Global Advances in Conservation and Management of Marine Ornamental Resources

Currently, as many as 30 million coral reef fish belonging to 1,000 species are collected annually to supply private and public aquaria around the world. In addition, over 100 species of invertebrate are used, involving hundreds of thousands or even millions of individuals. The majority of these specimens come from coral reefs and associated habitats, with about 45 countries supplying the ornamental market. Considering the many pressures currently faced by reefs it is vital that ornamental fisheries are investigated and monitored, and management strategies formulated to ensure they are sustainable. This requires research, monitoring, training, use of non-damaging collecting methods and adoption of conservation strategies for controlling catch, such as reserves, quotas and closed seasons. There are also a number of possibilities for enhancing the fishery, such as mariculture and construction of artificial reefs. This paper concentrates on some of the conservation measures that can be taken and discusses their application and effectiveness. Such measures include limiting collecting effort, establishment of species-based or overall quotas, restrictions on rare and/or endemic species, temporary closures and establishment of fisherybreak reserves.     

Essential Fish Habitat and the Effective Design of Marine Reserves: Application for Marine Ornamental Fishes

Extensive and unregulated harvest of marine ornamental fishes can lead to localized depletion of target species and habitat degradation from inappropriate collecting techniques. One potential solution to these problems is the creation of marine reserves where fishing is prohibited. Marine reserves have been shown to increase fish abundance and protect ecosystems from habitat destruction associated with fishing. If protective areas are to be effective, they must include the diversity of habitats necessary to accommodate the wide range of fish species that are of interest to the marine ornamental fish trade.Fish assemblages with high diversity and abundance are often associated with habitats of high structural complexity. A relationship between fish size and reef complexity suggests the importance of shelter as a refuge for certain fishes in avoiding predation. Many species tend to aggregate to spawn in structurally complex habitats to reduce their risk of predation. Closing of spawning areas during aggregation periods has been shown to be a highly effective management strategy for these species. The limited home ranges and high degree of habitat specificity associated with many marine ornamental fishes should make marine reserves a highly effective strategy for managing these resources.     

饵料中高不饱和脂肪酸在海水鱼苗培育中的作用

大量研究表明，海水鱼苗对饵料中的某些高不饱和脂肪酸(HUFA)有特殊的需要，如果饵料中缺乏这些HUFA，如DHA(docoaahexaenoic acid 22：6n-3)、EPA(eicosapentaenoic acid 20：5n-3)和AA(arachidonic acid 20：4n-6)，将严重影响其营养价值。主要介绍了HUFA对海水鱼苗的营养和生理作用以及饵料中的各种HUFA水平在海水鱼苗培育中的作用，并且给出了某些海水鱼苗对饵料中HUFA的需要量和各种HUFA之间的适宜比例。     

First Record of Captive Larval Culture and Metamorphosis of the Pacific Blue Tang,Paracanthurus hepatus

The Pacific blue tang, Paracanthurus hepatus, is consistently among the top 20 marine ornamental species imported into the USA, with all specimens presently sourced from wild stocks. Captive culture of this species through metamorphosis has not been previously documented and fundamental information regarding reproduction, larval culture, and production techniques is scarce. This study aimed to elucidate methods that would advance our understanding and success with captive propagation of this species. A total of 50,000 eggs were collected from a single broodstock population and stocked in a 1000‐L tank. Beginning at 3 d posthatch (DPH), larvae were fed three times daily a diet comprised exclusively of copepod nauplii. At 12 DPH, enriched rotifers were first fed followed by powdered feed (20 DPH) and first instar Artemia (21 DPH). Large mortality events were observed at 7 and 20 DPH, corresponding with starvation and flexion, respectively. By 41 DPH, the majority of the remaining larvae began associating with the bottom of the culture tank. On Day 50, the first signs of blue pigmentation marked the beginning of metamorphosis. A total of 27 juvenile blue tangs were cultured during this trial. This effort represents the first successful culture of this species in captivity.     

The Potential for the Restoration of Marine Ornamental Fish Populations Through Hatchery Releases

Populations of tropical and subtropical marine fish are being depleted worldwide to supply increasing demands of the aquarium industry and fresh seafood market. Overfishing and destructive harvest techniques have left some marine fish populations virtually extirpated in a number of primarily underdeveloped countries. In situations where only small remnant populations and significantly degraded habitat remain, population recovery even under the complete absence of collection will be slow, with the high potential for population loss due to natural environmental and recruitment variability. Stock enhancement, supplementing natural recruitment with hatchery produced fry, has the potential to significantly increase the rate of population recovery while maintaining population vigor.Stock enhancement research on Pacific threadfin has demonstrated measurable positive impacts on recreational and commercial fisheries for this species in experimental scale releases; similar successes can be expected for enhancement efforts directed toward species of ornamental value. The major technological barrier to ornamental fish enhancement, the development of appropriate culture capabilities, is being addressed in research directed to the commercial production of fish for the aquarium trade.     

Ornamental Reef Fish Aquaculture and Collection in Hawaii

Ornamental fishes endemic to Hawaii's reefs are a valued resource and a staple of the marine aquarium trade, worldwide. At present, the market for Hawaiian ornamental reef fish is supplied entirely by the export of wild-captured animals, but the long-term sustainability of this practice is debatable. The success of breeders of ornamental fishes elsewhere, and concerns about overexploitation of wild fishes have stimulated interest in the development of an industry based on the captive propagation and rearing of Hawaiian ornamental fishes. Initial attempts to spawn and rear the larvae of various marine ornamental fishes in Hawaii were carried out in the early 1970s. The results of these culture efforts, conducted primarily at the Oceanic Institute and the University of Hawaii's Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology on Oahu, have varied in success. For the most part, these results have appeared previously only in dissertations or in reports distributed locally. Technological improvements in marine aquarium husbandry and in the culture of edible marine fishes have both benefited practitioners of ornamental reef fish culture, and promise to do so in the future. Our objective in this paper is to review the progress that has been made in the captive cultivation of ornamental marine fishes and to provide an overview of the status of the marine aquarium industry in Hawaii.     

Ex situ Culture of Colonial Marine Ornamental Invertebrates: Concepts for Domestication

The worldwide market for ornamental saltwater invertebrates supplies the needs of millions of aquarium hobbyists, as well as for public exhibition (zoos, aquaria), universities, and research institutions. The large-scale continuous collection of marine organisms is responsible, in many places, for the destruction of habitats, including coral reefs. The perceived expansion of the animal trade further threatens these fragile habitats. In the present paper, several concepts for the domestication of marine ornamental invertebrates (mainly colonial species) are discussed, offering an alternative commercial approach. The major rationale is based on future ex situ propagation, not field collections; a strategy aimed to circumvent the need for wild-harvested animals. This strategy is based on: (1) collection, settlement and metamorphosis of large numbers of larvae from marine organisms or of naturally shed germ cells under aquarium conditions, where survivorship exceeds several orders of magnitude than that in nature; (2) fragmentation of very small pieces (such as the size of a single polyp in colonial corals or blood vessel ampullae in tunicates) for the production of new colonies; (3) the development of replicates and inbred-lines from chosen ornamental species; (4) the use of cryopreservation of larvae and germ cells which will support the supply of material year-round; (5) several concepts for husbandry methods. Some benefits and deficiencies associated with the strategy for ex situ cultures are discussed, revealing its importance to the future of the trade.     

海洋仔鱼消化酶变化及饵料的影响

近年来海洋仔鱼消化系统,包括胃、肠道以及胰脏发育的研究进展进行了综述,描述了其消化系统在发育过程中形态和功能的变化,对仔鱼发育过程中包括胃蛋白酶、胰酶、肠酶及其他消化酶的变化以及饵料组分的影响进行了总结。     

Ornamental Fish Industry in Sri Lanka: Present Status and Future Trends

The aquarium fish industry in Sri Lanka has become a valuable foreign exchange earner during the past few years, earning Rs. 530 million in 1998. Sri Lankan ornamental fish exports for the international market include locally wild caught marine, brackish-water and freshwater species as well as captive bred freshwater fish. Presently, there are about 18 registered aquarium fish exporters and together they currently contribute approximately 1% of the world's demand for ornamental fish. Of the freshwater fish species exported from Sri Lanka, the guppy ranks the highest (67% by number), followed by swordtails, angels, platies and various species of tetras. This study aims to assess the present status and future trends in the ornamental fish industry in Sri Lanka; to overview the present fish production system which caters for the international market; and to identify present constraints within the industry. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

浅海养殖资源资产评估技术研究

通过对浅海养殖资源资产评估社会需求及其发展研究的分析,提出了浅海养殖资源资产评估的技术规程,尤其介绍了几种常见浅海增养殖方式的调查评估方法,并指出其应用范围和注意事项,以期为浅海养殖资源资产评估提供参考。     

Larval lake sturgeon production and drift behaviour in the Menominee and Oconto Rivers,Wisconsin

Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) have been negatively impacted by barriers to migration, pollution and overharvest. Biological data such as the timing of spawning activity and larval drift have provided a better understanding of larval production success or failure on a site-specific basis. However, many river systems that serve as reproductive locations for remnant lake sturgeon populations remain understudied. The objective of this study was to compare and contrast aspects of larval lake sturgeon drift within and between the Oconto and Menominee Rivers over multiple reproductive seasons. Differences in larval drift chronology, the size of drifting larvae during the season and the cross-sectional profile of drifting individuals as a function of river velocity were evaluated. D-frame drift nets were deployed at a single transect below spawning sites in the Menominee (2012, 2013 and 2014) and Oconto Rivers (2013, 2014 and 2015). A total of 4,442 larvae were captured across all seasons. Larvae exhibited nonrandom drift profiles related to water velocity, and larvae size was related to horizontal drift location. The seasonal increase in body size of drifting larvae also differed among drift events within and between years and across rivers. This information will provide a better understanding of lake sturgeon early life history and has practical management connections including spawning site protection/enhancement and river flow mitigation.     

圆口铜鱼仔幼鱼驯养初试

2010年6月24日至10月8日,以采自金沙江的34尾圆口铜鱼(Coreius guichenoti)仔鱼(出膜3～4d)为驯养试验对象,仔鱼阶段分别以蛋黄和水蚯蚓碎浆作开口饵料,稚鱼、幼鱼阶段投喂人工配合饲料,圆口铜鱼仔鱼、稚鱼、幼鱼均能主动摄食。经107d驯化培育,总体成活率64.71%,幼鱼平均体长(70.5±4.6)mm,平均体重(5.9±1.3)g,表明圆口铜鱼仔幼鱼易于驯养。     

Larval fish distribution and retention in the Canary Current system during the weak upwelling season

The spatial distribution of fish larvae was studied in the Canaries‐African Coastal Transition Zone, outside the strong upwelling season. An onshore–offshore transition in the larval fish community structure was observed, from a coastal assemblage dominated by small pelagics (sardine, anchovy, mackerel), bounded by the upwelling front, to an offshore assemblage dominated by mesopelagic species (mainly Myctophidae, Phosichthydae, Gonostomatidae). Distribution of the neritic larvae was deeply influenced by the intense mesoscale activity found in the area, both horizontally (larvae were advected offshore but were always retained within the upwelling area) and vertically (larvae were deepened in the vicinity of two anticyclonic eddies). A combined effect of the upwelling front and a cyclonic–anticyclonic eddy dipole is likely the successful retention mechanism for these larvae. These results support the current belief that retention may be higher than previously thought in upwelling areas. Oceanic larvae were also collected in higher abundances near the front and an anticyclonic eddy. Neritic and oceanic larvae frequently showed a differentiated position in the water column, although they sometimes coexisted. Finally, larval connectivity between Islands within the Canary archipelago is suggested. The present study thus contributes to the understanding of the complex dispersal and retention processes in the Canaries‐African Coastal Transition Zone. However, results also highlight the poor knowledge of this region compared with the other three main Eastern Boundary Upwelling Systems in terms of ichthyoplankton dynamics. The importance of routine monitoring programs of commercial and non‐commercial species in the area is emphasized.     

短须裂腹鱼仔稚鱼发育及生长特性的初步研究

为了掌握长江上游特有鱼类短须裂腹鱼(Schizothorax wangchiachii)的基础生物学资料,遏制其自然资源迅速下降态势,维护长江鱼类的生物多样性,在水温10.0～20.4℃的条件下,对人工催产孵化的短须裂腹鱼仔稚鱼形态发育特征进行了连续观察,并逐日记录其生长情况,分析其生长特性。结果显示,刚出膜短须裂腹鱼仔鱼全长(9.83±0.88) mm,呈现透明淡黄色,卵黄囊较大,胸鳍较小,仔鱼多侧卧静栖水底,人为刺激下可以向前移动;23日龄仔鱼全长(15.18±0.52) mm,卵黄全部消失,鳔室呈长圆柱形,肠道内充满食物,进入稚鱼期;35日龄稚鱼全长(16.75±0.75)mm,出现二鳔室、腹鳍呈现月牙状,腹鳍褶皱宽大;65日龄稚鱼全长(23.64±0.82) mm,腹鳍褶皱几乎消失,除未见臀鳞外,各鳍均已出现,其生活习性已与成鱼相似。短须裂腹鱼仔稚鱼的生长呈现先急速增加、而后平缓、再快速增加、而后变慢的过程,特定生长率呈现先迅速增加然后指数型下降的趋势。运用Matlab对短须裂腹鱼体长(L_P)与日龄(t)的多项式关系函数(L_P=9.7296+0.55051t-0.0239t~2+5.1283×10~(-4)t~3-3.4419×10~(-6)t~4(R=0.9666,SD=0.6824,P0.001)进行分析,求得22.14日龄和52.35日龄是短须裂腹鱼仔稚鱼生长变化的关键日龄,与个体发育阶段的卵黄消失(23日龄)和52日龄左右(20 mm左右)稚鱼高死亡率接近。     

Evaluation of the Ciliated Protozoa,Fabrea salina as a First Food for Larval Red Snapper,Lutjanus campechanus in a Large Scale Rearing Experiment

ABSTRACT

One of the major challenges of culturing of red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus, is providing an appropriate food source at onset of feeding. Ciliates are abundant in marine waters but their significance as a first food for fish larvae is poorly understood as many have no lorica to facilitate their identification in the gut of a larval fish. Fabrea salina is a naked heterotrich ciliate that can be mass cultured at densities up to 84 ± 10 ciliates/mL in 7 days. Its appropriateness as a first food for red snapper larvae was evaluated in a green-water setting using 1-m³ tanks. Larvae were stocked at 10/L, 36 h post-hatch, before first-feeding commenced. Larvae were fed either (1) copepod nauplii, 20–75 μm, only from days 1 to 10; (2) copepod nauplii from days 1 to 10 plus F. salina from days 1 to 5; or, (3) F. salina only from days 1 to 3 plus copepod nauplii from days 4 to 10. Copepod nauplii were added at 2/mL and ciliates were added at 5/mL. Survival after 28 days was 0.28 ± 0.15% for larvae given only copepod nauplii and 2.39 ± 2.75% for those given F. salina and copepod nauplii. Larvae given only F. salina did not survive past 4 days post-stocking. Larvae were more actively feeding in the tanks given F. salina and copepods as first foods with 34.6 ± 8.5% mean daily reduction in copepod nauplii compared to 15.8 ± 16.2% reduction when only nauplii were provided.     

Profile of the Marine Aquarium Fish Trade in Hong Kong

A market survey and review of government statistics were carried out to establish imports and exports of marine ornamental fishes into and out of Hong Kong, and to examine the local trade in terms of volume, value and species composition. Official government import figures for marine aquarium fishes were available from 1984 to 1991 and from 1997 and 1998. When compared with net imports, export and re-export volumes over the 15-year period were small, indicating that most imports entered the local market, or were exported unrecorded. The market survey of marine aquarium shops in Hong Kong was carried out between August 1996 and January 1997. From this survey, an annual estimate of 957,563 coral reef fish was calculated for the local trade, valued at HK$57,453,780, with a mean retail price of HK$60 per fish. These figures account for an estimated 2–3% of the global value and volume of marine aquarium fish trade, according to 1992 figures and, compared with government figures, indicate that official declarations of imports are underreported by at least 2–3 fold. A total of 342 marine aquarium fish species, from 49 families, were recorded with about 60% belonging to the families Labridae, Chaetodontidae, Pomacanthidae and Pomacentridae. It was estimated that a large proportion of the trade was in juvenile fishes and almost all fish were less than 10cm in standard length. It was common to see fishes in poor condition, species hard to maintain in captivity, or those listed for conservation concern, on sale. There are no regulations for local traders of live marine fishes other than those relating to either protected species or animal welfare. Licensing of traders in marine fishes could be introduced under existing Hong Kong legislation if fishes were to be re-classified as animals. This is strongly recommended as a step towards regulating and managing the trade in Hong Kong.     

Marine ornamental aquaculture in the Northeast U.S.: The state of the industry

This study characterized Northeast U.S. businesses breeding and/or selling marine ornamental aquacultured (MOA) livestock, identified cultured species, and assessed sales figures. Identified businesses (n?=?529) in the region consisted partially of retailers (n?=?274), commercial aquaculturists (n?=?42), and public aquaria, research, and educational institutions (n?=?48); the target sectors for inquiry. Of 75 survey respondents, 54% retailed MOA livestock, 19% conducted their own commercial MOA, and 9% conducted MOA as a part of public aquaria, research and/or educational endeavors. Corals generated up to $60,000 in annual sales for retailers and $100,000 for commercial aquaculturists. Commercial aquaculturists generated up to $50,000 in annual sales for MOA fishes and up to $30,000 for MOA non-coral invertebrates. The industry is characterized by market demand, low supply, few commercial aquaculturists, and many public aquaria, research and educational institutions; these attributes offer opportunities for its regional growth and development.     

Towards sustainable exhibits – application of an inorganic fertilization method in coral reef fish larviculture in an aquarium

Coral reef fish are collected from the wild and exhibited in aquaria worldwide. Some of the fish spawn in captivity; however, the eggs are usually neglected. In this study, we collected the eggs spawned naturally in the exhibit tanks, hatched and cultured them indoor in 2000‐L fibreglass tanks (initial density = 18 000 egg tank^?1). We applied an inorganic fertilization method commonly used in freshwater fish culture in raising these coral reef fish larvae. We maintained inorganic phosphorus concentration at 100 μg P L^?1 and inorganic nitrogen at 700 μg N L^?1 daily in the fertilized group (n = 4), while the control tanks (n = 4) were fed with rotifers (10 ind mL^?1). Chlorophyll a at particle sizes of both 0.45–20 μm and >20 μm, as well as NH₃‐N, NO₃‐N, and PO₄‐P concentrations were significantly higher in the fertilized group than the control. Zooplankton in the size groups of 10–50 μm (mainly flagellates) and 50–100 μm (mainly ciliates) were abundant (about 10~60 ind mL^?1) during 3–7 days in fertilized tanks. The average larval fish survival rate at 21 day after hatch in fertilized group was consistently higher than the control in two trials. The experiments demonstrated that the inorganic fertilization approach can be successfully adapted for coral reef fish culture in an aquarium to achieve sustainable exhibits.     

海洋鱼类摄食生态与食物网研究进展

首先总结归纳了海洋鱼类摄食生态与食物网研究中的实验方法,主要包括胃含物分析法、碳氮稳定同位素法、特定化合物同位素法等实验方法的发展历史和应用现状;随后介绍了海洋鱼类摄食生态与食物网最新研究进展和取得的成绩,主要包括海洋鱼类摄食生态中食物组成、摄食方式、摄食量和食物用于机体各种生命活动分配方式,以及海洋食物网研究中以传统胃含物分析法为基础、以简化食物网为核心,碳氮稳定同位素技术和生态系统模型的应用发展;最后,着重分析了我国海洋鱼类摄食生态和食物网研究中有待解决的问题,并对该领域今后的发展趋势进行了展望。