Research on Brain heater organ in Scrombroid fish: swordfish, marlin, tuna

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BRAINHEATER

New member
Dear sportfishers of South Africa,

I am a scientist from Germany visiting the Department of Zoology at NMMU, Port Elizabeth and setting up a biochemical laboratory for my host.

I am from Philipps-University in Marburg, Germany and work on thermogenesis in vertebrates. In 2005, we made the spectacular finding of a thermogenic protein, so far just known in mammals. You can find a summary of my scientific work on either

http://martinjastroch.googlepages.com/
or http://www.uni-marburg.de/fb17/fachgebiete/tierphysio/stoffwechselphysiologie/mitarbeiter/wiss_mitarb/jastroch_martin/index_html-en?set_language=en

While I am in PE for a short time (until the 4th of August), I like to investigate the molecular mechanisms of heat production in endothermic fish.

Some sharks maintain their body temperature above water temperature to maintain high physiological function in cold waters. Even more amazing is a specialised brain heater organ behind the eye of the swordfish. Up until now, people investigated this organ, a thermogenic protein in fish was not known.

We set up a very sophisticated laboratory for the Zoology Department in PE and while I am here, I would like to focus my research on the brain heater organ.

Coming from Europe, my knowledge about saltwater fishing in South Africa is rather limited.

I would be delighted if someone could help me out catching these fish, or provide tissue samples.

The difficulty of the study is: we need fresh tissue. Cooled on ice, I will be still able to apply the methodology appro. 1 hour after death of the fish.

I would be also interested in fish you can catch on-shore and investigate their energy metabolism.

None of the tissues we require are edible (brain), and we would be grateful if you could spare these samples for our research.  This would aid us in finding out more about the biology of your recreational target.

Best,

Martin
 
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BRAINHEATER

New member
To Redeye: Sushi from Brain - well, I have no idea how that would taste like...

To Pylstert: Thanks very much. Yes, speaking to people from the Marine museum, tuna and marlin seem to be an impossible task as the drop off is about 40 Miles away. Would have been easier in more tropical waters where they are closer to shore. Anyway, I set up the molecular laboratory for mammalian physiology (thats what everybody does) but before I leave, I like to do some experimenting with Scrombroid fishes/sharks.

Yes, we are now concentrating on sharks. We may get some makos brought in from commercial fishing but it may be unreliable when and how many we get, as well as in what condition the fish will be.

At the moment, I try to find out what kind of sharks we would be able to catch on-shore and if there are some endothermic species there. The biggest problem is that there are just a few studies on endo- and ectothermic sharks, carried out with just a few species. So, it may well be that some of those which can be found close to shore belong to endotherms, but nobody knows. Usually, pelagic species tend to be endotherm, whereas bottom species are not. When it comes to the point that we catch some fish, I will use temperature-sensitive elements to see whether their organ temperature ( right after the landing) is above water temperature.

An alternative project we are thinking of is to compare the impact of environmental conditions on fish physiology. Therefore, could you tell me if there are species which inhabit the brakkish/esturine waters of the Swarkorp river and can be found at the coast? We would compare the physiology of the river vs the open water individuals.

Thanks very much anyway.
 
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Wayne

Sealiner
BRAINHEATER,

Call MILES,I am sure he will take you out get the fish and give you some samples..... someone give him MILES number please...and when done post the results ...
 
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Dorado75

Sealiner
Have you heard of Capricorn Fisheries Monitoring ( http://www.capfish.co.za )? They are responsible for placement of observers on commercial fishing vessels throughout South Africa and other countries, including the Surface Longlining industry targeting Swordfish and Tuna, as well as the big Tuna Purse Seine vessels.

I worked for them for about 5 years as an scientific observer and sampled hundreds of Swordfish on commercial vessels operating everywhere from Madagascar to Namibia.

Perhaps if you contacted them they could assist you in some way or other with samples or data.
 
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zzzz

New member
[color=#006600]Wayne[/color] wrote:
BRAINHEATER,

Call MILES,I am sure he will take you out get the fish and give you some samples..... someone give him MILES number please...and when done post the results ...
Click to expand...
Miles is in Canada as far as I know, contact HAMMERTIME, he would have the connections to help you I'm sure.
 
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Trophy

Sealiner
[color=#006600]BRAINHEATER[/color] wrote:
While I am in PE for a short time (until the 4th of August), I like to investigate the molecular mechanisms of heat production in endothermic fish.


I would be delighted if someone could help me out catching these fish, or provide tissue samples.
Click to expand...

Hi BRAINHEATER,

If you reasearch could provide a permit for vehicle beach access i'm pritty sure we could rustle up a good couple of local PE anglers that would get you some results for the studies!

Seriously, if this can be got then we could get onto some serious catches for you.
 
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Trophy

Sealiner
So where do we get hold of 'brainheater'. He has not been around to check his post for a couple of days.

I would gladly transport a few anglers down the Sundays River coast to go find some sharks!
 
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BRAINHEATER

New member
Sorry, guys, i am still here, sorting out the equipment, the possibilities of permits. I will post when I get more information. I am happy that the sportfisher forums are similar all around the world: friendly, and people very capable of helping. I will sort things out with the authorities here at NMMU.
Cheers
 
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I.T guy

New member
conatct fstander at fstanderatgmaildotcom from this site he will help you for sure and has very good local knowledge
 
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Trophy

Sealiner
Hey Brainheater........you seem to come and go? Hope you have taken the option to be emailed on each responce to your post.

Have you managed to make any progress on the beach permit. We have some keen anglers on standby!
 
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