Optimising codend configuration in a multispecies demersal trawl fishery

Abstract The relative efficiencies and selectivities of conventional and modified codends were examined in a demersal trawl fishery targeting several species, including eastern king prawns, Penaeus plebejus (Hess), whiting, Sillago spp. and cephalopods. The modifications to codends included: (i) reducing the circumference; (ii) increasing the mesh size in conventional diamond‐mesh designs; and (iii) orientating meshes on the bar so that they were square shaped. The codends were tested against a fine‐meshed control in paired comparisons onboard three commercial trawlers. The conventional codend comprised 41‐mm diamond‐shaped mesh attached to an anterior extension section at a ratio of 150 to 100 meshes and was demonstrated to be non‐selective for the targeted species. Reducing codend circumference to 100 meshes and increasing the size of mesh to 45 mm both improved selection for eastern king prawns, but the lateral mesh openings were estimated to be insufficient to allow juveniles of the other key species to escape. By contrast, codends made from 35‐ and 41‐mm mesh hung on the bar improved the size selection for eastern king prawns and selected stout whiting, Sillago robusta (Stead) (the smallest commercial‐sized fish) across narrow selection ranges and at 50% sizes of retention (L₅₀s) that were closely correlated to the transverse morphology of fish and the maximum mesh opening. With the exception of a reduction in catches of octopus, Octopus spp., by the 41‐square codend, there were no other impacts on commercial catches by the square‐mesh designs. It was concluded that diamond‐mesh codends are inappropriate for use throughout this multispecies fishery and that a modified design comprising at least 35‐mm mesh hung on the bar is required to minimise the fishing mortality of unwanted sizes of the key target species. The results are discussed in terms of the utility of these types of modifications for closely regulating selection in penaeid‐shrimp trawls.     

Incorporation of composted and dried water hyacinth in pelleted feed for the tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Peters)

Abstract. Eight diets were formulated using either composted or dried water hyacinth, Eichornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms., incorporated into a conventional pelleted tilapia feed in a simple displacement procedure: 100. 75, 50 and 25% composted water hyacinth: 100, 75 and 25% dried water hyacinth; and a control diet with 0% displacement of the conventional feed. The experimental diets were fed in duplicate treatments to Oreochromis niloticus in a series of 16 outdoor 4-m³ tanks stocked with eight fish/tank for 84 days. Good growth and feed utilization efficiencies were obtained with diets containing up to 75% composted water hyacinth with no significant reduction in fish performance compared to the control diet. Fish performed better with diets containing composted than with diets containing dried water hyacinth, except for the 100% composted water hyacinth diet in which the pellet was exceptionally hard. The better performance with diets containing composted compared to dried water hyacinth may have been due to the lower levels of crude fibre in the former diets, although significant fish growth was achieved even with the diet containing 100% dried water hyacinth. Some nutrition must have been obtained by the fish indirectly from the plankton in the static water experimental system but it was concluded that the fish also obtained a significant amount of their nutrition directly from the diets, including those with a high percentage of composted water hyacinth which in some treatments had relatively low mean phytoplankton biomass levels in the water. An experimental protocol is recommended for the evaluation of the nutritional value of non-conventional fish feeds in which determination of fish growth without concern for underlying mechanisms precedes studies to assess the relative contribution of the direct and indirect nutritional value of the feed.     

Effect of dietary supplementation of inulin and W. cibaria on haemato‐immunological parameters of hybrid surubim (Pseudoplatystoma sp)

The dietary supplementation of prebiotics, probiotics and symbiotic in hybrid surubins (a Pseudoplatystoma corruscans and P. fasciatum cross) was evaluated for the effects on their autochthonous intestinal microbiota and on haematological and immunological parameters. A total of 160 fish were divided into four treatment groups with four replicates each. The treatment groups were fed with the following diets for 15 days: control diet without supplementation; 0.5% inulin (prebiotic) supplementation; Weissella cibaria (CPQBA 001‐10 DRM 02) (7.87 ± 0.2 log CFU g^?1) supplementation; or 0.5% inulin and W. cibaria supplementation (symbiotic group). The midgut intestines of the fish with the symbiotic diet supplementation had higher concentrations of lactic acid bacteria (7.07 ± 1.11 log CFU g^?1) and low levels of Vibrio spp (1.90 ± 0.60 log CFU g^?1) and Pseudomonas spp (2.23 ± 1.48 log CFU g^?1). In addition, increased erythrocytes and reduced circulating neutrophils were observed in this group. No differences in blood glucose, serum protein or lysozyme levels were detected between treatment groups. However, a higher concentration of total immunoglobulin was observed in fish fed with the probiotic and symbiotic diets. The addition of 0.5% inulin (prebiotic) thus W. cibaria (probiotic) to the diet of Pseudoplatystoma hybrid surubins reduce the number of pathogenic bacteria and stimulate the beneficial intestinal microbiota and may possibly alter their immune defence system.     

Effects of different dietary copper sources on the growth and intestinal microbial communities of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary copper sources on growth performance and intestinal microbial communities of juvenile Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Four isonitrogenous (420 g/kg crude protein) and isolipidic (70 g/kg crude lipid) experimental diets were formulated to contain different copper sources, Diet NSC (no‐supplemented copper), Diet CS (copper sulphate), Diet Availa (copper amino acid complex from Availa^®Cu100) and Diet M (1:1, copper sulphate + copper amino acid complex). A total of 360 Pacific white shrimp juveniles (initial weight: 1.86 ± 0.03 g) were randomly allocated into four groups, with three replicates per group and 30 shrimps each replicate. An Illumina‐based sequencing method was used to analyse the intestinal bacterial composition of shrimp juveniles. The results revealed that shrimps fed Diet M had significantly higher percent weight gain (PWG) than that fed Diet NSC and Diet CS, while there were no significant differences between Diet M and Diet Availa. Survival was not affected by the dietary copper sources. Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were dominant in the intestines of Pacific white shrimp. Shrimps fed Diet M and Diet Availa had higher bacterial richness and diversity than those fed Diet NSC and Diet CS with no significant differences among all treatments. Furthermore, Diet M and Diet Availa which contained copper amino acid complex reduced the relative abundance of Vibrionaceae in shrimp intestinal tract. This study indicated that dietary copper sources could affect the intestinal microbial communities and diets supplemented with Availa^®Cu100 could have a positive impact on the growth performance and decrease the potential risk of disease in Pacific white shrimp.     

Effects of docosahexaenoic, eicosapentaenoic, and arachidonic acids on the early growth, survival, lipid composition and pigmentation of yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea): a live food enrichment experiment

The role of dietary ratios of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n−3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n−3) and arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n−6) on early growth, survival, lipid composition, and pigmentation of yellowtail flounder was studied. Rotifers were enriched with lipid emulsions containing high DHA (43.3% of total fatty acids), DHA+EPA (37.4% and 14.2%, respectively), DHA+AA (36.0% and 8.9%), or a control emulsion containing only olive oil (no DHA, EPA, or AA). Larvae were fed differently enriched rotifers for 4 weeks post-hatch. At week 4, yellowtail larvae fed the high DHA diet were significantly larger (9.7±0.2 mm, P<0.05) and had higher survival (22.1±0.4%), while larvae fed the control diet were significantly smaller (7.3±0.2 mm, P<0.05) and showed lower survival (5.2±1.9%). Larval lipid class and fatty acid profiles differed significantly among treatments with larvae fed high polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) diets having higher relative amounts of triacylglycerols (18–21% of total lipid) than larvae in the control diet (11%). Larval fatty acids reflected dietary levels of DHA, EPA and AA while larvae fed the control diet had reduced amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and increased levels of PUFA relative to dietary levels. A strong relationship was observed between the DHA/EPA ratio in the diet and larval size (r²=0.75, P=0.005) and survival (r²=0.86, P=0.001). Following metamorphosis, the incidence of malpigmentation was higher in the DHA+AA diet (92%) than in all other treatments (50%). Results suggest that yellowtail larvae require a high level of dietary DHA for maximal growth and survival while diets containing elevated AA exert negative effects on larval pigmentation.     

Changes in thyroid hormone levels in eggs and larvae and in iodide uptake by eggs of coho and chinook salmon,Oncorhynchus kisutsch andO. tschawytscha

Developmental profiles of thyroxin (T₄), triiodothyronine (T₃) and radioactive iodide uptake were established for eggs and T₄ and T₃ profiles were established for larvae (whole-body, yolk-only and body-only) of coho and chinook salmon. T₄ and T₃ were consistently present in all samples. In eggs, hormone levels remained fairly constant in all cohorst for at least the first three weeks of incubation, but then fluctuated in both directions in some sample groups. Large increases in T₄ (from 9 ng/g to 245 ng/g) were seen in 1985 chinook eggs 28 days after fertilization. Radioactive iodide uptake (which was used as a possible indicator of thyroxinogenesis) increased at least 10-fold in both 1986 coho and chinook eggs from 23–30 days after fertilization. T₄ (62 ng/g) and T₃ (393 ng/g) were found in the bodies of 28-day-old 1986 chinook embryos. In whole larvae, hormone levels varied depending upon the cohort studied. In general, initial body-only concentrations of both T₄ and T₃ decreased as body weight increased, but before yolksac resorption was completed, both thyroid hormone content and concentration increased (except for chinook T₃). T₄ and T₃ content in larval yolk stayed constant as yolksac size decreased, resulting in increased thyroid hormone concentration in the yolksac. All of these data suggest that the initial source of thyroid hormones in coho and chinook salmon eggs is maternal, but that by approximately 3–4 weeks after fertilization, the developing embryos begin to produce their own thyroid hormones. After hatching, increases in tissue T₄ and T₃ concentration coupled with constant T₄ and T₃ content in diminishing yolksacs suggest that larvae also produce their own thyroid hormones; yolksac content then may reflect both the original maternal hormones and the larva-producted hormones.     

中国对虾亲虾的能量代谢研究

本试验测定了中国对虾亲虾在禁食和静息状态下的耗氧率、二氧化碳排出率和氨氮排泄率,研究了它们的呼吸商、氧氮比、能源的化学本质及其消耗量之比。结果表明,体重为85.1±14.8克的亲虾,在水温19～22℃时的耗氧率为0.25±0.08毫克/克·小时,二氧化碳排出率为0.28±0.09毫克/克·小时,氨氮排泄率为8.86±3.53微克/克·小时;亲虾以蛋白质、脂肪和碳水化合物的混台物为能源,其中以蛋白质为主,脂肪次之,碳水化合物的利用最少;亲虾的耗氧率(Y)与体重(W)呈负相关,Y=1.89W~(-1.3),而与性腺发育的影响则相反,性腺发育好的亲虾代谢率高,性腺发育差的亲虾代谢率低。     

Biochemical,Physical, Chemical,and Microbiological Assessment of Blue Shrimp (Litopenaeus stylirostris) Stored in Ice

Postmortem changes in blue shrimp (Litopenaeus stylirostris) muscle were studied on the basis of biochemical, chemical, physical, and microbiological changes during an 18 day storage period at 0°C. Adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) content, breakdown products, K-value, pH, trimethylamine nitrogen (TMA-N), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), water holding capacity (WHC), color, and texture (shear force) changes were examined. Also, total mesophilic and psychrophilic bacterial counts were measured. K-value increased linearly (r² = 0.98) from an initial value of 1.37 ± 0.59 to 59.42 ± 6.05% at Day 18. Spoilage indicators TVB-N and TMA-N increased from 29.56 ± 1.33 and 0.69 ± 0.25 to 39.04 and 2.04 ± 0.59 mg of N/100 g at Day 18, respectively; meanwhile, the total viable counts of mesophilic and psychrophilic bacteria increased from 3.48 ± 0.44 and 2.61 ± 0.29 log CFU/g to 6.27 ± 0.21 and 7.14 ± 0.39 log CFU/g, respectively, which indicated spoilage at the end of the storage period. The pH, texture, WHC, and color were affected (p < 0.05) during the storage period. Overall, results indicate that blue shrimp muscle quality was maintained for 12 days of storage in ice.     

The influence of antibiotics on the immune system: immuno-pharmokinetic investigations on the primary anti-SRBC response in carp, Cyprinus carpio L., after oxytetracycline injection

Abstract. The present study was performed to obtain further details on the immuno-modulating effects of oxytetracycline (OTC) in carp, Cyprinus carpio L. The immuno-logical study was extended by investigating the pharmacokinetic behaviour of OTC. Oxytetracycline, at a dosage of 60 mg/kg, was administered five times intra-peritoneally at 3-day intervals; the first injection was given 1 day before immunization. The kinetics of the primary anti-sheep red blood cell (SRBC) response, during a short-term OTC treatment revealed that the kinetics of the plaque-forming cell (PFC) response was not significantly affected by OTC nor its solvent. In contrast, the number of plaque-forming cells was significantly decreased. The anti-SRBC antibody production was delayed by 2–4 days in both experimental groups (OTC and solvent). However, within 12–14 days post-immunization, the same antibody levels were detected as in the control group. High OTC plasma levels (>50 μg/ml) were detected about 10 h after a single i. p. injection. A mean plasma elimination half-life (T¹/₂) of 34·5 h was calculated.     

IL-1β在鱼类皮肤免疫应答中的作用机制

正白细胞介素1(interleukin 1,IL-1)是一种重要的促炎性细胞因子,是体内调节免疫和炎症反应的中心介质,在哺乳动物中已发现11种IL-1家族成员,包括IL-1α、IL-1β、IL-1ra、IL-18、IL-1F5和IL-33等[1],目前在鱼类中只发现了IL-1β和IL-18。研究表明,IL-1β在鱼类皮肤免疫应答中起重要作