Turbulent flow interacting with flexible trawl net structure including simulation catch in flume tank.

The interaction between fluid and the midwater trawl with stocked catches is extremely complex, but essential to improve the understanding of the drag force acting on the trawl, the behavior of the fishing structure during a trawling process, and to predict its selectivity process. The present study assesses the turbulent characteristics inside and around the midwater trawls with catch and without catch linked to its fluttering motion. The analysis is based on three-dimensional electromagnetic current velocity meter measurements performed in the multiple points inside and outside different parts of a 1/35 scaled midwater trawl model with the aim of access the main turbulent flow structure inside and around the gear. Time-averaged normalized flow velocity fields and turbulent flow parameters were analyzed from the measured flow data. Furthermore, Fourier analysis was conducted by watching the time-frequency Power spectrum content of instantaneous flow velocities fields, the fluttering trawl motions, turbulent kinetic energy, and momentum flux. Based on successive analyzes of mean flow characteristics and turbulent flow parameters, it has been demonstrated that the presence of catch inside the trawl net impacts the evolution of unsteady turbulent flow by creating large trawl fluttering motions that strongly affect the flow passage. The results showed that the time-averaged normalized streamwise and transverse flow velocities inside and around the trawl net with catch were 12.41% lower compared with that obtained inside and around the trawl without catch. The turbulent length scale and turbulent Reynolds number obtained in the different part of the trawl net with catch were about 33.05% greater than those obtained on the trawl net without catch, confirming that the unsteady turbulent flow developing inside and around the midwater trawl is influence by the catch and liner. It is observed that the motions of both the trawl without catch and the trawl with catch are mainly of a low-frequency activity and another component related to unsteady turbulent flow street. A complex fluid-structure interaction is then demonstrated where the fluttering motions of the trawl net affect the fluid flow inside and around trawl net, the fluid force, turbulent pattern, and simultaneously, the periodic unsteady turbulent flow influence the trawl motions.

[Characteristics of fish aggregation devices (FADs)and associated tuna schools behavior in Chinese tuna purse seine fishery.] / æˆ‘å›½çƒ­å¸¦é‡‘æžªé±¼å›´ç½‘äººå·¥é›†é±¼è£ ç½®ç‰¹å¾åŠéšé™„é±¼ç¾¤è¡Œä¸º.

The use of fish aggregation devices (FADs) can increase catchability of tuna purse seine for associated tuna schools. In the past decades, large scale deployments of FADs have drawn the international attention due to their negative effects on the marine environment. Finding a FAD design ecologically and economically compatible has therefore become a challenge for tuna purse seine fishe-ry. Nowadays, knowledge and comprehension of interaction between FADs and catch species are quite lacking as a result of limited experimental investigation. We interviewed the captain of Chinese tuna purse seiner based on questionnaire to summarize the status of FADs deployment strategy, structural design, capture and ecological characteristics, and the behavior characteristics of associa-ted schools from the perspective of fishermen's knowledge and experience. We also quantified the cognitive differences of the investigated issues based on the index of consistency (IoC). Our results showed that: 1) the average number of year-round FADs deployment was (102±37) per vessel, and the number of that being lost was (72±1). 2) empirical knowledge from fishing masters indicated that man-made FADs could attract more tuna than natural floating objects (e.g. logs). Submerged structure was the predominant mechanism for aggregating tunas around the FADs. Hanging attractors (e.g. palm leaves) would facilitate the aggregation of tunas. 3) Fishing masters' observations in practical operation revealed that the duration needed for tunas to be associated with a FAD was around 32 days, and fish aggregation would tend to stabilize in the following month. Entanglement of sea turtles and sharks by netting was incidental events. 4) Most fishing masters had identical opinion on "bio-fouling was helpful for FADs to attract tunas" (IoC=0.73) and "modifying FADs design to reduce the detectability by other vessels" (IoC=0.73), while the answers for "the effect of raft type on tuna attraction capability" (IoC=0.34) were quite different. 5) The results of questionnaire suggested that the current design of FADs used by Chinese tropical tuna purse seiner had high risks of detected by other vessels and increased vulnerability of non-target species to fishery. Moreover, our results provided valuable references that promote sustainable exploitation of purse seine in a way of reconciling profitability with ecological preservation.

[Behavioral and physiological ecology of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba): A review]. / å—æžç£·è™¾è¡Œä¸ºä¸Žç”Ÿç†ç”Ÿæ€å­¦ç ”ç©¶è¿›å±•.

Behavioral and physiological ecology are two important research aspects of ecological field. Related studies help us better understand the marine animal's habit and adaptability to environment. Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba, thereafter krill) is a key-stone species in the Southern Ocean. Understanding its behavioral and physiological ecology can understand the ability of marine organisms such as krill to cope with extreme environment. We summarized the typical ecological characteristics of krill from both aspects of behavioral ecology and physiological ecology. Behavioral ecology included its swarming (size and behavior) and swimming (angle, beat of pleopod), while physiological ecology included respiration, excretion, metabolism, molting and growth. Generally, the studies on behavioral and physiological ecology of krill were very limited, and many studies were based on land-based krill aquarium. In view of the large difference between land-based aquarium and natural environment of krill, it's extremely urgent to develop the in-situ experimental ecology of krill in the sea.

Variations in hydrodynamic characteristics of netting panels with various twine materials, knot types, and weave patterns at small attack angles.

It is essential to conduct hydrodynamic experiments for fishing gear at small attack angles along the flow direction to better understand the hydrodynamic characteristics of netting and application of gear. The hydrodynamic characteristics of netting panels made of different materials at small attack angles were investigated by a self-designed setup; this is essential for the effective use of netting on different types of gears. As confirmed by experiments, the measured drag of designed frame without netting accounted for less than 20% of the total setup drag including experimental netting and remained in a steady state under various current speeds and small attack angles, indicating that the self-designed frame setup is suitable for such trials. The drag coefficient was determined by varying the attack angle, solidity ratio, Reynolds number, knot types, weave pattern, and twine materials at small attack angles. The results indicate that the drag coefficient increased as the attack angle increased, but decreased as the solidity ratio and Reynolds number increased. The drag generated by knot accounted for 21% of the total drag of nylon (PA) netting. For braided knotless netting, the drag coefficient of PA netting was about 8.4% lower than that of polythene netting (PE) and 7% lower than that of polyester netting (PES). Compared with twined netting, the braided netting exhibited a higher resistance to flow, corresponding to higher values of drag coefficient.

Hydrodynamic characteristics of knotted and knotless purse seine netting panels as determined in a flume tank.

Nylon (PA) netting is widely used in purse seines and other fishing gears due to its high strength and good sinking performance. However, hydrodynamic properties of nylon netting of different characteristics are poorly understood. This study investigated hydrodynamic characteristics of nylon netting of different knot types and solidity ratios under different attack angles and flow velocities. It was found that the hydrodynamic coefficient of netting panels was related to Reynolds number, solidity ratio, attack angle, knot type and twine construction. The solidity ratio was found to positively correlate with drag coefficient when the netting was normal to the flow (CD90), but not the case when the netting was parallel to the flow (CD0). For netting panels inclined to the flow, the inclined drag coefficient had a negative relationship with the solidity ratio for attack angles between 0° and 50°, but a positive relationship for attack angles between 50° and 90°. The lift coefficient increased with the attack angle, reaching the culminating point at an attack angle of 50°, before subsequent decline. We found that the drag generated by knot accounted for 15-25% of total drag, and the knotted netting with higher solidity ratio exhibited a greater CD0, but it was not the case for the knotless netting. Compared to knotless polyethylene (PE) netting, the drag coefficients of knotless PA netting were dominant at higher Reynolds number (Re>2200).

Genetic Population Structure of Thunnus albacares in the Central Pacific Ocean Based on mtDNA COI Gene Sequences.

Thunnus albacares is an important fishery species throughout the world. Polymorphisms of sequence variations in mtDNA COI genes were assessed to explore the genetic differentiations among 11 populations of T. albacares sampled from the central Pacific Ocean. Sixty-one mtDNA haplotypes and 38 variable sites were detected. Analysis of mtDNA COI sequences revealed that tuna from the 11 localities were characterized by moderately high haplotype diversity (h = 0.650 ± 0.040), while sequence divergence between haplotypes was relatively low (π = 0.00364 ± 0.00044). Analyses of molecular variance and FST analysis supported that significant genetic differentiations existed between some of the sampled populations. Tests of neutral evolution and mismatch distribution analysis suggested that T. albacares might have experienced a population expansion, which possibly occurred within the last 0.82 million years. Our study unraveled the genetic structure of the extant population of T. albacares and addressed the related fishery management issues including fishery stock identification and management.

[Spatial-temporal and environmental effects of catch rate on Antarctic krill fishery in the South Georgia Island in the austral winter season based on the fine scale data].

The waters around the South Georgia Island is one of the main fishing ground of Antarctic krill fishery and many predators such as sea seal and whale inhabited this island target Antarctic krill as a food source. So it is very important for further understanding Antarctic ecosystem to conduct the research on abundance fluctuation of Antarctic krill resource around this island. Consequently, based on the fine scale fishery data collected in the winter 2013, using the generalized additive model (GAM), the present study analyzed the relationship between environmental factors and the catch rate of Antarctic krill. The results showed the model could explain 32.0% of the accumulation of deviance of the catch rate. The variable that provided the maximum contribution was ten-day with a contribution rate of 21.4% and followed by the latitude (4.4%). Generally, the catch rate decreased from the first 10 days of July to September. Higher catch rates occurred in the eastern fishing ground, particularly the central-eastern part of survey area, and lower catch rates presented in the northern part. The mean catch rate deceased with the increasing change rate of bathymetry. The oceanographic condition with wind scale below 4 was suitable for fishing operation and associated with the higher catch rate, but the wind direction did not significantly affect the catch rate. The mean catch rate increased with the increasing sea surface temperature within 0.5 to 2.0 degrees C.

The large-scale deployment of fish aggregation devices alters environmentally-based migratory behavior of skipjack tuna in the Western Pacific Ocean.

Fish aggregation devices (FADs) have been used extensively in the tuna purse seine fishery since the 1980s. This long-term modification of natural habitat has generated discussions as to whether FADs impact movement patterns of tuna species. We examined this question using data collected from the skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) fishery. We used the longitudinal gravitational center of catch (G) to examine temporal variability in skipjack movement in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, and related this to El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events. We found that in most cases G for free-swimming school sets changed with the onset of ENSO events, while G for floating-object-associated school sets remained relatively constant. This suggests that skipjack exhibit distinguishable behavioral strategies in response to ENSO events: they either react by moving long distances or they associate with floating objects. There has been no previous attempt to evaluate the interaction between FADs and the environmentally-determined movement of skipjack; this study shows evidence of an interaction, which should be considered when managing skipjack populations.

[Reasons of drifting floating objects aggregating rainbow runner (Elagatis bipinnulata)].

Many pelagic species tend to aggregate under drifting floating objects. This has led to the development of drifting fish aggregation devices (FADs) to attract the tropical tunas for the tuna purse seine fishery. However, FADs can also attract other non-targeting small pelagic species such as rainbow runner Elagatis bipinnulata, although it is still unclear why those species can be attracted and aggregated under an FAD. Using the fishery biological data collected in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean by the scientific observers on board Chinese tuna purse seine fishing vessels, we evaluated the potential motivations for rainbow runner to aggregate under drifting objects. This study indicated 1) Fork length of rainbow runner ranged from 30.0 to 90.6 cm, with the dominant fork lengths of 60.0 to 80.0 cm, accounting for 76.3% of the total sampled fish, suggesting large rainbow runner dominating around the drifting objects; 2) Size (fork length) of E. bipinnulata at 50% maturity was 65.7 cm, and mature individuals were dominant under the FADs; and 3) Some commonly observed small fish species, such as Decapterus macarellus, Kyphosus cinerascens, Caranx sexfasciatus, Katsuwonus pelamis and the juveniles of Thunnus obesus and Thunnus albacares, were found in the stomach of rainbow runner, which suggested that rainbow runner under FAD preyed on other associated small pelagic species. As an oceanic predator associated with drifting objects, feeding is perhaps one of the most possible motivations for adult E. bipinnulata to aggregate under the FAD. Both the "concentration of food supply" hypothesis and the "comfortability stipulation" hypothesis can be used to explain why E. bipinnulata aggregate under drifting floating objects.

mRNA/microRNA Profile at the Metamorphic Stage of Olive Flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus).

Flatfish is famous for the asymmetric transformation during metamorphosis. The molecular mechanism behind the asymmetric development has been speculated over a century and is still not well understood. To date, none of the metamorphosis-related genes has been identified in flatfish. As the first step to screen metamorphosis-related gene, we constructed a whole-body cDNA library and a whole-body miRNA library in this study and identified 1051 unique ESTs, 23 unique miRNAs, and 4 snoRNAs in premetamorphosing and prometamorphosing Paralichthys olivaceus. 1005 of the ESTs were novel, suggesting that there was a special gene expression profile at metamorphic stage. Four miRNAs (pol-miR-20c, pol-miR-23c, pol-miR-130d, and pol-miR-181e) were novel to P. olivaceus; they were characterized as highly preserved homologies of published miRNAs but with at least one nucleotide differed. Representative 24 mRNAs and 23 miRNAs were quantified during metamorphosis of P. olivaceus by using quantitative RT PCR or stem-loop qRT PCR. Our results showed that 20 of mRNAs might be associated with early metamorphic events, 10 of mRNAs might be related with later metamorphic events, and 16 of miRNAs might be involved in the regulation of metamorphosis. The data provided in this study would be helpful for further identifying metamorphosis-related gene in P. olivaceus.

[Age identification and growth characteristics of Katsuwonus pelamis in western and central Pacific Ocean].

Fish age and growth are the important biological parameters for the assessment of fishery resources. With the help of purse seiners, 262 individuals of skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) were sampled from western and central Pacific Ocean in October 2007 - January 2008. The measurements in situ showed that the fork length of the samples ranged from 278 to 746 mm, and their body mass ranged from 345 to 9905 g. The first dorsal spine of each individual was collected for age identification and growth parameters estimation. The relationship between fork length (L, mm) and body mass (M, g) was expressed as M = 3.612 x 10(-6) L3.278 (R2 = 0.9782), and no significant difference was found for the males and females (F = 2.002, P > 0.05). A comparison with Akaike information criterion (AIC) suggested that among power regression equation, linear regression equation, and exponential regression equation, linear regression equation was most suitable for describing the relationship between fork length and spine radius (AIC = 2257.4). The mean back-calculated fork lengths of K. pelamis with the ages of 1-5 estimated by Fraser-Lee's method were 398.4, 494.2, 555.4, 636.8, and 728.8 mm, respectively. Residual analyses indicated that there was no significant difference in the growth of male and female K. pelamis (F = 0.670; df = 182; P > 0.05). The sex-combined von Bertalanffy growth equation of K. pelamis was L(t) = 706.51 (1 - e(-0.64(t + 0.037))).

Growth and mortality rates of bigeye tuna Thunnus obesus (Perciformes: Scombridae) in the central Atlantic Ocean.

Age and growth parameters were estimated for bigeye tuna Thunnus obesus Lowe, 1839 sampled from China longline fisheries in the central Atlantic Ocean from October 2002 to July 2003 and from August 2004 to March 2005. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters were estimated at L(infinity)=217.9 cm fork length, k=0.23 year(-1), and t(0)=-0.44 year. The total mortality rate (Z) was estimated to be from 0.82 to 1.02, the fishing mortality (F) and the natural mortality were 0.54 year(-1) and 0.39 year(-1), respectively. The exploitation ratio (E) was 0.35. This study provides the detailed estimates of growth and mortality rate for bigeye tuna in the central Atlantic Ocean, which can be used as biological input parameters in further stock evaluations in this region. However, age analysis, additional validation of the size composition and stock structure are needed for future studies.

Growth and mortality rates of bigeye tuna Thunnus obesus (Perciformes: Scombridae) in the central Atlantic Ocean

Age and growth parameters were estimated for bigeye tuna Thunnus obesus Lowe, 1839 sampled from China longline fisheries in the central Atlantic Ocean from October 2002 to July 2003 and from August 2004 to March 2005. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters were estimated at L8=217.9 cm fork length, k=0.23 year-1, and t0=-0.44 year. The total mortality rate (Z) was estimated to be from 0.82 to 1.02, the fishing mortality (F) and the natural mortality were 0.54 year-1 and 0.39 year-1, respectively. The exploitation ratio (E) was 0.35. This study provides the detailed estimates of growth and mortality rate for bigeye tuna in the central Atlantic Ocean, which can be used as biological input parameters in further stock evaluations in this region. However, age analysis, additional validation of the size composition and stock structure are needed for future studies. Rev. Biol. Trop. 57 (1-2): 79-88. Epub 2009 June 30.