Movements of grey mullet Liza aurata and Chelon labrosus associated with coastal fish farms in the western Mediterranean Sea

Arechavala-López, Pablo; Uglem, Ingebrigt; Sánchez-Jérez, Pablo; Fernandez‐Jover, Damian; Bayle-Sempere, Just T.; Nilsen, Rune

doi:10.3354/aei00012

Cited by 31 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…In addition, daily movements could substantially increase fish vulnerability. A study by Arechavala-Lopez et al (2010) recorded rapid and repeated movements of grey mullets Chelon labrosus and Liza aurata to other farms and to nearby fishing areas. To date, no data on the efficiency of fishing near farm boundaries exist.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial and temporal extension of wild fish aggregations at Sparus aurata and Thunnus thynnus farms in the north-western Mediterranean

Bacher¹,

Gordoa²,

Sagué³

2012

Aquacult. Environ. Interact.

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Fish farms cause wild fish to aggregate nearby and thus act to modify their distribution, but the spatial and temporal extent of the attraction effect around farms is still poorly understood. We examined attraction using an integrated approach combining 3 factors: spatial extent, depth and season. We analysed an Atlantic bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus (ABT) and a gilthead seabream Sparus aurata (SB) farm off the north-eastern coast of Spain which represent different fish farming models in the Mediterranean. Underwater visual counts were conducted from summer 2010 to spring 2011. We recorded 39 species at the SB farm and 17 species at the ABT farm. The analysis of fish abundance and biomass at 3 stations located along a distance gradient from the farm (SB: 0, 30, 200 m; ABT: 0, 100, 200 m) showed significantly higher values next to the cages than at more distant stations, revealing that the spatial extent of the attraction effect was mainly restricted to the cage rather than following a gradient. The intensity of the cage effect varied according to farm, season and depth, reflecting species-specific behaviours. At the SB farm, the cage effect persisted year round, varying with depth, whereas at the ABT farm, the effect was only detected in summer and spring. These distinct spatial and temporal aggregation patterns suggest that implementation of fishery regulatory measures to protect wild fish should be farm-specific. This study emphasizes the importance of using an integrated approach to study wild fish aggregations at farms.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial and temporal extension of wild fish aggregations at Sparus aurata and Thunnus thynnus farms in the north-western Mediterranean

Bacher¹,

Gordoa²,

Sagué³

2012

Aquacult. Environ. Interact.

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“…A range of studies have shown that farms act as fish aggregating devices (for a review, see Sanchez-Jerez et al 2011). The influence of farms on wild fish, such as diet modification, may be detrimental for some parasite species, while these same conditions could enhance others (FernandezJover et al 2010). A wide range of pathogens can be found in a large number of farm-aggregated wild fish (Raynard et al 2007).…”

Section: Cross-contagion Between Farmed and Neighbouring Wild Fish Stmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Connection among farms and other marine areas of interest through wild fish movements have been demonstrated both in Norway (Uglem et al 2009) and in Mediterranean fish farms. For instance, 2 grey mullet species (Liza aurata and Chelon labrosus) were shown to aggregate beneath cages, feeding on waste fish food, and moving among different farming and coastal areas (Arechavala-Lopez et al 2010). In addition, farm-aggregated bogue Boops boops were found within local fisheries landings from the nearby fishing grounds (Arechavala-Lopez et al 2011a).…”

Section: Cross-contagion Between Farmed and Neighbouring Wild Fish Stmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reared fish, farmed escapees and wild fish stocks—a triangle of pathogen transmission of concern to Mediterranean aquaculture management

Arechavala-López¹,

Sánchez-Jérez²,

Bayle-Sempere³

et al. 2013

Aquacult. Environ. Interact.

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Although aquaculture in the Mediterranean is a relatively young industry, finfish diseases have been reported to cause considerable problems and mortalities among the farmed stocks. In general, the farming activity and the open design of Mediterranean aquaculture systems allow the transmission of infectious pathogens within and among farm facilities. Fish health and biosecurity programmes at farms have focused on the most obvious pathways for transmission of pathogens, i.e. through transport of infected farmed fish from hatcheries, infected equipment, staff and vessels, as well as through water currents. However, little attention has been devoted to the potential risk of pathogen and disease transmission in Mediterranean open-sea aquaculture through movements of fish. The present study focuses on the importance of considering possible pathogen transmission between reared fish, farmed escapees and farm-aggregated fish when making management decisions.

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“…Related studies indicate modifications of body condition and fatty acid profiles in some resident fishes consuming sufficient amounts of uneaten aquafeed (Fernandez-Jover et al, 2007Arechavala-Lopez et al, 2010;Ramírez et al, 2013). However, at present, it is unknown how this intake can affect body and otolith growth of wild fish.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…If the morphological plasticity in response to diet alone is clearly evident in farmed fishes, it should be expected that associated wild species undergo similar phenotypic modifications. To test our null-hypothesis, populations of two wild species, bogue Boops boops (Linnaeus, 1758) and salema Sarpa salpa (Linnaues, 1758) (Sparidae), were selected for the experimental analysis for two reasons: they are abundant species around the farms in the Canary Islands (Boyra et al, 2004;Tuya et al, 2005Tuya et al, , 2006, and we have evidence that they ingest aquafeeds (Arechavala-Lopez et al, 2010;Ramírez et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phenotypic plasticity in wild marine fishes associated with fish-cage aquaculture

et al. 2015

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Two opportunistic fish species associated with fish farms, bogue (Boops boops) and salema (Sarpa salpa), were studied to infer whether changes in their feeding habits may cause a phenotypic response in body and otolith shape. Specimens were collected close to aquaculture cage sites, called 'wildfarmed fish', and from control sites far away from these areas, called 'wild fish'. The fish body shapes were examined with geometric morphometric analysis using 21 landmarks. The otolith contours were analysed using wavelet function, whereas otolith weights were used as indicators of fish growth rates. Statistically significant differences were observed in body shape between wild-farmed fish and wild fish of both species. The wild-farmed fish had a smaller head and eye, and in bogue also a slighter snout curvature and head depth. Otolith shape and weight did not differ between groups in bogue. By contrast, there were significant differences in otolith shape and weight between groups in salema. A complementary study in salema indicated that the wild-farmed fishes grew more in weight and accumulated higher concentrations of 'terrestrial fatty acids' (linoleic and alphalinolenic acids), which are used in fish feeds. Our findings clearly demonstrated an influence of coastal sea cages on metabolism of some wild fishes.

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Movements of grey mullet Liza aurata and Chelon labrosus associated with coastal fish farms in the western Mediterranean Sea

Cited by 31 publications

References 24 publications

Spatial and temporal extension of wild fish aggregations at Sparus aurata and Thunnus thynnus farms in the north-western Mediterranean

Spatial and temporal extension of wild fish aggregations at Sparus aurata and Thunnus thynnus farms in the north-western Mediterranean

Reared fish, farmed escapees and wild fish stocks—a triangle of pathogen transmission of concern to Mediterranean aquaculture management

Phenotypic plasticity in wild marine fishes associated with fish-cage aquaculture

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