Elemental analysis of otoliths of Japanese anchovy: trial to discriminate between Seto Inland Sea and Pacific stock

The ability to discriminate local stocks of Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus was assessed based on data from four elements (K, Na, P, and Sr) using an electron probe micro analyzer (EPMA) and data from three elements (Ba, Mn, and Sr) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) from the otoliths of 40 anchovy (23.6–47.0 mm body length). Anchovy were caught at three sites (Aki-nada, Hiuchi-nada, and Osaka Bay) in the Seto Inland Sea, and one site (Kuroshio extension) in the Pacific Ocean in 2002. In order to discriminate different spawning grounds, EPMA data from the core portion (from core to 30 μm in the core-posterior axis) were used. Results showed that it was difficult to discriminate between the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific anchovy by EPMA data. Conversely, it was possible to discriminate between the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific anchovy by ICP-MS data from bulk otoliths. Our results showed that Mn contents of otoliths using ICP-MS discriminate between spawning grounds most, and Ba and Sr discriminate less. The difference in elemental compositions in anchovy otoliths between the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific Ocean might be reflected by cumulative experienced elemental composition of ambient sea water during life history between the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific anchovy.     

A synthesis of the life history and ecology of juvenile Pacific herring in Prince William Sound,Alaska

Physical and biological variables affecting juvenile Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) in Prince William Sound (PWS) from 1995 to 1998 were investigated as part of a multifaceted study of recruitment, the Sound Ecosystem Assessment (SEA) program. Though more herring larvae were retained in eastern PWS bays, ages‐0 and ‐1 herring used bays throughout PWS as nursery areas. Water transported into PWS from the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) contributed oceanic prey species to neritic habitats. Consequently, variations in local food availability resulted in different diets and growth rates of herring among bays. Summer food availability and possible interspecific competition for food in nursery areas affected the autumn nutritional status and juvenile whole body energy content (WBEC), which differed among bays. The WBEC of age‐0 herring in autumn was related to over‐winter survival. The limited amount of food consumption in winter was not sufficient to meet metabolic needs. The smallest age‐0 fish were most at risk of starvation in winter. Autumn WBEC of herring and winter water temperature were used to model over‐winter mortality of age‐0 herring. Differences in feeding and energetics among nursery areas indicated that habitat quality and age‐0 survival were varied among areas and years. These conditions were measured by temperature, zooplankton abundance, size of juvenile herring, diet energy, energy source (GOA vs. neritic zooplankton), WBEC, and within‐bay competition.     

东南太平洋智利竹(竹夹)鱼渔业生物学的初步调查研究

根据在东南太平洋的探捕调查 ,对所渔获的智利竹鱼 (Trachurus murphyi)群体的构成、叉长与体重的关系 ,年龄与生长的关系和性腺发育等基本生物学特征进行了初步探讨。结果显示 ,渔获智利竹鱼的叉长范围为 1 45～ 61 0 mm,体重范围为 42～ 1 95 0 g,年龄组成为 2～ 1 3龄 ,3～ 4龄鱼为优势群体 ,初次性成熟年龄为 3龄 ,不同年龄个体性腺成熟的节律差异明显     

Stable isotope variations in otoliths of Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) and indications of the possible 1990 regime shift

Stable oxygen and carbon isotope ratios (δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C) from archived otoliths of Pacific halibut, Hippoglossus stenolepis, were measured to examine the most recent regime shifts in British Columbia and the Gulf of Alaska. δ¹⁸O values of these otoliths ranged from −1.5 to +2.8‰ VPDB, and were consistent with the life stages and migration behavior of halibut. δ¹³C varied from −3.3 to +0.9‰ VPDB, but did not show a transition from the juvenile to the adult stage as does δ¹⁸O. Evaluation of δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C values of mature halibut (ages 8–12) indicated that the 1977 regime shift might have a warming impact on the northeast Pacific fish stocks. In contrast, a possible regime shift around 1990 with a bottom seawater temperature decrease of about 2 °C might have occurred in both the areas. The connection between stable isotope variations in otoliths and the climate regime shifts is thus potentially useful in studying the population dynamics of Pacific halibut, and decadal scale (e.g., the last 20–30 years) ocean environmental changes.     

Pacific sand lance of the Port Moller estuary, southeastern Bering Sea: an estuarine^dependent early life history

Three waves of spawning Pacific sand lance (Ammo-dytes hexapterus) entered the Port Moller estuary from mid-January to late May 1990. Each wave laid its eggs on sand in lower Moller Bay with the center of egg distribution about 14 km inside the estuary. After incubation for 45 to 94 d, each cohort of eggs hatched out over a 41- to 63-d period. Larvae moved at a rate of 0.21 knvd“¹ toward a deep fjordlike basin at the head of Herendeen Bay inside the estuary about 20 km southwest of the center of hatch. The basin has the lowest flushing rate of the estuary, and unlike the rest of Port Moller, it is vertically stratified, which allows the development of a spring-summer zooplankton community with greater biomass than any other location in the estuary. Larvae may have moved to the basin to enhance growth or to avoid offshore transport to areas of low food abundance, but we cannot demonstrate a direct link between growth and habitat. We conclude that the Port Moller sand lance stock has an estuarine early life history that evolved in response to the unique physical conditions of the Port Moller estuary–a shallow, well-mixed site with sandy substrate that is suitable for incubation of demersal eggs next to a deep, vertically stratified fjord with a rich zooplankton community that is suitable for rearing of larvae.     

Decadal variation in the trans-Pacific migration of northern bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) coherent with climate-induced change in prey abundance

Northern bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus, apparently spawn only in the western Pacific and a portion of the juveniles migrate to the eastern Pacific. During the past decade, catches of northern bluefin in the eastern Pacific have declined. One possible cause for this decline, proposed by bluefin stock assessment studies, is a decline in the proportion of bluefin that migrate out of the western Pacific. This hypothesis is examined with several indices of the relative abundance of bluefin tuna in the western and eastern Pacific. These indices suggest a decline in the proportion of bluefin migrating to the eastern Pacific since 1977. This period of reduced bluefin migration coincides with a period when a prey of bluefin, Japanese sardine, Sardinops melanosticta, were abundant off Japan. It is hypothesized that in years when sardines are abundant off Japan, a higher proportion of bluefin stay in the western Pacific compared with years when sardines are scarce. Currently, the adun-dance of sardines off Japan is declining. If this decline continues, this hypothesis predicts an increase in bluefin migrating north of Hawaii and into the eastern Pacific.