Wild Stocks (wild + stock)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Gillnet fishing drives lake-migrating brown trout to near extinction in the Lake Päijänne region, Finland

FISHERIES MANAGEMENT & ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2010
J. SYRJÄNEN
Abstract, Wild stocks of brown trout, Salmo trutta L., collapsed in Finnish inland waters during the 20th Century because dams prevented upstream migration, and low water quality and stream dredging weakened reproduction. The demise in migratory stocks was coupled with overfishing, mainly by gillnetting on lakes. Consequently, the migratory spawning stocks have diminished to negligible levels. The remaining stocks exhibit restricted immigration and emigration, are supplemented by continuous stocking, and their natural genetic diversity is affected by human activities. In recent years, various recovery actions have been implemented including stream channel restorations, fish passage facilities constructed and stocking of eggs and smolts. Gillnetting has also been regulated by banning certain mesh sizes, and catch-and-release of wild trout is spreading amongst sport fishers. However, these measures seem to be inadequate and almost no recovery of migratory populations has been reported. The problem of by-catch in intensive gillnetting continues to threaten stocks and creates disputes between stakeholders. [source]


Gonadal maturation in the blackspot seabream Pagellus bogaraveo: a comparison between a farmed and a wild broodstock

JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 2004
V. Micale
The blackspot seabream Pagellus bogaraveo(Brünnich, 1768) has been regarded as a possible alternative to traditionally cultured Mediterranean species such as seabream and seabass, due to its high market value and good adaptation to captivity. Broodstock establishment and management represent the first step towards reliable production of eggs and fry, which is required to develop aquaculture of this new species. Two different broodstocks were tested for gonadal maturation and spawning, one constituting of wild fish caught as juveniles and reared in tanks until sexual maturity (4 years), and one assembled from wild adult fish caught during or just before the reproductive season. All fish were maintained under the same rearing conditions and fed the same diet. Gonadal stripping and biopsies were performed weekly to monitor maturation in both males and females. Ovarian samples were staged for maturity on the basis of follicular diameter and migration of germinal vesicle. Sperm samples were tested for density (number of spermatozoa ml,1) and motility. The fish reared in captivity reached ovarian maturity during the breeding season of the wild stock. Eggs were obtained by stripping from both farmed and wild specimens, but appeared degenerated as a result of being retained too long in the ovarian cavity due to the absence of spontaneous spawning. Spermiation was prolonged in the farmed fish, but appeared to be blocked in the wild breeders after first sampling. However, the sperm was very viscous and the motile spermatozoa did not exceed 10%. [source]


The relative roles of domestication, rearing environment, prior residence and body size in deciding territorial contests between hatchery and wild juvenile salmon

JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2003
Neil B. Metcalfe
Summary 1Interactions between captive-reared and wild salmonids are frequent because hatcheries annually rear millions of fish for release in conservation programmes while many thousands of domesticated fish escape from fish farms. However, the outcome of competition between captive-reared and wild fish is not clear: wild fish may be smaller and less aggressive than hatchery fish, but they have more local experience and a prior residence advantage. Moreover, it is important to know whether any competitive differences are genetic (due to the process of domestication) or due to the rearing environment. 2We therefore examined the factors influencing competition for feeding territories in juvenile Atlantic salmon. We studied the effect of domestication by using three independent stocks of both domesticated and wild-origin fish, all of which were reared in a common hatchery environment. We also used fish from the same wild stocks that had been living in the wild. Territorial contests were staged in stream tank compartments between pairs of fish differing in origin or rearing environment; the relative importance of body size and prior residence was also assessed. 3All three stocks of domesticated fish were generally dominant over wild-origin fish when both had been raised in a common hatchery environment. If the wild-origin fish were given a 2-day period of prior residence on the territory this asymmetry in dominance was reversed. However, domesticated fish did not gain any additional advantage from being prior residents. The relative body size of the two contestants had a negligible effect on contest outcomes. 4Truly wild fish (i.e. those of wild origin that had also grown up in the wild) were generally dominant over domesticated or wild-origin fish that had been hatchery-reared. Differences in body size between contestants had no effect on the outcome. 5Synthesis and applications. These results show that, while juvenile farmed Atlantic salmon are inherently more aggressive than wild-origin fish, the hatchery environment reduces their ability to compete for territories with wild resident fish. Rearing salmon in conventional hatcheries for later release into the wild where natural populations already exist may not be a prudent conservation measure; it is preferable to plant eggs or first-feeding fry rather than attempt to ,help' the fish by rearing them through the early life stages. [source]


Sturgeons in Greece: a review

JOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 2 2008
I. Paschos
Summary In the past, sturgeons were practically unknown in Greece, both to the public and to scientists, the latter not having had the opportunity to study wild populations of the four native species. Populations of stellate sturgeon (,cipenser stellatus Pallas, 1771), Adriatic sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii Bonaparte, 1836), and beluga sturgeon (Huso huso L., 1758) gradually collapsed by the end of the 1970s. Only the River Evros (Thrace, N.W. Greece) sustained a small fishery and caviar canning operation with European sturgeon (A.,sturio L., 1758) until 1975. Collapse of stocks was mainly attributed to overfishing, pollution and damming. Sturgeons became widely known after initial farming efforts by the Municipal Hatchery at Lake Ioannina in 1992. Broodstock or fertilized eggs of species with high aquaculture potential, such as sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus L., 1758), Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii Brandt, 1833), bester hybrid (A.,ruthenus ×H. huso), paddlefish (Polyodon spathula Walbaum, 1792), Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii Brandt, 1869) and white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus Richardson, 1836) were imported into Greece between 1992 and 2004. Hatchery technology, larval rearing and production systems are reviewed in this paper and, despite problems, past and present efforts appear to meet a particular interest of the aquaculture sector as well as of those interested in the restoration of wild stocks. [source]


Stock structure of pallid sturgeon analyzed with microsatellite loci

JOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 4 2007
A. W. Schrey
Summary Recovery efforts for the endangered pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) include supplementation of wild stocks with hatchery reared progeny. Identifying the extent of genetic stock structure, which has previously been detected in samples from the range extremes, will help to determine whether stock transfers might be harmful. DNA microsatellite genotypes were screened in pallid sturgeon from the upper Missouri River, lower Missouri River, middle Mississippi River and Atchafalaya River and analyzed using a combination of Bayesian model-based and more traditional F-statistic based methods to characterize genetic differentiation. Scaphirhynchus specimens were collected by researchers active in the recovery effort and genotypes were screened at 16 microsatellite loci. Because there is considerable genetic and morphological overlap between pallid sturgeon, shovelnose sturgeon, and their hybrids, a combination of morphological and genetic techniques were used to eliminate shovelnose and possible hybrids from the sample. Genetic differentiation was detected among samples (overall , = 0.050, P = 0.001). Pairwise ,, genetic distances, and Bayesian assignment testing reveal that pallid sturgeon from the upper Missouri River are the most distinct group with pairwise comparisons of pallid sturgeon among all the remaining samples exhibiting lower , values, higher genetic distances, and self assignment scores. Our results indicate that using local broodstock, when available, should be used for pallid sturgeon propagation. If local broodstock are not available, geographically proximate individuals would limit genetic differences between native and stocked individuals. [source]


Domestication, comparative biology and interactions of wild and cultured fish: convenor's synthesis

JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 2004
K. Lorenzen
Aquaculture is expanding rapidly and many fish species are brought into cultivation, entering a process of domestication with consequences for their morphology, physiology, ecology and evolution. In some species the abundance of cultured populations matches or exceeds that of wild stocks, and interactions between cultured and wild fish can pose significant conservation challenges. At the same time, captive breeding and re-introduction play an important role in the conservation of some of the world's most endangered fishes. Drawing on contributions from the FSBI Symposium and the wider literature, we synthesize current knowledge of the process and extend of fish domestication, interactions between cultured and wild fish, and the use of cultured fish in fisheries enhancement and restoration. We provide a perspective on the role of biological issues within the wider context of aquaculture development and aquatic conservation biology, and conclude with a discussion of promising avenues for further research. [source]


Pigmentation development in hatchery-reared flatfishes

JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2000
J. A. Bolker
Malpigmentation is common in hatchery-reared flatfishes, decreasing the market value of whole fish, and increasing the risk of predation for juveniles released to enhance wild stocks. Pigmentation development in flatfishes occurs in two phases. First, during embryonic and larval stages pigment cells differentiate on both sides of the body. Second, at metamorphosis larval melanophores disappear, and adult melanophores differentiate on the ocular but not on the blind side. Malpigmentation seems to result from disruptions of the second phase, and may take the form of albinism on the ocular side or darkening of the blind side. Both types of aberration may be related to aspects of the hatchery environment such as lighting, substratum, and diet. Larval nutrition appears to be a key factor and enrichment of larval diets with fatty acids and Vitamin A can greatly reduce malpigmentation rates; however, levels suffcient to prevent pigmentation defects frequently cause other abnormalities. Two developmental explanations for albinism have been proposed. The first is that differentiation of ocular-side skin follows the normal blind-side pathway and adult melanophores therefore fail to develop on the ocular side. The second hypothesis suggests that dietary deficiencies inhibit retinal development and the resulting visual defects lead to failure of a hormonal signal required for melanophore differentiation. These hypotheses may well be complementary; as yet neither has been thoroughly tested. Definitive tests will require a combination of manipulative techniques such as tissue transplantation and cell culture with nutritional, behavioural and hormonal assays. Such integrative studies will further the understanding both of normal pigmentation development and of the environmental factors that contribute to high rates of albinism in hatchery-reared flatfish. [source]


Cryopreservation of YamúBrycon siebenthalae Milt

JOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 4 2004
Pablo E. Cruz-Casallas
The yamúBrycon siebenthalae is an endemic fish of the Orinoco river basin, but wild stocks are decreasing because of the disruption of their habitat. We evaluated a protocol for the cryopreservation of yamú sperm to contribute to the preservation of this endangered genetic resource. Milt was mixed with a cryoprotectant medium (5.5% glucose, 12% egg yolk, and 5%, 10%, or 15% dimethyl sulfoxide - DMSO) in a ratio 1:4 (milt:medium), stored in 0.5-mL French straws, frozen in nitrogen liquid vapor (-76 C), then immersed and stored in liquid nitrogen for 10 d or 12 mo. Motility of thawed spermatozoa was higher (P < 0.001) in 10% DMSO medium than 5% DMSO or 15% DMSO mediums; but lower than the control (P < 0.001). With sperm cryopreserved, the highest level of fertilization was achieved with 10% DMSO (P < 0.001) after 10 d or 12 mo of cryopreservation. Fertilization of eggs inseminated with 6.4 × 109 spermatozoa per g of eggs was higher (P <0.05) than with 1.6 × 109 spermatozoa per g of eggs. There was no difference (P > 0.05) in fertilization between insemination doses of 3.2 × 109 and 6.4 × 109 spermatozoa per g of eggs. Cryopreservation of yamu milt can be performed successfully with a simple medium combined with 10% of DMSO as cryoprotectant. The highest level of fertility was achieved using between 3 × 109 and 6 × 109 spermatozoa per g of fresh eggs. [source]


Spatio-temporal variation in the genetic composition of wild populations of pearl oyster (Pinctada margaritifera cumingii) in French Polynesia following 10 years of juvenile translocation

MOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 7 2004
S. Arnaud-Haond
Abstract The genetic impact of the cultural practice of spat collection and translocation between genetically distinct stocks of black-lipped pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera cumingii, was studied by comparing samples collected in the 1980s and 2000s from seven atolls in French Polynesia. An amova revealed homogenization of the previously genetically distinct wild stocks of Tuamotu-Gambier and Society archipelagos (the indices of genetic differentiation among archipelagos and among populations within archipelagos, respectively, ,CT and ,ST, decreased from 0.032* and 0.025*, respectively, to 0.006NS and 0.007NS). These results suggest high success of spontaneous reproduction in farms, probably due to the very high density of cultivated pearl oysters, and underline the importance of genetic monitoring of future hatchery produced stocks. [source]


Isolation and characterization of microsatellites from a marine foodfish species ribbonfish Trichiurus haumela

MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES, Issue 5 2007
WEN TONG YANG
Abstract The ribbonfish, Trichiurus haumela, is an important marine foodfish species. Supply of this fish relies on capture from the wild. No information about genetic diversity and population structure of wild stocks is available. Therefore, we developed the first set of 10 polymorphic microsatellites. The average allele number was 13.2 per locus ranging from six to 20. The expected heterozygosity was 0.84, whereas the observed heterozygosity was 0.71. This set of microsatellites provides a tool for assessing genetic diversity and population structure of this species. [source]


Tropical spiny lobster (Panulirus ornatus) farming in Vietnam , bioeconomics and perceived constraints to development

AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 10 2010
Elizabeth H Petersen
Abstract This paper presents bioeconomic data on lobster farming in Vietnam, and perceived constraints to the development of the industry. The farms were found to be profitable, with an average benefit cost ratio of 1.44 and an average net revenue of 262 million VND year,1 (or just under US$15 000 year,1). Investment in the enterprise is high compared with other enterprises in the region. However, disease has the potential to devastate lobster crops and there is little information available to lobster farmers about disease prevention and management. Hence, the lobster enterprise is a high-risk high-return industry. The predominant perceived constraints to the development of lobster operations include water quality and temperature issues, insufficient access to credit, good-quality affordable feed and accurate information about technology improvements in lobster farming. It seems that improving the livelihood of lobster farmers in Vietnam is dependent on reducing their dependence on wild stocks for seed and feed, improving access to credit and improving technical and market information flows. Such improvements are likely to lead to higher profitability, given high export demand and hence sustained high prices for their lobster product. [source]


REVIEW ARTICLE: Live prey first feeding regimes for short-snouted seahorse Hippocampus hippocampus (Linnaeus, 1758) juveniles

AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 9 2010
Francisco Otero-Ferrer
Abstract As with many species of seahorses, Hippocampus hippocampus wild populations are being subjected to uncontrolled exploitation in their natural environment. Thus, aquaculture could contribute to satisfy the commercial demand for animals while promoting the recovery of wild stocks. The present study was conducted to compare the effect of the substituting Artemia nauplii with rotifers for first feeding seahorse juveniles. Survival, growth and biochemical composition of prey organisms and fish were studied during the feeding trial. In addition, to help the biometric study, an anaesthetic test was also carried out using clove oil. The results showed excellent survival (average 60%) in juveniles exclusively fed with Artemia, with better values than those reported previously obtained by other authors for this species. By comparison, high mortality and poor growth were observed during first feeding with seahorses fed on rotifers. This could have been related to the lower energy intake and poorer nutritional value of the rotifers. Furthermore, clove oil concentrations of 25 ppm were found to work well as an anaesthetic for seahorse juveniles. Overall, first feeding Artemia alone was found to be an efficient and simplified method for feeding young H. hippocampus fry, building the principles for their culture for ornamental or re-stocking purposes. [source]


Growth and digestive enzymes of Macrobrachium rosenbergii juveniles: effect of different stocktypes and dietary protein levels under a similar culture environment

AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 12 2009
Vidya Sagar
Abstract A feeding trial was conducted to study the effect of dietary protein (DP) levels on the growth and digestive enzyme activities of different wild stocks of Macrobrachium rosenbergii juveniles. Wild juveniles of M. rosenbergii were collected from the west coast of India, Gujarat (G), Maharashtra (M) and from the east coast of India, Andhra Pradesh (A), and raised in culture ponds of 200 m2 at 1 juvenile m,2. All the animals were tagged individually with Elastomer tags of a particular colour assigned to their respective stock and acclimatized for 7 days before being released into the pond at a ratio of 70:65:65 (A:M:G). Each of the two feeds, the first with 27% DP, termed the suboptimum level (S), and the second 32% DP, termed the optimum level (O), was fed in duplicate ponds at 6% of the body mass for the first 30 days and 4% for the last 30 days. The average weight of stocked prawn, respectively, in O DP and S DP fed ponds was 0.90 ± 0.04 and 1.06 ± 0.08 g for the G stock, 0.80 ± 0.07 and 1.01 ± 0.1 g for the M stock and 3.06 ± 0.13 and 3.10 ± 0.23 g for the A stock. Both the protein level and the stock type had a significant (P<0.05) effect on the weight gain% of the prawn. There was an approximate 95% change in weight gain with a DP change. Similarly, G and M stocks exhibited significantly higher (P<0.05) growth rates of approximately 90% than the A stock, although no difference was noted between the G and the M stocks. However, for protein × stock (interaction) levels, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) among the groups. Although insignificant, the survival rates among the different stocks varied from 56% to 77%. Optimum protein level showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in the specific growth rate (SGR). Feed conversion ratio, feed efficiency ratio, protein efficiency ratio and net protein utilization were not affected either due to DP, stock type or their interaction. The O × A group exhibited the maximum variation in body weight. Digestive enzyme activities were similar in all the groups, but enzymes for phospho-monoesterase were significantly higher (P<0.05) at O DP. Both the G and the M stock showed a significantly higher (P<0.05) alkaline phosphatase activity while acid phosphatase activity was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the M stock only. Overall, the G and M stocks showed higher growth responses compared with the A stock. [source]


Grow-out of juvenile seahorse Hippocampus kuda (Bleeker; Teleostei: Syngnathidae) in illuminated sea cages

AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 2 2009
Luis Maria B Garcia
Abstract This paper examines the feasibility of rearing 10,15-day- and 0.7,1.5-month-old seahorse Hippocampus kuda in illuminated sea cages to continue existing hatchery protocols to mass produce H. kuda for trade and enhance depleted wild stocks in their natural habitats. Thawed Acetes (a planktonic crustacean abundant in inshore seas) was fed to juvenile seahorses in lighted and unlighted sea cages while one group in lighted cages was not fed Acetes. After 10,12 weeks of rearing, both mean body weight and stretch height increased in all treatment groups, with lighted cage-reared seahorses fed Acetes being heavier (2 g) and longer (8 cm) than the other two treatment groups. Although instantaneous growth rates declined during the rearing period, these were generally higher among Acetes -fed seahorses in lighted cages (0.02,0.07) compared with those in the unlighted cages with Acetes and lighted cages without Acetes feeding. Mean survivorship in all groups ranged from 9% to 74% after the trials, but mean survivorship of juveniles in lighted cages with Acetes feeding (9,74%) was consistently lower than the two treatment groups as a likely result of crustacean and piscine predators being attracted by light and the odour of leftover Acetes in the lighted cages. These results demonstrate that light-attracted zooplankton prey supplemented by Acetes feeding may provide essential nutrients for the growth of H. kuda juveniles in illuminated sea cages. With further improvement in the grow-out protocol, it may provide a possible alternative livelihood to seahorse fishers and sufficient seed to re-populate depleted wild stocks of H. kuda. [source]


,Damsel in distress'- The tale of Miss Kerala, Puntius denisonii (Day), an endemic and endangered cyprinid of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot (South India)

AQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS, Issue 1 2009
Rajeev Raghavan
Abstract 1.Denison's Barb, Puntius denisonii (Day) is an endemic and endangered cyprinid fish of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot in peninsular India, which is the focus of an organized yet undocumented fishery targeting juveniles for the international aquarium trade. 2.Research on P. denisonii has been very limited and there has been no systematic effort to assess and monitor their abundance, distribution and populations. 3.Anecdotal and circumstantial evidence indicates a highly restricted distribution, low abundance, declining populations, low catch per unit effort and increasing market prices, providing evidence of an impending conservation crisis and the need for urgent management of wild stocks. 4.This paper reviews current knowledge, provides results from the authors' field study and suggests priorities for conservation and management actions for P. denisonii in the streams of Kerala. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]