Estimating the ecological,economic and social impacts of ocean acidification and warming on UK fisheries

Assessments of the combined ecological impacts of ocean acidification and warming (OAW) and their social and economic consequences can help develop adaptive and responsive management strategies in the most sensitive regions. Here, available observational and experimental data, theoretical, and modelling approaches are combined to project and quantify potential effects of OAW on the future fisheries catches and resulting revenues and employment in the UK under different CO₂ emission scenarios. Across all scenarios, based on the limited available experimental results considered, the bivalve species investigated were more affected by OAW than the fish species considered, compared with ocean warming alone. Projected standing stock biomasses decrease between 10 and 60%. These impacts translate into an overall fish and shellfish catch decrease of between 10 and 30% by 2020 across all areas except for the Scotland >10 m fleet. This latter fleet shows average positive impacts until 2050, declining afterwards. The main driver of the projected decreases is temperature rise (0.5–3.3 °C), which exacerbate the impact of decreases in primary production (10–30%) in UK fishing waters. The inclusion of the effect of ocean acidification on the carbon uptake of primary producers had very little impact on the projections of potential fish and shellfish catches (<1%). The <10 m fleet is likely to be the most impacted by‐catch decreases in the short term (2020–50), whereas the effects will be experienced more strongly by the >10 m fleet by the end of the century in all countries. Overall, losses in revenue are estimated to range between 1 and 21% in the short term (2020–50) with England and Scotland being the most negatively impacted in absolute terms, and Wales and North Ireland in relative terms. Losses in total employment (fisheries and associated industries) may reach approximately 3–20% during 2020–50 with the >10 m fleet and associated industries bearing the majority of the losses.     

Nutrition and income from molluscs today imply vulnerability to ocean acidification tomorrow

Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from human industrial activities are causing a progressive alteration of seawater chemistry, termed ocean acidification, which has decreased seawater pH and carbonate ion concentration markedly since the Industrial Revolution. Many marine organisms, like molluscs and corals, build hard shells and skeletons using carbonate ions, and they exhibit negative overall responses to ocean acidification. This adds to other chronic and acute environmental pressures and promotes shifts away from calcifier‐rich communities. In this study, we examine the possible implications of ocean acidification on mollusc harvests worldwide by examining present production, consumption and export and by relating those data to present and future surface ocean chemistry forecast by a coupled climate‐ocean model (Community Climate System 3.1; CCSM3). We identify the ‘transition decade’ when future ocean chemistry will distinctly differ from that of today (2010), and when mollusc harvest levels similar to those of the present cannot be guaranteed if present ocean chemistry is a significant determinant of today’s mollusc production. We assess nations’ vulnerability to ocean acidification‐driven decreases in mollusc harvests by comparing nutritional and economic dependences on mollusc harvests, overall societal adaptability, and the amount of time until the transition decade. Projected transition decades for individual countries will occur 10–50 years after 2010. Countries with low adaptability, high nutritional or economic dependence on molluscs, rapidly approaching transition decades or rapidly growing populations will therefore be most vulnerable to ocean acidification‐driven mollusc harvest decreases. These transition decades suggest how soon nations should implement strategies, such as increased aquaculture of resilient species, to help maintain current per capita mollusc harvests.     

海洋酸化对海洋生物大分子影响的研究进展

 海洋酸化可通过影响海洋生物脂质储存、脂肪酸氧化酶、RNA/DNA比值、生物矿化、能量代谢和细胞应激基因表达等途径, 影响海洋生物的核酸、蛋白质和脂肪酸组成与含量, 而这些生物大分子的组成与含量对海洋生物的生存、生长与发育发挥决定性作用。目前由于缺少海洋酸化对海洋生物大分子影响的研究, 影响机理尚不明确, 因此, 亟待加强用多学科、多层次探索海洋酸化对海洋生物特别是脊椎和无脊椎动物核酸、蛋白质及脂肪酸等生物大分子的影响, 并用现代分子生物学技术, 从遗传学、蛋白质组学及关键基因等方面, 综合探究海洋酸化对海洋生物影响的机理, 了解海洋酸化影响的本质, 揭示、掌握其规律, 从而为预测未来海洋酸化对海洋生物和生态系统的影响提供依据。本文主要综述海洋酸化对海洋生物核酸、蛋白质和脂肪酸的影响和机理, 旨在更好地研究海洋酸化对海洋生物大分子的影响及其机理, 为控制海洋酸化、保护海洋生态环境和海洋生物提供分子生物学依据, 同时也为科学调控养殖海水提供参考。

     

The growth and carbon allocation of abalone (Haliotis discus hannai) of different sizes at different temperatures based on the abalone‐kelp integrated multitrophic aquaculture model

The integration of shellfish and seaweed is an important and successful IMTA model. The IMTA of abalone and kelp has been well‐practiced in Sanggou Bay, China. In the present study, the growth and carbon allocation of abalone (Haliotis discus hannai) of different sizes (S, small; M, medium; L, large) fed kelp (Laminaria japonica) were investigated at different temperatures (10, 14, 18 and 22°C). A two‐way ANOVA showed that both size and temperature significantly affected the specific growth rate (SGR), food consumption (FC), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and apparent digestion rate (ADR) of abalone (p < 0.05), and significant interactions between the two factors were detected (p < 0.05). Curve estimation showed a significant quadratic relationship between SGR and temperature in each size class (p < 0.05). The two‐way ANOVA also showed that both size and temperature significantly affected all the measures of carbon allocation (p < 0.05) except for the carbon lost in metabolism (p > 0.05). All the measures of carbon allocation increased with the increasing temperature. It was concluded that it was better to culture H. discus hannai with a body weight less than 15 g at 20–22°C, and more than 15 g at 15–20°C to achieve good growth. The growth carbon of kelp around the abalone farm should be more than the metabolic carbon expenditure, which means the growth of kelp around the abalone farm should be more than 23.06%–61.91% of food consumption to maintain a carbon sink IMTA system without any carbon release.     

Extreme ocean acidification reduces the susceptibility of eastern oyster shells to a polydorid parasite

Ocean acidification poses a threat to marine organisms. While the physiological and behavioural effects of ocean acidification have received much attention, the effects of acidification on the susceptibility of farmed shellfish to parasitic infections are poorly understood. Here we describe the effects of moderate (pH 7.5) and extreme (pH 7.0) ocean acidification on the susceptibility of Crassostrea virginica shells to infection by a parasitic polydorid, Polydora websteri. Under laboratory conditions, shells were exposed to three pH treatments (7.0, 7.5 and 8.0) for 3‐ and 5‐week periods. Treated shells were subsequently transferred to an oyster aquaculture site (which had recently reported an outbreak of P. websteri) for 50 days to test for effects of pH and exposure time on P. websteri recruitment to oyster shells. Results indicated that pH and exposure time did not affect the length, width or weight of the shells. Interestingly, P. websteri counts were significantly lower under extreme (pH 7.0; ~50% reduction), but not moderate (pH 7.5; ~20% reduction) acidification levels; exposure time had no effect. This study suggests that extreme levels – but not current and projected near‐future levels – of acidification (?pH ~1 unit) can reduce the susceptibility of eastern oyster shells to P. websteri infections.     

Climate change and the evolution of reef fishes: past and future

Predicting the impacts of ocean warming and acidification on marine ecosystems requires an evolutionary perspective because, for most marine species, these environmental changes will occur over a number of generations. Acclimation through phenotypic plasticity and adaptation through genetic selection could help populations of some species cope with future warmer and more acidic oceans. Coral reef species are predicted to be some of the most vulnerable to climate change because they live close to their thermal limits. Yet, their evolutionary history may indicate that they possess adaptations that enable them to cope with a high CO₂ environment. Here, we first explore the evolutionary history of reef fishes and how their history has shaped their physiological adaptations to environmental temperatures and pCO₂. We examine current‐day thermal and CO₂ environments experienced by coral reef fishes and summarize experimental studies that have tested how they respond to elevated temperatures and pCO₂ levels. We then examine evidence for acclimation and adaptation to projected ocean warming and acidification. Indeed, new studies have demonstrated the potential for transgenerational plasticity and heritable genetic variation that would allow some fishes to maintain performance as the oceans warm and become more acidic. We conclude by outlining management approaches – specifically those that can help preserve genetic variation by maintaining population size – to enhance the potential for genetic adaptation to climate change.     

Effects of low pH and high temperature on two Palythoa spp. and predator–prey interactions in the subtropical eastern Atlantic

1. In the current context of climate change, benthic cnidarians of the genus Palythoa have been suggested to be resistant owing to their intrinsic biological characteristics. In tropical regions, some species are currently proliferating in areas where environmental conditions are less suitable for other organisms, even replacing hard coral ecosystems.
2. Considering their tropical affinities, phase-shifts towards Palythoa-dominated areas could become more frequent in future climate change scenarios, leading to changes in ecosystem organization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of climate change stressors in two common Palythoa spp. with different habitat affinities within a subtropical region, and the effect upon their predator–prey interactions.
3. The results of this experimental study demonstrated that colonies of P. aff. clavata and P. caribaeorum were significantly affected by exposure to temperature and pH conditions predicted for 2100 in the Canary Islands, during 62 days.
4. Despite zoantharians’ lack of carbonate in their body wall, Palythoa spp. were most affected in their growth rates by lowered pH, and colonies significantly decreased in weight and size. Although all colonies exhibited symptoms of bleaching at high temperature, a reduction in chlorophyll content was also observed at low pH.
5. Predation by Platypodiella picta crabs decreased on P. aff. clavata exposed to acidic conditions, which may compensate for the lowered ecological performance of the species in these climate change conditions. In contrast, P. picta was able to actively feed on P. caribaeorum colonies regardless of the experimental conditions.
6. Despite being suggested as winner species in a climate change scenario, our study demonstrated that low pH negatively impacted Palythoa spp. survival. If the species are not able to acclimatize to the new conditions, changes in their populations may be expected, although their magnitude could be ameliorated by means of a decrease in predation rates.

     

Elevated temperature affects growth and hemato‐biochemical parameters,inducing morphological abnormalities of erythrocytes in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

Temperature is considered as an important environmental factor, and the increasing water temperature resulting from global warming is a great concern. The present study was conducted to examine the effects of elevated water temperature on growth, hemato‐biochemical parameters in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus acclimatized to three temperatures (31°C, 34°C and 37°C) for 60 days. Additionally, erythrocytic cellular abnormalities (ECA) and erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities (ENA) tests were assayed using peripheral erythrocytes after exposure to the three temperatures. Fish were sacrificed on days 7, 15, 30 and 60 of exposure. Growth performances viz., weight gain, % weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR) showed decreasing tendency at 34°C but significantly declined at 37°C compared to 31°C. The abundance of haemoglobin (Hb) and red blood cells (RBCs) significantly decreased in response to temperature increases, while white blood cells (WBCs) displayed the opposite response. At days 7 and 15, blood glucose levels significantly increased in response to the temperature increase, while at days 30 and 60 glucose declined. Frequencies of ECA and ENA were significantly enhanced at the highest temperature throughout the experimental period. Dissolved oxygen decreased and free CO₂ increased significantly with increasing temperature throughout the study period. The present study revealed that temperatures higher than 34°C may be hazardous to O. niloticus.     

Acidified seawater suppresses insulin‐like growth factor I mRNA expression and reduces growth rate of juvenile orange‐spotted groupers,Epinephelus coioides (Hamilton, 1822)

Ocean acidification, resulted from high level of carbon dioxide (CO₂) dissolved in seawater, may disturb the physiology of fish in many ways. However, it is unclear how acidification may impact the growth rate and/or growth hormones of marine fish. In this study, we exposed juvenile orange‐spotted groupers (Epinephelus coioides) to seawater of different levels of acidification: a condition predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (pH 7.8–8.0), and a more extreme condition (pH 7.4–7.6) that may occur in coastal waters in the near future. After 6 weeks of exposure, the growth rates of fish in pH 7.4–7.6 were less than those raised in control water (pH 8.1–8.3). Furthermore, exposure at pH 7.4–7.6 increased blood pCO₂ and HCO₃^? significantly; exposure at pH 7.8–8.0, meanwhile, did not affect acid–base chemistry. Moreover, exposure to pH 7.4–7.6 resulted in lower levels of hepatic igf1 (insulin‐like growth factor I) mRNA, but did not affect levels of pituitary gh (growth hormone) or hypothalamus psst2 and psst3 (prepro‐somatostatin II and III). The results show that highly acidified seawater suppresses growth of juvenile grouper, which may be a consequence of reduced levels of IGF‐1, but not due to diminished growth hormone release.     

Periphyton characteristics influence the growth and survival of Holothuria scabra early juveniles in an ocean nursery system

Floating hapas (fine mesh net enclosures) are a cost‐effective ocean nursery system to culture post‐metamorphic Holothuria scabra to release size. The growth of periphyton biofilm on hapas is a natural food source for early juveniles. This study investigated the effects of periphyton quality (i.e. chlorophyll‐a, phaeopigment, total biomass, autotrophic index or AI), water quality (nutrients, chlorophyll‐a) and environmental parameters (temperature, rainfall) on the temporal variation in the growth and survival of early juvenile (~3 mm) H. scabra reared in floating hapas. Five trials where the juveniles were reared for 60 days each in the eutrophic coastal waters of Bolinao, the Philippines were conducted during different months over 2 years. Significant differences in the growth and survival of juveniles among trials were found. Absolute growth rates (AGR) ranged widely (0.01–0.09 g/day). Trials with high AGR of juveniles (0.07–0.09 g/day) during the first 30 days of rearing had significantly higher chlorophyll‐a (chl‐a) in biofilm (15.9–27.5 mg/m²) and lower AI. Conversely, during the subsequent 30 days, trials with high AGR of juveniles (0.06–0.11 g/day) had significantly lower chl‐a and higher AI. Multivariate analyses showed that chl‐a in biofilm, AI and nutrients in the water column are good indicators of periphyton quality and juvenile growth rates in floating hapas. Further, this study validates the expansion of the feeding mode of juveniles from primarily grazing on microalgae, to feeding on detritus and heterotrophs as they grow. These results are important in optimizing ocean nursery systems.     

Growth trajectory analysis of Pacific whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei): Comparison of the specific growth rate,the thermal‐unit growth coefficient and its adaptations

Empirical growth models have widespread application in the field of aquaculture. These models allow estimates of harvest size and waste outputs in addition to nutrient and feed requirements. In an effort to increase the ability to predict shrimp growth, the specific growth rate (SGR) and thermal‐unit growth coefficient (TGC) models were fitted to 15 datasets encompassing growth of Pacific whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Shrimp were reared under commercial conditions in Southeast Asia with weights ranging from 0.01 g to 34 g. Growth rates were regressed against body weights to identify changes in growth pattern across life stages. Analysis identified two distinct patterns of growth, with a break point between stanzas at 7.5 g. The body weight exponent of the TGC model, traditionally assumed to be (1 ? b) = 1/3, was solved for iteratively in each identified growth stanza in an effort to improve the goodness of fit of the TGC model. Average body weight exponents in the first and second stanzas were 0.416 and 0.952 respectively. Projected growth trajectories using these exponents resulted in significantly better fits in comparison to the traditional TGC and the SGR on the basis of statistical measures of goodness of fit.     

Effects of CO2 levels and light intensities on growth and amino acid contents in red seaweed Gracilaria lemaneiformis

The seaweed Gracilaria lemaneiformis is largely maricultivated in China, for use as food and as a material in the agar industry. This alga experiences ocean acidification caused by rising atmospheric CO₂ levels, and experiences changing light levels caused by self‐shading during the later period of mariculture. In this study, growth and amino acid (AA) content responses of G. lemaneiformis to different CO₂ levels (the present and the predicted increased levels) and varying light levels at 28 (±1)°C temperature conditions were investigated. The results showed that a higher light level enhanced algal growth and decreased water loss, but reduced AA accumulation. Decreased pH levels (as a result of CO₂ elevation) also enhanced algal growth and reduced AA contents, but the decreases in the AA score at the lower pH levels were not significant under the two light level treatments. In this study, the light treatments had greater influences on growth and AA contents than CO₂ levels. The results suggest that G. lemaneiformis quality will be negatively affected during the later mariculture production period as levels of CO₂ rise and global temperatures increase.     

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the growth hormone gene of Oreochromis niloticus and their association with growth performance

Polymorphisms in the growth hormone (GH) gene that is associated with the growth rate of farmed fish have been the target of many breeding programmes. The present study aimed to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in GH gene regions to evaluate the association of SNP variations with the growth rate of two Nile tilapia: Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) strains. The targeted regions were amplified, sequenced, aligned and screened for the presence of SNPs; thereafter, performance tests were used to check for the association between SNPs and weight. Allele and genotype frequencies were estimated for each SNP and genotype. Genotype blocks or sets of SNP genotypes and frequencies were also estimated. Association between SNPs and growth rate was statistically evaluated using a univariate linear mixed model that included both fixed and random effects. A total of 10 SNPs were identified, nine in the proximal promoter and one located in the 5′ UTR, forming 10 genotype blocks. In all weight recordings, five genotype blocks were significantly associated with the highest weights. Single nucleotide polymorphisms 6‐10 were also found to be significantly associated with growth (p‐value < .05). Genotypes with higher additive genetic values for weight were identified in the Chitralada strain, suggesting a possible impact of these additive effects of the GH SNP genotype on the growth rate of Nile tilapia. These findings may be used as part of marker‐assisted selection in tilapia breeding programmes.     

Characterization of a γ‐aminobutyrate type A receptor‐associated protein gene,which is involved in the response of Portunus trituberculatus to CO2‐induced ocean acidification

The γ‐aminobutyrate type A receptor‐associated protein (GABARAP) is a ubiquitin‐like modifier implicated in membrane trafficking and fusion events involving the γ‐aminobutyrate type A receptor, autophagy and apoptosis. In this study, the gene encoding GABARAP was cloned from swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus (PtGABARAP) based on the expression sequence tag (EST). The full‐length cDNA of 664 bp includes a 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of 87 bp, a 3′ UTR of 223 bp with a poly(A) tail, and an open reading frame (ORF) of 354 bp encoding a polypeptide of 117 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 13.96 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence shares high similarity (93%–100%) with GABARAPs from other species and includes a conserved Atg8 domain. In a phylogenetic analysis PtGABARAP clustered with GABARAPs from other species, and more widely with other GABARAP family proteins. The impact of elevated ocean acidification (OA) on P. trituberculatus behaviours was investigated, and real‐time RT‐PCR revealed that PtGABARAP expression was up‐regulated after OA exposure. Ocean acidification also caused crabs anxiety‐like behaviours, like the shoal average speed increase, preference for dark environment (scototaxis) and fast exploration. The results indicated that GABARAP might be involved in the interactions of GABA_A receptors and elevated‐CO₂ seawater.     

盐碱胁迫对斜生栅藻生长及光合特性的影响

在不同盐度(5,10,15,20,25)和碳酸盐碱度(5,10,15,20,25,30,35 mmol/L)胁迫下,研究了胁迫后(1～7d内)斜生栅藻(Scenedesmus obliqnus)的生长及光合特性.结果表明:高盐度胁迫(15,20,25)对斜生栅藻有显著的胁迫抑制作用,低盐度胁迫(5 ～10)对其影响不明...     

Feeding and growth in captivity of the octopus Enteroctopus megalocyathus Gould, 1852

The effect of diet on the growth and survival in captivity of the octopus Enteroctopus megalocyathus Gould, 1852 was researched to establish culture potential. This is one of two commercially important octopus species that inhabit the Chilean coast. A positive energy budget, averaging 678 J day^?1 g of dry weight (dw), was recorded in specimens maintained in tanks and fed ad libitum on a diet of three species of crustacean decapods. On the other hand, the energy budget of octopus specimens fed on the mussel Mytilus chilensis (Hupé) was negative, averaging ?250.90 J day^?1 g dw^?1. Ingestion rates varied between diets (t=46.45; d.f.=18; P<0.001), but no variations were recorded in energy loss resulting from metabolism (t=0.67; d.f.=16; P>0.05) or ammonia excretion (t=1.39; d.f.=16; P>0.05). An average instantaneous growth rate (IGR) of between 1.96% and 0.49% was recorded in specimens fed on crustaceans, depending on the size of the octopus and the period of time. The IGR in specimens fed on mussels was ?0.32±0.05. The IGR of specimens fed on crustaceans and maintained in suspended systems was 1.36±0.9%. The mean mortality with crustacean and mussel diets was 11.07±5.5% and 74±1% respectively. The results indicate that E. megalocyathus can survive and grow in captivity, both in tanks and in suspended systems, when fed on a diet of crustaceans.     

Interactions between temperature and size on the growth,size heterogeneity,mortality and cannibalism in cultured larvae and juveniles of the Asian catfish,Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage)

Temperature effects vary throughout the ontogeny, but are proportionally more variable during the early life stages than in older fish. The larvae of a few species have been studied but contrasting trajectories were observed, thereby making it difficult to predict how temperature impacts on the growth, survival and size heterogeneity in a particular species. This study examined these interactions in young [0.9 mg–1 g wet mass (WM)] Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, one of the most extensively cultured tropical fish. Fish were raised at five temperatures from 23 to 33 °C in a recirculated water system, fed in excess with a high‐energy feed (Artemia then a formulated feed, >50% protein), and examined at 1‐day (first feeding days) or 4‐day intervals (older fish). The temperature that produced the fastest growth (T°_opt) was 31 °C at the start of exogenous feeding (0.9 mg); it increased to 32.7 °C at 8 mg then decreased by 0.7 °C for each 10‐fold increase of WM. Size heterogeneity was lower and survival was higher (70–85% from 0.9 mg to 1 g) when the temperature was close to T°_opt. Comparisons with other species suggest that the slope of the relationship between T°_opt and fish size has a strong latitudinal component, and may also reflect the fish sensitivity to oxygen.     

日粮海带酶解提取物对斑点叉尾鮰生长和肝脏转录组表达的影响

为研究饲料中海带酶解提取物对斑点叉尾鮰生长和肝脏转录组表达的影响,在日粮中分别添加0 g/kg (S,对照组)、0.3 g/kg (KP3)、0.5 g/kg (KP5)、1.0 g/kg (KP10)、1.5 g/kg (KP15)、2.0 g/kg(KP20)的海带酶解提取物,以初始体质量为(51.18±1.14) g的斑点叉尾鮰为实验对象,随机分为6组,每组3个重复,每个重复40尾鱼,在池塘网箱中养殖60 d。结果显示：① 与对照组(S)相比,饲料添加海带酶解提取物对斑点叉尾鮰的存活率(SR)没有显著影响,特定生长率(SGR)提高了1.20%~5.39%,饲料系数(FCR)降低了−0.83%~9.09%;分别以SGR和FCR为目标进行二次多项式回归分析,得到海带酶解提取物在饲料中的最适添加量分别为0.98和0.96 g/kg;KP10~KP20组肥满度(CF)和脏体比(VSI)显著降低,KP10组肝体比(HSI)显著降低;各组全鱼的水分、粗脂肪、粗蛋白质和粗灰分含量差异不显著。② KP3组肠道皱襞高度,KP5组肠道皱襞高度、宽度、肌层厚度,KP10组的皱襞宽度均显著高于S组。③选取S组与KP10组鱼肝脏提取总RNA后进行转录组测序和基因差异表达分析,表达显著下调的基因数有81个,显著上调的有199个;GO功能分类分析结果显示,差异表达基因(DEGs)被注释到DNA转录、金属离子结合、膜及膜组成成分等条目上;KEGG pathway分析结果显示,DEGs主要富集到细胞增殖与分化、激素调控、脂类代谢、糖类代谢以及生长因子代谢等相关的12个显著差异代谢通路。研究表明,日粮添加海带酶解提取物可以促进斑点叉尾鮰生长,降低饲料系数,改善肠道形态结构,加强肝脏的糖脂代谢能力,适宜添加量为0.96~0.98 g/kg。