The risk to New Zealand shellfish aquaculture from paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins

New Zealand's reputation as a supplier of high quality food products is vital to the national economy; international consumers are acutely aware of food safety issues and markets are increasingly demanding higher standards. Filter feeding bivalves are particularly sensitive to the nature of the environment in which they are grown, and quality assurance is a major preoccupation of the shellfish aquaculture industry. With the exception of a couple of incidents, most notably the Gymnodinium catenatum blooms in 2000–2003, paralytic shellfish toxin (PST) contamination has, to date, not had an important effect on the economics and sustainability of the industry. However, the dinoflagellate species responsible for producing these toxins are not uncommon in New Zealand coastal phytoplankton communities, and it is important that awareness of the potential risk is maintained. This review summarises what we know about the causes and incidence of PST contamination from research and monitoring over the last 20 years, since it was first identified in New Zealand. It describes the dynamics of major events and their consequences, and evaluates what is likely to happen in the future as aquaculture expands into new areas with known histories of this problem.     

Bivalve shellfish harvesting and consumption in New Zealand, 2011: data for exposure assessment

We provide an overview of bivalve molluscan shellfish (BMS) availability to New Zealanders. Data on commercial production (aquaculture) and harvesting, non-commercial (recreational and customary) harvesting and international trading (imports, exports) of BMS were assembled. These data were transformed to estimate the total weight (greenweight and meatweight) of each BMS species, and all BMS species, available to New Zealand domestic consumers in 2011. An estimated 68,000 tonnes greenweight, or 13,000 tonnes meatweight, of BMS were available. Mussels (mostly commercially-produced Perna canaliculus) accounted for 96% of the total available BMS by meatweight. Non-commercially harvested BMS were 1% of the total available BMS. BMS availability was estimated as 8 g/person/day for the total New Zealand population and 407 g/person/day for shellfish consumers. These estimates were comparable to published national consumption data. The results can be used as inputs to exposure assessment. Food availability is a useful estimate where consumption data are limited.     

New species of benthopelagic copepod Xantharus (Calanoida: Scolecitrichidae) from the upper slope,eastern central New Zealand

Xantharus Andronov, 1981 is reported, for the first time from New Zealand, from the upper slope (306 m) off the southeastern coast of North Island (41°04.10′S, 176°22.05′E). Xantharus cryeri n. sp. females differ from the three known species by a combination of characters: antennules that extend to the distal border of pedigerous somite 2; ancestral segment XVIII of the antennule with 1 seta; mandible basis with 3 setae; maxilla endite 1 with 5 setae; leg 1 basis with inner distal border lined with small spinules; and leg 5 is squat, with all segments as long as wide and the 2 terminal spine‐like extensions of the terminal segment approximately as long as the articulated, inner, subterminal spine.     

渤海裸甲藻和链状亚历山大藻的麻痹性贝毒毒素分析

目的:分析渤海裸甲藻(Gymnodinium sp.)和链状亚历山大藻(Alexandrium catenella)的麻痹性贝毒毒素,为渤海天津海域的赤潮研究积累基础数据。方法:通过实验室培养裸甲藻和链状亚历山大藻,选取对数生长期、平台生长期的裸甲藻以及平台生长期的链状亚历山大藻,利用高效液相色谱法(HPLC)对这两种微藻进行麻痹性贝毒(PSP)毒素分析。结果:裸甲藻细胞内不含有麻痹性贝毒(PSP);链状亚历山大藻细胞内含有C毒素和GTX1-4毒素,该微藻每个细胞毒素含量约为10.81 fmol/cell。结论:裸甲藻细胞内虽不含有麻痹性贝毒(PSP),但不能排除其含有其它毒素的可能。链状亚历山大藻细胞内含有麻痹性贝毒(PSP),属于有毒微藻,需要对其进行密切监测。     

虾夷扇贝毒素yessotoxins(YTXs),中国沿海贝类中首次发现的一组贝类生物毒素

采用高效液相色谱-串联质谱方法对我国近海贝类中腹泻性贝毒成分进行研究,结果发现采自北黄海大连附近海域的海湾扇贝和虾夷扇贝含有25~41μg/kg的虾夷扇贝毒素(yessotoxin,YTX),在虾夷扇贝体内还含有37.2μg/kg的45-OH-YTX,并在5种贝中发现微量的Homo-YTX毒素组分,这是首次报道在我国贝中检出此类毒素。虾夷扇贝毒素YTXs是一类含有2个磺酰基的脂溶性多环聚醚类化合物,对小鼠的腹腔注射急性致死毒性很高,毒理作用机制尚不清楚。本研究的结果说明我国贝类体内生物毒素成分复杂,亟需进行毒素成分结构、来源生物、生态毒理效应、分布规律及安全限定标准的研究。     

Calorific content of New Zealand marine macrophytes

Calorific content was measured in 28 species of New Zealand macroalgae. Values ranged from 1.04 to 3.34 kcal g‐1 dry weight (wt), 3.03–5.18 kcal g‐1 ash‐free dry wt, and 0.13–1.75 kcal g‐1 wet wt. Seasonal variation in calorific content was measured in two of these species, Macrocystis pyrifera and Ulva lactuca, both of which showed clear changes in energy content over a 1‐year period. Factors affecting variation in calorific content between species and during the year are discussed, and the application of the current findings to ecological and aquacultural research on New Zealand seaweeds are considered.     

Assessment of pesticide contamination of groundwater in New Zealand

Groundwater contamination by pesticides may be affected by the amounts of pesticide used, the mobility and degradation characteristics of the pesticides, and the vulnerability of an area to pollution. An index of potential pollution was developed based on these factors, with the groundwater vulnerability being measured using the DRASTIC ranking method. Seventeen regions were selected from throughout New Zealand where significant pesticides have been applied and there is an underlying groundwater system. They were ranked according to this index of potential pollution. The sensitivity of the ranking to various formulations and weightings of the index was examined. Three regions (Poverty Bay, Te Puke, and Motueka) were generally highly ranked for a wide range of index formulations. Six of the higher‐ranked regions were selected for sampling in the second phase of the study.     

Stability of some New Zealand coastal inlets

The relation of tidal compartments to entrance cross‐sectional areas is examined for 20 coastal inlets. Sixteen inlets conform to a linear relationship, which is consistent with stable entrances the sizes of which are determined by the ability of the tidal flow to transport sediment. Based on this criterion deposition should be taking place at the entrances of the other four inlets: Wellington, Lyttelton, and Akaroa harbours, and Paterson Inlet. Available data confirm this for Wellington and Lyttelton Harbours.     

Freshwater bryozoans of New Zealand: A preliminary survey

Five bryozoan species were encountered in a 15‐day survey of freshwater habitats in New Zealand. Listed in order of decreasing frequency these were: Fredericella sultana, Plumatella repens, P. emarginata, Paludicella articulata, and one plumatellid species not previously described. Micro‐structural features of the floatoblast annulus separate the P. repens specimens into two distinct varieties, named here P. repens typica and P. repens rugosa. Paludicella, reported almost 100 years ago from the City of Dunedin waterworks, was still found only in a single reservoir of that city. Species distribution did not correlate significantly with water temperature, current velocity, pH, or total dissolved solids. Two additional species believed to occur in New Zealand, Fredericella australiensis and Plumatella fungosa, were not seen in this brief survey. An identification key is provided for New Zealand bryozoans.     

Recent occurrence of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii in Waikato lakes of New Zealand

Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii is a toxin‐producing species of cyanobacteria that in autumn 2003 was recorded for the first time in three shallow (max. depth ≤5 m) Waikato lakes and a hydro‐electric dam on the Waikato River, New Zealand. It formed water blooms at densities >100 000 cells/ml in Lakes Waahi and Whangape. Net rates of population growth >0.2 day_–1 were recorded for C. raciborskii in Lakes Ngaroto, Waahi, and Karapiro, based on comparisons of low numbers (detection of <10 cells/ml) from initial samples and its presence at bloom densities (>15 000 cells/ml) in the subsequent sample “x"‐"y” days later. C. raciborskii may be well adapted to rapid proliferation in the Waikato lakes, which are eutrophic to hypertrophic, with high light attenuation, and where nitrogen (N) fixation may provide it with a competitive advantage over non‐nitrogen fixing algae under N‐limited conditions.     

The introduction of limited entry: The New Zealand rock lobster fishery

The author describes the implementation of a controlled or limited entry fishery for New Zealand rock lobsters. The background to the implementation of limited entry is described and the decrease in annual landings per vessel in the period 1955–1977 is pointed out. The New Zealand licensing system is outlined, attention being paid to continuous and seasonal licences, allocation of licences, controlled fishing areas, and fishing methods and gear restrictions. The number of rock lobster vessels decreased from 1574 in 1979 to 970 after the initial round of licensing.     

Checklist of the planktonic marine dinoflagellates of New Zealand

ABSTRACT

Planktonic dinoflagellate records for New Zealand are substantial due to intense monitoring programmes that have taken place on behalf of New Zealand’s biotoxin regulators and the shellfish industry since 1993. At that time a Karenia bloom caused human illnesses and shellfish harvesting ceased until monitoring was instigated. Phytoplankton records are based on morphological identification using light microscopy but are backed up by government funded research programmes which implement techniques such as electron microscopy, DNA sequencing, molecular detection assays and high throughput sequencing of environmental DNA. This checklist will support management of aquaculture industries, recreational shellfish harvests and environmental health initiatives. Some genera are considered benthic or epiphytic, but have lengthy planktonic life stages. Forty-five genera in the class Dinophyceae Fritsch are reported: Akashiwo, Alexandrium, Amphidinium, Amylax, Azadinium, Biecheleria, Bysmatrum, Cachonina, Cochlodinium (synonym: Margalefidinium), Coolia, Dicroerisma, Dinophysis, Diploneis, Diplopsalis, Fragilidium, Glenodinium, Gonyaulax, Gymnodinium, Gyrodinium, Heterocapsa, Karenia, Karlodinium, Lepidodinium, Lingulodinium, Margalefidinium, Ostreopsis, Oxyphysis, Pelagodinium, Pentapharsodinium, Phalacroma, Podolampas, Polarella, Polykrikos, Prorocentrum, Protodinium, Protoodinium, Protoperidinium, Pseliodinium, Scrippsiella, Takayama, Togula, Torodinium, Tripos, Vulcanodinium, Wolosynska. Other genera belonging to the Infraphylum Dinoflagellata also occur in New Zealand waters. They are not in the list but include Noctiluca, Pronoctiluca and Spatulodinium (Class: Noctilucophyceae) and Oxyrrhis (Class: Oxyrrhidophyceae).     

Catastrophic reduction of the oyster,Tiostrea chilensis (Bivalvia: Ostreidae), in Foveaux Strait,New Zealand,due to infestation by the protistan Bonamia sp.

Between 1985 and 1992, mortality due to infestation by the protistan Bonamia sp. severely reduced the numbers of the oyster, Tiostrea chilensis in Foveaux Strait, New Zealand. In 1990, two dredge surveys gave relative estimates, and a dive survey an absolute estimate, of the size of this oyster population; this allowed us to estimate dredge efficiency precisely. This estimate was used to re‐evaluate the dredge survey of 1975–76 and relate the size of the population in 1990 to that in 1975. By 1990 the population density had declined by 67% while a dredge survey in 1992 showed that the population density had declined by 91% from 1975. A dredge survey in 1993 showed that the population had increased slightly (but not significantly) over the 1992 level. By 1992 the population had probably been reduced below 10% of the virgin level. The fishery was closed in 1993 to allow the population to rebuild. The population surveys have followed stratified random and grid pattern sampling designs and the merits of the designs and methodology are discussed.     

浙南海域腹泻性贝毒分析

在浙南海域共采集了10种贝类40份样品.运用高效液相色谱方法检测腹泻性贝毒,共检出 9份样品含有腹泻性贝毒.染毒样品检出的腹泻性贝毒(软海绵酸,OA)质量比为0.07～5.85 μg/g,共有7个样品含量超标,超标率为17.5%.无论是检出率还是超标率,都呈现夏季>春季>秋季的规律.浙南海域的南部腹泻性贝毒检出率和超标...     

Distribution of helminths in the digestive tracts of New Zealand freshwater eels

The distributions of the nematode parasites Paraquimperia sp., Spirocamallanus sp., and Cucullanus sp. in the intestines and recta of Anguilla dieffenbachii and A. australis from Lake Ellesmere and the South Branch of the Waimakariri River were studied over two years. Peak occurrence of Paraquimperia was in the anterior intestine of A. australis and mid intestine of A. dieffenbachii. Male and female Spirocamallanus sp. established in the mid intestine, but as female worms grew they attached more anteriorly and thus maintained the mid body in the mid intestine, prevented the tail end entering the rectum, and maintained the vulvae close to male worms. Cucullanus sp. was most often found in the mid intestine, but occurred throughout the intestine, possibly because of migration with food. Paraquimperia and Spirocamallanus extended their range with crowding; Cucullanus increased in density in the mid intestine. Posteriad movement, with or without subsequent evacuation, was a general feature of all species in both hosts, held live or examined after death. Chilling and freezing slowed or arrested loss from dead hosts. Larger worms (Spirocamallanus sp.) moved and were lost more rapidly than small worms (Paraquimperia sp.); worm loss was more rapid from A. dieffenbachii than from A. australis.     

Conservation status of New Zealand marine invertebrates, 2009

A re-evaluation of the threat status of New Zealand's marine invertebrates was undertaken in 2009, following earlier review of New Zealand's Threat Classification System and subsequent refinement of the national criteria for classifying threat of extinction to New Zealand's flora and fauna. Sufficient information was available to enable 295 marine invertebrate taxa to be fully evaluated and assigned to a national threat category. The 10 taxa at most risk of extinction (‘nationally critical’) were the giant seep clam Calyptogena sp., the primitive acorn barnacle Chionelasmus crosnieri, O'Shea's vent barnacle Volcanolepas osheai, the stalked barnacle Ibla idiotica, the four-blotched umbrella octopus Cirroctopus hochbergi, the roughy umbrella octopus Opisthoteuthis chathamensis, the giant squid Idioteuthis cordiformis, the large-egged polychaete Boccardiella magniovata and two gravel maggots, Smeagol climoi and Smeagol manneringi. The key threatening processes identified for marine invertebrates were fishing and land-use associated impacts such as sedimentation. We identified no taxa that had improved in threat status as a result of past or ongoing conservation management action, nor any taxa that had worsened in threat status because of known changes in their distribution, abundance or rate of population decline. We evaluated a small fraction of New Zealand's marine invertebrate fauna for their threat status. Many taxa remain ‘data deficient’ or unlisted. In addition to the most threatened taxa, we recommend these taxa and their habitats as priorities for further survey and monitoring.     

The application of multivariate statistical methods to phytoplankton counts from the Hauraki Gulf,New Zealand

The phytoplankton population from a station in the Jellicoe Channel area of the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, was fairly constant, in terms of total population and species composition, throughout the year. Correspondence analysis enabled us to identify 3 groups of species. The largest of these comprised the core species which were present most of the time and included some, such as the coccolithophores, with a strongly seasonal occurrence. The species in the second group were mainly large centric diatoms and appeared for short periods during the winter months, apparently brought in by incursions of oceanic water. The third group of species occurred between April 1970 and October 1971 when there was a period of unusually warm weather: the winds were lighter and more often blowing onshore and this perhaps led to warmer, less nutrient‐rich surface waters being brought into the Gulf.     

Marine invertebrate hosts of New Zealand Anisakidae (Nematoda)

Possible invertebrate intermediate hosts of Anisakis simplex (Rudolphi, 1809, det. Krabbe, 1878), Thynnascaris adunca (Rudolphi, 1802), and Pseudoterranova (= Phocanema) decipiens (Krabbe, 1878) were determined from examination of stomach contents of teleosts which are regularly infected by these parasites. The euphausiid, Nyctiphanes australis, and the galatheid crab, Munida gregaria, are possible sources of A. simplex larvae. M. gregaria is a definite source of T. adunca larvae (and adults). Smaller zooplankton (e.g., copepods and decapod larvae) could also be sources of T. adunca larvae. No potential hosts of P. decipiens larvae were apparent. Naturally occurring invertebrate hosts of anisakids were found in plankton samples. A. simplex larvae were found in N. australis. T. adunca larvae occurred in chaetognaths (Sagitta spp.), a medusa, and a decapod larva. These anisakid larvae are all morphologically similar to Stage III larvae from teleosts. Experimental infection of N. australis and M. gregaria with Stage II larvae of A. simplex and T. adunca was unsuccessful. Infection rates, host specificity, and larval morphology are discussed.     

First record of Lepidocybium flavobrunneum (Pisces: Gempylidae) from New Zealand

Lepidocybium flavobrunneum (Smith, 1849) is widespread in warmer oceanic waters and has recently been recorded in the catches of tuna longline vessels in the New Zealand region. Twenty‐five specimens were caught at 31°46′‐32°03′S, 170°49′‐171°11′ E on 23–27 June 1979, thus extending the known range of the species to northern New Zealand.     

Occurrence and recruitment of fish larvae in a northern New Zealand estuary

The occurrence of fish larvae and the effect of diel and tidal variation on catches was studied at about biweekly intervals for a year in Whangateau Harbour, a small well mixed northern New Zealand estuary. Larvae from 31 taxa were identified. The annual pattern of larval occurrence was typical for fish in temperate waters, with a major peak of abundance in early summer. For six taxa, larval densities were significantly greater in night-time than in daytime catches, and analysis of length-frequency distributions suggested that for two species this was due to daytime net avoidance.No significant differences were found between the densities of larvae caught on flood and ebb tides, but changes in length-frequency distributions were significant for two species. Recently hatched larvae of an unidentified goby were found leaving the harbour, where they were probably spawned, while older larvae of this species appeared to be recruiting back in. Larvae of the flounder Rhobosolea plebeia were also apparently recruiting into the harbour. In the absence of a two-layered circulation pattern larvae relied upon tidal transport for recruitment, and probaby ensured their retention by rapidly settling to the bottom.