Trophic Status of Young Ocean Chum Salmon Estimated by Lipid Analysis

摘要

Understanding the trophic status of chum salmon in the ocean is important to estimate their growth and survival potential in the ocean. Total lipid (TL) content is a good indicator of trophic status. Carnivorous fish, including salmonids, have a limited ability to utilize carbohydrates and so dietary lipids are an important energy source for them (Watanabe 1982). Although numerous lipid studies have focused on cultured fish that consume artificial food, few studies have measured lipid content of salmon caught in the high sea (Nomura et al. 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004). Lipid content determination for salmon during their high-sea migration can give an estimate of their trophic status and growth potential (Nomura et al. 2000, 2001).