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ABNORMALITIES AND DISEASES OBSERVED IN COMMERCIAL FISH CATCHES FROM BISCAYNE BAY, FLORIDA 1
Author(s) -
Skinner Renate H.,
Kandrashoff Walter
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
jawra journal of the american water resources association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.957
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1752-1688
pISSN - 1093-474X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-1688.1988.tb03010.x
Subject(s) - mugil , bay , estuary , fishery , mullet , fishing , fish <actinopterygii> , pollutant , population , range (aeronautics) , pollution , commercial fishing , environmental science , biology , geography , oceanography , ecology , environmental health , medicine , materials science , archaeology , composite material , geology
Many of the most productive fishing grounds in the United States are estuaries and bays which are located near population and industrial centers, and therefore subjected to pollution. Observations made on 17 fish species from commercial catches harvested in north Biscayne Bay, Florida, an urban area, showed high numbers of individuals suffering from abnormalities and diseases. Seven groups of disorders most frequently affected bottom feeders. Fin and integumental hemorrhages occurred in all individuals in 26 of 43 catches of Mugil cephalus (striped mullet), and in all individuals in 24 of 30 catches of Micropogon undulatus (Atlantic croaker). Disorders occurring consistently in a location exposed to pollutants, but uncommon in other areas of the species' range, point to environmental stress as a probable cause.