Fish impingement at power stations situated along the rivers Rhine and Meuse in The Netherlands

Summary Substantial numbers of predominantly O⁺ fish were impinged on the cooling water screens of Harculo, Gelderland, Merwedehaven and Amer power stations. Low numbers were impinged at the two stations located on the river Meuse (Maas and Claus). Two possible reasons for this difference are suggested,viz. a low fish density in the river Meuse and the deep position of the cooling water intakes. In comparison with Bergum power station situated on a lake the impingement rate at the river stations was more than ten times as low.Most fish were impinged during the summer months when large numbers of juvenile fish are present in the rivers. Dominating species impinged were roach, pikeperch, bream and perch. The abundance of pikeperch in the screensamples, points to a recent increase in the population of pikeperch in the rivers. The growth pattern of O⁺ pikeperch and O⁺ roach during summer seemed very similar for power stations located at different rivers. Thirty fish species and four crustacean species were collected, among whichOrconectus limosus was quite abundant at Maas and Claus power stations.     

Fish intake mortality at power stations the problem and its remedy

Summary Fish larvae and juveniles are not strong enough to maintain in the water flow occurring at cooling water intakes of power stations. Therefore, they are drawn into the cooling water system and show considerable mortality mainly due to mechanical causes. In this paper several measures are discussed which may lead to a reduction of this problem. Special emphasis is laid on site selection in low productive areas, reduction of the volume of cooling water, careful removal and transport from the screens and preventing fish from entering the intake. Illumination of the intake area during night appears to be an effective means in decreasing the large nocturnal fish inflow. It is suggested to modify the current cooling water standards in order to diminish the intake fish mortality.     

Radiation safety at atomic electric power stations

The paper discusses measures to be taken during hypothetic utmost breakdown at nuclear power stations when the amount of radioactive nuclides injected in the atmosphere exceeds the permissible level. Three consecutive steps of the breakdown are distinguished and, correspondingly, medical and hygienic measures are developed to provide radioprotection of the personnel, population, and workers involved in the elimination of the consequences of the breakdown. Criteria are given for developing protective measures and implementing thereof.     

Fish passage experience at small-scale hydro-electric power plants in France

There are more than 1,700 small-scale hydro-electric power stations in France today, which can be found on the majority of rivers with migratory species in them. This article gives an overview of the different types of fish facilities in use at these small-scale hydro plants. The relative advantages and drawbacks of each type of fish pass are discussed, with reference to the requirements of migratory species and the site-specific constraints. Emphasis is placed on the problems of attraction and maintenance. The article also mentions the various techniques used to evaluate existing or recently constructed fish passes. Experience in using bypass facilities combined with trashracks for downstream juvenile salmonids and eels are related. The author points out the severe cumulative impact which may occur due to the existence of several small-scale hydro projects on the same river. He presents his view on the priorities for research on fish passage facilities, especially on “fish friendly” small-scale hydropower intakes. Guest editors: R. L. Welcomme & G. Marmulla Hydropower, Flood Control and Water Abstraction: Implications for Fish and Fisheries     

Fish condition in introduced tilapias of Ugandan crater lakes in relation to deforestation and fishing pressure

This study identifies environmental predictors of the condition of two introduced tilapia species (Oreochromis leucostictus and Tilapia zillii) that are known to have divergent trophic niches (planktivore and herbivore, respectively) in 17 crater lakes in western Uganda. We asked whether fish condition differs among lakes characterized by differences in fishing pressure and catchment deforestation; and we related relative condition factor to gradients of environmental variation across lakes. Lakes characterized by severe catchment deforestation tended to be lakes with high fishing pressure, so it was difficult to explore independent and interactive effects. However, mean relative condition factor was higher in populations with high fishing pressure compared to populations with low fishing pressure for both O. leucostictus and T. zillii. The condition of O. leucostictus populations was higher in lakes with severely deforested catchments; but mean relative condition factor of T. zillii did not differ between deforestation categories. Principal components analysis (PCA) was used to describe the major environmental gradients of variation among the lakes; and PCA factor scores were regressed against relative fish condition. The association between fish condition and environmental gradients was stronger for O. leucostictus than for T. zillii. For O. leucostictus, fish condition was related to PC1 (43% of the variance) and factors that loaded most heavily included Chl-a, water transparency, lake area and depth, suggesting higher condition in lakes characterized by higher primary productivity and smaller size. For T. zillii, PC3 (11%) was the only axis related to fish condition; and factors that loaded most heavily included lake area (positive), and conductivity and total nitrogen (negative). Some of the larger lakes are characterized by higher availability of macrophytes that may positively affect the food base for T. zillii.     

Empirical estimates of historical variations in the catchability and fishing power of pelagic longline fishing gear

I quantify the effects of 11 variables on the catchability and fishing power of pelagic longlines, which are used to catch tunas and billfishes in the open ocean. Extension of the depth range and the duration of longline operations have reduced the catchability of several epipelagic species, such as mako sharks (Isurus spp.), since industrial longlining commenced in the tropical Pacific Ocean in the early 1950s. Reductions in the body size of many species may also have reduced encounters with longline hooks. By contrast, the catchability of commercially valuable bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) increased substantially because of the longer duration and extension of the depth range of longlines. Stronger and less visible line materials and increased fishing-master experience also contributed to increased catchability. By affecting the rate of bait loss, the introduction of new bait species increased fishing power. This study highlights significant problems in deriving indices of abundance from commercial catch and effort data. Instead of relying on commercial data, assessments should use tag-recapture experiments or dedicated surveys to obtain fishery-independent estimates of abundance.     

Tolerance of copepods to short-term thermal stress caused by coastal power stations

The tolerance of marine copepods to short-term thermal stress was measured by the median lethal temperature (LT₅₀) tests in laboratory. Experiments on LT₅₀ of copepods from different acclimation and acclimatization conditions collected from the Yueqing Bay were carried out under heat exposure for 15, 30 and 45 min. The LT₅₀ of copepods decreased with increasing exposure time but increased with rising acclimation and acclimatization temperatures. However, the differences in copepod LT₅₀ decreased with rising acclimatization temperatures, which suggested that entrained copepod mortality increased with raised water temperature due to the acute thermal stress of coastal power stations. Results also revealed that the thermal tolerance of Labidocera euchaeta was much higher than that of Calanus sinicus in spring. The thermal tolerances of different copepod species in summer were in the order, Pseudodiaptomus marinus, Acartia spinicauda, Acartia pacifica and L. euchaeta.     

Fish entrapment in the seawater intake of a power plant at Karachi coast

Synopsis The study deals with the entrapment of fishes in the intake of Karachi Nuclear Power Plant. A total of 62 species of marine fishes belonging to 43 genera were observed entrapped in the seawater intake. Therapon puta, Liza waigiensis, Abudefduf septemfasciatus, and Lagoceptalus inermis were the most common. Mass mortalities of the juveniles of Sardinella sindensis were recorded in September and October of 1974, 1975, and 1977. Commercially important fishes such as sardines, mullets and anchovies, were entrapped in the intake of the power plant in considerable numbers at various times of the year. The majority of fishes removed from the screen washes of the power plants were killed by impingement.     

Natural habitat change, commercial fishing, climate, and dispersal interact to restructure an Alaskan fish metacommunity

The metacommunity concept has recently been described to account for the roles of dispersal in regulating community structure. Despite its strong theoretical basis, there exist few large-scale and long-term examples of its applicability in aquatic ecosystems. In this study we used a long-term dataset (1961–2007) on the relative abundances of the dominant limnetic fishes from two interconnected lakes to investigate the synergistic effects of naturally declining lake volume (approximately 50% in 50 years), climate variation, fishery management, and dispersal on community composition. We found a marked shift in fish community composition and variability during a period of rapid natural habitat change; however, the change was most apparent in the downstream, more stable lake of the system rather than at the site of disturbance. Multivariate analysis suggested significant shifts in community composition and variability in the downstream lake. Results indicated that the community composition in both lakes was best explained by habitat loss in the upper watershed and the number of spawning adult sockeye salmon the previous year (reflecting both natural processes and commercial fishing). Furthermore, communities exhibited site-specific responses to climatic conditions (e.g., index of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation), whereby the upper lake responded to climate within a given year and with a 1-year time lag, whereas the downstream community responded only with a 1-year lag. We attribute this difference largely to downstream dispersal and recruitment of fish from the upper lake. Thus, we suggest that the interconnected nature of the communities in this system provides a useful and large-scale example of the metacommunity concept, whereby the effects of environmental disturbance on community structure ultimately depend on the effects of these disturbances on dispersal among ecosystems.     

Technical mitigation to reduce marine mammal bycatch and entanglement in commercial fishing gear: lessons learnt and future directions

Fisheries bycatch is one of the biggest threats to marine mammal populations. A literature review was undertaken to provide a comprehensive assessment and synopsis of gear modifications and technical devices to reduce marine mammal bycatch in commercial trawl, purse seine, longline, gillnet and pot/trap fisheries. Successfully implemented mitigation measures include acoustic deterrent devices (pingers) which reduced the bycatch of some small cetacean species in gillnets, appropriately designed exclusion devices which reduced pinniped bycatch in some trawl fisheries, and various pot/trap guard designs that reduced marine mammal entrapment. However, substantial development and research of mitigation options is required to address the bycatch of a range of species in many fisheries. No reliably effective technical solutions to reduce small cetacean bycatch in trawl nets are available, although loud pingers have shown potential. There are currently no technical options that effectively reduce marine mammal interactions in longline fisheries, although development of catch and hook protection devices is promising. Solutions are also needed for species, particularly pinnipeds and small cetaceans, that are not deterred by pingers and continue to be caught in static gillnets. Large whale entanglements in static gear, particularly buoy lines for pots/traps, needs urgent attention although there is encouraging research on rope-less pot/trap systems and identification of rope colours that are more detectable to whale species. Future mitigation development and deployment requires rigorous scientific testing to determine if significant bycatch reduction has been achieved, as well as consideration of potentially conflicting mitigation outcomes if multiple species are impacted by a fishery.

     

Insectivory and its significance to langur diets

Earlier studies on Hanuman langurs (Presbytis entellus) around Jodhpur found them entirely vegetarian (Mohnot, 1974;Winkler, 1988). However, recent observations in the open scrub forests of Jodhpur reveal that scale insects may constitute a regular part of their diet and that insectivory is particularly prevalent in the monsoon months July – September. The insect eating in this habitat seems to support the “Energy/nutrient maximization” hypothesis ofHamilton andBusse (1978).     

Fish micronucleus assay to assess genotoxic potential of arsenic at its guideline exposure in aquatic environment

The exposure to arsenic, a potential genotoxic carcinogen in humans, via drinking water is a serious worldwide health hazard. The arsenic content of 10 μg L^?1 in drinking water, however, has been established as its guideline standard (maximum contaminant limit) that has been estimated to pose minimum risk to cancer. Since micronucleus induction in the erythrocytes of fish is a sensitive indicator of genotoxic agents in water, the piscine micronucleus assay was used in the present experiment to assess the genotoxic potential of arsenic at its various exposure levels including the guideline value for drinking water. The experiments were conducted in two different species of fishes, the pond murrel (Channa punctatus) and the goldfish (Carassius auratus). Significant increases in the frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes were documented in a dose-dependent manner in both Channa and Carassius. The fishes, however, exhibited variations in inter-specific sensitivity to micronucleus induction following arsenic exposure. The exposure level of arsenic at its guideline value for drinking water, therefore, exhibited marked genotoxicity in fishes.     

Fish community responses to ecosystem stressors in coastal estuarine wetlands: a functional basis for wetlands management and restoration

Functional responses of estuarine fish species to environmental perturbations such as wetland impoundment, changes in water quality, and sediment accretion are investigated. The study focuses on the feeding, growth and habitat use by California killifish (Fundulus parvipinnis), topsmelt (Antherinops affinis), and juvenile California halibut (Paralichthys californicus) in impacted coastal wetlands to provide an ecological basis for guidance on the management and restoration of these ecosystems. The ecology of California killifish, Fundulus parvipinnis, is closely tied with the marsh surface, which they access at high tide to feed and grow. Field estimates of food consumption show that killifish can increase their food intake by two-fold to five-fold by adding marsh surface foods to their diet. Bioenergetics modeling predicts that killifish can grow over an order of magnitude faster if they add intertidal marsh surfaces to their subtidal feeding areas. Tidal inlet closures and increased marsh surface elevations due to sediment accretion can restrict killifish access to the marsh surface, affecting its growth and fitness. An open tidal inlet and tidal creek networks that allow killifish to access the marsh at high tide must be incorporated into the restoration design. Topsmelt and California halibut are also adversely affected by tidal inlet closures. Food consumption rates of topsmelt are 50% lower when the tidal inlet is closed, compared to when the estuary is tidally-flushed. Tidal inlet closures inadvertently induce variations in water temperature and salinity and negatively affect growth of juvenile California halibut. Tidal creek networks which consist of channels and creeks of various orders are also important to halibut. Large halibut (>200 mm TL) inhabit deeper, high order channels for thermal refuge, while small halibut (<120 mm TL) are abundant in lower order channels where they can feed on small-sized prey which are typically less abundant in high order channels. Maintaining an open tidal inlet, implementing sediment management programs and designing coastal wetlands with tidal creek networks adjacent to intertidal salt marsh habitat (for fish access) are key elements that need to be considered during the planning and implementation of coastal wetland restoration projects.     

Development of an estuarine multi-metric fish index and its application to Irish transitional waters

An estuarine multi-metric fish index (EMFI) was developed and applied to Irish transitional waters. The index comprised a balanced and complimentary set of 14 metrics that represent four fish community attributes: species diversity and composition, species abundance, estuarine utilisation, and trophic composition. Reference conditions and metric scoring thresholds were developed using a combination of historical records, best available data, and expert judgement. The index was applied using representative and robust fish monitoring data collected using a suite of methods designed to cover a range of habitats and conditions. To ensure consistency and comparability, all systems were considered at the whole estuary level. A sensitivity analysis was carried out to assess the response of the EMFI under various scenarios of metric change; five metrics were consistently among the most influential on the EMFI in all scenarios of metric manipulation. The overall EMFI was significantly correlated with environmental condition as measured by two separate indicators of ecological state. Ecological status classes were also established based on the relationship between the EMFI and an index of human pressure. The EMFI provides a robust, sensitive, and integrated measure of the ecological status of fishes in transitional waters and meets the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive.     

Efficient synthesis of nevirapine analogs to study its metabolic profile by click fishing

Knowledge of the biotransformation and pharmacokinetics of the antiretroviral agent nevirapine is still insufficient. In order to trace rash inducing metabolites of nevirapine, we devised a short and efficient multi-gram synthesis of a nevirapine analog that can be coupled to azide containing compounds by click chemistry.     

Fish abundance and trophic structure from the commercial catch in Lake Patzcuaro, Mexico

The composition, abundance and trophic structure of the fish community in Lake Patzcuaro is analyzed, using data from eight samples taken from the commercial fishery acquired between August 1990 and April 1991. A total of 65 767 individuals, caught with gillnets selective to all fish and size, were analyzed. Eleven species (8 native and 3 exotic) were recorded during the study. Zooplanktivorous were the most representative species, amounting to 91% of the total number. Also, they were the most characteristic species (36.4%) when feeding habits were considered, followed by carnivore and omnivore (27.3% each), and herbivore (9.1%). Three species groups and three time-associated groups were detected by means of classification methods. Lake Patzcuaro's ichthyofauna is to be considered as a transitional community that has not reached equilibrium, particularly after the introduction of exotic species and local extinction of native species. However, Lake Patzcuaro has the greatest fishery production of all tropical lakes in the Central Plain of Mexico and it is mainly sustained by native species. The differential use of feeding resources by the fish species and the diversity in their habits must be taken into account to design strategies to maintain the fish structure (avoiding new introduction of exotic species) and the fish production in Lake Patzcuaro.     

The Bacterial Flora of some Queensland Fish and its Ability to cause Spoilage

The bacterial flora were determined qualitatively and quantitatively on samples taken at various stages of handling several species of fish of commercial importance in Queensland. There was an overall increase in the number of bacteria during handling and processing; both the composition and quantity of the bacterial flora of individual samples taken at each stage of handling varied widely. Members of the genus Micrococcus formed the major proportion of the flora of freshly caught fish. Pseudomonas and Moraxella spp. were predominant amongst the bacterial flora able to grow at 2° and constituted the bulk of the population in samples with high bacterial counts. This psychrophilic population was markedly reduced at the filleting stage. A medium prepared by the action of trypsin on a fish muscle homogenate was used to test bacterial isolates for their ability to produce odours. Forty-three per cent of the pseudomonad isolates produced sulphydryl odours at 5°. Only small proportions of the other groups produced detectable odours. Members of the genus Pseudomonas were considered the most important fish spoilage bacteria under the conditions found in Queensland.