Rapid and Reliable Assessment of Fish Physiological Condition for Fisheries Research and Management Using Fourier Transform Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Abstract

Measuring fish population responses to climate change requires timely ecological information, warranting innovative approaches to data collection in fisheries research and management. Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy is a promising tool to efficiently and cost-effectively obtain multiple types of fisheries data including fish physiological health and energetics that can provide indicators of stock status and environmental change. We tested the applicability of FT-NIR spectroscopy to determine fish physiological state and condition by developing calibration models for morphometric indices of body condition [Fulton’s K and hepatosomatic index (HSI)], biochemical measurements of tissue composition (lipid content and energy density), and a nucleic acid-based index of recent growth (RNA:DNA) of juvenile Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus). Calibration models had the best predictive ability for lipid content followed by HSI and energy density, whereas spectral data had weak relationships with Fulton’s K and RNA:DNA. For lipid content, energy density, and HSI, informative spectral regions were primarily associated with carbon-hydrogen bonds in lipid molecules. Additionally, FT-NIR spectroscopy calibration models better predicted lipid content than morphometric measurements that are often used as proxies for measuring energy reserves, indicating that FT-NIR spectroscopy might serve as a more informative index of body condition and energy stores than other rapid methods. Efficient sample analysis by FT-NIR spectroscopy can supplement traditional metrics of body condition and be especially useful for ensuring the availability of monitoring data in support of fisheries research and management.