Aquaculture Management Research Articles

Implementation of Artificial Intelligence in Aquaculture and Fisheries: Deep Learning, Machine Vision, Big Data, Internet of Things, Robots and Beyond

The aquaculture and fishery industry are multi-billion-dollar business across the globe, and the demand for aquatic species produce increases exponentially throughout these years. However, the depletion of aquaculture lands and aquatic pollution are some of the major worrying predicaments challenging the future of this industry. Sustainable growth strategies are the only way out, and they must come hand in hand with the implementation of artificial intelligence to achieve the desired outcome high throughput in short time periods. The intelligent fish farm and smart cage aquaculture management system are some of the fruits of this drive, and the system keeps improving to date. In this review, we provide recent updates over the past half-decade of artificial intelligence implementation in fishery and aquaculture in hope to provide highlights and future directions to push the industry to greater heights.

Disease prevention and mitigation in US finfish aquaculture: A review of current approaches and new strategies

AbstractIn the United States, the aquaculture industry has not seen the same levels of growth in production as other countries—made evident by the $17 billion seafood trade deficit estimated in 2020. Nevertheless, aquaculture remains an important industry fully capable of supplementing the domestic seafood supply and reducing the US seafood trade deficit. Infectious diseases is one of several factors that threatens the capability and sustainability of the aquaculture industry, highlighting the importance of effective control strategies for these pathogens. Antimicrobial products are often used to control and eliminate undesirable microbes in effort to prevent or mitigate the impacts of infectious diseases. Some pathogens are capable of adapting to and resisting the antimicrobial effects, escalating the challenges associated with disease management in aquaculture. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is now recognised by numerous national and international agencies as a top global health concern and is problematic for US aquaculture. Currently, disease prevention and mitigation strategies utilised by US finfish aquaculture can be broken down into three levels; comprehensive protocols (biosecurity, disease response), good husbandry strategies (stress management, proper diet, optimal environment) and effective antimicrobial products (biocides, therapeutics). This review will discuss how each level contributes differently to the overall protection of fish from pathogens. In the era of AMR, this review will also highlight current and emerging alternative strategies that do not rely on traditional antimicrobial products (e.g., vaccines, dietary supplements, novel antimicrobial, stock selection) for disease prevention and mitigation.

Adoption of Aquaculture Technologies and Management Practices, Challenges and Productivity of Fish-Ponds in Kakamega County, Kenya

There is increasing demand for fish products worldwide. To meet the growing demand there has been increased shift from wild-caught fish to farm-based production. The adoption of best practices in aquaculture is imperative in meeting this natural demand. This study investigated the adoption of best technological and management practices, challenges and productivity of fish-ponds among smallholder aquaculture farmers in Kakemega County, Kenya. Purposive and stratified sampling techniques were used to select 27 aquaculture farmers in 3 out of 12 Sub counties in the area, for interviews. Nine recommended technologies and management practices were used to develop an adoption index for each interviewee. Fish pond productivity was significantly lower for adopters below the median index; t (24) = -3.088, P = .005, with a mean of 196.3 g/m2 for lower index adopters and 449.5 g/m2 for the higher index. Variances in productivity were high. The study finds that the major on-farm challenges included; fish predators, poor quality feeds, insecurity and lack of quality fingerlings. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to test the deviation of views from neutral; score of 3 on a 5-point scale. Market unavailability was not a significant constraint. There was high demand for fish products. Access to technical information was above 3 (median =4). Risk rating significantly deviated from neutral; there was a view that aquaculture was a risky venture. There were no extreme views on its profitability. In conclusion, the adoption of the technologies aided the productivity. The fish-pond productivity was relatively low and faced major challenges that need to be addressed to enhance the adoption of best practices and increase output from the ponds. Actions by stakeholders to address the challenges both at farm level and at policy level are recommended. Training on risk management strategies for the aquaculture farmers is recommended.

Preferences of inland fishers for different management attributes in village tank cascade systems in Sri Lanka

CONTEXTA greater potential exists for developing culture-based fisheries (CBF) in village tank cascade systems (VTCS). A well-defined sustainable fishery management approach that is accepted and supported by the community is vital to enhance financial gains from an underutilized resource without compromising the social and environmental sustainability of the system. OBJECTIVESThe objectives of the study were to assess the fishers' preferences for different management attributes and their willingness to pay (WTP) for a sustainable management approach. The effects of socio-demographic characteristics and trust in the institution in determining the WTP were also explored. The study also computed the transaction cost and net gains from fisheries in tanks in selected VTCS in the Dry and Intermediate zones in Sri Lanka. METHODSFisheries management approaches differ in terms of their management structure, frequency of stocking, and restrictions on fishing. Fishers' preferences for these attributes and their WTP were assessed using the choice-based conjoint analysis (CBCA) method. A conditional logit model was used for the estimation of data obtained from 150 fishers in five tanks in VTCS. Transaction cost and net gains from fishing were estimated using standard measures. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSThe results suggest that fishers are most concerned about the institution that governs fishing. They have a strong preference for aquaculture management committee (AMC). They also would be willing to pay more to a management approach that places time restrictions than an approach with quantity restrictions. Fishers would be willing to pay an additional 275 LKR annually for a sustainable fishery management approach. The heterogeneity of fishers' preferences is explained by their trust in the community organization under which the fishing is managed and the level of income they derive from fishing. The estimates of the net gains from fishing explain the fishers' preferences for AMC over the other management approaches. The individual gains from fishing far exceed the sum of transaction and production costs under an AMC approach. SIGNIFICANCEThe results of this study contribute to a better understanding of fishers' preferences for different management attributes and their WTP for a sustainable fisheries management approach. To enhance community participation in fisheries management in VTCS, management approach needs to be aligned with the fishers' preferences. Since a preference for fishing regulated by the community exists, authorities can initiate the promotion of CBF in small tanks in VTCS.

Evaluation of human resources capacity, institutional and marketing in the Minapolitan Area, Merangin Regency, Jambi Province

Evaluation of human resource development and institutional aspects is a process of providing information that can be used as a consideration to improve capabilities and be able to influence the implementation of community empowerment programs. The aimed of this study was to evaluate the capacity of human resources, institutions, and aquaculture marketing systems in the minapolitan area of Merangin Regency. The method of data collection was carried out using a structured interview method with the help of a questionnaire to 493 fish cultivating households (CH). Data were analyzed by multidimensional scaling and leverage analysis using Rapfish software. The results showed that the CH of catfish obtained the highest average index of 55.58, followed by the CH of gouramy at 53.60, the CH of tilapia at 54.57 and the CH of catfish obtained an average index of 54.71. This illustrates that the performance of catfish farmers in aquaculture production technology and management systems is better than the performance of other fish farmers. The results of the evaluation of all aspects of the capacity of human resources, institutions, and aquaculture marketing systems indicate that there are 3 aspects that are in the range of 50.10-75.00 with moderately sustainable status, namely; human resource development aspect with an average index value (AIV) of 68.64, technology aspect with an AIV of 52.98, and natural resources aspect with an AIV of 65.22. Meanwhile, there are 2 aspects that are in the range of 25.10-50.00 with less sustainable status, namely the institutional aspect with an AIV of 48.23 and the economic aspect with an AIV of 48.62.Keywords: Aquaculture; Institutional; Marketing; Sustainability

Ocean Food Systems and Hybrid Seafood Production: Transdisciplinary Case Studies of Cod, Eels, Salmon, and Lobster

Capture fisheries and aquaculture are researched, planned, and managed throughout the world as if they are independent entities ignoring their complex and evolving interdependencies. Global attention on “blue foods” as an important part of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is focused on the restoration of capture fisheries and the sustainable expansion of aquaculture. Such a binary approach does not fit the current realities, opportunities, and innovations in ocean food systems (OFS), and does not integrate enough of the necessary transdisciplinary knowledge across professions. Integration of knowledge across professions is needed as modern ocean foods enter common marketplaces so interventions to increase sustainability must incorporate data on rural economic development, producers and their mixed ocean/land-based livelihoods and seasonal employment patterns, tourism, data on local to regional and global trade, and consumer behaviors. Four case studies detail the status and evolution of OFS typologies of American and spiny lobsters as fed fisheries, salmon as aquaculture-enhanced fisheries, and the capture-based aquacultures for cod and for eels. Objectives of this review were to examine for four OFS cases if there was adequate evidence to show that they were as productive, economically attractive, and as socially beneficial OFS that rival those of binary aquaculture or fisheries systems alone; and did they have significant potential to accelerate innovations as much as those sectors. For the four cases reviewed, productive, social and ecologically valuable, rapidly evolving OFS existed with demonstrable innovation trajectories. In the early part of this century it was estimated that capture-based aquaculture (CBA) accounted for about 20% of the total quantity of food fish production worth US$1.7 billion. Review of just four case studies having a limited number of participating countries found that annual value of the OFS exceeded US$4 billion: the value of eels as a capture-based aquaculture (CBA) was estimated US$2.3 billion for just two countries; for salmon as an aquaculture-enhanced fishery at $1.7 billion for only one state of the USA; and for lobsters as fed fisheries and a CBA, $825 million for the USA and Vietnam. However, OFS are disruptive as they require radically changed science, education, management, and development policies as current binary fisheries and aquaculture management approaches do not fit their current realities, or opportunities, or accelerate innovations, plus poorly integrate knowledge across professions. This was demonstrated by the example of dynamic management/regulatory situation for cod wild fisheries and the growing CBA for cod in Norway. The coming decades of accelerated climate and social changes will cause concomitant changes to ocean foods markets from local to global, and rural ocean foods livelihoods. These two systemic changes will drive the evolution and development of a greater diversity of OFS that will require much more attention of policy-makers and investors.

Evaluation of human resources capacity, institutional and marketing in the Minapolitan Area, Merangin Regency, Jambi Province

Evaluation of human resource development and institutional aspects is a process of providing information that can be used as a consideration to improve capabilities and be able to influence the implementation of community empowerment programs. The aimed of this study was to evaluate the capacity of human resources, institutions, and aquaculture marketing systems in the minapolitan area of Merangin Regency. The method of data collection was carried out using a structured interview method with the help of a questionnaire to 493 fish cultivating households (CH). Data were analyzed by multidimensional scaling and leverage analysis using Rapfish software. The results showed that the CH of catfish obtained the highest average index of 55.58, followed by the CH of gouramy at 53.60, the CH of tilapia at 54.57 and the CH of catfish obtained an average index of 54.71. This illustrates that the performance of catfish farmers in aquaculture production technology and management systems is better than the performance of other fish farmers. The results of the evaluation of all aspects of the capacity of human resources, institutions, and aquaculture marketing systems indicate that there are 3 aspects that are in the range of 50.10-75.00 with moderately sustainable status, namely; human resource development aspect with an average index value (AIV) of 68.64, technology aspect with an AIV of 52.98, and natural resources aspect with an AIV of 65.22. Meanwhile, there are 2 aspects that are in the range of 25.10-50.00 with less sustainable status, namely the institutional aspect with an AIV of 48.23 and the economic aspect with an AIV of 48.62.Keywords: Aquaculture; Institutional; Marketing; Sustainability

Lifecycle-dependent toxicity and removal of micropollutants in algal cultures of the green seaweed Ulva (Chlorophyta)

The green marine seaweed Ulva (Chlorophyta) is widely suggested as a biofilter for cost-effective bioremediation in integrated multitrophic aquaculture and wastewater management. Micropollutants (MPs), including antibiotics, endocrine disruptors, and herbicides, can severely affect humans and the environment. As these compounds may be accumulated or transformed by Ulva, its simultaneous function as an efficient biofilter and as a food and feed source might be affected. Therefore, we investigated the removal of ten MPs often found in wastewater effluents by Ulva and its associated bacteria, and characterized the effects of these MPs on the alga during two crucial lifecycle phases (germination and vegetative growth) using dose dependent tests. We monitored MP detoxification at elevated concentrations in a reductionistic tripartite Ulva mutabilis-Roseovarius-Maribacter model system to reduce interference from the fluctuating algal microbiome. Our results showed that the tripartite community was resistant to the MPs tested, although the gametes were between 2 to 140 times more susceptible based on the half-effective concentrations (EC50) than the growing vegetative alga. The herbicide atrazine and the endocrine disruptor bisphenol A proved the most toxic MPs for germinating gametes. U. mutabilis and its associated bacteria could not eliminate the tested antibiotics and herbicides but efficiently reduced the concentration of endocrine disruptors, including bisphenol A, estradiol, and ethinylestradiol, by over 98% to below the detection limit. We also confirmed that Ulva is not likely to become contaminated under the studied exposure conditions because no biotic processes are used to remove the other MPs, which emphasizes yet another benefit of its use in aquaculture. Compared to green microalgae, U. mutabilis appears to be more resistant to micropollutants.

Vocalization Behavior of Chinese Bahaba (Bahaba taipingensis) during the Reproduction Season

Chinese bahaba (Bahaba taipingensis) is a critically endangered fish species, which can produce sounds like other Sciaenidae species. In this study, sounds produced by sexually mature Chinese bahaba were recorded during the reproduction season for the first time. Two distinct types of sounds were observed during the reproduction season, termed as single drum and fast drum trains calls. Single drum callings occurred as a series of trains with rapid pulses, while fast drum trains callings were mainly made of a single signal. The single drum and fast drum trains had a peak frequency of 77.8 ± 16.2 Hz and 79.1 ± 8.7 Hz, respectively. Statistical analysis suggested significant differences in −3 dB bandwidth, signal duration, and root-mean-square sound pressure levels, except for peak frequency (p < 0.05) between single drum and fast drum trains sounds. Single drum occurred mainly before dawn (period range from 0:00 to 6:00 am) and less frequently after dusk (18:00–24:00 pm), and the fast drum trains occurred after dawn (6:00 am to 12:00 pm) and dusk (18:00 pm to 24:00 pm). Considering the abundance of Chinese bahaba has significantly declined, passive acoustic monitoring provides a non-invasive and low-cost effective tool to monitor sound production during reproduction season, which may help to facilitate aquaculture management and fishery population conservation in the future.

Toxicological mechanism of ammonia-N on haematopoiesis and apoptosis of haemocytes in Litopenaeus vannamei

Ammonia, as an important pollutant, contributed to the reduction of immunity, disruption of physiology in animals. RNA interference (RNAi) was performed to understand the function of astakine (AST) in haematopoiesis and apoptosis in Litopenaeus vannamei under ammonia-N exposure. Shrimps were exposed to 20 mg/L ammonia-N from 0 to 48 h with injection of 20 μg AST dsRNA. Further, shrimps were exposed to 0, 2, 10 and 20 mg/L ammonia-N also from 0 to 48 h. The results showed that the total haemocytes count (THC) decreased under ammonia-N stress and the knockdown of AST resulted in a further decrease of THC, suggesting that 1) the proliferation was decreased through the reduction of AST and Hedgehog, the differentiation was interfered by Wnt4, Wnt5 and Notch, and the migration was inhibited by the decrease of VEGF; 2) oxidative stress was induced under ammonia-N stress, leading to the increase of DNA damage with the up-regulated gene expression of death receptor, mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways; 3) the changes of THC resulted from the decrease of proliferation, differentiation and migration of haematopoiesis cells and the increase of apoptosis of haemocytes. This study helps to deepen our understanding of risk management in shrimp aquaculture.

Study on Environmental Cost Control in Pig Scale Breeding

The cost of pig breeding enterprises in China remains high and the benefits are declining. How to reduce costs and increase efficiency is an important practical problem faced by pig breeding enterprises at present. This paper takes New Hope Group as the research object, based on its aquaculture management model and financial data, deeply reveals the problems in its large-scale aquaculture management and cost control, and defines the connotation and objectives of environmental cost control of aquaculture enterprises from the perspective of changing the engineering construction model; Secondly, it analyzes the current situation and problems of environmental costs in pig farms; Then put forward the optimization plan of environmental cost in three stages, namely, before, during and after the event. Finally, using the method of combining theory with practice, put forward that enterprises should build an environmental cost control system and supporting measures for the return of manure to farmland.

Mitigating abiotic stresses using natural and modified stilbites synergizing with changes in oxidative stress markers in aquaculture.

In-depth mineralogical understanding and characterization are necessary to explore potential applications of clinoptilolites. In this study, the clinoptilolite collected from quarries and identified as stilbite microscopically and spectroscopically was subjected to physical and chemical treatments for the synthesis of modified stilbites, which were further evaluated for determining their removal efficiencies on ammonical contaminant in a predetermined concentration range from various source of aquaculture water namely fish pond, aquaponics and ornamental under laboratory condition. High-resolution transmission electron microscope results revealed that stilbite was rod-shaped in all forms but physically modified stilbite contains some nano-zeolite particles, synthesized probably due to heat treatment. The naturalzeolite (stilbite)and microwave sodium acetate treatedstilbite were found to be most effective in ammonia removal, hence boththese products were further evaluated for the removal of cadmium and lead under laboratory conditions and for the ammonia removal in fishpond water under wet lab conditions. The results showed that these zeolites at 10-100mg/L and 100-200mg/L had a better removal efficiency of ammonical and metallic contaminants, respectively. Fish samples were taken at particular intervals to determine oxidative stress parameters, i.e., superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme activities were found to be increased in control fish samples without treatment due to abiotic stress caused by higher ammonia concentration. The levels of oxidative stress markers are decreased in the treatments with zeolite-stilbite which brings to light its potential efficiency in alleviating stress in fish. This study revealed the potential of natural and abundantly available native zeolite-stilbite and its chemically modified form in relieving ammonical stress from the aquaculture system. This work has potential applications for the environmental management of aquaculture, ornamental fisheries, and aquaponics.

Fish feed nutrition and its management in aquaculture

Fish feed nutrition and its management in aquaculture

Digital Transformation on Aquaculture in Indonesia through eFishery

The Indonesian government has set an ambitious target for aquaculture growth in Indonesia by 2030. Governance is currently continuing to develop, especially in terms of managing the maritime sector. There are many researchers related to aquaculture management, then it is important that there is a major change toward digital in the management of aquaculture and fisheries in Indonesia. Rapid technological developments make it easier for humans to work and increase production, especially in aquaculture. This study uses qualitative research, using bibliometrics as a method. To see the urgency of the discussion studied also uses a qualitative with a descriptive approach to explaining into the existing discussion. Digital transformation has penetrated all aspects, including aquaculture in Indonesia. Indonesia has extraordinary potential, but great potential does not mean that it is successful, if it is not managed properly and does not utilize technology, it will definitely be left behind.

Analysis of the Elemental Composition of Gonads, Gametes and Larvae of the Mussel <i>Mytilus galloprovincialis</i> in the Spawning Period

In this work, we studied the elemental composition of gonads, eggs, sperm and larvae of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis during spawning, when the contents of biologically active compounds and minerals are maximal. A comparative analysis of the contents showed that the elements are involved in the mussel gametogenesis in different pathways. There were significant differences in the contents of Li, B, Mg, Si, P, K, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Ge, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Mo, Pd, Sn, I, Ba and Ce in male and female gonads before and after spawning, gametes and larvae of mussels. It is likely that some of the listed elements are not only passively accumulated in the mollusk body, but are also essential, being directly involved in the reproduction process. Most of significant differences in the element contents were found between eggs and larvae and between male gonads before spawning and sperm. By spawning, mussel gonads accumulated mainly p- and d-elements, apparently due to the ability of their ions to form complexes and, consequently, to be included in the structure of enzymes. The contents of B, Mg, Si, P, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Sr and Ba in male and female gonads, gametes and larvae were an order or several orders of magnitude higher than those of other elements. The contents of Ca, Fe, Sr, Sn and I in mussel larvae were significantly higher than in gonads and gametes. Sn is a technological hydropollutant, and thus, larvae can serve as a bioindicator of the aquatic environment pollution with this element. The data obtained are of practical interest for improving the biotechnology of reproduction of marine hydrobionts and obtaining functional products based on them, which is important for the optimization of aquaculture management and for addressing human health-related issues.

Abiotic and biotic stress alleviating effects of the medicinal and aromatic plant-derived product on striped catfish Pangasianodonhypophthalmus

Intensification of aquaculture production leads to abiotic and biotic stresses, which are further induced by the impact of climate change. Thus, it is important to explore a combined strategy to alleviate multiple stresses in fish. In the present investigation, the removal of nitrogenous metabolites from aquaponics water was studied using products derived from five different locally available medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) namely banana stem (Musa Accuminata), Aloe vera, Mint (Minata sepicata), Indian beech/Pongameoil-tree/Karanj (Pongamia pinnatum), and Coat Button/Mexican daisy/Dagadipala (Tridax procrumbens) in the batch experiment for 24 h. A reduction of 91–94% in the ammonia level and 75–80% removal of nitrite-N in the treatments with products derived from mint, banana stem, and aloe vera has been observed. Mint product was also found to be bactericidal against fish pathogenic bacteria. Based on this dual function of mint, further study was conducted under wet-lab conditions to evaluate the possible protective role of the mint-based product in dry powder form against abiotic stresses caused by nitrogenous toxicants for 24 h and 45 days multiple stresses caused by nitrogenous toxicants in freshwater stocked with eight fingerlings of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus of the initial weight of 8 ± 0.5g for 24 h and 8.82 ± 0.75g for 45 days. The results revealed that mint-derived plant product has better anti-stress properties in terms of their bioremediation effectiveness in lowering ammonia and nitrite. Mint also improved the fish growth performance with better physiological responses and anti-oxidative status and reduced the cellular metabolic stress in fish reared under ammonia, as further indicated by reduced oxidative stress parameters, and tissue biochemical indices. Overall, mint showed its main properties as a growth promoter, and immune enhancer, where this medicinal plant product acts as a bioremediation and antibacterial agent to the host immune system. This has potential applications in the environmental and health management of aquaculture.

Effects of Shelter on the Hatching, Immune Performance, and Profitability of the Ovigerous Red Swamp Crayfish Procambarus clarkii under High Stocking Density

To develop the intensive breeding technology of the seed of the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii, the survival rates, hatching effects (hatching rate, incubation level, and number of juveniles), and immune performance of ovigerous P. clarkia as well as economic benefits are evaluated under different shelter conditions under a high stocking density in this study. The experimental design includes three different forms of shelter treatments (D1: experiment without any shelters; D2: experiment with closed shelters; D3: experiment with open shelters), each with three replicates. The results show that the concentration of the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and activities of phenoloxidase (PO), catalase (CAT), and acid phosphatase (ACP) in the D3 treatment are higher than those in the D1 treatment (all p < 0.05), with the highest concentrations of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and the highest activities of phenoloxidase (PO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), acid phosphatase (ACP), and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) among the treatments being present in the ovigerous P. clarkii in the D3 treatment. The hatching rates of the three treatments vary from 69.51% to 94.28%, with the highest rate found in the D3 treatment and the lowest in the D1 treatment, but there is no significant difference among them (p > 0.05). The highest incubation level (ind.·m−2) and the highest number of juveniles (ind.·m−2) among treatments are found in the D3 treatment, with the incubation level (ind.·m−2) in the D3 treatment being significantly higher than that in the D1 treatment (p < 0.05). The benefit–cost ratios (BCRs) of the D2 and D3 treatments remain significantly higher than that of the D1 treatment when P. clarkii prices change (all p < 0.05). Our results indicate that a high stocking density habitat with open shelters could effectively improve the hatching and immune performance of ovigerous P. clarkii. Our findings are relevant for the indoor aquaculture management of ovigerous P. clarkii.

Estimating the shrimp farm’s production and their future growth prediction by remote sensing: Case study Gulf of California

Shrimp farms are within the main aquaculture activities and In the last 30 years, shrimp farms have expanded along the Gulf of California. Because the shrimp farm’s production is related to the pond area and the extended location of shrimp farms, we employed a multi-disciplinary approach to study the process of annual shrimp farm expansion, in addition to predicting shrimp production in the short term. Our study hypothesizes that semi-intensive shrimp farm production is dependent on the pond area which can be accurately quantified by using remote sensing image classification combined with the historical production data of shrimp aquaculture. We could calculate the long-term expansion of the total pond area and forecast the total annual shrimp production in the short-term. Our results highlight the development over the last 28 years. The total surface area of the shrimp ponds grew by more than 1100%. The linear regression model between the shrimp farms area, calculated using remote sensing, and statistical data on shrimp production, was strongly positive and significant (r2 = 0.874, p =2.209e-11). Likewise, the linear regression model for the total pond area as a function of time resulted strong positive and statistically significant (r2 = 0.936, p =2.917e-15). We demonstrated that the shrimp production could be assessed based on the total pond area by year, obtained by remote sensing. We estimated the past long-term shrimp farm expansion in the study zone using remote sensing data. This methodology is valuable for monitoring food security, aquaculture management decisions, and coastal ecology.

Seafood consumption and the management of shellfish aquaculture

As aquaculture has expanded, researchers and governing authorities have increasingly considered the nature and distribution of the environmental, economic, and social impacts of the industry. Much of that consideration, however, has focused primarily on areas where seafood is produced. This article draws on a case study of the North Carolina oyster aquaculture industry to explore how the preferences and behaviors associated with consuming aquaculture products as well as the management relevant priorities of state residents outside of producing areas might also be important considerations for governing authorities. The study draws on an analysis of North Carolina’s management objectives for the shellfish aquaculture industry and compares those objectives to findings from a survey (n = 1040) of seafood consumers (who are also residents) in the state. Results show that consumers tended to prioritize ‘consumer-facing’ product attributes such as taste, health benefits and price over ‘production-facing’ attributes such as local origin, sustainability, economic or cultural benefits to local areas, and whether the product was farm-raised or wild-caught. Consumers also consistently stated a preference for wild-caught products and reported that oysters are consumed infrequently as compared to tuna, shrimp, and salmon (the ‘big three’). Response patterns varied geographically and across other respondent characteristics, highlighting the importance of both place and culture in shaping both seafood preferences and management objectives. The article concludes with a comparison of these patterns with the objectives of the State, revealing areas of alignment as well as areas of apparent disconnection. The article concludes with a discussion of management implications of the findings, suggesting that attention to seafood consumption patterns should be an important area of management attention in addition to issues associated with production.

Competition overwhelms environment and genetic effects on growth rates of endangered white sturgeon from a conservation aquaculture program

Improving the status of endangered species can be challenging because the efficacy of conservation actions is often uncertain. Conservation aquaculture has been the main recovery action for endangered white sturgeon ( Acipenser transmontanus) in the Transboundary Reach of the upper Columbia River. Using long-term mark-recapture data (2002–2018), we predicted variation in growth rates due to genetic, environmental, and competition effects to evaluate the efficacy of the aquaculture program. Environmental conditions (by season and country) and competition had the greatest effects on growth. Growth, length-at-age, weight-at-age, and condition factor were higher for fish residing in reservoir habitats (US) compared to those in riverine habitat (Canada). Growth declined over the study period but growth in length for larger fish remained higher in the US as fish > 100 cm fork length in Canada were not growing. Small differences in growth among families indicate that differences in genetics among parents spawned in the hatchery had negligible effects on growth in the wild. Our estimate of substantive negative density-dependent growth in Canada is important for management of conservation aquaculture for sturgeons.