Anchovy

The "Colatura di alici" (dripped anchovy sauce) is a typical product of Cetara, a small town near Salerno, Italy, entered on the special "traditional food products list" drawn up by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture.
It is prepared with the same recipe as the "garum" a very strong and salty sauce made from the innards of the fish, very popular in the ancient Rome.
The procedure adopted is very labor intensive and involves several stages: the anchovies are cleaned and beheaded, and then held for about twelve hours in a container filled with a mixture of water and salt, then arranged in layers in barrels, covered with dry salt. Then heavy stones are placed on the barrels, so as to allow the dripping of the liquid, which is then collected, filtered, bottled and left to mature for about six months.
The aim of this work was to characterize the production process in use today and analyze the chemical and microbiological quality of the product at various stages.
The process was analyzed step by step, also detecting variations made by individual producers. The microbiological and chemical composition was assessed by sampling and analysis at various stages of the process.
From a nutritional aspects, the Colatura is an amino acids rich protein condiment. From the 19.98% of protein and 0.83% lipids in the raw anchovies, the final product shows 6.7% protein content, with pH of 5.64 and no lipids.
The production process has shown some critical steps for sensory and hygienic quality, partly because there are variants adopted by individual operators, based on sometimes secular experience.
This product is a very special seasoning and nutritional characteristics are yet to be explored. There are also interesting opportunities for investigating issues related to the possible recovery of substances from the production waste. It would be desirable that this product could obtain a formal recognition of its unique characteristics.

Sardine (Sardinops spp.) and anchovy {Engraulis spp.) populations around the world have exhibited extreme fluctuations, often varying a thousand fold in abundance from one decade to the next, accompanied by economic boom-and-bust cycles that have become legendary. In nearly every case, for tunes are made during times of abundance, not only by the fishing and pro cessing industries, but also by secondary industries such as poultry ranching and fish rearing—industries made possible by convenient large quantities of inexpensive, high-protein animal food. Yet the prosperity typically lasts for little more than a decade, and suddenly the fish stocks mysteriously dis appear. In some cases, alternative fisheries are eventually developed. How ever, in nearly every instance of stock collapse, the social and economic damage is severe. Once prosperous fishing communities become ghost towns: processing plants are boarded up, equipment is sold, and large fleets of fishing vessels slowly rust away. In response to this puzzle, biologists and oceanographers have con ducted major research programs off California, Peru and Chile, Japan, and South Africa, but the answer has been remarkably elusive. Much of the work has been done in the California Current, the site of perhaps the largest, and certainly the longest, fishery-oceanographic research program ever undertaken. 47

Since the days of Elton, population cycles have challenged ecologists and resource managers. Although the underlying mechanisms remain debated, theory holds that both density-dependent and density-independent processes shape the dynamics. One striking example is the large-scale fluctuations of sardine and anchovy observed across the major upwelling areas of the world. Despite a long history of research, the causes of these fluctuations remain unresolved and heavily debated, with significant implications for fisheries management. We here model the underlying causes of these fluctuations, using the California Current Ecosystem as a case study, and show that the dynamics, accurately reproduced since A.D. 1661 onward, are explained by interacting density-dependent processes (i.e., through species-specific life-history traits) and climate forcing. Furthermore, we demonstrate how fishing modifies the dynamics and show that the sardine collapse of the 1950s was largely unavoidable given poor recruitment conditions. Our approach provides unique insight into the origin of sardine–anchovy fluctuations and a knowledge base for sustainable fisheries management in the California Current Ecosystem and beyond.

The European anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus, in the Bay of Biscay suffered a collapse in census population size (N c) starting in 2002, from which it did not recover until 2010. The slow recovery raised concern over sustainability, potential reduction in adaptive potential, and vulnerability to local extirpation. Long- and short-term effective population size (N e), N e/N c ratio, and other genetic parameters were estimated to evaluate demographic signals of population decline. A total of 349 neutral single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were screened in 330 anchovy individuals from the Bay of Biscay distributed across a 20-year period. We show that N c fluctuations have not significantly affected short-term N e, and therefore, genetic diversity has remained stable throughout the recent collapse. This study illustrates that N e estimates should be incorporated into management plans. Our results on short-term N e suggested that the anchovy in the Bay of Biscay has not faced any recent severe threat of losing evolutionary potential due to genetic drift. However, differences between short- and long-term N e estimates suggested that the Bay of Biscay anchovy population may be currently much smaller than in the historical past.

The European anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus L. is in high demand as a fish species, but most fishery stocks are
currently at risk of collapsing. A pilot project for anchovy aquaculture was carried out in Spain to explore the
potential of satisfying demand for fresh and canned fish and to establish a supportive breeding program that
could enhance native populations. We have studied the spawning dynamics in this novel culture using
microsatellite loci. Our main aims were to assess the effective breeding number (Ne) and the inbreeding
coefficient that would result in use of these fish for an E. encrasicolus closed-cycle culture. A total of 183 wild
breeders from the Bay of Biscay were adapted to culture and induced to spawn from November 2009 to January
2010. Two hundred and eighty-eight eggswere collected at four different times. Breeders and eggswere analyzed
withtwomultiplex PCRs that included sevenmicrosatellite loci. Breeders showed extremely high levels of genetic
variation (mean number of alleles by locus=35), but there was a significant reduction in genetic variation in
progeny. Breeders were also found to be genetically different from all progeny. Parentage was successfully
assigned at a rate of 93%. A total of 105 breeders (55 females and 50males) took part in reproduction; however,
there was significant unequal breeder contribution to progeny. Taking this into account, we found inbreeding
coefficients and effective breeder numbers as follows: initial November ΔF=6.5%, Ne=8; mid-November
ΔF=2.9%, Ne=17; December ΔF=3.2%, Ne=16; January ΔF=3.5%, Ne=14 and overall ΔF=1.8%, Ne=27.We
have concluded that the partial dominance of some breeders and the high family variance found in this study
should be taken into accountwhen establishing closed-cycle cultures of the European anchovy to help guarantee
its sustainability. If one of the main goals is establishment of a supportive breeding program to enhance wild
stocks, the inbreeding levels found here, which imply significant genetic differentiation between breeders and
progeny, should also be taken into account to avoid genetic damage to wild populations over time.

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Difunde información, ideas y  corrientes de opinión que tienen por objeto crear conciencia de la necesidad de hacer sostenible la extracción de los recursos marinos, de seguridad alimentaria y  del cuidado del medio ambiente. Pero sobre todo, contribuir con información para que el lector empiece a formarse una opinión propia sobre la problemática pesquera.
En esta edición: la polémica por la anchoveta en el Perú

Teleost fish have been shown to excrete a variety of nitrogenous substances among which are ammonia, urea, and creatine. Previous reports show values for excretion of near­ shore or bottom fish but not of pelagic species. Two species of anchovy and jack mackerel were placed in chambers and their nitro­ genous excretion products were measured. Ammonia, urea, and creatine accounted for 82% of the total nitrogen excreted by Engraulis mordax and the identified fraction was 83% ammonia, 16% urea, and 1% creatine.

We investigated ontogenetic and seasonal changes in the feeding ecology of 2 small pelagic fish species, the European anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus and the European pilchard Sardina pilchardus in the Gulf of Lions (NW Mediterranean). By analysing the stable isotopes δ13C and δ15N, we determined the seasonal variation in the food sources and in the trophic level of these species, and we examined dietary shifts during development. The results of these investigations provided estimates of the diets of both species. We compared the values observed during different seasons (summer, autumn and winter) and at different developmental stages (late-larvae, juveniles and adults) for both species, together with the values of potential groups of prey (microplankton, cladocerans, copepods and appendicularians). Late-larvae preferred to feed on microplankton, although differences in the diet appeared after metamorphosis. Cladocerans were usually the preferred prey when available (summer), and appendicularians were the preferred prey in autumn. During the winter, the diets seemed to be more heterogeneous. Different feeding behaviours between the late-larvae of the 2 species were the most likely reason for the slightly different trophic levels found in the present study. This research demonstrates that studies with stable isotopes can furnish an alternative and/or complementary method for determining the diet of small pelagic fishes over extended periods and provides comprehensive knowledge of the functioning of the pelagic ecosystem.

The fishery of the European anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus in the Mediterranean needs several ecological approaches to be properly managed. As such, several surveys were carried out to study the ecology of larvae and juveniles of this species, which reproduces during the warmest period of the year (May through September) in the Gulf of Lions. In particular, we studied the late larvae (15 mm total length until metamorphosis), especially as other authors have focused on larvae below that size. Unexpectedly, we also collected anchovy late larvae during the December 2007 survey, whose range in size corresponded to a later spawning period than previously reported. Differences in the nutritional condition of these larvae were assessed by comparing indices of lipid composition and estimating growth rates from otolith measurements to provide information on the probability of survival between the two groups. The analysis of fatty acids, used as tracers of trophic relationships, indicates that these larvae fed mainly on zooplankton. Nutritional conditions of summer and late autumn larvae were very similar. In contrast, growth rates were higher for August larvae, probably due to the different temperatures in the two seasons. Our results are especially relevant in an ecological context where the increasing mean water temperatures in the Western Mediterranean could favor the extension of the anchovy spawning period up to late-Autumn months.

Since the days of Elton, population cycles have challenged ecologists and resource managers. Although the underlying mechanisms remain debated, theory holds that both density-dependent and density-independent processes shape the dynamics. One striking example is the large-scale fluctuations of sardine and anchovy observed across the major upwelling areas of the world. Despite a long history of research, the causes of these fluctuations remain unresolved and heavily debated, with significant implications for fisheries management. We here model the underlying causes of these fluctuations, using the California Current Ecosystem as a case study, and show that the dynamics, accurately reproduced since A.D. 1661 onward, are explained by interacting density-dependent processes (i.e., through species-specific life-history traits) and climate forcing. Furthermore, we demonstrate how fishing modifies the dynamics and show that the sardine collapse of the 1950s was largely unavoidable given po...

To meet the food demand of future generations, more sustainable food production is needed. Flavored olive oils (FOOs) have been proposed as natural additives to ensure food safety and quality through a more sustainable approach. The chemical composition and antioxidant potential of two different olive oils flavored, respectively, with cumin (Cm) and with a mixture of parsley, garlic, and lemon (Mix) were investigated. Cm-FOO and Mix-FOO were tested against Anisakis both in vitro and ex vivo through an exposure test of anchovy fillets experimentally parasitized with Anisakis larvae. Microbiological and sensory analysis were carried out on marinated anchovy fillets exposed to both FOOs to evaluate their effects on the shelf life and their sensory influence. The addition of herbs and spices did not affect the chemical composition of the olive oil (free acidity, UV absorbance, and fatty acid composition). Only Mix showed antioxidant activity, while Cm had no effect in this regard. Cm-FO...

Increased throughput in sequencing technologies has facilitated the acquisition of detailed genomic information in non-model species. The focus of this research was to discover and validate SNPs derived from the European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) transcriptome, a species with no available reference genome, using next generation sequencing technologies. A cDNA library was constructed from four tissues of ten fish individuals corresponding to three populations of E. encrasicolus, and Roche 454 GS FLX Titanium sequencing yielded 19,367 contigs. Additionally, the European anchovy genome was sequenced for the same ten individuals using an Illumina HiSeq2000. Using a computational pipeline for combining transcriptome and genome information, a total of 18,994 SNPs met the necessary minor allele frequency and depth filters. A series of further stringent filters were applied to identify those SNPs likely to succeed in genotyping assays, and for filtering of those in potential duplicat...

Many small pelagic fish species exhibit dramatic fluctuations in abundance accompanied by range expansions during periods of favorable environmental conditions. The location and extent of suitable habitats also shift in response to both short term variability and long term trends in climate. Near the margins of a contemporary range, trends in abundance may reflect a continuation of historical variability but may also foreshadow future changes in distribution. The Salish Sea (all inland marine waters of Washington State and southern British Columbia; made up of the Strait of Georgia, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Puget Sound) is a highly productive estuarine system at the northern end of the distribution of Northern Anchovy (Engraulis mordax). An apparent recent (2014–2016) increase in Northern Anchovy abundance has generated interest in the dynamics of this species in the Salish Sea. We compiled recent and historical data to understand spatiotemporal patterns of distribution and fluctuations in abundance over the last century. Spatially-consistent occurrence of eggs, larvae, and juveniles, and year-round presence of multiple age classes, confirm that successful spawning and recruitment of Northern Anchovy occurs within the Salish Sea. Most periods of elevated Northern Anchovy abundance in the last century have corresponded to, or lagged, periods of elevated ocean temperatures. While a 2005 peak in abundance within the Salish Sea also corresponded to higher abundance of Northern Anchovy in adjacent regions of the coastal Pacific Ocean, it seems unlikely that Salish Sea abundance is controlled primarily by advection or migration from external populations. Persistence of elevated ocean temperatures like those observed from 2014 to 2016 could lead to consistently high abundance of Northern Anchovy within the Salish Sea, with implications for trophic relationships and ecosystem function.

The European anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus, in the Bay of Biscay suffered a collapse in census population size (N c) starting in 2002, from which it did not recover until 2010. The slow recovery raised concern over sustainability, potential reduction in adaptive potential, and vulnerability to local extirpation. Long- and short-term effective population size (N e), N e/N c ratio, and other genetic parameters were estimated to evaluate demographic signals of population decline. A total of 349 neutral single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were screened in 330 anchovy individuals from the Bay of Biscay distributed across a 20-year period. We show that N c fluctuations have not significantly affected short-term N e, and therefore, genetic diversity has remained stable throughout the recent collapse. This study illustrates that N e estimates should be incorporated into management plans. Our results on short-term N e suggested that the anchovy in the Bay of Biscay has not faced any rec...

This study aims to study the diversity of the migration patterns of the anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus (L., 1758) collected in the Guadiana estuary (SE-Portugal/SW-Spain) and in the adjacent coastal area, by analysing Sr concentration distribution in sagittal otoliths. The distribution of Sr in otoliths of anchovy captured in the estuary allowed us to identify two major patterns: a) fish that do not migrate through estuarine salinity gradients and b) fish that make differential use of the estuary throughout their lives, occupying areas of lower salinity during the early stages of the life cycle followed by migrations to areas of higher salinity later in life. The patterns for fish captured in coastal areas inferred that they probably hatched in an estuarine environment and progressively migrated along an estuary to the coast. There is no massive migration of coastal anchovy to spawn in the estuary, as previously suggested. These results suggest that fishery managers should evaluate ...

Uno de los recursos pesqueros más explotados en el mar Mediterráneo es la anchoa europea, Engraulis encrasicolus Linnaeus 1875, que se distribuye por todo el litoral mediterráneo, hasta el mar Negro, y por la costa atlántica, desde Sudáfrica hasta el mar del Norte.
Durante miles de años ha sido una de las especies más apreciadas por todos los pobladores del Mediterráneo occidental. Pero durante los últimos tiempos, la enorme capacidad de extracción de las modernas técnicas de pesca ha llevado a la población hasta el límite, poniendo en peligro su subsistencia