Abstract
Trace elements in otoliths of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) and sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) from fish farms and coastal wild populations in the western Mediterranean Sea were analysed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Results showed that concentrations of Mg, K, and Mn differed significantly between wild and farmed sea bass, while concentrations of Mg, K, Mn, Fe, Zn, Sr, and Ba varied significantly between wild and farmed sea bream. Discriminate analysis and cross-validation classification showed that the trace element profile in otoliths can be used to separate farmed fish from wild stocks with high accuracy on both sea bass (individuals correctly classified: 90.7 %) and sea bream (individuals correctly classified: 96.6 %). Moreover, trace elements in otoliths resulted to be useful to discriminate among wild fish stocks within each species.
Highlights
Mediterranean aquaculture has risen during the last decades mainly producing European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax L. (176,970 t in 2015) and gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata L. (181,442 t in 2015) in offshore fish farms (FAO 2016)
Frauds mislabelling the farmed fish occasionally occur at markets, because of the price premium commanded by wild fish, affecting the guarantee of fish quality for the consumer (Bell et al 2007; Morrison et al 2007)
Our data support that differences between wild and farm environments can be detected through the variations on trace elements compositions in sea bass and sea bream otoliths
Summary
Mediterranean aquaculture has risen during the last decades mainly producing European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax L. (176,970 t in 2015) and gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata L. (181,442 t in 2015) in offshore fish farms (FAO 2016). (181,442 t in 2015) in offshore fish farms (FAO 2016) Both species are of high commercial interest for coastal Mediterranean fisheries (FAO 2014). Escaped sea bass and sea bream disperse from farms, potentially mixing with local stocks and leading to potential negative genetic and ecological consequences through interbreeding, predation, competition for food or habitat, and the transmission of pathogens to native populations If the number of escapees is high, they may bias estimates of wild populations if not accounted for (Fiske et al 2005), and fisheries landings may be unbalanced, decreasing the captures and incomes from target species (Dimitriou et al 2007; Toledo-Guedes et al 2014a, b; Arechavala-Lopez et al 2015). There is a necessity to develop verifiable and accurate methods to
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