RSS 1.0Pakistan Journal of Marine Sciences
Browse by
Recent Submissions
-
Length-weight relationship of selected catfish species from the stretch between downstream Lloyds Barrage and upstream Kotri Barrage, Indus River, Sindh, PakistanPakistan Journal of Marine SciencesCatfishes are the crucial group in order Siluriformes occupy upper trophic levels due to their predatory feeding habits. This study examines the length-weight relationships of selected catfish species including Bagarius bagarius, Ompok bimaculatus, Heteropneustes fossilis, and Clupisoma garua collected from downstream Lloyds Barrage to upstream GM Barrage (Kotri Barrage) in the Indus River, Sindh, Pakistan. Fish samples were obtained over a year (July 2017 - June 2018) with the help of local fishermen and analyzed at the University of Sindh, Jamshoro. Measurements were taken using a digital balance, and regression analysis was performed using the cube law formula. The study found the regression parameters b and R² for B. bagarius (2.71 and 0.98), O. bimaculatus (2.82 and 0.94), H. fossilis (2.95 and 0.98), and C. garua (3.016 and 0.99). The "b" values suggested isometric growth for C. garua, while the other species indicated negative allometric growth. These values fall within the range (2.5-3.5), supporting the suitable growth of H. fossilis in the Indus River. This research provides vital baseline data for fisheries scientists, enhancing future studies and management strategies for these catfish species.
-
Food and feeding habits of Pomadasys kaakan (Cuvier, 1830) (family: Haemulidae) from Karachi Coast, Pakistan-northern Arabian SeaPakistan Journal of Marine SciencesThis study focused on the feeding habits of P. kaakan, collected from Karachi fish harbor during January to December 2022. A total of (N=119) specimens were analyzed for gut content to understand their diet composition and monthly variations. The primary diet components identified were crustaceans, molluscs, fish, and miscellaneous items. The fullness index (FI) and coefficient of variance (CV%) also varied monthly, with the highest (FI) in July (50.0%) and the lowest in April (25.0%), while the (CV%) peaked in April (75.0%) and lowest in July (50.0%). Frequency of occurrence (FO%) of food items were highest in February, August, and September and lowest in March, April, and May. This research is pioneering in its comprehensive analysis of the P. kaakan diet composition from the Pakistani coastal waters those providing crucial insights into their feeding ecology. These findings offer valuable data for the effective management and conservation of this commercially important species, highlighting the importance of understanding their dietary habits for fisheries development and ecological sustainability.
-
The position and importance of Sinop in the Black Sea fisheriesPakistan Journal of Marine SciencesLocated in the northernmost part of Türkiye and situated on the Boztepe Peninsula, Sinop has a surface area of 5.791 km2. Sinop is one of the smallest provinces of Türkiye and covers approximately 0.8 percent of Türkiye's surface area. Sinop Province is one of the regions with the highest fish outflow in the southern Black Sea coast of Türkiye where the most intensive fishing is carried out. There are many fish meal-oil factories, aquaculture processing and utilisation facilities and cold storages in Sinop due to intensive fishing and production. Due to the potential of Sinop's fisheries, the biggest export income is also provided from here. There are also dam lakes with large water surface area in Sinop Province. An intensive amount of aquaculture is carried out from these dam lakes. In addition, Sinop coasts are seen as the most suitable conditions in the Black Sea Region as a new and strong alternative attraction centre for aquaculture facilities. Especially after 2018, serious aquaculture activities are carried out on the east coast of Sinop and there are many project applications for new potential areas on the west coast of Sinop. Anchovy, Atlantic bonito, horse mackerel, whiting, bluefish, flathead grey mullet, red mullet, shad, garfish, and turbot are among the most fished economic species on the coasts of Sinop. In the inland waters of Sinop, the most caught fish species are carp and pike. The only species produced in the inland waters of Sinop is rainbow trout. The production of trout as trade name Turkish Salmon started in 2018 on the coasts of Sinop and continues and peaked in 2022 with 17,332,975 kg. Exported to 48 countries, Turkish Salmon was 45,548,737 kg in January-November 2022 and this rate increased to 57,211,587 kg with a 26% change in January-November 2023. Sea bass was only farmed in cages on the coasts of Sinop in 2019 and 2020. Except for 2021, veined Rapa whelk have been caught from the coasts of Sinop for the last 10 years. Veined Rapa whelk meat is exported to USA, Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan, and Singapore. Operculum of veined Rapa whelk is exported to S. Arabia and Libya countries. Sand mussel from the Sinop coasts was caught only in 2022. With the newly planned marine aquaculture capacities on the coasts of Sinop, its contribution to Turkish aquaculture production continues to increase. This table shows that Sinop is one of the leading provinces of Türkiye in terms of aquaculture processing facilities.
-
Diversity and status of flatfish fishery at Balochistan Coast, PakistanPakistan Journal of Marine SciencesFlatfishes are one of the most diverse fishes of the order Pleuronectiformes and are found worldwide and constitute a large proportion of the ground fish catch. The flatfishes are commercially important species of Pakistan having high value and sold locally at higher prices as well as exported in large quantities. The present study aimed to examine the current status of flatfish fishery and their diversity in the coastal waters of Balochistan, Pakistan. These fishes were caught and landed in large quantities at different harbors of Balochistan coast. 3 species in Family Cynoglossidae, 3 species of family Paralichthyidae and 3 species from family Soleidae were recorded. The Cynoglossus arel and S. elongata were the most abundant species and collectively accounts for 82 % abundance in the total flatfish landings. Sur bandar and Pasni are the main fishing grounds for flatfish fishery at Balochistan coast. The highest catch was reported at Sur bandar in 2018 with 2227.99 and 14496.416 in 2019 and the lowest catch reported in Gaddani in 2019 with only 6.55 metric tons. The high demand and increasing catch of these fishes requires a management approach.
-
Aquaculture nursery systems after infection with Vibrio harveyiPakistan Journal of Marine SciencesPresent study evaluated the survival, post-larvae quality, and the population of Penaeus monodon (Black tiger shrimp) and Oreochromis niloticus (Tilapia), after the addition of two strains of bacteria i.e Lactobacillus sp. and Bacillus sp. The Vibrio harveyi were isolated and identified from hatchery-reared larvae, at Biotechnology Research Department Ministry of Education, Republic of Union of Myanmar. Preliminary screening for antimicrobial activity of six Lactobacillus sp. and six Bacillus sp. Incubated and tested with V. harveyi using agar, well diffusion assay and tube screening methods. Inhibition activity results were the best at 3 days incubation for Lactobacillus sp. and the optimal result for inhibition activity for Bacillus megaterium at 5 days, with lactose sugar on V. harveyi. Before in vivo test, in vitro inhibition test of V. harveyi competition with probiotic of different concentrations of 10 ml/ton, 20 ml/ton, 30 ml/ton and 40 ml/ton. The results in all probiotic treatments were almost similar. Inhibitory affects were found in tube screening method, where, V. harveyi level reduced to 10 3 CFU/ml from 10 7 CFU/mlin 4 days. The pathogenicity test was conducted for a period of 2 days with Penaeus monodon (Black tiger shrimp) at post larval stages and Oreochromis niloticus (Tilapia) at fingerling stages, where they were exposed for 106, 107 and 108 CFU/ml of V. harveyi resulted 100% mortality. The probiotic treatment exhibited 50%, 70% and 80% survival rate of the fish infected with 106, 107 and 108 CFU/ml, respectively. It was detected the lower load of Vibrio ssp. bacteria with potential of pathogenicity after feeding with six Lactobacillus sp. and six Bacillus sp.
-
Comparison of biodegradable films derived from carrageenan extracted from red seaweeds along the Karachi coastlinePakistan Journal of Marine SciencesThis study aimed to assess and compare the properties of biodegradable films produced from carrageenan extracted from two indigenous seaweed species, Hypnea pannosa and Halymenia porphyraeformis, sourced from the Manora area of Karachi. Glycerol was employed as a plasticizer to enhance the tensile strength and elasticity of the biofilms. Results revealed a significant disparity in weight loss between Hypnea pannosa (40%) and Halymenia porphyraeformis (28%) during the soil burial test, while varying solubility rates were observed in different mediums. Moreover, Halymenia porphyraeformis exhibited higher tensile strength and elongation at break compared to Hypnea pannosa, indicating its superior gelling power and elasticity.
-
Trace metal contamination of discharge water in the northeast Mediterranean SeaPakistan Journal of Marine SciencesThe contamination with trace metals brought on by anthropogenic activity is one of the main issues impacting the health of the environment. The inherent pressures on marine ecosystems and the individuals who depend on marine ecosystems for nourishment, industry, and advantage are both being seriously threatened by trace metal pollution in coastal and marine habitats. This study aimed to find out the accumulation of metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in seasonal water samples taken for a year from the Ceyhan River's discharge point into the Northeast Mediterranean. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) measurements of water were performed using an appropriate trace metal-based approach. The relative mean metal concentrations in the water column were in the following order at the sample site: Zn > Fe > Ni > Cr > Cu > Pb> Mn > Cd > Co > Hg. The highest value of Zn in the water column was observed at 90.05810.605 g L-1. The levels of contaminants in the water when compared to international and national water quality standards have been judged to be within the safe drinking range.
-
Heavy metals risk assessment for consumption of wild Mediterranean mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819 along Samsun Coasts of the Black SeaPakistan Journal of Marine SciencesThe present study aimed to determine the concentration of metals in the soft tissue of wild mussels in coastal of Samsun and to assess human consumption. Using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, the quantities of cadmium, mercury, lead, copper, iron, and zinc in Mytilus galloprovincialis were measured. The heavy metals found in Mediterranean mussels are arranged in the following ascending order: Cd < Hg < Pb < Cu < Fe < Zn. Concentrations of toxic metals were safe according to European Commission guidelines and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. According to the estimated daily intake (EDI), eating Mediterranean mussels poses no risks. The target hazard quotients (THQs) in metals are also found <1, which implies no threat to consumers. In conclusion, the current study confirmed that the concentration of heavy metals in the Mediterranean mussels is safe for people intake in terms of their toxicity.
-
First record of alive Asterigerina (Foraminifera: Rotaliida) with note on its distribution and abundance from the coastal area of Pakistan, Northern Arabian SeaPakistan Journal of Marine SciencesForaminifera is an important group of organisms which is widely used as indicators of environmental change. Not much work on foraminifera has been done on the Arabian margin running along the Pakistan coast. Information on the diversity and distribution of foraminifera is very limited and no information is available from the Balochistan coast. This study is an attempt to explore the diversity and dynamics related to foraminifera at the coast of Baluchistan. This very part of the study is designed to collect information about the zonation, vertical distribution and abundance of the genus Asterigerina at the beach of Ormara, Balochistan. The fossilized form of Asterigerina was previously reported from the sediments of upper Quetta region. This is the first report on the occurrence of alive Asterigerina in the coastal areas of Pakistan.
-
Sexual seasonal growth and mortality of Scaldback, Arnoglossus kessleri Schmidt, 1915 (Pleuronectiformes: Bothidae), caught by experimental beam trawl in the Black Sea, TurkiyePakistan Journal of Marine SciencesThe scaldback, Arnoglossus kessleri, is a small fish that belongs to the Bothidae family and its biology is unknown in the Mediterranean Sea including Aegean Sea, Black Sea and Sea of Marmara. To describe first information on the seasonal von Bertalanffy growth function parameters (SVBGF) using length frequency data for A. kessleri, and also to present first information on indirect methods to estimate natural (M) and total mortality rates (Z), a total of 12 months samplings were conducted between December 2012 and November 2013 in the south-east Black Sea. The overall sex ratio of females: males skewed towards males (χ2, P < 0.01). The SVBGF parameters, computed from monthly length frequency distribution analysis (LFDA), were estimated as L∞ = 8.25 cm total length (TL), K = 0. 549 year-1 for females and as L∞ = 8.44 cm TL, K = 0.490 year-1 for males. The seasonal oscillation in growth rate for females (C = 0.340) was larger than it was for males (C = 0.260). The slowest period of growth corresponded to December both females and males. The seasonal growth of the scaldback was most probably initiated by photoperiod and accelerated with decreasing water temperatures. Total instantaneous mortality rate, Z, was estimated as 0.853 yr-1 for females and 0.774 yr-1 for males. Instantaneous natural mortality ratio, M, was estimated a bit higher for females (M = 0.714±0.129) than for males (M = 0.655±0.098). The exploitation rate, E, of both sexes was also lower than the optimum exploitation (E = 0.5) criterion, which is indicative of non-exploited and/or lightly exploited of A. kessleri population. The results of this study were offered as biological input parameters for management of Black Sea stocks of the scaldback species.
-
Biometric indices of Pseudotolithus elongatus (Bowdich, 1825) from the coastal waters of Rivers State, NigeriaPakistan Journal of Marine SciencesLength-weight relationships (LWRs), length-length relationships (LLRs), and condition factor of Pseudotolithus elongatus from the coastal waters of Rivers State, Nigeria, were studied. Specimens were collected from the catches of fishermen using various fishing gear. The dominant length ranged from 20 to 26 cm, with a mean length of 22.65±3.06cm. The monthly length-weight relationship was estimated separately for male and female, with the b values indicating positive allometric growth (b > 3.00) in November, January, and February for both male and female. The females experienced negative allometric growth (b < 3.00) in December, March, and April, while the males exhibited a negative allometric growth pattern in April. The combined b value of LWRs (TL vs. BW) indicates positive allometric growth, and SL vs. BW indicates negative allometric growth. Also, the b value of LLR (TL vs. SL) indicates negative allometric growth. The condition factors varied for both sexes, ranging from 0.35 to 1.2 in males and 0.57 to 1.14 in females, while the combined condition factor ranged from 0.35 to 1.2. The present findings will provide useful information for a well-organized and significant exploitation and regulation of Sciaenid species following the aftermath of massive fish kills and continuous exploitation of fish species in the study area.
-
A review of aquatic toxicology investigations in Turkish waters.Pakistan Journal of Marine SciencesAquatic toxicity studies have been conducted for many years, and their importance has been understood for some time. The need for aquatic toxicity studies arises from the widespread use of chemicals in many different industries, such as agriculture, manufacturing, and energy production. These chemicals can enter aquatic environments through various means, including runoff from fields, discharges from factories, and spills or leaks from storage tanks or pipelines. Once in the aquatic environment, these chemicals can have harmful effects on aquatic life, including fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and algae. By conducting aquatic toxicity studies, researchers can gain a better understanding of the potential harmful effects of chemicals on aquatic life and ecosystems and can inform decisions about their use and regulation to protect the environment. This review summarizes the available aquatic toxicity studies in Turkish waters.
-
Metal causing DNA damage in lion fish Pterois miles from the northeastern Mediterranean.Pakistan Journal of Marine SciencesThe influence of trace metal contamination on marine ecosystems and marine waters is a complex construct. Metal concentrations can cause carcinogenic and toxicogenic harm in marine environments. With a variety of sizes, ages, and trophic levels, fish are excellent markers of pollution from heavy metals for the identification of genotoxic factors in freshwater as well as marine systems. The current study used the damage frequency (%), arbitrary unit (%), and genetic damage index (%) in the gill and liver cells of P. miles to assess DNA damage brought along by toxic metals. Under the constant levels criteria used in this investigation, the levels of Cr, Hg, Fe, and Zn in the surrounding water are only slightly above the tolerance level. According to our findings, the frequency of damage in the lionfish's gill and liver cells was 53.66 to 73.512% and 39.33 to 45.033%, accordingly. The gill tissue had a higher frequency of injury than the liver tissue. Furthermore, Pb, Hg, Cr, Co, Fe, Ni, and Cu contents in seawater were shown to have a positive correlation with DNA damage levels in P. miles. As a result, our study revealed the first time genotoxic damage resulting from metal contamination in P. miles.
-
Characterization of long-spined sea urchin Diadema setosum shell and potential usage areas.Pakistan Journal of Marine SciencesThe long-spined sea urchin Diadema setosum (Leske, 1778) is the most common seashore sea urchin in the tropical Indo-Pacific and also this species is distributed in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. In this study, we characterize the shell of the long-spined sea urchin Diadema setosum using FTIR and XRD analyses. The powdered shell of D. setosum was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. It was determined that 714 cm-1 and 871 cm-1 peaks from the formed peaks determined the amorphous and crystal structure, respectively. The results of the XRD analysis of the long spiny sea urchin shell overlap 91% with calcite with chemical formula Ca5MgC6O18 and 9% with periclase chemical formula Mg4O4. Analysis results show that D. setosum shell was found to be in calcite structure, and can be used in many areas such as paper, paint, plastic, construction, food, ceramics, and pharmaceuticals. When combined with other studies as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant, it has been revealed to contain amorphous and crystal structures that are useful for different biomedical industries. High availability and accessibility of the long-spined sea urchin, can become a very economical product for these sectors, and in this way, an invasive species will be brought into the economy.
-
Elemental accumulation in macroalgae Treptacantha barbata (Stackhouse) Orellana & Sansón, 2019 from Sinop, Türkiye.Pakistan Journal of Marine SciencesIn this study, the contamination profile of heavy metal levels (Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Pb, Zn) of Treptacantha barbata (Stackhouse) Orellana & Sansón, 2019, seawater and sediment samples were analyzed by ICP-MS and reference materials were used to determine the reliability of the analysis. All samples were collected from the Sinop coast (Türkiye) from August 2021 through April 2022. As a result of the study, metal levels were found in the following sequence: Hg < Cd < Pb < Cu < Zn < Fe for seawater and T. barbata and Hg < Cd < Cu < Pb < Zn < Fe for sediment. Among the metals, Cu was bio-accumulative in biota; Cd and Hg metals in the sediment are micro concentrator by T. barbata.
-
Brine shrimp provides a rich-high energy food for migrating birds: A case study of an artificial pond in Basrah, Iraq.Pakistan Journal of Marine SciencesA case study focusing on the attraction of migrating birds by brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana) into an artificial pond in Basrah, Iraq. A dump area had constructed at the intertidal mudflat’s zone of Khor Al-Zubair Channel, Basrah, Iraq. Basra Gas Company implemented a dredging operation to increase the channel depth in 2019 to use the dump area as a disposal place for the company’s benthic sediments, which are usually mixed with seawater, converting the dump area to a large hypersaline artificial pond. Unexpectedly, the pond became a habitat for many shorebird species a few months later. The pond has been surveyed five times between March 2019 and January 2020. For each survey, frequent environmental and biological events were observed. Due to high temperature during most summer months (30-50°C), the water level decreased dramatically to (< 0.5 m), which ultimately led to increase levels of salinity in the pond (80 psu). Moreover, growth of blue-green algae was observed and appearance of brine shrimp A. franciscana. During autumn and winter surveys, an abundance of live A. franciscana and their cysts was observed. Birds appeared to forage primarily on A. franciscana in the pond. The abundance of brine shrimp attracts migrating birds to exploit this prey. 11 species of migrating birds were detected in the pond. These species were flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber, flocks of avocet Ricurvirosta avosetta and Shelduck Tadorna tadorna. Therefore, this site with abundant food resources could provide a rich-high energy food for migrating birds and staging area for a long flight.
-
Studies on the morpho taxonomic variations of four Centropagidae species (Crustacea: Calanoida) with note on their abundance collected from Sonmiani Bay, northern Arabian seaPakistan Journal of Marine SciencesCentropagidae is comparatively a larger family to other families of order calanoida. The quantitative data revealed that the copepods of the genus Centropages are the dominant component in the zooplankton samples from the designated station in Sonmiani bay, a coastal lagoon at Balochistan coast, northern Arabian sea. Four epipelagic species of family Centropagidae, Centropages (Centropages dorsispinatus Thompson I.C. & Scott A., 1903, Centropages tenuiremis Thompson I.C. & Scott A., 1903, Centropages furcatus (Dana, 1849) and Centropages orsinii Giesbrecht, 1889 ) were identified. Male and female specimens were distinguished on their characteristic features of antennules, thoracic segments and fifth legs. Identified specimens were described briefly with their microscopic illustrations. Centropages dorsispinatus and Centropages tenuiremis were frequently found in zooplankton samples throughout the sampling season.
-
Morphometric relationship of Perna viridis Linnaeus, (1758) from the Manora Channel, coastal waters of PakistanPakistan Journal of Marine SciencesPerna viridis (Green Mussels) is characterized by fast-growing, found in large clusters, one of the dominant bio-fouling organisms, native to West Indo Pacific region and commonly distributed along the Southeast Indian and Asian coast. They are found in the shallow sublittoral water up to a depth of 15 m and be able to tolerate an extensive range of environmental situation i.e. tolerate temperatures range of 15-32.5C. Green mussels were collected from the navigation buoy in Manora Channel and brought to the research laboratory. Samples were washed to remove the sand, vegetation, and other particles. Morphometric measurements were measured to the nearest gram. The result revealed that the shell length ranged between 0.60-7.4 cm, the width range between 0.10-2.9 cm, and the weight range between 0.037-15.549 g. In all morphometric relationships, the validation of the “b” values was significantly different from the isometric value. Significant correlation variation was observed in all variables whereas the highest correlation values were observed in the length-width (n-224, r2 = 0.966) and the lowest was observed in width-total weight (n-224, r2 = 0.85). The analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that all variables showed significantly different (DF=1, p<0.000).
-
Estimation of population structure, growth and condition of Lates calcarifer (Bloch, 1790) in the Bay of BengalPakistan Journal of Marine SciencesThe current study illustrates the life-history traits; including length frequency distribution (LFD), length-weight and length-length relationship (LWR and LLR), condition factors (allometric, KA; Fulton’s, KF; relative condition, KR; relative weight, WR), and natural mortality (Mw) of Lates calcarifer from the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh. A total of 103 individuals were randomly collected from January to December 2021 using traditional fishing gear including Koral net and gill net. For each individual, total length (TL), standard length (SL), and total body weight (BW) were measured with measuring scale to 0.1 cm and digital balance to 0.1 g precision, respectively. The TL size class 84.0 cm was a numerically dominant group in the population. The b value of LWR (TL vs. BW) indicated positive allometric growth (b=3.28) pattern in the Bay of Bengal. Likewise, the b value of LLR indicated also the same growth pattern. Among the four types of condition factors, KF is the best-suited tool for evaluating the well-being of L. calcarifer. Additionally, WR exhibited significant divergence from 100 (P< 0.0001), defining an imbalanced habitat. The calculated Mw was 0.23 year-1 for L. calcarifer. Therefore, these findings would be used in the future for the improved management of this species in the Bay of Bengal as well as for connecting ecosystems.
-
A new species of Philometra reported from the ovaries of edible fish Epinephelus bleekeri (Vaillant, 1878) of the Karachi coastPakistan Journal of Marine SciencesNutritionally, fish meat is identified as healthiest meat all over the world. Nutriments that are essential for healthy diet can be easily drive from fishes. Beside fish meat there are various type of derivatives that we can obtain from them. Economically fish industry is considered as backbone for any country. Approximately, 45,000 species of helminth parasites cause pathogenicity in vertebrate hosts that are known to man. Parasite that belong to family Philometridae usually invade different body organs and cavities of various fishes. Parasite that cause pathogenicity in reproductive organs of fish ultimately cause disturbance in their release of reproductive hormones, mating behavior, difficulty in spawning and ultimately number of fry production is declined. This research was conducted on the nematode parasites of marine fish Epinephelus bleekeri (Vaillant 1878) from Karachi coast during January,2021 to December,2021. In this one year research, a new species of nematode Philometra bleekerii n.sp. was recorded from the reproductive organs of marine fish Epinephelus bleekeri (Vaillant 1878).
