• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.445-453
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• 2013

Walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma fisheries in Korean waters have changed dramatically during the last three decades: the highest catches occurred in 1981, followed by continuous decreases through the 1990s, ending with a complete collapse of the population in the 2000s. The major spawning ground of walleye pollock is located in North Korean waters, and some juveniles (called nogari in Korean, <300 mm) migrate to the south for feeding and growth. Since the 1960s, Korean fishermen have often caught juveniles, and the weight (metric tons) of juvenile catch was recorded from 1975-1997. However, because the walleye pollock were not aged, the population age structure was not delineated. We developed a model to estimate the number of walleye pollock of each size class based on catch statistics of adults and juveniles, the catch proportion of each size class, and length and weight information on specimens collected by Danish-seine and drift-gill-net fisheries. The model results demonstrated that the recruitment size of walleye pollock was consistently within the 200-250mm size class, and the highest number of this size class occurred in 1981, although values greatly fluctuated interannually. The number of juvenile pollock was 10.4 times higher than that of adult pollock during 1975-1997. The total yield of juvenile pollock was 0.95 million tons, which was equivalent to about 68.2% of total pollock production. The number of juvenile pollock caught during the same period, however, was 16 billion, comprising about 91.2% of the total number caught. Such high fishing pressure on juvenile pollock is considered one of the main factors causing the collapse of the pollock population.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.259-266
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• 2018

Objectives: Considered the "national fish" in Korea, the walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) has disappeared in the East Sea (Sea of Japan), a main habitat and fishing ground for the species. The reason for the disappearance is still a matter of controversy. This study was performed to investigate the long-term relationship between the walleye pollock catch and various meteorological and oceanographic factors in these waters. Methods: Fishery data on walleye pollock and data on meteorological and marine environmental factors over the 30 years (1981-2010) were obtained from the official national database. Time series analysis and correlation and regression analyses were performed to study the relationships. Results: Both air temperature and sea surface temperature in the East Sea rose over these 30 years, and the latter became more prominent. Salinity and dissolved oxygen showed a tendency to decrease while concentrations of nutrients such as nitrite nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen showed an increasing tendency. Sea surface temperature, air temperature, atmospheric pressure, and wind grade were negatively correlated with the catch size of walleye pollock (p<0.05), but salinity was positively correlated (p<0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that climate change, especially ocean warming, affected the habitat of walleye pollock. The results also indicate that lower sea surface and air temperatures, milder wind grade, and higher salinity were preferred for the survival of the fish species. It is necessary to pay attention to changes of the ocean ecosystem in terms of environmental pollution as well as seawater temperature.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.195-205
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• 2020

Oceanic conditions in walleye pollock habitat in the East Sea have shown decadal fluctuations between warm and cold periods in turn. Specifically, sea surface temperature (SST) has shown a dramatic increase between the late 1980s and the middle 2000s, and abrupt decreasing patterns after the late 2000s. Oceanic conditions in the Dong-han Bay (spawning ground) and middle eastern coastal waters (fishing ground), however, indicated different fluctuation trends in SST, increasing in the Dong-han Bay after the late 1980s, and decreasing after the late 2000s. These fluctuation patterns were especially clear in February and March. Sea surface temperature in the middle eastern coastal waters of Korea soared continuously after the late 1980s, but did not show a distinct decreasing pattern after the late 2000s compared with Dong han Bay, except for February SST values. These long term water temperature changes in both walleye pollock spawning and fishing ground are related to variation in walleye pollock landings. Especially, abrupt changes in spawning ground SST can be one of the factors influencing survival in the early ontogenesis of walleye pollock, including egg and yolk larval stages. During the 1980s, the area of suitable spawning temperature (2-5℃) was wider, and the length of Walleye pollock egg and larval stages greater compared with past and present oceanographic environments. However, such patterns did not correspond with the optimal spawning temperature range and greater length of development of walleye pollock during the late 1980s likely triggering a decline in pollock stock. In conclusion, it has been supposed that the dramatic decrease in walleye pollock landings in the East Sea since the late 1980s was caused by increasing water temperature leading to both early mortality and unsuitable spawning conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.235-240
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• 1996

Forecasts of monthly landings of walleye pollock, Theragra chalcogramma, in Korea were carried out by the seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average(ARlMA) model. The Box - Cox transformation on the walleye pollock catch data handles nonstationary variance. The equation of Box - Cox transformation was Y'=($Y^0.31$_ 1)/0.31. The model identification was determined by minimum AIC(Akaike Information Criteria). And the seasonal ARlMA model is presented (1- O.583B)(1- $B^1$)(l- $B^12$)$Z_t$ =(l- O.912B)(1- O.732$B^12$)et where: $Z_t$=value at month t ; $B^p$ is a backward shift operator, that is, $B^p$$Z_t$=$Z_t$-P; and et= error term at month t, which is to forecast 24 months ahead the walleye pollock landings in Korea. Monthly forecasts of the walleye pollock landings for 1993~ 1994, which were compared with the actual landings, had an absolute percentage error(APE) range of 20.2-226.1 %. Thtal observed annual landings in 1993 and 1994 were 16, 61OM/T and 1O, 748M/T respectively, while the model predicted 10, 7 48M/T and 8, 203M/T(APE 37.0% and 23.7%, respectively).

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.296-301
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• 2017

We conducted a study to 1) determine the indicators of gonadal maturity in male and female Korean walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma for the purposes of artificial insemination; 2) establish the RNA/DNA ratio of mature eggs in this species; and 3) monitor the effect of refrigerated storage on egg viability and the motility of sperm collected from dead adult males. During the spawning season, the color of female gonads changed from orange to transparent, and that of male gonads changed from pale orange to milky white. The DNA content and RNA/DNA ratio of mature eggs were maintained without significant changes for approximately 6 h when eggs were preserved at $4^{\circ}C$. Sperm could be obtained from both milt and undiluted semen. Sperm obtained from milt ceased moving on the second day after isolation, while over 60% of sperm obtained from semen showed movement until the 13th day. Seven attempts were made to artificially inseminate mature eggs, of which two resulted in successful fertilization. The successful inseminations produced 94,000 and 5,000 fertilized eggs, respectively. This study shows that artificial insemination of walleye pollock is a viable strategy when natural propagation is not possible.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.633-641
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• 2020

Water temperature is one of the most important factors of fish survival, affecting the habitat, migration route, development, and reproduction. This experiment studied the induction level of heat shock protein (HSP70) mRNA and protein in a walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) primary hepatocyte culture based on different temperatures. Hepatocytes were attached at 7.5℃ for 24 hours. Hsp70 induction levels were then measured for 48 hours at 5, 8, 11, 14, and 17℃. The induction level was lowest at 5℃ and generally increased with temperature until 14℃. The induction level was reduced at 17℃, indicating that 14℃ is the highest tolerable temperature for hepatocytes. These data indicate that primary hepatocyte cell culture is under no stress at 5 and 8℃. Temperatures greater than 11℃ induce stress, showing similar induction patterns in both mRNA and protein in hepatocytes. The results suggest that 14℃ is the maximum internal defense temperature of walleye pollock survival.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.948-953
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• 2021

To find the optimal eggs to larvae transforming temperature of walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma, we investigated their hatching pattern, mortality, and larval deformities. Results showed that the hatching quality decreased as the water temperature increased and dropped sharply above 13℃. The highest hatching rate was achieved at 7℃, whereas the lowest was at 15℃. Dead eggs were not observed at 7℃; however, dead egg ratios were significantly high at 4.5℃ and above 13℃ (P<0.05). Mortality of larvae after hatching was not observed at 4.5℃, but was significantly high above 13℃. The DNA content of the larvae did not show any significant difference at all water temperatures; however, RNA content was the highest at 7℃ and was significantly low above 11℃. In addition, RNA/DNA ratio was the highest at 7℃. Larval deformities after hatching were low at 7-11℃ and higher at higher or lower water temperature. Therefore, the hatching index and larval health index of Walleye pollock eggs in this study show that 7℃ to 11℃ seems to be the optimal transforming water temperature range.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.894-899
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• 2020

This study investigated the effects of inclusion of pollock oil (PO) in the diet of broodstock on the egg and larval quality of Walleye Pollock Gadus chalcogrammus. The experimental diet comprised of semi-moist pellets prepared either with or without PO (control; Con). The fish assigned to each diet were fed to visual satiation (two meals per day) for 12 weeks. Eggs spawned from both groups of fish were sampled during the spawning season (three months) and the egg and larval quality was determined. Total egg volume, fertilization, and hatchability of eggs from the PO group were higher than those of the Con group. Fatty acid composition of fertilized eggs was not affected by the experimental diet. Oleic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid content in larvae of the PO group was higher than that in larvae of the Con group. These results demonstrate the beneficial effects of including PO in the broodstock diet of Walleye Pollock, specifically on the quality of the eggs (total egg volume, fertilization, and hatchability) and larvae (fatty acid composition).

• The Journal of Fisheries Business Administration
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.75-99
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• 1991

A quantitative analysis was carried out to monitor the commercial yield level of walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma in the east coast of Korea, based on available data on catch and fishing effort, catch per unit of effort including fish prices from 1911 to 1988, using a traditional yield model. The results from the quantitative assessment were based to estimate maximum economic yield (MEY) and optimal fishing effort (E-opt) at MEY. On the other hand, interaction aspects between danish seine fishery and trawl fishery mainly targeting walleye pollock in the east coast of Korea were studied to predict optimal situation in fishing effort level from economic point of view which gives the most benefits to the two fisheries. Total production of walleye pollock in 1911 when its catch record was begun for the first time was about 12, 000 metric tons(M/T), and then the catch trend maintained nearly at the level of 50, 000 M/T per annum, showing a decreasing trend until 1930. The highest production from historical data base on walleye pollock fishery statistics was from the years in 1939 and 1940, about 270, 000 M/T and 26, 000 M/T, respectively. No production of the fish species was recorded during the years from 1943 to 1947, and from 1949 to 1951. From 1952 onwards annual production was only available from the southern part of 38$^{\circ}$N in the east coast. During two decades from 1952 to 1970, the production had sustained about less than 30, 000 M/T every year. Annual production showed an increasing trend from 1971, reaching a maximum level of approximately 162, 000 M/T in 1981. Afterwards, it has deceased sharply year after year and amounted to 180, 000 M/T in 1988. The catch composition of walleye pollock for different fishery segments during 1970~1988 showed that more than 70% of the total catch was from danish seine fishery until 1977 but from 1978 onwards, the catch proportion did not differ from one another, accounting for the nearly same proportion. Catch per unit of effort (CPUE) for both danish seine fishery and trawl fishery maintained a decline tendency after 1977 when the values of CPUE were at level of 800 kg/haul for the former fishery and 1, 300 kg/haul for the latter fishery, respectively. CPUEs of gillnet fishery during 1980~1983 increased to about 3.5 times as high value as in the years, 1970~1979 and during 1987~1988 it decreased again to the level of the years, 1970~1978. The bottom longline fishery's CPUE wa at a very low level (20 kg/basket) through the whole study years, with exception of the value (60 kg/basket) in 1980. Fishing grounds of walleye pollock in the east coast of Korea showed a very limited distribution range. Danish seine fishery concentrated fishing around the coastal areas of Sokcho and Jumunjin during January~February and October~December. Distributions of fishing grounds of trawl fishery were the areas along the coastal regions in the central part of the east coast. Gillnet and bottom longline fisheries fished walleye pollock mainly in the areas of around Sokcho and Jumunjin during January~February and December. Relationship between CPUEs' values from danish seine fishery and trawl fishery was used to standardize fishing effort to apply to surplus production model for estimating maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and optimum fish effort (F-opt) at MSY. The results suggested a MSY of 114, 000 M/T with an estimated F-opt of 173, 000 hauls per year. Based on the estimates of MSY and F-opt, MEY was estimated to be about 94, 000 M/T with a range of 81, 000 to 103, 000 M/T and E-opt 100, 000 hauls per year with a range of 80, 000 to 120, 000 hauls. The estimated values of MEY and E-opt corresponded to 82% of MSY and 58% of F-opt, respectively. An optimal situation in the fishing effort level, which can envisage either simultaneously maximum yield or maximum benefit for both danish seine fishery and trawl fishery, was determined from relationship between revenue and cost of running the fleet : the optimal fishing effort of danish seine fishery was about 52, 000 hauls per year, corresponding to 50 danish seiners and 27, 000 hauls per year which is equal nearly to 36 trawlers, respectively. It was anticipated that the net income from sustainable yield estimated from the respective optimal fishing effort of the two fisheries will be about 3, 800 million won for danish seine fishery and 1, 000 million won for trawl fishery.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.549-555
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• 2018

The objectives of this study were to confirm the nutritional requirements and improve the survival of the walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma, a cold seawater fish, by enrichment. We analyzed the fatty acids and amino acids of fertilized pollock eggs before hatching, just-hatched larvae, larvae that had absorbed only the yolk sac, and larvae starved for 2 days after yolk absorption. For the survival improvement experiment, we administered docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and DHA-EPA enrichment. Fatty acid decreased DHA and EPA content. On the $30^{th}$ day, body growth was significantly greater in pollock given the EPA and DHA-EPA treatments (P<0.05). Larval survival at 20 and 30 days after hatching (DAH) was greatest under the DHA-EPA treatment (P<0.05). Survival was significantly lower under the EPA treatment at 10 DAH, but then increased to approach that seen under the EPA-DHA treatment (P<0.05). Therefore, we determined that reduced survival in hatchlings of high-mortality pollack could be improved by controlling EPA and DHA content during enrichment. We conclude that cold seawater fish must be given feed that meets their nutritional needs, which can be accomplished using newly manufactured enrichment products for the larvae of cold seawater fish, such as pollock.