On the relationship of the genus Aulacocarpus, with description of a new Panamanian species

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Notes on some specimens of a species of onychophore (Oroperipatus corradoi) new to the fauna of Panama

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Ecology of aquaculture species and enhancement of stocks: proceedings of the thirtieth U.S. - Japan meeting on aquaculture, Sarasota, FL, Dec. 3-4, 2001

CONTENTS: I. U.S.-Japan Cooperation Open Ocean Aquaculture – A Venue for Cooperative Research Between the United States and Japan.............................................................................. 1 C. Helsley II. Growth, Nutrition and Genetic Diversity Daily Ration of Hatchery-Reared Japanese Flounder Paralichthys olivaceus as an Indicator of Release Place, Time and Fry Quality. In situ Direct Estimation and Possibility of New Methods by Stable Isotope............................ 7 O. Tominaga, T. Seikai, T. Tsusaki, Y. Hondo, N. Murakami, K. Nogami, Y. Tanaka and M. Tanaka Nucleic Acids and Protein Content as a Measure to Evaluate the Nutritional Condition of Japanese Flounder Paralichthys olivaceus Larvae and Juveniles........................................................................................................ 25 W. Gwak Genetic Diversity Within and Between Hatchery Strains of Flounder Paralichthys olivaceus Assessed by Means of Microsatellite and Mitochondrial DNA Sequencing Analysis...................................................................... 43 M. Sekino, M. Hara and N. Taniguchi Tracking Released Japanese Flounder Paralichthys olivaceus by Mitochondrial DNA Sequencing................................................................................ 51 T. Fujii Preliminary Aspects of Genetic Management for Pacific Threadfin Polydactylus sexfilis Stock Enhancement Research in Hawaii........................................ 55 M. Tringali, D. Ziemann and K. Stuck Enhancement of Pacific Threadfin Polydactylus sexfilis in Hawaii: Interactions Between Aquaculture and Fisheries............................................................. 75 D. Ziemann Aquaculture and Genetic Structure in the Japanese Eel Anguilla japonica..................... 87 M. Katoh and M. Kobayashi Comparative Diets and Growth of Two Scombrid Species, Chub Mackerel Scomber japonicus and Japanese Spanish Mackerel Scomberomorus niphonius, in the Central Seto Inland Sea, Japan.................................. 93 J. Shoji, M. Tanaka and Tsutomu Maehara iii Evaluating Stock Enhancement Strategies: A Multi-disciplinary Approach................... 105 T. M. Bert, R.H. McMichael, Jr., R.P. Cody, A. B. Forstchen, W. G. Halstead, K. M. Leber, J. O’Hop, C. L. Neidig, J. M. Ransier, M. D. Tringali, B. L. Winner and F. S. Kennedy III. Physiological and Ecological Applications Predation on Juvenile Chum Salmon Oncorhynchus keta by Fishes and Birds in Rivers and Coastal Oceanic Waters of Japan................................... 127 K. Nagasawa and H. Kawamura Interaction Between Cleaner and Host: The Black Porgy Cleaning Behavior of Juvenile Sharpnose Tigerfish Rhyncopelates Oxyrhynchus in the Seto Inland Sea, Western Japan............................................................................. 139 T. Shigeta, H. Usuki and K. Gushima IV. Case Studies Alaska Salmon Enhancement: A Successful Program for Hatchery and Wild Stocks............................................................................................... 149 W. Heard NMFS Involvement with Stock Enhancement as a Management Tool........................... 171 T. McIlwain Stock Enhancement Research with Anadromous and Marine Fishes in South Carolina...................................................................................... 175 T. I. J. Smith, W. E. Jenkins, M. R. Denson and M. R. Collins Comparison of Some Developmental, Nutritional, Behavioral and Health Factors Relevant to Stocking of Striped Mullet, (Mugilidae), Sheepshead (Sparidae), Common Snook (Centropomidae) and Nassau Groupers (Serranidae)........................... 191 J. W. Tucker Jr. and S. B. Kennedy Participants in the Thirtieth U.S.-Japan Meeting on Aquaculture................. Inside Back Cover iv (PDF has 204 pages.)

Fish assemblages and indicator species: reef fishes off the southeastern United States

For many fish stocks, resource management cannot be based on stock assessment because data are insufficient-a situation that requires alternative approaches to management. One possible approach is to manage data-limited stocks as part of an assemblage and to determine the status of the entire unit by a data-rich indicator species. The utility of this approach was evaluated in analyses of 15 years of commercial and 34 years of recreational logbook data from reef fisheries off the southeastern United States coast. Multivariate statistical analyses successfully revealed three primary assemblages. Within assemblages, however, there was little evidence of synchrony in population dynamics of member species, and thus, no support for the use of indicator species. Nonetheless, assemblages could prove useful as management units. Their identification offers opportunities for implementing management to address such ecological considerations as bycatch and species interrelations.

Protected species aerial survey data collection and analysis in waters underlying the R-5306A airspace: final report submitted to US Marine Corps, MCAS Cherry Point

To be in compliance with the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the United States Department of the Navy is required to assess the potential environmental impacts of conducting at-sea training operations on sea turtles and marine mammals. Limited recent and area-specific density data of sea turtles and dolphins exist for many of the Navy’s operations areas (OPAREAs), including the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point OPAREA, which encompasses portions of Core and Pamlico Sounds, North Carolina. Aerial surveys were conducted to document the seasonal distribution and estimated density of sea turtles and dolphins within Core Sound and portions of Pamlico Sound, and coastal waters extending one mile offshore. Sea Surface Temperature (SST) data for each survey were extracted from 1.4 km/pixel resolution Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer remote images. A total of 92 turtles and 1,625 dolphins were sighted during 41 aerial surveys, conducted from July 2004 to April 2006. In the spring (March – May; 7.9°C to 21.7°C mean SST), the majority of turtles sighted were along the coast, mainly from the northern Core Banks northward to Cape Hatteras. By the summer (June – Aug.; 25.2°C to 30.8°C mean SST), turtles were fairly evenly dispersed along the entire survey range of the coast and Pamlico Sound, with only a few sightings in Core Sound. In the autumn (Sept. – Nov.; 9.6°C to 29.6°C mean SST), the majority of turtles sighted were along the coast and in eastern Pamlico Sound; however, fewer turtles were observed along the coast than in the summer. No turtles were seen during the winter surveys (Dec. – Feb.; 7.6°C to 11.2°C mean SST). The estimated mean surface density of turtles was highest along the coast in the summer of 2005 (0.615 turtles/km², SE = 0.220). In Core and Pamlico Sounds the highest mean surface density occurred during the autumn of 2005 (0.016 turtles/km², SE = 0.009). The mean seasonal abundance estimates were always highest in the coastal region, except in the winter when turtles were not sighted in either region. For Pamlico Sound, surface densities were always greater in the eastern than western section. The range of mean temperatures at which turtles were sighted was 9.68°C to 30.82°C. The majority of turtles sighted were within water ≥ 11°C. Dolphins were observed within estuarine waters and along the coast year-round; however, there were some general seasonal movements. In particular, during the summer sightings decreased along the coast and dolphins were distributed throughout Core and Pamlico Sounds, while in the winter the majority of dolphins were located along the coast and in southeastern Pamlico Sound. Although relative numbers changed seasonally between these areas, the estimated mean surface density of dolphins was highest along the coast in the spring of 2006 (9.564 dolphins/km², SE = 5.571). In Core and Pamlico Sounds the highest mean surface density occurred during the autumn of 2004 (0.192 dolphins/km², SE = 0.066). The estimated mean surface density of dolphins was lowest along the coast in the summer of 2004 (0.461 dolphins/km², SE = 0.294). The estimated mean surface density of dolphins was lowest in Core and Pamlico Sounds in the summer of 2005 (0.024 dolphins/km², SE = 0.011). In Pamlico Sound, estimated surface densities were greater in the eastern section except in the autumn. Dolphins were sighted throughout the entire range of mean SST (7.60°C to 30.82°C), with a tendency towards fewer dolphins sighted as water temperatures increased. Based on the findings of this study, sea turtles are most likely to be encountered within the OPAREAs when SST is ≥ 11°C. Since sea turtle distributions are generally limited by water temperature, knowing the SST of a given area is a useful predictor of sea turtle presence. Since dolphins were observed within estuarine waters year-round and throughout the entire range of mean SST’s, they likely could be encountered in the OPAREAs any time of the year. Although our findings indicated the greatest number of dolphins to be present in the winter and the least in the summer, their movements also may be related to other factors such as the availability of prey. (PDF contains 28 pages)

Species Profiles: Life Histories and Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (Pacific Southwest): Black, green, and red abalones

All abalones belong to the genus Haliotis sensu latu, family Haliotidae. The 75 species known worldwide (Booloot ian et, al. 1962) are anatomically similar and all are adapted for attachment to hard substrates. Seven species are widely distributed along the coast of California (Cox 1962; Mottet 19781, of which several are important in the comercial and sport fisheries of the Pacific Southwest. (PDF has 19 pages.)

A schematic analysis and discussion of species taken by otter trawl net by the research vessel Orion from July, 1965 to June 1966 in the Chesapeake Bay and major tributaries

From July 1965 to June 1964 the Natural Resources Institute's Research Vessel ORION took 16 minute tows with a forty (40) foot otter trawl net at 38 selected locations in Chesapeake Bay from the south of the Potomac River to Turkey Point at the head of the Bay and including some tributaries. Shallow and deep hauls were taken at most stations with depths ranging from 5 to 140 feet. A schematic summary of the 54 different species caught was compared with "Fishes of the Chesapeake Bay" by S. F. Hildebrand and W. C. Schroeder. Sixteen species including five not contained in the above references were selected for discussion. (PDF contains 21 pages)

A manual of previously recorded non-indigenous invasive and native transplanted animal species of the Laurentian Great Lakes and coastal United States

This manual presents geographic information by state of occurrence, and descriptions of the socio-economic impact created by the invasion of non-indigenous and native transplanted animal species in the Laurentian Great Lakes and the coastal waters of the United States. It is not a comprehensive literature review, but rather is intended as a primer for those unfamiliar with the socio-economic impacts of invasive aquatic and marine animals. Readers should also note that the information contained in this manual is current as of its publication date. New information and new species are routinely being added to the wider literature base. Most of the information was gathered from a number of web sites maintained by government agencies, commissions, academic institutions and museums. Additional information was taken from the primary and secondary literature. This manual focuses on socio-economic consequences of invasive species. Thus, ecological impacts, when noted in the literature, are not discussed unless a connection to socio-economic factors can be made. For a majority of the species listed, either the impact of their invasion is not understood, or it is not published in sources surveyed. In the species summaries, sources of information are cited except for information from the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database http://nas.er.usgs.gov. This website formed the base information used in creating tables on geographic distribution, and in many of the species summaries provided. Thus, whenever information is given without specific author/source and date citation, it has come from this comprehensive source. (PDF contains 90 pages)

Self-recruiting species (SRS) from farmer managed aquatic systems: are they important to the livelihoods of rural communities?

Why are SRS important? The answer is to be found in this well-structured survey under: SRS as food source; SRS as additional source of cash income; Role of SRS in social capital. An analysis of the threats to SRS and the potential management options for farmer managed aquatic systems are also available in this survey along with the following definition of SRS: SRS are defined as aquatic animals that can be harvested from farmer managed aquatic systems without regular stocking. (PDF contains 4 pages)

A comparison of seafloor habitats and associated benthic fauna in areas open and closed to bottom trawling along the central California Continental Shelf

Executive Summary: A number of studies have shown that mobile, bottom-contact fishing gear (such as otter trawls) can alter seafloor habitats and associated biota. Considerably less is known about the recovery of these resources following such disturbances, though this information is critical for successful management. In part, this paucity of information can be attributed to the lack of access to adequate control sites – areas of the seafloor that are closed to fishing activity. Recent closures along the coast of central California provide an excellent opportunity to track the recovery of historically trawled areas and to compare recovery rates to adjacent areas that continue to be trawled. In June 2006 we initiated a multi-year study of the recovery of seafloor microhabitats and associated benthic fauna inside and outside two new Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) closures within the Cordell Bank and Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuaries. Study sites inside the EFH closure at Cordell Bank were located in historically active areas of fishing effort, which had not been trawled since 2003. Sites outside the EFH closure in the Gulf of Farallones were located in an area that continues to be actively trawled. All sites were located in unconsolidated sands at equivalent water depths. Video and still photographic data collected via a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) were used to quantify the abundance, richness, and diversity of microhabitats and epifaunal macro-invertebrates at recovering and actively trawled sites, while bottom grabs and conductivity/temperature/depth (CTD) casts were used to quantify infaunal diversity and to characterize local environmental conditions. Analysis of still photos found differences in common seafloor microhabitats between the recovering and actively trawled areas, while analysis of videographic data indicated that biogenic mound and biogenic depression microhabitats were significantly less abundant at trawled sites. Each of these features provides structure with which demersal fishes, across a wide range of size classes, have been observed to associate. Epifaunal macro-invertebrates were sparsely distributed and occurred in low numbers in both treatments. However, their total abundance was significantly different between treatments, which was attributable to lower densities at trawled sites. In addition, the dominant taxa were different between the two sites. Patchily-distributed buried brittle stars dominated the recovering site, and sea whips (Halipteris cf. willemoesi) were most numerous at the trawled site though they occurred in only five of ten transects. Numerical classification (cluster analysis) of the infaunal samples also revealed a clear difference between benthic assemblages in the recovering vs. trawled areas due to differences in the relative abundances of component species. There were no major differences in infaunal species richness, H′ diversity, or J′ evenness between recovering vs. trawled site groups. However, total infaunal abundance showed a significant difference attributable to much lower densities at trawled sites. This pattern was driven largely by the small oweniid polychaete Myriochele gracilis, which was the most abundant species in the overall study region though significantly less abundant at trawled sites. Other taxa that were significantly less abundant at trawled sites included the polychaete M. olgae and the polychaete family Terebellidae. In contrast, the thyasirid bivalve Axinopsida serricata and the polychaetes Spiophanes spp. (mostly S. duplex), Prionospio spp., and Scoloplos armiger all had significantly to near significantly higher abundances at trawled sites. As a result of such contrasting species patterns, there also was a significant difference in the overall dominance structure of infaunal assemblages between the two treatments. It is suggested that the observed biological patterns were the result of trawling impacts and varying levels of recovery due to the difference in trawling status between the two areas. The EFH closure was established in June 2006, within a month of when sampling was conducted for the present study, however, the stations within this closure area are at sites that actually have experienced little trawling since 2003, based on National Marine Fishery Service trawl records. Thus, the three-year period would be sufficient time for some post-trawling changes to have occurred. Other results from this study (e.g., similarly moderate numbers of infaunal species in both areas that are lower than values recorded elsewhere in comparable habitats along the California continental shelf) also indicate that recovery within the closure area is not yet complete. Additional sampling is needed to evaluate subsequent recovery trends and persistence of effects. Furthermore, to date, the study has been limited to unconsolidated substrates. Ultimately, the goal of this project is to characterize the recovery trajectories of a wide spectrum of seafloor habitats and communities and to link that recovery to the dynamics of exploited marine fishes. (PDF has 48 pages.)

Species and size relationships within schools of yellowfin and skipjack tuna as indicated by catches in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean

ENGLISH: Yellowfin tuna, Neothunnus macropterus, and skipjack tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis, are fished intensively off the west coast of the Americas in an area from about the California-Mexico border in the north to the Peru-Chile border in the south. The historical development of this fishery, and its expansion by the long-range California fleets of bait and purse-seine vessels, are well documented by Godsil (1938), Scofield (1951) and Shimada and Sehaefer (1956). The quarterly distribution of the tuna catches within this area has been reported for some recent years by Alverson (1959). SPANISH: Los atunes aleta amarilla, Neothunnus macropterus, y barrilete, Katsuwonus pelamis, son pescados con intensidad frente a la costa occidental del continente americano, en un área comprendida más o menos entre la frontera California-México en el norte y el límite Perú-Chile en el sur. El desarrollo histórico de esta pesquería y la expansión que le han dado las flotas californianas de largo radio de acción, formadas por los barcos de carnada y rederos, están bien documentados por Godsil (1938), Scofield (1951) y Shimada y Schaefer (1956). La distribución trimestral de las pescas de atún dentro de esta área ha sido tratada por Alverson (1959) con referencia a años recientes.

Multi-species and multi-interest management: An ecosystem approach to market squid (Loligo opalescens) harvest in California

Market squid (Loligo opalescens) plays a vital role in the California ecosystem and serves as a major link in the food chain as both a predator and prey species. For over a century, market squid has also been harvested off the California coast from Monterey to San Pedro. Expanding global markets, coupled with a decline in squid product from other parts of the world, in recent years has fueled rapid expansion of the virtually unregulated California fishery. Lack of regulatory management, in combination with dramatic increases in fishing effort and landings, has raised numerous concerns from the scientific, fishing, and regulatory communities. In an effort to address these concerns, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (CINMS) hosted a panel discussion at the October 1997 California Cooperative Oceanic and Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI) Conference; it focused on ecosystem management implications for the burgeoning market squid fishery. Both panel and audience members addressed issues such as: the direct and indirect effects of commercial harvesting upon squid biomass; the effects of harvest and the role of squid in the broader marine community; the effects of environmental variation on squid population dynamics; the sustainability of the fishery from the point of view of both scientists and the fishers themselves; and the conservation management options for what is currently an open access and unregulated fishery. Herein are the key points of the ecosystem management panel discussion in the form of a preface, an executive summary, and transcript. (PDF contains 33 pages.)

Relationship between fish size and otolith length for 63 species of fishes from the Eastern North Pacific Ocean

Otoliths commonly are used to determine the taxon, age, and size of fishes. This information is useful for population management, predator-prey studies, and archaeological research. The relationship between the length of a fish and the length of its otoliths remains unknown for many species of marine fishes in the Pacific Ocean. Therefore, the relationships between fish length and fish weight, and between otolith length and fish length, were developed for 63 species of fishes caught in the eastern North Pacific Ocean. We also summarized similar relationships for 46 eastern North Pacific fish species reported in the literature. The relationship between fish length and otolith length was linear, and most of the variability was explained by a simple least-squares regression (r 2 > 0.700 for 45 of 63 species). The relationship between otolith length and fish length was not significantly different between left and right otoliths for all but one fish species. Images of otoliths from 77 taxa are included to assist in the identification of species. (PDF file contains 38 pages.)

Observations on the spawning of four species on tuna (Neothunnus macropterus, Katsuwonus pelamis, Auxis thazard and Euthynnus lineatus) in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, based on the distribution of their larvae and juveniles

ENGLISH: Knowledge of spawning habits is useful in the elucidation of the life history, ecology and population structure of tropical tunas, and is essential to the sound management of these resources. Until recently, little was known concerning the spawning of tunas, or about the distribution of their larval and juvenile stages, in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Nichols and Murphy (1944) reported the capture off Colombia of young scombroids ultimately identified as frigate mackerel, Auxis thazard (Schaefer and Marr, 1948a). Fowler (1944) reported the capture off Manzanillo, Mexico of two young tunas, one of which is definitely and the other most likely Neothunnus macropterus (Klawe, 1959). In 1947, young of N. macropterus, K. pelamis, A. thazard and E. lineatus were caught offshore from Central America (Schaefer and Marr, 1948a, 1948b, and Schaefer, 1948). Further collections of young N. macropterus, A. thazard and E. lineatus were made in the same general area in the spring of 1949 (Mead, 1951). In January and February 1955, Clemens (1956) carried Out experiments in rearing young tunas, E. lineatus and A. thazard, in shipboard aquaria, using fish caught off Central America. Matsumoto (1958) reported captures of larval N. macropterus and K. pelamis in the area along the 120th meridian of west longitude. Klawe (1958 and 1961b) reported captures of larval N. macropterus and Auxis from the Revillagigedo Islands. Captures of young Auxis and E. lineatus in the Gulf of Panama in January 1922 during the Dana Expedition have recently been reported by Matsumoto (1959). Capture of juveniles of K. pelamis, E. lineatus and Auxis in the area off tropical Mexico and in the area of outlying islands during the SCOT Expedition has been reported by Klawe (1960a). SPANISH: El conocimiento sobre los hábitos del desove es útil para el esclarecimiento de la historia natural, ecología y estructura de las poblaciones de atunes tropicales, y es esencial para la acertada administración de estos recursos. Hasta hace poco tiempo no se sabía mucho sobre el desove de los atunes o acerca de la distribución de sus larvas y juveniles en el Océano Pacífico Oriental. Nichols y Murphy (1944) informaron sobre la captura frente a Colombia de escómbridos jóvenes últimamente identificados como melva, Auxis thazard (Schaefer y Marr, 1948a). Fowler (1944) también informó sobre la captura de dos atunes jóvenes frente a Manzanillo, México, uno de los cuales era definitivamente Neothunnus macropterus y el otro era lo más probable que también lo fuera (Klawe, 1959). En 1947 se capturaron especímenes juveniles de N. macropterus, K. pelamis, A. thazard y E. lineatus frente a la América Central (Schaefer y Marr, 1948a, 1948b, y Schaefer, 1948). Otras recolecciones de ejemplares jóvenes de N. macropterus, A. thazard y E. lineatus fueron hechas en la misma área general durante la primavera de 1949 (Mead, 1951). En enero y febrero de 1955, Clemens (1956) efectuó experimentos de crianza de atunes jóvenes, E. lineatus y A.. thazard, en acuarios a bordo para lo que empleó peces capturados frente a la América Central. Matsumoto (1958) informó sobre capturas de larvas de N. macropterus y K. pelamis en el área a lo largo del meridiano 120 de longitud oeste. Klawe (1958 y 1961b) ha dado cuenta también de capturas de larvas de N. macropterus y Auxis en las Islas Revillagigedo. Matsumoto (1959) ha informado recientemente acerca de capturas de ejemplares jóvenes de Auxis y E. lineatus en el Golfo de Panamá en enero de 1922 durante la Expedición Dana. Klawe (1960a) informó así mismo que durante la Expedición SCOT se capturaron juveniles de K. pelamis, E. lineatus y Auxis en el área frente a la zona tropical de México y en la región de las islas alejadas del continente.

Potential applications of reproductive and molecular genetic technologies in the selective breeding of aquaculture species

The use of reproductive and genetic technologies can increase the efficiency of selective breeding programs for aquaculture species. Four technologies are considered, namely: marker-assisted selection, DNA fingerprinting, in-vitro fertilization, and cryopreservation. Marker-assisted selection can result in greater genetic gain, particularly for traits difficult or expensive to measure, than conventional selection methods, but its application is currently limited by lack of high density linkage maps and by the high cost of genotyping. DNA fingerprinting is most useful for genetic tagging and parentage verification. Both in-vitro fertilization and cryopreservation techniques can increase the accuracy of selection while controlling accumulation of inbreeding in long-term selection programs. Currently, the cost associated with the utilization of reproductive and genetic techniques is possibly the most important factor limiting their use in genetic improvement programs for aquatic species.