Distribution of α-tocopherol in fillets of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus), following dietary α-tocopheryl acetate supplementation

The present study investigated the distribution of α‐tocopherol (vitamin E) in fillets of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus). Turbot and Atlantic halibut were fed commercial diets, supplemented with different levels of α‐tocopheryl acetate at the dietary target levels of 100, 500 and 1000 mg α‐tocopheryl acetate kg^?1 diet. The actual levels were 72, 547 and 969 for turbot, while halibut received 189, 613 and 875 mg α‐tocopheryl acetate kg^?1 diet. Turbot were fed the diets for 24 weeks, while Atlantic halibut were fed for 20 weeks prior to slaughter. At the end of the feeding periods fish had reached a final weight of around 1 kg. Fish were slaughtered and filleted. From the four fillets obtained per fish, 22 samples were taken from designated areas and analysed for their α‐tocopherol content. The average concentrations of α‐tocopherol incorporated in turbot and Atlantic halibut increased with increasing levels of α‐tocopheryl acetate in the diet. Atlantic halibut had significantly (P < 0.05) more α‐tocopherol in positions 2/II and 1/I than in position 9/IX. Turbot had significantly (P < 0.05) more α‐tocopherol in position 2/II than in positions 1/I, 4/IV and 11/XI. By mapping α‐tocopherol concentrations in fish fillets, a high degree of quality prediction may be established. Moreover, this study may help scientists in their choice of sampling position, when investigating if α‐tocopheryl acetate supplementation resulted in successful α‐tocopherol incorporation.     

Impact of Oreochromis mossambicus × O. niloticus (Pisces: Cichlidae) hybridization on population reproductive potential and long-term influence on a reservoir fishery

Abstract Exotic cichlids, introduced to Asia during the second half of the twentieth century, contribute significantly to the reservoir fisheries in the region. The two major cichlid species, Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters) and O. niloticus (L.), tend to interbreed easily. In Sri Lankan reservoirs, introgressive hybridization of these two cichlids takes place. The reproductive biology of O. mossambicus, O. niloticus and their hybrids in three reservoirs in Sri Lanka was evaluated. An imbalance in sex ratio with male dominance was evident. The estimated fecundity for 20-cm fish, using fecundity-total length relationships for various populations, indicated that there was a decline in fecundity in hybrid forms. It is hypothesized that the long-term effect of crosshybridization between the two cichlids might lead to a decline in fish yields in perennial reservoirs of Sri Lanka. The importance of the findings of the present study for the management of the reservoir fisheries in Asia is highlighted.     

Performance of Oreochromis niloticus (L.) fry maintained on mixed feeding schedules of differing protein content

Abstract. Oreochromis niloticus (L.) young of two size groups, 170-213 mg (±7) and 1-017-1-072 g (±0-04), were reared under seven different dietary schedules for 70 days. The two control diets had 18% and 30% protein content; the other five schedules were randomly determined, where the feeding of the low-protein diet alternated with the high-protein diet, for differing periods. On the basis of the observed rate of growth, food conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and percentage protein retained in both size groups of young O. nitoticus, those reared on a dietary schedule of 2A/3B performed best followed by those reared on schedule 1A/3B; where the numerical value refers to the number of days a particular diet was offered continuously. The feed cost-saving factor, by adopting alternate feeding schedules as compared to presenting a high-protein diet continuously, is shown to be significant.     

Fillet shelf-life of Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus L. fed elevated levels of α-tocopheryl acetate

Fish fillet quality may be influenced by the antioxidant level in preslaughter diet. Thus, the effects of dietary α‐tocopheryl acetate supplementation and feeding time on the flesh quality of farmed Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus L. were investigated. Halibut of mean initial weight of 312 ± 12.3 g were divided into two groups and fed commercial diets, supplemented with different levels of α‐tocopheryl acetate at the dietary inclusion levels of 189 and 613 mg kg^?1 diet. Fish were sampled after 6,9,12 and 24 weeks. Over the experimental period, they reached a final mean weight of 1320 ± 108.4 g. Tissue α‐tocopherol of fillet and liver was significantly affected by the levels of α‐tocopheryl acetate given with the diets (P < 0.001). In storage on ice, fillets of fish fed the diets high in α‐tocopheryl acetate exhibited significantly lower (P < 0.001) levels of lipid oxidation. The colour of fillets in all groups deteriorated slightly, but diet did not affect this process. Halibut fed the supplemented diets for longer periods were better protected against lipid oxidation (P < 0.001) and colour deterioration (P < 0.01) than those fed for shorter periods. However, after 9 days of storage, lipid oxidation levels were still extremely low [< 0.6 µg malondialdehyde (MDA) g^?1 fillet], even in fillets of fish fed the low α‐tocopheryl acetate diet for a short period preslaughter. Different slaughtering methods tested at the end of the trial showed that percussive stunning can delay the onset of rigor mortis by 8–12 h compared with bleeding of the fish. These results suggest that halibut fillets have enhanced shelf‐life stability even at low doses of dietary α‐tocopheryl acetate, and that other factors in the antioxidant defence mechanisms of the species might play a major role in the prevention of lipid oxidation.     

Biochemical evidence of hybrid gene introgression in some reservoir populations of tilapia in southern Sri Lanka

Abstract. Two species of tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters) and O. niloticus (L.), from five reservoirs in southern Sri Lanka as well as fish from a fish hatchery and laboratory stock were studied by starch gel electrophoresis at 18 enzyme loci, to determine the degree of mixing of the two species. Two reservoirs showed little or no mixing between O. mossambicus and O. niloticus , while two other reservoirs as well as the hatchery stock showed a high degree of mixing of the two species. The laboratory stock of O. niloticus also showed introgression of O. mossambicus alleles. The similarities of the local stocks to the original African as well as other Asian stocks is discussed.     

Advection of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) larvae along the Catalan continental slope (NW Mediterranean)

The Gulf of Lions is one of the main anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) spawning areas in the NW Mediterranean. During the spring, low‐salinity surface water from the outflow of the Rhône is advected by the shelf‐slope current along the continental slope off the Catalan coast. In June 2000, a Lagrangian experiment tracking these low‐salinity surface waters was conducted to assess the importance of this transport mechanism for anchovy larvae and to determine the suitability of the tracked surface waters for survival of anchovy larvae. The experiment consisted of sampling the tracked water parcel for 10 days with three drifters launched at the core of the shelf‐slope current where low‐salinity surface waters were detected. The survey was completed by sampling the surrounding waters. Anchovy larvae from the spawning area in the Gulf of Lions were advected towards the south in the low‐salinity waters. The size increase of anchovy larvae throughout the Lagrangian tracking closely followed the general growth rate calculated by otolith analysis (0.65 mm day⁻¹). However, advection by the current was not the only mechanism of anchovy larval transport. A series of anticyclonic eddies, originated in the Gulf of Lions and advected southwards, seemed to play a complementary role in the transport of larvae from the spawning ground towards the nursery areas. These eddies not only contributed to larval transport but also prevented their dispersion. These transport and aggregation mechanisms may be important for anchovy populations along the Catalan coast and require further study.     

Use of mixed feeding schedules in fish culture: field trials on catla, Catla catla (Hamilton-Buchanan), rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton), and common carp, Cyprinus carpio L.

Abstract. The applicability of mixed feeding schedules using low-and high-protein diets was evaluated by three on-farm field trials conducted in fertilized earthen ponds. Rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton), and common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., were used in the first two trials, and catla. Catla catla (Hamilton-Buchanan), was also included in the third trial. The concept of a mixed feeding schedule was tested using a 1:1 rice bran-groundnut meal cake mixture, a commonly used feed in Indian carp culture.
In a mixed feeding schedule, two feeds are used alternately, each for a predetermined number of days. In the present study, one of three such mixed feeding schedules was used in conjunction with one of two control diets. The control diets were rice bran (diet A) or a mixture of rice bran-groundnut meal cake (diet B). The mixed feeding schedules tested were: 1A/1B, 1A/2B and 1A/3B (numerals indicate number of days diet A or B was offered continuously). Diet A (rice bran only) induced significantly poor growth in all treatments. Interestingly, growth in the mixed feeding schedules was generally equal or superior to that when fish were fed with diet B. Growth efficiency indicators such as SGR. FCR and PER were found to be good for fish maintained on certain mixed schedules. Savings of 15–31% protein and 10–20% of the feed cost were achieved with the various schedules, the highest saving being achieved with the 1A/1B schedule. Nitrogen retention was higher in fish treated with mixed schedules. The results demonstrated the usefulness of mixed schedules in reducing nitrogen input, output and feed costs.     

Development of monoclonal antibodies to PK'X', the causative agent of proliferative kidney disease

Abstract. Two monoclonal antibody probes were produced against PK'X' cells. The parasites were partially purified by filtration and centrifugation of kidney tissue from rainbow trout with proliferative kidney disease and used as antigen for immunization of mice. The resulting monoclonal antibodies reacted with PK'X' cell antigens in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemistry tests. One antibody (Mab 12) appeared to be specific for PK'X'in kidney tissue, while the other (Mab 18) cross-reacted with host cell antigens in the kidney tubules. These probes are invaluable tools for the investigation of parasite surface antigens and life cycle studies.     

Decline and fall of the salmon fisheries in the Netherlands: is restocking the Rhine a reality?

Abstract. The Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., was once of major importance to the fishing industry along the River Rhine. This paper discusses the Dutch and German salmon catches over the years 1863–1950. Even up to the end of the last century, it was not uncommon for Dutch and German fishermen to land 100000 salmon a year. However, factors such as the increased use of locks and weirs along the Rhine, coupled with growth in pollution, soon led to a rapid decline in numbers. By 1933, the salmon fishing industry in the Netherlands had virtually ceased to exist. Analysis of the available catch statistics suggests that the decline in the salmon population could have started before official records began. Although the degree of scatter in the data and uncertainties in the assumptions preclude the possibility of drawing firm conclusions about the survival rate of salmon, these figures illustrate how difficult it will be to maintain a stable population in the Rhine. Moreover, a number of changes have taken place since the heyday of salmon in western Europe, which could compound the problem. Of particular importance in the context of the Rhine are:

• 1 the closure of two of the major migration routes to the sea (Haringvliet and Zuiderzee);
• 2 morphological changes in the river;
• 3 chemical and thermal pollution;
• 4 the loss of accessible spawning and nursery areas of the required quality;
• 5 the disappearance of salmon from other rivers that flow into the North Sea such as the Rivers Elbe, Weser and Ems. If salmon were only reintroduced into the Rhine, a certain proportion would probably stray and infiltrate these other rivers.

The fact that the impact of these changes is difficult to quantify increases the uncertainty associated with maintaining a stable stock of salmon in the Rhine.