Feeding habits of skipjack tuna Katsuwonus pelamis and other tuna Thunnus spp. juveniles in the tropical western Pacific

ABSTRACT: The feeding habits of skipjack tuna Katsuwonus pelamis juveniles (8.5–66.8 mm standard length) were examined, collected from the tropical western Pacific in October to December 1994, and their habits were compared with those of the other tuna Thunnus spp. juveniles (9.8–55.3 mm standard length). The indices, frequency of occurrence of each food item in the total number of stomachs examined (% F ), percentage of number of each food item to the total number of all food items identified (% N ), percentage of wet weight of each food item to the total wet weight of all food items identified (% W ), and relative importance of each food item ( IRI ) were estimated in the north equatorial current (NEC) and the north equatorial countercurrent (NECC) areas. The most dominant prey item of skipjack juveniles in the two areas was fish larvae. Other major prey items in the NEC area were Euphausiacea, Amphipoda, and Copepoda; whereas those in the NECC area were Copepoda, Cephalopoda, Euphausiacea, and Amphipoda. In the other tuna juveniles, the IRI of fish larvae in the two areas was remarkably high. Other prey, Euphausiacea and Cephalopoda in the NEC area only and Cephalopoda in the NECC area, were also found. These results indicate that the skipjack juvenile is primarily a piscivorous feeder although they also depend on various other prey organisms, whereas the other tuna juveniles are stronger piscivorous feeders.     

中西太平洋鲣鱼丰度的时空分布及其与表温的关系

中西太平洋是全球金枪鱼围网的主要海域,鲣鱼(Katsuwonus pelamis)是金枪鱼围网的主要作业对象。本研究利用1983～2007年中西太平洋金枪鱼围网渔获物数据,结合海洋表层温度(SST)数据,分析中西太平洋鲣鱼资源丰度在时间序列和空间位置上的分布规律。研究表明,1983～2002年,各年平均CPUE在时间序列上呈一定的上升趋势,1983～2002年,平均SST在一定范围内上下波动,平均CPUE和平均SST无显著相关性;2003～2007年,平均CPUE和平均SST均呈较大幅度上升,两者呈显著相关。从空间位置分析,鲣鱼资源量集中出现在SST为28～30℃之间的海域,在5°N和10°S附近海域CPUE反映的总体资源量较高,而在0°和5°S的资源量较低。鲣鱼资源量较大区域分布在冷暖水团交汇处。     

Operational oceanography applied to skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) habitat monitoring and fishing in south‐western Atlantic

Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) ranks third among marine resources that sustain global fisheries. This study delimits the spatiotemporal habitat of the species in the south‐western Atlantic Ocean, based on operational oceanography. We used generalized additive models (GAMs) and catch data from six pole‐and‐line fishing vessels operating during 2014 and 2015 fishing seasons to assess the effect of environmental variables on catch. We also analysed Modis sensor images of sea surface temperature (SST) and surface chlorophyll‐α concentration (SCC) to describe fishing ground characteristics in time and space. Catch was positively related to thermocline depth (24–45 m), SST (22–24.5°C), SCC (0.08–0.14 mg/m³) and salinity (34.9–35.8). Through SST images, we identified that thermal fronts were the main surface feature associated with a higher probability to find skipjack. Also, we state that skipjack fishery is tightly related to shelf break because bottom topography drives the position of fronts in this area. Ocean colour fronts and plankton enrichment were important proxies, accessible through SCC, used to delineate skipjack fishing grounds. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) was higher towards summer (median 14 t/fishing day) due to the oceanographic characteristics of the southern region. High productivity in this sector of the Brazilian coast defines the main skipjack feeding areas and, as a consequence, the greatest abundance and availability for fishing.     

Comparison of the behavior of skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis), yellowfin (Thunnus albacares) and bigeye (T. obesus) tuna associated with drifting FADs in the equatorial central Pacific Ocean

We evaluated the behavior of skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis), yellowfin (Thunnus albacares) and bigeye tuna (T. obesus) associated with drifting fish aggregating devices (FADs) in the equatorial central Pacific Ocean. A total of 30 skipjack [34.5–65.0 cm in fork length (FL)], 43 yellowfin (31.6–93.5 cm FL) and 32 bigeye tuna (33.5–85.5 cm FL) were tagged with coded transmitters and released near two drifting FADs. At one of the two FADs, we successfully monitored the behavior of all three species simultaneously. Several individuals remained around the same FAD for 10 or more days. Occasional excursions from the FAD were observed for all three species, some of which occurred concurrently for multiple individuals. The detection rate was higher during the daytime than the nighttime for all the species, and the detection rate for bigeye tuna was higher than for yellowfin or skipjack tuna. The swimming depth was deeper during the daytime than nighttime for all species. The fish usually remained shallower than 100 m, but occasionally dived to around 150 m or deeper, most often for bigeye and yellowfin tuna during the daytime. The swimming depth for skipjack tuna was shallower than that for bigeye and yellowfin tuna, although the difference was not large, and is probably not sufficient to allow the selective harvest of skipjack and yellowfin tuna by the purse seine fishery. From the detection rate of the signals, bigeye tuna is considered to be more vulnerable to the FAD sets than yellowfin and skipjack tuna.     

The relationship between the skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) fishery and seasonal temperature variability in the south-western Atlantic

The spatio‐temporal distribution of tuna fishing effort has been related to oceanographic circulation and features in several seas of the world. Understanding the relationship between environmental variables and fishery resource dynamics is important for management decisions and to improve fishery yields. The relationship between sea temperature variability and the pole‐and‐line skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) fishery in the south‐western Atlantic Ocean was investigated in this work. Data from logbooks, satellite images (sea surface temperature), and oceanographic surveys were used in the analyses. Skipjack are caught in warm tropical waters of the Brazil Current (BC). The north–south displacement of fishing effort was strongly associated to seasonal variation of the surface temperature, which was coupled to the tropical BC flow. Oceanographic fronts from autumn to spring and a shallow thermocline in summer probably induces the aggregation of skipjack schools over the shelfbreak, favouring fishing operations. Hypotheses are proposed to explain the relationship between peaks of fishing events and the presence of topographic peculiarities of the shelfbreak.     

ENSO现象对中西太平洋鲣鱼围网渔场的影响分析

ENSO(El Nin^-o Southern Oscillation)是引起全球气候变化的最强烈的海-气相互作用现象,对世界渔业生产具有重要影响。本文研究表明：ENSO现象对中西太平洋鲣鱼围网渔场的空间分布有显著影响,厄尔尼诺发生时,单位捕捞努力量渔获量经度重心随着暖池的东扩而东移,拉尼娜发生时则随着暖池向西收缩而西移。同时,Nifio 3．4区海表温度与单位捕捞努力量渔获量经度重心有显著相关关系,可将Nifio 3．4区海表温度作为预报、预测中西太平洋鲣鱼围网渔场位置的一个重要指标。     

Habitat differentiation between sei (Balaenoptera borealis) and Bryde's whales (B. brydei) in the western North Pacific

Two closely related baleen whale species, sei and Bryde's whales, in the western North Pacific were studied to identify differences in habitat use. Data were obtained from May to August 2004 and 2005. This study examined the relationship between oceanographic features derived from satellite data and the distribution of sei and Bryde's whales using basic statistics. We investigated oceanographic features including sea surface temperature (SST), sea surface chlorophyll a (Chl‐a), sea surface height anomalies (SSHAs), and depth of the habitat. These two whale species used habitats with different SST, Chl‐a, and SSHA ranges. The 0.25 mg m^?3 Chl‐a contour (similar to the definition of the Transition Zone Chlorophyll Front) was a good indicator that separated the habitats of sei and Bryde's whales. Then generalized linear models were used to model the probabilities that the whale species would be present in a habitat and to estimate their habitat distribution throughout the study area as a function of environmental variables. The potential habitats of the two species were clearly divided, and the boundary moved north with seasonal progression. The habitat partitioning results indicated that SST contributed to the patterns of habitat‐use and might reflect differences in prey species between the two whales. This study showed that the habitats of the sei and Bryde's whales were clearly divided and their potential habitat‐use changed seasonally.     

Predicting skipjack tuna forage distributions in the equatorial Pacific using a coupled dynamical bio-geochemical model

Skipjack tuna ( Katsuwonus pelamis ) contributes ≈70% of the total tuna catch in the Pacific Ocean. This species occurs in the upper mixed-layer throughout the equatorial region, but the largest catches are taken from the warmpool in the western equatorial Pacific. Analysis of catch and effort data for US purse seine fisheries in the western Pacific has demonstrated that one of the most successful fishing grounds is located in the vicinity of a convergence zone between the warm (>28–29°C) low-salinity water of the warmpool and the cold saline water of equatorial upwelling in the central Pacific (Lehodey et al ., 1997). This zone of convergence, identified by a well-marked salinity front and approximated by the 28.5°C isotherm, oscillates zonally over several thousands of km in correlation with the El Niño–Southern Oscillation. The present study focuses on the prediction of skipjack tuna forage that is expected to be a major factor in explaining the basin-scale distribution of the stock. It could also explain the close relation between displacements of skipjack tuna and the convergence zone on the eastern edge of the warmpool. A simple bio-geochemical model was coupled with a general circulation model, allowing reasonable predictions of new primary production in the equatorial Pacific from mid-1992 to mid-1995. The biological transfer of this production toward tuna forage was simply parameterized according to the food chain length and redistributed by the currents using the circulation model. Tuna forage accumulated in the convergence zone of the horizontal currents, which corresponds to the warmpool/equatorial upwelling boundary. Predicted forage maxima corresponded well with high catch rates.     

Albacore (Thunnus alalunga) fishing ground in relation to oceanographic conditions in the western North Pacific Ocean using remotely sensed satellite data

Satellite‐based oceanographic data of sea surface temperature (SST), sea surface chlorophyll‐a concentration (SSC), and sea surface height anomaly (SSHA) together with catch data were used to investigate the relationship between albacore fishing ground and oceanographic conditions and also to predict potential habitats for albacore in the western North Pacific Ocean. Empirical cumulative distribution function and high catch data analyses were used to calculate preferred ranges of the three oceanographic conditions. Results indicate that highest catch per unit efforts (CPUEs) corresponded with areas of SST 18.5–21.5°C, SSC 0.2–0.4 mg m^?3, and SSHA ?5.0 to 32.2 cm during the winter in the period 1998–2000. We used these ranges to generate a simple prediction map for detecting potential fishing grounds. Statistically, to predict spatial patterns of potential albacore habitats, we applied a combined generalized additive model (GAM) / generalized linear model (GLM). To build our model, we first constructed a GAM as an exploratory tool to identify the functional relationships between the environmental variables and CPUE; we then made parameters out of these relationships using the GLM to generate a robust prediction tool. The areas of highest CPUEs predicted by the models were consistent with the potential habitats on the simple prediction map and observation data, suggesting that the dynamics of ocean eddies (November 1998 and 2000) and fronts (November 1999) may account for the spatial patterns of highest albacore catch rates predicted in the study area. The results also suggest that multispectrum satellite data can provide useful information to characterize and predict potential tuna habitats.     

基于不同模型研究环境因子对中西太平洋鲣资源丰度的影响

根据1998—2013年中西太平洋鲣(Katsuwonus pelamis)生产数据,选取时空因子(年、月、经纬度)和环境因子[海表面温度(SST)、海表面高度(SSH)、尼诺指数(ONI)和叶绿素a浓度]Chl-a)],通过两种不同的模型(广义加性模型GAM和提升回归树模型BRT)研究各因子对鲣资源丰度(以CPUE表示)的影响。研究结果认为,GAM模型中,经度对CPUE的影响最大,累计解释偏差超过50%,其次为纬度、年和月;在环境因子中,SSH最为重要,其次为ONI,而SST和Chl-a的影响相对较低。BRT模型分析结果与GAM分析结果类似,时空因子相对占据了重要的地位,其中经度的影响最大,其次为年、纬度和月;而在环境因子中,ONI的重要性相对更高,其次为SSH,SST和Chl-a同样影响较低。研究认为,两种模型均能较好地反映出因子对CPUE的影响。由于厄尔尼诺/拉尼娜现象引起的海洋环境变化会使鲣资源分布产生差异,因此在后续的渔情预报研究中,应该更多地考虑将ONI因子纳入渔情预报模型中,以提高预测精度。     

中西太平洋金枪鱼围网鲣鱼渔获量时空分布分析

中西太平洋的金枪鱼围网渔业目前的年产量约在100×104t左右,其中鲣鱼占有很重要的地位。本文通过对20世纪70年代以来围网捕获的鲣鱼渔获数据进行时间序列以及空间位置变化等时空分析,试图找出其变化规律以及趋势。结果表明,从20世纪70年代以来,随着渔船数的增加,中西太平洋的围网捕获的鲣鱼渔获量分布,从太平洋岛屿近海逐渐向太平洋热带中部海域扩展。渔获量经度重心随着中西太平洋金枪鱼围网渔业的发展有向东移动的趋势,70年代在128°E附近变化,80年代在144°E左右,90年代在153°E左右,近年在158°E左右变化。而鲣鱼渔获量纬度重心位于赤道区域,70年代在2°N附近,80年代在1°30′S左右,90年代在2°50′S左右,近年在2°55′S左右变化。经纬度5°×5°单个小区范围内10年内的最高总产量则从70年代的11×104t,增加到90年代超过了69×104t。渔获量空间分布除了随着渔业发展向外海向赤道以南扩展以外,还受南方涛动(ENSO)现象的明显影响,一般来说在相邻的数年中渔获量经度中心在厄尔尼诺年比较偏东,在拉尼娜年比较偏西。     

Environmental effects on swordfish and blue shark catch rates in the US North Pacific longline fishery

Generalized additive models (GAMs) were applied to examine the relative influence of various factors on fishery performance, defined as nominal catch- per-unit-effort (CPUE) of swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and blue shark (Prionace glauca) in the Hawaii-based swordfish fishery. Commercial fisheries data for the analysis consisted of a 5 year (1991–1995) time series of 27 901 longline sets. Mesoscale relationships were analysed for seven physical variables (latitude, longitude, SST, SST frontal energy, temporal changes in SST (ΔSST), SST frontal energy (ΔSST frontal energy) and bathymetry), all of which may affect the availability of swordfish and blue shark to the fishery, and three variables (number of lightsticks per hook, lunar index, and wind velocity) which may relate to the effectiveness of the fishing gear. Longline CPUE data were analysed in relation to SST data on three spatiotemporal scales (18 km weekly, 1°-weekly, 1°-monthly). Depending on the scale of SST data, GAM analysis accounted for 39–42% and 44–45% of the variance in nominal CPUE for swordfish and blue shark, respectively. Stepwise GAM building revealed the relative importance of the variables in explaining the variance in CPUE. For swordfish, by decreasing importance, the variables ranked: (1) latitude, (2) time, (3) longitude, (4) lunar index, (5) lightsticks per hook, (6) SST, (7) ΔSST frontal energy, (8) wind velocity, (9) SST frontal energy, (10) bathymetry, and (11) ΔSST. For blue shark, the variables ranked: (1) latitude, (2) longitude, (3) time, (4) SST, (5) lightsticks per hook, (6) ΔSST, (7) ΔSST frontal energy, (8) SST frontal energy, (9) wind velocity, (10) lunar index, and (11) bathymetry. Swordfish CPUE increased with latitude to peak at 35–40°N and increased in the vicinity of temperature fronts and during the full moon. Shark CPUE also increased with latitude up to 40°N, and increased westward, but declined abruptly at SSTs colder than 16°C. As a comparison with modelling fishery performance in relation to specific environmental and fishery operational effects, fishery performance was also modelled as a function of categorical time (month) and area (2° squares) variables using a generalized linear model (GLM) approach. The variance accounted for by the GLMs was ≈ 1–3% lower than the variance explained by the GAMs. Time series of swordfish and blue shark CPUE standardized for the environmental and operational variables quantified in the GAM and for the time-area effects in the GLM are presented. For swordfish, both nominal and standardized time series indicate a decline in CPUE, whereas the opposite trend was seen for blue shark.     

基于声学映像的南海灯光罩网渔业中鲣的时空分布

基于灯光罩网和EY60科学探鱼仪采集鲣(Katsuwonus pelamis)的生物学数据与声学映像,通过分析后向体积散射强度Sv (dB)、平均目标强度TS (dB)及单位采样体积的平均鱼类数目(Nv)等信息,研究鲣的时空分布与现场目标强度变化.S13站位的鲣平均叉长(362.20±35.73) mm,S14站位的鲣...     

Environmental associations of Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) catch in the California Current system

We investigate the impact of oceanographic variability on Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis: PBF) distributions in the California Current system using remotely sensed environmental data, and fishery‐dependent data from multiple fisheries in a habitat‐modeling framework. We examined the effects of local oceanic conditions (sea surface temperature, surface chlorophyll, sea surface height, eddy kinetic energy), as well as large‐scale oceanographic phenomena, such as El Niño, on PBF availability to commercial and recreational fishing fleets. Results from generalized additive models showed that warmer temperatures of around 17–21°C with low surface chlorophyll concentrations (<0.5 mg/m³) increased probability of occurrence of PBF in the Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessel and purse seine fisheries. These associations were particularly evident during a recent marine heatwave (the “Blob”). In contrast, PBF were most likely to be encountered on drift gillnet gear in somewhat cooler waters (13–18°C), with moderate chlorophyll concentrations (0.5–1.0 mg/m³). This discrepancy was likely a result of differing spatiotemporal distribution of fishing effort among fleets, as well as the different vertical depths fished by each gear, demonstrating the importance of understanding selectivity when building correlative habitat models. In the future, monitoring and understanding environmentally driven changes in the availability of PBF to commercial and recreational fisheries can contribute to the implementation of ecosystem approaches to fishery management.     

中西太平洋金枪鱼围网人工集鱼装置 (FADs)的集鱼特性

为了解鱼类在人工集鱼装置(FADs)周围的集群特性,基于2021年我国金枪鱼围网船在中西太平洋的回声探测浮标数据,对FADs投放后鱼类首次到达FADs的时间以及聚集的动态过程进行了探究。利用U检验和H检验分析了鱼类首次到达FADs时间的差异性,利用广义加性混合模型(GAMMs)分析了金枪鱼类聚集生物量随FADs海上漂流时间和漂流速度的变化情况,结果显示：(1)鱼类首次到达FADs的时间为(8.9±9.0) d,其中金枪鱼类为(3.8±4.2) d,非金枪鱼类为(16.0±8.9) d;(2)金枪鱼类在不同水下长度FADs下的首次到达时间存在显著差异,而非金枪鱼类无显著差异;(3)金枪鱼类在FADs周围的聚集生物量随FADs海上漂流时间呈现动态变化,约在其投放后第25天到达峰值,随后逐渐下降;(4)金枪鱼聚集生物量随着FADs漂流速度的增加而逐渐降低;(5)随机效应表明,水下长度为80 m的FADs下金枪鱼类聚集生物量一般最高,其次是60 m,90 m最低。研究表明,FADs投放后金枪鱼类往往先于非金枪鱼类到达,其首次到达时间与FADs的水下长度有关;具有较浅水下长度和缓慢漂流速度的FA...     

北太平洋长鳍金枪鱼卵巢的发育特征

根据2013年10月–2014年2月在北太平洋海域(29°08′~41°08′N,163°50′~144°19′W)采集的364尾长鳍金枪鱼的卵巢样本,利用组织学分析,详细描述了长鳍金枪鱼卵巢、卵细胞的发育阶段。结果显示,北太平洋长鳍金枪鱼卵巢内同时存在不同时相的卵细胞,为分批产卵类型;组织学上,长鳍金枪鱼的卵细胞发育过程分为6个时相,卵巢发育过程分为6个时期;卵巢成熟指数在成熟期为Ⅰ~Ⅴ期时逐渐增大,在Ⅵ期时减小;北太平洋长鳍金枪鱼产卵高峰为12月中旬和1月初,其卵巢成熟指数随纬度的升高呈递减趋势,随经度变化规律不明显。研究表明,通过对北太平洋长鳍金枪鱼卵巢的发育特征的分析与探讨,可为北太平洋长鳍金枪鱼的资源状况评估及渔业可持续发展提供生物学信息。     

卫星遥感北太平洋渔场叶绿素a浓度

海洋叶绿素a(Chla.)含量是了解世界海洋中地球生物化学循环的基础和估算海洋生产力的基本指标,是判断水域的肥瘠程度和评价水域渔业潜在生产力的基本依据。富集浮游植物的海域是海洋食植动物的大密度存在和水产资源丰富存在的基础,许多鱼类如金枪鱼等中上层鱼群集在锋面两侧或涡旋,这些特征与营养盐供给或混合层深度变化相关。北太平洋渔场已成为我国远洋渔业的重要组成部分,卫星遥感技术可以实现大面积同步的观测和一年四季连续的观测,是测定北太平洋渔场海洋叶绿素a的最有效方法。1 材料和方法1.1 数据来源卫星资料采用美国海洋水色卫星的宽视场海洋水色扫描仪(SeaWiFS)资料,全球海上测量资料利用国际海洋水色协调工作组(IOCCG)在世界大洋范围测量的1175个站位光谱数据和对应的叶绿素a浓度,南海测量数据由国家海洋技术中心在南海测量的48个站位光谱数据和叶绿     

Vertical behavior of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) in the northwestern Pacific Ocean based on archival tag data

The behavior of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) in the northwestern Pacific Ocean was investigated using archival tag data for 28 fish [49–72 cm fork length (FL) at release, 3–503 days] released in Japanese waters around the Nansei Islands (24–29°N, 122–132°E) and east of central Honshu (Offshore central Honshu, 32–36°N, 142–148°E). Vertical behavior was classified into three types based on past studies: ‘characteristic’ (non‐associative), ‘associative’ (associated with floating objects) and ‘other’ (behavior not fitting into these two categories). The proportion of fish showing associative behavior decreased and that of characteristic behavior increased as fish grew, and this shift was pronounced at 60–70 cm FL. The fish usually stayed above the 20°C isotherm during the daytime and nighttime when showing associative behavior and below the 20°C isotherm during daytime for characteristic behavior. A higher proportion of characteristic behavior was seen between December and April around the Nansei Islands, and between September and December for offshore central Honshu. Seasonal changes in vertical position were also observed in conjunction with changes in water temperature. In this study, ‘other’ behavior was further classified into five types, of which ‘afternoon dive’ behavior, characterized by deep dives between around noon and evening, was the most frequent. The present study indicated that in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, the vertical behavior of bigeye tuna changes with size, as well as between seasons and regions.     

Environmental modeling of occurrence of dolphinfish (Coryphaena spp.) in the Pacific Ocean off Mexico reveals seasonality in abundance,hot spots and migration patterns

Dolphinfish are little known migratory fish targeted by sport, artisanal and commercial fleets. In this study, we analyzed a 10 year database of incidental catches of the tuna purse seine fleet in the Pacific Ocean off Mexico with the aim to understand the environmental determinants of the spatial distribution and seasonal migration patterns of dolphinfish. We modeled the probability of occurrence of dolphinfish as a function of spatial (geographical coordinates), temporal (month/year) and environmental variables (sea surface temperature [SST], chlorophyll [CHL] and sea surface height [SSH], inferred from satellites) using logistic Generalized Additive Models. Dolphinfish preferred waters with SST values from 23 to 28°C, low (<0.2 mg/m³) CHL values, and primarily positive SSH values. Two dolphinfish hot spots were found in the study area: one in an oceanic zone (10°–15°N, 120°–125°W), which was more defined during spring, and one on the Pacific side of the Baja California Peninsula, which became important during summer. Models suggested that dolphinfish migrated through the study area following a “corridor” that ran from the Gulf of Tehuantepec along the Equatorial Upwelling zone to the oceanic hot spot zone, which in turn connected with the hot spot off the BCP. This “migratory corridor” went around the Eastern Pacific Warm Pool, which suggested that dolphinfish avoided this high temperature‐low production zone. Dolphinfish occupied zones close to certain oceanic features, such as eddies and thermal fronts. Results suggested that the primary cause of the biological hot spots was wind‐driven upwelling, because the hot spots became more important 3–4 months after the peak in upwelling activity.