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Laboratory and Field Research to Enhance Understanding of Tuna Movements and Distribution, and to Improve Stock Assessment Models


Progress Reports (PDF): FY 2000, FY 1999, FY 1998 (see below)

Project Overview
The proposed work will involve a coordinated laboratory and field investigation of the physiology and behavior of tunas. Specific area of inquiry are: (1) effects of low ambient oxygen on movement, vertical distribution and gear vulnerability; (2) thermoregulatory abilities; (2) field measurements of behavior and energetics. The results will be directly applicable to models of movement dynamics and should improve interpretation of CPUE data used in conventional assessment methods.

Project findings published in the following:
Brill, R.W., 1996: Selective advantages conferred by the high performance physiology of tunas, billfishes and dolphin fish. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, 113A, 3-15.

Brill, R.W., K.L. Cousins, D.R. Jones, P.G. Bushnell, and J. F. Steffensen, 1998: Blood volume, plasma volume and circulation time in a high-energy demand-high teleost, the yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares). Journal of Experimental Biology, 201, 647-654. PDF file available

Brill, Richard W., Timothy E. Lowe, and Katherine L. Cousins, 1998b: How water temperature really limits the vertical movements of tunas and billfishes - It's the heart stupid. Abstract from the American Fisheries Society, International Congress on Biology of Fish, July 26-20, 1998, Towson University, Baltimore, MD. PDF file available

Brill, R.W., B.A. Block, C.H. Boggs, K.A. Bigelow, E.V. Freund, and D.J. Marcinek, 1999: Horizontal and depth distribution of large adult yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) near the Hawaiian Islands, recorded using ultrasonic telemetry: implications for the physiological ecology of pelagic fishes. Marine Biology, 133: 395-408. PDF file available

See Journal Publications page and Other Publications page for other publications by Brill and other PFRP investigators

Principal Investigator:
Dr. Richard Brill
National Marine Fisheries Service
Kewalo Research Facility
1125-B Ala Moana Blvd.
Honolulu, Hawaii 96814 USA
Phone (808) 592-8304
FAX (808) 983-2902
email: rbrill@honlab.nmfs.hawaii.edu

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Progress Report - June 1998

Submitted by Richard W. Brill

Current Activities: 1. Short and long term movements of giant bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus)

This project is a joint effort with Dr. Molly Lutcavage (Edgerton Research Laboratory, New England Aquarium) and myself. The project is funded by a contract from the Highly Migratory Division of the National Marine Fisheries Service and a grant from the National Geographic Society. Dr. Lutcavage and I have been using acoustic telemetry to monitor the short term horizontal and vertical movements of giant (approximately 200-400 kg) bluefin tuna off New England. The objective is to obtain data useful for correcting aerial survey data (i.e., fishery independent resource assessments) for the number of fish too deep to be seen from spotter planes. Tracks of five giant bluefin were obtained in 1996, and tracks from an additional four animals were obtained in 1997. All data analyses have been completed and a manuscript is currently being prepared for publication, most likely in Marine Biology.

Funding has recently been received from the Highly Migratory Division of the National Marine Fisheries Service to continue ultrasonic telemetry work, but on small (school size) bluefin tuna off Virginia. The ultimate objectives are the same, correction of population assessments based on aerial surveys for the depth distribution of the fish. Work this summer will be conducted out of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science's Wachapregue Laboratory and will begin in June.

In association with acoustic telemetry project, Dr. Lutcavage and I have applied pop-up satellite tags to giant bluefin tuna. The objectives of this project is to determine residence time of the fish in New England waters, long term migratory patterns once they leave the area, possible spawning areas, and potential mixing of eastern and western Atlantic "stocks". The project is funded by the Highly Migratory Division of the National Marine Fisheries Service and a grant from the National Fisheries Institute. So far 10 tags have popped-off, and the data are currently being analyzed. Time permitting a poster will be prepared for presentation at this year's Lake Arrowhead Tuna Conference. More important, techniques learned in this project should be applicable to future work employing pop-up and archival satellite tags on swordfish or tunas in the Pacific.

2. Archival Tag Project

At the request of Dr. Chris Boggs, I have recently become actively involved in the archival tagging program on bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus). The objective of this project is to determine residence time, vertical distribution, and long term horizontal movements. This tuna species is currently undergoing significant increases in fishing pressure in several areas of the Pacific. To date, 24 archival tags have been deployed near the main Hawaiian Islands. Nearly all the tags were implanted intramuscularly, based on the results of experiments conducted at the Kewalo Research Facility where model archival tags were implanted in juvenile yellowfin tuna maintained in shore side tanks. As of this date, no tags have been recovered (one tag recovered, see below). With a little luck, an additional 50 or more archival tags may be deployed by the end of the calender year.

One archival tag recovered in July 1998,
tracking and sea-surface temperature information available

3. Physiology

Laboratory work slowed somewhat due to loss of post doc Dr. Tim Lowe and recent departure research associate Ms. Kathy Cousins. PFRP funding has recently been received for a research associate's salary and several candidates have already been interviewed. Much of the time the time this year was used to complete, submit for publication, and revise manuscripts. As listed below, one physiology manuscript has been published ["Red cell space, plasma space, and blood volume of a high energy demand teleost, the yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares)"], a second is now in press ["Responses to catecholamines of red blood cells from two high-energy-demand teleosts, yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) and skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis)"], and a third ["Unusually high blood oxygen affinity from a high-energy- demand teleost, bigeye tuna, Thunnus obesus"] has been submitted and is currently being revised based on the referees' suggestions.

Work on the effects of acute temperature change on cardiac function in skipjack and yellowfin tuna is nearing completion and the data have been presented at last years' Lake Arrowhead Tuna Conference, last summer's American Fisheries Society meeting, and this summer and the International Congress on the Biology of Fish. The few experiments remaining to be completed are those measuring the effects of rapid water temperature change in skipjack tuna whose heart rates have been artificially increased by the injection of the vagolytic drug atropine. In other words experiments designed to measure the highest heart rates achievable when skipjack tuna are subjected to 10° C reduction in ambient temperature (i.e., 25° C - 15° C). These temperature changes are designed to reflect ambient temperature changes to which tunas normally subject themselves in the open ocean. Once these experiments are competed (probably by this fall), a manuscript will be prepared for publication.

4. Ultrasonic telemetry studies of yellowfin tuna

One manuscripts related to the field portion of the project ["Environmental preferences of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) at the northern extent of their range"] has recently been published. A second related manuscript ["Horizontal movements, depth distribution, and the physical environment of large adult yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) near the Hawaiian Islands recorded using ultrasonic telemetry, with implications for their physiological ecology"] has recently been submitted to Marine Biology. These tracking studies directly complement the laboratory work on the effects of temperature on cardiac function in tunas and supports the conclusion that it is the effects of temperature on heart rate that limits the vertical mobility.

Planned Activities:

Activities planned for the next year remain somewhat sketchy, because the time allowed as a JIMAR Senior Fellow under the IPA will expire 1 October 1998. I return to work at NMFS on that date. Given this caveat, current plans are as follows:

1. Complete laboratory physiology experiments on effects of temperature change on cardiac function in tunas. Complete and submit manuscript for publication.

2. Complete biochemical measurements relevant to the study of the costs of osmoregulation skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna, and mahimahi (Coryphaena hippurus). Complete and submit manuscript for publication.

3. Continue archival tagging work on bigeye tuna and possibly expand the project to include swordfish. Work to be conducted in association with Chris Boggs, Mike Musyl and others at the NMFS Honolulu Laboratory.

4. Complete development of a new ultrasonic telemetry receiving system for use aboard Townsend Cromwell. The system is being designed and built by Dr. Bruce Deffenbuagh. The ultimate objective is to be able to use the ship as a tracking platform for acoustic telemetry studies of adult bigeye tuna and swordfish. This work may be combined with implantation of archival tags (i.e. fish will have both acoustic and archival tags attached) to monitor the short term survival and behavior of fish implanted with archival tags.

5. Future physiology laboratory work will extend current studies on the effects of temperature change on cardio-respiratory function. Additional studies will concentrate on the effects of simultaneous changes in ambient temperature and ambient oxygen on cardio-respiratory function and how these environmental factors effect the vertical movements and distribution of skipjack and yellowfin tunas.

Status of manuscripts and publications:

PDF version of manuscript abstracts available

Published or in press, 1997:

Brill, R., K. Cousins, and P. Kleiber. 1997. Test of the feasibility and effects of long-term intramuscular implantation of archival tags in pelagic fishes using scale model tags and captive juvenile yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares). Southwest Fisheries Science Center Administrative Report H-97-11.

Block, B.A., J.E. Keen, B. Castillo, H. Dewar, E.V. Freund, D.J.Marcinek, R.W. Brill, C. Farwell. 1997. Environmental preferences of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) at the northern extent of their range. Marine Biology130: 119-132.

Brill, R.W., K.L. Cousins, D.R. Jones, P.B. Bushnell, and J.F. Steffensen. 1997. Red cell space, plasma space, and blood volume of a high energy demand teleost, the yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares). J. exp. Biol. 201: 647-654.

Lowe, T., R. Brill, and K. Cousins. Responses to catecholamines of red blood cells from two high-energy-demand teleosts, yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) and skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis). J. Comp. Physiol (in press).

Manuscripts submitted for publication:

Lowe, T., R. Brill, and K. Cousins. Unusually high blood oxygen affinity from a high-energy-demand teleost, bigeye tuna, Thunnus obesus. Submitted to Physiol. Zool.

Brill, R., B. Block, C. Boggs, K. Bigelow, E. Freund, and D. Marcinek. Horizontal and vertical movements of adult yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) near the Hawaiian Islands observed by acoustic telemetry. Submitted to Marine Biology.

Manuscripts in preparation:

Jones, D.R., R.W. Brill, K.L. Cousins, P.B. Bushnell, J.F. Steffensen, and J.K. Keen. Capillary permeability and Starling forces in three teleosts: yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and cod (Gadus morhua). Manuscript in preparation for J. Exp. Biol.

Cousins, K.L. and R.W. Brill. Fast conducting fibers in the cardiac muscle of a teleost, the yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares). Manuscript in preparation for J. of Morphology.

Brill, R., K. Cousins, C. Taxboel, and T. Lowe. Na+-K+ ATPase activity and chloride cell density in the gills of three high energy demand marine teleosts, yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) and dolphin (Coryphaena hippurus) Manuscript in preparation for Comp. Biochem. and Physiol.

Conference presentations by RWB, 1997-1998:

1. May 1997, 48th Annual Lake Arrowhead Tuna Conference

Title: How water temperature limits the vertical movements of tunas and billfishes

2. August 1997, 127th Annual American Fisheries Society Meeting, Monterey California (invited presentation)

Title: How Physiological and behavioral Research are relevant to fisheries Oceanography, movement models, and stock assessments ­ Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) as a specific example.

3. May 1998, 49th Annual Lake Arrowhead Tuna Conference

Title: Tricks up their sleeves ­ How bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) tolerate low ambient oxygen.

4. July 1998, International Congress on the Biology of Fish, Baltimore, Maryland (invited presentation)

Title: How water temperature really limits the vertical movements of tunas and billfishes ­ It's the heart stupid.

5. July 1998, International Congress on the Biology of Fish, Baltimore, Maryland (invited plenary lecture)

Title: Fast fish physiology, Lessons learned when tunas tell their tales.

Conference presentations by others:

1. May 1997, 48th Annual Lake Arrowhead Tuna Conference

Title: Tracking giant bluefin tuna in New England waters. Presented by Molly Lutcavage

2. 1997 FASEB Annual Meeting, poster presentation

Title: Macromolecular capillary permeability of three species of fish. Presented by PeterBushnell

3. 1998 Canadian Society of Zoologists, Annual Meeting

Title: Macromolecular capillary permeability of three species of fish. Presented by David Jones

Visiting Scientists working at the Kewalo Research Facility with the Tuna Movements and Distribution Program:

Dr. David Jones and Marvin Braun, University of British Columbia

Studying the biomechanics of tuna circulation

3. Dr. Scott Heppell, North Carolina State University

Developing an radio-immuno assay for tuna vitellogenin. The objective of this work is to develop an assay capable of determining the sex and reproductive condition of headed and gutted carcasses of giant bluefin tuna.

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This page updated August 15, 2006