豆油替代鱼油对赤点石斑鱼(Epinephelus akaara)生长、体组成及体脂肪酸组成的影响

以鱼粉和酪蛋白为蛋白源,玉米淀粉为糖源,以豆油分别替代25%、50%、75%和100%的鱼油,配制4组等氮(50.26%—51.03%)、等能(20.82—21.01k J/g)实验饲料,每组饲料设3个平行,每个平行20尾鱼,进行为期6周的生长实验。实验结果表明,过高的豆油替代会引起生长的下降。随着豆油替代水平的升高,饲料转换系数(FCR)呈现先下降后上升的趋势,最高值(1.96±0.42)出现在全豆油替代水平组,而蛋白质效率(PER)表现为相反的结果。全豆油替代组呈现相对最高的肝体比(HSI)值,但各处理组之间没有显著性差异(P0.05)。全鱼水分和蛋白含量没有明显差异(P0.05)。投喂25%替代水平组的全鱼脂肪含量最高(P0.05),但是在50%—100%替代水平处理组之间没有显著差异(P0.05)。赤点石斑鱼鱼体脂肪酸组成明显受到饲料脂肪酸组成的影响。随着饲料豆油水平的升高,全鱼鱼体中的亚油酸(C18:2n6)含量显著升高(P0.05),ARA(C20:4n6)、EPA(C20:5n3)和DHA(C22:6n3)含量在全豆油替代组最低。总之,饲料豆油替代水平不宜超过75%,过高的豆油替代水平可能会对赤点石斑鱼生长产生不利影响,并影响鱼的品质。     

Distribution of quinnat salmon,Oncorhynchus tshawytscha,off the east coast of the South Island, 1925–78

The distribution of 376 salmon caught at sea between 41 °S and 46 °S up to 48 km off the east coast of the South Island between 1925 and 1978 is discussed. The distribution appears to be related to strong currents in Cook and Foveaux Straits, and to the Southland Current off the east coast of the South Island. Samples from the sea at Moeraki Peninsula had a higher incidence of stream‐reared fish and a lower mean fork length than samples from the Waitaki or Rakaia Rivers at spawning.     

环境光色对白条双锯鱼(Amphiprion frenatus)幼鱼生长和体色的影响

本试验研究了循环水养殖条件下白条双锯鱼(Amphiprion frenatus)幼鱼在不同光照环境中的生长状况和体色变化特点。设置白色、红色、黄色、蓝色、绿色五个光照试验组,每组三个重复,试验周期120d。结果表明,各试验组幼鱼存活率和特定生长率均无显著性差异(P0.05),增重率在红光组和绿光组间差异显著(P0.05)。试验鱼红光组红色皮肤胡萝卜素含量显著高于蓝光、黄光和绿光组(P0.05);白光组红皮中胡萝卜素含量显著高于蓝光组(P0.05);在眼、肝、肌肉和白色皮肤组织中胡萝卜素含量在各试验组间无显著性差异(P0.05)。白光组肝组织中酪氨酸酶活性活性显著高于红光组(P0.05);在眼、皮肤、肌肉组织中各试验组酪氨酸酶活性无显著性差异(P0.05)。研究表明,在循环水养殖条件下,白条双锯鱼在红光环境下体表类胡萝卜素含量增加,而酪氨酸酶活性减弱,有提高鱼体色泽鲜艳度的作用,此研究结果可为人工养殖海水观赏鱼的体色改善提供理论依据。     

光色对豹纹鳃棘鲈幼鱼摄食、生长和存活的影响

为探究光色对鱼类摄食、生长和存活的影响,作者在模块化小型循环水养殖系统中,以豹纹鳃棘鲈(Plectropomus leopardus)幼鱼(体长21.2 cm±1.22 cm,体质量112.46 g±2.632 g)为对象,设置5种光色环境(红、黄、绿、白和黑暗),进行了4个月的循环水养殖实验。结果表明:绿光下豹纹鳃棘鲈幼鱼摄食率高、饵料转化率高、饵料系数低,但不同光色下豹纹鳃棘鲈幼鱼的摄食不存在显著性差异(P0.05);幼鱼的体长增长,绿光组和红光组大,且与其余3组间差异显著(P0.05);幼鱼的体质量增长,绿光组最大,红光组和黑暗组次之,白光组和黄光组最小,且三者间差异显著(P0.05);各组幼鱼的肥满度并没有显著性差异(P0.05);除白光组幼鱼存活率(只有50%)最低外,其余各组幼鱼存活率均在80%以上,其中绿光组最高,为88.33%。可见,在循环水养殖生产中,绿光环境有利于豹纹鳃棘鲈幼鱼的摄食、生长和存活。     

海南岛3种石磺肌肉组织营养成分分析

参照国家食品营养成分分析相关标准,结合液相色谱仪,元素分析仪,电感耦合等离子光谱仪等测定海南岛采集的瘤背石磺(Onchidium struma),紫色疣石磺(Peronia verruculata),平疣桑葚石磺(Platevindex mortoni)3种石磺肌肉组织中营养成分。结果表明:海南岛3种石磺均属于高蛋白质低脂肪的海产品,蛋白质含量达65.0%以上,其中以平疣桑葚石磺蛋白质含量最高;瘤背石磺肌肉组织多糖含量高达30.96%±1.48%,显著高于其他2种石磺;3种石磺肌肉组织中氨基酸组成全面,且以呈味氨基酸含量最高,均达5.60%以上;3种石磺肌肉组织均含有丰富的矿质元素,其中以钙和镁元素含量最高,含量达20~30 g/kg,同时钠和钾元素含量达3.0~6.5 g/kg。海南岛3种石磺均具有丰富的营养价值,其中以高蛋白高多糖低脂肪的瘤背石磺最具有开发前景。     

盐酸甜菜碱对短盖巨脂鲤脂肪代谢的影响

采用现场实验的方法，以短盖巨脂鲤为对象进行了60天养殖实验，探讨盐酸甜菜碱对其脂肪代谢作用机理。结果表明，盐酸甜菜碱使整鱼水分和含脂量呈下降趋势，鱼肌肉含水量下降，肝脂量极显著降低；肌肉和肝脏中游离肉碱、酸不溶肉碱含量和酸不溶肉碱与游离肉碱的比例极显著提高；血清总胆固醇和甘油三酯极显著下降，脂肪酶活性呈升高趋势；甜菜碱对肠系膜脂肪酶活力产生影响，使鱼肌肉肌问脂肪分布发生明显变化。实验结果提示：甜菜碱可改善肉质，它参与机体代谢活动，使肝脏和肌肉中甲基化产物(肉碱)含量增加，影响肠系膜脂肪酶活力，改变体脂和鱼肉脂肪酸组成，进行体脂重分配。     

Temporal Dynamics and Biomass Partitioning in Three Adriatic Seagrass Species: Posidonia oceanica,Cymodocea nodosa,Zostera marina

Abstract. The temporal dynamics of three seagrasses, Posidonia oceanica, Cymodocea nodosa and Zostera marina, was studied in different areas of the Adriatic Sea by analysing phenological parameters and biomass trends in different compartments of seagrass systems. For this purpose, samplings were conducted in 1997 once per season at each station, Otranto (southern Adriatic Sea) and Grado (northern Adriatic Sea). Structural parameters and biomass of plant compartments differed among seagrasses both in absolute values and in seasonal variability. P. oceanica was the largest plant, showing the highest number of leaves per shoot, highest leaf surface, Leaf Area Index and shoot weight. Z. marina was intermediate in size and had the longest leaves, whereas C. nodosa was the smallest seagrass. P. oceanica accounted for the highest total biomass (mean ± SE: 1895.9 ± 180.2 g DW · m^–2; CV = coefficient of variation: 19.0 %), considerably more than C. nodosa (mean ± SE: 410.4 ± 88.4 g DW·m^–2; CV: 43.1 %) and Z. marina (mean ± SE: 312.1 ± 75.1 g DW · m^–2; CV: 48.1 %), although the two latter species displayed a higher seasonal variability. Similarly, other features, such as shoot density, leaf surface, LAI, shoot weight and relative contributions of above‐ and below‐ground compartments, were less variable across seasons in P. oceanica than in the two other seagrasses, while leaf length showed the highest seasonal fluctuation in P. oceanica. As for biomass partitioning, C. nodosa showed a higher proportion of the below‐ground relative to above‐ground biomass (up to 90 %), with a distinct seasonality, whereas in P. oceanica the proportion of below‐ground biomass (around 80 %) was fairly constant during the year. We infer that in P. oceanica the seasonal forcing is probably buffered by the availability of internal resources stored permanently during the year in the below‐ground. In C. nodosa and Z. marina, instead, growth processes seem to be amplified by a greater influence of environmental factors.     

An assessment of participation,catch and effort in the KwaZulu-Natal shore-based marine linefishery,with comments on management effectiveness

The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of current management of the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) shore-based marine linefishery. Methods used included a stratified-random creel survey and an associated questionnaire survey. The study was undertaken between February 2009 and January 2010. Total participation ranged between 41 283 and 68 087 shore-anglers. Results show that there has been little change in participation in the KZN shore-fishery since 1994–1996. In contrast, total angler effort (779 382–843 702 angler-days y^?1) has decreased substantially over the past 13 years. Overall catch per unit effort (CPUE) for the KZN shore-linefishery amounted to 0.18 ± 0.3 fish angler^?1 h^?1 or 0.07 ± 0.13 kg angler^?1 h^?1. In all, 84 fish species, belonging to 39 families, were recorded in catches of shore-anglers during the study period. Only five species accounted for 75% of the catch recorded along the coast (Sarpa salpa 34.8%, Pomatomus saltatrix 14.7%, Diplodus capensis 14.5%, Pomadasys olivaceum 6.5% and Rhabdosargus holubi 4.9%). The total annual catch for the KZN shore-linefishery was estimated between 249.2 and 276.7 t y^?1 (or 636 589–706 995 fish y^?1). Analysis of overall CPUE, catch composition and total catch in the shore-based linefishery of KZN suggested that it is currently in a relatively stable condition and that little change has occurred over the past 13 years. However, comparisons of species-specific CPUE values from this study with recent literature suggest that some species (e.g. Argyrosomus japonicus) are severely overexploited. Over the past few decades there seems to have been a gradual transition in landings from long-lived, high trophic-level, piscivorous fish (e.g. A. japonicus) to more short-lived, low trophic-level species (e.g. S. salpa). The results therefore suggest that present exploitation levels may not be sustainable for certain slow-growing, long-lived fish species. Current management regulations appear to have limited effectiveness based on poor angler compliance and knowledge of the regulations. In this regard, it is important to consider alternate management measures that may offer more effective protection to fish and at the same time be more easily understood by all anglers in the linefishery. Recommendations for improved management and the importance of the establishment of an effective MPA network are briefly discussed.     

壳聚糖对虹鳟(Oncorhynchus mykiss)幼鱼生长性能、体组成及非特异性免疫的影响

用壳聚糖添加量为0.00%(D0)、0.25%(D1)、0.50%(D2)、1.00%(D3)和2.00%(D4)的实验饲料投喂虹鳟幼鱼50d,研究其对虹鳟幼鱼生长性能、体组成及非特异性免疫的影响。结果显示,各实验组增重率(WGR)、特定生长率(SGR)显著高于对照组(P<0.05),饲料系数(FCR)、脏体比(VSI)呈显著降低趋势(P<0.05),而肝体比(HSI)、脾体比(SSI)、肥满度(CF)及存活率(SR)无明显差异(P>0.05)。全鱼、肌肉及肝脏粗脂肪含量显著降低(P<0.05)。D3组和D4组碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性显著低于其它各组(P<0.05);酸性磷酸酶(ACP)活性显著降低(P<0.05),溶菌酶(LZM)活性则显著升高(P<0.05);D4组总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)显著高于对照组及D1组(P<0.05);超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力差异不显著(P>0.05)。在本实验条件下,饲料中添加壳聚糖可显著提高虹鳟幼鱼生长性能、增强非特异性免疫能力,以增重率及非特异性免疫为综合评价指标,虹鳟饲料中壳聚糖的适宜添加量为0.50%。     

Depth related trends in proximate composition of demersal fishes in the eastern North Pacific

The proximate chemistry of the white muscle and liver of 18 species of demersal fish from the eastern North Pacific was studied to determine trends with depth, locomotory mode and buoyancy mechanism, foraging strategy and to elucidate energetic strategies. Data for 24 species from shallow water were taken from the literature and included for analysis of muscle water content. Benthopelagic species, primarily gadiforms, have significantly larger lipid-rich livers than benthic species. The benthopelagic species may use this lipid to add buoyancy, but it is also used as energy storage. Buoyancy mechanism was directly related to proximate composition. Fishes using gasbladders had normal muscle composition. The two species of benthopelagic fishes without gasbladders have either very high muscle lipid content (Anoplopoma fimbria) or gelatinous muscle (Alepocephalus tenobrosus) to aid in achieving neutral buoyancy. The macrourid, Albatrossia pectoralis, has a very small gasbladder and also has gelatinous muscle. Both of these benthopelagic fishes with gelatinous muscle feed on pelagic organisms. Gelatinous muscle was also found in two flatfishes that inhabit the oxygen minimum zone. For these fishes, high water content may serve to lower metabolic costs while maintaining large body size. Scavengers such as Coryphaenoides armatus and Coryphaenoides acrolepis have lipid rich livers and others such as A. fimbria and Pachycara sp. have high and variable muscle lipid content. Thus foraging mode also acts to influence proximate composition. Several depth-related trends in proximate composition were found. White muscle water content increased significantly with depth, and all four gelatinous species occurred at bathyal depths. This adds evidence in support of the hypothesis that decreasing light levels shorten reactive distances and relax the selective pressure for high locomotory capacity. In addition significant declines in liver protein content were observed, suggesting that the rates of metabolism in this organ also decline with depth. There was little evidence for food availability affecting proximate composition. There were no significant changes in either muscle or liver lipid or caloric density with depth. Total lipid stores actually increased significantly, but they were driven primarily by the abyssal scavenger C. armatus suggesting that foraging strategy rather than depth may be the most important factor determining total lipid stores.     

脱脂南极磷虾粉对圆斑星鲽幼鱼体组成和消化性能的影响

为探讨脱脂南极磷虾(Euphausia superba)粉对圆斑星鲽(Verasper variegatus)幼鱼体组成和消化性能的影响。作者以鱼粉和脱脂磷虾粉为蛋白源、鱼油为脂肪源,用脱脂磷虾粉蛋白替代0%、10%、20%、30%、40%、50%和100%的鱼粉蛋白,设计7种等蛋白(50%)、等脂肪(8%)的实验饲料(分别表示为F0、F10、F20、F30、F40、F50和F100)。每组设3个重复,每个重复20尾鱼,初始体质量为(68.13±0.20)g,经过8周的饲养实验。结果表明:F100组的肝体比和脏体比显著低于其他各组(P0.05),F20~F30组的肥满度显著高于F40组(P0.05);F100组全鱼的水分和灰分显著高于其他各组(P0.05),F10组和F100组全鱼的粗蛋白显著高于其他各组(P0.05),F30组和F50组全鱼的粗脂肪显著高于其他各组(P0.05),F100组全鱼的粗脂肪显著低于其他各组(P0.05)。F10、F20和F50组肌肉的水分显著高于F100组(P0.05),F20组和F30组肌肉的粗脂肪显著高于其他各组(P0.05),各替代组肌肉的粗蛋白、灰分无组间差异(P0.05);胃蛋白酶活性组间无差异(P0.05),F0和F20的胃脂肪酶活性显著低于F30组(P0.05),F30组的胃淀粉酶活性显著高于其他各组(P0.05),F30和F100组的肠脂肪酶活性显著低于其他各组(P0.05),F0组的肠淀粉酶活性显著高于其他各组(P0.05);脱脂南极磷虾粉替代组的皱襞高度呈现先升高后降低的趋势,F30组的皱襞高度显著高于其他组(P0.05),替代组和对照组的黏膜厚度和绒毛长度没有显著性差异(P0.05)。综合来看,脱脂南极磷虾粉10%~50%的替代比例对圆斑星鲽幼鱼的形态指标、体组成、消化酶活性和肠道形态指标有较好的效果。     

盐度对乌鳢(Channa argus)生长和肌肉品质的影响

设置盐度为0(对照组)、5.0、7.5、10.0的4个水体,饲养平均体重为(402.4±44.6)g的乌鳢30天,测定乌鳢生长性能、肌肉成分、游离氨基酸和肌肉物理性能指标,研究盐度对乌鳢生长和肌肉品质的影响。结果表明,各组乌鳢的增重率分别为37.7%、33.9%、31.5%、6.3%,成活率分别为100%、100%、100%和63.6%,表现出随盐度增加而下降的趋势,但盐度0、5.0、7.5各组间无显著差异,在盐度为10.0的水体中,乌鳢成活率和增重率均显著降低(P<0.05),饲料系数显著增加(P<0.05);随盐度增加,肌肉水分和肌肉失水率增加,而脂肪含量减少;肌肉蛋白含量和胶原蛋白含量在盐度0、5.0、7.5各组间无差异,但在盐度10组显著降低;与对照组相比,盐度7.5组的肌原纤维耐折力增加,肌纤维直径减小;随盐度升高,肌肉质构指标(硬度、弹性、黏性、咀嚼性、凝聚性)均有不同程度改善;在肌肉游离氨基酸方面,随盐度增加,肌肉游离呈味氨基酸和总游离氨基酸含量呈上升趋势,其中盐度10.0组较对照组分别增加88.2%、42.7%(P<0.05)。上述研究表明,适宜的盐度可改善乌鳢的肌肉品质,结合鱼体生长性能,适宜的盐度为7.5。     

Diet of landlocked sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) and trout in the Waitaki lakes,New Zealand

Landlocked sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), ranging in fork length (FL) from 105 to 313 mm, were captured in fine‐mesh gill nets set in the limnetic zone of the Waitaki hydro lakes (44° 30′ S, 170° 10’ E) in the South Island, New Zealand. A total of 443 stomachs was examined and the frequency of occurrence, volume and weight of prey items calculated. In the Ahuriri Arm of Lake Benmore the principal food (54% by weight) was zooplankton (Boeckella dilatata) whereas in the Haldon Arm of Lake Benmore it was larval and juvenile common bullies (Gobiomorphus cotidi‐anus) (73% by volume). In Lake Waitaki in winter, salmon had eaten insects (43% by volume) with smaller amounts of snails (Potamopyrgus antipo‐darum, 23%) and bullies (24%). In Lake Ohau adult insects may be an important food. There were also variations in diet with season and fish size. The stomachs of 147 brown trout (Salmo trutta) and 181 rainbow trout (S. gairdnerii) caught in the same gill nets were also examined. In contrast to sockeye salmon stomachs they contained negligible amounts of zooplankton (< 1% by weight) and large amounts of aquatic insects (50–58% by weight in the Ahuriri Arm of Lake Benmore). Comparisons with juvenile sockeye salmon and kokanee in North American lakes are made. The impact of introductions of sockeye salmon into other New Zealand lakes is discussed.     

六横大岙附近海域环境质量现状评价

根据１９９５年４月对码头工程区附近海域的水质和沉积物的环境质量现场调查,采用环境质量指数法,评价了该海区水质和沉积物的环境质量状况。结果表明,水质中无机氮严重超标,超三类标准的超标率达１００％。无机磷超一类标准的超标率达１００％,有个别测站超二类标准。ＣＯＤ、ｐＨ、ＤＯ、油类均低于一类海水标准。潮间带水质基本符合一类水质要求。底质环境质量现状良好     

Growth of red gurnard (Teleostei: Triglidae) from Pegasus bay,Canterbury, New Zealand

Growth of the red gurnard, Chelidonichthys kumu (Lesson and Garnot), from Pegasus Bay, Canterbury, was measured during 1966–67. Otoliths were used as an indicator of fish growth; mean length‐at‐age data were obtained from back‐calculated fish lengths at the time of formation of successive annual rings in the otoliths. Growth in length was found to be adequately expressed by the von Bertalanffy growth equation :

l_t = 52.0 [1 ‐ e‐^{0.406 (t‐o.291)}]

(where l_t is the fork length in cm at age t). The length: weight relationship was:

w = 78.56 × 10^‐4 l ^3.072

(where w is the weight in grams). From this relationship, growth in weight was described by the equation:

w_t = 1469 [1 ‐ e‐0.406 (t‐0.291)]³.     

光周期对松江鲈鱼生长和性腺发育影响的初步研究

在松江鲈鱼(Trachidermis fasciatus)生长和性腺发育的关键时期,挑选其同规格的幼苗分为长光照组(LL)与自然光照组(对照组,NL),研究光周期对其生长和性腺发育的影响。本研究将LL组与NL组分别设计3组平行,共计150尾。实验起始:LL组体质量:(3.7256±0.8236)g,全长:(6.2253±0.3687)cm;NL组体质量:(3.7179±0.7893)g,全长:(6.2053±0.3436)cm,组间体质量及全长差异不显著。经过76 d的光周期实验,在前中期体质量检测中,LL组体质量、全长大于NL组;最终LL组体质量:(29.0328±3.06437)g,全长:(13.2361±0.3861)cm;NL组体质量:(28.6639±2.4460)g,全长:(13.2684±0.6432)cm;LL组的肝指数均值为(9.1525±0.5053)%,相对于NL组的(5.2675±0.1504)%,为极显著(P0.001)。最终,LL组的性腺发育指数均值为(5.8150±0.1396)%,相对于NL组的(5.7625±0.3404)%,为极显著(p0.001)。LL组肝指数(HSI)、性腺发育指数(GSI)均显著高于NL组;卵巢从外观及卵径判断,LL组已发育至第V期,大部分卵粒饱满,卵粒清亮饱满相互黏连,而NL组卵巢为第IV期,颜色偏红且卵径显著偏小。LL组卵径均值为(1.2118±0.3136)mm,而NL组则为(0.8356±0.0935)mm,LL组卵径偏大(P0.001)。结果表明:在松江鲈鱼的幼鱼至成鱼阶段,即生殖洄游阶段,适当的延长光照对松江鲈鱼的性腺发育及肝脏能量储均存有显著性影响。     

育成规格和饵料对中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)雄蟹可食部分营养成分的影响

本实验通过投喂不同饵料后,研究不同育成规格中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)雄蟹肝胰腺、性腺和肌肉等可食部分含量、营养成分及脂类组成的变化。肌肉营养成分测定表明:育成规格对粗脂肪、甘油三酯和磷脂含量有一定影响(P0.05或P0.05);饵料对水分、粗蛋白、游离脂肪酸、胆固醇和磷脂含量没有显著影响(P0.05)。肝胰腺营养成分测定表明:育成规格对粗脂肪、胆固醇和磷脂含量有一定影响(P0.05或P0.05);饵料对水分、粗蛋白、甘油三酯和游离脂肪酸的含量没有显著影响(P0.05)。性腺营养成分测定表明:育成规格对粗脂肪、粗蛋白、游离脂肪酸、甘油三酯和胆固醇含量有一定影响(P0.05或P0.05);饵料对水分、粗蛋白和磷脂含量没有显著影响(P0.05),杂鱼组三种规格粗脂肪和甘油三酯含量显著高于配合饲料组(P0.05)。总体试验结果表明:育成规格以及饵料对中华绒螯蟹雄蟹可食部分含量和营养成分含量有一定影响。     

Northstar-Geology,Exploration History,and Development Status,Beaufort Sea,Alaska

Exploration for oil at Northstar has been long and costly. Northstar leases were first acquired in 1979 at a joint state and federal sale by Shell Oil, Amerada Hess, and Texas Eastern. The Northstar Unit is 6 mi offshore and about 4 mi northeast of the Point McIntyre Field. Oil was first discovered in Shell's Seal Island 1 in 1983. Five additional appraisal wells were drilled (1983-1986) from two man-made gravel islands in 40 ft of water. Early engineering estimates put the cost of development at $ 1.6 billion. In February 1995, BP Exploration (Alaska) acquired a 98 % interest in the Northstar Unit from Amerada Hess and Shell Oil. When developed by BP, Northstar will be the first oil produced from federal leases in Alaska. To date, the oil industry has invested in excess of $ 140 million in exploration and appraisal operations. An additional $ 90 million was spent on lease bonus bids. The giant Prudhoe Bay and Kuparuk Fields lie along the Barrow Arch. This arch is bounded to the north by a rift margin that deepens into the present-day offshore region. Northstar is located among a series of down-stepping faults off this northern rift margin of the Prudhoe Kuparuk high. The structure is a gently south-dipping northwest-trending faulted anticline. The crest of the structure is located near 10,850 ft subsea. The primary reservoir is the Ivishak Formation (325 ft thick) of the Sadlerochit Group. This is the same primary reservoir at Prudhoe Bay, approximately 12 mi to the south. At Northstar the Ivishak is a high-energy, coarse-grained conglomeratic facies of the Ivishak Formation. The primary lithology is a pebbly chert to quartz conglomerate with occasional sandstone. This very high net to gross reservoir appears to contain no regionally continuous permeability barriers. Cementation has reduced primary porosity to less than 15 %. Accurate porosity estimates are difficult to make due to the coarse-grained nature of the lithology and the presence of kaolinite and microporous chert. Permeability is highly variable, but averages 10 to 100 mDarcies. Oil is a very light and volatile 42 API crude with approximately 2,100 ft3 of gas per stock tank barrel of oil. This oil is very different from the heavier oils (26) found to the south in Prudhoe Bay. Estimated recoverable oil reserves range from 100 to 160 million barrels. A free-standing drilling rig is required at Northstar because the reserves are beyond extended-reach drilling techniques from shore-based facilities. The current development plan is to expand the existing Seal Island to about 5 acres. This is significantly less than Endicott's 40-acre island. The proposed drilling and produc tion island will be accessed by summer barges and winter ice roads. Oil, gas, and water will be processed at a stand-alone facility and then sent to shore via a subsurface pipeline. Northstar will have the first Arctic subsea pipeline in Alaska to transport oil to shore facilities (TAPS). Preliminary tests in Spring 1996 were very successful in demonstrating the technology to successfully bury a subsea pipeline safely in the Arctic.     

Size matters: experimental partitioning of the strength of fish herbivory on a fringing coral reef in Moorea,French Polynesia

While the importance of top‐down control by grazers in maintaining tropical reef community structure is well known, the effect of ‘fishing down the food web’, which simultaneously changes the abundance and size of herbivorous fishes, has received less attention. As many fishing practices target the biggest fish and regulations often set minimum size limits, understanding size‐dependency of this controlling force is important. We evaluated the hypothesis that reduction in the abundance and size of fish, regardless of species identity, reduces the role of herbivory in controlling algal abundance on reefs and assessed variation in efficacy of this top‐down control on different types of common macroalgae. We quantified herbivory rates within cages of differing opening sizes on assemblages of four common algal species (Padina boryana, Dictyota bartayresiana, Halimeda opuntia and Galaxaura fasciculata) on two fringing reefs in Moorea, French Polynesia. Small acanthurids (<15 cm length) were the dominant herbivorous fish while other herbivorous fish were rare. For the two most palatable algae, the majority of herbivory occurred in open plots, with herbivory reduced by >50% in the largest opening cages (6 × 6 cm) where the maximum size fish entering was 12 cm in length (mean = 7.6, SE = 0.4). Fish entering medium (4.5 × 4.5 cm openings, maximum fish length = 8 cm, mean = 6.3, SE = 0.4) and small (3 × 3 cm openings, no fish observed entering) cages had herbivory rates approximately equal to the control treatment (1 × 1 cm openings). Consumption varied among algal species, with minimal consumption of physically and chemically defended algae and no pattern across treatments. Our results demonstrate a need for management plans to not only maintain the overall abundance of herbivorous fish but to protect the largest sizes for effective top‐down control of algal communities.     

Size trends and population characteristics of striped marlin,Tetrapturus audax caught in the New Zealand recreational fishery

Size trends and population characteristics of striped marlin, Tetrapturus audax, caught in the New Zealand recreational fishery were evaluated using club records from the Bay of Islands Sword‐fish Club (BOISC) from 1925 to 2003 (n = 15 114) and biological samples from northern New Zealand collected from 1985 to 1994 (n = 684). Average weight (kg) ± SE of striped marlin declined 6–9 kg every 20 years between 1925 (124.2 ± 1.0 kg) and 2003 (100.1 kg ± 0.4). Weight (H14843 = 444.58, P < 0.001) and condition (H443 = 37.54, P < 0.001) increased significantly throughout the recreational fishing season (December‐May). No differences were observed in the lower jaw‐fork length (LJFL)‐weight (W) relationship between sexes or years but average weight of females (106.2 ±1.1 kg) was significantly greater than males (90.2 ±1.2 kg) from 1985 to 1994 (F684 = 88.37, P < 0.001). Negative allometric growth (W = 2E ‐08 LJFL^2.88) was recorded for all striped marlin. Individual growth was modelled by fitting backcalculated LJFL to eight age classes derived from dorsal spine measurements (n = 94) using the von Bertalanffy growth equation (r² = 0.96). The parameters estimated in the von Bertalanffy growth equation were asymptotic length (L ) = 3010 mm, annual growth rate (K) = 0.22, age (yr) at hypothetical length 0 (t0) = ‐0.04.