Age and growth of Gerres sp. (Perciformes: Gerreidae) in Okinawa Island of Southern Japan

A total of 518 Gerres sp. were collected around Okinawa Island, Japan, from November 2002 to July 2005, with monthly sampling where the standard length of females (n=218) were 56.2–147.1 mm, and males (n=149) were 62.2–139.4 mm. The maximum ages observed for females were 5⁺ years and males were 4⁺ years, estimated by transverse sectioned sagittal otoliths. Mean marginal increment indicated that opaque rings were formed once a year during April to July. The standard length (SL; mm) — body wet weight (BW; g) relationships were described as BW=(3.26×10⁻⁵) SL^2.97 and BW=(3.13×10⁻⁵) SL ^2.98 for females and males, respectively, and the standard length at age described by von Bertalanffy growth function for females, L _t=137.1(1−e^{−0.80[t+0.80]}) and males, L _t=127.3(1−e^{−0.82[t+0.93]}).     

Reproductive biology of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sillago aeolus</Emphasis> in Okinawa Island,Japan

ABSTRACT:   A total of 414 fish (female, 59.3–275.0 mm and male, 61.0–220.0 mm standard length) were collected from December 2000 to March 2002 around Okinawa Island, Japan, for the determination of sex, spawning season, maturity and fecundity. Monthly changes in the gonadosomatic index (GSI) exhibited similar trends for both sexes and the mean GSI maintained a high level between February and May. Furthermore, the percentage frequency of hydrated oocytes and the spermatozoic activity suggested that main spawning occurred between February and May. Some hydrated oocytes were found throughout the year, with a GSI value greater than 1.0, suggesting that sporadic spawning occurred. Length at first maturity was determined for females and males as 120 and 113 mm standard length, respectively. Almost 50% and 100% males were matured at the end of their 0 and 1 year of age group, respectively. In contrast, no females were found to be mature at 0+ age group, and almost 60% of females were mature at 1+ age group. At ages over 2 years, all males and females were found to be mature. Batch fecundity (BF) of 33 females was related to standard length, and the relationship between standard length and BF was expressed by the exponential equation: BF = 269.5e^0.020954SL.     

Age,growth and maturation of the blackspot snapper <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lutjanus fulviflammus</Emphasis> around Okinawa Island,Japan

ABSTRACT:   The blackspot snapper Lutjanus fulviflammus is one of the most common Lutjanus species landed and consumed on Okinawa Island, Japan. Using 901 fish (29.9–304.2 mm in standard length; SL) obtained from fish markets or caught by angling, the age, growth, maturation size and maturation age were estimated. Each opaque zone formed on the otolith every year correlated with their spawning and was thought to be an annual ring. The main spawning season was estimated to be from April to July, which peaked in May and June, with a few mature fish collected in August and September. Maximum ages were observed as 24 years for both sexes and L_∞ (mm SL), K and t₀ (years) of the von Bertalanffy growth formula were estimated to be 276, 0.144 and −5.22 for females and 247, 0.227 and −3.18 for males, respectively. First maturation size and age were estimated to be 175 mm SL and 2 years for both sexes. A faster growth rate up to 2 years will allow reproduction at a young age and provide many chances for spawning throughout their long life. Furthermore, the possibility exists that populations would easily recover if regulations were established.     

Reproductive biology of the Japanese silver-biddy,Gerres equulus,in western Kyushu,Japan

The Japanese silver-biddy Gerres equulus (Temminck and Schlegel) is one of the most common shore fish in the costal waters of southern Japan and commercially important for the local fishery. In the present study, the reproductive biology of G. equulus is described for the first time and its spawning season and size at sexual maturity were determined. A total of 1081 specimens (484 males and 597 females) were collected in the Yatsushiro Sea, western Kyushu, Japan, from January 2001 to December 2002. Monthly changes in the gonadosomatic index exhibited higher values between June and September, with a peak in July, and the trend was similar for both sexes. Furthermore, the sequential development of the ovaries observed through the histological studies suggested that the spawning season of G. equulus continued from June to September. The female attained sexual maturity at a minimum size of 141 mm standard length. The simultaneous presence of postovulatory follicles and yolk globules in some ovaries indicated that this species is a multiple spawner.     

Reproductive biology of the dolphin fish Corphaena hippurus on the east coast of Taiwan

ABSTRACT: The dolphin fish, Corphaena hippurus Linnaeus, is one of the most important migratory fishes on the east coast of Taiwan. Present results are based on an investigation of 1439 specimens caught using long-line and driftnet, and set net collected monthly between September 1996 and September 1997. The sex ratio of female to male and female combined was 65%, demonstrating a female predominance. Oocytes became mature and transparent when they attained 1.0 mm in diameter. The total number of oocytes per ovary was estimated to range from 2.78 × 10⁵ to 23.48 × 10>⁵, but batch fecundity was noticeably lower than the total number of ovarian eggs, ranging 5.3–32.7% (average 30.1%), and the relative fecundity ranging 10–344/g bodyweight (mean 111/g bodyweight). Minimum body size at sexual maturity was estimated to be 51 cm for both sexes. Dolphin fish spawned throughout the year with reproductive activity peaking in February to March. It is suggested that the dolphin fish has an extended spawning season, during which it lays eggs almost continuously.     

Diet shift of larval and juvenile landlocked Ryukyu-ayu <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plecoglossus altivelis ryukyuensis</Emphasis> in the Fukuji Reservoir,Okinawa Island,Japan

ABSTRACT:   The diet shift of larval and juvenile Ryukyu-ayu Plecoglossus altivelis ryukyuensis was investigated for the landlocked population stocked in the Fukuji Reservoir, Okinawa Island. Gut contents of 274 specimens (5.1–31.4 mm in body length) including 31 yolk-sac larvae (5.7–8.0 mm) were examined. The diet of larval and juvenile landlocked P. a. ryukyuensis was mainly composed of zooplankton such as dinoflagellates, rotifers, copepods, and cladocerans. Feeding incidence was 48% in total and it gradually increased with growth. Diet analysis clearly demonstrated a diet shift during the larval and juvenile periods. For yolk-sac larvae and 5.0–19.9 mm fish, the diet was dominated by dinoflagellates Gymnodinium sp., and Peridinium sp., both numerically and by frequency, followed by rotifers that mainly consisted of Polyarthra spp. Diet breadth (Levin's standardized index B_A) diversified with growth, and feeding on copepods and cladocerans gradually increased in 10.0–14.9 mm fish. Diet overlap (Morisita's index: C) showed that diet drastically changed in 20.0–24.9 mm fish with a specialization on cladocerans Bosminopsis deitersi and Diaphanosoma brachyurum . This diet shift probably corresponded with an increase of feeding ability resulting from an enlargement of the mouth, increased swimming ability, and the development of sense organs.     

Reproductive biology of female Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis from south-western North Pacific Ocean

Pacific bluefin is a highly valuable pelagic species that inhabits a broad range in the North Pacific Ocean. The reproductive biology, especially for the spawning aggregation in the south-western North Pacific Ocean, is not well understood. Thus, a total of 119 paired ovary specimens were collected from the Taiwanese longline fleet during the 1999 fishing season (late April through June) to gain a better understanding of important reproductivity-related stock parameters associated with this species. The following conclusions were made: (i) condition factor decreased from late May to early June; (ii) the sex ratio might be 1∶1 for spawners; (iii) the gonadosomatic index stayed at a relatively high level and markedly increased from late May to early June; (iv) histological examination of oocytes indicated that all specimens were sexually mature; (v) spawning activity appeared to start in May and peak in late May to early June; (vi) batch fecundity incre ased with fork length; and (vii) preliminary estimates of spawning frequency between batches ranged 2–4.5 days based on analysis of postovulatory follicles.     

Reproductive biology of the female Japanese mantis shrimp Oratosquilla oratoria (Stomatopoda) in relation to changes in the seasonal pattern of larval occurrence in Tokyo Bay, Japan

ABSTRACT:   The reproductive traits and the monthly larval abundance of the mantis shrimp Oratosquilla oratoria were investigated in Tokyo Bay, Japan, in 2002. The goal of the study was to elucidate the cause of changes in the monthly pattern of larval abundance from the 1980s to the 1990s as these changes relate to variation in the stock size of the adult shrimp. Oogenesis was divided into 10 stages by histological observation. The developmental stage of oocytes in an individual's ovary was synchronous, suggesting that almost all the oocytes in an ovary are spawned at the same time. The size at first maturity was estimated to be 7 ≤ body length ( BL ) < 8 cm. Fecundity was expressed as a function of BL , ranging from 19 300 eggs for 8 cm BL to 92 100 eggs for 14 cm BL . Small female shrimps (<10 cm BL ) spawned around August. Most large female shrimps (≥10 cm BL ) spawned around May, and some large female shrimps also spawned until September. Although most large female shrimps spawned in spring, the larval abundance was low before July and high from August onwards. The results suggest that a substantial decrease in the stock size of large individuals causes the low larval abundance before July.     

Reproductive cycle of yellow sea bream <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dentex tumifrons</Emphasis> in Wakasa Bay,the Sea of Japan off central Honshu

ABSTRACT:   To determine the spawning season and reproductive cycle of the yellow sea bream, Dentex tumifrons , in Wakasa Bay, in the Sea of Japan off central Honshu, seasonal change in the gonadosomatic index ( GSI ) was examined and histological observations of both ovaries and testes were conducted. The female GSI gradually increased from May, maintained a high level between August and October and then rapidly decreased. The histological observations of the ovary showed that vitellogenesis began from May and developed until September. Spent fish began to be observed in October and all the fish collected in December were spent. There was only one peak in the seasonal change in GSI of males and females in Wakasa Bay. Thus, yellow sea bream spawn only in autumn in Wakasa Bay. Differences in the reproductive cycle and number of spawning seasons were found between the two different latitudinal areas, Wakasa Bay and the East China Sea (low latitudinal area) where the spawning seasons were spring and autumn. An increase in water temperature is an important factor to initiate gonadal maturation (recrudescence) and is terminated by the short day-length in Wakasa Bay.     

Comparison of spatiotemporal patterns in reproduction of the kuruma prawn Marsupenaeus japonicus between two regions having different geographic conditions in Kyushu, southern Japan

ABSTRACT:   The Yatsushiro Sea and Shibushi Bay are, respectively, located on the western and south-eastern coast of Kyushu, southern Japan. The Yatsushiro Sea is a shallow semi-enclosed inland sea, whereas Shibushi Bay is an open-type bay with a deep and wide mouth facing the open sea. The size at sexual maturity and spatiotemporal patterns of reproduction of the kuruma prawn Marsupenaeus japonicus (Decapoda, Penaeidae) were examined and compared between these two regions. In the Yatsushiro Sea, the size at sexual maturity was estimated to be 131 mm body length. However, the estimated size at sexual maturity was considerably larger (154 mm) in Shibushi Bay. The spawning season of M. japonicus was estimated to continue from April to September in the Yatsushiro Sea, whereas it was estimated to be longer in Shibushi Bay, from March to November. It is believed that the warm water temperature due to the strong effect of the Kuroshio Current prolonged the spawning season of M. japonicus in Shibushi Bay. The spawning grounds were estimated to be in areas deeper than 10 m in the Yatsushiro Sea and deeper than 20 m in Shibushi Bay. In Shibushi Bay, body size distribution of mature females was considered to be less affected by water depth in comparison with the Yatsushiro Sea, although older mature females larger than 200 mm body length also spawned outside of the bay.     

Feeding habits of the darkfin hind Cephalopholis urodeta (Serranidae) at Iriomote Island, southern Japan

ABSTRACT: The feeding habits of the serranid fish Cephalopholis urodeta were examined on the basis of 204 adult specimens collected from coral reef areas at Iriomote Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan. Sampling was conducted in November 1997 and February, May, and August 1998. Among the specimens, 95 (46.6%) had empty stomachs, the mean Stomach Fullness Index of the specimens overall being extremely low (0.6). Over a 1-year period, the most important prey of this species were small fishes and decapod crustaceans, the two categories together constituting 73.4% of stomach contents by weight. However, seasonal differences in basic dietary composition were apparent. Fishes were abundant in the diet in May and November, whereas the proportion of hermit crabs in the diet was higher in February compared to other months.     

Reproductive biology of blue marlin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Makaira nigricans</Emphasis> around Yonaguni Island,southwestern Japan

We studied the spawning seasonality and gonadal development of blue marlin Makaira nigricans using specimens captured around Yonaguni Island in southwestern Japan between February 2003 and February 2006. The mean (±SD) lower jaw–fork length of females (234 ± 24 cm) was greater than that of males (191 ± 12 cm). The smallest mature female and male were 183 and 160 cm, respectively. Most of the 717 females had immature ovaries. However, in March and from May to September, the ovaries of 26 females contained oocytes with yolk globules, hydrated oocytes, or postovulatory follicles. Most males had testes with a large amount of spermatozoa throughout the year. The occurrence of mature blue marlin at Yonaguni Island suggests that spawning occurs here. The mean condition factors (fatness of the fish) of both sexes decreased from March to June or July, presumably as they expended energy to reproduce. We discuss our results in the context of migration theory for blue marlin in the western North Pacific Ocean.     

Age and growth of two gizzard shads, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nematalosa come</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N. japonica</Emphasis>, in coastal waters around Okinawa Island,southwestern Japan

The age and growth of two Nematalosa species around Okinawa Island were examined using sectioned otoliths collected from September 2003 to April 2006. Monthly changes in the frequency of the appearance of a translucent band on the outer margin of the otoliths indicated that ring formation occurred once a year from January to July for Nematalosa come and from January to March for Nematalosa japonica. The von Bertalanffy growth equations for both species were as follows: N. come: L _t  = 365.5{1 − exp[−0.111 × (t + 0.288)]} for females and L _t  = 214.7{1 − exp[−0.700 × (t – 1.110)]} for males; N. japonica: L _t  = 205.1{1 − exp[−1.068 × (t − 1.180)]} for females and L _t  = 195.5 {1 − exp[−1.293 × (t − 1.269)]} for males. The maximum ages observed for N. come and N. japonica were 11 and 6 years old, respectively. The growth of these species was characterized by the slow growth of N. come over many years, resulting in a larger size than N. japonica.     

海南岛上岸渔获调查与分析

上岸渔获调查是调查渔业资源的主要方法之一。通过2010年9月至2011年8月监测海南岛主要渔港渔情,统计分析渔获上岸量、渔获组成和作业类型,评估南海渔业资源开发现状并提出建议。结果表明,1）低值幼鱼渔获比例超过40％,经济渔获蓝圆鲹（Decapterusmaruadsi）、带鱼（Trichiurushaumela）、马鲛（Scomber-morus）、眼镜鱼（Menemaculata）、金线鱼（Nemipterus）和头足类（Cephalopoda）的总和不足25％;2）蓝圆骖和带鱼是海南岛上岸渔获的优势种;3）拖网是海南岛近海渔获量最高的作业类型;4）海南岛近海底层渔业资源已严重衰退,远海中上层渔业资源具有巨大开发潜力。建议禁止海南岛近海拖网生产,允许南海休渔期间灯光围网和灯光罩网生产,通过增加远海作业船只的柴油补贴等途径扶持灯光围网和灯光罩网生产,构建“养护近海渔业、开发远海渔业”的新捕捞格局。     

Reproductive performance of cultured brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) in Chile

Data on reproductive traits in a cultured population of brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) in southern Chile were collected over three consecutive reproductive seasons: 1999, 2000 and 2001, corresponding to the first (at 3 years), second and third spawnings in females. Data were collected from individual females (n=238, 273 and 169 respectively). The reproductive season lasted mainly from June to August. The peak (July) tended to increase with each season (55.46%, 62.27% and 80.81% of total spawning fish respectively). Female body weight (470.8±102.5, 735.0±150 and 1263.9±263.4 g), total fecundity (1182±344, 1904±595 and 2744±605) and egg diameter (4.64±0.11, 4.67±0.27 and 5.24±0.12 mm) increased significantly (P<0.01) over successive reproductive seasons, particularly between the second and third spawnings. Relative fecundity, on the other hand, decreased significantly with each season (3577±471, 2591±900 and 2181±360). Following analysis of the variables over the three seasons, the correlation pattern of female body weight with total fecundity (r=0.91, n=458; P<0.001) and relative fecundity (r=?034, n=451; P<0.001) proved similar to that described in other salmonid females. Fertilization rate and survival to the eyed egg stage were also positively correlated (r=0.73, n=453; P<0.001). The systematically high values obtained for these latter variables over the seasons evaluated (consistently above 90%) are clearly greater than those we registered in other species of salmonids bred in Chile under similar conditions and suggest highly efficient biological variables that determine the gamete fertilization of this species. The brown trout is, therefore, an interesting potential aquaculture resource in Chile.     

Reproductive season and female maturity size of coconut crab <Emphasis Type="Italic">Birgus latro</Emphasis> on Hatoma Island,southern Japan

Information about reproductive season, size at sexual maturity and size-dependent reproductive potentials is important for efficient resource management. Such information is necessary to determine seasonal closures and minimum legal size limits. To conserve resources of coconut crab Birgus latro, which are in danger of extinction due to excessive exploitation, their reproductive season, female size at functional maturity and relationship between female size and reproductive potentials were investigated. The reproductive season started in early June and ended late August, and females with higher reproductive potentials showed a tendency to spawn early in the reproductive season. The prohibition of exploiting the resources during the reproductive season, especially early in the season, would be appropriate for sustainability of high reproductive outputs. Fifty percent of investigated females matured functionally at 24.5-mm thoracic length (TL). However, the size at which all females reached functional maturity was 32.3 mm TL, and there was a wide variation in the size of functional maturity among individuals. We must determine minimum legal size by taking the variation into account to allow all individuals to mate at least once before they are caught, which may prevent serious depression in reproductive rate and genetic diversity.     

Reproductive ecology of two cyprinid fishes in an oligotrophic lake near the southern limits of their distribution range

Abstract –  The reproductive activities of two dominant fish species, roach Rutilus rutilus and rudd Scardinius erythrophthalmus were investigated from August 2000 to July 2002 in an oligotrophic lake, Lake Sapanca, in the northwest of Turkey. A total of 907 roach and 593 rudd individuals were examined. Macroscopic appearance of ovary, gonadosomatic index and oocyte diameter frequency distribution suggested that the spawning season of roach and rudd were from early April (13 °C) to late May (18 °C) and from early May (17.5 °C) to late June (23.5 °C), respectively. The spawning cycles of both species showed the same tendency in two successive years. The estimated mean total lengths at first maturity ( L _T50) were 12.26 and 14.98 cm for male and female roach, respectively, and 7.12 and 8.10 cm for male and female rudd, respectively. The sizes at 50% maturity corresponded to 3 years for roach and 1 year for rudd, for both sexes. The ratio of males to females was 1.3:1 and 1.2:1 for roach and rudd, respectively. The average condition factor K was 1.21 for rudd and 1.14 for roach, and it was not affected by sex or reproductive effort. Absolute fecundity varied from 7829 to 95,387 eggs between ages 3 and 9 for roach and from 1807 to 35,629 eggs between ages 1 and 7 for rudd. Comparisons of these results with earlier studies from more northern regions revealed that spawning of both species in this area started earlier, but spawning temperature and the duration of spawning was approximately the same.     

海南南渡江上游海南半鲿繁殖生物学研究

海南半鲿（Hemibagrus hainanensis Tchang）为海南岛珍稀鱼类,其有关基础生物学及资源动态的研究极其匮乏。为了解海南半鲿的基础生物学特征,本研究共采集了体长（L）为42～289 mm的样本491个,运用生态学和组织学的研究方法,研究分析了南渡江上游海南半鲿的性比、性体指标、繁殖力及卵径等繁殖生物学特征。研究结果显示：南渡江上游海南半鲿具有雌雄异形现象,繁殖季节为5-7月,为单批产卵类型。海南半鲿50%性成熟体长(L₅₀)为140.95 mm,绝对繁殖力平均值为（511±339）粒/尾,相对繁殖力平均值为（6.89±4.26）粒/g。海南半鲿雌性个体数量显著多于雄性,该特征是种群为了维持和增加生物量的主要策略之一。     

Introducing size limits as a management tool for the recreational line fishery of silver kob, Argyrosomus inodorus (Griffiths and Heemstra), in Namibian waters

Individual silver kob Argyrosomus inodorus (Griffiths and Heemstra) first mature at just over 1 yr of age and the median age at maturity is approximately 1.5 yr. Spawning of silver kob was observed in the southern and central region of the stock's range, but little spawning activity was found in silver kob sampled from the northern region. The spawning period is protracted over 6 months (October–March), which coincides with warmer water temperatures (>15 °C) and the occurrence of large-sized spawning silver kob in the southern and central part of Namibia. Implementing a minimum size limit for the silver kob fishery is not recommended as it will have serious economic implications for the coastal communities. The protection of the spawning areas, Meob Bay and Sandwich, should be continued and a strict bag limit on large-sized silver kob is recommended for the Namibian silver kob recreational fishery.