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.     

The preparation and structures of hydrogen ordered phases of ice

Two hydrogen ordered phases of ice were prepared by cooling the hydrogen disordered ices V and XII under pressure. Previous attempts to unlock the geometrical frustration in hydrogen-bonded structures have focused on doping with potassium hydroxide and have had success in partially increasing the hydrogen ordering in hexagonal ice I (ice Ih). By doping ices V and XII with hydrochloric acid, we have prepared ice XIII and ice XIV, and we analyzed their structures by powder neutron diffraction. The use of hydrogen chloride to release geometrical frustration opens up the possibility of completing the phase diagram of ice.     

Prediction of blood orange MT firmness by multivariate modelling of low alterative penetrometric data set: A preliminary study

A study was conducted to evaluate a non-destructive method able to predict Magness–Taylor (MT) penetrometric firmness of blood oranges, potentially applicable for on-line selection. The method consisted of multivariate modelling of non-destructive penetrometric measurements performed on intact oranges with a 11.3 mm diameter probe by digital dynamometric equipment. The tests were carried out on 366 blood oranges (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck cv. Tarocco); 60 were used as a control group to verify the non-destructive nature of the tests. Four test factors were used on the fruit: two different levels of non-destructive deformation (1 and 3 mm), at two different deformation speeds (5 and 30 mm s^?1). In order to obtain the reference parameter (MT firmness), a destructive penetrometric test followed each non-destructive deformation on the same fruit (deformation of 20 mm at 1 mm s^?1). The force–deformation curves of the non-destructive tests were elaborated to calculate different texture parameters (max force, elasticity, work). These parameters with raw curve data (force values for constant deformation steps) were used, after autoscaling pre-processing, as X-block datasets in supervised multivariate modelling (partial least squares) to predict MT firmness values. Among the test factors used, the 30 mm s^?1 speed and 3 mm deformation provided the best overall prediction of MT firmness. This comprised an r value of 0.76 and standard error of prevision (SEP) of 2.99 N for a MT firmness mean value of 35.65 N (8.4%). The time needed to apply the selected deformation may lead to a sorting speed of about 10 fruit per second, representing an acceptable value for commercial application.     

Identification,partial characterization,and use of grey mullet ( Mugil cephalus ) vitellogenins for the development of ELISA and biosensor immunoassays

Vitellogenin (Vtg) has proven to be a sensitive and simple biomarker in determining sex, sexual maturity, and xenoestrogenic effects in fish. Thus, our investigation has been focused on identification, partial characterization, and quantification of grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) Vtg through the use of a variety of biochemical and immunological analytical techniques. Mullet is considered both a promising aquaculture candidate and an important species for improving sediment quality in polyculture systems. In the first part of this work, grey mullet Vtg was purified from plasma of 17β-estradiol (E2)-induced male fish by a one-step chromatographic protocol, and partially characterized. Specific polyclonal antibodies were then raised against the mullet Vtg, and both an indirect ELISA and an optical immunosensor were set up and validated to quantify plasma Vtg. The indirect ELISA and the optical immunosensor assay developed showed linear measuring in the range 56.8–1047.1 ng mL−1 and 70–739 ng mL−1 Vtg concentrations in standard solutions, respectively. The results obtained suggest that the indirect ELISA allows Vtg detection over a wide dynamic range, thus resulting more suitable for rapid and sensitive sample screening. Therefore, we suggest that the direct immunosensor is a promising tool which needs more investigation to improve the sensitivity.     

Mortality outbreak by perch rhabdovirus in European perch (Perca fluviatilis) farmed in Italy: Clinical presentation and phylogenetic analysis

This work reports a mortality outbreak, occurred in 2015 and affecting juveniles of European perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) farmed in Italy. Perch rhabdovirus (PRV) was detected by viral isolation and biomolecular investigations. Phylogenetic analysis clustered our isolate into genogroup B, which also includes PRV isolates from Perca fluviatilis identified in France (2004–2009); diagnostic investigations also revealed opportunistic bacteria (Aeromonas hydrophila) and parasites (Chilodonella piscicola). Since, occasionally, PRV has been reported in the natural environment, which is often a source of eggs and broodstock for farms, it could be possible that both similar France and Italian isolate were imported from a same place elsewhere and have a common origin. Improving biosecurity measures (batch control) and disinfection of egg strings with an iodine‐based solution helps prevent apparent vertical transmission of PRV.     

Enteroendocrine profile of α-transducin immunoreactive cells in the gastrointestinal tract of the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

In vertebrates, chemosensitivity of nutrients occurs through the activation of taste receptors coupled with G-protein subunits, including α-transducin (G_αtran) and α-gustducin (G_αgust). This study was aimed at characterising the cells expressing G_αtran immunoreactivity throughout the mucosa of the sea bass gastrointestinal tract. G_αtran immunoreactive cells were mainly found in the stomach, and a lower number of immunopositive cells were detected in the intestine. Some G_αtran immunoreactive cells in the stomach contained G_αgust immunoreactivity. Gastric G_αtran immunoreactive cells co-expressed ghrelin, obestatin and 5-hydroxytryptamine immunoreactivity. In contrast, G_αtran immunopositive cells did not contain somatostatin, gastrin/cholecystokinin, glucagon-like peptide-1, substance P or calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactivity in any investigated segments of the sea bass gastrointestinal tract. Specificity of G_αtran and G_αgust antisera was determined by Western blot analysis, which identified two bands at the theoretical molecular weight of ~45 and ~40 kDa, respectively, in sea bass gut tissue as well as in positive tissue, and by immunoblocking with the respective peptide, which prevented immunostaining. The results of the present study provide a molecular and morphological basis for a role of taste-related molecules in chemosensing in the sea bass gastrointestinal tract.     

Protein extraction from tobacco leaves: technological,nutritional and agronomical aspects

The goals of the present studies were: (1) to obtain smoking material from tobacco with reduced toxicity; (2) to use the tobacco leaf, as an alternative to other plants, as a source of food protein. On the grounds of technological, nutritional and agronomical results, the following observations can be made: (1) It is feasible to lower the toxicity of the tobacco smoke by extracting protein from the green leaves before curing. (2) The cured deproteinized tobacco can easily be utilized for the production of smoking material without any important alteration of its taste. (3) The composition of the tobacco protein concentrate is very interesting and is superior to other protein concentrates. (4) Itsin vivo andin vitro digestibility is one of the highest among the vegetable protein sources which have been studied. (5) Use of high planting densities and high levels of nitrogen fertilization per hectare results in high yields of total protein from tobacco (1794 Kg/ha).     

Properties of lupine proteins relevant to their nutritional performance

Composition, solubility, bound sugar content and quality, subunit composition and structure of the storage proteins of seeds ofLupinus albus are discussed. Aminoacid composition is also given for each protein, the various protein classes and the whole flour. These data allow for the characterization of the molecules of the various storage proteins and their contributions to the nutritional properties of the seed.In vitro digestibility (by mammalian endopeptidases) is reported and is less than for animal proteins. Possible causes, at the molecular level, for this behaviour and possible means to overcome these effects are examined. The relationships between the above data are considered in view of the nutritional performance of the proteins and of the genetical, agronomic and technological approaches most suited to improve the nutritional quality of lupine seeds as a protein source.     

FOAM, a new simple benthic degradative module for the LAMP3D model: an application to a Mediterranean fish farm

The modelling framework already introduced by Doglioli, Magaldi, Vezzulli and Tucci to predict the potential impact of a marine fish farm is improved following different directions, namely (1) real historic current-metre data are used to force the simulations, (2) settling velocity values specifically targeting Mediterranean fish species are used, and (3) a new benthic degradative module, the Finite Organic Accumulation Module, is added to the modelling framework. The Finite Organic Accumulation Module uses the output of the other functional units of the modelling framework to calculate the organic load on the seabed. The Finite Organic Accumulation Module considers the natural capability of the seafloor in absorbing part of the organic load. Different remineralization rates reflect the sediment stress level according to the work of Findlay and Watling. Organic degradation for both uneaten feed and faeces is evaluated by changing the release modality (continuous and periodical) and by varying the settling velocities. It is found that the maximum impact on the benthic community is observed either for quickly sinking uneaten feed released twice a day, or for less intense near-bottom current conditions. If both the above-mentioned scenarios coexist, a high stress level is established in the sediment. The model also suggests that the use of self-feeders in cages can reduce farm impacts significantly. These results show how the new and more complete modelling framework presented here is able to improve the objectivity in the decision-making processes and how it may be successfully used for planning and monitoring purposes.     

Mortality induced by drifting longline hooks and branchlines in loggerhead sea turtles,estimated through observation in captivity

• 1. Drifting longlines are considered a major threat to endangered sea turtle populations worldwide. However, for a number of reasons, the mortality rate of captured turtles is not known with any certainty.
• 2. Information on 409 loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), collected during the day‐to‐day activities of a turtle rescue centre in Lampedusa island, central Mediterranean, in the period 2001–2005 has been analysed.
• 3. Observations indicate that: (i) drifting longlines are a major cause of mortality for sea turtles in the area; (ii) in addition to the hook, the piece of line attached to it (branchline) can easily cause death if it is long enough and well‐anchored; (iii) hooks and branchlines cause death in the short and long term, respectively; (iv) a turtle with a hook in the lower oesophagus/stomach has a very low chance of surviving the combined effect of hook and branchline; (v) the mortality of turtles with a hook in the mouth or higher oesophagus is probably important, though less than that of turtles with a hook in the lower oesophagus/stomach; (vi) in the study fishery, the average mortality of a turtle caught by a drifting longline is probably much higher than 30%.
• 4. Without specific investigations on the mortality of turtles with hooks in the mouth or higher oeasophagus, which are usually removed, the mortality induced by drifting longlines will remain unknown, preventing a full understanding of the effect on population growth and the real effectiveness of conservation measures such as use of different hooks and fishing depths, and proposals for adequate fishery management measures.
• 5. The number of turtles captured by drifting longlines should be drastically reduced, and because of the above uncertainty and the socio‐economic importance of the fishery sector, an ecosystem‐based management scheme should be promoted that is not limited to addressing only the turtle issue.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.