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Body Temperature of the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus L.) in the Western Mediterranean

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Tagging and Tracking of Marine Animals with Electronic Devices

Part of the book series: Reviews: Methods and Technologies in Fish Biology and Fisheries ((REME,volume 9))

Abstract

This study documents body temperature in the Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus L.) in the Mediterranean Sea and temperature variability caused by the stress of capture. The investigation was carried out in the traditional trap (tonnara) of Isola Piana (Sardinia, W Mediterranean) where body temperature recordings were conducted on free-swimming bluefin confined in the system of nets known as “camere” or chambers. We tracked the body temperature of two bluefin tuna (214 and 191 cm CFL) using a commercial data logger (HOBO U12, Onset Computer Corporation), under two conditions: the pre-fishing phase, when specimens confined in the “camera di ponente” are undisturbed and the fishing phase when bluefin tuna are trapped in the “camera della morte” and undergo the stress of confinement and capture (mattanza). Body temperature increased by about 2°C during the “mattanza”, whereas no temperature variation was exhibited during the pre-fishing phase. The heat transfer coefficient (K), calculated for both bluefin tuna during the “mattanza”, revealed a rapid increase in heat transfer. Additional data on ambient temperature Ta, white muscle Tw (n = 65; 110–287 cm CFL) and red muscle temperature Tr, (n = 249; 107–287 cm CFL) were obtained from live fish during angling operations, and excess body temperature (Tx = Tr–Ta) was calculated. Mean red muscle temperature was 27.6 ± 1.48°C in an ambient temperature of 18.9 ± 0.84°C. The excess red muscle temperature Tx was 8.21–9.10°C, and the red muscle was 2.4 ± 1.78°C warmer than white muscle.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Biology and Ecology, University of Cagliari, Viale Poetto 1, 09126, Cagliari, Italy

    Piero Addis, Ivan Locci & Angelo Cau

  2. Department of Animal Health and Well-Being, University of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy

    Aldo Corriero

Authors
  1. Piero Addis
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  2. Ivan Locci
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  3. Aldo Corriero
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  4. Angelo Cau
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Piero Addis .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. US Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, 4210 University Drive, 99508, Anchorage, AK, USA

    Jennifer L. Nielsen

  2. Marine Research Division, AZTI Tecnalia, Herrera Kaia Portualdea, z/g, 20110, Passaia, AK, Spain

    Haritz Arrizabalaga

  3. Large Pelagic Research Center, University of New Hampshire, 03824, Durham, NH, USA

    Nuno Fragoso

  4. CSIRO Marine & Atmospheric Research, Castray Esplanade, 7001, Hobart, TAS, Australia

    Alistair Hobday

  5. Large Pelagic Research Center, University of New Hampshire, 03824, Durham, NH, USA

    Molly Lutcavage

  6. Pelagic Fisheries Research Program, University of Hawaii, 1000 Pope Road, 96822, Honolulu, HI, USA

    John Sibert

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Addis, P., Locci, I., Corriero, A., Cau, A. (2009). Body Temperature of the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus L.) in the Western Mediterranean. In: Nielsen, J.L., Arrizabalaga, H., Fragoso, N., Hobday, A., Lutcavage, M., Sibert, J. (eds) Tagging and Tracking of Marine Animals with Electronic Devices. Reviews: Methods and Technologies in Fish Biology and Fisheries, vol 9. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9640-2_12

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