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.     

Habitat utilization and vertical movements of white marlin (Tetrapturus albidus) released from commercial and recreational fishing gears in the western North Atlantic Ocean: inferences from short duration pop-up archival satellite tags

Researchers have applied numerous techniques to improve billfish stock assessments, including habitat‐based models that incorporate behavioral and oceanographic parameters to standardize historical catch‐per‐unit‐effort time‐series data. These methods have allowed researchers to account for significant changes in the depths of pelagic longline (PLL) gear deployments over time. This study presents habitat‐use data recovered from high‐resolution 5‐ and 10‐day pop‐up satellite archival tags (PSATs) attached to 47 surviving white marlin released from commercial and recreational fishing gears offshore of the U.S. East Coast, the northern Caribbean, and Venezuela between 2002 and 2004. Data recovered from transmitting tags indicated that white marlin spent nearly half of their time associated with warm, near‐surface waters (<10 m). All fish displayed frequent short duration (mean: 39.8 min) vertical excursions from surface waters to depths averaging 51 m. Qualitative and multivariate classifications of data from completely transmitted movements of surviving white marlin revealed two major types of descents: one pattern was characterized by deep ‘V’‐shaped excursions of relatively short duration (mean: 23.4 min) while the other featured descents that were more broadly ‘U’‐shaped and confined to a specific depth range for an extended period of time (mean: 75.8 min). Based on the frequency, persistence, and patterns of these vertical movements, white marlin appear to direct a considerable proportion of foraging effort well below surface waters, a behavior that may account for relatively high catch rates of white marlin on some deep‐set PLL deployments.     

Effect of Discontinuous Administration of β -glucan and Glycyrrhizin on the Growth and Immunity of Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus Vannamei

A six-week growth trial was conducted to compare the effects of different feeding strate- gies of dietary immunostimulants on the growth and immunity of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei （4.70 ±0.20g）. Shrimps were fed with diet containing glycyrrhizin continuously, containing β -glucan continuously, discontinuously （seven days with diet containing β -gluseven days with diet without -glucan; two days with diet containing β-glucan following five days with diet without -glucan）,     

Association between porpoise presence and fish choruses: implications for feeding strategies and ecosystem-based conservation of the East Asian finless porpoise

The associations between feeding activities and environmental variables inform animal feeding tactics that maximize energetic gains by minimizing energy costs while maximizing feeding success. Relevant studies in aquatic animals, particularly marine mammals, are scarce due to difficulties in the observation of feeding behaviors in aquatic environments. This data scarcity concurrently hinders ecosystem-based fishery management in the context of small toothed-cetacean conservation. In the present study, a passive acoustic monitoring station was deployed in an East Asian finless porpoise habitat in Laizhou Bay to investigate potential relationships between East Asian finless porpoises and their prey. The data revealed that porpoises were acoustically present nearly every day during the survey period. Porpoise detection rates differed between spring and autumn in concert with activities of fish choruses. During spring, fish choruses were present throughout the afternoon, and this was the time when porpoise vocalizations were the most frequently detected. During autumn, when fish choruses were absent, porpoise detection rates decreased, and diurnal patterns were not detected. The close association between fish choruses and finless porpoise activities implies an “eavesdropping” feeding strategy to maximize energetic gains, similar to other toothed cetaceans that are known to engage similar feeding strategies. Underwater noise pollution, particularly those masking fish choruses, could interrupt finless porpoises’ feeding success. Fisheries competing soniferous fishes with finless porpoise could impact finless porpoise viability through ecosystem disruption, in addition to fishing gear entanglement.     

基于 DEA 和 Malmquist 指数的广东省渔业效率研究

【目的】分析掌握广东渔业的产出效率,为发展可持续的低耗高产渔业提供数据参考。【方法】基于数据包络分析（DEA）及 Malmquist 指数,对 2011—2022 年期间广东渔业综合技术效率和全要素生产率指数及其分解进行测算和分析,并与全国平均值进行对比。【结果】广东渔业综合技术效率每年均高于全国平均水平,但2011—2014 年、2018—2019 年和 2021 年广东渔业规模报酬呈现递减。通过对广东水产养殖和水产品捕捞的综合技术效率分别进行测算,发现 2011—2022 年期间广东水产养殖的综合技术效率较高,除 2013 年和 2014 年外,均为DEA 有效。将 DEA 无效年份的广东水产养殖和水产品捕捞在生产前沿面上的投影调整为 DEA 有效,结果显示,2013 年和 2014 年广东水产养殖投入的冗余率分别为 5.98% 和 10.46%,而 2011—2014 年、2018—2019 年和 2021年广东水产品捕捞投入的冗余率在 39.73%~74.27% 之间,说明水产品捕捞的过度投入以及由此引发的捕捞综合技术效率低下是造成 2011—2014 年、2018—2019 年和 2021 年广东渔业规模报酬递减的主要原因。广东渔业的技术进步和全要素生产率上升幅度与全国平均水平相差较远,全要素生产率和技术进步指数均比全国平均增幅低 4.7%,说明广东省在渔业技术进步方面有较大提升空间。【结论】建议广东加大渔业科技的投入力度,加强渔业技术创新,以促进渔业技术进步和提高全要素生产率;加快渔业产业结构调整,合理布局养殖和捕捞规模,以解决广东渔业规模报酬递减的问题;加强渔业资源保护和增殖放流,利用自然生产力增加可捕捞渔业资源;加强水产良种创制及养殖新模式和新技术的开发,进一步拓展水产养殖空间和提高水产养殖的产出效率。     

An ecosystem-based assessment of the Korean blue crab trammel net fishery in the Yellow Sea and management implications

Landings in the blue crab, Portunus trituberculatus, fishery in Korean waters of the Yellow Sea have declined substantially from 11,000 t in the 1980s to 2,300 t in 2004. Blue crab habitat quality in the Yellow Sea has been degraded by anthropogenic activities including sand mining, land reclamation, and coastal pollution. Various traditional management measures have been implemented, including closed seasons during spawning and size limits, but these measures alone have been unsuccessful to conserve blue crab stocks. Consequently, a total allowable catch and a stock-rebuilding program using an ecosystem-based management approach were implemented in 2003 and 2006, respectively to rebuild blue crab stocks and restore habitats. This program involved assessment of both blue crab stock status and trammel-net fishery impacts at an ecosystem-level using an ecosystem-based fisheries assessment method ( [Zhang et al., 2009] and [Zhang et al., 2010]), which considered fishery data from catch and effort time-series, crab population biology, and ecosystem characteristics, including habitats and environmental conditions. Recent (2008) management status indices have shown significant positive change compared to conditions in 2000 with respect to sustainability of the stock and fishery and with regards to biodiversity and ecosystem habitat quality.     

Sea turtle by‐catch in the Mediterranean

Sea turtle by‐catch data in the Mediterranean were reviewed and analysed with fishing effort. The results indicate over 132 000 captures per year, with probably over 44 000 incidental deaths per year, while many others are killed intentionally. Small vessels using set net, demersal longline or pelagic longline represent most of the Mediterranean fleet and likely cause more incidental or intentional deaths than large vessels typically using bottom trawl or pelagic longline. When interactions, mortality, intentional killing, size (a proxy for reproductive value) and turtle populations are considered, results indicate that Mediterranean green (Chelonia mydas) and loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) are more affected (i) by fishing gears such as bottom trawlers, demersal longlines and set nets, (ii) by small‐scale fisheries, and (iii) by fishing in the eastern basin. Although small‐scale fisheries should be the priority target, available measures are easier to implement on the fewer large vessels. Moreover, these measures are few, and they are not implemented yet, while others should still be tested for the Mediterranean fisheries. Thus, measures for reducing captures or mortality through changing gear‐specific characteristics may help, but probably a more holistic conservation strategy aimed to an ecosystem‐based fishery management for a sustainable fishing would be the only solution for the long‐term survival of Mediterranean Sea turtle populations and their habitats. Small‐scale fisheries should manage marine resources, including turtles, in a responsible and sustainable way. Turtles may not only benefit from but can also help this process if their non‐consumptive value is fully recognized.     

日本渔业概况

日本是全球重要的渔业国家。本文介绍了日本的渔业生产、渔业资源、渔业在国民经济中的地位、渔业管理以及渔业劳动力和经营状况。日本渔业以海洋捕捞为主,由于全球渔业资源衰退,国际竞争加剧以及日本国内经济的持续低迷,日本渔业在经历了上世纪80年代的鼎盛期之后呈现大幅下降趋势,面临着产业结构调整的巨大压力。     

Influence of light intensity on biofilm formation and the performance of pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus paulensis juveniles reared in cages

A reduction in light intensity may increase shrimp activity, although it may also negatively affect the development of photoautotrophic organisms present in biofilm, an important natural food source for shrimp. This experiment evaluated the influence of light intensity on biofilm development and on the growth of cultured Farfantepenaeus paulensis juveniles. Six cages were deployed in a shrimp culture pond and stocked with 60 juveniles (0.72 ± 0.03 g). Three cages were randomly chosen and covered with five layers of polyamide net to reduce light incidence (shaded treatment), while the other three cages were not covered (control treatment). Biofilm chlorophyll a and microorganism abundance, as well as shrimp growth, were monitored during the experiment. Chlorophyll a concentration and the abundance of bacteria and flagellates were significantly lower in the shaded treatment (P<0.05). After 75 rearing days, shrimp stocked in control treatment achieved significantly higher (5.98 g) (P<0.05) mean weight than shrimp reared in shaded treatment cages (5.13 g). Similarly, the biomass produced was also significantly higher (P<0.05) in the control treatment (322.92 g) than in the shaded treatment (287.31 g). The results of this study demonstrate that light intensity has a huge influence on shrimp performance mainly due to the increase in natural food availability.