Assessing the population transmission dynamics of tilapia lake virus in farmed tilapia

A novel virus, tilapia lake virus (TiLV), has been identified as a key pathogen responsible for disease outbreak and mass mortality of farmed tilapia. We used a deterministic susceptible‐infectious‐mortality (SIM) model to derive key disease information appraised with published TiLV‐induced cumulative mortality data. The relationship between tilapia mortality and TiLV exposure dosages was described by the Hill model. Furthermore, a disease control model was proposed to determine the status of controlled TiLV infection using a parsimonious control reproduction number (R_C)‐control line criterion. Results showed that the key disease determinants of transmission rate and basic reproduction number (R₀) could be derived. The median R₀ estimate was 2.59 in a cohabitation setting with 2.6 × 10⁵ TCID50 fish^?1 TiLV. The present R_C‐control model can be employed to determine whether TiLV containment is feasible in an outbreak farm by quantifying the current level of transmission. The SIM model can then be applied to predict what additional control is required to manage R_C < 1. We offer valuable tools for aquaculture engineers and public health scientists the mechanistic‐based assessment that allows a more rigorous evaluation of different control strategies to reduce waterborne diseases in aquaculture farming systems.     

The effect of temperature on the energy budget of the Manila clam, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ruditapes philippinarum</Emphasis>

In this study, the energy budget of the Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum, was evaluated after one-week acclimation periods at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25°C. Small clams (151 ± 12 mg DW) and large clams (353 ± 16 mg DW) were fed with the microalgae, Isochrysis galbana. Filtration rate, ingestion rate, assimilation efficiency, oxygen-consumption rate, and ammonia excretion rate were measured. Both filtration rate and ingestion rate of small and large clams were found to be related to temperature. The highest Q ₁₀ values were measured in the range 15–20°C for both small and large clams. Assimilation efficiency of both small and large clams was not significantly influenced by temperature, although the maximum mean values were detected at 20°C. Oxygen consumption rate and ammonia excretion rate of small and large clams were found to be related directly to temperature over the entire range, with a maximum being detected at 25°C. The highest Q ₁₀ value was estimated in the range 10–15°C with regard to oxygen consumption rate, and in the range of 15–20°C with regard to ammonia excretion rate. Scope for growth (SFG) was positive at all temperatures, achieving a maximum value at 20°C in both small and large clams, primarily as a consequence of the enhanced ingestion rate which offset the concomitant elevation in the metabolic rate. In this study we have estimated the thermal optimum for this species at 20°C.     

Field and laboratory transmission studies of haemic neoplasia in the soft‐shell clam,Mya arenaria,from Atlantic Canada

A two‐year laboratory and field study was initiated in 2001 in response to mass mortalities associated with haemic neoplasia (HN) in 1999 in Prince Edward Island (PEI) soft‐shell clams, Mya arenaria. A laboratory proximity experiment (cohabitation) and an inoculation challenge were conducted with clams and mussels (Mytilus edulis). Three field exposure experiments were also conducted, in which naive clams were held in sediment (in trays) or out of sediment (in mesh bags) at three high HN prevalence sites on PEI. There was a conversion to HN positive in clams in the proximity experiment and in clams injected with whole blood and cell‐free homogenate, but not at statistically significant levels. No mussels or control clams became HN positive. There was a significant conversion to HN positive in as little as 24 and 58 days after transfer with clams held out of sediment and in sediment, respectively. The laboratory and field experiments’ results suggest that HN‐infected clams are spreading the disease through water from infected clams to naïve individuals and via transplantation from affected to unaffected sites. Some environmental conditions (e.g. abnormally high water temperature and hypoxia‐induced sea lettuce [Ulva lacteus] invasion) may make clams susceptible to infections or exacerbate the proliferation of HN.     

Mortality of the short-neck clam <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ruditapes philippinarum</Emphasis> induced by the toxic dinoflagellate <Emphasis Type="Italic">Heterocapsa circularisquama</Emphasis>

Mortality of the short-neck clam Ruditapes philippinarum exposed to the toxic dinoflagellate Heterocapsa circularisquama was studied under controlled conditions to clarify the mechanisms of recurrent mass deaths of clams occurring in western Japanese coastal areas. One-week mortality tests, involving three water temperatures, six H. circularisquama concentrations, and two clam body sizes, showed a significant increase in mortality with increasing temperature, H. circularisquama concentration, exposure duration, and body size (ANOVA, P < 0.01). Clam death was observed at concentrations as low as 50 cells/ml and temperatures as low as 15°C. Prior to death, clams showed an extreme retraction of their mantle edge and siphon, along with recurrent vomiting behavior before initiating a closure reaction followed by paralysis then death. Gills of paralyzed clams showed an important uptake of dye, implying gill damage. This study is the first laboratory evidence of bivalve mortality induced by H. circularisquama at low concentrations and low temperature, and the first report of differential effects according to the body size of bivalves.     

Hard clam relocation as a potential strategy for QPX disease mitigation within an enzootic estuary

Monitoring of persistent QPX infections in clams of Raritan Bay (New York) shows certain areas of the estuary have remained without any significant disease prevalence. This study was conducted to investigate the potential to mitigate QPX disease by relocating infected hard clams, Mercenaria mercenaria (Linnaeus), from enzootic areas to nearby sites with prevailing environmental conditions suggested to deter infection and favour remission and healing. Clams were collected from a location with consistent disease prevalence in central Raritan Bay and brought to near shore habitats subject to lower salinities and higher summer temperatures. A reduced host density treatment was included in the study to examine the common observation of high clam density in the most persistently infected locales. An additional treatment retained clams above the sediment, since sediments are suspected to represent a QPX reservoir. At the end of the 4‐month study all treatments displayed less QPX disease than the control group and the greatest contrast was provided by the disappearance of infections in a tidal creek.     

Modelling the effect of vaccination on transmission dynamics of nervous necrosis virus in grouper larvae Epinephelus coioides

Nervous necrosis virus (NNV) infection in susceptible grouper larvae has been reported to cause high mortalities, leading to great economic losses in aquaculture industry. Although the effects of NNV vaccines on grouper have been broadly investigated, vaccination strategies have not been fully established. To this end, we introduced the parsimonious epidemiological models that explored the assessment of key epidemiological parameters and how they changed when vaccinations showed the effects. We showed that the models capture the published cumulative mortality data accurately. We estimated a basic reproduction number R₀ = 2.44 for NNV transmission in grouper larvae without vaccination. To effectively control NNV transmission by vaccination, a model for disease control was also generalized to attain the goals of controlled reproduction number less than 1. Our results indicated that at least 60% of grouper population needed to be immunized for ~75 min. Our data-driven modelling approach that links the transmission dynamics of NNV and vaccination strategies for grouper has the potential to support evidence-based planning and adaptation of integrated control measures. We encourage that the epidemiology-based framework introduced here can be further implemented for establishing effective vaccination and mitigation actions aimed at controlling diseases in fish farming practices.     

Low genetic diversity of cultivated spotted hard clam (Meretrix petechialis) in Taiwan

The aquaculture of spotted hard clams, Meretrix petechialis, is a well‐developed industry in Taiwan. Spats have been produced for decades through artificial propagation using broodstocks selected from neighbouring culture farms on the basis of size and maturity, and the produced spats are resold to these culture farms. Although mass mortality occurs frequently in this practice, the effect of inbreeding depression has never been evaluated. Therefore, genetic diversity of 173 spotted hard clams from museums, two culture farms and three purchased populations was examined in this study. Phylogenetic analyses, based on either COI or cyt b fragments, indicated a division into lineages A and B among the samples. Cultured clams, except for one clustered with M. lusoria, museum specimens, and purchased samples from Hsinchu were all grouped into lineage A. The remaining two purchased populations were placed in both lineages. Compared with cultured clams from the Chinese coast in a previous study, our results exhibited a much lower haplotype (0.354 vs. 0.900) and nucleotide diversity (0.00113 vs. 0.00543). However, whether the loss of genetic variation is a consequence of inbreeding or the founder effect in the initial small broodstocks is unclear. The introduction of broodstocks from northern Vietnam and southern China may facilitate the management of genetic diversity. Environmental factors that potentially cause mass mortality require further investigation.     

Do Sardinella aurita spawning seasons match local retention patterns in the Senegalese–Mauritanian upwelling region?

Sardinella aurita is the most abundant small pelagic fish in the Senegalese–Mauritanian region. The success of its reproduction crucially depends on the local circulation as this determines whether larvae reach coastal nursery areas favorable to their survival or are dispersed into the open ocean. As a first step towards evaluating sardinella vulnerability to climate‐driven hydrodynamical changes, this study aims at underpinning how transport pathways drive optimal spatial and seasonal patterns for sardinella reproduction. We have used two estimates of the Senegalese–Mauritanian coastal seasonal circulation simulated by two hydrodynamical model configurations that differ in their forcing and topography. Nursery areas are determined by evaluating coastal retention with a Lagrangian individual‐based model that accounts for processes such as diel vertical migration and mortality as a result of lethal temperature exposure. Our results suggest that the shelf zones located at the Arguin Bank (19.5°N–21°N) and south of Senegal (12°N–14.75°N) are highly retentive. We find maximum retention rates in July–August and November–December over the Arguin Bank; from February–July and November–December over the southern Senegalese shelf; and lower retention rates over the central region (14.75°N–19.5°N) that are locally maximum in June–July when the upwelling weakens. These retention areas and their seasonality are in agreement with previously reported spawning patterns, suggesting that the Sardinella aurita spawning strategy may result from a trade‐off between retention patterns associated with the seasonal circulation and food availability. Exposure to lethal temperatures, although not well studied, could be a further limiting factor for spawning. The Lagrangian analysis reveals important connectivity between sub‐regions within and south of the system and hence underlines the importance for joint management of the Sardinella aurita stock.     

Growth,mortality and reproduction of the transplanted Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum Adams & Reeve 1850) in Jiaozhou Bay

Samples of Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum Adams & Reeve 1850) were collected from May 2004 to April 2005 monthly, and plankton net trawling of planktonic larvae and bottom sediment sampling surveys were further conducted from May to October 2006 in Jiaozhou Bay. Based on the data collected, growth, mortality and reproduction of the transplanted Manila clam and the environmental effects were examined. The results showed that the enhanced clams grew well and showed a growth trend similar to the local wild ones. The main growth periods lasted from April to September, with the water temperature being the main factor affecting the growth, which was the same as that of the wild clams. There were also two reproduction cycles for the farmed Manila clams each year in Jiaozhou Bay and the main breeding period was from May to June. The phenomenon of delayed metamorphosis was quite common through larval development. The farmed clams could spawn when they reached sexual maturity, but they could not perform effective recruitment as many planktonic larvae died during metamorphosis and settlement. A preliminary study indicated that sediment perturbation and marine environment pollution were the main factors causing the death of larvae in the development process.     

Effect of ration on gonad development of the Pacific geoduck clam,Panopea generosa (Gould, 1850)

The effect of ration on Panopea generosa gonad development was tested over 52 days. Clams were fed Isochrysis sp. and Chaetoceros muelleri (50 : 50 cell count) at rations of 0.8 × 10⁹, 2.4 × 10⁹, 4.0 × 10⁹, 5.6 × 10⁹, 7.2 × 10⁹ and 10.0 × 10⁹ cells clam^?1 day^?1 (R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆, respectively). The highest ration (R₆) caused a 25% die‐off within 3 days and was discontinued. Ration did not significantly affect condition index, gonadosomatic index, connective tissue occupation index or oocyte diameter. Clams fed the R₅ ration (85% of which spawned from day 26 to 52) were more spent than clams in any other treatment with significantly fewer oocytes mm^?2 than those fed the R₁, R₂ and R₃ rations and significantly lower levels of sperm occupation than clams fed any other ration. Spawn percentages were low from day 26 to 52 in R₁, R₂ and R₄ (15, 0 and 0%, respectively). Clams in the R₃ treatment had a similar spawn percentage (100% from day 26 to 52) to those in the R₅ treatment yet maintained gonads in a more ripened condition with higher levels of gamete occupation, making R₃ the most likely ration to maximize gamete output over time.     

The effects of temperature on respiration of Amur sturgeon,Acipenser schrenckii,at two acclimation temperatures

In order to clarify the respiratory responses strategy of Amur sturgeon Acipenser schrenckii exposed to water temperature changes, respiratory parameters of the fish were studied under two temperature regimes: fish acclimated at 13°C for Group I, temperature was increased to 16°C, 19°C, 22°C and 25°C and then returned stepwise to 22°C, 19°C, 16°C and 13°C; and fish acclimated at 25°C for Group II, the water temperature was reduced in steps to 22°C, 19°C, 16°C and 13°C, subsequently, returned to 16°C, 19°C, 22°C and 25°C. The results showed that the respiratory frequency (f_R), oxygen consumption rate (VO₂) and gill ventilation (V_G) of the fish were directly dependent on the acute temperature in both acclimation groups (p < .05). The initial 25°C VO₂ in Group II was significantly higher than the initial 13°C VO₂ in Group I (p < .05), but was significantly lower than that at 25°C in Group I (p < .05). In Group I, respiratory stroke volume (V_S.R) of fish significantly increased or decreased with the acute temperature increases or decreases, respectively (p < .05); oxygen consumption efficiencies (EO₂) of fish did not significantly show differences when temperature increased to 25°C from 13°C (p > .05), but the EO₂ significantly declined while returning to acclimation temperature (p < .05). In Group II, the V_S.R of the fish did not significantly change with acute temperature fluctuations between 25 and 13°C (p > .05), while the EO₂ increased with acute temperature increases (p < .05). The Q₁₀ values for f_R, VO₂, V_S.R, V_G and EO₂ were 1.53–1.72, 1.92–2.06, 1.07–1.60, 1.78–2.44 and 1.11–1.65 at 13–25°C of temperature interval respectively. Amur sturgeon showed partial metabolic compensation to temperature changes. The study results suggest that the ability of Amur sturgeon to regulate metabolism in response to acute temperature changes makes this species good adaptability in the aquaculture rearing.     

Salinity studies on the clams Katelysia rhytiphora (Lamy) and Tapes dorsatus (Lamarck)

The estuarine clams Katelysia rhytiphora (Lamy) and Tapes dorsatus (Lamarck) require salinities of 20–45%₀ for survival and of 25–35%₀ and 30–40%₀ respectively for best growth. The highest 24-h algae clearance rates for K. rhytiphora and T. dorsatus were observed at salinities of 25–35%₀ and 30–35%₀ respectively. Neither species survived longer than 7 days at salinities <20%₀ and they can. therefore, only be grown in the high-salinity parts of estuaries. The salinity requirements of these clams should be a primary consideration when selecting farming sites. Other species of bivalves that tolerate lower salinities should also be considered for farming in brackish water areas of New South Wales, Australia.     

Experimental challenges of juvenile and adult Manila clams with the protozoan Perkinsus olseni at different temperatures

Infection with Perkinsus species, primarily P. olseni, is thought to be a major cause of the decline of Manila clam populations in Japan since the 1980s. However, the pathogenicity of the infection has not been sufficiently evaluated to estimate the impact of infection on wild Manila clam populations. We experimentally challenged juvenile (3- to 6-mm shell length) and adult (18- to 22-mm shell length) Manila clams with P. olseni at 18, 23, 28, and 30 °C. Mortality was significantly higher in challenged groups than in control groups. The difference in mean mortality between the challenged and control groups (all life stages and temperatures) was only significant above a threshold of infection intensity ~10⁶ cells/g soft wet tissue (SWT). As temperature increased, the onset of mortality occurred more rapidly. The increase in mortality occurred earlier in juveniles than adults at 28 °C and lower. Our results suggest that the pathogenicity of P. olseni is higher in juveniles than in adults and at higher water temperatures. Given the infection intensities (ca. 10⁶ cells/g SWT) previously reported in wild Manila clams, the parasite likely has considerable impact on wild Manila clam populations, particularly juveniles during periods of high temperature.     

Study of Photo and Thermoluminescence Properties to Identify Irradiated Dried-Fishery Products

ABSTRACT

Radiation-specific luminescence properties in irradiated dried-fishery products (pollack, little pollack, clams, and shrimp) were investigated at different dose levels (0–10 kGy). Photostimulated luminescence (PSL) analysis of whole samples was effective for dried clams and shrimp, while low PSL sensitivity was observed in dried pollack and little pollack. Thermoluminescence (TL) analysis was conducted after isolation of silicate minerals, in which the two methods of mineral isolation—density separation and acid hydrolysis—were compared. Irradiated samples were easily distinguishable through the strong TL glow curves, with maximum peaks in temperature range of 150–250°C. TL ratios (TL₁/TL₂) were < 0.1 for nonirradiated samples, while > 0.1 for irradiated. There was a clear effect of applied irradiation dose, with a negligible effect of the method used for mineral separation. The mineral composition showed that feldspar and quartz minerals were mainly responsible for the well-characterized luminescence behavior upon irradiation.     

Cryopreservation of trochophore larvae from the hard clam Mercenaria mercenaria: Evaluation of the cryoprotectant toxicity,cooling rate and thawing temperature

Aquaculture of hard clams Mercenaria mercenaria is a $65 million industry along the east coast and Gulf of Mexico coast in the United States. The goal of this study was to develop a preliminary protocol to cryopreserve trochophore larvae of hard clams. The objectives were to evaluate the: 1) toxicity of cryoprotectants, including dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), propylene glycol, ethylene glycol and glycerol, at 5, 10, 15 and 20% for exposure time of 1, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 min; 2) effects of cooling rates (5, 10, 20 and 30°C/min for the first trial; and 1, 3 and 5°C/min for second trial from 4 to ?80°C), thawing temperature (30, 40 and 50°C) and their interactions on post‐thaw viability. A basic protocol was concluded as: 15‐hr trochophore larvae mixed with DMSO or propylene glycol (5, 10%), equilibrated for 15 min, cooled in a programmable freezer from 4 to ?80°C at a cooling rate of 5°C/min and thawed at 50°C for 6 s. With this protocol, the immediate post‐thaw trochophore survival was 23 ± 14%, and survival to D‐stage was 27 ± 14%. This is the first report on larval cryopreservation in the hard clam and would have application for genetic breeding and seed production.     

Effects of temperature on food consumption, growth and oxygen consumption of freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man 1879) postlarvae

Effects of temperature on food consumption, growth and oxygen consumption were estimated for the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii postlarvae at 23 °C, 28 °C and 33 °C in the laboratory. The results showed that the animal's initial body weight had a close linear relationship with food consumption and growth. Food consumption increased directly with temperature. Consumption rates (C; mg day^?1 ind^?1 ) of the 28 °C and 33 °C groups were much higher than that of the 23 °C group (P < 0.001), and the 33 °C group's consumption rate was higher than that of the 28 °C group (P < 0.05). The relationship of food consumption with temperature and initial body weight (W; mg) could be described as: C = 0.0679W + 0.185t? 3.17. Growth increased significantly with increased temperature. The relationship among specific growth rate, temperature and initial body weight was as follows: SGR = ?0.110W + 0.213t + 0.176. However, temperature showed no effect on growth efficiency. Oxygen consumption increased significantly with temperature (P < 0.01). The weight‐specific oxygen consumption rates (mg O₂ g^?1 h^?1) at 23 °C, 28 °C and 33 °C were 0.83, 1.16 and 1.49 mg O₂ g^?1 h^?1 for 61.92 mg M. rosenbergii.     

Growth of the hard clam Meretrix lusoria in Taiwan

The growth of hard clam Meretrix lusoria in Taiwan was observed as it was grown at six different stocking rates (55, 109, 172, 244, 344 and 455 clams/m²), from November 1979 to September 1980. It was found that the stocking rate had more effect on the increase of the total weight of the clam than on the shell length. Under the environmental condition of the study site, the optimum stocking rate was 244 clams/m². When the net production of the clam was lower than 1103 g/m², the growth of the individual clam was not affected by the stocking rate. But when the net production was higher than 1589 g/m², the growth of the individual clam seemed to be retarded. The average pH of the sea water in the clam culture area was between 7.9 and 8.4. The average dissolved oxygen content was between 4.2 and 11.2 mg/l. And the average water salinity was between 30‰ and 35‰. All these three factors did not seem to have direct relationship with the growth of the clams. Sea water temperature, however, showed great effects on the growth of the clams. It is shown that the growth of the hard clam was slow at a water temperature of 15–18°C, increased at 20–22°C, and accelerated at 25–32°C.     

急性pH和碳酸盐碱度对缢蛏存活率、Na+/K+-ATPase活性及血淋巴吞噬能力的影响

采用静态毒理学实验方法,分析了2种规格缢蛏(小规格SSc和大规格LSc)在pH和碳酸盐碱度(C_A)急性胁迫条件下的存活率,Na~+/K~+-ATPase(NKA)活性以及血淋巴的吞噬能力。结果显示,当C_A浓度为2.5 mmol/L、pH值为7.5～9.5时,2种规格缢蛏的存活率均接近100%;当pH值大于9.5时,2种规格缢蛏的存活率均显著下降。当C_A浓度为0～44.58mmol/L、pH值为9.0～10.0时,随着C_A浓度的上升,缢蛏的存活率明显下降;在pH值为9.5条件下,LSc的鳃组织NKA活性,随着C_A浓度的上升而升高,LSc血淋巴的吞噬能力随着C_A浓度的上升而下降。由此可见,缢蛏在高pH或高C_A下表现出较强的耐受性,但高pH和高C_A协同胁迫下对缢蛏的存活率具有较大的影响,研究结果为进一步探索缢蛏在盐碱地的养殖提供了一定的理论参考。     

Influence of Congeneric Aquaculture on Hard Clam (Mercenaria spp.) Population Genetic Structure

Throughout their range, hard clams of the genus Mercenaria support important commercial fisheries, and hard clam aquaculture is rapidly developing in several regions, including Florida, USA. Commercial hard clam aquaculture in Florida waters originated in the Indian River Lagoon during the late 1970s, but by the early 1990s the focus of the industry had shifted to Cedar Key on the west coast of the state. There, the species Mercenaria campechiensis predominates the natural hard clam population, whereas Mercenaria mercenaria is predominant in the local aquaculture industry. The two species hybridize extensively. The present study was conducted to estimate the genetic implications of M. mercenaria aquaculture on the natural population of M. campechiensis that occupies Cedar Key waters. We sampled a variety of marine and estuarine habitats surrounding Cedar Key and collected 257 hard clams for analysis of species-specific diagnostic allozyme loci, age, and the presence and stage of gonadal neoplasia. Results indicate that the composition of the hard clam population has changed since the advent of aquaculture (i.e., post-aquaculture). Members of the species M. mercenaria were practically nonexistent prior to the 1993 initiation of aquaculture in the area but increased significantly in abundance post-aquaculture, as did hybrid hard clams. There was no significant difference in the abundance of M. campechiensis pre- versus post-aquaculture. All genotype classes had a high incidence (>80%) of gonadal neoplasia, although it is not clear if this high incidence is a reflection of the introduction of aquaculture into the area or if neoplasia was a common feature of the population prior to 1993. Regardless, this finding is not consistent with previous reports that neoplasia is more common in hybrid hard clams. Overall, the results of this study provide clear evidence that culture of M. mercenaria can influence the genotype composition of naturally occurring congeneric populations in the vicinity of the culture operation. The long-term implications of that influence remain to be seen.     

Influence of environmental conditions on the reproductive success and recruitment of the Argentine hake Merluccius hubbsi (southwestern Atlantic Ocean)

The Argentine hake Merluccius hubbsi represents the dominant demersal fish and one of the main fisheries in the Argentine Sea. We analyzed over 17 years (September 1997–February 2015) of satellite surface chlorophyll concentration (CHL) and sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) data in the main spawning (SUB) and nursery (SJG) areas of the Patagonian stock of M. hubbsi. The variability observed in these environmental conditions was related to interannual differences in the reproductive success of hake. CHL values were maximum during austral spring (October–November) and minimum during winter (June–August). Blooms started in late September and lasted on average 128 and 110 days at SUB and SJG, respectively. At SUB, average CHL at the time of reproduction, the day of occurrence of the maximum chlorophyll concentration, and fall SST anomalies were significantly related to recruitment (R_VPA) a year later and to two Larval Survival Indices (LSI_SSB and LSI_TEP) considered. At SJG, R_VPA, LSI_SSB, and LSI_TEP showed negative correlations with fall (March–May) SSTA. Total egg production was not related to fall SSTA or spring phytoplankton dynamics at SUB or SJG. Significant positive trends were observed in the time series of CHL and SSTA in the study area. The trends observed in CHL represent average increases of 40.7% and 35.7% since 1997 at SUB and SJG, respectively. The potential implications of long‐term changes in environmental conditions for hake reproductive success are discussed.