Hubbry Logo
Ocean poutOcean poutMain
Open search
Ocean pout
Community hub
Ocean pout
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Ocean pout
Ocean pout
Ocean pout
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Ocean pout
Ocean pout at the Woods Hole Science Aquarium
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Zoarcidae
Genus: Zoarces
Species:
Z. americanus
Binomial name
Zoarces americanus
(Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Synonyms[1]
  • Blennius americanus Bloch & Schneider, 1801
  • Macrozoarces americanus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
  • Blennius viviparus unicolor Walbaum, 1792
  • Blennius anguillaris Peck, 1804
  • Zoarces anguillaris (Peck, 1804)
  • Blennius ciliatus Mitchill, 1814
  • Blennius labrosus Mitchill, 1815
  • Zoarces gronovii Valenciennes, 1836
  • Blennius gronovii (Valenciennes, 1836)
Ocean pout, Newfoundland, Canada

The ocean pout (Zoarces americanus) is an eelpout in the family Zoarcidae. It is found in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of New England and eastern Canada. The fish has antifreeze proteins in its blood, giving it the ability to survive in near-freezing waters.

Taxonomy

[edit]

The ocean pout was first formally described in 1801 by the German naturalists Marcus Elieser Bloch and Johann Gottlob Theaenus Schneider with its type locality given as "American seas".[2] It is one of six species in the genus Zoarces, the only genus in the subfamily Zoarcinae[1] which is one of four subfamilies in the eelpout family Zoarcidae.[3]

Description

[edit]

The ocean pout has an elongated, tapering body with a wide mouth with fleshy lips, the upper lip protruding further than the lower. This species varies in color from yellow through to reddish brown and to grayish-green and is marked with a series of cross like markings running the length of the eel-like body. There is a dark brown line on each side of the head running from the upper rear margin of the eye to the edge of the operculum.[4] The long, continuous dorsal fin does not connect with the caudal fin, however, the anal fin does. The teeth are robust, blunt and conical in shape.[5] The ocean pout is the largest species of eelpout and has reached a maximum published total length of 110 cm (43 in).[1]

Distribution and habitat

[edit]

The ocean pout is found in the western Atlantic Ocean where it occurs from Labrador in Canada south to Delaware.[1] They are bottom living species typically found on soft substrates of sand and mud but which can be found in rocky areas too,[5] they occur at depths between 0 and 388 m (0 and 1,273 ft).[1]

Biology

[edit]

The ocean pout is a predatory species which feeds on invertebrates such as bivalves, sea urchins, sand dollars, brittle stars, and crabs,[5] worms,[1] and some fish. They are at least partially migratory with the fishes in the Gulf of Maine moving offshore during the summer and returning to shallower coastal waters in the Spring while the fish from Georges Bank and New Jersey they move to cooler rocky areas in summer and return to the softer substrates in the Fall. In September and October the adults gather in rocky areas to breed. The females lay a gelatinous mass of eggs which they guard until they hatch, typically 2–3 months.[4]

Use in genetic modification

[edit]

Scientists have succeeded in taking genes from ocean pout and implanting those into the Atlantic salmon.[6][7] The promoter for the antifreeze protein gene is used in conjunction with a growth hormone gene from Chinook salmon, which leads to a higher concentration of the growth hormone in the blood, causing the genetically modified salmon to grow much more rapidly. These transgenic salmon reach a harvest weight in two-thirds of the time that it takes their unmodified counterparts. Controversy has arisen, as some view genetically altered salmon as a potential threat to wild salmon stocks should it escape into the wild. AquaBounty Technologies has attempted to address these concerns by stating that all of the transgenic salmon to be intended for sale will be sterile females. As of late 2017, several tons have been sold in Canada, and final approvals and decisions on labeling are pending in the United States. [citation needed] Some restaurant and grocery store chains in the United States have announced they will not sell the new fish, citing concerns over its safety for human consumption, despite no scientific evidence showing a risk.[8]

In June 2006, the Unilever company announced that it would research the potential use of genetically modified yeast to grow antifreeze proteins based on a gene from the ocean pout, and use proteins extracted from the yeast to improve the consistency and storage properties of ice cream. Incorporating these ice-structuring proteins means that a lower cream content, and thus a lower calorie content, ice cream can be manufactured without the risk of ice crystal formation.[9]

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ocean pout

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The ocean pout (Macrozoarces americanus) is a demersal, eel-like fish belonging to the family Zoarcidae, inhabiting the cold waters of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean from Labrador, Canada, to Delaware, United States. This species typically reaches lengths of up to 98 centimeters and weights of 5.3 kilograms, residing on rocky or gravelly bottoms at depths ranging from intertidal zones to 388 meters, where it preys on mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms. Notable for producing type III antifreeze proteins in its blood and tissues, the ocean pout depresses its plasma freezing point to survive temperatures approaching -1.9°C, a physiological adaptation that inhibits ice crystal growth through thermal hysteresis. These proteins have drawn scientific interest, with the ocean pout's antifreeze glycoprotein gene engineered into transgenic Atlantic salmon to enhance growth rates by promoting year-round expression of growth hormones, though such applications remain controversial in aquaculture. Ecologically, it serves as a mid-level predator in marine food webs, often concealing itself under rocks or in crevices, but populations have declined due to historical overfishing, leading to its status as a prohibited species with zero possession limits under U.S. federal groundfish regulations managed by NOAA Fisheries.

Taxonomy

Classification and nomenclature

The ocean pout (Zoarces americanus) is a marine fish classified in the Zoarcidae, commonly known as eelpouts, which comprises approximately genera and over 300 of primarily deep-sea fishes characterized by elongated bodies and reduced pectoral fins. The binomial name Zoarces americanus was originally described by and Johann Gottlob Theaenus Schneider in their 1801 work Systema Ichthyologiae, initially placed in the Blennius before reassignment to Zoarces. Taxonomic classification of Z. americanus follows:
RankClassification
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
Class
Order
SuborderZoarcoidei
FamilyZoarcidae
GenusZoarces
SpeciesZ. americanus
The genus name Zoarces derives from zōarkēs (ζωαρκής), meaning "that which gives life" or "life-supporting," reflecting the viviparous or ovoviviparous in of this , where embryos develop internally and receive nutrients from or maternal sources. The specific americanus is Latin, denoting its primary distribution in the western North Atlantic. A historical is Macrozoarces americanus, used in older but now considered invalid in favor of Zoarces americanus by taxonomic authorities. Common names include ocean pout, pout, muttonfish, and congo , with regional variations such as loquette d'Amérique in French-speaking areas. No are recognized.

Phylogenetic relationships

The ocean pout (Zoarces americanus) belongs to the family Zoarcidae within the suborder Zoarcoidei of the order (now classified under in some systems). Zoarcoidei originated in north temperate seas, with subsequent radiations into , , and deep-sea environments, driven by adaptations such as proteins. Within Zoarcoidei, Zoarcidae represents the most speciose family, branching after Bathymasteridae and in multi-locus phylogenies, indicating a derived position. In Zoarcidae phylogenies, Z. americanus clusters with other eelpout genera such as Lycodes and Lycenchelys, sharing adaptations to cold benthic habitats. Molecular analyses place Zoarces as an early-diverging or basal lineage within the , reflecting its distribution in shallow to moderate depths of the Northwest Atlantic. At the level, (mtDNA) sequences reveal Z. americanus forming a distinct cluster separate from the macrocluster comprising Z. elongatus, Z. fedorovi, Z. viviparus, and Z. andriashevi, with a of 4.46% from the latter group. It groups more closely with Z. gillii (divergence 7.62% from others), though morphological traits—such as an adhered upper lip, , and maximum length exceeding 1 m—support its retention in Zoarces rather than elevation to a separate . Morphological corroborate the mtDNA topology, emphasizing Z. americanus's isolation linked to its Atlantic distribution and reproductive strategy, contrasting with in Eurasian congeners. This positioning suggests divergence tied to biogeographic barriers, with Z. gillii potentially warranting higher due to greater divergence.

Physical description

Morphology and adaptations


The ocean pout (Macrozoarces americanus) exhibits an elongated, eel-like body that is approximately eight times longer than deep, tapering posteriorly to facilitate navigation through rocky substrates. Adults reach maximum lengths of 42 inches (106 cm) and weights up to 12 pounds (5.4 kg). The head is broad and blunt, featuring a wide mouth with protruding upper lip, thick fleshy lips, and strong blunt conical teeth suited for crushing mollusks and crustaceans. Continuous dorsal and anal fins span the body's length, enhancing stability during benthic locomotion. Dorsal coloration varies from mottled reddish-brown to muddy yellow, grading to pale yellowish or white ventrally, which aids in against uneven seafloor environments. Fleshy lobes and frills on the head further contribute to this by mimicking rocky textures. A key physiological adaptation is the production of type III proteins (AFPs) in the plasma, which adsorb to surfaces to inhibit growth and lower the blood's freezing point, enabling survival in near-freezing waters. These AFPs are expressed year-round at high concentrations via multiple genes, providing dosage flexibility despite the species' temperate range. The elongated body form supports a sedentary, ambush-predatory on hard-bottom habitats, minimizing energy expenditure in cold conditions.

Physiological traits

The ocean pout (Macrozoarces americanus) produces type III proteins (AFPs) in its serum, which adsorb to the surface of nascent crystals via a flat ice-binding face, inhibiting further and thereby depressing the freezing point by 1–2°C below the colligative . This adaptation enables survival in subtidal habitats where temperatures can drop below 0°C during winter, preventing lethal propagation in bodily fluids. Multiple AFP genes contribute to this diversity, with expression levels varying seasonally and providing dosage-dependent protection against freeze concentration in plasma. Juvenile ocean pout exhibit a standard metabolic rate of 76 ± 12 mg O₂ kg⁻⁰·⁸³⁴ h⁻¹ when acclimated to 3°C, reflecting adaptation to cold benthic environments with low energy demands. Acclimation to warmer temperatures (11°C) yields a Q₁₀ value of 5.3 for standard metabolic rate, indicating pronounced sensitivity to thermal shifts and limited compensatory metabolic adjustment in early ontogeny, unlike some adult teleosts. Acute exposure to temperatures up to 17°C elevates oxygen consumption, but sustained elevation beyond preferred cold ranges (typically -1 to 11°C) impairs aerobic scope. In terms of respiratory , the ocean pout's cardiac tissue contains low levels of (approximately 5 nmol g⁻¹ wet weight), which facilitates intracellular oxygen diffusion and buffering during transient hypoxia, though the species demonstrates overall limited tolerance to prolonged low-oxygen or anoxic conditions in muddy substrata. in its blood supports efficient oxygen loading in cold, high-oxygen solubility waters, but lacks specialized Root effect or high-affinity variants noted in some polar fishes; instead, routine under stressors like exposure may modulate oxygen delivery.

Distribution and habitat

Geographic range

The ocean pout (Macrozoarces americanus) is distributed along the northwestern Atlantic coast of , primarily from , , southward to , . This range encompasses coastal waters including the , , and southeastern Newfoundland. Populations are concentrated in the northern portions of this distribution, with abundance declining progressively southward. Records indicate rare extensions of the range to and doubtfully to , though such southern occurrences are infrequent and not representative of the species' core . The fish occupies demersal habitats across the continental shelf within this latitudinal span, favoring cool temperate waters. No established populations exist outside the western North Atlantic, distinguishing it from related species with broader or Pacific distributions.

Environmental preferences

The ocean pout (Macrozoarces americanus) inhabits demersal environments along the continental shelf of the Northwest Atlantic, preferring cool, temperate waters with specific tolerances for , depth, , and substrate composition. Adults are primarily found at depths ranging from 15 to 80 meters, though they can occur in shallower inshore areas during certain seasons and deeper offshore waters up to several hundred meters. Juveniles exhibit a narrower depth preference of 25 to 75 meters. Temperature is a primary environmental driver, with optimal conditions for adults centered around 6 to 7°C, though they tolerate a broader range of 3 to 13°C based on trawl survey collections. development requires temperatures below 10°C, while juveniles are restricted to below 20°C to support growth and survival. tolerances vary by life stage; adults occur in waters exceeding 25 ppt, with observations in 23 to 30 ppt ranges in sheltered coastal areas, whereas demand higher salinities of 32 to 34 ppt, and juveniles prefer 30 to 35 ppt. Substrate preferences favor soft to mixed bottoms, including , , and areas, which provide suitable cover and foraging grounds as bottom-dwelling predators. These show seasonal migrations influenced by temperature gradients, moving to shallower, warmer inshore habitats in summer and deeper, colder offshore regions in winter to maintain physiological optima. Such preferences align with their morphology, enabling adaptation to low-oxygen, structurally complex benthic zones.

Biology and ecology

Reproduction and life cycle

The ocean pout (Macrozoarces americanus) exhibits , with spermatozoa featuring a long midpiece and biflagellate structure adapted for extended viability and dispersal within the female's . Spawning occurs annually in late summer to fall, peaking from to , primarily in sheltered, hard-bottom habitats such as rocky crevices or nests at depths of 30-60 meters. Females produce a single batch of eggs per season, with ranging from approximately 1,200 to 4,200 eggs depending on body size; for instance, counts have varied from 1,306 eggs in a 55 cm specimen to 4,161 in larger individuals. Eggs measure 8-9 mm in diameter and are deposited in gelatinous masses or clumps following copulation and oviposition. Post-spawning, the female provides by coiling her body around the mass, periodically wiping it to remove debris and ensure oxygenation, a uncommon among marine teleosts that enhances survival. Incubation lasts 2-3 months under ambient temperatures around 9°C, after which larvae hatch. Hatched larvae are advanced in development, possessing teeth, full pigmentation, ossified structures, and complete fin rays, closely resembling juveniles and indicating a abbreviated larval period with limited pelagic dispersal; most remain near the bottom substrate. Sexual maturity is attained at lengths of 26-32 cm total length, with northern populations maturing slightly smaller (females at ~26 cm, males at ~30 cm) than southern ones (~31 cm for both sexes), typically around 2 years of age in southern stocks. Growth is slow, with individuals reaching maximum sizes of 70-110 cm and weights up to 5.4 kg over a lifespan estimated at 18-20 years, though some may exceed this based on records approaching 100 cm. The species' demersal lifestyle persists from larval stages through adulthood, with no pronounced metamorphic shift, supporting a life cycle adapted to benthic environments in the Northwest Atlantic.

Diet and feeding behavior

The ocean pout (Macrozoarces americanus) is a benthic predator whose diet consists predominantly of infaunal and epifaunal invertebrates, including crustaceans such as crabs (Cancer borealis, green crabs) and amphipods (Gammaridae), mollusks (bivalves like Nucula, Joldia, Cardium, and scallops), and echinoderms (sea urchins Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis, sand dollars Echinarachnius parma, and brittle stars). Fish, such as capelin and billfish, form only a minor component. Diet composition varies ontogenetically, with juveniles (26–40 cm) feeding almost exclusively on Gammaridae amphipods, shifting to larger crustaceans like in adults (46–55 cm), where crabs comprise up to 73% of the diet. Females exhibit selective feeding, prioritizing mollusks and echinoderms over amphipods compared to males. In eastern Newfoundland waters, green sea urchins constitute a major prey item during inshore periods from April to July, averaging 56.3 g per fish by biomass before breeding, while brittle stars account for approximately 7% in some samples. Feeding behavior involves ingesting mouthfuls of bottom sediment to extract infaunal prey, primarily bivalves, with minimal reliance on visual cues and greater dependence on tactile or chemical detection. This sediment-sorting mechanism distinguishes it from visually oriented feeders like , reducing niche overlap in shared habitats. Active peaks in spring and summer (e.g., May–July), aligning with inshore migrations, though observations confirm opportunistic intake of exposed or buried prey without selective viscera removal.

Predators and interactions

The ocean pout (Macrozoarces americanus) is preyed upon by several demersal and pelagic species in its North Atlantic range. Documented predators include (Gadus morhua), which target juveniles and induce antipredator behaviors such as reduced foraging activity; (Squalus acanthias), sea ravens (Hemitripterus americanus), squid, skates (Rajidae family), sculpins (Cottidae family), and (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides). Mammalian predators such as harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) also consume ocean pout. Eggs experience additional predation pressure from American lobsters (Homarus americanus) and Jonah crabs (Cancer borealis). Overall natural mortality for the species is estimated at 0.25 annually, with predation contributing significantly alongside other factors. As a benthic predator, the ocean pout exerts top-down control on invertebrate communities, consuming green crabs (Carcinus maenas), Jonah crabs, green sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis), scallops (Placopecten magellanicus), polychaete worms, brittle stars (Ophiuroidea), and occasionally small fish such as capelin (Mallotus villosus). In regions like eastern Newfoundland, its predation on sea urchins—comprising up to 7-10% of diet volume in some samples—can regulate urchin densities and prevent overgrazing of kelp beds. Interactions with competitors like winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) occur over shared benthic resources, though direct agonistic behaviors remain undocumented. Juveniles exhibit heightened vulnerability, with visual cues from predators like cod triggering metabolic shifts that lower growth rates by reducing energy intake. No major symbiotic or parasitic interactions are prominently reported in available studies.

Fisheries and conservation

Commercial exploitation

Ocean pout (Macrozoarces americanus) has been commercially exploited mainly as part of multispecies groundfish in the Northwest Atlantic, particularly off the U.S. Northeast coast and by foreign fleets. In the late and early , distant-water foreign vessels heavily targeted the species, leading to significant exploitation before the extension of exclusive economic zones reduced such activities. U.S. landings reflected this pressure, with ocean pout comprising up to 46% of industrial groundfish catch by weight in Middle Atlantic states during the early ; experimental marketing efforts in 1976 yielded about 1 million pounds (453 metric tons) landed at , positioning it as a lean, consumer-acceptable alternative to more common species. However, early attempts in the to develop a dedicated failed due to quality issues like parasitic lesions. Landings declined sharply post-1970s amid recognition of the species' slow growth, low , and vulnerability to , dropping to a U.S. record low of 3.6 metric tons by 2005. In Canada, exploitation has been similarly incidental and limited, with no major directed documented in available records from Newfoundland to the . Today, no directed commercial fishery exists for ocean pout in U.S. or Canadian waters. In the U.S., it is managed as a zero-possession species under the Magnuson-Stevens Act and the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan, barring vessels with federal groundfish permits from retaining, possessing, or landing it to aid stock rebuilding. Encounters occur primarily as bycatch in bottom trawls targeting cod, haddock, and other groundfish, where discard mortality contributes to ongoing population stress despite regulatory protections. Canadian management similarly emphasizes bycatch minimization without targeted harvest quotas.

Population status and management measures

The U.S. stock of ocean pout in the Northwest Atlantic is classified as overfished, with biomass below the target level, based on the 2017 operational assessment by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center. is not occurring, as fishing mortality rates are below the threshold. As of the second quarter of 2025, the stock remains in year 6 of a 10-year rebuilding plan under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Management track updates in 2020 and a direct assessment approach in subsequent reviews have not altered the overfished determination, though full operational assessments occur periodically. Ocean pout is managed as a non-target species under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan, with zero-possession regulations prohibiting federally permitted groundfish vessels from retaining, landing, or selling the species to prevent incidental catch and support stock recovery. These measures include gear restrictions and area closures in the and to minimize in multispecies fisheries. In Canadian waters, where the species occurs from Newfoundland to , no specific stock assessments or dedicated management plans are evident in recent reports, with historical catches declining to negligible levels since the 1980s, reflecting low commercial exploitation. Limited survey data indicate persistent low abundance, attributed to historical and environmental factors, though precise trends post-2017 remain uncertain without updated estimates. NOAA Fisheries monitors the stock through trawl surveys and observer programs, emphasizing ecosystem-based approaches to address data gaps in life history.

Role in biotechnology

Use in genetic engineering

The op5a antifreeze protein gene promoter from the ocean pout (Macrozoarces americanus) has been employed to drive constitutive expression of a (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in engineered (Salmo salar), resulting in the line approved for human consumption by the U.S. in 2015. This promoter enables year-round production of , independent of environmental cues like or photoperiod that regulate native salmon hormone expression, leading to approximately twice the growth rate of non-transgenic counterparts under controlled conditions. The ocean pout promoter was selected for its strong, tissue-nonspecific activity observed in transient expression assays, including high-level transcription in salmon pituitary cells and livers of injected fish, which supports efficient integration and stable transmission across generations in the transgenic salmon. In the construct, it replaces the native regulatory elements of the growth hormone gene, fused with a salmon growth hormone coding sequence and a terminator from another salmon species, to avoid reliance on seasonal growth limitations. Peer-reviewed analyses confirm that this all-fish genetic cassette minimizes potential immunogenicity compared to heterologous promoters, though expression levels vary by tissue, with highest activity in liver and muscle. Beyond , the ocean pout antifreeze protein gene has been introduced into ( auratus) to confer freeze resistance and cold tolerance, demonstrating expression in and liver tissues that depresses plasma freezing points by up to 1–2°C without altering long-term growth or survival. Similar constructs have produced transgenic mice expressing ocean pout type III , which circulates in blood and protects against , though efficacy against actual freezing remains limited to non-lethal depression of formation. These applications highlight the promoter's utility in cold-adapted but underscore that proteins primarily inhibit ice recrystallization rather than inducing true at physiological concentrations.

Scientific outcomes and applications

The ocean pout (Macrozoarces americanus) gene promoter (opAFP), particularly the op5a variant, has been employed to drive constitutive expression of transgenes in various fish species, yielding outcomes such as accelerated growth and improved cold tolerance. In the , integration of the gene under opAFP control results in fish reaching market size (approximately 4-5 kg) in 16-18 months, compared to 24-30 months for non-transgenic under standard conditions, due to year-round hormone production rather than seasonal limitation. This promoter's tissue-specific activity, favoring liver expression, contributes to stable, low-level output without the pulsatile patterns seen in native regulation. Safety assessments by regulatory bodies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), indicate that exhibit no elevated disease susceptibility or allergenicity relative to conventional , with comparable nutritional profiles in protein, fat, and omega-3 content based on controlled feeding trials up to 2012. Growth performance data from AquaBounty Technologies demonstrate that over 95% of transgenic achieve at least 100 g body weight within 2,700 degree-days, outperforming non-transgenic siblings by a factor enabling earlier harvest. These outcomes stem from the promoter's evolutionary adaptation for persistent secretion in cold environments, repurposed for metabolic enhancement. Applications extend to sustainable , where faster growth reduces feed conversion ratios and farm holding times, potentially alleviating pressure on wild stocks, which have declined by up to 29% in some regions between 2015 and 2020. The technology has informed broader transgenic efforts, such as in and , where opAFP-driven constructs enhance low-temperature survival, though commercial scalability remains limited by regulatory and market barriers. Beyond growth, the promoter's utility in vector design supports research into for aquaculture species, with preliminary studies exploring applications in cryopreservation adjuncts via AFP co-expression.

Debates and evidence-based assessment

The primary biotechnological application of the ocean pout (Macrozoarces americanus) involves its type III (AFP) gene promoter, which has been incorporated into the construct developed by AquaBounty Technologies. This promoter drives constitutive expression of a (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) gene, enabling the transgenic (Salmo salar) to reach market size in approximately 18 months rather than 30 months under conventional conditions. Debates center on the safety, environmental risks, and socioeconomic implications of deploying such genetically engineered organisms (GEOs), with proponents emphasizing enhanced to alleviate pressure on , while critics highlight potential ecological disruptions and insufficient long-term data. Human health safety assessments by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2015 concluded that is as safe to eat as non-transgenic , based on compositional analyses showing no nutritionally relevant differences and low allergenicity risks, supported by company-submitted data on growth performance and qualities. However, independent evaluations have questioned the adequacy of sample sizes and the reliance on proprietary studies, noting limited peer-reviewed evidence for chronic effects or interactions with the ocean pout promoter's regulatory elements, which could theoretically influence off-target . Empirical data from controlled trials indicate stable transmission across generations without elevated disease susceptibility, but critics, including environmental advocacy groups, argue that resistance markers in early constructs pose unquantified risks, though these were absent in final FDA-reviewed versions. Environmental concerns focus on escape risks and , given the ocean pout promoter's role in enabling year-round growth that could confer fitness advantages in wild hybrids. The FDA's deemed interbreeding unlikely due to the transgenic 's sterility (via triploidy), all-female production, and land-based containment, estimating survival probabilities below 0.1% in natural waterways based on thermal tolerance models. Field studies and modeling, however, suggest potential competitive displacement of wild through resource competition or amplification if escapes occur, with lab evidence of hybridization viability under simulated escape scenarios; no such events have been documented post-approval, but monitoring gaps persist due to proprietary data restrictions. Proponents counter that empirical overproduction in contained systems reduces wild harvest incentives, aligning with sustainable fisheries goals, though socioeconomic analyses indicate minimal due to labeling requirements and consumer skepticism. Commercial outcomes provide a pragmatic assessment: Despite FDA approval for U.S. sale in and Canadian authorization in , AquaBounty ceased AquAdvantage production in December 2024, citing regulatory hurdles, rejections, and insufficient demand, highlighting barriers beyond scientific validation. Overall, while peer-reviewed supports the construct's and short-term , the absence of widespread independent longitudinal studies—coupled with observed —underscores unresolved uncertainties in scaling GEOs derived from ocean pout , favoring cautious, evidence-driven deployment over unsubstantiated opposition.

References

  1. https://fishbase.se/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=480
  2. https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/20208/noaa_20208_DS1.pdf
  3. https://www.maine.gov/dmr/sites/maine.gov.dmr/files/docs/oceanpout.pdf
  4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3403560/
  5. https://www.seacoastsciencecenter.org/2018/06/04/the-amazing-ocean-pout/
  6. https://www.livescience.com/animals/fish/ocean-pout-the-fish-with-antifreeze-blood
  7. https://m.espacepourlavie.ca/en/biodome-fauna/ocean-pout
  8. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/ocean-pout
  9. https://fishbase.se/summary/Zoarces-americanus
  10. https://www.catalogueoflife.org/data/taxon/5D67D
  11. https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.105768/Zoarces_americanus
  12. https://a-z-animals.com/animals/ocean-pout/
  13. https://www.uniprot.org/taxonomy/8199
  14. https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/ocean-pout
  15. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12509209/
  16. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1022795410110104
  17. https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/njfw/digest-marine-2021-ocean-oddities-by-brian-neilan.pdf
  18. https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/z85-070
  19. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0167483886900191
  20. https://www.uniprot.org/uniprotkb/P19614/entry
  21. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2007.01735.x
  22. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0300962983904516
  23. https://journals.physiology.org/doi/10.1152/ajpregu.1986.251.6.R1144
  24. https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/3103/noaa_3103_DS1.pdf
  25. http://cybrary.fomb.org/fgom/Macrozoarces_americanus.htm
  26. https://fishbase.se/country/CountrySpeciesSummary.php?id=480&c_code=840
  27. https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/3103
  28. https://www.mass.gov/doc/dmmp-01-04pdf/download
  29. https://downloads.regulations.gov/NOAA-NMFS-2017-0123-0004/content.pdf
  30. https://www.nan.usace.army.mil/Portals/37/docs/harbor/Harprogrep/appE.pdf
  31. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8562051/
  32. https://divedeeper.site/species/ocean-pout/
  33. https://memorial.scholaris.ca/items/04efe286-5408-479a-8785-6836f61dac7f
  34. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1095-8649.1995.tb01884.x
  35. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/004484869400337N
  36. https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/z91-302
  37. https://www.nafo.int/Portals/0/PDFs/sc/1983/scr-83-076.pdf
  38. https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/z87-234
  39. https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v321/meps321255
  40. https://spo.nmfs.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/pdf-content/MFR/mfr396/mfr3962.pdf
  41. https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/stats/commercial/sea-maritimes-eng.htm
  42. https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2025/mpo-dfo/fs70-7/Fs70-7-2025-017-eng.pdf
  43. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/s3/2025-07/Q2-2025-Stock-Status-Tables.pdf
  44. https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/39404
  45. https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2012/mpo-dfo/Fs97-6-2497-eng.pdf
  46. https://apps-st.fisheries.noaa.gov/stocksmart?stockname=Ocean%2520pout%2520-%2520Northwestern%2520Atlantic%2520Coast&stockid=10525
  47. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/aquadvantage-salmon/aquadvantage-salmon-fact-sheet
  48. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0093691X09000879
  49. https://europepmc.org/article/med/1308820
  50. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7749462/
  51. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16894545/
  52. https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2202184119
  53. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19324402/
  54. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/aquadvantage-salmon/qa-fdas-approval-aquadvantage-salmon
  55. https://www.foodunfolded.com/article/aquadvantage-salmon-the-only-genetically-modified-fish-on-the-market
  56. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6076441_Tissue_specific_expression_of_antifreeze_protein_and_growth_hormone_transgenes_driven_by_the_ocean_pout_Macrozoarces_americanus_antifreeze_protein_OP5A_gene_promoter_in_Atlantic_salmon_Salmo_salar
  57. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6691018/
  58. https://livingoceans.org/initiatives/salmon-farming/issues/genetically-modified-salmon
  59. https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2021/01/04/viewpoint-do-we-really-need-gm-fish-the-case-for-growing-and-eating-aquabountys-biotech-fast-growing-salmon/
  60. https://biosafety-info.net/articles/agriculture-organisms/animalsfish/aquabounty-shuts-down-ge-salmon-operations-following-widespread-rejection/
  61. https://agbioforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/AgBioForum-15-3-276.pdf
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.