SGER: Predation by Fishes on Species of Mnemiopsis in the Coastal Waters of the Americas, and its Potential Utility asA Means of Population Control in the Black Sea

大约十年前，栉水母（Mnemiopsis leidyi）首次出现在黑海。 这种栉水母以前只在美洲东海岸发现过，因此很可能是通过船舶的压载水被运送到黑海的。 从那时起，它急剧繁殖，导致一些重要渔业急剧下降。 它对黑海产生深远影响的一个可能原因是栉水母在那里没有天敌，因为鱼类区系极其有限。 因此，该探索性研究小额赠款项目将与俄罗斯和乌克兰科学家合作，制定一项计划，研究从美洲引入专门以Mnemiopsis为食的鱼类的可行性。 这些科学家意识到引入外来物种的危险，并认识到需要该地区所有国家就这种做法的可取性达成普遍共识。 然而，在提出任何此类建议之前，需要了解此类鱼类的摄食行为和环境耐受性的基本信息。 该项目代表了该研究计划美国部分的第一步。 鱼类摄食偏好的基本信息将通过对美洲东海岸当地渔民的访谈以及摄食偏好的实验室研究获得。 将开发在实验室大规模培养 Mnemiopsis 的方法。 哈比森博士还将确定这些美洲栉水母鱼类在黑海特殊环境条件下生存的能力。 这项研究将为解决重大生物污染案例迈出第一步，并将成为处理其他形式引进海洋物种的国际合作的典范。

About ten years ago, the ctenophore, Mnemiopsis leidyi, first appeared in the Black Sea. This ctenophore was previously found only on the eastern seaboard of the Americas, so it was probably transported to the Black Sea in the ballast water of ships. Since then, it has multiplied enormously, causing a drastic decline of several important fisheries. One possible reason for its profound impact in the Black Sea is that the ctenophore has no predators there, since the fish fauna is extremely limited. Therefore, in collaboration with Russian and Ukrainian scientists, this Small Grant for Exploratory Research project will develop a plan to study the feasibility of introducing fishes from the Americas that specifically feed on Mnemiopsis. These scientists are ware of the dangers of introducing exotic species, and recognize the need for a general agreement as to the advisability of such a course from all of the nations in the region. However, before any such proposals can be put forward, basic information on the feeding behavior and environmental tolerances of such fishes is necessary. This project represent the first step in the American part of this research program. Basic information on feeding preferences of fishes will be obtained by interviews with local fishermen along the eastern seaboard of the Americas, and with laboratory studies on feeding preference. Methods will be developed for the mass culture of Mnemiopsis in the laboratory. Dr. Harbison will also determine the ability of these American ctenophore-eating fishes to survive in the specialized environmental conditions of the Black Sea. This research will provide the first step in trying to solve a major case of biological pollution, and will serve as a model program for international cooperation in dealing with other forms of introduced marine species.