Aquaculture Production Research Articles

Exploring the functional properties and utilisation potential of mollusca shell by-products through an interdisciplinary approach.

Molluscan shellfish aquaculture contributes to 42.6% of global aquaculture production. With a continued increase in shellfish production, disposal of shell waste during processing is emerging as an environmental and financial concern. Whilst major commercial species such as Crassostrea spp. has been extensively investigated on usage of its shell, with information that are crucial for valorisation, e.g. safety and crystal polymorphs, evaluated. There is currently little understanding of utilisation opportunities of shell in several uprising Australian commercially harvested species including Akoya Oyster (Pinctada fucata), Roe's Abalone (Haliotis roei) and Greenlip Abalone (Haliotis levigata), making it challenging to identify ideal usages based on evidence-based information. Therefore, in this study, an interdisciplinary approach was employed to characterise the shells, and thereafter suggest some potential utilisation opportunities. This characterisation included crude mineral content, elemental profiling and food safety evaluation. As well, physical, chemical, and thermal stability of the shell products was assessed. TGA result suggests that all shells investigated have high thermal stability, suggesting the possibility of utilisation as a functional filler in engineering applications. Subsequent FTIR, SEM and XRD analyses identified that CaCO3 was the main compositions with up to 77.6% of it found to be aragonite. The spectacular high aragonite content compared to well-investigated Crassostrea spp. suggested an opportunity for the utilisation of refined abalone shell as a source of biomedical engineering due to its potent biocompatibility. Additionally, safety evaluations on whole shell also outlined that all investigated samples were safe when utilised as a crude calcium supplement for populations > 11years old, which could be another viable options of utilisation. This article could underpin abalone and akoya industries actions to fully utilise existing waste streams to achieve a more sustainable future.

Nettle (Urtica dioica) supplementation: impact on growth, hematology, immune response, and resilience to Aeromonas hydrophila in Labeo rohita fingerlings.

The significance of plant-derived products in aquaculture lies in their potential to offer sustainable alternatives, promoting eco-friendly practices. This study investigated the impact of nettle (Urtica dioica) leaves powder on the growth efficiency, hemato-biochemical variables and non-specific immune system of rohu, Labeo rohita fingerlings. To achieve this objective, sample average weight (5.23 ± 0.34g) were categorized into four groups, namely control, T1, T2 and T3 in triplicate and administered diets fortified with nettle in amounts of 0, 1, 3 and 5% respectively for a duration of 60 days. After 60 days of fortified diet, the fish underwent intraperitoneal injection with bacteria (Aeromonas hydrophila), and subsequent relative percentage survival (RPS) was observed. The growth performance, including "weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and feed efficiency ratio (FER)", were notably higher in the T3 group (5%) than in others. The hematological values of White blood cell, hematocrit, and hemoglobin revealed higher levels with a fortified diet. The dietary supplementation of nettle reduced serum cholesterol and glucose concentration, whereas it increased albumin, globulin, and total protein in the fish blood. Enhancements in lysozyme and myeloperoxidase activity were observed in the intervention groups with feed containing nettle supplementation. The nettle diet at a 5% concentration demonstrated a higher RPS than the others following injection with A. hydrophila. The findings indicate the potential of nettle as a valuable nutritional supplement for increasing fish immunological reaction and bolstering pathogen resistance.

Multi-tissue metabolomic profiling reveals the crucial metabolites and pathways associated with scallop growth.

Bivalves represent a vital economic resource in aquaculture for their high productivity and extensive market demand. Growth is one of the most important and desired aquaculture traits for bivalves, regulated by multiple levels, notably intricate metabolic processes. However, the understanding of the metabolic profiles that influence bivalve growth is limited, particularly from a multi-tissue perspective. In this study, metabolic profiles of multiple tissues of Chlamys farreri with different growth performance were systematically investigated by ultraperformance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Through comparing the metabolic variation between fast-growing (FG) scallops and slow-growing (SG) scallops, 613, 509, 105, and 192 significantly different metabolites (SDMs) were identified in the mantle, gill, adductor muscle, and digestive gland, respectively. Growth-related metabolic pathways including sphingolipid metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, and ABC transporter pathway, along with 11 SDMs associated with growth traits were identified in all four tissues, implying they were involved in the growth of multiple tissues in scallops. Tissue-specific metabolic profiling indicated that sulfur-containing amino acid metabolism in the mantle potentially contributed to shell growth, while the gill synergistically participated with the mantle through various metabolic processes, such as tyrosine metabolism, glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism and melanogenesis; energy metabolism was crucial for adductor muscle growth; and nutrients digestion and absorption in the digestive gland were linked to scallop growth. Our results represent the first comprehensive analysis of the crucial pathways and metabolites associated with the growth of C. farreri, offering valuable insights for future bivalve aquaculture production.

Brackish water parameters monitoring dashboard using Internet of things and industry 4.0

INTRODUCTION: Brackish water aquaculture plays a crucial role in meeting the growing global demand for seafood. It offers an opportunity to diversify aquaculture production and reduce pressure on overexploited marine resources. OBJECTIVES: By harnessing the unique properties of brackish ecosystems, this practice contributes to food security, economic growth, and sustainable resource management, while also promoting the conservation of valuable marine habitats. The development of a cutting-edge Indigenous Water Quality Monitoring Prototype named "Aqua BuoySis" for precision brackish water aquaculture utilizing machine intelligence. METHODS: The prototype integrates sensors for Dissolved Oxygen (DO), pH, Temperature, Turbidity, and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). These sensors are calibrated using a dynamic temperature-based machine-learning approach to ensure accuracy in real-time environments. Sensor calibration constants are uploaded to a server for comprehensive data calibration. RESULTS: The system collects data at 20-second intervals, associating it with specific pond IDs. Data refinement is achieved through Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) processing. An Android and Web application, available in native languages such as Tamil and Telugu, has been developed to provide live updates to aqua farmers, facilitating informed decision-making. CONCLUSION: This technology represents a significant step towards enhancing precision in brackish water aquaculture through the fusion of machine intelligence and water quality management.

Carbon Footprint and Automation in Aquaculture

Objective: This paper proposes research on the state of the art of automation and carbon footprint in aquaculture. Theoretical Framework: The development of electronics and automation, which are so prevalent in everyday activities and industries, has contributed to the advancement of automation levels in aquaculture. The use of electrical sensors could be an alternative for estimating the carbon footprint of aquaculture production systems. Method: The methodology was based on scientific research with a qualitative approach on automation and the carbon footprint in aquaculture and observations made during visits to fish farms and fish technology fairs. Results and Discussion: The levels of automation used in aquaculture are still low compared to other economic activities, especially industry. The use of existing technology in fish farms would raise the level of automation in aquaculture, but this transformation faces challenges on the part of fish farmers, such as: cost of access, difficulty of operation and lack of interest in investing in automation. The use of automation and control techniques could corroborate methodologies for estimating the carbon footprint during the animal rearing phase in excavated ponds. Research Implications: Promote discussion on the use of new technologies and influence research on the theme of carbon footprint and automation in aquaculture. Advance research into the need to expand the use of automation in fish farms. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by reviewing the state of the art of automation in aquaculture, demonstrating the need for research to expand the use of technologies both to automate aquaculture farming and to estimate the carbon footprint during farming.

Advancing aquaculture: fuzzy logic-based water quality monitoring and maintenance system for precision aquaculture

AbstractAquaculture plays a vital role in global food production, and maintaining optimal water quality is essential for the health and growth of aquatic species. This research addresses the need for an efficient, adaptive solution by introducing an innovative water quality monitoring and maintenance system for aquaculture ponds. Unlike conventional systems, our approach uniquely integrates fuzzy logic with IoT technologies to optimise the precision and adaptability of pond management. The system stands out with its continuous monitoring of critical parameters such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), weather conditions and salinity and its ability to autonomously adjust operational controls, such as aerators and water pumps, based on dynamic environmental changes. This ensures ideal water conditions without manual intervention, providing a reliable and effective solution for aquaculture pond management. This work’s novelty lies in applying fuzzy Logic to handle the complexity and variability of aquaculture environments, allowing for nuanced control decisions that improve water quality management. The system’s efficiency was demonstrated through a 72-h operational test, where it maintained optimal DO and salinity levels, showcasing its reliability and effectiveness in real-world conditions. The fuzzy logic model has demonstrated a commendable accuracy rate of 98%. These results validate the system’s performance and underscore its practical benefits, meeting the demands of aquaculture production and significantly enhancing operational efficiency by enabling remote monitoring and rapid issue identification. This research contributes a robust technological solution for aquafarmers, offering a promising advancement in aquaculture management by improving productivity and ensuring the health and growth of aquatic species.

Enhanced sulfide burial in low-oxygen aquatic environments could offset the carbon footprint of aquaculture production.

Carbon removal from the atmosphere is needed to keep global mean temperature increases below 2 °C. Here, we develop a model to explore how alkalinity production through enhanced iron sulfide formation in low-oxygen aquatic environments, such as aquaculture systems, could offer a cost-effective means of CO2 removal. We show that enhanced sulfide burial through the supply of reactive iron to surface sediments may be able to capture up to a hundred million tonnes of CO2 per year, particularly in countries with the highest number of fish farms, such as China and Indonesia. These efforts could largely offset the carbon footprint associated with their aquaculture industry. Enhanced sulfide burial could directly benefit both fish farms and surrounding ecosystems by removing toxic sulfide from aquatic systems, providing an addition to durable global CO2 removal markets and a path towards large-scale, carbon-neutral aquatic food production.

Impact of salmon farming in the antibiotic resistance and structure of marine bacterial communities from surface seawater of a northern Patagonian area of Chile

BackgroundAquaculture and salmon farming can cause environmental problems due to the pollution of the surrounding waters with nutrients, solid wastes and chemicals, such as antibiotics, which are used for disease control in the aquaculture facilities. Increasing antibiotic resistance in human-impacted environments, such as coastal waters with aquaculture activity, is linked to the widespread use of antibiotics, even at sub-lethal concentrations. In Chile, the world's second largest producer of salmon, aquaculture is considered the primary source of antibiotics residues in the coastal waters of northern Patagonia. Here, we evaluated whether the structure and diversity of marine bacterial community, the richness of antibiotic resistance bacteria and the frequency of antibiotic resistance genes increase in communities from the surface seawater of an area with salmon farming activities, in comparison with communities from an area without major anthropogenic disturbance.ResultsThe taxonomic structure of bacterial community was significantly different between areas with and without aquaculture production. Growth of the culturable fraction under controlled laboratory conditions showed that, in comparison with the undisturbed area, the bacterial community from salmon farms displayed a higher frequency of colonies resistant to the antibiotics used by the salmon industry. A higher adaptation to antibiotics was revealed by a greater proportion of multi-resistant bacteria isolated from the surface seawater of the salmon farming area. Furthermore, metagenomics data revealed a significant higher abundance of antibiotic resistant genes conferring resistance to 11 antibiotic families in the community from salmon farms, indicating that the proportion of bacteria carrying the resistance determinants was overall higher in salmon farms than in the undisturbed site.ConclusionsOur results revealed an association between bacterial communities and antibiotic resistance from surface seawater of a coastal area of Chile. Although the total bacterial community may appear comparable between sites, the cultivation technique allowed to expose a higher prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in the salmon farming area. Moreover, we demonstrated that metagenomics (culture-independent) and phenotypic (culture-dependent) methods are complementary to evaluate the bacterial communities’ risk for antibiotic resistance, and that a human—influenced environment (such as salmon farms) can potentiate bacteria to adapt to environmental stresses, such as antibiotics.

Experimental investigation of surface buoyant jet interactions with grid obstructions: implications for aquaculture

Freshwater inputs originating from terrestrial streams and gullies that discharge into quiescent, semi-enclosed coastal regions (such as estuaries, tidal inlets or lagoons), typically provide point sources of nutrients (e.g. nitrates, phosphates) and/or contaminants (e.g. pesticides, pathogens) that may have a deleterious impact on water quality. Many of these sheltered coastal regions also increasingly support aquaculture operations (e.g. finfish, shellfish, or seaweed farms), which can therefore be directly impacted by nutrient and contaminant inputs. Dynamically, these terrestrial freshwater inflows behave as surface buoyant jets or plumes within the coastal saline or brackish receiving waters, due to the salinity-induced density gradients. As such, the presence of infrastructure associated with aquaculture operations in sheltered coastal waters can provide obstruction to the propagation characteristics and residence times for these surface freshwater flows. Consequently, an improved physical understanding of the flow-structure interaction is clearly crucial to assessing the potential contamination risk of aquaculture products. The aim of the current study is therefore to explore, through scaled laboratory experiments within a channel-basin facility, the impact of physical obstruction induced by a vertical grid structure on the flow evolution of a 2D – 3D expanding, surface buoyant jet. Two grid obstructions with different solidity ratios are tested, along with surface gravity currents of different density excesses and freshwater inflows to infer the influence of different parametric conditions on the propagation, blockage and mixing characteristics of the surface current in the vicinity of the grid obstruction. Measurements of the velocity structure and thickness of the expanding surface plume are obtained by ultrasonic velocity profilers, while the density excess in the evolving plume is measured by micro-conductivity probes. Dye visualization results also show that, in the presence of the grid obstruction, the generation of shear-induced billows at the lower interface of the expanding surface current is largely blocked and a local deepening of the fresh-salt water interface in the immediate vicinity of the grid obstruction is observed. In this sense, the obstruction imposed by aquaculture infrastructure in coastal domains can have a considerable influence of the local turbulent mixing and vertical transfer of substances (e.g. nutrients and contaminants), but is likely to have relatively minimal impact in the final dispersion of the surface plume.

Editorial: Sustainable aquaculture production for improved food security

Editorial: Sustainable aquaculture production for improved food security

Optimizing Fish Feed Pellets Handling Systems to Minimize Microplastics Emissions - A Pilot Test Based Approach

The fisheries and aquaculture industries are vital components of global food production, yet they also contribute to release of microplastics into marine environments, posing risks to ecosystem health and seafood safety. Among the contributing factors, the erosion of feeding pipes during the pneumatic conveyance of fish feed pellets stands out as a significant source of microplastic pollution. This study focuses on optimizing feed pellet conveying systems in fish farms to minimize microplastic emissions while maximizing pipeline lifespan and pellet integrity. Using high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes commonly found in aquaculture facilities, the impact of air velocity and pipeline configuration on pipe wall erosion and pellet breakage was investigated. Through pneumatic conveying tests, the effects of varying air flow rates and bend radii were assessed on pipeline wear and feed pellet integrity. The findings of the study underscored the importance of optimizing operating parameters to bring a balance between preventing pipe blockages and minimizing abrasive impacts on pellets and pipeline surfaces. Furthermore, a simulationbased approach to optimize feeding system performance is presented, integrating the experimental results into a computational model. This model allows for the evaluation of different operating conditions and pipeline configurations, offering insights into costeffective strategies for reducing microplastic emissions while maintaining efficient feed delivery to fish populations. Ultimately, this research provided practical recommendations and best practices for the aquaculture industry to mitigate microplastic pollution from feeding pipes. By optimizing feed pellet conveying systems, environmental sustainability can be enhanced, seafood quality be preserved, and bolster consumer confidence in aquaculture products.

Water Quality Impact on Fish Behavior: A Review From an Aquaculture Perspective

ABSTRACTChanges in water quality significantly shape fish behavior, a crucial index reflecting the growth and welfare status of fish. Given the centrality of this relationship to aquaculture practices, a comprehensive understanding of how water quality dynamics influence fish behavior is imperative. While there have been some summaries of the effects of water quality parameters on fish physiology and growth, few reviews on their effects on fish behavior have been reported yet. This article reviews several water quality parameters which are of great concern in aquaculture from multiple facets of actual production, including physical parameters (water temperature and turbidity), chemical parameters (dissolved oxygen, salinity, pH, and inorganic nitrogen), and chemical pollutants (microplastics and crude oil), which have gained increasing attention from the researchers and aquaculture practitioners over the past decades. Variations in these water quality parameters can exert profound effects on fish physiology, metabolism, internal tissues and organs, and sensory perception, which influences fish behaviors such as swimming, schooling, feeding, predation, anti‐predation, aggression, courtship, as well as adaptive and stress‐related behaviors such as exploration, avoidance response, and anxiety‐like behavior. By synthesizing the behavioral changes caused by specific water quality parameters, this review aims to provide strong support for further water quality‐related research, thereby fostering environments conducive to both fish welfare and aquaculture productivity.

Intensive white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) culture integrated with green mussel (Perna viridis), seaweed (Gracilariopsis bailiniae), and tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus): impacts on water quality and growth of the shrimp

The production of Litopenaeus vannamei has significantly intensified, and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) has emerged as an effective farming technique to sustain the shrimp industry. Integrated aquaculture reduces pollution while increasing aquaculture production. This production system could give both ecological and economic benefits. Its contribution to the reduced amount of nutrients from intensive shrimp farming effluents and to the improvement of water quality conditions and growth of white shrimp are significant. This study aimed to evaluate the impacts on water quality and growth performance of shrimp (L. vannamei) at the same time assess the viability of rearing shrimps integrated with either green mussel, Perna viridis (GM alone), GM+seaweed (Gracilariopsis bailiniae), GM+tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus), or GM+seaweed+tilapia. Shrimps were cultured outdoors for 60 days in a recirculating system at an average water exchange rate of 6 L hr-1. Shrimps were stocked at 400 shrimp m-3 in shrimp tank while seaweed (2kg m-2), green mussels (50 individuals per meter line), and tilapia (350 grams m-3) were cultivated separately in plastic baskets inside the biofiltration tank. Shrimp effluents were recirculated from the shrimp tank to the biofiltration tank. After 60 days of culture, results showed that shrimps without integration had the lowest average body weight (ABW), survival, weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), biomass gain, and high feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to shrimps with integration. This experiment confirmed that shrimp can be cultured intensively with either green mussel (GM alone), GM+ seaweed, GM+tilapia, or GM+seaweed+tilapia without adversely affecting the water quality and its growth performance and could even result in better yield than the shrimp cultured without integration. This research demonstrated the benefits of integrated aquaculture and could be further verified using large-scale culture.

Determinants of the Blue Economy Growth in the Era of Sustainability: A Case Study of Indonesia

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent a fundamental global commitment to addressing a wide range of socio-economic and environmental challenges. A key component of these goals is the commitment to ocean sustainability, encapsulated in the concept of the blue economy. The blue economy, emerging in an era characterized by intricate dynamics and openness to transformation, is influenced by various determinants. This study utilizes panel data analysis and the pooled least squares method to investigate the factors influencing the share of the blue economy in the archipelagic provinces of Indonesia from 2012 to 2021. With its vast maritime territory and numerous islands, Indonesia provides a highly relevant context for examining these dynamics. The empirical results indicate that information and communication technology (ICT), fisheries capture, and aquaculture production positively impact the blue economy’s share. Conversely, trade openness and electricity consumption exhibit a negative relationship with the blue economy’s share. Moreover, the analysis reveals that investment does not have a significant effect on the blue economy’s share. These findings underscore the critical importance of developing robust infrastructure and implementing stringent regulatory oversight on fishery product trade to enhance sustainable growth within the blue economy framework.

Alginolyticus Virulence: An Overview

Introduction: Marine habitats harbor the gram-negative, halophilic Vibrio alginolyticus. Usually connected with aquatic life, it poses a serious health risk to humans, especially seafood and marine workers. Marine economic animals like prawns, fish, and shellfish can develop serious illnesses with rapid progression and significant fatality rates. Pathogenic relatives such as Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, which carry genes for several virulence factors, have inherited its virulence, thereby increasing its clinical importance. No effective treatments exist to stop V. alginolyticus dissemination and infection; therefore, studying its virulence mechanisms is crucial to understanding its pathogenicity and improving prevention and therapy. Objectives: To analyze the virulence factors and antibiotic resistance mechanisms of Vibrio alginolyticus to improve prevention and control strategies for managing infections in aquaculture and public health settings. Methods: This study is a literature review synthesising findings from recent research on V. alginolyticus. Sources include peer-reviewed articles, clinical studies, and microbiological research focusing on virulence factors and antibiotic resistance. Data collection involved searching databases like PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, filtering for studies on V. alginolyticus’s virulence mechanisms, antibiotic resistance, and impacts on public health and aquaculture. We selected key studies to gain a comprehensive understanding of the pathogenic characteristics and resistance profiles of the bacterium. Results: The results show that V. alginolyticus uses many ways to be strong, like quorum sensing, making virulence proteins, secreting haemolysin, and making biofilms, which make it more dangerous to humans and marine animals. Several resistance genes and efflux systems contribute to its antibiotic resistance, thereby impeding the effectiveness of treatment. Studies also show that biofilm formation and quorum sensing facilitate survival in hostile environments, making infections more challenging to manage. Conclusions: Understanding the virulence factors and antibiotic resistance mechanisms of Vibrio alginolyticus is crucial for developing effective control strategies. This bacterium’s rapid spread and severe impact on marine life and human health necessitate new approaches in aquaculture management and clinical interventions. Enhanced monitoring and targeted research are essential to curb its spread and prevent infection, ultimately improving aquaculture productivity and reducing public health risks associated with this pathogen.

Mapping aquaculture in inland continental areas of Brazil using machine learning on the Google Earth Engine

Aquaculture has played a significant and growing role in the provision of food, food security, and job creation, while simultaneously establishing itself as an important agricultural activity subject to increasingly stringent market practices. The generation of spatial information on aquaculture activity in Brazil can support more assertive planning of new enterprises as well as enable the monitoring of this activity over time, fulfilling an agenda of sustainable aquaculture growth in the country. The aim of this article was to map aquaculture areas in the state of Paraná (Brazil) by developing an automated methodology for the extraction of aquaculture ponds. The methodology was implemented on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform and utilized satellite images with a spatial resolution of 4.77 m from Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI) Program – Planet. The process involved pixel-oriented classification of satellite images and the utilization of the Random Forest (RF) algorithm for classification, based on 1200 training samples. The accuracy of the mapping and the algorithm was evaluated using Producer Accuracy (PA), User Accuracy (UA), and Overall Accuracy (OA). The mapping achieved an OA of 0.87, with a PA of 0.89 and a UA of 0.96 for the aquaculture class, and a PA of 0.66 and a UA of 0.41 for the non-aquaculture class. 42,369 aquaculture ponds were identified in the study area, covering a total area of 11,515 ha. The ponds had sizes smaller than 0.7 ha and non-circular shapes (compactness 0.70). Around 40% of the identified aquaculture tanks were concentrated in just two out of the ten analyzed mesoregions, accounting for 40% of the water surface area used for aquaculture in Paraná. Considering that the results obtained show potential to fill the gap in geospatial information about state aquaculture, our methodology would provide a broad understanding of the state’s aquaculture framework, definition of regions with capacity for the expansion of aquaculture ponds, accuracy in estimating the state’s productive space, monitoring the improper expansion of aquaculture areas, as well as establishing locations where the pressure on water resources by aquaculture prevents the expansion of this activity. Therefore, this study could benefit public and private organizations, and other stakeholders, by systematically monitoring aquaculture production in the country’s leading fish farming state, contributing to assertive decisions in regions where aquaculture production needs to expand sustainably.

Spatial multi-criteria analysis based on food web model results: application to a marine conservation area

Effective marine management requires balancing conservation and sustainable use of resources. Food web models are useful for simulating direct and indirect effects of management scenarios on ecosystem functioning by using multiple indicators. However, a key challenge is consolidating these indicators into a single, comprehensive, measure, which is often required to guide management decisions, such as in Strategic Environmental Assessment. This study applies spatial multi-criteria analysis to food web model outputs to develop a single index for different marine management applications. We applied this framework to the case of the “Tegnùe di Chioggia”, a Special Area of Conservation (SAC; IT3250047) under the Natura 2000 European network, located in the northern Adriatic Sea (Italy). This area, characterised by the presence of biogenic rocky outcrops, currently lacks a formal management plan. Using the Ecospace module of the Ecopath with Ecosim software, we simulated three management scenarios: 1) SAC expansion; 2) winter artisanal fishing in the SAC; 3) a combination of both. In line with ecosystem-based management, we focused on economically important trophic groups in the region, such as the Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, and striped venus clam, Chamelea gallina, which are present near the SAC. We also considered the efforts of the local fishing fleets. Ecosystem structure and functioning indicators, generated by the spatial food-web model, were linked to three criteria aligned with the management priorities of the area: nature conservation, aquaculture productivity, and fishing productivity. These criteria were aggregated into a final score to compare the management scenarios. The results showed that none of the scenarios would significantly alter community composition or ecosystem functioning compared to the current situation. However, they did show contrasting responses in the food web model. The SAC expansion scenario notably increased total biomass and commercial fish biomass, especially pectinids and cephalopods. The fishing scenario had a minimal impact on trophic groups. Ecosystem resilience and structure indicators were less sensitive to management scenarios than biomass indicators. However, the multi-criteria analysis revealed that the fishing scenario limited the benefits of expanding the SAC, due to reduced catches. The final score effectively ranked proposed scenarios, highlighting key indicators that influenced these variations. The proposed approach shows potential for supporting participatory modelling and engaging stakeholders in developing management scenarios.

A review on protein utilization and its interactions with carbohydrate and lipid from a molecular perspective in aquaculture: An implication beyond growth.

The world's increasing need for protein faces challenges in aquaculture production. New applications and tools will need to be added at every stage of the manufacturing line to attain this expansion sustainably, safely, and effectively. Utilizing experimental methods to increase aquatic animal production has become more common as aquatic biotechnology has advanced. High-throughput omics technologies have been introduced to address these issues, including transcriptomic, metabolomic, proteomic, and genomes. But it also faces many difficulties, like other food manufacturing industries. One of the best and most durable approaches to address these issues is probably to understand nutritional requirements and modify diet based on need. Molecular approaches are a subset of multiomics technology. Previously, most of the published work was devoted to the biochemical aspects of protein-lipid interactions in biological systems. In this review, we explore this idea and highlight various works that fall under the umbrella of nutrigenomics, with a particular emphasis on protein utilization and its interactions with carbohydrates and lipids.

Heavy metal dynamics in riverine mangrove systems: A case study on content, migration, and enrichment in surface sediments, pore water, and plants in Zhanjiang, China

Mangroves serve a crucial role as metal accumulators in tropical and subtropical marine ecosystems, particularly in riverine mangroves, which frequently interact with terrestrial sources. In this study, we focused on the Gaoqiao and Jiuzhou Rivers within the Zhanjiang mangrove forest in Guangdong, China, and collected leaves and surface sediments from the dominant mangrove plant, Aegiceras corniculatum, near the riverbanks. We focused on seven heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb, and Hg) in mangrove leaves, surface sediments, and pore water due to their environmental significance and frequent occurrence in mangrove ecosystems. We employed multivariate statistical methods and pollution indicators to assess the potential sources and risk levels of heavy metals in these sediments. Our results reveal that the concentrations of the seven heavy metals in the sediments of the Gaoqiao and Jiuzhou Rivers varied significantly, ranging from 0.03 mg/kg to 100.00 mg/kg. Cd posed the highest ecological risk, followed by Hg and As. The comprehensive potential ecological risk in the Gaoqiao River was lower than that in the Jiuzhou River, likely due to the distribution of industrial enterprises (such as printing and cement plants) in the upper reaches of the Jiuzhou River. Additionally, the heavy metal content in the leaves and pore water of A. corniculatum ranged from 0.01 to 51.58 mg/kg and 0.001 to 133.70 μg/L, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the heavy metal concentrations in the leaves and the pore water of A. corniculatum. Notably, the leaves of A. corniculatum exhibited a remarkable Hg-enrichment capability, highlighting its potential as a mercury accumulator. Most heavy metals in A. corniculatum leaves, pore water, and sediment were concentrated in the middle and upper reaches of the river, primarily due to anthropogenic terrestrial inputs from residential production activities upstream. Consequently, heavy metal pollution in riverine mangroves is primarily associated with human activities such as aquaculture, agricultural planting, and industrial production.

Microplastic contamination in the aquaculture icon Oreochromis mossambicus: Prevalence, characteristics, and comprehensive overview

The global production of plastics has surged to 368 million tonnes annually, leading to significant plastic waste accumulation, projected to reach 12,000 Mt by 2050, impacting aquatic ecosystems. Fish, crucial for their protein and nutrients, are particularly vulnerable to microplastic (MP) ingestion. As a major aquaculture producer and fish consumer, India faces rising plastic pollution in freshwater, which disrupts fish health and growth, posing a significant threat to the sustainability and productivity of aquaculture systems and potential health risks. This study focuses on Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus), valued for its widespread aquaculture use, rapid growth, and nutritional benefits. Our research reveals significant MP contamination (69.23 %) in Mozambique tilapia, with over 80 % from the Ulhas River and 60 % from the Bhima River contaminated and females showing higher susceptibility. These findings emphasise the need for further research on MP impacts on human health and the development of mitigation strategies.