Wrasse spatial ecology
1 Formål
In this study we aim to investigate the habitat use of wrasse and sea trout, which are coastal marine fishes native throughout Norway and targeted by commercial fisheries. We will monitor individual range and activity of wrasse and sea trout in an urban area using acoustic telemetry. Our goal is to study both the spatial habitat use of the two species and the potential habitat overlap with the hypothesis that wrasse my function as a cleaner fish on sea trout in the wild.
2 Skadevirkninger
The methods for tagging will be done according to what is currently allowed for small sized acoustic transmitters. Tagging and handling of fish will involve some level of stress but we will aim to minimize the effect by implementing standard operating procedures that have successfully been implemented in earlier studies. We have experience with capture and handling fish and our tagging protocols are appropriate for anaesthetising and surgically implanting tags into wrasse and sea trout.
3 Forventet nytteverdi
Behaviour and migration pattern of wrasse and a potential mutualistic form for symbiosis with sea trout (wrasse act as a cleaner fish by removing sea lice from infested sea trout) represent a key knowledge gap. This study will add new information regarding habitat to different wrasse species and how they migrate during different seasons, and whether they overlap with the habitat use of sea trout in the same coastal area. This knowledge is also crucial for understanding the role of wrasse in the ecosystem and the vulnerability for overfishing.
4 Antall dyr og art
We aim to tag 120 wrasse and 120 sea trout around the Byfjord in urban Bergen from 2021-2023. Our objective is to tag 60 sea trout, 30 Ballan wrasse and 30 cuckoo, corkwing, or goldsinny wrasse in 2021 and replicate this again in 2022.
5 Hvordan etterleve 3R
The aim of the study is to fill knowledge gaps about the ecology of wrasses that are highly exploited for aquaculture in Norway. We cannot replace the study with laboratory simulations because we have no suitable knowledge about the ecology of the wrasse with which to replace the field research. We have reduced the sample size of the study by focusing on a small area in downtown Bergen where we can capture wrasse and monitor their behaviour in a relatively small arena. Procedures have been refined to maximize welfare of the fish to ensure we will attain good results that will answer our research questions and advance knowledge in this field.
In this study we aim to investigate the habitat use of wrasse and sea trout, which are coastal marine fishes native throughout Norway and targeted by commercial fisheries. We will monitor individual range and activity of wrasse and sea trout in an urban area using acoustic telemetry. Our goal is to study both the spatial habitat use of the two species and the potential habitat overlap with the hypothesis that wrasse my function as a cleaner fish on sea trout in the wild.
2 Skadevirkninger
The methods for tagging will be done according to what is currently allowed for small sized acoustic transmitters. Tagging and handling of fish will involve some level of stress but we will aim to minimize the effect by implementing standard operating procedures that have successfully been implemented in earlier studies. We have experience with capture and handling fish and our tagging protocols are appropriate for anaesthetising and surgically implanting tags into wrasse and sea trout.
3 Forventet nytteverdi
Behaviour and migration pattern of wrasse and a potential mutualistic form for symbiosis with sea trout (wrasse act as a cleaner fish by removing sea lice from infested sea trout) represent a key knowledge gap. This study will add new information regarding habitat to different wrasse species and how they migrate during different seasons, and whether they overlap with the habitat use of sea trout in the same coastal area. This knowledge is also crucial for understanding the role of wrasse in the ecosystem and the vulnerability for overfishing.
4 Antall dyr og art
We aim to tag 120 wrasse and 120 sea trout around the Byfjord in urban Bergen from 2021-2023. Our objective is to tag 60 sea trout, 30 Ballan wrasse and 30 cuckoo, corkwing, or goldsinny wrasse in 2021 and replicate this again in 2022.
5 Hvordan etterleve 3R
The aim of the study is to fill knowledge gaps about the ecology of wrasses that are highly exploited for aquaculture in Norway. We cannot replace the study with laboratory simulations because we have no suitable knowledge about the ecology of the wrasse with which to replace the field research. We have reduced the sample size of the study by focusing on a small area in downtown Bergen where we can capture wrasse and monitor their behaviour in a relatively small arena. Procedures have been refined to maximize welfare of the fish to ensure we will attain good results that will answer our research questions and advance knowledge in this field.