The precautionary approach and the management of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) – critical remarks

Recruitment and commercial catches of European eel have been in decline since the late 1970s. So far, the reasons are not well understood. A range of potential natural and anthropogenic reasons have been discussed, but the relative importance of the factors is unknown. As a consequence of the decline in recruitment an urgent need for protective management measures was concluded. The main approach is to restrict the fishery on eel, in particular with reference to the precautionary approach. However, in view of the lack of knowledge on the factors responsible for the recruitment decline and by considering that many yellow and silver eel stocks in freshwaters depend on restocking by the fishery, such simplified conclusions are critically discussed. A concept for the sustainable management of eel has to include 1) research on the factors determining the population dynamics, in particular during the oceanic stages, 2) a stronger consideration of socio-economic aspects, and 3) intensified research on artificial reproduction and rearing of eel

Mapping silver eel migration routes in the North Sea

Recent developments in tracking technology resulted in the mapping of various marine spawning migration routes of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla). However, migration routes in the North Sea have rarely been studied, despite many large European rivers and hence potential eel growing habitat discharge into the North Sea. In this study, we present the most comprehensive map to date with migration routes by silver European eels in the North Sea and document for the first time successful eel migration through the English Channel. Migration tracks were reconstructed for 42 eels tagged in Belgium and 12 in Germany. Additionally, some eels moved up north to exit the North Sea over the British Isles, confirming the existence of two different routes, even for eels exiting from a single river catchment. Furthermore, we observed a wide range in migration speeds (6.8-45.2 km day(-1)). We hypothesize that these are likely attributed to water currents, with eels migrating through the English Channel being significantly faster than eels migrating northward

Differences in early developmental rate and yolk conversion efficiency in offspring of trout with alternative life histories

Partial migration, in which some individuals of a population migrate while other individuals remain resident, is generally associated with ontogenetic shifts to better feeding areas or as a response to environmental instability, but its underlying mechanisms remain relatively unknown. Brown trout (Salmo trutta) exhibit partial migration, with some individuals remaining in fresh water (freshwater-resident) while others undertake an anadromous migration, where they spend time at sea before returning to breed in fresh water (migrant). We reared full-sibling groups of offspring from freshwater-resident and anadromous brown trout from the same catchment in the laboratory under common garden conditions to examine potential differences in their early development. Freshwater-resident parents produced eggs that were slower to hatch than those of anadromous parents, but freshwater-resident offspring were quicker to absorb their yolk and reach the stage of exogenous feeding. Their offspring also had a higher conversion efficiency from the egg stage to the start of exogenous feeding (so were larger by the start of the fry stage) than did offspring from anadromous parents despite no difference in standard metabolic rate, maximal metabolic rate, or aerobic scope. Given these differences in early development we discuss how the migration history of the parents might influence the migration probability of the offspring

Contribution of anadromous fish to the diet of European catfish in a large river system

Many anadromous fish species, when migrating from the sea to spawn in fresh waters, can potentially be a valuable prey for larger predatory fish, thereby efficiently linking these two ecosystems. Here, we assess the contribution of anadromous fish to the diet of European catfish (Silurus glanis) in a large river system (Garonne, southwestern France) using stable isotope analysis and allis shad (Alosa alosa) as an example of anadromous fish. Allis shad caught in the Garonne had a very distinct marine delta(13)C value, over 8 per thousand higher after lipid extraction compared to the mean delta(13)C value of all other potential freshwater prey fish. The delta(13)C values of European catfish varied considerably between these two extremes and some individuals were clearly specializing on freshwater prey, whereas others specialized on anadromous fish. The mean contribution of anadromous fish to the entire European catfish population was estimated to be between 53% and 65%, depending on the fractionation factor used for delta(13)C

Replacement of Fishmeal by Rapeseed Protein Concentrate in Diets for Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

The potential of rapeseed protein concentrate as an alternative to fishmeal in diets for common carp (initial average weight 26.7±0.8 g) was evaluated. Triplicate groups of fish were fed isonitrogenous (40.4±0.2% crude protein) and isocaloric (21.4±0.1 kJ/g) experimental diets with 0%, 33%, 66%, or 100% replacement of fishmeal by rapeseed protein concentrate. At the end of the 56-day feeding period, growth parameters and feed efficiencies did not significantly differ between fish fed the 0% and 33% diets. The 66% and 100% replacement diets led to reduced feed intake and feed efficiency, resulting in lower growth performance. It appears that the taste and amino acid profile of these diets were negatively affected by the high inclusion levels of rapeseed protein concentrate. In conclusion, rapeseed protein concentrate can effectively replace 33% of the fishmeal in diets for carp without using palatability enhancers or amino acid supplements

Continuous thermosalinograph oceanography along RV METEOR cruise track M185

Underway temperature and salinity data was collected along the cruise track with two autonomous thermosalinograph (TSG) systems, each consisting of a SBE21 TSG together with a SBE38 Thermometer. Both systems worked independent from each other throughout the cruise. While temperature is taken at the water inlet in about 5 m depth, salinity is estimated within the interior TSG from conductivity and interior temperature. No correction against independent data was performed for temperature. Salinity was calibrated against independent water samples. Finally, TSG1 was chosen for publication. For details to all processing steps see Data Processing Report

Quantitative descripton of marine litter at the seafloor of the Baltic Sea

Marine litter at the seafloor comprises different materials. Plastic is the most frequent material of marine litter found at the seafloor of the Baltic Sea (55,6%). "Abandoned, lost, discarded or otherwise lost fishing gear" (ALDFG) is a subgroup of plastic litter with special importance for environmental assessment because it has a defined source and may pose a health risk to animals. With the data provided, marine litter at the seafloor of the Baltic Sea was quantified and characterized with special regard to fishery as source. 72 litter items (LI) were collected within fishery catches by bottom trawling during three cruises in 2020 and 2021. The data were used to quantify litter at the seafloor of the Baltic Sea (9.2 LI/km²) including 2.2 LI/km² ALDFG and 0.4 LI/km² fishery nets. We conclude that fishery is an important source of litter and ALDFG represent a considerable share of marine litter with 22.2%