• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.286-297
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• 2018

We analyzed scientific observer data to identify species composition and catch trends of Korean tuna longline fisheries in the Indian Ocean. The data were collected by Korean scientific observers onboard Korean tuna longline fishing vessels in the Indian Ocean from 2010 to 2015. The observers identified 94 species including 5 tuna, 6 billfish, 11 shark, 7 other fish, 5 seabird and 1 sea turtle. Albacore tuna Thunnus alalunga and southern bluefin tuna Thunnus maccoyii were the dominant tuna species, and swordfish Xiphias gladius were the most commonly captured billfish. During the survey periods, 87 seabirds were incidentally bycaught. Black-browed albatross Diomedea melanophris was the dominant seabird species in bycatch, especially in 2010. Cluster analysis showed difference in the species composition of catches between the eastern and western Indian Ocean.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.42-49
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to determine total mercury and methyl mercury level in fishes (Deep-sea Fish, Tuna, Billfish) and fishery products. A total of 101 fishes and 44 fishery products samples collected from commercial market in Gyeonggi-do. Total mercury were analysed by mercury analyzer and methyl mercury were analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detector. In the fishes, total mercury was detected in all samples and methylmercury was detected in 92 samples of them. The detection rate of methylmercury was 91.1% in fishes. The mean concentration (mg/kg) of total mercury and methylmercury were $1.968{\pm}0.505/0.496{\pm}0.057$ for Billfish, $0.665{\pm}0.091/0.252{\pm}0.033$ for Deep-sea Fish and $0.577{\pm}0.085/0.218{\pm}0.025$ for Tuna, respectively. The Swordfish contains the highest level of total mercury (1.968 mg/kg) and methylmercury (0.496 mg/kg). In Mabled rockfish, the ratio of methylmercury's contents about total mercury's contents was the highest as 66.5%. In case of fishery products, frozens made of 100% of raw material contained the highest level of total mercury and methyl mercury. The weekly intake of total mercury and methylmercury was calculated in 4.72% and 5.24% of Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) respectively. This study showed that the weekly intake of methylmercury from Deep-sea Fish, Tuna and Billfish was less than the PTWI recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO expert committee on food additives.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.376-381
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• 2013

In this study, we monitored total mercury and methylmercury concentrations in tuna, billfish, and deep-sea fish distributed in Seoul city. With the acquired data, we carried out statistical analysis and an exposure assessment for intake. The mean concentrations (mg/kg) of total mercury and methylmercury were $0.32{\pm}0.31/0.20{\pm}0.20$ for tuna, $0.43{\pm}0.48/0.20{\pm}0.17$ for patagonian toothfish, $0.99{\pm}0.72/0.51{\pm}0.40$ for billfish and $1.20{\pm}0.70/0.95{\pm}0.51$ for sharks, respectively. We found that sharks, billfish, patagonian toothfish, and tuna were more contaminated with total mercury and methylmercury, in sequence, and that 66% of the total mercury concentration consisted of methylmercury, on average. Although the estimated weekly intakes of methylmercury from commercial deep-sea fish were lower than the weekly intakes recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), we identified that the total mercury and methylmercury concentrations in tuna, billfish, and deep-sea fish continued to increase with the passage of time. Therefore, we confirmed the necessity of continuous monitoring and comprehensive analysis for general safety.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.695-702
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• 2009

This study includes spatial variations in the catch of billfishes in the Pacific Ocean and examines factors affecting interannual changes in the catch. Main billfish species caught by Korean tuna longline fishery were blue marlin and swordfish. A main fishing ground of the species was the tropical Pacific Ocean, while additional fishing ground of billfishes tended to be formed in the Pacific coast of Mexico in the El Nino periods. Further, the catch of billfishes was significantly related to CPUE (tons/average of the used hooks/vessel) in the entire Pacific Ocean as an index of stock abundance and equatorial SOI (EQSOI) as an index of El Nino event. Annual changes in the catch of billfishes in the Pacific Ocean could be regulated mainly by variations of stock abundance. In addition, increase of the density of billfishes in the tropical Pacific and additional formation of fishing ground by El Nino event possibly contribute to increase of the catch of billfishes in the Pacific Ocean. On the other hand, linear regression model may be more adequate in the analysis of relationships between fisheries data and indices made from using some environmental factors.