Estuarine and coastal connectivity of an estuarine-dependent fishery species,Pomadasys commersonnii (Haemulidae)

Understanding the level of connectivity between estuarine and coastal waters is essential for appropriate management of estuarine-associated taxa. Most studies have focused on the role of a single estuary, while limited research exists on the importance of multiple estuaries to individuals of estuarine-associated species. This study used acoustic telemetry to assess the usage of multiple estuaries and coastal waters by the estuarine-dependent spotted grunter Pomadasys commersonnii. Twenty-six adult fish were tagged with acoustic transmitters in the Kariega and Bushmans estuaries, South Africa, and their movements along a 300-km stretch of Indian Ocean coastline were monitored for up to 17 months. Tagged individuals spent most of their time in the estuary where they were tagged (55% and 85% for fish tagged in the two estuaries, respectively), followed by time in the sea (30% and 15%) and in other estuaries (15% and <1%). The mean durations of sea trips for fish tagged in the Kariega Estuary or Bushmans Estuary, respectively, were 25 days (range 3–55) and 12 days (range 2–22). Of the fish that went to sea, 93% from the Kariega Estuary and 60% from the Bushmans Estuary visited other estuaries. Most visits were undertaken to the Swartkops, Bushmans and Kowie estuaries, although the longest durations were spent in the Sundays Estuary. Individuals moved to estuaries up to 130 km away. The total distance travelled between estuaries by an individual during the study was ～529 km, with means of 201 and 184 km, respectively, for fish tagged in the Kariega and Bushmans estuaries. Despite covering large distances between estuaries, individuals often returned to their tagging estuary. Residency in their tagging estuary, combined with frequent visits to a neighbouring estuary, highlights the importance of estuarine habitats for this popular fish species, even after reaching maturity.     

Space use by Rhabdosargus holubi in a southern African estuary,with emphasis on fish movements and ecosystem connectivity

Twenty-one juvenile Cape stumpnose Rhabdosargus holubi (140–190 mm fork length) were tagged with internal acoustic transmitters in the lower, middle and upper reaches of the Kowie Estuary, South Africa. The movements of each fish were continually monitored from October 2014 to February 2015 using 22 stationary data-logging acoustic receivers situated at approximately equidistant intervals along the length of the estuary (21 km). Juvenile R. holubi spent the greatest proportion of time within the estuarine environment (83%), with the sea (16%) and riverine (1%) environments used to a much lesser extent. Within the estuarine environment, tagged individuals showed high levels of residency and fidelity to their capture and release sites; however, the degree of residency was dependent on the position of the release site, with batches in the upper and lower reaches exhibiting different space-use patterns. When larger juvenile R. holubi migrated back to the sea for the next phase of their life cycle, they generally did not return to the estuarine environment, thus indicating a permanent ontogenetic shift in habitat use with the onset of sexual maturity. This contribution to our understanding of the ecology of a ubiquitous estuarine fish further highlights the importance of estuarine habitats as nursery areas that require effective management.     

Growth and mortality of larval and juvenile Japanese seaperch Lateolabrax japonicus in relation to seasonal changes in temperature and prey abundance in the Chikugo estuary

Japanese seaperch Lateolabrax japonicus migrate from Ariake Bay to the estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM) zone of the Chikugo River and inhabit there through the post-migration period (15–20 mm in standard length). The feeding, growth and mortality during the post-migration period of Japanese seaperch were analyzed in relation to seasonal changes in temperature and prey concentration. Larvae and juveniles were collected from ten sampling stations at 4–7 day intervals from 24 February to 24 April 2005 in the Chikugo estuary. Based on the otolith microstructure analysis the sampled fish were divided into nine cohorts, each cohort covering a 5 day hatch date period (22 December 2004 to 4 February 2005). The growth coefficient (G, day⁻¹) was higher and the mortality coefficient (M, day⁻¹) was lower in the later cohorts. The ratio of G to M as an index of stage-specific survival during the post-migration period significantly increased as the season progressed and exceeded 1.0 in the last cohort examined. Variability in abundance of the major prey organism, Sinocalanus sinensis, had a significant effect on the Japanese seaperch ingestion rate. Increase in temperature and spring bloom of S. sinensis is concluded to provide the later cohorts with a higher survival probability through increasing ingestion and growth rates during their post-migration period in spring 2005.     

春季珠江口水域鱼卵和仔稚鱼的分布及其与环境因子的关系

根据2004~2007年春季珠江口水域10个站位的鱼卵和仔稚鱼调查资料,着重就鱼卵和仔稚鱼的数量分布和年际变化及其与环境因子的相关关系进行研究.结果表明：其鱼卵和仔稚鱼隶属于9目33科58种（类）,以鲈形目种类数所占比例最高（为53.4%）,其次为鲱形目（为20.7%）.鱼卵和仔稚鱼大致分成半咸水性、近岸性和近海性3个生态类群.鱼卵和仔稚鱼优势种类共9种,其中鱼卵优势种为6种,仔稚鱼的也为6种.青洲附近水域是春季鱼卵和仔稚鱼的最主要分布区域之一.鱼卵和仔稚鱼数量的年际变化明显,鱼卵和仔稚鱼个体数量的最大值均出现在2006年.水温、pH值和溶解氧含量是影响鱼卵个体数量的较显著因子,盐度和溶解氧含量为影响仔稚鱼个体数量的较显著因子.盐度、pH值及溶解氧、悬浮物、叶绿素a含量对鱼卵和仔稚鱼种类数均有不同程度的影响.