Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) production and stable isotope dynamics in clear‐water recirculating aquaculture systems versus biofloc systems

Closed recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) offer advantages over traditional culture methods including enhanced biosecurity, the possibility of indoor, inland culture of marine species year‐round and potential marketing opportunities for fresh, never‐frozen seafood. Questions still remain regarding what type of aquaculture system may be best suited for the closed‐system culture of marine shrimp. In this study, shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) were grown in clear‐water RAS and in biofloc‐based systems. Comparisons were made between the system types with respect to water quality, shrimp production and stable isotope dynamics used to determine the biofloc contribution to shrimp nutrition. Ammonia and nitrite concentrations were higher, and shrimp survival was lower in the biofloc systems. Although stable isotope levels indicated that biofloc material may have contributed 28% of the carbon and 59% of the nitrogen in shrimp tissues, this did not correspond with improved shrimp production. Overall, the water column microbial communities in biofloc systems may be more difficult to manage than clear‐water RAS which have external filters to control water quality. Biofloc does seem to offer some nutritional contributions, but exactly how to take advantage of that and ensure improved production remains unclear.     

用剩余产量模型专家系统(CLIMPROD)评估东海鲐鲹鱼类最大持续产量

根据统计资料，利用剩余产量模型专家系统（CLIMPROD）对东海鲐鲹鱼类最大持续产量（MSY）作了评估分析。结果表明：东海鲐鲹鱼类合计分析时的MSY在34．5~44．2万吨之间，接种类分别评估时，鲐鱼的MSY为16．1万吨，蓝圆鲹为22．2万吨；按区域分析时，鲐鲹鱼东海北部群的MSY为12．5~13．2万吨，福建沿海群为20．1万吨。     

Depensation: evidence, models and implications

We review the evidence supporting depensation, describe models of two depensatory mechanisms and how they can be included in population dynamics models and discuss the implications of depensation. The evidence for depensation can be grouped into four mechanisms: reduced probability of fertilisation, impaired group dynamics, conditioning of the environment and predator saturation. Examples of these mechanisms come from a broad range of species including fishes, arthropods, birds, mammals and plants. Despite the large number of studies supporting depensatory mechanisms, there is very little evidence of depensation that is strong enough to be important in a population's dynamics. However, because factors such as demographic and environmental variability make depensatory population dynamics difficult to detect, this lack of evidence should not be interpreted as evidence that depensatory dynamics are rare and unimportant. The majority of depensatory models are based on reduced probability of fertilisation and predator saturation. We review the models of these mechanisms and different ways they can be incorporated in population dynamics models. Finally, we discuss how depensation may affect optimal harvesting, pest control and population viability analysis.     

Using knowledge of behaviour and optic physiology to improve fish passage through culverts

Culverts reduce connectivity for aquatic animals by being both a hydraulic and physical barrier. However, altered light intensity may also be a behavioural barrier to fish movement, especially for diurnal species that have adapted to moving when it is light. We propose that knowledge of optical physiology and fish behaviour, two important mechanisms underpinning movement, can inform efforts to improve fish movement through culverts. We firstly review the sensory systems of fish with reference to visual sense and explore how this affects fish movement. We then highlight theoretical knowledge that can help us understand fish behaviour and the potential mismatch between the conditions under which fish have evolved and altered conditions within culverts. We describe potential knowledge gaps and directions for future research to improve our understanding of how culverts may affect fish movement. Finally, we explore the potential costs and ecological benefits of different mitigation options to identify those with the most promise for managing the light environment in culverts to facilitate movement. For researchers and managers exploring this subject, we suggest an approach that: (a) identifies light requirements for movement by different species, (b) tests movement under different light conditions and (c) considers an integrative assessment method for testing fish behaviour around culverts. Understanding how optical physiology, fish behaviour and culvert design influence fish movement can improve connectivity for a range of species.     

A collective navigation hypothesis for homeward migration in anadromous salmonids

Anadromous salmon (genera Oncorhynchus and Salmo) spend much of their lives feeding in productive northern oceans and then return home to natal sites for reproduction with remarkable accuracy. The mechanisms used for navigation by individuals during migrations are thought to include geomagnetic, celestial and olfactory cues, but rarely are social interactions between individuals considered. Mounting evidence from other taxa indicates that individuals in larger groups can better sense and respond to environmental cues, thus potentially increasing their ability to navigate. Here, we propose that salmon might similarly benefit from collective navigation on their homeward journey. To explore this, we compiled data from multiple studies and found strong evidence that rates of successful homing increase with population abundance, consistent with collective navigation. We then discuss how collective navigation could benefit salmon during each stage of their seaward and homeward migrations, and complement this with a review of salmon sociality. Next, we analyse historic high‐seas catch records and provide new insight into schooling structure of salmon in the marine environment. We argue that collective navigation likely represents a presently under‐appreciated mechanism enhancing the navigational ability of salmon as well as other migratory species, and outline critical tests of our hypothesis.     

Vertical distribution of larval Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) and Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus): Implications for vertical migratory behaviour and transport

Understanding the interactions among biological and physical processes is essential to determining how the environment affects transport and survival of fishes. We examined vertical distribution in larval Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) and Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) using 126 depth stratified tows in Delaware Bay, USA, during two cruises, in December 2007 and February 2008. Menhaden larvae were 16.8–24.6 and 20.5–26.2 mm standard length in December and February. Corresponding lengths for croaker were 9.3–17.9 and 8.6–19.6 mm. Using empirical observations, and statistically derived models, we explored larval concentration for both species as a function of location, depth, diel period, tidal period, size, and pairwise interactions. Menhaden concentration was best modeled as a function of station, cruise, and interactions between depth and size as well as between station and cruise. No significant differences in larval menhaden concentration were present among tidal and diel periods. Croaker concentration was best modeled as a function of size and interactions between station and diel period, depth and size, cruise and size. Despite tidal period not emerging as a significant model parameter, we observed larger croaker larvae during nighttime flood tides. Our statistical models are consistent with processes of up‐estuary transport for both species, suggesting larvae are increasingly affected by behavioral responses as larvae grow, exhibiting stronger patterns in vertical distribution. The results refine our understanding of the potential importance of size‐related differences in vertical distribution for larval transport in these species. Future research should examine the interactions among size‐specific vertical migratory capabilities, vertical distribution, transport, and retention.     

Abiotic and biotic associations between the round goby Neogobius melanostomus and tubenose goby Proterorhinus marmoratus with the endangered northern madtom Noturus stigmosus in Canada

1. Quantifying habitat associations and threats to the persistence of imperilled species is a fundamental step for initiating species recovery efforts, but the traits associated with species imperillment (e.g. rarity and vulnerability to stressors) also limit the ability to empirically inform recovery strategies. Novel sampling designs and modelling approaches are therefore needed to quantitatively assess habitat associations and the threats to species persistence.
2. To improve the understanding of habitat associations and threats for one of the rarest endangered freshwater fish species in Canada, northern madtom (Noturus stigmosus), two‐species occupancy models were developed with two invasive gobies: round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) and tubenose goby (Proterorhinus marmoratus). Models were parameterized with data from a multi‐year benthic trawling survey of two large Great Lakes tributaries in southern Ontario, Canada, and subsequently used to evaluate the need for reducing measurement error with future sampling efforts.
3. The probability of detecting northern madtom in the St. Clair (0.163) and Thames (0.194) rivers was low compared with round goby (St. Clair, 0.827; Thames, 0.833) and tubenose goby (St. Clair, 0.297). The best occupancy models indicated a negative association between northern madtom and round goby in the St. Clair River and the importance of gravel substrate for northern madtom.
4. Up to 16 repeated non‐detections using benthic trawls are needed to be 95% confident that northern madtom is absent at a site, indicating that current sampling approaches are likely inadequate.
5. Despite low detection probabilities, intensive trawling surveys combined with the two‐species occupancy modelling framework provided vital information for describing habitat associations for northern madtom and identified a significant negative association with round goby. Nonetheless, alternative sampling methods to improve the detection probability of northern madtom would allow a more robust evaluation of habitat associations and would provide more information on the negative association with round goby.

     

Modelling of stream fishes in the Great Plains, USA

Abstract –  Predicting species distributions has important implications for the conservation and management of freshwater fishes, particularly in areas such as the Great Plains, USA where human impacts have resulted in extirpations and declines for numerous native species. There are a number of statistical approaches for constructing distributional models; the accuracy of each is likely dependent on the nature of the environmental gradients, species responses to those gradients and the spatial extent of the modelling. Thus, it is important to compare multiple approaches across species and habitats to identify the most effective modelling approach. Using geographical information system (GIS) derived characteristics of stream segments as predictors, we tested the model performance of three methodologies – linear discriminant function analysis, classification trees and artificial neural networks (ANN) – for predicting the occurrence of 38 fish species in a Great Plains river basin. Results showed that all approaches predicted species occurrences with relatively high success. ANN generally were the best models, in that they generated the most significant models (35 of 38 species) and most accurately predicted species presence for the greatest number of species (average correct classification = 81.1%). The importance of GIS variables for predicting stream fish occurrences varied among species and modelling techniques, but were generally strong predictors of species distributions, including the federally endangered Topeka shiner Notropis topeka . In summary, predictive models should be viewed as both competitive and complementary methodologies for establishing quantitative linkages between fish species and their environment. Our study demonstrates the potential utility of such an approach for guiding conservation efforts for stream fishes of the Great Plains, USA.     

Respiratory mode and gear type are important determinants of elasmobranch immediate and post‐release mortality

Estimated declines in shark and ray populations worldwide have raised major, widespread concern about the impacts of global fisheries on elasmobranchs. The mechanisms causing elasmobranch mortality during fisheries’ capture are not fully understood, but we must gain greater clarity on this topic for fisheries managers to develop effective conservation plans to mitigate further population declines. To evaluate how two important factors, respiratory mode and fishing gear type, impact elasmobranch survival, we compiled publicly available data sources on the immediate mortality percentages of 83 species and post‐release mortality percentages of 40 species. Using Bayesian models, we found that sharks and rays captured in longlines had significantly lower immediate mortality than those caught in trawls or gillnets. Our models also predicted the mean total discard mortality (combined immediate and post‐release mortality) percentages of obligate ram‐ventilating elasmobranchs caught in longline, gillnet and trawl gear types to be 49.8, 79.0 and 84.2%, respectively. In contrast, total discard mortality percentages of stationary‐respiring species were significantly lower (longline capture mean = 7.2%, gillnet capture mean = 25.3%, trawl capture mean = 41.9%). Our global meta‐analysis provides the first quantified demonstration of how mortality is affected by these two factors across a broad range of species. Our results and approach can be applied to data‐deficient elasmobranchs and fisheries to identify species that are likely to experience high rates of mortality due to respiratory mode and/or fishing methods used, so that appropriate mitigation measures can be prioritized and investigated.     

DEMAND FOR AQUACULTURE PRODUCTS IN TAIWAN: AN APPLICATION OF THE GENERALIZED MODEL

ABSTRACT

Policy decisions on what aquaculture products to develop require information on consumer demand for cultured species. However, information on the structure of demand for aquaculture products is limited and what few studies there are in Taiwan, where aquaculture is a major industry, suffer from methodological problems. To clear up some of these problems, we used modified nonnested testing techniques and performance forecasting to determine which generalized models could best estimate the demand for Taiwanese aquaculture products. The results of modified nonnested testing of the aquaculture demand system showed that prices predetermined and quantities predetermined could be used to estimate demand. The generalized ordinary demand model was able to better forecast performance than the generalized inverse demand model. We used the likelihood ratio test to discriminate among the four competing models for the generalized ordinary model; the AIDS model could be more suitably applied to the data. A more general model that is able to incorporate different dynamic structures (partial adjustment, first autoregressive, and static). This general framework is applied to the AIDS model. The first autoregressive AIDS model we used to calculate the own and cross-price elasticities for milkfish, tilapia, shrimp, shellfish, and carps found that price elasticities varied across fish type, that some products had high long-run own price elasticities, and that the demand for aquaculture products was largely determined by inertia.     

A review of ecological models for brown trout: towards a new demogenetic model

Abstract – Ecological models for stream fish range in scale from individual fish to entire populations. They have been used to assess habitat quality and to predict the demographic and genetic responses to management or disturbance. In this paper, we conduct the first comprehensive review and synthesis of the vast body of modelling literature on the brown trout, Salmo trutta L., with the aim of developing the framework for a demogenetic model, i.e., a model integrating both population dynamics and genetics. We use a bibliometric literature review to identify two main categories of models: population ecology (including population dynamics and population genetics) and population distribution (including habitat–hydraulic and spatial distribution). We assess how these models have previously been applied to stream fish, particularly brown trout, and how recent models have begun to integrate them to address two key management and conservation questions: (i) How can we predict fish population responses to management intervention? and (ii) How is the genetic structure of fish populations influenced by landscape characteristics? Because salmonid populations tend to show watershed scale variation in both demographic and genetic traits, we propose that models combining demographic, genetic and spatial data are promising tools for improving their management and conservation. We conclude with a framework for an individual‐based, spatially explicit demogenetic model that we will apply to stream‐dwelling brown trout populations in the near future.     

How long should we ignore imperfect detection of species in the marine environment when modelling their distribution?

The application of the ‘ecosystem approach’ to marine conservation management demands knowledge of the distribution patterns of the target species or communities. This information is commonly obtained from species distribution models (SDMs). This article explores an important but rarely acknowledged assumption in these models: almost all species may be present, but simply not detected by the particular survey method. However, nearly all of these SDM approaches neglect this important characteristic. This leads to the violation of a fundamental assumption of these models, which presuppose the detection of a species is equal to one (i.e. at each survey locality, a species is perfectly detected). In this article, the concept of imperfect detection is discussed, how it potentially influences the prediction of species' distributions is examined, and some statistical methods that could be used to incorporate the detection probability of species in estimates of their distribution are suggested. The approaches discussed here could improve the collection and interpretation of marine biological survey data and provide a coherent way to incorporate detection probability estimates in the modelling of species distributions. This will ultimately lead to an unbiased and more rigorous understanding of the distribution of species in the marine environment.     

Frameworks for marine conservation — non‐hierarchical approaches and distinctive habitats

• 1. Conservation efforts have traditionally been directed to ‘flagship’ species (whales, seals, migratory birds, etc.) that capture public attention. Often these flagship species occupy distinctive habitats. Distinctive habitats appear to be distinguished because of anomalous physical structures and unique oceanographic processes occurring within them, whereas representative habitats are not notable in this way. Distinctive habitats are found in areas of various physical anomalies described primarily by temperature, chlorophyll and topography.
• 2. Several different kinds of distinctive habitats can be defined by their anomalous physical structures and oceanographic and biological processes. Species diversity may be either higher or lower in distinctive than in representative habitats. Distinctive habitats predominantly belong to a class of environments called ‘ergoclines’, and are typically associated with elevated resources at some ‘trophic level’.
• 3. These elevated resources may be either the product of true production (i.e. they are generated (in situ), or they are the product of physical accumulation due to circulation mechanisms. These processes lie at the heart of the ecology of distinctive habitats, and are fundamental to maintenance of ecosystem health, ecological integrity, distributions, abundances and recruitment of species, patterns of animal migrations, and potential or actual fisheries yields.
• 4. Conservation strategies need to examine the relationships between distinctive and representative habitats and species diversity. A strategy, leading from studies on flagship or other focal species, could have several advantages. It should rejuvenate the inherent appeal and significance of ‘species’ approaches to marine conservation, provide a rationale for human interest and a new foundation for examination of marine ecological interactions. It would also require a novel synthesis of relationships between ‘species’ and ‘spaces’ approaches to marine conservation by asking how we can take the best advantage of both approaches, rather than seeing them as in conflict.

Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

不同模型礁底栖藻类附着效果的初步研究

在潮间带海域开展了不同材料（混凝土、煤灰、橡胶、玻璃钢、鲍壳、牡蛎壳和铁皮）和不同形状混凝土（圆凹形、圆凸形、锯齿凹形和锯齿凸形）模型礁的藻类自然附着试验研究,结果表明：1）在4个半月的6次藻类取样过程中,模型礁上共发现附着的藻类3门13种,其中优势种为绿藻门（Chlorophyta）中的石莼类（Ulvaceae）和浒苔类（Enterom orpha）。2）混凝土、煤灰制作的模型礁上藻类的附着效果最佳,平均盖度分别为65.7%和65.0%,橡胶、玻璃钢、鲍壳和牡蛎壳制作的模型礁居中,平均盖度分别为46.2%、17.8%、26.5%和32.3%,铁皮效果最差,平均盖度仅3%。3）凸形表面模型礁与平面模型礁上藻类的盖度显著高于凹形模型礁（P〈0.05）。4）模型礁上藻类盖度呈现出高-低-高的演替趋势。     

Modeling inflow rates for the water exchange management in semi-intensive aquaculture ponds

Several linear and non-linear models for centralized remote-control systems that can support decision making of semi-intensive aquaculturists concerning the inflow rates to the ponds were evaluated. These models were: multiple linear regressions (MLRs), generalized additive models (GAMs), artificial neural networks (ANNs) and fuzzy logic controllers (FLCs). These modeling techniques were applied in a semi-intensive gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) fishfarm located in southern Spain. The water temperature, ammonia concentration, turbidity and dissolved oxygen concentration in the ponds were measured and used as independent variables. Of all the approaches employed to simulate the actual water exchange operation in the ponds, the best fits were obtained using ANN and FLC models with only three input variables (turbidity measured at the input of the ponds and dissolved oxygen measured at the input and output of the ponds). These models provided levels of correlation between 0.73 and 0.75. In contrast, the best GAM and MLR models provided correlation coefficients of only 0.38 and 0.33, respectively. In spite of the results being statistically significant, the explained variance levels obtained indicate how difficult it is to capture the experience and knowledge of the aquaculturist concerning the operation of the water exchange in the ponds for maintaining the water quality in these production systems.     

Hobbyists acting simultaneously as anglers and aquarists: Novel pathways for non-native fish and impacts on native fish

1. Human translocations of non-native aquatic species are a global conservation challenge. Aquarists and anglers are two hobbyist groups whose practices are particularly likely to translocate non-native aquatic species, especially fish.
2. This article aims to stipulate a change of perspective among these hobbyists, who – by acting simultaneously as anglers and aquarists – establish novel pathways for non-native fish.
3. This study showed that: (i) 51 of 226 respondents to a questionnaire act simultaneously as anglers and aquarists; (ii) 53 of 237 non-native fish species in the European Union are used for both angling and aquarium hobbies; and (iii) hobbyists write online reports on the catch and exchange of a particularly invasive fish, the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus).
4. This combination of knowledge on how hobbyists use non-native fish and the ecological impacts of round goby demonstrates how the impact of an invasive species can be influenced by the combined behaviours of anglers and aquarists.
5. We suggest that future research in aquatic conservation should move beyond considering the commercial aquarium trade and angling as separate pathways for translocating non-native fish, and instead consider these hobbyist groups as interconnected.

     

Developing a landscape‐scale,multi‐species,and cost‐efficient conservation strategy for imperilled aquatic species in the Upper Tennessee River Basin,USA

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Performance of deviance information criterion model selection in statistical catch-at-age analysis

Most stock assessments involve fitting alternative models and selecting among them to provide management advice. Incorrect model specification can lead to unreliable population and mortality estimates, and methods to decide among assessment models so as to obtain reliable estimates are needed. We used Monte Carlo simulations to assess whether using deviance information criterion (DIC) model selection and averaging resulted in improved accuracy of important management quantities from statistical catch-at-age models. We challenged DIC with three estimation models (that differed in how they estimated catchability) and three scenarios of data accuracy and time-varying catchability. DIC usually selected the structurally appropriate model, and point estimates from the best model or the model average were relatively unbiased in that the average deviation from the true value was near zero. The distributions of point estimates about true values from DIC-based model averaging and from the best model (lowest DIC) were similar, perhaps because all of the estimation models were quite similar to the data-generating models. DIC seems to provide a useful metric to compare evidence in favor of alternative assessment models. This study is one of the first to evaluate the performance of DIC in models where the purpose is to predict unobserved quantities.     

New insights into the mechanism of egg activation in fish

The commercial culture of several important species of fish has long been associated with productivity problems generally attributable to fertilisation rates, hatching rates, and embryonic development. Our present knowledge of the molecular processes accompanying fertilisation in fish is scant at best. Here, we examine how new findings about the molecular mechanisms underlying reproduction in other animal groups may help advance our understanding of how egg activation takes place in fish. A better understanding of egg activation in fish is likely to make a highly valuable contribution to future growth of the aquaculture industry.