Effect of rainfall as a component of climate change on estuarine fish production in Queensland, Australia

The speculation that climate change may impact on sustainable fish production suggests a need to understand how these effects influence fish catch on a broad scale. With a gross annual value of A$ 2.2 billion, the fishing industry is a significant primary industry in Australia. Many commercially important fish species use estuarine habitats such as mangroves, tidal flats and seagrass beds as nurseries or breeding grounds and have lifecycles correlated to rainfall and temperature patterns. Correlation of catches of mullet (e.g. Mugil cephalus) and barramundi (Lates calcarifer) with rainfall suggests that fisheries may be sensitive to effects of climate change. This work reviews key commercial fish and crustacean species and their link to estuaries and climate parameters. A conceptual model demonstrates ecological and biophysical links of estuarine habitats that influences capture fisheries production. The difficulty involved in explaining the effect of climate change on fisheries arising from the lack of ecological knowledge may be overcome by relating climate parameters with long-term fish catch data. Catch per unit effort (CPUE), rainfall, the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) and catch time series for specific combinations of climate seasons and regions have been explored and surplus production models applied to Queensland's commercial fish catch data with the program CLIMPROD. Results indicate that up to 30% of Queensland's total fish catch and up to 80% of the barramundi catch variation for specific regions can be explained by rainfall often with a lagged response to rainfall events. Our approach allows an evaluation of the economic consequences of climate parameters on estuarine fisheries. thus highlighting the need to develop forecast models and manage estuaries for future climate chan e impact by adjusting the quota for climate change sensitive species. Different modelling approaches are discussed with respect to their forecast ability. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pesca artesanal del Puerto Supe (Provincia de Barranca, Departamento de Lima) en el año 1998

Durante el año 1998 (*) la pesca artesanal en el Puerto Supe se registra el desembarque de 699 t de recursos hidrobiológicos, constituido por 35 especies hidrobiológicas entre peces (31) e invertebrados (4), entre los peces destacó el ayanque (Cynoscion analis) con 147808 k, el bagre (Galeichthys peruvianus) con 165095 k, la lisa (Mugil cephalus) con 53828 k, la lorna (Sciaena deliciosa) con 27898 k, el machete (Ethmídium maculatum) con 19663 k y el perico (Coryphaena hippurus) con 16472 k y entre los invertebrados el mas importante fue el langostino tití (Xíphopenaeus rivetí) con 220 t de captura. Operaron un promedio de 218 embarcaciones mensuales que realizaron faenas de pesca en 30 zonas, desde las Zorras a Ancón obteniendo un esfuerzo pesquero de 2621 viajes y un rendimiento promedio de 267 k/viaje, se capturaron especies asociadas al fenómeno "El Niño", tales como el perico (Coryphaena híppurus) y langostino tití (Xiphopenaeus rive i), que incrementaron su desembarque y las ausencias de otras especies como el pejerrey (Odontesthes regia regia) y el cangrejo morado (Platyxan thus oÍbignyi) . En Puerto Supe se desembarcaron recursos costeros provenientes de la flota industrial, para ser procesados e las plantas pesqueras harineras, se desembarco 723. 669 t, constituido por 3 especies, en este volumen de captura destacó el ayanque (Cynoscion analís) con 616.006 t, lorna (Sciaena deliciosa) con 105.265 t y el coco (Paralonchurus peruanus) con 2398 t, operaron 19 E/P industriales, que realizaron faenas de pesca en Bermejo y Paramonga con un esfuerzo pesquero de 48 viajes y un rendimiento promedio de 15,076 k/viaje. Los meses que se registraron, estos viajes, fue junio, julio, agosto, y octubre. En Puerto Supe se desembarcó un total de 1422.676 t tanto de la flota industrial y artesanal, obteniendo la pesca industrial 3.4% más que la flota artesanal, que operó en el año 357 días, (Los días 1,2,23 y 29 de Junio, 19 y 28 de Julio 3 y 4 de Octubre no salieron a la pesca por condiciones meteorológicas o fiestas) . La flota industrial opero solo 14 días en el año (01 días en Junio, 06 Julio, 01 en Agosto, y 06 días en Octubre). El arte que utilizaron las embarcaciones industriales fue el cerco anchovetero de tamaño de malla de 1/2 Pulg.

First report of cleaning behaviour in white sea bream (Diplodus sargus)

Several studies have reported the existence of ectoparasites in the stomach contents of Diplodus sargus. The cleaning behaviour has, however, never been previously observed for this species. In this short study, we report the first observations of the cleaning behaviour of D. sargus. These observations were in two yachting marinas, located in the Portuguese western coast between the months of April and August. The cleaning behaviour was only observed towards two Mugilidae species, Chelon labrosus and Mugil cephalus.

Digestão nitro-sulfúrica de fígado de peixe Mugil liza em forno de micro-ondas com radiação focalizada para determinar elementos de interesse ambiental por ICPMS

O presente estudo propõe uma metodologia para dissolução de tecidos biológicos em sistema de micro-ondas com radiação focalizada e posterior análise elementar por espectrometria de massas com plasma acoplado indutivamente (ICPMS). Foram determinados os elementos arsênio (As), cádmio (Cd), cobre (Cu), chumbo (Pb), níquel (Ni), vanádio (V) e zinco (Zn). A matriz nitro-peroxo-sulfúrica foi comparada com outra sem o ácido sulfúrico e apresentou melhor padrão de recuperação (acima de 90%) na quantificação dos elementos certificados no material de referência TORT-2. As interferências causadas pela presença do ácido sulfúrico na matriz digestora foram contornadas com o uso da célula de reação/colisão com gás hélio (He) e adição deste ácido na composição da curva de quantificação. O ganho analítico proporcionado pelo método de digestão em matriz sulfúrica, em sistema não pressurizado, baseia-se no incremento da temperatura reacional e na degradação completa da matéria orgânica. As digestões tradicionalmente realizadas para quantificação por ICPMS, compostas unicamente de ácido nítrico (HNO3) e peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2), não apresentam a mesma eficiência na degradação da matéria orgânica em sistemas abertos. Por fim, este método foi aplicado satisfatoriamente em amostras de tecido hepático de peixe Mugil liza (tainha), comprovando sua eficiência em monitorar a bioacumulação, utilizando-se da sensibilidade da técnica multielementar de ICPMS

Who's working on Mugil culture

The findings are presented of a survey conducted regarding research on Mugil culture; emphasis was given to publications from the tropics and subtropics, particularly from developing regions. The literature search used ASFA, the ICLARM library and professional staff collections. It was found that during the period 1932-90 there were 203 articles published; of these, 41% were on the subject of reproduction, induced breeding and seed, 26% on culture systems, 12% on general discussions, 11% on diseases/parasites, and 10% on nutrition.

Nueva especie del género Mugil (Pisces: Mugilidae) de aguas cubanas.

A new species of mullet (Mugil) from Nipe Bay. North coast of Oriente Province, Cuba. The absence of axillary scale of pectoral fins, a very slender body and a notably elongated caudal peduncle are among the most diagnostic features of a new species.

Reproduction and recruitment of white mullet (Mugil curema) to a tropical lagoon (Margarita Island, Venezuela) as revealed by otolith microstructure

The reproductive activity and recruitment of white mullet (Mugil curema) was determined by observations of gonad development and coastal juvenile abundance from March 1992 to July 1993. Adults were collected from commercial catches at three sites in northeastern Venezuelan waters. Spawning time was determined from the observation of macroscopic gonadal stages. Coastal recruitment was determined from fish samples collected biweekly by seining in La Restinga Lagoon, Margarita Island, Venezuela. The examination of daily growth rings on the otoliths of coastal recruits was used to determine their birth date and estimate the period of successful spawning. Fish with mature gonads were present throughout the year but were less frequent between September and January when spawning individuals migrated offshore. In both years, juvenile recruitment to the lagoon was highest between March and June when high densities of 25–35 mm juveniles were observed. Back-calculated hatching-date frequency distributions revealed maximum levels of successful spawning in December–January that were significantly correlated with periods of enhanced upwelling. The relation between the timing of successful spawning and the intensity of coastal recruitment in white mullet was likely due to variations in food availability for first-feeding larvae as well as to variations in the duration of the transport of larvae shoreward as a result of varying current conditions associated with upwelling.

Criar matrinxã (Brycon cephalus): atividade econômica potencial para o agronegócio amazonense.

Preparo dos viveiros. Recria. Recepção de juvenis. Povoamento das barragens. Manejo alimentar. Biometrias. Monitoramento da qualidade da água dos viveiros. Ciclo de cultivo. Parâmetros zootécnicos do cultivo. Análise de viabilidade econômica e financeira. Parâmetros adotados como suporte à análise de viabilidade econômica e financeira. Custo de produção do sistema de cultivo. Rentabilidade e lucratividade do sistema de cultivo. Retorno ao investimento e tempo de recuperação do capital.

Criação de matrinxã (Brycon cephalus) em barragens no Estado do Amazonas.

Instalações físicas, materiais e origem dos animais. Condições climáticas. Preparo, povoamento dos viveiros e manejo geral do cultivo. Resultados alcançados.

An old taxonomic dilemma: the identity of the western south Atlantic lebranche mullet (Teleostei: Perciformes: Mugilidae)

The identification of the lebranche mullet in the western south Atlantic has long been problematical. In most recent works either Mugil liza Valenciennes and M. platanus Gunther, 1880 or M. liza and M. cephalus Linnaeus, 1758 were recognized from the region and more rarely the occurrence of only one species has been proposed but without sufficient morphological, biochemical or molecular data to allow the designation of the taxonomically appropriate name. Analysis of meristic and morphometric data taken from samples collected from Venezuela to Argentina, clearly indicates that there is only one species of lebranche mullet in the Caribbean Sea region and the Atlantic coast of South America and that Mugil liza is the appropriate name. The comparison of the combined data from all the samples of M. liza with the data taken from one sample of M. cephalus that originated in the Mediterranean, the possible locality from which type specimens were collected (Eschmeyer and Fricke, 2009), revealed significant differences indicating that they are different species. It is also suggested that individuals from the western north Atlantic identified as M. cephalus might represent a population of M. liza in this region.

Biologia reprodutiva da |Tainha, Mugil curema valencientes, 1836 (osteichthyes: mugilidade) nas águas costeiras do Rio Grande do Norte

The marine fish white mullet, Mugil curema Valenciennes, 1836 (Osteichthyes: Mugilidae) exhibits a wide geographical distribution, being common in the Brazilian coast and is an important component of the artisanal fisheries. The objective of this study was to investigate the reproductive biology of M. curema in the coastal waters of Rio Grande do Norte. Fish samples were captured on a monthly basis during August, 2008 to July, 2009. The fish specimens were numbered, weighed, measured, dissected and their gonads were removed, weighed, their sex and gonadal development were identified. The length-weight relationship was determined for males and females. The sex ratio, the size at first gonadal maturation and gonadosomatic index (GSI) were calculated and ovarian development was investigated using macroscopic and histological techniques. The fecundity, spawning type and the reproductive period of the species were determined. A total of 366 specimens (186 males and 180 females) were captured. The sex ratio was 1:1 and the females were heavier than males. The estimated values of the angular coefficient for both sexes suggest that the species has isometric growth. The size at which 50% of the population began the process of maturation was 25.9 cm of total length for grouped sex. The macroscopic characteristics of the ovaries showed four stages of development: immature, maturing, mature and spent. However, the microscopic characteristics of the ovaries showed five stages of development: immature, early maturing, late maturing, mature and spent. The development of oocytes indicated five phases: Chromatin-nucleolus (phase I), initial perinucleolar (phase II), final perinuclear (phase II), formation of vitelline vesicle or yolk (phase III), vitellogenic (phase IV) and complete vitellogenesis (phase V). The species has a prolonged spawning period, with two peaks coinciding with the rainy season.

Salt as a stress response mitigator of matrinxa, Brycon cephalus (Gunther), during transport

The present study evaluated the physiological responses of matrinxa, Brycon cephalus (Gunther), submitted to transport stress under the influence of sodium chloride, Different salt concentrations (0.0%, 0.1%, 0.3% and 0.6%) were added to four 200-L plastic tanks. Each tank was stocked with 30 fish (mean weight 1.0 +/- 0.2 kg) and transported for 4 h. Blood was sampled prior to transport and immediately after and 24 and 96 h after transport. Plasma cortisol and glucose and serum sodium and potassium, plasma chloride and ammonia were analysed, Changes in plasma cortisol were observed immediately after transportation, except in fish transported in 0.3% and 0.6% salt. Twenty-four hours later, this hormone had returned to its initial level in all fish. Blood glucose was not changed in fish treated with 0.6% salt immediately after transport, and returned to the initial level within 96 h after the other treatments. All treatments resulted in lower levels of plasma chloride after transport, except for fish treated with 0.6% salt, with fish treated with 0.0% and 0.3% salt recovering 24 h later, Serum sodium decreased immediately after transport only in the control fish, returning to the initial level 24 h later, the results indicate that treatment with 0.6% NaCl reduces most of the physiological responses of matrinxa to the stress of transport.

Crystallization, preliminary X-ray analysis and molecular-replacement solution of haemoglobin-II from the fish matrinxa (Brycon cephalus)

Haemoglobins constitute a set of proteins with interesting structural and functional properties, especially when the two large animal groups reptiles and fishes are focused on. Here, the crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of haemoglobin-II from the South American fish matrinxa (Brycon cephalus) is reported. X-ray diffraction data have been collected to 3.0 Angstrom resolution using synchrotron radiation (LNLS). Crystals were determined to belong to space group P2(1) and preliminary structural analysis revealed the presence of two tetramers in the asymmetric unit. The structure was determined using the standard molecular-replacement technique.