Factors influencing densities of non‐indigenous species in the ballast water of ships arriving at ports in Puget Sound,Washington, United States

• 1. Oceanographic characteristics and the presence of international shipping in Puget Sound, Washington, USA contribute to its vulnerability to non‐indigenous species (NIS) invasions. To evaluate NIS arriving in ballast water, zooplankton was sampled in 380 ballast tanks of ships after they entered Puget Sound.
• 2. Taxa were classified into a higher risk group of coastal organisms (including known NIS), and a lower risk group of largely oceanic species. Most ships reported conducting mid‐ocean ballast water exchange (BWE). However, despite state regulations requiring BWE, and apparent compliance by ship operators, most sampled tanks from both transpacific and coastal routes had coastal zooplankton densities exceeding internationally proposed discharge standards.
• 3. BWE efficiency models and controlled before‐and‐after BWE experiments indicate that BWE consistently removes most coastal zooplankton. However, this study found that although the empty–refill method of BWE significantly reduced coastal plankton compared with un‐exchanged tanks, the flow‐through method did not, and in either case remaining coastal plankton densities presented appreciable risks of introducing NIS.
• 4. Densities of high risk taxa were consistently and significantly higher from US domestic trips dominated by tank ships carrying ballast water from California, and lower in samples from trans‐Pacific trips dominated by container ships and bulk carriers with ballast from Asia. These findings are probably a result of the dense and diverse NIS assemblages present in California and other US west coast estuaries and the comparatively short transit times between them and Puget Sound.
• 5. While it appears that BWE can effectively replace NIS with less risky ocean species, new reporting, verification, and operational procedures may be necessary to enhance BWE efficacy. In the long‐term, the introduction of ballast water treatment technologies may be required to significantly reduce the discharge of risky organisms from commercial ships if BWE practices do not become more effective.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Relationships between oceanic conditions and growth of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) from California, Washington, and Alaska, USA

We model age‐specific growth rates of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) with two life‐history behaviors from Alaska (i. Situk and ii.Taku Rivers), Puget Sound, Washington (iii., iv. Skagit River), and California (v. Smith River) relative to oceanic conditions in those regions. By analyzing over 20 yr of biological and physical data from the NE Pacific downwelling, upwelling, and transition zones, we are able to determine the factors affecting growth across much of the species’ range and between life‐history behaviors. With scale increment data from returning fish, we use path analysis and partial least squares regression to quantify the relationships between growth and regional‐ and large‐scale oceanic conditions (e.g., sea level height, sea surface temperature, upwelling). Alaskan fish with both ocean‐ and stream‐type behaviors were fit best by the environmental data from the winter in Alaska waters. Specifically, coastal and gyre factors such as sea surface temperature, river flow, and Ekman pumping positively correlated to growth, indicating a productive and strong Alaska Current promoted growth. Growth of fish from California was fit by local factors such as increased upwelling, lower coastal sea surface temperature, and wind stresses during summer and spring, indicating a productive and strong California Current promoted growth. For Puget Sound, Washington, growth of fish that migrate to sea in their first year was generally negatively correlated to a strong California Current. Puget Sound fish that spend a year in freshwater before migrating to sea were modeled well with environmental data from their source region for the first 2 yr at sea and by data from Alaska waters in their third year at sea. Results suggest that conditions in which the transition zone is dominated by neither the Alaska nor California Currents are best for increased growth of Puget Sound fish.     

Pathology and significance of fatal inflammatory bacteraemia in the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas Thünberg

Abstract. Inflammatory bacteraemia was found in 27–31% of Pacific oysters in two bays over 2 years in Puget Sound, Washington, USA. Mantle discolouration and raised yellow to green nodules are associated with the disease in 52% and 85% of the observed cases, respectively. The disease is caused by systemically distributed, branching. Gram-positive, acid-fast bacteria suggestive of an actinomycete. Clusters of the bacteria elicit a marked inflammatory response. Glycogenic degeneration of host vesicular cells occurs in the advanced infections and results in the formation of the characteristic nodules comprised of lipid filled cells. The disease is, thus, significant to the health of individual oysters and also appears to be an important factor in the historically observed phenomenon of summer mortality in certain areas of Puget Sound.     

An analysis in support of sediment quality thresholds for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to protect estuarine fish

• 1. Under the US Endangered Species Act and the Essential Fish Habitat provisions of the Sustainable Fisheries Act, it is the responsibility of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to safeguard the health of fish in estuarine and coastal waters.
• 2. This includes assessment of the impacts of exposure to toxic chemicals on fish and their critical habitat.
• 3. This analysis was conducted to assist NMFS resource managers in determining when fish are exposed to potentially harmful concentrations of one of the most common environmental contaminants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
• 4. Effects thresholds were estimated primarily through segmented regression of site‐specific sediment PAH concentrations and associated disease prevalences in a resident fish species, English sole, Pleuronectes vetulus.
• 5. The analyses and supporting data encompass several endpoints, including DNA damage, liver lesions, and impacts on growth and reproduction.
• 6. In general, liver lesion prevalences, DNA adduct levels, and impacts on growth and reproduction were minimal at sediment PAH concentrations at or below 1000 ppb. Above 1000 ppb, there appears to be a substantial increase in the risk of contaminant‐related injury to English sole.

Published in 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Changing salmon: An analysis of body mass,abundance, survival,and productivity trends across 45 years in Puget Sound

Pacific salmon and trout (Oncorhynchus spp., Salmonidae) of the Puget Sound region of Washington State, USA, have experienced recent and longer‐term (multidecadal) variability in abundance while supporting robust fisheries. As part of the post‐season salmon management process, population‐specific estimates of total adult abundance to Puget Sound (Strait of Juan de Fuca) for pink (O. gorbuscha), chum (O. keta), coho (O. kisutch), sockeye (O. nerka), and Chinook (O. tshawytscha) salmon and steelhead trout (O. mykiss) are calculated annually. We compiled annual estimates of body mass, abundance and survival of hatchery‐ and naturally produced salmon from 1970 to 2015 to compare spatial and temporal patterns across species. Average weights of adult salmon and steelhead returning to Puget Sound, with the exception of coho salmon, have decreased since the 1970s. Temporal trends in abundance, survival and productivity varied by species and origin (hatchery vs. naturally produced). Generally, abundance and survival rates of natural‐origin species decreased whereas those of hatchery‐produced species did not, which is in contrast with other studies' general conclusions of decreasing survival among Puget Sound salmonids. Species diversity has decreased in recent years, with salmonids that rely on a short freshwater rearing phase in the natural environment (hatchery‐produced fish and naturally produced pink and chum) representing >90% of total returns in most years. This new information reveals patterns of body size, abundance, survival and productivity across species, life history and rearing type over the past 45 years and, in doing so, demonstrates the strength in multidecadal, multifactor time series to critically evaluate salmonid species.     

Spatio-temporal variation in serum chemistry of the lobster, Homarus americanus Milne-Edwards

Monthly variations in serum chemistry of the American lobster, Homarus americanus Milne-Edwards, were investigated at one location in Long Island Sound (LIS). Comparisons between three locations within and outside LIS were also made for a single time point. Most serum analytes displayed significant fluctuation over the study period and between locations. Temporal patterns could be classified as: low in cool months/high in warm months, i.e. Na, Cl, Na:K ratio, Ca, albumin:globulin ratio, percentage Fe saturation; high in cool months/low in warm months, i.e. pH, K, urea, total protein, albumin, globulin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lipaemia; June spike, i.e. glucose, cholesterol, creatine kinase, iron, transferrin iron-binding capacity; other less obvious fluctuations, i.e. Mg, PO4; and no apparent fluctuation, i.e. HCO3, alkaline phosphatase. The proportion of samples correctly classified into month of collection by a subset of 13 analytes using discriminant analysis improved as the months progressed from May (0.75) to October (>0.95). Discriminant analysis also resolved 96.5% of samples by location. The significant depression of serum calcium at the eastern LIS site correlates with excretory calcinosis, a calcium storage disease described from lobsters at this site, but contrasts with a seasonal elevation in serum calcium recorded in the temporal component of the study. Serum proteins, the electrolytes Ca and K and the enzymes ALT and AST proved to have the strongest spatio-temporal patterns of variation. Serum chemistry is a useful research tool for lobster populations, but the dearth of information on the homology of analyte functions in this species with those in vertebrate species makes interpretation of the results challenging. Late summer/autumn water conditions appear to cause stress for lobsters in LIS.     

Haematological and biochemical analyses of Atlantic salmon, Salmo solar L., suffering from coldwater vibriosis ('Hitra disease')

Abstract. Juvenile Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. were sampled from a commercial Norwegian fish farm during an outbreak of 'Hitra-disease'. One group of fish subjectively judged as healthy and another as diseased were defined on the basis of the classical apathetic behaviour seen in'Hitra-disease ď salmon. Haematological and biochemical analyses were carried out from blood and organs in 10 fish from each group. The diseased fish were severely anaemic. The blood indices MVC, MCH and MCHC indicated active erythropoiesis to compensate for the loss. Alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity, total protein, albumin, creatinine, triglycerides and total cholesterol were significantly reduced in the serum of diseased fish, while the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) showed normal and significantly increased values respectively. Liver and spleen weight relative to the body weight and the content of water and lipid in the liver were significantly elevated in diseased fish. Furthermore, the iron content of the spleen was increased, whereas the zinc content showed no changes. The branched-chain amino acids valine, leucine and isoleucine were significantly higher and serine significantly lower in muscle extracts of diseased fish.     

Histopathological studies of bacterial haemorrhagic ascites of ayu, Plecoglossus altivelis (Temminck & Schlegel)

A histopathological study was carried out on ayu, Plecoglossus altivelis, with bacterial haemorrhagic ascites. The fish were obtained from culture ponds in Wakayama Prefecture in 2003. The causative agent was identified as Pseudomonas plecoglossicida by a slide agglutination test using anti-P. plecoglossicida FPC941 serum. Histopathological studies revealed lesions in spleen, kidney, liver, intestine, heart and gills. Lesions in the spleen and haematopoietic tissue were prominent and invaded by P. plecoglossicida. Necrotic lesions accompanied by haemorrhage, fibrin deposition and oedema occurred in the splenic pulp and sheathed tissue, and in the kidney. The liver also had necrotic lesions and abscess formations. However, the intestine, heart and gills were only slightly invaded by P. plecoglossicida. No lesions or bacteria were observed in the brain.     

恩诺沙星在大菱鲆(Scophthalmus maximus)、牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)和半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)体内的残留消除规律

本研究比较了在20℃水温条件下恩诺沙星(Enrofloxacin)在3种主要养殖鲆鲽鱼[大菱鲆(Scophthalmus maximus)、牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)和半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)]体内的残留消除规律。选择体重为300–400 g 的健康2龄大菱鲆、牙鲆和半滑舌鳎,以10 mg/kg 的剂量连续3 d 通过灌胃的方式分别给予恩诺沙星后,于1、3、6、10、15、20、25、30、35、40 d 采集血浆、肝、鳃、肌肉和肾组织。利用高效液相色谱法检测血浆和各组织中的恩诺沙星浓度,拟合恩诺沙星在3种鲆鲽鱼体内的消除曲线,计算消除半衰期。结果显示,3种鲆鲽鱼的组织中,恩诺沙星在肾中残留浓度最高,其消除速度依次为牙鲆>大菱鲆>半滑舌鳎,其消除半衰期分别为3.75、6.54、7.37 d;恩诺沙星在大菱鲆、牙鲆和半滑舌鳎血浆中的消除比其代谢产物环丙沙星慢;综合比较恩诺沙星在3种鲆鲽鱼血浆和大多数组织中的消除规律,均呈现出牙鲆体内消除最快,大菱鲆次之,半滑舌鳎最慢的趋势。依据我国无公害水产品中恩诺沙星最高残留限量为50μg/kg 的标准,建议在20℃水温条件下使用恩诺沙星防治鲆鲽鱼细菌性疾病时的休药期为：大菱鲆44 d、牙鲆33 d、半滑舌鳎47 d 以上。     

Naturally occurring bacteraemia in American lobsters, Homarus americanus Milne-Edwards, in Long Island Sound

The health status of the American lobster, Homarus americanus Milne-Edwards, in Long Island Sound (LIS) has been in decline, with seasonal mortality events occurring since 1998. In order to assess the potential effects of environmental conditions on lobster health via haemolymph analysis, lobsters collected from various sites in LIS were examined and sampled while concurrent environmental data (water temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen) were recorded. The pH of the haemolymph of each lobster was tested, followed by a collection of haemolymph for serum biochemistry analysis and bacterial culture. This report focuses on the results of the bacterial sampling. The majority of bacteria cultured were opportunistic pathogens commonly found in the environment, including some that are associated with sewage and pollution. The prevalence of bacteraemia was correlated with the site of collection, the month in which the lobsters were sampled, and water temperature.     

Trends in coho marine survival in relation to the regime concept

There was a synchronous and significant decrease in marine survival of coho salmon in the Strait of Georgia, Puget Sound, and off the coast from California to Washington after 1989. This large-scale, synchronous change indicates that trends in coho marine survivals were linked over the southern area of their distribution in the north-east Pacific, and that these linkages were associated with a common event. Indicators of large-scale climate change (the Aleutian Low Pressure Index) and of recent regional climate change (the April flows from the Fraser River) also changed abruptly about the same time. The synchrony of trends in marine survival of aggregates of coho stocks from three distinct marine areas and trends in climate indices implies that climate/ocean changes can have profound impacts on the population dynamics of coho salmon. The trend towards low marine survival may persist as long as the trends in the climate indicators do not change.     

On cell kinetics in skin tumours of the Pacific English sole Parophrys vetulus Girard

Abstract. An autoradiographic study of the various types of neoplastic lesions in the skin of Pacific English sole Parophrys vetulus Girard was performed using peritoneally injected tritiated thymidine. The epidermis offish is mitotically active at all cell levels, the most important being the supra-basal layer. In the hyperplastically growing epidermis of the English sole covering connective tissue nodules and in the papillating epidermis prior to formation of enlarged ovoid cells (X-cells), the supra-basal layer also shows the greatest degree of labelling. Parallel to the appearance of these X-cells, which are characteristic of the skin tumours in Pacific flatfish, the distribution of DNA-synthesizing cells is altered. In the tumour areas which are more or less filled with X-cells the 'envelope cells' are labelled throughout with a uniform frequency. On the other hand, the directly adjacent X-cell free areas are labelled with a greater than average frequency.     

Acute toxicity of ammonia and its sub-lethal effects on selected haematological and enzymatic parameters of mrigal, Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton)

A comprehensive acute toxicity trial was conducted using a static water system to study the toxic effect of ammonia on haematology and enzyme profiles of Cirrhinus mrigala H. The LC₅₀ of total ammonia‐nitrogen (TAN) was 11.8 mg L^?1 TAN (1.029 mg L^?1 NH₃‐N). The sub‐lethal test revealed that with increasing concentration of TAN, the total erythrocyte counts were reduced in lower concentrations (1–4 mg L^?1 TAN) followed by higher levels in fish exposed to higher concentrations (8–16 mg L^?1 TAN). In contrast, the total leucocyte counts were opposite. With increasing concentration of TAN, haemoglobin and serum protein content were reduced, whereas the blood glucose level increased. As the concentration of ammonia increased, there was a reduction in acetylecholinesterase activity in the brain and liver; alkaline phosphatase activity in the serum, brain and gill; and acid phosphatase (ACP) activity in the gill. The activity of lactate dehydrogenase in the gill, liver, kidney and brain increased with increased concentration of ammonia. In addition, activities of ACP in the serum and brain, alanine aminotransferase in the serum, brain and gill, and aspartate aminotransferase in the serum, brain and gill were increased.     

Osmoregulatory changes in wedge sole (Dicologoglossa cuneata Moreau, 1881) after acclimation to different environmental salinities

The osmoregulatory responses of 20 days of acclimation to environmental salinities of 5‰, 15‰, 25‰, 35‰ and 55‰ were assessed in juveniles of wedge sole ( Dicologoglossa cuneata Moreau, 1881). This sole shows a good capacity to adapt to this range of environmental salinities. A direct linear relationship between environmental salinity and plasma osmolality was observed, with a calculated isosmotic point of 10.4‰ (284 mOsm kg⁻¹). Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity in the gills followed a 'U-shaped' relationship with environmental salinity, and a direct linear relationship in kidney tissue. Plasma cortisol levels were elevated in fish held in extreme salinities, and glucose levels were higher only in the group maintained at the highest environmental salinity. In the liver, a decrease in glycogen, lactate and amino acid contents was observed in specimens acclimated to extreme salinities (5‰ and 55‰), suggesting mobilization of liver metabolites. Metabolite levels in white muscle showed a pattern similar to the liver, with lower values in specimens acclimated to extreme salinities. We conclude that wedge sole is strongly euryhaline, but acclimation to extreme salinities comes with an energetic cost.     

EASILY CONSTRUCTED,ECONOMICAL SEAWATER INTAKE AND SUPPLY SYSTEM

A water intake system was designed and installed in Admiralty Inlet, Puget Sound, Washington. The dual system consisted of polyvinylchloride (PVC) pipes, a concrete pit and pumps located on shore at zero tide; and cables attached laterally to the pipelines and terminally between a shoreward anchor and to a seaward intake sled held in place with an 1800 kg Dansforth anchor. The overall construction costs were much lower than those for concrete-lined ductile iron pipe. Nearly three years after its construction, this system has withstood tides and storms without apparent adverse effect. Its application to lakes or rivers is equally possible.     

Dispersal dynamics of post-larval blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, within a wind-driven estuary

We examined how post‐larval blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) dispersal occurs within Pamlico Sound, NC, USA, a predominantly wind‐driven system. We sampled during multiple 24‐h periods over 2 years (2000–01) to relate the spatial distribution of post‐larvae in the water column with circulation patterns. A hydrodynamic model of the region was used to recreate dispersal trajectories and to assess potential transport mechanisms and pathways that link near‐inlet and across‐Sound nursery habitats. Most post‐larval blue crabs were collected in surface waters at night, and were consistently distributed within the north‐western region of Pamlico Sound. Particle‐tracking simulations suggested that dispersal from the inlets to across‐Sound nursery habitats only resulted from the combination of tidal and wind‐driven currents. Our simulation results further indicated that the northernmost inlet (Oregon Inlet) was the primary supplier of post‐larval blue crabs throughout the northern basin of Pamlico Sound, as crabs ingressing through Hatteras Inlet to the south were not retained within our study area. A dispersal pathway connecting Oregon Inlet and across‐Sound settlement habitats was evident from field observations. Collectively, our results indicate how multiple forcing agents, coupled with post‐larval vertical positioning within the water column, drive estuarine dispersal and connect spatially separated nursery habitats.     

Oral bovine serum albumin immune‐stimulating complexes improve the immune responses and resistance of large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea,Richardson, 1846) against Vibrio alginolyticus

This study aimed to investigate effects of bovine serum albumin immune‐stimulating complexes (BSA ISCOMs) on immune‐related genes expression, serum nonspecific immunity and disease resistance of large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea). Fish were fed diets containing 3.5 ml of BSA ISCOMs per kg feed (experimental group) or 3.5 ml of phosphate‐buffered saline per kg feed (control group) for 1 week. The liver, spleen, head‐kidney tissues were sampled for determining gene expression of myxovirus‐resistant protein (Mx), major histocompatibility complex class II alpha chain (MHC II α), tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) 30 and 90 days after feeding. Also, blood samples were collected for determining activities of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), interferon alpha (IFN‐α), TNF‐α and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). TNF‐α and MHCⅡα gene expression in the liver, spleen, head‐kidney, as well as IFN‐α, TNF‐α and ALP activities in the serum, of experimental fish were significantly higher 30 days after feeding; while only TNF‐α and MHC II gene expression in the head‐kidney remained upregulated 90 days after feeding. The cumulative mortality of the experimental fish was significantly lower than control. This study indicated that BSA ISCOMs improved the immune response and induced protective immunity in large yellow croaker.