Abstract:

From a variety of research platforms operated over eight research cruises, collections were made of epipelagic and coastal sharks and rays and epipelagic teleost fishes in offshore and inshore waters of the northeast Gulf of Mexico November 2010 - June 2012, in areas proximal and distal to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. A total of 3,984 hooks were set using pelagic longlines, bottom longlines and drumlines, resulting in a total catch of 195 fish (overall CPUE = 4.89 fish/100 hooks). These comprised: 17 species of sharks; swordfish (Xiphias gladius), white marlin (Tetrapturus albidus) and yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares); and seven other species of epipelagic fishes. A total of 2,791 tissue samples were collected from these specimens for laboratory analysis. Gross observations of collected specimens indicated they were relatively disease-free with no externally obvious lesions, growths, discolorations or other grossly visible problems. Conventional and satellite tags were used to track movements of selected fishes.

Suggested Citation:

Hueter, Robert. 2014. DWH Effects on Large Epipelagic Fishes, Eastern Gulf of Mexico, 2010-2012.. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N7668B49

Purpose:

The proposed project sought to: -Determine the sublethal effects of petroleum-derived contaminants using key biomarkers in blood and other tissues from selected shark and teleosts. -Understand patterns of movement in epipelagic fishes of the Gulf and detect novel behaviors as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Data Parameters and Units:

Common name [Sharks: Dusky, Night, Blacknose,Tiger, Silky, Sandbar, Shortfin mako, Longfin mako, Scolloped hammerhead, Great hammerhead, Dusky, Bull, Blacktip, Nurse, Lemon, Blue, Spinner] [epipelagic fishes: White marlin, Swordfish, Yellowfin Tuna, Pelagic stingray, Lancetfish, Escolar, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Oilfish, Barracuda], Species, Sex, SL, FL, TL, Girth Weight (kg), Liver wt (kg), Maturity, Release Condition, Dart tag #, Roto-tag #, Satellite tag #, Blood, Muscle, Liver, Gill, kidney, Reporductive, Genetic, Vertebrae, Stomach contents, Other, Leader Type, Comments, Offshore Survey and Coastal Survey] Date, Set #, Sample #, Set Latitude (decimal degrees), Set Longitude (decimal degrees), End Latitude (decimal degrees), End Longitude (decimal degrees), Start time (hh:mm), End Time (hh:mm), Gear Type, Bait Type, # Hooks, Depth (min/ft.), Depth (max/ft.), Seas (state), Wind (knots), Direction (N, S, E, W, NE, NW, SE, SW), Cloud (%), Tide High (hh:mm), Tide Low (hh:mm), Tide buoy, DO (%), DO (mg/L), Conductivity, Salinity, Temperature, Turbidity, # Sharks, # Tunas, # Billfish, Other, Bite-offs, Comments.

Methods:

With eight cruises completed, we tagged and collected blood and tissue samples from 17 species of sharks and 10 species of epipelagic fishes. Polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) levels were measured from fish tissue and reported as µg/g lipid. Activity of cytochrome P4501A1 is reported as EROD activity in pmol/resorufin/min/mg protein. Concentrations of biliary fluorescent aromatic compounds (FAC) are reported in ng/ml for naphthalene-, pyrene- and benzo(a)pyrene-like metabolites. Blood samples were used to assess DNA damage, measure immune function, enzymatic activity (lysozyme, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase), reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) and total uric acid. Also, reproductive hormones as well as cytokine concentrations of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-10 and TNF-α were evaluated in sampled specimens. Tissue: blood, gill, kidney, liver, muscle, bile, reproductive (ovary, eggs, testes), genetic, stomach contents, vertebrate, fin, teeth

Instruments:

Pelagic longline and drumline fishing leader type: Steel

Individual Files: