Environmental conditions conducive to anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) spawning in the Adriatic Sea

The goal of this paper is to investigate the relationship between environmental variables and the occurrence of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) spawning over a year, in order to enable the timing and strength of high spawning activity to be predicted. Biological sampling of anchovy was conducted on the fishing grounds of the eastern Adriatic (the northernmost semi‐enclosed basin in the Mediterranean) on a monthly basis from January 1999 to December 2010, while data on environmental parameters were taken from in situ measurements at the most representative and best surveyed eastern Adriatic hydrographic station and from I‐COADS monthly surface fields. Anchovy spawning seasonality was defined by monthly changes of the maturity stages and the gonadosomatic index. Fluctuations of the gonadosomatic index revealed that spawning begins in March and lasts until September, with reproductive activity peaking from April to July. A significant correlation was found between the gonadosomatic index and upper layer salinity in the two preceding months, while the lagged wind‐mixing index and surface temperature are barely correlated to the gonadosomatic index. An enhanced input of nutrient‐rich freshwater of river origin, which reduces upper layer salinity and enhances primary production up to 2 months before anchovy spawning, seems to be correlated with the anchovy fertility, especially for a late spawning maximum (in July).     

A bio-economic indicators suite for the appraisal of the demersal trawl fishery in the Southern Adriatic Sea (Central Mediterranean)

The state of demersal fishery in the Southern Adriatic Sea (GFCM-GSA 18, Central Mediterranean), years 1996–2003, from a biological, social and economic point of view was analysed using 47 indicators: 22 biological indicators obtained from fishery-independent data through yearly experimental bottom trawl surveys (“Medits” Programme), and 25 socio-economic indicators estimated from fishery-dependent data, available from the monitoring system of the Italian Institute for Economic Research on Fisheries and Aquaculture (IREPA). Biological indicators were applied for “single-species” (Eledone cirrhosa, E. moschata, Illex coindetti, Merluccius merluccius, Mullus barbatus, Nephrops norvegicus, Parapenaeus longirostris, Raja clavata, Zeus faber) and for “multi-species” analysis. Economic indicators describing economic performance, productivity, costs and prices, and the overall economic sustainability of fishery were estimated. Social indicators and a general indicator summarising social sustainability were also considered. Indicators’ values were displayed using the Traffic Light system. Both fishery-independent and fishery-dependent indicators highlighted a progressive decline of the trawl fishery system in the GSA 18. This decline was mainly related to the ongoing depletion of the traditional fishery target species (mostly long-living, late-maturing species) partially replaced by the increase of traditional accessory species (generally short-living species), as well as to the reduction of productivity and increasing costs. The whole procedure was proposed as a contribution to the identification and applicability of bio-economic indicators for fishery management purposes.     

Occurrence of common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in the Gulf of Trieste and the northern Adriatic Sea

1. The Mediterranean common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), considered to have been very common in the past, had undergone a dramatic decline across most of the basin by the end of 1970s. In the northern Adriatic Sea, one of the regions with most available historical information, the common dolphin is thought to have been the most common and abundant cetacean throughout most of the 20th century. However, by the end of 1970s, it had virtually disappeared from the region and is now considered generally absent from the entire Adriatic Sea.
2. This contribution summarizes the occurrence of common dolphins in the Gulf of Trieste and provides a brief review of published records in other parts of the Adriatic Sea.
3. Systematic boat surveys in the wider area of the Gulf of Trieste between 2002 and 2019 confirmed that the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is the only regularly occurring cetacean species in this area. Despite this, several records of common dolphins were documented in the Gulf of Trieste between 2009 and 2012, through sightings of live animals or recovery of dead stranded animals.
4. Dorsal fin markings allowed the photo-identification of some of these, suggesting that at least four different live individuals (three adults and one calf) occurred here in recent times. Most cases involved single adult individuals, but one included a mother-calf pair that was temporarily resident in a port for several months, a behaviour atypical for this species. Photo-identification showed that the presumed mother had previously been sighted in the Ionian Sea in Greece, over 1,000 km from the Gulf of Trieste, making this the longest documented movement for this species worldwide.
5. At present, the common dolphin continues to be rare in the region.

     

Reproductive biology of pink dentex Dentex gibbosus (Rafinesque) from the Adriatic Sea, Croatia

A 4‐year study (May 1997–December 2000) of the reproductive biology of pink dentex Dentex gibbosus (Rafinesque) from the Adriatic Sea revealed that this species is a rudimentary hermaphrodite. The smallest mature males and females captured were 38.70 cm in total length (T_L) and 39.80 cm in total length (T_L) respectively. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters estimated for the entire population were: L_∞=107.24, K=0.12 and t₀=−0.90. Fifty per cent of the population were sexually mature at 41.50 cm T_L, while 100% of the specimens were sexually mature at 57.00 cm T_L. Both monthly gonadosomatic index and macroscopically determined gonad stages strongly indicate that the pink dentex from the Adriatic Sea spawn partially in August, September and October. The mean value of absolute fecundity (F) was 1672 × 10⁶ eggs. The results of great fertility of the pink dentex, partial spawning and relatively late sexual maturation suggest that the pink dentex has a high potential for commercial culture.     

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the north-western Adriatic Sea: Spatial distribution and effects of trawling

1. Many species and populations of odontocetes have modified their behaviour to take advantage of feeding opportunities provided by fishing activities, with depredation of fishing gear being the most common type of adaptation.
2. The northern Adriatic Sea has been identified as an important marine mammal area because of a regular occurrence of common bottlenose dolphins. Boat surveys were conducted within a 3,000 km² sector of the Adriatic Sea off the coast of Veneto, Italy, between April and October 2018–2019. Based on 76 days at sea, 10,711 km of navigation, and 81 h 26 min of dolphin tracking, this study contributes novel quantitative information on dolphin spatial distribution, and on their occurrence in the wake of beam trawlers, otter trawlers, and midwater pair trawlers.
3. A combined generalized additive model and generalized estimation equation framework indicated that trawling—along with other physiographic, biological and anthropogenic variables—influenced dolphin distribution. In days of trawling, the chance of encountering dolphins increased by ~4.5 times (95% confidence interval 1.8–11.0) near active beam trawlers, by ~16.0 times (7.1–36.0) near otter trawlers, and by ~28.9 times (12.0–69.6) near midwater pair trawlers.
4. Spatial modelling was used to create maps of predicted distribution, suggesting differences in habitat use between trawling and no-trawling days. Spatial modelling for all days identified a dolphin distribution hotspot of 832 km², situated off the Po river delta.
5. Evidence contributed by this study can be used to inform management action within one of the world's areas most heavily impacted by fishing and other human encroachment. Such management action would help enforce the European Union's Habitats Directive and Marine Strategy Framework Directive, while also informing EU's Maritime Spatial Planning.

     

Growth of the fan mussel Pinna nobilis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mollusca: Bivalvia) in experimental cages in the South Adriatic Sea

Juveniles of the fan mussel Pinna nobilis were collected in Mali Ston Bay from October to December 2006. Cages with juveniles were placed at three depths: 1, 3 and 5 m. At the end of a 2‐year growth period at 1 m depths, the average length was 244.1 ± 22.9 mm, at 3 m depths, specimens averaged 244.0 ± 25.3 mm, and at 5 m depths, the average length was 231.1 ± 22.5 mm. The average monthly growth of shell length for the total experimental period was 8.7 ± 5.3, 8.4 ± 4.5 and 7.6 ± 4.4 mm, at 1, 3 and 5 m depths respectively.     

南海“长笼”渔具调查分析

2004年7月中旬至8月底,笔者主要对海南省、广东省和广西壮族自治区沿海的渔具种类及其分布情况进行补充调查.调查采用现场测定、咨询和访问当地渔民与现场观摩相结合的方法,对每种渔具的渔具结构、作业渔船、作业方法、渔具历史和技术改进等内容进行调查研究[1-2].     

Population genetic structure of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Adriatic Sea and contiguous regions: implications for international conservation

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The fishery for Nephrops norvegicus (Linnaeus, 1758) in the central Adriatic Sea (Italy): Preliminary observations comparing bottom trawl and baited creels

The Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus, is mainly targeted by bottom trawlers whose selectivity (mesh size = 40 mm stretch) with respect to this species is poor producing large quantities of discards both in terms of demersal fish species and undersized Nephrops. The Pomo pit (central Adriatic Sea) is a very important nursery area for European hake, Merluccius merluccius, but is also the main trawling ground for the Adriatic fleet exploiting Nephrops. The use of baited creels may constitute an alternative to bottom trawling. This paper summarises experimental data collected from the western Pomo pit in order to compare bottom trawl and baited creel catches with the aim of evaluating the ecological consequences of creeling. Because of high scavenger activity in the area, the effect of this on the creel fishery was also investigated.A large fraction of the trawl catch was composed of juvenile undersized individuals of commercial species, the same was not true for creels. Composition of Nephrops catches differed markedly between creels and the bottom trawl. Scavenger activity was very high. The results indicate that ecologically the use of baited creels appears to be a valid alternative to bottom trawling but, unfortunately, may not comprise an economically viable solution in the investigated area, which is 30 nautical miles offshore.     

The seasonal fluctuation of the mussel larvae in the northern Adriatic Sea

The study of mussel larvae in the northern Adriatic Sea was undertaken in order to establish the seasonal fluctuations of the larvae in the plankton. The plankton samples were collected at four stations (Limski kanal, Banjole Island, Vela Draga and Pomer Bay) from 1965 to 1972. The observations showed that there are similar patterns of the presence of mussel larvae in the plankton in the northern Adriatic Sea. In well closed localities (Limski kanal and Vela Draga Bay) with shellfish culture parks the number of mussel larvae was larger than at an open sea station (Banjole Island). In Pomer Bay, in spite of the mussel cultivation, the number of mussel larvae was low and their settlement was slight, probably due to an unfavourable environment for their reproduction or the development of larvae. The seasonal fluctuations of mussel larvae in the northern Adriatic Sea are similar to those observed in some regions of the Mediterranean sea by several authors. We can conclude that in the Mediterranean Sea the mussel larvae are present in the plankton almost throughout the year.     

Gillnet selectivity for swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus in the East China Sea

Fisheries Science - To explore the gillnet selectivity for swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus, six mesh sizes (100, 110, 120, 130, 140 and 150 mm) were tested to determine the optimal...     

Bottlenose dolphins in the north-western Adriatic Sea: Abundance and management implications

1. The Adriatic Sea is one of the Mediterranean areas most heavily impacted by fishing and other human stressors. The northern part of the basin has been certified as an Important Marine Mammal Area because of the regular occurrence of common bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus.
2. Boat surveys, totalling 76 days at sea and 10,711 km of navigation, were conducted between April 2018 and October 2019 to assess cetacean abundance within a 3,000-km² area off Veneto, Italy. Bottlenose dolphins – the only marine mammal species observed – were encountered on 52 days and were tracked for 81 h and 26 min, resulting in 15,066 dorsal fin photographs of high quality and resolution.
3. Various capture–recapture models were applied on individual photo-identification datasets. Model-based estimates indicate that approximately 600 individuals occurred within the study area during the sampling period in both years. Abundance varied monthly: minimum estimates were obtained in May 2018 (291 individuals; 95% CI 134–630) and May 2019 (121; 95% CI 20–721), whereas maximum estimates were obtained in September 2018 (385; 95% CI 310–477) and October 2019 (494; 95% CI 378–645).
4. Evidence provided by this study can be used to complement and validate coarse ‘snapshot’ information from recent aerial surveys of the entire Adriatic Sea, and to enforce management action mandated by the European Community (EC) Habitats Directive and Marine Strategy Framework Directive, as well as guiding the EC’s Maritime Spatial Planning.

     

Prevalence and effects of the cymothoid isopod (Ceratothoa oestroides,Risso 1816) on cultured meagre (Argyrosomus regius,Asso 1801) in the Eastern Adriatic Sea

Meagre (Argirosomus regius) is a relatively new farmed fish species in Croatian mariculture. This study is the first attempt to determine the prevalence of cymothoid isopod parasite Ceratothoa oestroides and its effects on cultured meagre in the Mediterranean area. When analysing growth of meagre at two sites in the central part of the Eastern Adriatic Sea, the greatest difference in total fish length was recorded in March 2016, when fish with parasites were 33% smaller than fish without parasites (24.47 ± 3.29 vs. 16.28 ± 1.01 cm; p < .001). The largest difference in mass was also recorded during sampling in March, when parasitized fish was 74% lighter than the unparasitized fish (171.75 ± 72.96 vs. 44.77 ± 6.57 g; p < .001). The presence of the cymothoid isopod in the buccal cavity was observed, and caused fish deformation throughout the entire duration of the study. Also, female parasites with pulli II in marsupium were found. Based on the determined prevalence and effects on production and health status, monitoring of the interaction between C. oestroides and meagre should be considered in future management plans for cultivation of this promising species for Mediterranean aquaculture.     

Sea turtles bycatch in the Adriatic Sea set net fisheries and possible hot‐spot identification

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Longline hook selectivity for red tilefish Branchiostegus japonicus in the East China Sea

The catch of red tilefish by the Japanese longline fishery in the East China Sea has steeply declined during the last two decades, and resource management is clearly required. This study presents the size selectivity of hooks for red tilefish as a method to control first capture size, based on the results of longline fishing experiments using “Tainawa-bari” hooks of several sizes: Japanese nominal sizes J#10, J#11, J#12, J#13, J#14 and J#16. On the assumption of geometrical similarity in the combination of upper jaw length u and hook width g at a given retention probability, a single master curve s(R) = exp (−14.42 + 8.85R)/(1 + exp [−14.42 + 8.85R]) was estimated in terms of relative upper jaw length to hook width, R = u/g, using the SELECT method based on a multinomial distribution. The relative upper jaw length for 50% retention is 1.63, and the selection range is 0.25. Almost all fish over 300 mm in total length were retained by a hook of size J#12, but smaller fish with less commercial value were also caught. Moreover, J#10 hooks catch fish with total lengths of >250 mm efficiently. This indicates that J#10 and J#12 hooks that are currently used are too small to optimize yield per recruit and also for resource conservation.     

Exploring the elusive deep-sea sharpnose sevengill shark (Heptranchias perlo) in the Adriatic Sea: Novel records,health assessments and conservation implications

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黄海南部不同体长鳀对食物粒级的选择

基于2000年6月和2014年11月黄海南部采集的浮游动物和不同生长阶段鳀(Engraulis japonicus)的胃含物(饵料)组成分析资料,研究鳀的饵料粒级分布与摄食粒级选择性及其与环境生物组成的关系,旨在推进粒级在传统摄食生态分析中的应用。结果显示:黄海南部鳀的饵料种类组成与环境中生物种类组成有关;各体长组中,鳀的饵料粒级多样性与种类多样性分布趋势相似;体长为110 mm左右的鳀的饵料种类多样性和粒级多样性水平最高;鳀的饵料粒级均值随鱼体体长增加而增加;体长约为30 mm和≥70 mm的鳀有明显的饵料粒级转换。根据上述结果,认为在鳀胃含物分析过程中,整合环境中饵料生物的相对组成和粒级大小,可有效评价鱼类对饵料的粒级选择性。     

Preliminary survey of populations of the bivalve Noah's ark (Arca noae, Linné) in the northern Adriatic Sea

Studies were carried out at several stations on the west coast of the Istra peninsula in 1966, 1970, 1977 and 1978 to determine population structure of the edible bivalve Arca noae after the catastrophic mortality in 1949/1950 reduced their numbers. Results indicate that ark populations have recovered with a good balance between breeding and mortality. Considerable numbers of large animals were found, suggesting that further studies are needed to determine population densities and size distribution of ark populations on the west coast of the Istra peninsula. The areas of highest population densities should be further investigated to determine the most suitable fishing gear and to ascertain the possibilities of commercial cultivation.