Fish Production Efficiency Research Articles

A Comparative Economic Study Before and During the Current Purification and Development Operations in Lake Burullus

The study was conducted to investigate the impact of development and purification processes as well as raising the efficiency of Lake Burullus on the economic variables that affect its fish production. The study was based on two sources of data: the statistical recorded data during ten years before (2000 to 2009) and ten years from the beginning of the development project (2010-2020). The other source was the data collected during the field trips by interviewing the local fishermen and officials of the company performing the purification and development operations in the lake. Both descriptive and quantitative economic analysis were used for the variables under study using standard statistical and economic models. The different phases of the development and purification project were reviewed, and its impact was measured in order to study the evolution of the quantity and value of fish production in Lake Burullus, the development of fish production efficiency per fishing units and fishermen during the two studied periods, then studying seasonal fluctuations, future expectations and instability coefficient of fish production during the cleansing and development operations. The results of the analysis showed a positive impact of the cleansing and development operations in the lake on all economic variables under study.

Investigation of the inlet layout effect on the solid waste removal in an octagonal aquaculture tank

The optimization of the inlet layout in aquaculture systems is essential to ensure minimal solid waste discharge into the environment and improve fish production efficiency. In the present study, laboratory experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of the jetting position d/a (where d is the distance from the pipe axis to the tank side and a is the side length of the tank wall) and the jetting angle θ (the acute angle between the jetting direction and the nearest tank wall) on the solid waste removal efficiency in single-inlet and dual-inlet octagonal Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) tanks. To this end, three jetting positions (d/a) of 1/50, 1/8, and 1/4 and ten jetting angles (θ) of 0° to 80° were considered in the experiments. The Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) technique was applied to measure the flow characteristics in the tank and analyze the solid waste removal under different working conditions. Residual mass of the solid waste, time of complete removal of solid waste, average velocity (vavg), and uniformity coefficient of velocity distribution (DU50) were analyzed to evaluate the solid waste removal efficiency. The obtained results indicate that adjustments of the inlet layout significantly affect the solid waste removal efficiency. It was found that a single-inlet tank with a d/a of 1/8 and θ in the range 10° to 40° has a good solid wastes removal performance, and the optimal efficiency occurs at a jetting angle of 30°. Moreover, the optimal solid waste removal efficiency in a dual-inlet tank can be achieved with a d/a ratio of 1/8 and a θ of 20°. The performed analyses reveal that from the aspect of solid waste removal efficiency, a tank with a d/a ratio of 1/8 outperforms a tank with a d/a ratio of 1/4 or 1/50. The results of this article offer novel insights in the layout of octagonal RAS tanks and provide a guideline to improve self-cleaning features of aquaculture tanks.

Energy utilization during ovarian development of the cichlid fish Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters) inhabiting a perennial lentic water body in Bangalore, India.

Mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters) is an invasive fish and a continuous breeder in inland waters of India. Present investigation highlights the distinct developmental stages of developing ovary and associated changes in the energy content. This investigation helps to understand the allocation of energy for development of eggs, prespawn and also oral brooding by the female. Although it is a continuous breeder, based on size of the ovary, number of eggs, their size and energy content, immature, early maturing, developing, prespawning and spawning stages are clearly noticed. Egg diameter during development of ovary varied between 0.31 mm (immature) and 2.21 mm (spawning). Energy content of ovary from immature to spawning stage ranged from 20.7515 kJ g-1 dry ovary to 31.1560 kJ g-1 dry ovary. Nearly 28.73% of energy content of ovary is expended for spawning. Similarly, yolk-sac fry utilized nearly 25.85% of energy of the fertilized egg for its development. Energy content of ovary of mouth-brooding female averaged 22.9528 kJ g-1 dry ovary, which is comparable to energy content of early maturing stage of ovary (24.5558 kJ g-1 dry ovary). A strong correlation between body weight and energy content of the developing ovary (P < 0.01), and between ovary weight and energy content of ovary (P < 0.01), was evident. During mouth-brooding, the fish continues to allocate energy to its developing ovary. Energy investment by the fish is the result of simultaneous processes associated with gonadal and somatic energy. As body size growth and gonadal development are interconnected, information on energy utilization by an iteroparous mouth-brooding fish could provide the pattern of energy allocation during ovarian developmental phase. Further details of energy utilization, as explained in this paper, could be used as one of the factors to predict the efficiency of fish production.

Study on the behavioural pattern of marketing of fish in Karaikal district of Puducherry (Union Territory) India

India is the second largest fish producing country in the world and ranks second in aquaculture production as well as inland fisheries. Still, our marketing system of fish is not much efficient. However, the domestic fish marketing system in India is neither efficient nor modern and is mainly carried out by private traders with a large number of intermediaries between producer and consumer, thereby reducing the fisherman's share in consumer's rupee. Under this context, the study mainly focusing on the objectives were to find out the marketing channel and its efficiency of fish production at Karaikal district, to identify the constrains of marine fishing and to draw the appropriate policy measures for enhancing the living standard of marine fishing in Karaikal district, Puducherry (U.T.), India. Random sampling technique was used to select the sample. About 180 samples had been taken for survey, which includes each 30 samples of fish producer, assemblers, wholesalers, retailers, venders and consumers respectively. The study results revealed that the among the five-marketing channel the efficiency was found to be high in marketing channel 1 and channel 2 due to very less intermediaries. The marketing efficiency was high for vendors (2.5%) followed by retailer (2.27%), wholesaler (2.1%) and producer (1.67%) by using marketing efficiency ratio.

Fish Processing Efficiency Ranking

Abstract Fish as food has been widely used, and as its consumption is increasing, the efficiency of fish production companies needs to be increased as well. Fish production may consist of many processes, depending on the type of fish products they produce. Based on this, the increase in the efficiency of the whole company could be expensive, especially for small size companies, whose revenues per year are rather small. Therefore, to evaluate and understand which part of the company is the least efficient and needs to be improved first to have the highest increase in the efficiency of the company, the decision making method needs to be used for the evaluation. In this research, the method MULTIMOORA was chosen to evaluate the specific company’s production efficiency. The results have shown that fish preliminary processing is the least efficient process for the chosen case study. Recommendations for improvement the efficiency of the least efficient stage have been developed, therefore improving the efficiency for the whole company.

Current state of fishing industry of Ukraine

The article analyzes the current state of the fishing industry of Ukraine. The legal regulation of thesector and the place of fisheries in the economy of the country have been determined. The list of fish that aremost important for the fishing industry from the Black and Azov Seas and other water reservoirs has beenindicated. The paper considers the volume of fish caught in 2019 in the seas and freshwater reservoirs. Themain exporters and importers of fish products in Ukraine have been listed and the main reasons for smallproduction volumes have been highlighted. It has been proved why it is important to develop aquaculture.Ways to increase the efficiency of fish production have been indicated. It has been claimed that in order torevive the activities of fishing enterprises and the development of the fish market in general, it is necessaryto attract investors and make considerable efforts to support domestic aquaculture.

Productive Efficiency of Fish Production as a Panacea for Economic Recession among Farming Household in South-West, Nigeria

This study investigates the level of production and cost efficiency as well as economic efficiency of fish farming. The study is based on primary cross sectional data collected from six local government area (LGAs) selected from the six( 6) states that make up the of South-western zone of Nigeria, on a representative basis of one local government per state. The farmer's economic efficiencies are estimated as the product of TE and AE. The production technology of the farmers is assumed to be specified by the Cobb-Douglas frontier production function. Findings from the results indicated that a unit increase in use of feed, high stock density, quantity of lime and organic fertilizer used will increase fish output. The study revealed that fish farming operation in the study area is yet to achieve its maximum possible efficiency level. The results indicate that involvement in fish farming under high level of productive efficiency will increase fish supply in Nigeria, thereby reducing fish importation with an attendant improvement in the value of foreign reserve and by extension stability in the foreign exchange value. . KEYWORD: Fish, Production efficiency, Cost efficiency, Economic Efficiency, Stochastic frontier

Productive Efficiency of Fish Production as a Panacea for Economic Recession among Farming Household in South-West, Nigeria

This study investigates the level of production and cost efficiency as well as economic efficiency of fish farming. The study is based on primary cross sectional data collected from six local government area (LGAs) selected from the six( 6) states that make up the of South-western zone of Nigeria, on a representative basis of one local government per state. The farmer's economic efficiencies are estimated as the product of TE and AE. The production technology of the farmers is assumed to be specified by the Cobb-Douglas frontier production function. Findings from the results indicated that a unit increase in use of feed, high stock density, quantity of lime and organic fertilizer used will increase fish output. The study revealed that fish farming operation in the study area is yet to achieve its maximum possible efficiency level. The results indicate that involvement in fish farming under high level of productive efficiency will increase fish supply in Nigeria, thereby reducing fish importation with an attendant improvement in the value of foreign reserve and by extension stability in the foreign exchange value. . KEYWORD: Fish, Production efficiency, Cost efficiency, Economic Efficiency, Stochastic frontier

Carbon metabolism and nutrient balance in a hypereutrophic semi-intensive fishpond

Eutrophication and nutrient pollution is a serious problem in many fish aquaculture ponds, whose causes are often not well documented. The efficiency of using inputs for fish production in a hypereutrophic fishpond (Dehtář), was evaluated using organic carbon (OC), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) balances and measurement of ecosystem metabolism rates in 2015. Primary production and feeds were the main inputs of OC and contributed 82% and 13% to the total OC input, respectively. Feeds and manure were the major inputs of nutrients and contributed 73% and 86% of the total inputs of N and P, respectively. Ecosystem respiration, accumulation in water and accumulation in sediment were the main fates of OC, N and P, respectively. They accounted for 79%, 52% and 61% of OC, N and P inputs. The efficiency of using OC, N and P inputs to produce fish biomass was very low and represented 0.9%, 25% and 23% of total OC, N, and P inputs, indicating an excessive phytoplankton production and overdosing of fish feeds and manure. Dehtář pond was slightly autotrophic and phosphorus availability did not limit the phytoplankton growth. The low efficiency of using inputs was attributed to the low digestibility of raw cereals grain used as feed and the inability of planktonic food webs to transfer the primary production to fish due to high predatory pressure of fish stock on zooplankton. The primary production is an important input of OC in semi-intensive fishponds and should be considered in evaluations of fish production efficiency.

Exercise improves growth, alters physiological performance and gene expression in common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

It has been suggested that induced swimming has the potential to improve the growth performance of fish. We tested this hypothesis by measuring growth, metabolic efficiency and physiological capacity of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Fish were swum at different exercise regimes: 0.0 (control), 1.5 and 2.5 body lengths per second (BL/s) in 1600 L recirculating raceways for 4 weeks. The results showed a significant increase in weight gain, specific growth rate, improved feed conversion efficiency, and a higher hepatosomatic index for 2.5 BL/s exercised fish compared to control. Glycogen, protein and lipid energy stores in hepatic and muscular tissue showed limited differences among experimental groups. Likewise, plasma [Na+], [K+] and [Cl−] remained stable at all swimming regimes. Expression of genes controlling energy metabolism and growth (IGF-I axis, cytochrome oxidase) and stress response (cortisol receptor, heat shock protein 70) revealed clear regulatory roles as the mRNA transcript levels of IGF-I and growth hormone receptors in hepatic tissue were up-regulated in fish exercised for 3–4 weeks at 2.5 BL/s. Oxygen consumption rate and swimming performance (Ucrit) for each experimental group were evaluated in parallel in Blazka-type swim-tunnels (3.9 L) and showed no training effect while prolonged swimming at 1.5 and 2.5 BL/s facilitated ammonia excretion and prevented build-up of plasma ammonia. Overall, these data suggest that sustained exercise at 2.5 BL/s enhanced growth and physiological fitness without compromising energy metabolism or ion-regulation. Our study provides a prospective of implementing exercise as a tool to increase fish production efficiency in commercial aquaculture systems.

Sustainable Management of Fisheries in Tamil Nadu

The study on sustainable management of fisheries was taken up in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu with varying levels of pollution by SIPCOT industries. The cost of fish production was highest for low affected category due to less pollution intensity and the consequent high fish production in that category. The gross income and net income was highest for low affected fishermen with Rs. 468816 and Rs. 151237 respectively which showed that they were more profitable than other two categories. Fish catch was varied with pollution intensity. Resource use efficiency of fish production with Cobb-Douglas production function revealed that variables of fuel cost, number of fishermen and maintenance cost were positive and significant for all categories of fishermen. The technical efficiency of affected fishermen with Data Envelopment Analysis revealed that mean technical efficiency and scale efficiency of the three categories of serious affected, medium affected and low affected fishermen was similar and was around 99 per cent. The Contingent Valuation revealed that the WTP amount was also highest for serious affected category with annual amount of Rs. 5850 and higher over medium affected category by 163.59 per cent and over low affected category by 491.18 per cent. Sustainable Rural Livelihood framework analyses showed that low affected fishermen was more sustainable followed by medium and low affected fishermen.

Muscle growth in full-cycle cultured Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis from early larval to juvenile stage: histochemical, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural observation

With the development of successful aquaculture techniques, the Pacific bluefin tuna (PBT) has become the most important fish species in Japan. Early muscle growth and cellularity of muscle fibers have a profound effect on ultimate body size and meat quality of fish. Larvae and juveniles of full-cycle cultured PBT were sampled at 3, 15, 29, 41, 70, 128 and 218 days post hatch (dph). Transverse body sections until 41 dph and muscle sections from 41 dph thereafter from dorso-cranial or caudal areas were stained for muscle fiber morphological and morphometric analysis and muscle sections from the dorso-cranial region were used for ultra-structural observation. Red muscle fibers appeared by 15 dph at the horizontal septum both in epaxial and hypaxial regions. Other than a single layer of superficial red fibers and those at the horizontal septum, existence of red muscle fibers was apparent in the PBT myotome. The muscle fiber diameters varied in their size even in adjacent myotomes of PBT. Overall, growth throughout the various stages was a result of both hyperplasia and hypertrophy of muscle fibers. Muscle fiber diameters were greater in the dorso-cranial than in dorso-caudal region at 41, 70 and 128 dph. These results provide additional characterization of PBT growth, which may assist with managing fish production efficiency, harvest age and eating quality.

Production Function Analysis of Fish Production in Amansie-West District of Ghana, West Africa

The study aimed to obtain the estimates of a production function for fish production in the Amansie-West District of Ghana, West Africa, using primary data collected from 45 registered farmers. Factor elasticities and returns to scale were estimated, as well as the coefficients for various factors of production. The results indicate that the total area of ponds, weight and size of fingerlings and feed had a significant and positive relationship with fish output (P<.01), in the production of fish in the study area. The production technology used in the district also exhibited increasing returns to scale. There is therefore the need to carry out a wider estimation of the cost functions and economic efficiency of fish production, to enable farmers minimize the cost of production toward efficient and profitable optimum. We recommend changes in public policy to promote improved yields for existing fish ponds in the area with reference to the total pond area, feed and the number or weight of fingerlings, which have strong correlation with fish output (yields). Such policies will go a long way to boost fish production in the Amansie-West District, with a broader focus on fish farmers in other areas within the country.

Effects of Feeding Rate on Habitat Quality in Fish Rearing Ponds

AbstractManufactured feeds are commonly added to earthen ponds to enhance growth and survival of juvenile fish. However, excessive feeding may decrease fish production efficiency and yields by causing hypoxia (dissolved oxygen, DO &lt; 2 mg/L) and stimulating excessive phytoplankton, filamentous green algae, and vascular plant growth. In this study, we quantified the effects of manufactured feed addition (no feeding, 1%, or 3% body‐weight/day, BW/d) on DO and inorganic phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) concentrations, plant abundance, and invertebrate prey production in ponds stocked with age‐0 channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. We found that the 3% BW/d ponds had lower DO concentrations and greater infestation by filamentous green algae (Rhizoclonium spp.) as compared to the 1% BW/d and no‐feeding ponds. Using stable N and carbon (C) isotopes to trace the fate of feed‐derived N and C in ponds, as well as analysis of zooplankton abundance, we determined that the supplied feed did not support or enhance production of natural invertebrate prey. To improve fish production efficiency, we recommend that managers leverage natural prey support of growth during early life, then adjust feeding levels to enhance growth of older fish and maintain suitable habitat quality.

Can Reduced Provision of Manufactured Feed Improve Fish Production Efficiency in Ponds?

AbstractFish culturists strive to efficiently transfer energy from manufactured feed to the fish crop while minimizing adverse impacts on the environment and water quality. In this study, we sought to improve production of age‐1 Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus by testing the effects of full (3% of body weight [BW]/d) and reduced (1% BW/d) feeding rates on fish diets, growth, and survival; lower‐trophic‐level dynamics; and water quality in earthen ponds. Fish survival was similar between feeding treatments, although length, weight, and yield at harvest were lower for 1% BW/d ponds. Using stable N and C isotopes, we found that the percent contribution of natural prey to Channel Catfish tissue growth was higher for 1% BW/d ponds (median = 74%) than for 3% BW/d ponds (55%). In both feeding treatments, small fish (those with initial BWs &lt; 15 g) had variable diets that included both natural prey and feed, whereas all of the larger fish (&gt;15 g) depended mainly on feed for growth. Reducing the feeding rate decreased neither plankton abundances nor nutrient concentrations in ponds, but it did increase dissolved oxygen levels. We recommend that managers carefully consider the ecological role of feed in ponds and the usage of feed by fish to implement context‐dependent sustainable feeding methods. For example, implementing the reduced feeding rate of 1% BW/d may increase the efficiency of producing Channel Catfish at sufficient sizes for stocking into natural waters without reducing survival in the hatchery.

Application of the Stochastic Production Frontier to the Measurement of Technical Efficiency of Fish Farming in Umuahia Metropolis, Abia State, Nigeria

The study examined the factors that affect fish production among fish farmers who use pond for their fish production in Umuahia Metropolis, Abia State. Thirty six respondents were sampled from a list of fish farmers derived from Abia State Agricultural Development Programme Office. The Cob Douglas stochastic production function was used to determine factors that affect fish production as well as the factors that affect the technical efficiency of fish production. Pond size (p=0.05), capital input (p=0.01), labour input (p=0.05) and fertilizer used (p=0.05) were the major factors that determined fish production while species of fish stocked (p=0.1), number of ponds (p=0.1), distance (p=0.1) and educational status (p=0.1) determined the technical efficiency of fish production. The mean technical efficiency of fish production by use of pond in Abia State, Nigeria is 62%, implying that there are yet about 38% of chances for improvement on the technical efficiency of production. Given the existing technology of the fish producers, proper management that bears in mind the use of improved fish species, maintenance of number of ponds and increased education of the fish producers on current techniques of production are policy measures that could help improve on the technical efficiency of fish production in the study area.Keywords: Fish production, Frontier, Technical efficiency, Pond, Factors, Abia State

Integrated fish-pig farming in India and Hungary

Management parameters for integrated fish-pig farming conducted in India and Hungary are presented and compared, together with data on the physico-chemical environment, nutrient status, natural fish food resources, primary production, and fish production. Fish production rates of 18.4 kg ha −1 day −1 and 18.0 kg ha −1 day −1 were obtained in India and Hungary, respectively, by recycling the pig manure in fish polyculture ponds. No fish feed or inorganic fertilizers were used. The organic carbon load of 1 – 2 g m −2 day −1 in India and 2 g m −2 day −1 in Hungary resulted in enhanced primary production ranging from 6.5 to 14.1 in India and from 5.36 to 6.49 g C m −2 day −1 in Hungary. This photosynthetically produced organic carbon, together with the added organic carbon, was converted to fish via both the algal and detrital food chains through zooplankton and zoobenthos. Zooplankton (maxima of 20 000 and 10 000 dm −3) and zoobenthos (maxima of 49 000 and 25 000 m −2 in India and Hungary, respectively) were eaten by the fish, in addition to the direct utilization of algal-bacterial aggregates by filter-feeding fish species. The fish production efficiency (the transfer rate in terms of percent primary production converted daily to fish) was 1.41 – 2.76 in India and 2.61 – 3.27 in Hungary. Besides providing protein-rich food at a low cost, the system proved to be an efficient method of both waste disposal and waste utilization. It is interesting to note that the results obtained in the experiments conducted independently in the two countries are closely comparable.