Selective capture of blue cod Parapercis colias by potting: behavioural observations and effects of capture method on peri-mortem fatigue

Selective fishing is the successful capture of target species and size classes in a way that minimises bycatch, minimises damage to flesh, and maximises post-mortem (PM) value. We studied selective harvesting of blue cod Parapercis colias (Pinguipedidae) in central New Zealand, where it is captured mainly by commercial pot-fishing and recreational line-fishing. Potting with paua Haliotis iris (=abalone) guts selectively targeted large blue cod from localities that had six or more fish species and many small blue cod. Video observations of pot entries indicated that blue cod entered and left the pot throughout 30 min sets. Blue cod were observed by video to commence swimming when pot-hauling started. Observations of line-hooked fish indicated a characteristic spinning behaviour while hauling.

Fatigue during harvesting is a major factor in reducing the PM quality and shelf-life of fish muscle. Despite the relatively benign nature of capture via pot, it appears that burst exercise during hauling and a brief flurry of flapping as the pot leaves the water is sufficient to compromise flesh quality. Fish that were fatigued during harvesting had a poorer peri-mortem ‘ATP potential’ than fish that had been tank-rested for a year and then harvested using rested harvesting techniques. Modifying the potting method by providing a reservoir of water reduced peri-mortem fatigue during capture but by an insufficient amount to significantly improve PM flesh quality.

Blue cod flesh is compromised by pot capture, which is widely perceived as a benign harvesting method. In order to maximise value of blue cod, low-stress harvesting methods which take advantage of the behaviour of the fish are required.     

Diagnostic value of recombinant nanoluciferase fused Toxoplasma gondii antigens in Luciferase-linked Antibody Capture Assay (LACA) for Toxoplasma infection in pigs

Toxoplasmosis is a widespread protozoan zoonosis. Since ingesting undercooked meat harboring Toxoplasma gondii cyst is considered one of the major transmission routes to humans, the screening of T. gondii in meat-producing animals can reduce the risk of food-borne toxoplasmosis in humans. Among serological diagnostic methods, Luciferase-linked Antibody Capture Assay (LACA) has been found to be a promising platform with high sensitivity and specificity. In this study, we aimed to evaluate recombinant nanoluciferase fused-T. gondii antigens (rNluc-GRA6, rNluc-GRA7, rNluc-GRA8 and rNluc-BAG1) for their potential use in LACA for pigs. As a result, the sensitivity of GRA6-, GRA7-, GRA8- and BAG1-LACA were 70.0%, 80.0%, 80.0% and 30.0% with specificity 87.0%, 81.5%, 74.1% and 50.0%, respectively. The cocktail LACA using a mixture of rNluc-GRA6, rNluc-GRA7 and rNluc-GRA8 indicated higher sensitivity (90.0%) and a similar specificity (96.3%) in comparison with the commercial ELISA kit. Compared to the Dye-Test as a reference test, cocktail LACA showed strong agreement (kappa value=0.811) when we assessed pig sera collected at the slaughterhouse. In addition, we also successfully established the rapid LACA format for the detection of Toxoplasma infection in pigs (called Rapid-LACA) in which the test could be performed within 30 min. In Rapid-LACA, the protein A pre-coated/blocked plates could be preserved at −30°C, 4°C or room temperature conditions for at least two months without compromising on the quality of assay.     

中国近海渔业生物捕捞群体碳汇评估

捕捞渔业生物群体的生产活动是发挥渔业碳汇功能和增汇的3种基本方式之一,其中,水生植物作为典型的碳汇生物,发挥至关重要的作用,据此,本研究采用碳含量法对1979―2020年中国近海渔业生物捕捞群体总碳汇和净碳汇进行了评估。总碳汇是通过捕捞产量和捕捞群体的碳含量估算捕捞群体的移出碳量,再根据食物网机制和各营养层级的生态转换效率,最终估算摄食的浮游植物碳含量;净碳汇是捕捞移出碳和储存碳之和,可根据占总碳汇的比例计算。随着海洋捕捞业的发展和管理的加强,40多年来,我国近海渔业生物捕捞群体碳汇有较大幅度的变化,本研究计算的总碳汇量从1979年的1458万t快速上升到1999年的6330万t,2020年下降至4983万t,其中,近3年(2018―2020年)平均每年为5246万t,约为近海贝藻养殖总碳汇的8倍;净碳汇量从1979年的511万t快速上升到1999年的2215万t,2020年下降至1744万t,其中,近3年(2018―2020年)平均每年为1836万t,约为近海贝藻养殖净碳汇的4倍。针对提高碳汇评估准确性和加强碳汇扩增,文末提出了相关建议。     

中国水产品的可持续供给

水产品是中国最重要的动物蛋白来源之一，为中国粮食安全和营养供给做出了重要贡献。随着中国经济的快速发展，中国对水产品的需求和消费有望进一步增加。为了降低未来中国水产品供给的风险，本研究系统地分析了中国水产品供给和消费的现状和发展趋势。研究表明，中国的水产品主要由水产养殖和捕捞渔业供给，进口水产品占国内水产品供给和消费的比例仍低于5.00%。目前水产养殖产量已四倍于捕捞渔业产量，且捕捞渔业增长乏力，而水产养殖产量将继续增加。然而，中国水产养殖面积和水产业从业人员数近年开始逐渐降低，增加了中国水产品稳定、可持续供给的风险。由于中国巨大的水产品供给和消费体量，未来中国水产品供给仍需要坚持立足国内生产。需要提高水产养殖产量来满足中国对水产品需求的增量，同时稳定海洋和内陆捕捞产量，并以进口作为水产品供给的适当补充。需要提高水产养殖集约化水平，努力提高水产养殖单位面积产量和劳动生产效率，同时降低水产养殖引起的环境影响，实现“可持续集约化”。本研究还提出了需要加强水产品在粮食安全政策的地位、通过更好的统计数据支撑政策制定、更多和更均衡的资源投入支持水产业发展等建议。