EFFECTS OF SEASON AND LOCATION OF CATCH ON THE FATTY-ACID COMPOSITIONS OF SOME AUSTRALIAN FISH SPECIES

Fatty acid compositions and lipid contents of five common table specie s of marine fish from temperate Australian waters were determined for samples taken during two seasons (four species) and three locations of markedly differing latitude (one species). Variabilities in total lip id extract and phospholipid fatty acid compositions were assessed betw een samples of each species, as well as between individuals of the sam e sample. These were then compared with data obtained for the other sp ecies analysed. The highest n3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) conte nt lipids were found in fish from colder waters (southern locations an d spring season catches). The leaner species were found to have much m ore stable lipid characteristics with changes in the water temperature at sampling.