Early detection of reproduction deficits and the compensatory potential of enhancement stocking for vendace,Coregonus albula,fisheries in German lakes

Enhancement stocking is a widespread but rarely evaluated practice in German vendace, Coregonus albula L. fisheries, which is precautionarily carried out to buffer yield fluctuations. However, it is assumed that stocking of larval vendace can elevate year‐class strength only in the presence of substantial reproductive deficits, which so far cannot be detected prior to the spring time period when stocking is conducted by fisheries managers. Simple measures for the early quantification of natural reproduction were tested, and the efficiency of larval enhancement stocking in a lake with strong reproduction deficits was analysed. Analysis in four lakes over 3 years revealed a significant positive correlation between standardised catches of vendace larvae caught with pump‐driven illuminated traps in spring and the abundance of young‐of‐year (YoY) vendace in the following autumn, whereas standardised catches of spawners were insufficient to forecast YoY recruitment. In a lake with low natural vendace reproduction, stocked vendace contributed 73–100% of year‐class strength and fisheries yield. Accordingly, enhancement stocking can efficiently compensate for reproduction deficits, and the simple larvae sampling method may facilitate early detection of these deficits, which would allow fisheries managers to respond accordingly through larvae stocking.     

Temperature and food‐level effects on reproductive investment and egg mass in vendace,Coregonus albula

Abstract Individual variation in reproductive investment is important for recruitment and population dynamics in fish populations. Thus, it is crucial to understand how these decisions are influenced by environmental conditions. Here, the influence of growth variation during gonadogenesis or early life on reproductive investment in vendace, Coregonus albula (L.) was investigated. A set of cohorts of mature females were sampled over two different years with contrasting climate conditions and food levels, using total length at age 1 year as a proxy for juvenile growth. Relative reproductive investment and individual egg mass were lower in the favourable year (elevated temperatures and zooplankton densities) when the females were in better condition compared with a less favourable year (lower temperatures and zooplankton densities). Female vendace demonstrated plasticity in their allocation to relative reproductive investment and egg mass, probably induced by diverging environmental conditions. This phenotypic response to growth may have strong effects on recruitment and population growth rate.     

Distribution and biomass of an underfished vendace, Coregonus albula, population in a mesotrophic German reservoir

Abstract  The distribution and overall biomass of an underfished vendace, Coregonus albula L., population in the mesotrophic Henne Reservoir (Germany) was studied using hydroacoustics and gill nets. Additionally, midwater trawling was carried out. Overall fish biomass, based on five hydroacoustic surveys (June to September 2002), ranged from 188 kg ha⁻¹ in early August to 302 kg ha⁻¹ in September 2002. The overall mean fish biomass was 256 kg ha⁻¹ (±48 kg ha⁻¹ SD). Biomass of fish smaller than 25 cm total length (mostly vendace) varied from 56 kg ha⁻¹ in August to 99 kg ha⁻¹ in September, with an overall mean fish biomass of 74 kg ha⁻¹ (±17 kg ha⁻¹ SD). The echograms showed temporal variation in fish distribution in Henne Reservoir. In June, fish were fairly evenly distributed over the whole reservoir but in September a dense aggregation of fish (mostly vendace) was found in the deeper water layers near the dam. The distribution of vendace stock, its impact on water quality and fisheries management, biomanipulation and effort for mass removal are discussed.     

Individual variability of diel vertical migrations in European vendace (Coregonus albula) explored by stationary vertical hydroacoustics

Abstract –  Diel vertical migration (DVM) is a widespread behavioural pattern in populations of aquatic animals. Its adaptive value is explained by a trade-off between the protection against visually feeding predators in the dark hypolimnion during daytime, and a higher food uptake in the upper food-rich layers during the night. Whereas vertical migration patterns of entire populations have been frequently described, less is known with respect to individual variability of DVM within fish populations. Here, individual migration patterns of European vendace ( Coregonus albula ) are described, obtained by stationary vertical hydroacoustics in Lake Stechlin (Germany) during the dusk and dawn phases of 2 months in 2004. The variability of speeds of depth change was high, with only a few fish rising or falling faster than 1 cm s⁻¹. Swimming activity was not dependent on fish size. There was some evidence that variability of echo strengths was highest in those fish which showed the greatest three-dimensional swimming distances which might indicate a limited swimbladder compensation during vertical migrations. However, migration seems to be performed mainly in a saltatory mode with vertical swimming always interrupted by phases of constant depth. It is suggested that these phases are used for pressure compensation by fish with the consequence that overall the frequency distribution of target strengths deviates only slightly between the start and the end of the recordings. Stationary hydroacoustics proved to be a useful tool for studying individual fish swimming behaviour.     

Recruitment of sympatric vendace (Coregonus albula) and whitefish (C. lavaretus) is affected by different environmental factors

Vendace and whitefish in Lake Osensjøen (boreal south‐east Norway) were studied by means of gillnet test fishing (1976–2013) and hydro acoustic acquisition (1986–2011). Vendace increased in number between 1998 and 2009 while growth and size at maturity decreased. The relative density of whitefish decreased in the pelagic habitat, whereas growth and size remained the same. Both species exhibited varying year‐class strength. Whereas strong year‐classes of both species became less frequent after 1980 than before this, this seemed to change after 2000, especially for vendace. Generalised additive models suggested a strong positive relationship between July/August mean air temperature and year‐class strength of both vendace and whitefish. Whitefish recruitment was also negatively affected by the new regulation regime implemented since 1981, and positively correlated with water level after hatching and by late ice off. The reason for the diverging impacts of environmental factors on the two species may be that vendace spawn in deeper waters that whitefish do. The results indicate that increasing summer temperatures benefit recruitment of both species, whereas low water level and early ice off will harm whitefish recruitment. Both trends are caused by climate warming. It may be speculated that increased density of the specialised plankton feeding vendace may affect the algal community through increased predation on herbivorous zooplankton and potentially affect the trophic state of the lake.     

Analysis of the spawning stock–recruitment relationship of vendace (Coregonus albula (L.)) with evaluation of alternative models, additional variables, biases and errors

Abstract –  Spawning biomass and recruitment data for vendace from a central Finnish lake were analysed by fitting various recruitment models and comparing the fits statistically. The compensatory models of Ricker, Cushing and Beverton & Holt fitted the data better than the H ₀ hypothesis of constant proportionality, but model and parameter uncertainties were high. Additional variables were included in an attempt to reduce uncertainties. Heavy wind forcing during the first month after hatching of larvae reduced the recruitment success. For the Ricker and the Cushing models, recruitment seemed to be also negatively associated with the density of the previous year-class. The r ² increased considerably with inclusion of these additional variables, but the precision of model parameters remained low. Monte Carlo simulation of a vendace stock was applied to evaluate the interference of biases from the measurement error (ME) and time series error (TSE) in the analysis. Especially in the case of the Cushing model, compensatory density dependence can be overestimated severely. Increasing the number of observations decreases the biases in some cases. In view of potential biases and uncertainties, a precautionary management policy is recommended.     

Effects of UV radiation on the vertical distribution of vendace [Coregonus albula (L.)] larvae in Finnish lakes

Abstract – Positively phototactic vendace larvae may be vulnerable to enhanced springtime UV levels unless they are able to avoid them. Experimental results, however, suggested that UV avoidance can exist. In this study field data from eight Finnish lakes with different characteristics were analysed. The aim of the study was to determine whether vendace larvae stayed deeper in the water column during sunny than during cloudy periods because thick cloud cover considerably reduces UV irradiance. In addition, avoidance behaviour of larvae was studied in acrylic tubes placed in a lake and under laboratory conditions. The avoidance of high UV-B exposure existed both in the littoral and pelagic zone of the lakes and in laboratory with low UV attenuation. In the lakes with high UV attenuation, avoidance behaviour did not exist. Vendace larvae may use visible light as an indirect indicator of harmful UV-B irradiance.     

The influence of ontogeny and prey abundance on feeding ecology of age-0 Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) in southeastern Lake Michigan

A shift towards oligotrophic conditions in Lake Michigan has led to concern that altered trophic pathways are leading to lower early life survival and recruitment for Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis). This study evaluated ontogenetic shifts in age-0 Lake Whitefish diets and evaluated how feeding ecology and the amount of food eaten varied with prey abundance and composition at a site in southeastern Lake Michigan during 2014–2017. Although prey densities varied among years, cyclopoid copepods were overall the most abundant prey available. In turn, cyclopoids were the predominant prey item in diets each year, particularly for the smallest larval Lake Whitefish. However, there was a tendency for the importance of cyclopoids to decline somewhat in each diet index as fish grew and other prey such as calanoid copepods, Bosminidae, Daphniidae and/or chironomids increased in importance. High zooplankton abundance, especially high cyclopoid abundance, available to the small size groups of Lake Whitefish (<21 mm) in 2014 was associated with high food mass/fish, high number of zooplankton eaten/fish, and low incidence of empty stomachs compared with 2015–2017. As fish grew, the impact of food abundance on prey consumption diminished somewhat, indicating that the relationship between fish feeding ecology and the prey environment can change quickly with fish size during the early life period.     

Multi‐decadal variations in spawning ground use in Northeast Arctic haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Despite the importance both in an ecological and management context, much uncertainty remains about the underlying factors controlling spawning ground use in marine fish. Here, we investigate how spawning ground use of Northeast Arctic (NEA) haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) has changed over time. By combining data from a Soviet‐Russian egg survey conducted over a 35 year period (1959–1993) with a biophysical drift model, we estimate annual median spawning latitudes of NEA haddock. Furthermore, we test for statistical association between the median latitude of spawning and covariates that are candidates for shaping the spawning distribution of haddock. The results indicate no association with temperature, as measured at the Kola transect, or demographic structure, as measured by the mean weight of spawners. However, we find a positive and significant association between spawning latitude and spawning stock biomass, indicating that density‐dependence may be more important in shaping spawning location than other factors such as temperature and demographic structure. A potential mechanism for the reported effect of spawning stock biomass may act through the distribution at the feeding grounds, which is reported to expand north‐ and eastwards at high population density.     

Diel feeding periodicity in larvae of the vendace (Coregonus albula L.) and influence of food availability and environmental factors on food intake

Abstract— Samples were taken every 2 h for 10 days to determine diel foraging periodicity of vendace larvae in the littoral zone of Lake Lentua, northern Finland and to assess environmental factors affecting food intake. Feeding was associated with daylight conditions, so feeding ceased in the dark. Soft-bodied, rapidly digested rotatorians indicated the periodicity more clearly than hard-shelled prey such as cladocerans and copepodites. Wind events and waves in the littoral zone were the major factors affecting food abundance and feeding by the larvae. Waves induced by strong inshore winds reduced zooplankton density, increasing the occurence of larvae with empty guts to 80%. Reduced food availability was reflected in the guts of larvae within 6 h. The density of suitably-sized zooplankton, together with wind effects and photoperiodism, explained most of the variation in gut content in the larvae.     

Long-term dynamics of pelagic fish density and vendace (Coregonus albula (L.)) stocks in four zones of a lake differing in trawling intensity

Abstract – An 11-year time series of hydroacoustic fish density estimates and fisheries statistics of vendace ( Coregonus albula (L.)) from four zones of a lake differing in trawling intensity was analyzed in order to test the hypothesis that intensive trawling has detrimental effects on pelagic fish stocks, especially vendace recruitment. The standardized fish density estimate in trawled zones showed no decrease in comparison to the non-trawled zone. No signs of recruitment failure associable with trawling intensity were found. The growth of vendace at the end of the study period was slower than that at the beginning, indicating a higher density, most clearly so in the zone with highest trawling intensity. No significant correlations were detected between 3-year mean trawling intensity and yield per unit effort of over-1-year-old vendace or fish density in any zone. Thus, no evidence to support the hypothesis was found. This was suggested to be due to density-dependent compensatory processes in recruitment and/or natural mortality effectively counteracting the population change induced by exploitation. ^Note     

基于鱼卵仔鱼数据的东海中南部日本鲭产卵场分析

利用2016年4—5月在东海中南部海域的调查数据,对该海域日本鲭(Scomber japonicus)鱼卵仔鱼的分布特征进行了研究,并对产卵场的划分展开讨论及提出保护措施和管理建议。结果显示:4月,日本鲭鱼卵仔鱼主要出现在台湾海峡和东海南部海域,出现率均大于25%,但仔鱼在东海南部外海的出现率和丰度均较低,分别为5.00%和0.01个·100m^-3。5月,日本鲭鱼卵仔鱼在台湾海峡的出现率和丰度均显著降低,分别下降至5.88%和0.22个·100m^-3;东海南部外海日本鲭鱼卵仔鱼的出现率和丰度则均显著升高,分别升至50%和36.48个·100m^-3,其中鱼卵集中出现在南部外海,出现率和丰度分别达到了40%和36.46个·100m^-3;东海中部外海从5月开始出现日本鲭鱼卵和仔鱼。结合历史资料,可以判断东海中南部日本鲭产卵场主要有台湾海峡、东海中南部近海、东海南部外海、东海中部外海等4个。日本鲭鱼卵丰度与表层水温呈显著相关关系(R=0.37,P<0.05),与表层盐度无显著相关关系(P>0.0...     

Variations in spawning ground area and egg density of the Japanese sardine in Pacific coastal and oceanic waters

The spawning ground of the Japanese sardine, Sardinops melanostictus (Schlegel), was distributed over the oceanic waters as well as the coastal waters along the Pacific coasts of western and eastern Japan during 1978–1992. The area of the spawning ground in the coastal waters on the continental shelf has ranged from 95 000 km² in 1992 to 143 000 km² in 1988, constituting 44–77% of the total area of the spawning ground. The area of the coastal spawning ground was relatively constant in spite of the large fluctuations in egg abundance, i.e. size of the spawning population, from 88 trillion (1987) to 668 trillion (1989) in the waters. Spawning adults seemed to extend over the coastal waters irrespective of the size of the spawning population. In contrast to the coastal waters, the spawning area in the oceanic waters offshore of the continental shelf increased from 31 000 km² in 1978 to 183 000 km² in 1988 and then shrank to 83 000 km² in 1992, as a function of the spawning population size. The egg distribution density in the coastal waters stayed less than 6000 m⁻² mo⁻¹, but it reached as high as 27 400 m⁻² mo⁻¹ in the expanded spawning ground in the oceanic waters. The oceanic waters seemed to function as a reserve spawning ground for the sardine in years of extremely high spawning population.     

DNA barcoding reveals clear delineation between spawning sites for neritic versus oceanic fishes in the Gulf of Mexico

We combined research‐vessel cruises of opportunity with DNA barcoding to survey planktonic, percomorph fish eggs at 40 stations distributed across and around the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). The objectives were (a) to determine whether eggs of fishes that are potential candidates for the daily egg production method (DEPM) can be readily barcoded, (b) to identify taxa that are spawning in the GoM, (c) to determine encounter rates for eggs of economically valuable taxa, and (d) to characterize individual egg taxa as being primarily neritic, primarily oceanic, or primarily mixed (i.e., both neritic and oceanic). Of the 1,144 eggs that were individually barcoded, 709 (62%) were definitively identified to species (62 species from 42 families), with an additional 20 taxa identified to genus or subfamily level. The eggs of 15 economically important species were identified, most of which had intermediate encounter rates and moderately dispersed spatial distributions, as indicated by an index of aggregation. SIMPROF analysis of stationwise cluster analysis identified eight significant groups within the 35 stations that yielded percomorph eggs; a corresponding specieswise analysis identified six groups of stations as having a neritic egg community and two groups as having an oceanic community, with a community transition located at the shelf break. Although the neritic and oceanic stations did not share important species, it remains possible that coastal pelagic species have mixed neritic–oceanic distributions. Together, these results indicate DEPM fish‐egg surveys based on DNA barcoding are feasible at the large marine ecosystem scale.     

Seasonal spawning and wind‐regulated retention‐dispersal of early life stage Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in a Newfoundland fjord

Sequential ichthyoplankton surveys were used to determine the spatial and temporal distribution of eggs and larvae over coastal spawning grounds of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in Smith Sound, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland, during the spring and summer of 2006 and 2007. Egg densities showed similar patterns for both years with two peaks in abundance in spring (March–April) and late summer (late July). A clear progression of development stages (1–4) was observed in spring and summer in 2006 and summer in 2007, suggesting retention of eggs within the Sound during these periods. Modelled predictions of vertical egg distributions indicated eggs were broadly distributed near the surface during spring (March–April), but were concentrated below the pycnocline (>10 m) within the inner portions of the Sound during the summer months (July–August). Back‐calculated peaks in spawning based on water temperatures were estimated at 11 and 4 April for 2006 and 2007, respectfully, with late season peaks centred on 21–24 July for both years. Environmental data indicated cooler water temperatures and periods of high wind stress in spring, and warmer, calmer periods late summer, consistent with higher retention and faster development times on the spawning grounds later in the season. We conclude that spring and summer spawning events result in different distributions of early life stages and may lead to different distributions of juvenile and adult fish.     

Broodstock spawning and larviculture of whiting (Merlangius merlangus L.) reared in captivity

In recent years, an increasing interest in the farming of marine ‘white’ fish, such as cod, has been observed in the aquaculture industry. One species being considered for aquaculture development is whiting (Merlangius merlangus L.). With little data being available on the domestication of this species, our study aimed to characterize spawning behaviour and rhythmicity in captive broodstock and provide original data on egg incubation, embryonic development and larval rearing. The results observed through video recording showed that spawning mainly occurred at night with active courtship behaviour. Daily egg batches were collected from two separate spawning seasons, with an average fertilization success declining from 77% to 53%. Time to hatch was inversely related to the incubation temperature and occurred after 78 degree‐days (9 days at 8 °C), with emerging larvae ranging in size from 3.3 to 3.46 mm total length and hatch success ranging from 48.3% to 99.9%. In comparison with a clear water environment, a green water regime during the first days of larval rearing significantly improved larval growth and survival. These results are the first to describe spawning activity, early development and larval performances in whiting and are promising for the potential future development of whiting aquaculture.     

Spawning behaviour of Penaeus (Fenneropenaeus) merguiensis de Man and the effect of light intensity on spawning

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of light intensity just prior to and during spawning of Penaeus (Fenneropenaeus) merguiensis de Man in the laboratory. Neither the presence of light nor light intensity (0, 10 and 1100 lux) had a significant effect on the spawning process or hatching rate in P. merguiensis. Difference in the percentage of spawners, percentage of incomplete spawning, fecundity and hatching rate were all insignificant (P > 0.05) among the three light treatments. However, spawning was delayed (up to 21 min on average) under 1100 lux with a high percentage of incomplete spawning, compared with the Control (0 lux). For the first time, spawning behaviour of P. merguiensis was observed and fully described. The spawning process can be divided into four phases: dormant, pre‐spawning, spawning and post‐spawning by distinct behaviour of prawn broodstock. The dormant phase was characterized by a quiescent and non‐feeding period, whereas movement of prawn broodstock was active during the pre‐spawning and post‐spawning phases. Depending on the individual, spawning was completed within 3–5 min. Prawns often stayed still on the water surface during spawning with occasional manoeuvres to change the position. After a short rest at the termination of the spawning phase, prawn broodstock re‐exhibited active movement as in the pre‐spawning phase, but showing conspicuous care to the deposited eggs. The role of light in controlling ovarian development and spawning, and the behaviour of prawn broodstock in relation to maximizing fertilization rate are discussed.     

Nutrient and amino acid profiles of egg and larvae of Asian seabass, Lates calcarifer (Bloch)

Fertilized eggs and developing larvae of hatchery reared Asian seabass, Lates calcarifer (Bloch), were analyzed to determine the changes occurring in their proximate and amino acid (AA) composition. The fertilized dry egg weighed 31 μg and contained 13.71 μg (44%) protein, 8.48 μg (27%) lipid and 0.657 J of gross energy. Dry weight decreased by 39% during hatching. The protein, lipid and carbohydrate nutrients decreased by 4.86, 4.15 and 0.09 μg, respectively from egg to 2-days post hatching (dph) larvae (pre-feeding). The protein content of the spawned eggs and larvae were hydrolysed to AA in the laboratory. The fertilized eggs had a total AA content of 42% of their dry weight. The egg contained 1.287 μg, 1.132 μg, 0.964 μg, 0.942 μg, 0.787 μg and 0.713 μg of leucine, lysine, arginine, valine, threonine and phenylalanine, respectively and these six indispensable amino acids (IAA) constituted approximately 78% of the total IAA. In the early feeding stages of L. calcarifer larvae, the ratio of IAA/DAA increased from 0.797 in the pre-feeding stage to 1.632 after 2 days of feeding. During larval growth of L. calcarifer, the percentage contribution of isoleucine and leucine to total IAA contents increased, while it decreased for lysine, phenyl alanine and arginine. L. calcarifer larvae were found to have proteins, which are rich in glutamic acid, leucine and lysine, and poor in threonine and histidine, suggesting high dietary leucine and lysine IAA requirement. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Natural spawning, early development and first feeding of the semicircle angelfish [Pomacanthus semicirculatus (Cuvier, 1831)] in captivity

Successful natural spawning of Pomacanthus semicirculatus in captivity from 11 September to 18 October, 2006 is described for the first time. Each female laid an average of 230 000 eggs during the spawning period. Fertilized eggs were spherical, transparent and buoyant and had a mean diameter of 0.61 ± 0.03 mm (mean ± SD). Embryonic development lasted 18–21 h at 28.5 °C. Newly hatched larvae were 1.35 ± 0.02 mm in total length (TL) with 27 (12+15) myomeres and had an oil globule in the ventroposterior area of the yolk sac. Larvae completed yolk absorption within 3 days post hatching at 2.37 ± 0.05 mm TL. Larvae were fed either 100% microalgae ( Nannochloropsis sp.), 100% s-type rotifers ( Brachionus rotundiformis ), 100% dinoflagellates ( Gonyaulax sp.) or different combinations of the three (50%:50%:0%, 30%:35%:35%) to determine the effect of live feed on the survival rate. The survival was significantly ( P <0.001) better in larvae fed a combination of diets (30%: 35%: 35%) than others. These results indicate that P. semicirculatus is a potential species for captive-breeding programmes and the use of a combination of diets (microalgae plus s-type rotifers and dinoflagellates) may be a suitable first food for fish larvae.     

Investigation of the temporal effects of spawning season and maternal and paternal differences on egg quality in Atlantic cod Gadus morhua L. broodstock

A better understanding of the parameters affecting egg quality and larval survival is of importance for continued development of cod broodstock and efficient husbandry practices. Decision tree analysis (DTA) was applied to analyse 3 years of egg quality data in an effort to extract the most important variables (i.e. predictors) in explaining differences in egg quality. The effect of three predictors (spawning time, maternal and paternal differences) has been studied on early cleavage pattern parameters, egg diameters, fertilization and hatching rates and has shown that females are the dominant variable and that time has a limited and inconsistent impact on the data. When using maternal, paternal differences and batch number (instead of spawning time) as predictors, the results confirm that no particular relationship is found between batch order (i.e. order in time) and egg quality. Moreover, batches with a higher egg quality show a consistency in the parameters assessed (i.e. batches with higher rates of normality in any parameter tend to be normal for other parameters). This is confirmed by the significant correlations found between cleavage parameters. Our results highlight that spawning time is of less importance than female parent contribution in ensuring high rates of fertilization and larval hatch, and maximizing general egg quality.