational scales. Reproductive success is often attributed to a small portion of the adult population (<0.01%) and thought to be driven primarily by random external factors, consistent with the concept of sweepstake reproductive success (SRS). A competing concept, the reproductive resilience paradigm, posits that fishes have evolved complex spawner-recruit systems to achieve lifetime reproductive success and maintain population stability within highly variable environments. Here, we examine these two concepts. First, we analyse the popular sport fish red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus, Sciaenidae), drawing on genetic and reproductive data to estimate a plausible range for the ratio of effective population size () to adult abundance () and to infer variance in lifetime reproductive success (). Then, we synthesize available data and infer for two other fishes that have ratios reportedly >0.10, the southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii, Scombridae) and the silver seabream (Chrysophrys auratus, Sparidae). Although commonly regarded as an SRS species, red drum did not meet the SRS criterion. Overdispersed values were inferred for all three species, with those for red drum and silver seabream being dependent upon population-closure assumptions. Results are presented within the conceptual framework of reproductive resilience, considering the roles of random extrinsic forces versus evolved traits to achieve lifetime reproductive success and population stability in high and variable mortality environments.     

Fish navigation in the vertical dimension: can fish use hydrostatic pressure to determine depth?

Fish live in complex volumetric habitats, and as such, face a challenging environment through which to navigate. This problem might be simplified if fish could monitor their depth and determine their position within the water column. One possible cue that they could use to ascertain their vertical position is hydrostatic pressure, which varies linearly with depth. Until recently it was assumed that fish were incapable of using hydrostatic pressure to measure depth as they do not possess a mechanism to sense absolute pressure. However, in a recent article by G. Taylor et al., we describe a novel mechanism whereby fish could determine their depth by using the rate in change of pressure mediated by changes in swim‐bladder volume, together with their vertical speed. This mechanism requires fish to be able to sense changes in pressure using their swim‐bladder. Here, we examine fish sensitivity towards hydrostatic pressure by reviewing the literature from behavioural and physiological experiments. This research suggests that fish are acutely sensitive to the magnitude and sign of hydrostatic pressure changes, via changes in the volume of the swim‐bladder. We argue that fish have the necessary physiological measurements to sense the rate in change of pressure, meaning they are able to use the mechanism proposed by Taylor et al. to determine their vertical location. This has profound implications for the study of navigation through volumes, by providing a reliable global cue that fish can use to determine their depth.