Marine Capture Fisheries from Western Indian Ocean: An Excellent Source of Proteins and Essential Amino Acids

The Republic of Seychelles is located in Western-Central Indian Ocean, and marine capture fisheries play a key role in the country’s economic and social life in terms of food security, employment, and cultural identity. The Seychellois are among the highest per capita fish-consuming people in the world, with a high reliance on fish for protein. However, the diet is in transition, moving towards a Western-style diet lower in fish and higher in animal meat and easily available, highly processed foods. The aim of this study was to examine and evaluate the protein content and quality of a wide range of marine species exploited by the Seychelles industrial and artisanal fisheries, as well as to further to assess the contribution of these species to the daily intake recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). A total of 230 individuals from 33 marine species, including 3 crustaceans, 1 shark, and 29 teleost fish, were collected from the Seychelles waters during 2014–2016. All analyzed species had a high content of high-quality protein, with all indispensable amino acids above the reference value pattern for adults and children. As seafood comprises almost 50% of the consumed animal protein in the Seychelles, it is of particular importance as a source of essential amino acids and associated nutrients, and as such every effort to sustain the consumption of regional seafood should be encouraged

Reproductive potential of Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares) in the western Indian Ocean

The reproductive biology of Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares) in the western Indian Ocean was investigated from samples collected in 2009 and 2010. In our study, 1012 female Yellowfin Tuna were sampled: 320 fish on board a purse seiner and 692 fish at a Seychelles cannery. We assessed the main biological parameters that describe reproductive potential: maturity, spawning seasonality, fish condition, and fecundity. The length at which 50% of the female Yellowfin Tuna population matures (L50) was estimated at 75 cm in fork length (FL) when the maturity threshold was established at the cortical alveolar stage of oocyte development. To enable comparison with previous studies, L50 also was estimated with maturity set at the vitellogenic stage of oocyte development; this assessment resulted in a higher value of L50 at 102 cm FL. The main spawning season, during which asynchrony in reproductive timing among sizes was observed, was November–February and a second peak occurred in June. Smaller females (<100 cm FL) had shorter spawning periods (December to February) than those (November to February and June) of large individuals, and signs of skip-spawning periods were observed among small females. The Yellowfin Tuna followed a “capital-income” breeder strategy during ovarian development, by mobilizing accumulated energy while using incoming energy from feeding. The mean batch fecundity for females 79–147 cm FL was estimated at 3.1 million oocytes, and the mean relative batch fecundity was 74.4 oocytes per gram of gonad-free weight. Our results, obtained with techniques defined more precisely than techniques used in previous studies in this region, provide an improved understanding of the reproductive cycle of Yellowfin Tuna in the western Indian Ocean

Evaluating the Feasibility of Sustainable Seafood Labelling Programmes in Small Island Developing States: A Pilot Study of Artisanal Fisheries in Seychelles

The Republic of Seychelles is one of six African Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and has a marine-based economy reliant on fisheries and international tourism. Seychelles has been flagged by the United Nations as highly vulnerable to climate change. Climatic threats are compounded with population declines of key fishery species. A progressive national stance towards ocean sustainability and an emerging economy partially driven by tourists are two of several factors that make Seychelles a good candidate for a sustainable seafood labelling and consumption programme, which would provide market-based incentives for fishery harvesters, regulators, buyers and consumers to improve sustainable practices. To address the feasibility of such a programme, we conducted a pilot study, surveying 33 artisanal fishers and mapping supply chain structure to examine incentives and challenges. Questions addressed fishers’ years of experience, reliance on fishing for income, and flexibility in gear type and species targeted. Of the total number of respondents, 64% would like to see a programme implemented but only 34% thought it would be successful. Participants identified several barriers and benefits that primarily spanned socioeconomic and regulatory themes. Our pilot results indicate the sociocultural and economic impacts of sustainability programmes in Seychelles are as important as environmental considerations, a finding pertinent to anyone undertaking similar research efforts in other SIDS. We advocate for the necessity of thorough, location-based research and in-depth stakeholder consultation to elucidate economic, societal, behavioural and cultural factors that will affect the success of designing and implementing seafood labelling programmes in SIDS

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Etude des variations saisonnières de différents biomarqueurs, chez la moule Mytilus galloprovincialis. Relation avec certains paramètres physiques, chimiques et physiologiques

The aim of this study was to evaluate the seasonal variations of six biomarkers on Mytilus galloprovincialis, using comparison with physiological index and chemical contamination levels on two sites of  Mediterranean sea. The seasonal variations of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), DNA adducts, benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase (BPH), heat-shock proteins (HSP), metallothioneins (MT) and multixeniobiotic proteins (MXR) were estimated over a two-year period, on mussels which were sampled in Carteau (original site) and La Fourcade (transplanted organisms). Carteau, an industrial site, presents higher contamination levels (HAP, PCB, heavy metals) than La Fourcade, an urban area. The PAH profiles underline a strong spatio-temporal variability of levels and sources of contamination. For each biomarker, background levels and coefficients of variation were estimated over two years. Sorne biomarkers show very high coefficients of variation (MXR and MT), mainly on Carteau. This variability seems to be in relation with more variable environmental conditions and sporadic anthropogenic in this site. No significant difference in biomarkers responses, taken separately or integrated according to a composite index-number IBR (Intergrated Biomarker Response), was found between the two sites. The same result was obtained with physiological indexes (index of gonadic growth and index) which is put in light the adaptation abilities of the transplanted mussels.Cette étude, portant sur deux sites de Méditerranée, a pour objectif d'interpréter les variations saisonnières de six biomarqueurs, chez Mytilus galloprovincialis, en les comparant aux réponses d'indicateurs physiologiques et aux niveaux de contamination chimique. Les variations saisonnières de l'acétylcholinestérase (AChE), des adduits à l'ADN, de la benzo(a)pyrène hydroxylase (BPH), des protéines de choc thermique (HSP), des métallothionéines (MT), et des protéines de résistance (MXR) ont été estimées sur une période de deux ans, sur des moules prélevées à Carteau (site d'origine) et à La Fourcade (individus transplantés). Carteau, site industriel, présente une contamination globale plus élevée ( HAP, PCB, métaux lourds) que La Fourcade, site urbain. Les profils d'HAP mettent en évidence une forte variabilité spatio-temporelle des niveaux et des sources de contamination. Pour chaque biomarqueur, les niveaux de base et les coefficients de variation sur deux ans ont été déterminés. Certains biomarqueurs montrent des coefficients de variation très élevés (MXR et MT), principalement sur le site de Carteau. Cette variabilité semble être en relation avec des conditions environnementales et des apports anthropiques instables sur ce site. Aucune différence significative des réponses des biomarqueurs, pris isolément ou intégrés suivant un indice composite IBR (Integrated Biomarker Response), n'a été observée entre les deux sites. Le même résultat a été obtenu avec les indicateurs physiologiques (indice de croissance et indice gonadique) mettant en évidence les capacités d'adaptation des moules transplantées

Comparaison des variations saisonnières de la maturation des gonades et de biomarqueurs chez la moule (Mytilus galloprovincialis)

Au cours de mon stage de maîtrise, ma contribution à cette étude a pour objectifs: (1) évaluer le stade de la maturation des gonades et déterminer le sexe des moules échantillonnées, à l'aide d'une technique d'analyse histologique. Ce travail a pour but de valider le développement gonadique comme indicateur physiologique du niveau de contamination du milieu. (2) comparer les variations saisonnières de la maturation des gonades et les sexes ratio avec des indices physiologiques tel que l'indice de condition et l'indice de croissance, un biomarqueur (les adduits à l'ADN), les paramètres physico-chimiques du milieu (température, salinité, turbidité), et la contamination chimique des tissus des moules par les PCB, les HAP, et les métaux lourds. Ce travail permettra de déceler d'une part les variations saisonnières intra-sites, d'autre part une éventuelle différence entre les deux stations étudiées

Contamination des crustacés décapodes par les composés organohalogénés. Etude détaillée de la bioaccumulation des PCB chez l'araignée de mer Maja brachydactyla

Marine decapod crustaceans are macrobenthic opportunist species, of great commercial interest, and can accumulate pollutants. Worrying about consumers' safety, polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), polybromodiphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) and dioxins (PCDD/Fs) were analyzed in four crustacean species from the coastal waters of Brittany and Normandy. As regards to regulations, the consumption of crustacean muscle doesn't raise any health problems. The second objective of this study was to evaluate the biological processes influencing PCB bioaccumulation in the spider crab Maja brachydactyla. From a quantitative point of view, organotropism, diet and age were the major factors acting on contamination. From a qualitative point of view, PCB fingerprints depended on sex, and to a lesser extent, on the species migratory behaviour. The stable isotopic analysis of carbon (delta13C) and nitrogen (delta15N) in spider crab food web confirmed the high level of complexity of food relations in the case of omnivorous top predators. The use of both stable isotopic method and contaminant analysis highlighted the bioamplification of the most persistent PCB congeners along the spider crab food web. Conversely, some compounds with particular chemical structure are metabolized by decapod crustaceansLes crustacés décapodes marins sont des organismes macrobenthiques opportunistes, d'intérêt commercial, et susceptibles d'accumuler les contaminants. Dans un souci de sécurité du consommateur, une évaluation de la contamination de quatre espèces principales par les polychlorobiphényles (PCB), les polybromodiphényles éthers (PBDE) et les dioxines (PCDD/F) a été réalisée dans les eaux côtières de Bretagne et Normandie. Au regard des normes sanitaires actuelles, la consommation de chair de crustacés ne pose aucun problème de santé publique. Dans une seconde partie, les processus biologiques influant sur la bioaccumulation des polychlorobiphényles chez l'araignée de mer Maja brachydactyla ont été appréhendés. D'un point de vue quantitatif, l'organotropisme, le régime alimentaire et l'âge apparaissent comme les principaux facteurs d'influence. D'un point de vue qualitatif, les empreintes de contamination en PCB sont dépendantes du sexe, et dans une moindre mesure du comportement migratoire de l'espèce. L'analyse des isotopes stables du carbone (delta13C) et de l'azote (delta15N) dans la chaîne trophique de l'araignée de mer a confirmé le haut niveau de complexité des relations alimentaires dans le cas de prédateurs supérieurs omnivores. L'utilisation de la méthode isotopique stable en parallèle à l'analyse des contaminants a mis en évidence la bioamplification des congénères de PCB les plus persistants le long de la chaîne trophique de l'araignée de mer. A l'inverse, certains composés de structure chimique particulière sont métabolisés par les crustacés décapodes

Global spatio-temporal patterns in tropical tuna purse seine fisheries on drifting fish aggregating devices (DFADs) : taking a historical perspective to inform current challenges

This study provides a historical overview of the use of drifting fish aggregating devices (DFADs) in purse seine fisheries since the early 1990s, using global tuna fisheries datasets from the four tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs). Tropical tuna purse seine fisheries typically target large yellowfin (Thunnus albacares) and bigeye (Thunnus obesus) tunas on free-swimming schools and skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) and juveniles of yellowfin and bigeye associated with drifting objects. DFADs have enabled global skipjack catches to markedly increase, and have also introduced major scientific issues for all tuna-RFMOs. In particular, they have strongly modified the fishing strategies of purse seiners that fish on a combination of free-swimming and DFAD-associated schools. Consequently, the cumulated search time traditionally used to quantify nominal fishing effort to assess the status of tuna stocks is inconsistent and cannot be used to derive time series of abundance indices from catch-per-unit of-effort (CPUE). In addition, the lack of information available on the construction, deployment, and use of DFADs has prevented effective monitoring of the fishing pressure over the last two decades exerted by purse seine fleets using this fishing mode. Juveniles of tropical tunas represent a substantial proportion of purse seine catch on DFADs in the three oceans, which has raised particular concern for some bigeye stocks that have been subject to overfishing in the past. Catches of juvenile tunas by DFAD fishing may also result in a decrease in recruitment for fisheries that target adult tunas such as longliners. In addition, some demographic parameters of tunas and other species associated with DFADs may be affected by the resultant habitat modification arising from the widespread deployment of DFADs. Evidence in the literature and provided by the ratio-estimator method suggest that fishing DFAD-associated schools may result in about 100 000 t of bycatch and discards annually. In addition, there is further potential for ghost fishing related mortality of sensitive species such as marine turtles and pelagic sharks. In this context and following a precautionary approach, we finally discuss the increasing need for all tuna-RFMOs to reduce, or at least monitor and control, the use of DFADs to mitigate their adverse effects not only on yellowfin and bigeye stocks but also on open-ocean ecosystems