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Hydrobiology
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Fish Welfare in Fisheries and Aquaculture
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Fish Welfare in Fisheries and Aquaculture

A special issue of Hydrobiology (ISSN 2673-9917).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2023) | Viewed by 13526

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Constanze Pietsch

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Hochschule für Agrar-, Forst- und Lebensmittelwissenschaften (HAFL), Applied University Berne (BFH), 3052 Zollikofen, Switzerland
Interests: fish; brain; stress; neuroendocrine
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The wellbeing of animals is an important issue. While the development of guidelines for handling and use of vertebrates in land-based farms is progressing, the welfare of captured fish and fish raised in marine aquaculture is far more difficult to describe. For fisheries, it appears that capture depth and fishing duration determine the risk of fish injuries and mortality, but other variables, such as changes in water temperature, duration of air exposure, and fish densities in the nets, can also be associated with higher mortality. In addition, bycatch is still a problem for commercial fisheries. In addition to environmental issues, fish farming in huge net cages should also respect the physiology, behavior, and health of individuals. Fish welfare clearly promotes production in fish farms since healthier fish show better feed conversion and growth and are more likely to survive the production cycle compared with fish showing low welfare. Fortunately, recent research reveals options to reduce injuries, health problems, and mortalities from commercial capture fisheries and during marine aquaculture. Researchers conducting studies and surveys in these research areas are invited to submit their manuscript to this Special Issue on fish welfare in commercial fisheries and aquaculture.

Dr. Constanze Pietsch
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • fish welfare indicators
  • assessment methodology
  • methods for monitoring
  • physiological biomarkers
  • improved fish handling

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 2571 KiB  
Article
Mechanical Removal of Minnows (Gila bicolor) to Improve Water Quality in a Hydropower Impoundment, Lemolo Lake, Oregon, USA
by Joseph Eilers, Kellie Vache and Richard Grost
Hydrobiology 2023, 2(3), 475-490; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrobiology2030032 - 17 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1147
Abstract
A project to mechanically remove an over-abundant population of cyprinids (Gila bicolor) was tested in a hydropower impoundment, Lemolo Lake (USA). The netting program removed 29.7 tons of fish (163 kg/ha) over a seven-year period that resulted in a reduction in [...] Read more.
A project to mechanically remove an over-abundant population of cyprinids (Gila bicolor) was tested in a hydropower impoundment, Lemolo Lake (USA). The netting program removed 29.7 tons of fish (163 kg/ha) over a seven-year period that resulted in a reduction in the intensity and duration of cyanobacteria blooms. However, the suppression of the tui chub population apparently allowed for a residual population of kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka) to proliferate. The resurgence of the kokanee, combined with the initiation of a rainbow trout stocking program, offset some of the gains in water quality achieved with the reduction of tui chub biomass. The dominant cyanobacterium present in Lemolo Lake transitioned to Gloeotrichia echinulata in 2013, but the majority of these colonies were apparently derived from an upstream lake. The changes in water quality from 2005–2013 were simulated for Lemolo Lake using the two-dimensional, hydrodynamic model, CE-QUAL-W2. The model reproduced many aspects of the water quality in Lemolo Lake and was used, in combination with a simple Bayesian model, to evaluate a number of potential scenarios for further improving water quality in the impoundment. Promoting a deeper drawdown of the hydroelectric impoundment during the winter to selectively increase entrainment of tui chub and kokanee, combined with continued netting targeted at tui chub, was judged to offer the greatest opportunity to manage the facility for water quality, fisheries and hydropower objectives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish Welfare in Fisheries and Aquaculture)
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15 pages, 1679 KiB  
Article
DNA Barcoding and Phylogenetics Relationship of Pangasiid Catfishes in Peninsular Malaysia Revealed the Impacts of Aquaculture on the Native Species Conservation
by Baharuddin Haslawati, Md Ali Amatul-Samahah, Mohammed Rizman-Idid and Sekaran Muniandy
Hydrobiology 2023, 2(2), 431-445; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrobiology2020028 - 20 Jun 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2355
Abstract
Pangasiids are an economically significant group of catfish, and many pangasiids are threatened in the wild from anthropogenic pressures, including increases in fishing pressure, habitat degradation, and improperly managed aquaculture practices. This study demonstrates the usage of DNA barcoding of the Cytochrome Oxidase [...] Read more.
Pangasiids are an economically significant group of catfish, and many pangasiids are threatened in the wild from anthropogenic pressures, including increases in fishing pressure, habitat degradation, and improperly managed aquaculture practices. This study demonstrates the usage of DNA barcoding of the Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I (COI) gene as an identification tool in detecting potentially threatening invasive pangasiid species by establishing the diversity and phylogenetic relationship of Pangasiidae catfishes in Peninsular Malaysia. A neighbour-joining (NJ) dendrogram (Kimura-2-parameter model) generated five clades to represent distinct genera. Pangasius was further subdivided into two clades (Clade A: Pangasius bocourti-P. djambal and Clade B: P. nasutus-P. conchophilus). Given the marginal genetic divergence, indigenous and non-native species should be treated cautiously in allopatrically distributed species. The analysis used Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD) and revealed barcode gaps between the intraspecific and interspecific distances. The sequences were partitioned into five groupings, corresponding with the species delineation based on the distribution of pairwise differences, which could not be differentiated using the NJ dendrogram. ABGD allows the recognition of one or two additional species using the recursive approach, but other taxonomic methods should be considered for a solid conclusion. DNA barcoding demonstrates the identification of closely related species, thus justifying its application towards the conservation of these fish. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish Welfare in Fisheries and Aquaculture)
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22 pages, 5684 KiB  
Article
Life History Strategy of Maurolicus muelleri (Gmenlin, 1789) in the Bay of Biscay
by Paula Alvarez, Maria Korta, Dorleta Garcia and Guillermo Boyra
Hydrobiology 2023, 2(2), 289-310; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrobiology2020019 - 14 Apr 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1962
Abstract
Maurolicus muelleri is a significant component of the marine ecosystem and has the potential to be a valuable fishery resource. However, in the Bay of Biscay, its primary biological traits remain unclear. This study presents data on the length distribution, age, growth, maturity [...] Read more.
Maurolicus muelleri is a significant component of the marine ecosystem and has the potential to be a valuable fishery resource. However, in the Bay of Biscay, its primary biological traits remain unclear. This study presents data on the length distribution, age, growth, maturity ogive, spawning season, batch fecundity, and sex ratio for Maurolicus muelleri captured in the Bay of Biscay. The results showed that in spring, the adult spawners (ages of 1 and 2) were dominant in the catches, while in September, immature juveniles (age of 0) born in spring were mostly found. Using standard lengths as a basis, 50% of the fish were mature at 34.1 mm (both sexes combined), and the sex ratio, male to female, was 0.44:0.56. The proportion of females increased with length, and a 1:1 sex ratio was predicted at a standard length of 41.5 mm. The spawning season was allocated to at least between March and September, with a likely peak in May. The batch fecundity ranged from 114 to 919 oocytes/female, and increased with the weight and length of females. The results allowed us to interpret a life history strategy for this species, i.e., a high fecundity for females, which mostly participate in one or two reproductive seasons. Therefore, any possible exploitation of age 0 fish prior to spawning could lead to a decrease in the population from which recovery could be slow. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish Welfare in Fisheries and Aquaculture)
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17 pages, 1761 KiB  
Article
Contraceptive-Pill-Sourced Synthetic Estrogen and Progestogen in Water Causes Decrease in GSI and HSI and Alters Blood Glucose Levels in Climbing Perch (Anabas testudineus)
by Chathuri Weerasinghe, Noreen Akhtar, Md Helal Uddin, Mahesh Rachamalla, Kizar Ahmed Sumon, Md. Jakiul Islam, Ramji Kumar Bhandari and Harunur Rashid
Hydrobiology 2023, 2(1), 19-35; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrobiology2010002 - 30 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4106
Abstract
The present study was conducted to understand the changes in gonads and hematological parameters in climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) exposed to synthetic estrogen and progestogen [mixture of ethinylestradiol (EE2) and desogestrel (DES)]. Climbing perch were exposed to four different concentrations of [...] Read more.
The present study was conducted to understand the changes in gonads and hematological parameters in climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) exposed to synthetic estrogen and progestogen [mixture of ethinylestradiol (EE2) and desogestrel (DES)]. Climbing perch were exposed to four different concentrations of EE2/DES mixtures, viz. 0 ng of EE2 and DES/L (T0), 3 ng EE2 and 15 ng DES/L (T3), 30 ng EE2 and 150 ng DES/L (T30), and 300 ng EE2 and 1500 ng DES/L (T300) for 60 days. On days 45 and 60, samples were taken to assess changes in somatic indexes, gonad histology, and hematological parameters. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) increased in both females and males with increasing concentrations of estrogen mixtures except for T30 females, which was the lowest among all\four treatments. The hepatosomatic index (HSI) was observed to be increased in males as estrogen content increased. However, compared to fish at T0, HSI in female individuals did not vary in T30 fish, where the value was the highest among all the treatments. On day 45, histological observations showed no feminization or intersexuality but several germ-cell deformities in the ovary (adhesion, degenerated oocyte wall, degenerated granulose layer, increased interfollicular space, atretic follicle, and cytoplasmic clumping) and testes (increased interstitial area, focal loss of spermatocyte, dilation of the lumen, breakage of tubular epithelium, and elongated seminiferous tubule) were observed in fish exposed to EE2 and DES. Fish reared at T30 had lower RBC count, hemoglobin (Hb), glucose, and hematocrit levels. On day 60, fish reared at T30 had the highest Hb content compared to fish raised in other treatment conditions. WBC was progressively higher with increasing EE2/DES concentrations. Significant erythrocyte cytoplasmic abnormalities and erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities were observed in fish exposed to higher EE2/DES concentrations. The present study provides insights into the adverse impacts of synthetic estrogens sourced from human contraceptive pills on fish physiology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish Welfare in Fisheries and Aquaculture)
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14 pages, 3110 KiB  
Technical Note
The Potential Use of Remote Underwater Video (RUV) to Evaluate Small-Bodied Fish Assemblages
by John B. Tweedie, Jaclyn M.H. Cockburn and Paul V. Villard
Hydrobiology 2023, 2(3), 507-520; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrobiology2030034 - 20 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1630
Abstract
Successful aquatic ecosystem conversation strategies depend on high-quality data from monitoring studies and improved habitat requirement knowledge. Remote Underwater Video (RUV) is a non-extractive alternative to capture-based techniques for studying and monitoring fish and is increasingly used in smaller channels. This study uses [...] Read more.
Successful aquatic ecosystem conversation strategies depend on high-quality data from monitoring studies and improved habitat requirement knowledge. Remote Underwater Video (RUV) is a non-extractive alternative to capture-based techniques for studying and monitoring fish and is increasingly used in smaller channels. This study uses field observations made with waterproof Sony HDR-AS100V action cameras positioned in stream channels to determine species and population during various flow conditions across three sites within the Credit River Watershed, Ontario, Canada. Six fish species were identified, and individual fish lengths were estimated using the inverse square law to proportionally adjust size scales to fish positions relative to the camera. Successful identification and measurements were limited by turbidity, with camera placements in >6 NTU conditions (18% of all placements) resulting in at least one fish observed in the frame. With over 24 h of video recordings with 94 individual video clips, the optimal filming duration was determined to be 20–25 min. RUV surveys provide managers with useful monitoring data regarding fish present in an environment in a cost-effective and efficient manner. Additionally, as the method is largely non-invasive, RUV surveys are especially useful for studying fish behaviour, sensitive or endangered species, and working in difficult-to-access channels (e.g., shallow, faster flow). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish Welfare in Fisheries and Aquaculture)
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8 pages, 1021 KiB  
Brief Report
Effects of Predation Tags on Growth and Stress Response in Juvenile Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss
by Emma K. Millsap, Nathan Huysman, Dylan A. Gravenhof, Mark J. Fincel and Michael E. Barnes
Hydrobiology 2023, 2(3), 467-474; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrobiology2030031 - 20 Jul 2023
Viewed by 1312
Abstract
Acid-sensitive predation tags have recently been introduced to fisheries management. The objective of this study was to ascertain the impact of these tags on juvenile rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss physiology and growth after implantation. Twenty approximately 13 g rainbow trout were placed into [...] Read more.
Acid-sensitive predation tags have recently been introduced to fisheries management. The objective of this study was to ascertain the impact of these tags on juvenile rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss physiology and growth after implantation. Twenty approximately 13 g rainbow trout were placed into each of five tanks, with ten surgically implanted with dummy acid-sensitive predation tags and ten control fish not subjected to surgical procedures. Glucose, hematocrit, tag-retention, survival, and growth metrics were collected for 30 days post-surgery. Four tagged fish died while no control fish died. Tag retention was 76%, with tags lost in weeks 2, 3, and 4. Control fish were significantly longer and gained significantly more weight at the end of the experiment. Hematocrit levels for the tagged fish dropped significantly over the course of the trial and were 30% lower than those of the untagged control fish at the end of 30 days. Glucose levels were highly variable for both treatments. The results of this study indicate the negative impacts of predation tagging on the physiology of juvenile rainbow trout. Results from predation field trials should be interpreted with caution because the tagged fish are likely at a competitive disadvantage compared to their untagged conspecifics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish Welfare in Fisheries and Aquaculture)
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