Fish Industry Research Articles

Factors Related to mHealth App Use Among Japanese Workers: Cross-Sectional Survey.

Health care providers can make health guidance more effective by using mobile health technologies such as health apps. Although health care providers need to know who uses health apps, existing studies have yielded inconsistent results. The aim of the study was (1) to clarify the prevalence and patterns of health app use to improve health behaviors for preventing lifestyle-related diseases among Japanese workers and (2) to identify the associations among demographic characteristics, health behavior, and internet use and health app use by gender. Data were collected from a cross-sectional internet survey in 2023. In total, 2200 participants were included, with an even distribution of men and women in each age group aged 20 to 60 years. The participants were workers with smartphones and reported their gender, age, residence area, marital status, education, employment status, occupation, work pattern, diseases under treatment, health checkups, health guidance, health behaviors, internet use duration, and number of devices used. We asked about current and previous health app use for 1 month. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted by gender. Of the participants, 472 (21.5%) and 189 (8.6%) were current and previous health app users, respectively. Most current and previous health app users used features that record and track their physical activity and other health behaviors. Health app users-both men and women-were more likely to have health checkups (odds ratio [OR] 1.53, 95% CI 1.12-2.11 and OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.10-2.07, respectively), receive health guidance (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.47-2.74 and OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.32-2.62, respectively), engage in regular physical activity (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.91-3.47 and OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.41-2.67, respectively), use the internet for 120-179 minutes per day (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.13-2.75 and OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.12-2.57, respectively), and were less likely to be older (50-59 years: OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.33-0.88 and OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.25-0.6, respectively, and 60-69 years: OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.22-0.62 and OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.28-0.77, respectively). According to gender, male health app users were more likely to be married (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.23-2.33) and less likely to work in the security, agriculture, forestry, fishing, manufacturing, or transportation industries (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.41-0.95). Female health app users were more likely to have a university education or higher (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.061-2.26), maintain an appropriate body weight (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.10-2.11), and use 3 or more devices (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.41-3.23). Physical activity and health guidance are strong predictors of app use. Health care providers should assess the target populations' preferences for app use based on their characteristics, support their app use, and enhance the effectiveness of health guidance.

Exploring solution composition and vacuum pulse effects in the osmotic processing of sole (Paralichthys sp.) fillets

The study investigates the osmotic dehydration (OD) of sole fillets and its mass transfer kinetics. Brine (S10), brine+sucrose (S10Az), and brine+sucrose+acetic acid (S10AA) solutions were used, with treatments conducted under atmospheric pressure (control) and with vacuum impregnation pulses (VI) for 7 hours. A positive mass change was observed over time in S10 and S10Az, leading to increased processing yields, while a decreasing trend was noted in S10AA. VI had a significant effect on NaCl content in S10AA, resulting in a 45 % processing time reduction. The Peleg model accurately fitted the solutes content dynamics, suggesting that VI shortens the time it takes to reach equilibrium for NaCl and sucrose. Product texture characteristics were affected by the solution composition, with increased hardness in S10AA, but not by VI treatment. These findings enhance the understanding of fish pre-treatment operational variables and suggest the VI potential for streamlining processes in the fish industry.

Atmospheric Cold Plasma to Maintain Sea Bass Quality: An Opportunity for International Fish Trade

Whole chilled sea bass is an essential product for the European food market, and Türkiye is the foremost supplier. The importance of sea bass in the world food trade reveals the significance of food safety risks that may arise during or after harvest. This study aimed to examine the impact of atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) on delaying the spoilage of sea bass. The ACP is generated by an original device that produces a dielectric barrier discharge plasma using an alternating current (AC) power supply, applying a 30 kV high voltage with a sinusoidal frequency of 20 kHz. Whole sea bass samples were treated for 1 min (ACP1) or 7 min (ACP7), and then stored at 2 ± 1 °C. Sensory scores of plasma-treated sea bass were higher throughout the storage period. Both treatments decreased the initial bacterial load and delayed bacterial growth (p ≤ 0.05) during storage. The mesophilic aerobic bacteria count of control samples exceeded 6 log CFU/g on the second day of storage. However, ACP1 and ACP7 did not reach this value until the third and fourth days. The control samples had higher TMA-N and TBARS (p ≤ 0.05) than plasma-treated groups. The treatment did not significantly change the texture. Although ΔE was higher in ACP samples, a discoloration that could affect acceptability was not reported during the sensory test. Cold plasma can improve the overall market value by maintaining quality, benefiting the global fish trade. It has been shown that cold plasma has promising potential in the fresh fish industry.

On the tracks of white sharks in the Mediterranean Sea

White sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) are among the most widespread, charismatic, and studied predators in the ocean. However, their conservation status is concerning in many ocean sectors, most notably the Mediterranean Sea, which hosts one of the least known and most endangered populations globally. Though they were historically abundant and widely distributed in the region, Mediterranean white sharks have declined to dangerously low abundance levels, impacted by centuries of coastal and, more recently, industrial fishing. The IUCN lists this species as Critically Endangered in the region, but information about its current abundance and ecology is scarce, hindering effective management and conservation. Here, we describe our initial effort to find and track the remaining Mediterranean white sharks and report what we have learned from these activities. In 2021-2023, we conducted three pilot expeditions in the Sicilian Channel, covering four major sites, collecting 159 eDNA samples, and carrying out 359 hrs of pelagic mid-water baited video surveys, 43 hours of deep-water benthic baited video surveys, and 111 hrs of fishing. Baited video surveys detected 42 species of bony fishes, elasmobranchs, marine mammals, and turtles. We detected white sharks at four sites from eDNA samples. Though we did not observe white sharks directly, these activities supported the identification of one of the last strongholds of this population in the region and started a multi-institutional white shark conservation program in the Mediterranean Sea, aiming to track the last white sharks in the region, estimate their abundance and extinction risk, characterize the species’ ecology and inform management and conservation.

Natural Feed Supplements From Crustacean Processing Side Streams for Improved Growth of Finfishes and Crustaceans: A Review.

Natural feed additives of plant/animal/microbial origin are researched as supplements in aquaculture to improve the properties of feed, minimize the usage of chemical alternatives, reduce food safety risks and ensure sustainability to combat global food and nutritional security. Side streams generated during shellfish processing possess valuable ingredients: protein, lipids, carotenoids, minerals and chitins. Considering the current trend of organic farming and antibiotic-free fish and shellfish, crustacean processing side streams and their derivatives seem promising and emerging resources as natural additives/supplements for formulating high-quality feeds with superior benefits. Lower concentrations of chitin and chitosan in diets are reported to stimulate the growth of shellfish and finfish under controlled conditions. Oligomers of chitosan and nano-chitosan are also the other potential derivatives as natural supplements in feed for better growth performance of aquaculture varieties. This review focuses on the significance of crustacean processing side streams and their derivatives, especially shrimp head meal, chitin, chitosan and chitosan oligosaccharides as potential natural additives in aquafeeds for promoting the growth performance of cultured fin fishes and shell fishes. Utilization in aquafeeds and the development of natural value-added supplements from crustacean processing side streams, especially shrimp head and shell leftover, offer an answer to the negative environmental impact due to its dumping; reduce the dependency on food fish for fish meal production & fishmeal for aquafeeds; solution to maintain the economic viability of the fish farmers & industry as well as to ensure the supply of safer and healthy aquatic foods to meet the objectives of sustainable development goals.

“They Are Taking the Sea from us” - Maritime Extractivism, Dispossession and Resistance in Rural and Ethnic Communities of the Colombian Caribbean

This article provides an overview of the impacts of the current Colombian extractivist development model on peasant, Afro-descendant, and Indigenous communities’ territorial seas ( maritorium) in the Colombian Caribbean. We reflect on the implications of a gradual penetration of concepts such as the blue economy in national public policy. The impacts of activities such as port infrastructure, oil drilling and mining, tourism and industrial fishing, are briefly analyzed, using examples gathered in different parts of the region where growing dispossession is evident. The article ends with a reflection on the various forms of resistance employed by these communities today to confront the plundering of their living spaces associated with coastlines and the sea.

Classification of Kudoa thyrsites infected and uninfected fish using a handheld near-infrared spectrophotometer, SIMCA and PLS-DA.

Kudoa thyrsites infection of marine fish typically results in myoliquefaction, which is only apparent 24 to 56 h post-mortem. The traditional methods for the detection of K. thyrsites infected fish are time-consuming and destructive, reducing its marketability. This poses a challenge for the fish industry to remove infected fish before it reaches the market or further processing activities. This study investigated the use of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, in combination with soft independent modelling of class analogy (SIMCA) and partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), for discriminating K. thyrsites infected fish from uninfected fish. Performance of the classification models was evaluated by calculating the sensitivity, specificity and precision. A total of 334 fish samples (200 sardine, 64 hake and 70 kingklip) were used for this study. Infection of K. thyrsites was determined with the use of qPCR assays. Ninety per cent (90%) of the sardine samples, 78% of the hake samples and 37% of the kingklip samples were infected. Class groups of infected and uninfected fish samples were created for the purpose of generating SIMCA and PLS-DA classification models for each species of fish, as well as for a species independent data set. Principal component analysis (PCA) of NIR spectra did not show any clustering for infected and uninfected samples. Calibration and test sample sets were generated for the purpose of building and testing the SIMCA and PLD-DA classification models. SIMCA and PLS-DA were unable to classify test samples correctly into the two classes. The number of misclassifications (NMC) was higher for the SIMCA models than for the PLS-DA models, with more than 60% incorrectly classified. SIMCA classified most of the test samples into both classes. The precision for PLS-DA were 89% for sardine, 81% for hake, 0% for kingklip and 87% for species independent models, however, most samples were classified at infected. The use of NIR spectroscopy and classification models such as SIMCA and PLS-DA showed limited use as a method to distinguish between K. thyrsites infected and uninfected fish samples. Textural and chemical changes during extended frozen storage of the fish samples may have masked the effects associated with K. thyrsites infection. Further studies are suggested where NIR spectroscopy is used in combination with texture analysis and image spectroscopy.

Modern trends in the production and use of biologically active additives (BAA) from the fat of marine mammals

The article provides an overview of innovative technologies for the production of BAAs from the fat of marine pinnipeds. In ancient times they said: “Let food be medicine, and medicine – food” (Hippocrates). The possibility and necessity of creating and using BAAs - biologically active food addidives to maintain human health are based on this postulate of Hippocrates. Since ancient times, mankind has understood the importance of proper nutrition for health and longevity. Accumulating experience in the use of certain products in food and their importance for maintaining and preserving human health, researchers have found new food substances with biological activity that can be used to treat and prevent diseases [1, p. 225-227]. Biological activity of seal fat that inhabits the Arctic territories of Yakutia has been studied. Seals inhabit this zone in large quantities, while causing significant damage to the industrial fishing of this territory. According to the Federal Agency for Fishery, the industrial quota for seal production in this zone can be up to 3,000 heads per year. This is an economic justification for the introduction of technology for processing products obtained from marine mammals to obtain raw materials for the food, medical and cosmetic industries. The extreme climatic conditions of Arctic Yakutia determine the rich biochemical composition of seal subcutaneous fat. The fatty acid content in the seal subcutaneous fat confirms its uniqueness as a raw material for the dietary supplement “Akibol” with a high content of PUFA.

On the problem of annual overfishing of the silver bream Blicca bjoerkna (Cyprinidae) in industrial fishing in the Astrakhan region

The silver bream Blicca bjoerkna and the small-sized common bream Abramis brama are characterized by external similarity, which contributes to manipulations with the substitution of one species (common bream) by another (silver bream) when taking into account the volume of industrial fishing in the Astrakhan region. This is due to the fact that in the period of spring fishing season during common bream spawning migration, the share of non-commercial common bream in commercial catches increases (to 20–30 %), the catch of which is limited in accordance with the Fishing Rules. In order not to exceed the allowable volume of by-catch of non-large common bream, fish producers register en masse catches of small-sized bream as a catch of silver bream, which causes significant damage to common bream fish stocks through oversampling of first-time maturing individuals of the population. In recent years, the share of non-commercial common bream recorded as a silver bream in May alone is 13–28% of its official catch during this period. In order to reduce the catch of first spawning common bream producers of non-commercial length on the water bodies of the Astrakhan region in the period from April 21 to May 20, it is recommended to introduce a ban on industrial fishing of silver bream.

The concept and structure of the criminalistics characterization of illegal employment in fish, game or other aquatic extractive industries

The concept and structure of the criminalistics characterization of illegal employment in fish, game or other aquatic extractive industries

Application of Fisheries Acoustics: A Review of the Current State in Mexico and Future Perspectives

In Mexico, marine acoustics research still faces technical and scientific challenges. For the past decade, the country has made a sustained effort to implement acoustic techniques to generate time series of standardized information; however, these data have been underutilized. Marine acoustics research has been used mainly for small pelagic species and has contributed to improving fishery management and to advising stakeholders. The Mexican scientific community has perceived marine acoustic techniques as expensive tools that are only used for industrial fishing purposes. Marine acoustics can provide information on the variability and interactions between species, their physical environment, and other communities of species, but this approach has not yet been integrated into interdisciplinary research programs or ecosystem models. Additionally, acoustic data provide estimates of biomass and indices of relative abundance, and they have suitable statistical properties for use in integrated catch-at-age models. In summary, to consolidate marine acoustic techniques in Mexico, it is necessary, at a minimum, to maintain the current infrastructure for acoustic studies, to increase the budget for the development of monitoring programs that collect ecosystem indicator data, to promote the training of human resources, and to encourage peer review of the information generated and reported in gray literature.

Industrial fishing on Lake Ilmen, Novgorod region: catch dynamics in the XX century and the current status

The long-term dynamics of commercial catches on Lake Ilmen in the Novgorod region for the period from 1912 to 2023 was traced. The structure of catches and the fishing base is described, taking into account the affecting factors. Specifics of organizing fishing at present stage are given.

The current state of industrial fishing in the Central Federal District of Russia and prospects for its development

The article considers a brief history of fishing and its current state in the reservoirs of the Central Federal District. For reservoirs and lakes of the Upper Volga and Oka basins, the dynamics of fish catch on average over the decades from the 60s of the twentieth century to 2023 are presented, and the dynamics of the species composition of industrial catches in these reservoirs is analyzed. The reasons that led to a decrease in the intensity of fishing or its closure in modern market conditions are considered. The description of the features of industrial fishing is presented by groups of reservoirs, depending on the area and volume of fish caught. The first group includes the large Upper Volga reservoirs (Rybinsk, Gorkovskoye), the average annual total catch in each of which exceeds 500 tons. The second group considers the reservoirs of the Upper Volga basin, in which 200–500 tons per year were caught during the Soviet period, and currently the volume of catch has decreased by an order of magnitude or fishing has stopped altogether. The third group of reservoirs includes small reservoirs of the Vazuz hydrotechnical system and cooling reservoirs of energy facilities, in which the volume of catch is currently less than 20 tons, but during their fishery development in the 70–80-ies of the twentieth century in the mode of «pasture fish farming» annual catches reached 100 tons. It has been established that the volume of industrial catch in most of the water bodies of the region has decreased over the two decades of the 21st century. The decline of industrial fishing in the Central Federal District is explained by a complex of socio-economic factors, the main of which is its unprofitability in market conditions, due to the low liquidity of most fishing facilities that form the basis of catch, the lack of the necessary number of catch processing enterprises and the cessation of subsidizing fish harvesters. The forecast of the further state of industrial fishing in the reservoirs of Central Russia is given.

Advancements and Challenges in Real-Time Electronic Vision Technologies for Canned Fish Quality Inspection: A Comprehensive Review

The global demand for high-quality canned fish products has driven the adoption of advanced inspection technologies to ensure consistency, safety, and compliance with industry standards. This paper provides a comprehensive review of real-time electronic vision technologies employed in the inspection of canned fish quality. It traces the evolution of the canned fish industry from manual inspection methods to sophisticated automated systems, emphasizing the role of technologies such as hyperspectral imaging, machine learning algorithms, and electronic vision systems. The effectiveness of these technologies in detecting defects, assessing quality parameters, and maintaining product integrity is critically analyzed. Despite their benefits, challenges such as high costs, the need for specialized skills, and integration complexities with existing production processes are significant barriers. This review addresses these challenges and proposes solutions, including cost-reduction strategies, workforce training, and the development of adaptable systems. The paper concludes by outlining future research directions, particularly in validating these technologies in real-world scenarios and enhancing their accessibility to the industry. The findings offer valuable insights for researchers and industry stakeholders aiming to advance the quality control of canned fish products through innovative technological solutions.

Studies of Wastewater Management through Microbiology of Constructed Wetland

Constructed wetlands are distinguished by certain environmental factors that let many physical and biological processes to occur simultaneously. This is the outcome of a particular habitat that supports the development of microbes and hydrophytes, which are plants that can live in aquatic and semiaquatic environments and are capable of anaerobic, anaerobic, and aerobic environments. Their combined activity amplifies the processes of oxidation and reduction, which are in charge of eliminating and holding onto contaminants. Sorption, sedimentation, and absorption all aid in these processes. Treatment wetland systems have been employed in community management for more than 50 years because of these benefits. Constructed wetlands are becoming more and more popular for treating or pre-treating many kinds of industrial wastewater because of their benefits, cheap operating costs, and high removal efficiency. The paper examines how these facilities are being used worldwide to treat industrial wastewater. With a focus on particular and distinctive pollutants from industries, the conditions of usage and efficacy of pollutants removal from wastewater that degrades quickly and slowly were described. The article addressed the use of subsurface horizontal flow beds for the treatment of wastewater from various industrial processes, including the manufacturing of paper, oil, and coffee, as well as the food sector, which includes wineries and distilleries. Constructed wetlands are used in Poland to treat wastewater and milk processing sludge on a pilot size or to dewater sewage sludge generated in municipal wastewater treatment plants that handle household sewage with around 40% of wastewater from the dairy and fish industries. Constructed wetlands provide the so-called ecosystem function in addition to an adequate degree of treatment in every instance.

New records of the Non-native Amazon sailfin catfish Pterygoplichthys pardalis (Castelnau, 1985) in Bangka Island Indonesia

Abstract The freshwater species known as Pterygoplichthys pardalis (Castelnau, 1985), commonly referred to as the Sailfin catfish, is native to temperate and tropical regions of South America, with a particular prevalence in the Amazon. Due to insufficient regulation of the pet fish industry, certain species from this family have been inadvertently or deliberately introduced to various places worldwide. In Indonesia, the occurrence of the sailfin catfish has been recorded in the natural freshwater habitats of Java and Sumatra. The introduction of non-indigenous fish species into natural aquatic environments has had adverse effects on biodiversity due to factors such as competition for resources, modification of habitats, and transfer of diseases so the presence of the P. pardalis is a danger alert. This study presents the first evidence of the presence of the sailfin catfish P. pardalis on Bangka Island, located in the western region of Indonesia. During the field trip conducted in August 2023, a total of twenty specimens were obtained from the Rangkui River, Pangkal Pinang.

Valorization of common ling (Molva-molva) roe by-products for the elaboration of a food seasoning: Effect of drying method

The fishing sector generates a large amount of discards and wastes that represent a problem for the industry, both economically and environmentally. For this reason, the valorization of a by-product of the salting fishing industry, common ling roe (Molva-molva) roe, was carried out by developing a fish seasoning for human consumption, subjecting the roe to two drying processes, freeze-drying [for 24 and 48 h (L24 and L48)] and air-drying in an oven [for 32 and 48 h (S32 and S48)]. Physicochemical, textural and sensory parameters of the roe seasoning were analyzed to compare both drying methods. The freeze-drying process produced technologically, nutritionally and sensorially more suitable seasonings, resulting in a product with lower moisture content and water activity, with less roasted coloration. In addition, the product had a saltier taste and a certain tendency to a greater umami and marine flavor, which are highly desirable in this type of product. Therefore, the valorization of ling roe as a fishery by-product is possible through the elaboration of a condiment of high nutritional and sensory value.

Multiplex qPCR development for the simultaneous and rapid detection of largemouth bass virus and infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus in aquaculture

Largemouth bass virus (LMBV) and infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV) are both belong to Iridoviridae that cause considerable economic losses in the fish industry. There is no reported literature that can detect these two viruses simultaneously. In this study, we established a multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay that can specifically and simultaneously detect both LMBV and ISKNV in fish samples. The specificity experiment showed that the method only amplified LMBV and ISKNV but not the other 10 common fish viruses. The slope (m), efficiency (E) and linearity (R2) determined from the generated standard curve were all within the optimal range of qPCR values. The detection limit of the multiplex qPCR assay was as low as 4 copies/μL for LMBV DNA and 7 copies/μL for ISKNV DNA, respectively. The established method exhibited adequate repeatability and reproducibility, and the intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were both less than 3 %. The accuracy of the multiplex qPCR method was validated using 229 fish samples and was more precise than that of the conventional PCR assay. In summary, the established multiplex qPCR assay can simultaneously detect LMBV and ISKNV to monitor the risk of infection LMBV and ISKNV and control the disease early.

The Putative Virulence Plasmid pYR4 of the Fish Pathogen Yersinia ruckeri Is Conjugative and Stabilized by a HigBA Toxin-Antitoxin System.

The bacterium Yersinia ruckeri causes enteric redmouth disease in salmonids and hence has substantial economic implications for the farmed fish industry. The Norwegian Y. ruckeri outbreak isolate NVH_3758 carries a relatively uncharacterized plasmid, pYR4, which encodes both type 4 pili and a type 4 secretion system. In this study, we demonstrate that pYR4 does not impose a growth burden on the Y. ruckeri host bacterium, nor does the plasmid contribute to twitching motility (an indicator of type 4 pilus function) or virulence in a Galleria mellonella larval model of infection. However, we show that pYR4 is conjugative. We also reveal, through mutagenesis, that pYR4 encodes a functional post-segregational killing system, HigBA, that is responsible for plasmid maintenance within Y. ruckeri. This is the first toxin-antitoxin system to be characterized for this organism. Whilst further work is needed to elucidate the virulence role of pYR4 and whether it contributes to bacterial disease under non-laboratory conditions, our results suggest that the plasmid possesses substantial stability and transfer mechanisms that imply importance within the organism. These results add to our understanding of the mobile genetic elements and evolutionary trajectory of Y. ruckeri as an important commercial pathogen, with consequences for human food production.

IgT-mediated mucosal immunity and microbiota dynamics in snakehead (Channa argus) post Aeromonas veronii TH0426 and Aeromonas hydrophila TPS infection: implications for aquaculture disease management.

The aquaculture sector, vital to global food security, grapples with bacterial pathogens compromising fish health and industry sustainability. This investigation probes mucosal immune responses and gut microbiota dynamics in snakehead (Channa argus) post-Aeromonas infection, a prevalent aquaculture challenge. Employing infection models, we delineated the integral role of immunoglobulin T (IgT) in mucosal immunity and its interaction with gut microbiota. Fish from a local farm, maintained under controlled conditions, were infected with Aeromonas veronii TH0426 and Aeromonas hydrophila TPS. Post-infection, daily monitoring and sample collection at specified intervals were conducted for comprehensive analysis. Histopathology, quantitative PCR, immunofluorescence, and microbiota profiling revealed significant immune and microbial changes, particularly at day 7. Intestinal IgT, IgM, and pIgR gene expression surged, indicative of a robust response. Immunofluorescence microscopy confirmed increased IgT+ and pIgR+ cell infiltration in the epithelium. Post-infection dysbiosis, with altered bacterial composition, was partially offset by elevated IgT levels. These insights underscore IgT's crucial function in mucosal defense and suggest potential for probiotic and vaccine strategies to enhance aquaculture disease resilience.