Survey of Demersal Fish in Port Phillip Bay for Incidence of Neoplasia

Abstract

A survey aimed at determining the incidence of neoplasms, particularly superficial tumours, in the common demersal fish species in zones of Port Phillip Bay exposed to domestic and industrial contamination has been conducted on a monthly basis over a period of 17 months. Trawling at three sampling stations provided sufficient numbers for scrutiny of a range of species, including Rhombosolea tapirina, Ammotretis rostratus, Platycephalus bassensis, P. caeruleopunctatus, Atopomycterus nicthemerus, Sphaeroides glaber, Naoodon multiradiatus, Scobinichthys granulatus, Brachaluteres trossulus and Paratrigla popilio. In contrast with the experience overseas of epidermal papillomas in certain species of pleuronectids, the Port Phillip Bay flounder were totally free of skin tumours. Only two true neoplasms were encountered, a neurilemmoma and a lipoma, both of these being from specimens of P. bassensis. A high incidence of non-neoplastic skin 'tumours' was observed in certain leatherjackets (family Balistidae). The essentially negative findings in terms of cancer incidence provides a reference base for any future studies examining disease patterns in faunal populations of Port Phillip Bay.