Method for estimating buoyancy of midwater float required to standardize hook depth in pelagic longline

ABSTRACT:   A midwater float is a small float attached to the mainline of pelagic longlines to standardize the hook depth. In this study theoretical equations are presented for estimating the buoyancy of the midwater float required to lift the joints of the midwater float line on the mainline to the target depth. Sea trials using full scale tuna longline gear with midwater floats were carried out in the Indian Ocean in December 2004 and 2005, in order to examine the validity of the theoretical equations. In the sea trials, two types of midwater float settings, single midwater float setting and double midwater float setting, were tested and compared with the conventional setting. As a result, the joints of the midwater float line on the mainline were successfully lifted to the target depth as expected, demonstrating the validity of the theoretical equation. The range of hook depths in the midwater float setting was less spread over depths than in the conventional setting, and therefore, use of long float lines (100 m) with the midwater float setting allows all hooks to avoid entering the sea turtle habitat of shallower than 100 m depth. Factors affecting shoaling of the longline with the midwater float are also discussed.     

Distribution of haemic neoplasia of soft‐shelled clams in Prince Edward Island: an examination of anthropogenic factors and effects of experimental fungicide exposure

Haemic neoplasia was first considered a disease of concern for soft‐shell clams in Prince Edward Island (PEI) when it was diagnosed as the cause of mass mortalities in 1999. The aetiology of the disease remains elusive, but has been associated with environmental degradation. In this study, a 2‐year (2001–2002) geographic and seasonal survey was conducted for haemic neoplasia, using histology, in soft‐shell clams from PEI. In addition, using geographic information system, the association between anthropogenic factors in the watersheds at sites affected by haemic neoplasia and the prevalence of the disease was investigated. Finally, histopathological changes were assessed in soft‐shell clams experimentally exposed to four concentrations of chlorothalonil for 27 days. Haemic neoplasia could not be induced at any concentration of chlorothalonil. Clams exposed to a concentration of 1000 μg L^?1 of the fungicide, however, exhibited an LC50 of 17 days. Although this information provides additional toxicity information (LC50) for soft‐shell clams, further experiments are required to assess longer term exposure to the fungicide. The highest prevalences of haemic neoplasia in PEI were found in North River and Miscouche (28.3–50.9% and 33.0–77.8%, respectively). No clear seasonal patterns were found. There was a correlation between haemic neoplasia prevalence and watersheds with a high percentage of potato acreage and forest coverage (P = 0.026 and P = 0.045, respectively), suggesting a link between anthropogenic activity and the prevalence of the disease.     

Optimal dietary protein requirement for juvenile ivory shell, Babylonia areolate

A growth experiment was conducted to determine the optimal dietary protein requirement for juvenile ivory shell reared in indoor aerated aquaria. Six isoenergetic experimental diets using fish meal, casein and gelatin as protein sources were formulated to contain graded levels of protein (27, 33, 38, 43, 49 and 54% of dry diet, respectively). Triplicate groups of 40 shells (average weight 93.50 ± 1.70 mg) were stocked in 120-l tanks and fed to apparent satiation twice daily for 8 weeks. The results showed that the growth performance and feed utilization were significantly affected by dietary protein level (P < 0.05). Maximum weight gain, mean protein gain, specific growth rate and soft body to shell ratio occurred at 43% dietary protein level (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in protein, lipid, moisture and ash content in soft body; except that ash content in shell was not significantly affected by dietary protein level. Pepsin activity in soft body tissue significantly increased with dietary protein level up to 43%, and trypsin-like enzyme activity increased with dietary protein level up to 49%. However, lipase activity in soft body decreased with increasing dietary protein level. However, no significant differences (P < 0.05) in survival, calcium, phosphorus concentration in the shell and soft body were found among dietary treatments. Quadratic regression analysis of weight gain against dietary protein level indicated that the optimal dietary protein requirement for maximum growth and feed utilization of juvenile ivory shell is 45% of dry diet.     

Artificial upwelling to stimulate growth of non‐toxic algae in a habitat for mussel farming

Large‐scale artificial upwelling was tested as a method to enhance the environmental conditions for the growth of non‐toxic algae in a Norwegian fjord (61°0′N, 6°22′E). The experiment was designed to evaluate if nutrient‐rich seawater, brought up from below the mixed zone of a stratified fjord to the euphotic zone by air bubbling, would stimulate the growth of non‐toxic relative to toxic algae. Pumping 44 m³ min^?1 of air at 1 atm through a pipe diffuser submerged at 40 m depth formed a buoyancy flux that lifted 60 m³ s^?1 of deep water to the upper 17 m over a period of 21 days. The supply of silicate, inorganic nitrogen and phosphate to the upper 10 m in the fjord increased, and a significant increase in the biomass of non‐toxic algae was observed. The upwelling gave an increased growth of the non‐toxic dinoflagell ates Ceratium furca and C. tripos. After termination of the experiment, the phytoplankton biomass decreased significantly, whereas a distinct increase occurred in the relative biomass of the potentially toxic Dinophysis spp. The result is considered promising when it comes to creating controlled geographical areas with non‐toxic food for mussel production.     

Ability of salmon growth hormone to accelerate somatic growth of juvenil abalone Haliotis discus hannai

ABSTRACT:   The ability of salmon growth hormone (sGH) to accelerate the somatic growth of juvenile abalone Haliotis discus hannai by immersion was examined. After immersion for one hour into a sGH-rich solution at a concentration of 30 mg/L, the sGH immunoreactivity in the body fluid of abalone was maximal after one day, and levels were still detectable at two days. No immunoreactivity was observed in the control group. Following immersion for one hour at one or two-week intervals for 120 weeks into the sGH-rich solution at 30 mg/L, the sGH-immersed abalone exhibited a significant increase in shell length and body weight. On the other hand, abalone immersed into a salmon prolactin (sPRL)-rich solution at 30 mg/L for one hour showed a lower increase in both shell length and body weight than the sGH-immersed abalone. No increases in shell length and body weight were observed in either the bovine serum albumin-immersed abalone or untreated controls. These results provide evidence that sGH can be transported from ambient water into the circulatory system of abalone, and can subsequently improve the somatic growth of juveniles.     

Oyster shell–meat sensor

Oyster processing sometimes requires determining if the shucking process has been completed. One application of this requirement is in the automated Wheaton oyster shucking machine where one oyster shell valve is removed and it is necessary to determine before the oyster proceeds through the remaining machine components whether the valve has been removed. Failure to remove the valve will cause the oyster meat to be destroyed downstream in the processing system. Thus, an automated sensor was developed to view the oyster and determine automatically if the valve was removed. The sensor is based on the difference in light absorption between the oyster meat and shell. Light reflected from the oyster passing beneath the sensor enters the sensor and passes through a beam splitter. Each light beam passes through a different narrow band filter and into a photocell. The output difference between the two photocells was used to determine if an oyster meat or shell was passing beneath the sensor. The sensor output for the 875 nm shell sensor varied from 0.143 to 0.305 mV and for the 975 nm shell sensor varied from 0.27 to 0.615 mV. When looking at meat the 875 nm sensor output varied from 0.157 to 0.305 mV and the 975 nm sensor varied from 0.307 to 0.622 mV. Results show the sensor will detect the difference between the oyster shell and the meat as long as there are readings for both sensing elements for both the meat and the shell. With the Wheaton shucking machine the design configuration will provide only a wavelength readings for either the meat or the shell but not both. Suggestions are presented to modify the system to allow the sensor to differentiate between the oyster meat and shell.

Because the study was designed to determine if the sensor would perform as designed data on the sensor speed was not available. However, the sensor was designed as part of a shucking machine with a design shucking rate of 60 oyster/min. With the electronic processing needed and the available computer processing power today the sensor should be able to meet the 60 oyster/min for which the shucking machine was designed.     

Effects of dietary guaiacol on shell biomineralization of juvenile abalone Haliotis discus hannai, Ino

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of guaiacol on shell biomineralization of abalone Haliotis discus hannai Ino. Seven semi-purified diets were formulated with graded levels of guaiacol (0, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 mg kg⁻¹). Abalone (initial weight: 0.29±0.01 g; initial shell length: 8.55±0.27 mm) were fed with these diets in a re-circulated water system for 152 days. The results showed that the contents of calcite in the shell increased significantly with dietary guaiacol levels, but the aragonite content decreased significantly. Dietary guaiacol significantly decreased the contents of calcium and strontium, but significantly increased the magnesium content in the shell. The effects of dietary guaiacol on the contents of phosphorus and zinc in shell were not significant. It was obvious that the ratio of potential acidic/basic amino acids [(Asx+Glx)/(Lys+Arg+His)] in the shell was elevated by dietary guaiacol. In conclusion, dietary guaiacol has effects on both the mineralogy and the amino acid composition in the shell. Furthermore, changes in mineralogy are related to the ratio of (Asx+Glx)/(Lys+Arg+His) in the shell.     

Settlement of larval top shell <Emphasis Type="Italic">Turbo (Batillus) cornutus</Emphasis> in response to several marine algae

ABSTRACT:     The settlement of larval top shell Turbo  ( Batillus )  cornutus in response to seven macroalgal and three benthic diatom species was examined in the laboratory. The percentages of larval settlement differed significantly among algal species, and were significantly higher on two red algal species ( Marginisporum crassissima , an articulated coralline alga, and Gelidium elegans , an agarophyte) than on the green algae, brown algae and benthic diatoms tested. Marginisporum crassissima induced larval settlement most strongly throughout the experiments. The percentage of larval settlement on a crustose coralline alga (unidentified species), which is known as a suitable substratum for abalone larvae, was much lower than on M. crassissima and G. elegans , which have morphologically complex growth forms . The percentage of settled individuals on ethanol-killed M. crassissima was much lower than on intact M. crassissima . The results indicate that physical structure is unlikely to be the main inducer of settlement; therefore, settlement of top shell larvae seems to be strongly induced by chemicals from the two red algal species. The specific distribution of juvenile top shell in the field may be at least partly determined by the strong induction of larval settlement by articulated coralline and gelidiacean algae.     

Evaluating diel, ontogenetic and environmental effects on larval fish vertical distribution using Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale and Shape

Changes in ichthyoplankton vertical distributions can have important consequences with respect to larval transport and survivorship, yet determining the relative importance of environmental influences on vertical migrations in a statistically meaningful framework remains challenging. Here we use Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale and Shape (GAMLSS) and Akaike Information Criteria (AIC) to model the vertical distribution of larval Urophycis regia collected over a 108-h time series on the Mid-Atlantic Bight shelf. Depth was the response variable weighted by two measures of larval abundance: concentrations (number 100 m⁻³) and proportions at depth. Mean and variance of depth were modeled as a function of time, wind stress, current velocity, water column stratification and ontogeny. Model results indicated a large effect of stage for both concentration- and proportion-based analyses. Subsequent and separate analyses on preflexion and postflexion U. regia indicated a differential response to the environmental parameters based on ontogeny. Model results suggested preflexion U. regia do not have a diel pattern in vertical distribution, but do avoid areas of high surface turbulence related to wind stress. In contrast, postflexion larvae have a significant diel pattern of vertical distribution mediated by surface turbulence (increased variance). The statistical approaches applied here offer the potential to evaluate the effect of multiple factors on vertical distribution and have provided significant insight into the factors that influence the vertical distribution of spotted hake larvae.     

Shell growth and age determination of the brackish water bivalve Corbicula japonica in Lake Shinji, Japan

ABSTRACT:   Shell growth and age determination of Corbicula japonica were investigated from samples collected monthly at two sites and field growth experiments from November 1999 to November 2000 in Lake Shinji. Both specimens did not grow in winter when the water temperature was below 11°C, but grew rapidly from spring to early summer when the water temperature rose from 15°C to 30°C, before further growing slowly from summer to autumn after the main breeding period. The monthly marginal growth distribution of the samples indicated that the concentric groove on the shell surface was an annual growth ring. It is concluded that the age of C .  japonica in the i -ring group when the shell growth resumed in spring was i  + 0.5 ( i  = 1, 2, · · ·), because the first true growth ring was formed at 0–2 mm in shell length, which then faded with growth. Lee's phenomenon was observed in the age determination results, and thus the growth coefficient and the asymptotic shell length of the von Bertalanffy growth equation were not estimated from the samples. However, these parameters were estimated from the annual shell length increments of the experimental individuals, which were 0.331/year and 28.2 mm, respectively.     

Establishment of shell growth analysis technique of juvenile Manila clam <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ruditapes philippinarum</Emphasis>: semidiurnal shell increment formation

ABSTRACT:   The conventional acetate peel method was modified to analyze the shell growth pattern of juvenile Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum as small as 2 mm in shell length (SL). In the outer shell layer along the axis of maximum growth, two types of growth increments were observed: distinct increments and indistinct increments, which, respectively, do and do not continue to the middle shell layer. The distinct increments were found to be formed every two days in intertidal and shallow subtidal zones by field enclosure experiments of juveniles with datum points marked with alizarin complexone. Growth patterns of juveniles (12 mm SL) collected from the Seaside Park of Yokohama in Tokyo Bay were analyzed to confirm the modified method. Mean daily shell growth rate from April to July 2005 ranged 120–142 μm/day, which was reasonable as compared with previous studies. It was impossible to backcalculate the growth to the settlement size (i.e. 0.2 mm SL) because of erosion of the outer shell surface, and the smallest backcalculated minimum shell length was 0.8 mm. Fluctuations in daily growth rate were high, ranging 29–315 μm/day, and did not show a clear two-weekly rhythm.     

A partial substitution of microalgae with single cell detritus produced from seaweed (Porphyra haitanensis) for the nursery culture of tropical oyster (Crassostrea belcheri)

Oyster seed production in hatchery and nursery systems has relied on the production of microalgae, which is cost effective, but often unpredictable. The development of a satisfactory substitute diet would greatly reduce production costs of hatchery operations. Single cell detritus (SCD) production from seaweed (Porphyra haitanensis) may have great potential as a partial substitute for microalgae. In this experiment, a technique for producing SCD was developed and the product was used as a partial substitute for microalgae for the nursery culture of juvenile tropical oysters (Crassostrea belcheri) in a hatchery setting. A reverse osmosis technique was used on ground seaweed (particle size <200 μm) immersed in freshwater and placed on a shaker at 100 rpm for 2 h before being returned to seawater. This technique was shown to be highly effective for SCD production with a density of 33.7 ± 7.0 × 10⁴ cell mL^?1 and the percentage of SCD particle diameter <20 μm was 89.2%. A partial replacement of microalgae with SCD was found to be unsuitable for nursing oyster larvae. For juvenile oysters (shell width 1.85 ± 0.03 mm and shell length 1.78 ± 0.06 mm) substituting 75% of microalgae with SCD showed lower absolute shell growth, and lower daily yields and survival rates when compared to rates substituting 50% or lower substitution with SCD, or 100% microalgae (P < 0.05). It was found that substituting 50% of the traditional microalgae with SCD produced from seaweed (P. haitanensis) can be used as a partial microalgae substitute for the nursery culture of the juvenile tropical oyster.     

Suitability of cage culture for Pacific abalone Haliotis discus hannai Ino production in China

Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai Ino) aquaculture is a thriving industry in China. This study describes a novel submerged cage culture system for abalone rearing in Fujian, South China. The cage consisted of five vertical slots that were oriented perpendicular to the flow of water. The slots were separated by six vertically connected plastic plates for abalone attachment and shelter at the bottom of the cage. Experiment 1 was designed to determine the appropriate stocking density at the start of the abalone sea‐based production cycle. Eight‐month‐old hatchery reared and size‐graded juveniles were transferred to the sea‐based culture system. For different stocking densities, shell length of juveniles obtained in this novel culture system on 2, 3.5 and 5 months, respectively, was compared with shell lengths obtained in a traditionally multi‐tier basket culture system. In Experiment 2, daily growth rates (DGRs) in shell length and biomass in terms of wet weight of 2‐year‐old abalones reared in cage and tiered basket culture systems were compared over a 6‐month period. Results of Experiment 1 showed that growth of abalone in the cage culture system is density‐dependent; the mean final shell length of juveniles obtained was 6.7–15.9% higher than in tiered baskets system even at the same initial stocking density. In Experiment 2, DGRs in shell length of 53.83–78.38 μm day^?1 obtained in cage system were significantly higher than that in tiered baskets (P < 0.01). And in terms of wet weight biomass, it was 1.48–3.01 times higher in the cage system compared with the traditional system. Abalone survival was more than 87.5% in both culture systems in both experiments. Advantages of the newly established cage culture system included better growth performance of the animals reared and potential improvement of rearing conditions, such as improved water flow velocity and dissolved oxygen.     

Larval and post‐larval growth,spat production and off‐bottom cultivation of the smooth venus clam Chionista fluctifraga

Harvesting practices of the clam Chionista fluctifraga show a decline in commercial size and densities, but no strategies have been developed to maintain clam beds. Aquaculture represents an alternative for preserving this resource. Adult clams from commercial grounds were used as broodstock. Conditioning, induction of spawning, cultivation of larvae, settlement of eyed larvae and nursing of postlarvae were performed in the hatchery for producing spat. Larvae and postlarvae were used to measure increase in shell height and data were fitted to exponential growth models. Spat were placed in floating trays and maintained in off‐bottom cultivation for 9 months. Samples of clams and tissues were collected monthly to measure absolute growth, shell height increase and a condition index. Larvae, postlarvae and juveniles showed exponential growth patterns. Mean shell height increased about 0.030 mm day^?1 during larval and post‐larval stages and 0.049 mm day^?1 during field cultivation. Pediveligers (height 215 ± 83 μm) entered metamorphosis at days 9–13 after fertilization, and postlarvae reached 3011.7 ± 325.5 μm (height) at day 60. After field cultivation, survival was about 95%; juvenile shell height was 20.6 ± 2.2 mm, and total weight was 5.3 ± 0.7 g. Growth rates were superior to natural conditions and the condition index was high throughout the study. Our results show that spat of C. fluctifraga can be produced in the hatchery, and that field production can be maintained in off‐bottom trays until reaching commercial size. Aquaculture activities for this species need to be established and evaluated.     

Lipids, buoyancy and the seasonal vertical migration of Calanus finmarchicus

The copepod Calanus finmarchicus remains in diapause for up to 5 months in the cold (<0.5°C) deep (>700 m) waters of the Faroe–Shetland Channel of the north-western approaches to the North Sea. While in diapause, C. finmarchicus has a high lipid content, up to 76% of dry weight, mostly in the form of wax esters. The question we address here is how copepods with such a high content of buoyant lipids can remain in diapause at depth for an extended period of time? The corollary to this is how this lipid content hinders and/or assists the copepods in their seasonal vertical migration? Part of the answer is due to the physical properties of wax esters. These have a thermal expansion and compressibility higher than that of sea water. Thus, depending on their relative composition (i.e. wax esters/water/protein/chitin), a copepod that is positively buoyant in warm surface waters can become neutrally buoyant in cold deep water. We develop a simple three component physical model of a copepod to explore how and where they attain neutral buoyancy, how the lipid content can aid in their ascent, and what fraction of the lipids can be utilized in ascent in gonad/egg formation while maintaining observed ascent rates. As well as being an energy reserve, the results show that rather than being a barrier to vertical migration, wax esters serve as an important regulator of buoyancy.     

Optimal protein level in a semipurified diet for juvenile greenlip abalone Haliotis laevigata

To optimize dietary protein level in relation to growth, semipurified diets with an essential amino acid profile similar to that of the soft body profile were fed for 59 days to young greenlip abalone, Haliotis laevigata (initial shell length, 15–25 mm). Animals were housed in 10-L acrylic tanks, with flow-through seawater supplied at 1 L min^–1 (20 °C, salinity= 36 g L^–1). Protein level of feeds ranged from 122 g kg^–1 to 461 g kg^–1 crude protein (CP) on an 'as is' basis. Second-order polynomial regression analysis of specific growth rate indicated that maximal growth occurs at 270 g kg^–1 CP. The protein and energy components of the feed were estimated to have a digestibility of 71.7% and 55.6%, respectively.     

不同地理群体菲律宾蛤仔壳形态对体重性状的影响研究

采集我国南北沿海9个地理群体的菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum),利用通径分析等方法评估各群体形态性状对活体重和软体重的影响。结果显示,各群体壳长、壳高、壳宽和壳厚4 个形态性状对菲律宾蛤仔活体重和软体重的影响存在显著差异。除壳厚外,其他形态性状与活体重和软体重呈显著相关(P < 0.05)。通径分析和决定系数分析显示,大多数群体的壳宽对活体重和软体重的直接作用最大。2个形态比例参数(壳宽/壳长和壳高/壳长)最大值出现在山东莱州群体(0.49和0.74),而最小值出现在大连东港群体(0.42和0.67)。壳厚的变异系数最大(22.74),而壳高的变异系数最小(9.47)。通过检验偏回归系数的显著性,建立了各群体形态性状对软体重的最优回归方程。聚类分析表明,菲律宾蛤仔不同群体未出现明显的地域分布特征,而呈现出不规律的南北交替聚类现象。本研究查明了不同地理群体菲律宾蛤仔壳形态性状对体重性状的影响,为菲律宾蛤仔地理群体的形态判别、种质资源分析和遗传育种研究等提供了重要科学依据。     

Combined effects of temperature,salinity and rearing density on growth and survival of juvenile ivory shell,Babylonia areolata (Link 1807) population in Thailand

The ivory shell, Babylonia areolata (Link 1807), has been exploited as an important aquaculture organism along the southern China coast. In order to obtain optimal culture conditions for ivory shell juvenile, the central composite rotatable design was used to estimate the combined effects of temperature, salinity and rearing density on accumulated growth rate (AGR) and survival rate (SR). The results showed that the linear effects of temperature and rearing density on both growth and survival were highly significant (P < 0.01), but there was no significant effect on salinity (P > 0.05). The quadratic effects of temperature, salinity and rearing density influenced growth significantly (P < 0.01). The quadratic effects of temperature and salinity on survival of juvenile snail were significant (P < 0.01), the combined effects between the quadratic effect of temperature and the linear effect of rearing density influenced survival significantly (P < 0.01); the interactive effects of temperature, salinity and rearing density played a significant role in survival (P < 0.01). As can be seen from the above experimental results, the effects of temperature and salinity on growth and survival of B. areolata were strengthened with enhanced rearing density in a certain range and vice versa. By optimization using the response surface method, the optimal point was found at a temperature of 26.81°C, a salinity of 28.76 ppt and a rearing density of 527.07 ind m^?2. Under these conditions, the optimal AGR and SR were 36.84 mg day^?1 and 99.99%, respectively, with a satisfaction function value of 99.71%.     

Gastric dilation and air sacculitis in farmed chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum)

A syndrome affecting cultured chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum), characterized by distended abdomens, gastric dilation, air sacculitis (GDAS), increased feed conversion rates and increased mortality has been recognized in New Zealand. Affected fish were most obvious in sea cages but were also present in fresh water. Mortality rates associated with this condition were highest in late summer and approached 6% per month. A dilated and flaccid stomach, without visible rugal folds containing copious oil, watery fluid or undigested feed was typical. Gastric mucosal ulceration or inflammation were not present. The air sacculitis consisted of a thickened, dilated bladder with a mixed mucosal inflammatory infiltrate and a luminal exudate associated with large numbers of morphologically diverse bacteria. Gastric dilation or air sacculitis occurred alone or together in the same fish. In a group of 20 subclinically affected fish with or without gastric dilation, there were no significant differences in weight, length, serum osmolality, sodium, total protein or packed cell volume. Twenty-three severely affected fish had significantly ( P  < 0.05) higher serum osmolality but similar sodium and total protein to that of clinically normal fish.     

Effects of ontogeny, temperature, and light on vertical movements of larval Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus)

The role of behavior, especially vertical migration, is recognized as a critical component of realistic models of larval fish dispersion. Unfortunately, our understanding of these behaviors lags well behind our ability to construct three-dimensional flow-field models. Previous field studies of vertical behavior of larval Pacific cod ( Gadus macrocephalus ) were limited to small, preflexion stages (≤11 mm SL) in a narrow range of thermal conditions. To develop a more complete picture of larval behavior, we examined the effects of ontogeny, temperature, and light on vertical responses of larval Pacific cod in experimental columns. While eggs were strictly demersal, yolk-sac larvae displayed a strong surface orientation as early as 1 day post hatch (∼ 5 mm SL). Consistent with field observations, small preflexion larvae (<10 mm SL) showed no response to varying light levels. However, there was a direct effect of temperature on larval behavior: Pacific cod larvae exhibited a stronger surface orientation at 4°C than at 8°C. The behavior of larger, postflexion larvae (>15 mm SL) in experimental columns was consistent with a diel vertical migration and independent of water temperature: fish were more widely distributed in the column, and median positions were consistently deeper at higher light levels. These laboratory observations are combined with observations from discrete-depth (MOCNESS) sampling in the Gulf of Alaska to characterize the vertical distribution of larval Pacific cod and contrast ontogenetic patterns with walleye pollock ( Theragra chalcogramma ). The vertical movements of larval Pacific cod described here will be applied in the development of dispersal projections from Gulf of Alaska spawning grounds.