Mullus Surmuletus Research Articles

Microplastic ingestion by Mullus surmuletus Linnaeus, 1758 fish and its potential for causing oxidative stress

A total of 417 striped red mullet, Mullus surmuletus, were analyzed to study microplastic ingestion and livers of fish were assessed to study effects of microplastics. Nearly one third (27.30%) of the individuals were quantified to ingest microplastics although there was no evidence of oxidative stress or cellular damage in the liver of fish which had ingested microplastics. A small increase in the activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST) of M. surmuletus was detected which could be suggesting an induction of the detoxification systems but these findings should be tested in laboratory conditions under a controlled diet and known concentration of microplastics. Fish from trammel fisheries, operating closer to land and targeting larger individuals, showed higher mean ingestion values than fish from trawling fisheries, and were related to body size, as microplastics ingested increased with total fish length. Consequently, ingestion values of microplastics were not related to sampling distance from land giving further evidence of the ubiquity of microplastics in the marine environment. Finally, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed that the vast majority of microplastics were filament type and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was the main identified component.

Length–weight relationships of 9 commercial fish species from the North Aegean Sea

Length-weight relationships are presented for 9 commercial fish species from Psara Island (North Aegean Sea).The species studied are Boops boops, Dentex maroccanus, Helicolenus dactylopterus, Merluccius merluccius, Mullus surmuletus, Pagrus pagrus, Raja clavata, Scyliorhinus canicula and Trachurus picturatus. To our knowledge, there are no published data on the fish stocks of the study area. Estimates of LWR parameters are provided for Dentex maroccanus, Trachurus picturatus and Helicolenus dactylopterus, for which reliable LWR datasets are few in the literature, while none has been published for the Greek seas. The samples were collected from the continental shelf and the upper slope, by using non-selective fishing gear (with a research vessel and a commercial bottom trawler), during two seasonal sampling periods: November 2009 and May 2010.The growth pattern of Boops boops and Scyliorhinus canicula was found to be positive allometric, whereas an isometric growth pattern was determined for the other species in the study. We hope that the LWR obtained here will be used in future fisheries management or conservation research in the study area, for example, to convert lengths to weights, determine fish condition and assess spatial or temporal variability in fish growth.

Size selectivity of sorting grid for eight fish species in the Gulf of Antalya, Northeastern Mediterranean Sea

Selectivity of sorting grid for eight fish species were studied under commercial conditions in the trawl fishery of Antalya Bay, in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Trawling’s were operated from October to December 2012, using a traditional bottom trawl net. The fish totally retained in upper codend (catchees), and bottom codend (escapes) were used to estimate the selectivity parameters. Selectivity data analyzed as covered codend method by means of a logit function of Maximum Likelihood Method. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was applied in order to determine the difference between size groups of escapes and catchees codends. Fifty percent retention lengths ( L 50 ) of Spicara flexuosa (Picarel), Boops boops (Bogue), Mullus surmuletus (Surmullet), Mullus barbatus barbatus (Red mullet), Upeneus moluccensis (Goldband goatfish), Trachurus mediterraneus (Mediterranean horse mackerel) Trachurus picturatus (blue jack mackerel) and Saurida undosquamis (Brushtooth lizardfish) were calculated as 13.31; 13.47; 15.58; 12.07; 13.52; 18.49; 17.81 and 20.3cm, respectively. Results showed that sorting grid installed trawl nets provided high selectivity for all fish species

Erratum to: Biochemical biomarker responses to pollution in selected sentinel organisms across the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea

Pollution effects were assessed by means of biochemical biomarkers (catalase, glutathione S-transferase and acetylcholinesterase activities, and metallothioneins content) in five species at selected coastal sites across the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea. The mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, a well-established sentinel species, was investigated in the Adriatic Sea, Aegean Sea, and Black Sea. The mussel Brachidontes pharaonis and the striped red mullet Mullus surmuletus were used in the Levantine Sea where M. galloprovincialis is not present. The white seabream Diplodus sargus sargus and the gastropod Rapana venosa were additionally sampled in the Adriatic and the Black Sea, respectively. Mussels showed catalase, glutathione S-transferase, and acetylcholinesterase responses to pollution in most geographical areas while the response of metallothioneins was restricted to a few sites. R. venosa showed marked responses of catalase and metallothioneins whereas both fish species did not generally exhibit variations in biomarker values among sites. The approach based on the reference deviation concept using the "Integrated Biological Responses version 2" index was useful for the interpretation of overall biomarker responses.

Restoring the ecosystem creates wealth. The case of the Northern coast of Tunisia’s deep-water rose shrimp trawl fishery

The demersal trawl fishery of the north Tunisian coast primarily targets the deep-water rose shrimp, Parapenaeus longirostris, and secondarily a variety of demersal fish species. These fishes include hake (Merluccius merluccius), common pandora (Pagellus erythrinus), red mullet (Mullus barbatus), surmullet (Mullus surmuletus), Atlantic horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus), bogue (Boops boops), picarel (Spicara smaris) and spotted flounder (Citharus linguatula). A bioeconomic model was used to test management measures through scenarios that ran over eleven years to estimate the viability of the fishery according to biological and economic results. The most beneficial scenario was the combination of several management measures including a temporal closure of two months, the replacement of the 40mm diamond mesh codend with 40mm square mesh, the removal of both the biological recovery tax and of fuel subsidies, and an 83% reduction in fishing capacity. This results in an annual private profit higher by 9.3M TND (Tunisian Dinar) (6.9M USD) that of 2008, and an economic rent that was higher by 13.3M TND (9.9M USD) than by the end of the projected period. Shrimp and fish biomasses have doubled compared with 2008, and trawling damages would be reduced to the equivalent of a five- fold reduction in fishing effort. This study shows that the objectives of improving demersal ecosystems and improving individual and collective wealth can be achieved through the synergistic effects of various regulatory measures.

Aggregation dynamics and foraging behaviour of striped red mullet Mullus surmuletus in the western Mediterranean Sea.

Habitat-related heterogeneity of striped red mullet Mullus surmuletus heterospecific foraging assemblages was examined off the coast of Spain. Video-based focal-follows conducted on 122 M. surmuletus assemblages (446 total individuals) revealed an array of attendant species (n = 7) with composition linked to benthic habitat complexity; bare sandy substrata were characterized by homospecific groups of M. surmuletus, while habitats with rock and vegetation attracted a variety of scrounging labrids and sparids. Although the nature of the relationship between M. surmuletus and attendants requires further exploration, the present study indicates that substratum composition can be a driving factor explaining the dynamics of this heterospecific assemblage.

Karyotype analysis and chromosome banding ofUpeneus moluccensis(Bleeker, 1855) from the north-eastern Mediterranean

Chromosome number, morphology and location of the nucleolus organizer region (NOR) are useful cytological characters for taxonomic and evolutionary studies. The karyotype of Upeneus moluccensis from the north-eastern Mediterranean was investigated through conventional Giemsa staining, Ag-NOR staining, C-banding and GTG-banding techniques. The results showed 2n = 44 (FN = 46), 2m + 2st + 40a chromosomes and four NORs. Two telomeric C-band regions were observed on a metacentric and subtelocentric chromosome pair. On the basis of the chromosome morphology, the GTG and C-banding pattern, it is hypothesized that Upeneus moluccensis is more primitive than the Mediterranean native fish species, Mullus barbatus and Mullus surmuletus. In this study, the cytogenetic characterization of U. moluccensis has been carried out for the first time.

DNA Barcoding Uncover Cryptic Diversity in Goat Fishes (Family: Mullidae) Across the Egyptian Coastal Waters.

Despite ongoing efforts to protect species and ecosystems in the egyptian costs of the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea, habitat degradation, overfishing and pollution have posed serious challenges to marine natural resources. In spite of the accumulated knowledge on the systematics of commercial fishes in Egypt recent results suggested that we are far from having a complete picture of egyptian fish diversity. The accurate identification of species is a very important component in many fields of biological research and conservation efforts. The high level of expertise and time consuming process needed means a loss in biodiversity. Successful species identification is now frequently based on a combination of approaches including morphometrics and the sequencing of the mitochondrial COI gene known as the DNA barcoding. This study employed COI sequencing alongside traditional taxonomic identification methods and uncovered cryptic diversity within the goat fish species of Family Mullidae, four species collected from both the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Upeneus pori, Upeneus vittatus, Mullus surmuletus and Mullus barbatus samples from the Red Sea and the Mediterranean were clustered separately in a NJ tree indicating the possibility of the presence of cryptic species complex. All species could be differentiated by their COI sequence.

Detection of Some Enteropathogens in Imported Fish

A total of 200 random samples of imported fish represented by Bangasius hypophanmus (Basa), Mullus surmuletus (Barboni), Saurida undosquamis (Mackerel) and Sparus aurata (Denise) (50 of each) were collected from different markets at Alexandria province during the period extended from March 2014 to February 2015, for detection of some enteropathogens including; enteropathogenic E. coli, Salmonellae, Shigella, Yersinia, Vibrio and Aeromonas hydrophila. It was found that E. coli was detected at an incidence of 42, 36, 38 and 26% in the examined samples of Basa, Barboni, Mackerel and Denis, respectively. Salmonella was isolated at an incidence of 6, 10, 8 and 4% of the examined samples, respectively. Shigella was recovered at an incidence of 26, 22, 28 and 18 % of the examined samples, respectively. Yersinia was detected at an incidence of 46, 42, 36 and 32% of the examined samples, respectively. Vibrio was detected at an incidence of 30, 28, 26 and 22% of the examined samples, respectively. Finally, A. hydrophila incidence was 16, 22, 16 and 12% of the examined samples, respectively. Moreover, biochemical and serological identification of the obtained isolates were performed. Also, the public health significance as well as suggestive hygienic measures to improve the quality of imported fish were discussed.

Effects of fishing pressure on biomass and size composition of main commercial species in the “Penisola del Sinis-Isola di Mal di Ventre” MPA (Sardinia, Italy)_ A first assessment

Effects of fishing pressure on biomass and size composition of main commercial species in the “Penisola del Sinis-Isola di Mal di Ventre” MPA (Sardinia, Italy)_ A first assessment

Modeling discards in Trawling Mediterranean Northern Alboran Sea Fishery

Event Abstract Back to Event Modeling discards in Trawling Mediterranean Northern Alboran Sea Fishery Ana Carbonell Quetglas1*, Iosu Paradinas2, Sandra Mallol1, Teresa Garcia3, Maria Gonzalez3, Diego Álvarez-Berastegui4, Cristina Bultó5 and Jose M. Bellido5 1 Instituto Español de Oceanografia, Fisheries, Spain 2 Universitat de Valencia, Departament de Estadística e Investigación Operativa, Spain 3 Centro Oceanográfico de Málaga, Fisheries, Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Spain 4 Balearic Islands Coastal Observing and Forecasting System, Spain 5 Centro Oceanográfico de Murcia, Fisheries, Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Spain, Spain Target and Bycatch species metrics estimated from fishery-dependent data were explored to assess their use in governance of habitat conservation in respect to fisheries. Fishing data collected by onboard observers in otter-trawl boats between 2011 and 2012 at monthly sampling frequency in the Alboran Sea (Western Mediterranean) were used to build maps of sensitivity to fishing stress. Maps were drawn by means kriging interpolation techniques of biomass and abundance (Catch Per Unit of Effort, CPUE) in kilogram and number per fishing hour of blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou), European hake (Merluccius merluccius), and red mullets (Mullus barbatus and Mullus surmuletus) target species, seabreams (Pagellus acarne, Pagellus bogaraveo, and Pagellus erythrinus), and mackerels (Trachurus mediterraneus, Trachurus trachurus, and Trachurus picturatus) bycatch species and Bogue (Boops boops) bycatch discarded species. Modelling discards by means Generalised Additive Models (GAMs) use environmental (sea surface temperature and chlorophyll-a from satellite data and NAO climatic index); spatial (latitude, longitude, depth and port) and temporal (season, haul duration, moon phase), as well as technical (boat length and power) explanatory variables. The main causes of discards, for both target and bycatch species, are associated to the seasonality of the recruitment and the changes on the spatial distribution of habitat preferences along their ontogeny. Environmental variables did not reveal significant effects, showing that operational oceanography standard products must be not enough to assess discards, and therefore products providing information on specific ecological processes to discards must be designed with this purpose. In Bycatch species, such as sea breams, mackerels and bogue, discards were also highly dependent of the port and boat (fleet/boat strategies, power, etc, and market preferences). The higher discards corresponded to these bycatch pelagic or bentho-pelagic species. Keywords: Discards, Otter-trawl fisheries, fishery conservation, operational oceanography, spatial modeling Keywords: Discards, Otter-trawl fisheries, Fishery conservation, Operational Oceanography, spatial modeling Conference: XIX Iberian Symposium on Marine Biology Studies, Porto, Portugal, 5 Sep - 9 Sep, 2016. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: 4. FISHERIES, AQUACULTURE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY Citation: Carbonell Quetglas A, Paradinas I, Mallol S, Garcia T, Gonzalez M, Álvarez-Berastegui D, Bultó C and Bellido JM (2016). Modeling discards in Trawling Mediterranean Northern Alboran Sea Fishery. Front. Mar. Sci. Conference Abstract: XIX Iberian Symposium on Marine Biology Studies. doi: 10.3389/conf.FMARS.2016.05.00202 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 30 Apr 2016; Published Online: 03 Sep 2016. * Correspondence: Dr. Ana Carbonell Quetglas, Instituto Español de Oceanografia, Fisheries, Palma, Illes Balears, 07015, Spain, ana.carbonell@ba.ieo.es Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Ana Carbonell Quetglas Iosu Paradinas Sandra Mallol Teresa Garcia Maria Gonzalez Diego Álvarez-Berastegui Cristina Bultó Jose M Bellido Google Ana Carbonell Quetglas Iosu Paradinas Sandra Mallol Teresa Garcia Maria Gonzalez Diego Álvarez-Berastegui Cristina Bultó Jose M Bellido Google Scholar Ana Carbonell Quetglas Iosu Paradinas Sandra Mallol Teresa Garcia Maria Gonzalez Diego Álvarez-Berastegui Cristina Bultó Jose M Bellido PubMed Ana Carbonell Quetglas Iosu Paradinas Sandra Mallol Teresa Garcia Maria Gonzalez Diego Álvarez-Berastegui Cristina Bultó Jose M Bellido Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Questioning the effectiveness of technical measures implemented by the Basque bottom otter trawl fleet: Implications under the EU landing obligation

The selective properties of a bottom trawl fitted with a 70mm diamond mesh codend and a 100mm top square mesh panel (SMP) for hake (Merluccius merluccius), pouting (Trisopterus luscus and Trisopterus minutus) and red mullet (Mullus surmuletus) were investigated over the period 2011–2013. The experiments were carried out over three separate cruises aboard two commercial Basque bottom otter trawlers in the Bay of Biscay area. “Fall-through” experiments were also undertaken to estimate the potential size selection of 100mm square mesh for the same species. Results from the “Fall-through” experiments and the at-sea selectivity cruises demonstrated that a 100mm SMP has the potential to enable undersized and immature individuals to escape through the meshes. However, the selectivity cruises demonstrated that in practice, the SMP was largely ineffective at releasing undersized individuals as only a small fraction of the fish entering the trawl attempted to escape through the SMP during their drift towards the codend. The fraction attempting to escape was quantified by the “SMP contact probability” and was less than 4% for hake and red mullet and less than 15% for pouting. Furthermore, for each species, the release potential for the diamond mesh codend was found to be significantly lower than the length-at-maturity and the legal minimum conservation reference size. On average, the proportions of the total catch of undersized individuals of each species retained by the gear, were 52%, 17% and 45% for hake, pouting and red mullet respectively. Based on our findings, we conclude that the gear currently deployed by the Basque bottom otter trawl fleet operating in the Bay of Biscay is largely ineffective at releasing undersized hake, pouting and red mullet. The introduction of the obligation to land all catches, under the 2013 reform of the EU Common Fisheries policy will create new challenges for the Basque bottom otter trawl fleet and thereby an incentive to improve selectivity to avoid unwanted catches of undersized individuals.

PREVALENCE OF ANISAKID NEMATODE LARVAE INFECTING SOME MARINE FISHES FROM THE LIBYAN COAST.

This study examined eight hundred ninety six marine fishes belonging to nine different fish species; Synodus saurus; Merluccius merluccius; Trachurus mediterraneus; Serranus cabrilla; Mullus surmuletus; Diplodus annularis; Spicara maena; Siganus rirulatus and Liza ramada. The fishes were bought from fish markets at five different sites on Libyan coast, from January to December 2013, for study the anisakids larvae among them. The results showed that 344/896 fishes (38.4%) were infected with Anisakids larvae. S. saurus was the highly infected (80.9%), followed by T mediterraneus (77.5%) but, S. cabrilla, S. maena, M merluccius, M surmuletus, and D. annularis were least anisakid infected showed rates of 58.2%, 53.8%, 43.7%, 36.7% & 3.6%, respectively. No parasites were in S. rirulatus and L, ramada. Ten species of Anisakids larvae was detected during the present study. Two Pseudoterranova sp. Larvae, two types of Anisakis larvae, Anisakis simplex larva and Anisakis sp. Larva, two types of Contracaecum sp. Larvae and four Hysterothylacium larvae. Females showed higher prevalence than males. The number of anisakid larvae varied according to body length and weight of infected fish, without significant difference between prevalence and seasons, but, a significant difference was between prevalence and regions.

Metals in Mullus surmuletus and Pseudupeneus prayensis from the Canary Islands (Atlantic Ocean)

A total of 20 metals (Na, K, Ca, Mg, B, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Sr, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, V, Zn, Al, Cd, and Pb) were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry in muscle and liver tissue from a total of 28 examples of the fishes Mullus surmuletus and Pseudupeneus prayensis marketed in Tenerife, Canary Islands (Spain). Significant differences (P < 0.05) in B, K, Mg, Mn, and Na concentrations were found between muscle and liver. The mean concentrations of K (1,388.04 mg/kg wet weight [wet wt]) and Mg (153.33 mg/kg wet wt) were higher in muscle than in liver (697.49 and 114.21 mg/kg wet wt, respectively). The mean concentrations of B in liver (0.18 mg/kg wet wt), Mn (0.70 mg/kg wet wt), and Na (892.09 mg/kg wet wt) were higher than those in muscle (0.15, 0.11, and 375.55 mg/kg wet wt, respectively). The mean concentrations of Al, Cd, and Pb in muscle tissue were 2.72 mg/kg wet wt and 4.28 and 10.29 μg/kg wet wt, and those in liver tissue were 31.31 mg/kg wet wt and 612.91 and 232.08 μg/kg wet wt, respectively. When comparing the two fish species, the muscle tissue of M. surmuletus has significantly higher concentrations (P < 0.05) of Al, B, Ba, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Sr, and Zn than did P. prayensis muscle, whereas the concentrations of Cd and V were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in P. prayensis muscle. Toxicological assessment of Cd and Pb concentrations was performed using the maximum limits set by the European Commission Regulations 1881/2006 and 629/2008 for muscle tissue (50 and 300 μg/kg wet wt, respectively). The concentrations of Cd and Pb in muscle detected in the present study for all the analyzed examples of M. surmuletus and P. prayensis were lower than the maximums established for muscle tissue by European legislation. Therefore, consumption of the muscle of these fish is considered safe in terms of Al, Cd, and Pb concentrations. However, the consumption of liver tissue should be avoided because of its high levels of metals. Constant monitoring of the concentrations of metals of toxicological concern in fish products available in the market is an essential part of food safety.

Biochemical biomarker responses to pollution in selected sentinel organisms across the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

Pollution effects were assessed by means of biochemical biomarkers (catalase, glutathione S-transferase and acetylcholinesterase activities, and metallothioneins content) in five species at selected coastal sites across the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea. The mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, a well-established sentinel species, was investigated in the Adriatic Sea, Aegean Sea, and Black Sea. The mussel Brachidontes pharaonis and the striped red mullet Mullus surmuletus were used in the Levantine Sea where M. galloprovincialis is not present. The white seabream Diplodus sargus sargus and the gastropod Rapana venosa were additionally sampled in the Adriatic and the Black Sea, respectively. Mussels showed catalase, glutathione S-transferase, and acetylcholinesterase responses to pollution in most geographical areas while the response of metallothioneins was restricted to a few sites. R. venosa showed marked responses of catalase and metallothioneins whereas both fish species did not generally exhibit variations in biomarker values among sites. The approach based on the reference deviation concept using the "Integrated Biological Responses version 2" index was useful for the interpretation of overall biomarker responses.

Potential Health Hazard Assessment in Terms of Some Heavy Metals Determined in Demersal Fishes Caught in Eastern Aegean Sea.

A heavy metal risk assessment based on estimated daily intake (EDI) and target hazard quotient was made for children and adults. Five fish species captured from the eastern Aegean Sea were analyzed for Cr, Cu, Cd, Hg and Pb by inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy in muscle tissue of red mullet (Mullus barbatus), surmullet (Mullus surmuletus), sand steenbras (Lithognathus mormyrus), common two-banded seabream (Diplodus vulgaris) and common pandora (Pagellus erythinus). The ranges for mean metal concentration (mg/kg wet wt) in the five species were 0.27-0.39 Cr, 0.12-0.22 Cu, 0.09-0.10 Hg and 0.10-0.12 Pb. All means were identical for Cd at 0.03mg/kg wet wt. The EDI values for each metal were ascertained not to exceed the tolerable daily intake amount. Fish did not contain sufficiently high levels of these metals to pose a carcinogenic risk.

First isolation of Mycobacterium spp. in Mullus spp. in Turkey.

Ichthyozoonotic Mycobacterium spp. poses health risks both to fish and humans. In this study, the presence of ichthyozoonotic Mycobacterium spp. was investigated in red mullet (Mullus barbatus barbatus) and surmullet (Mullus surmuletus), widely caught species in the Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea. A total of 208 fish samples, provided from fishermen of Mersin province (Turkey) were studied. Using conventional methods, Mycobacterium spp. was isolated and identified at the genus level by PCR and at the species level by PCR-RFLP. Thirteen Mycobacterium spp. were detected in 13 (6.25%) fish samples. Four mycobacteria were identified as M. genavense, three as M. fortuitum, three as M. scrofulaceum, one as M. marinum, one as M. vaccae and one as M. aurum. No signs of mycobacteriosis were observed in fish samples. Findings of this study can contribute to future studies of onichthyozoonotic Mycobacterium spp. in seafood.

Application of a multi-annual generalized depletion model to the assessment of a data-limited coastal fishery in the western Mediterranean

A multi-annual generalized depletion model was applied to a coastal fishery in Vilanova i la Geltru (western Mediterranean) to assess the exploitation status of striped red mullet ( Mullus surmuletus ) and cuttlefish ( Sepia officinalis ), two of the main target species of Mediterranean small-scale fisheries. It is shown that in data-limited stocks, which is often the case in small-scale fisheries, catch and effort data at high temporal frequency (day, week, month) complemented with biological information and a priori knowledge (mean body weight, natural mortality and period of recruitment to the fishery) can be effectively exploited to produce assessment results applicable to fisheries management. For the two species analysed, the assessment results showed that exploitation rates are high and vulnerable biomass has been decreasing over the last 14 years.

Bioinspired fabrication and characterization of a synthetic fish skin for the protection of soft materials.

The scaled skin of fish is a high-performance natural armor that represents a source of inspiration for novel engineering designs. In this paper, we present a biomimetic fish skin material, fabricated with a design and components that are simple, that achieves many of the advantageous attributes of natural materials, including the unique combination of flexibility and mechanical robustness. The bioinspired fish skin material is designed to replicate the structural, mechanical, and functional aspects of a natural teleost fish skin comprised of leptoid-like scales, similar to that of the striped red mullet Mullus surmuletus. The man-made fish skin material consists of a low-modulus elastic mesh or "dermis" layer that holds rigid, plastic scales. The mechanics of the synthetic material is characterized under in-plane, bending, and indentation modes of deformation and is successfully described by theoretical deformation models that have been developed. This combined experimental and modeling approach elucidates the critical mechanisms by which the composite material achieves its unique properties and provides design rules that allow for the engineering of scaled skins. Such artificial scaled skins that are flexible, lightweight, transparent, and robust under mechanical deformation may thus have potential as thin protective coatings for soft materials.

Survey of anisakids in commercial teleosts from the western Mediterranean Sea: Infection rates and possible effects of environmental and ecological factors

This study aims to investigate the occurrence of Anisakidae larvae in fishes of commercial value and largely used for human consumption, from the Spanish Mediterranean coasts. The influence of environmental (geographical location, depth, temperature and salinity of the fishing grounds) and biological (weight, length and corporal condition) variables were evaluated. A total of 290 fishes belonging to 10 different species sampled from 36 geographical sectors were analyzed using enzymatic digestion method. The total prevalence of Anisakidae was 13.1%, with the prevalence of Anisakis sp., Hysterothylacium sp. and Contracaecum sp. being 6.21%, 6.21%, and 2.41%, respectively. The highest anisakid larvae prevalence, was observed in surmullet (Mullus surmuletus) and common pandora (Pagellus erythrinus). Total Anisakidae prevalence was positively correlated with length, weight and condition factor of the host and with the depth of the capture site. Anisakis sp. total prevalence was positively correlated to fishing ground depth. No significant correlation was observed between anisakid prevalence and geographical sector of capture.