Marine Aquaculture Research Articles

Evaluation of China’s Marine Aquaculture Sector’s Green Development Level Using the Super-Efficiency Slacks-Based Measure and Global Malmquist–Luenberger Index Models

Given China’s rapidly expanding marine aquaculture industry, the associated ecological issues have garnered widespread attention. Therefore, it is crucial to speed up the green growth of marine aquaculture in order to save the environment and use resources sustainably. In order to statically assess and dynamically analyze the green development efficiency levels of marine aquaculture in nine coastal provinces of China from 2012 to 2021, this study uses the non-expected output super-efficiency Slacks-Based Measure model and the Global Malmquist–Luenberger index method. Additionally, it integrates input–output redundancy rates to analyze the causes of efficiency loss. Static efficiency primarily reflects whether a region’s inputs and outputs at a given point in time reach an effective efficiency level, while the level of dynamic efficiency mainly gauges the dynamic changes in the efficiency of green production. The results show that, from 2012 to 2021, China’s marine aquaculture industry’s average static efficiency of green output was 0.705. The southern marine economic zone exhibited the highest static efficiency value in the green development of marine aquaculture, displaying a stepped distribution pattern of “south–north–east” in decreasing order. The input–output redundancy analysis reveals that the primary causes of static efficiency loss in China’s marine aquaculture industry are attributed to varying degrees of redundant inputs and carbon emission outputs. Looking through the lens of the GML index, the annual average growth rate of the green total factor productivity in China’s marine aquaculture stands at 11.1%, with an annual average change in technical efficiency of 1.8%, while the annual average change in technological progress amounts to 9.1%, suggesting that technological advancement is the primary driver of the rise in green total factor productivity in China’s marine aquaculture sector. According to the study, in order to encourage China’s marine aquaculture industry to grow sustainably, efforts should be made not only to accelerate technological advancements but also to enhance technical efficiency. Policies that are specifically designed for the local environment should be developed to support the sustainable development of the marine aquaculture sector and to make resource allocation easier.

Picochloropsis malayensis gen. et sp. nov. (Chlorellales, Chlorophyta), an ammonium tolerant, polyphosphate‐accumulating microalga from seawater

SUMMARYThe significant concentrations of phosphate in wastewater can be considered as an important fertilizer source. Some microalgae uptake phosphate from wastewater and store it in the form of polyphosphate (polyP). Therefore, biological phosphorus recovery processes have been attracting significant attention recently. However, wastewaters are often rich in ammonium, and so microalgae used for phosphorus recovery should be tolerant of this component. In the present study, 151 microalgae were isolated from freshwater, brackish water and seawater. Among them, 11 strains showed higher growth rates in ammonium‐rich media. Of these, the strain SLG4‐06 originating from a marine environment showed the highest polyP accumulation rate and was selected as the most potential alga for phosphorus recovery from wastewater. Based on the morphological and ultrastructural characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of nuclear‐encoded 18S rDNA and chloroplast‐encoded rbcL of strain SLG4‐06, we propose Picochloropsis malayensis gen. et sp. nov. for this strain in the Chlorellales, Trebouxiophyceae. Because P. malayensis can grow in both seawater and freshwater environments, it may be suitable for wastewater treatment in marine aquaculture ponds with widely fluctuating salinity levels.

Exploring the consumer perception of seafood: A look at Brazilians

Although Brazil has a wide variety of marine aquaculture species, production is still incipient compared to the world's main producers, and consequent consumption by the population does not reach recommended levels. Understanding the reasons that lead consumers to low consumption of seafood and scallops can help leverage the sector, favoring the local gastronomy, in addition to enhancing the consumption of good quality proteins. The word association (WA) technique, modulated by the food neophobia and the socio-demographic profiles of participants, was used to investigate the perception of Brazilian consumers in relation to seafood and scallops with the aim to contribute to the development of strategies that can collaborate to increase the consumption of these products. The study was carried out with 738 people (56% female). The associations generated by participants were mainly related to positive hedonic characteristics: tasty, delicious and good, especially when they were asked about seafood. These positive hedonic characteristics were less mentioned for scallops and mainly among participants who do not consume seafood regularly. In general, income, consumption habits and lack of knowledge about scallops can interfere with the frequency of the mollusk consumption. The degree of food neophobia played a role on participant's task and the associations generated by low and medium food neophobia consumers for seafood were mainly related to positive hedonic characteristics. The results provided interesting information on consumers' perceptions of seafood and scallops and may contribute to the development of products that better meet consumer expectations, contributing to the expansion and diversification of the local culinary.

Seasonal Mortality of Wild Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) Is Caused by a Virulent Clone of Vibrio (Listonella) anguillarum; Implications for Biosecurity along the Atlantic Coastal United States

Atlantic menhaden are a highly migratory marine species in the Eastern United States that suffer from seasonal chronic mortality. Affected fish show neurologic signs referred to as spinning disease, including circling at the surface and erratic corkscrew swimming before death. We investigated three similar menhaden mortality events consistent with spinning disease in coastal New Jersey and New York between 2020 and 2021 to understand the cause. A unique strain of Vibrio (Listonella) anguillarum (serogroup O3) was detected regularly in high loads, particularly in the brains of moribund fish, by both metagenomics and bacterial isolation. The most common histopathological changes in moribund fish were hemorrhagic meningitis, encephalitis, pyknosis, and karyorrhexis of hematopoietic tissues in the kidney and spleen. Whole genome sequencing of isolates from moribund fish representing a wide spatial and temporal range showed that they were nearly identical clones, suggesting it to be a pathogenic strain circulating in the population. Though V. anguillarum is believed to be the main pathogen associated with spinning disease and mortality, Yersinia ruckeri (serotype O1) was isolated from smaller numbers of fish. Considering the highly migratory nature of Atlantic menhaden throughout the eastern United States and their use as bait for other fisheries, these findings identify potential biosecurity challenges that should be considered in Atlantic salmon aquaculture, fisheries, and emerging marine aquaculture in the region.

Germplasm evaluation and identification of the population source of hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) in China using SSR and COI markers

In aquaculture, good germplasm resources are nearly decisive for its development. The hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria), a significant marine aquaculture bivalve in China, has flourished quickly since being introduced from North America in 1997. However, for numerous reasons, it has suffered from germplasm deterioration and uncertain origins. To address these issues, seven microsatellite DNA loci (SSRs) and mtCOI were employed to evaluate germplasm and trace the origins of various Chinese populations. The results of these two molecular genetic markers revealed weak genetic differentiation among all Chinese populations, with high genetic diversity observed across most individuals, except for a few outliers. This suggests an alarming situation regarding germplasm resources in China. Based on results of traceability analysis, the most likely areas of origin for the Chinese populations are Chesapeake Bay and the southern region of Cape Hatteras. This study provides a crucial theoretical foundation for the cultivation, conservation, and subsequent introduction of hard clam populations in China, thereby ensuring the sustainable growth of the hard clam breeding sector.

Marine heatwaves in the western Mediterranean: Considerations for coastal aquaculture adaptation

Climate change threatens marine aquaculture, impacting fish health and farming practices through extreme events such as ocean warming and marine heatwaves. These events can compound the effects of other stressors, necessitating adaptive measures for sustainable aquaculture, such as submergible cages. We harnessed ocean reanalysis products to enhance our understanding of ocean warming and marine heatwaves in key fish farming areas in the Western Mediterranean, focusing on fish welfare thermal thresholds that inform mitigation measures. Our analyses revealed a consistent temperature increase across depths and farms over four decades, notably peaking at 0.75 °C per decade in some areas. Marine heatwaves have become three times more frequent, with nearly 50% longer durations on average compared to the 1980s. This included the most severe event experienced in 2022, with anomalies up to 4.2 °C lasting the entire summer. Fish welfare thermal thresholds exceeded the average depth of pen net systems and increased by 4.3 m per decade. Moreover, the seasonal onset of thermal thresholds shifted 5 to 6 days earlier per decade. To secure optimal conditions for seabream and seabass, net pens should be submerged to depths of around 20 m and 15 m, respectively, ideally in the second week of July. However, in shallow areas, this may not be feasible. Our findings raise concerns about the well-being of Mediterranean farmed fish, which, although adapted to current conditions, may struggle to thrive under recent and projected environmental changes. Addressing these challenges, a multi-faceted adaptative approach encompassing research, technological innovation, regulatory measures, and industry collaboration.

Science Teaching Materials Based on Marine Aquaculture Bioecology Using Floating Net Cage Technology to Improve Science Literacy Skills for Middle School Students in Coastal Lombok

This research aimed to develop science teaching materials based on marine aquaculture bioecology using floating net cage technology that is practical and effective in improving students’ scientific literacy skills at Lombok coastal schools. This was development research based on the Thiagarajan 4D model, which consists of four stages: design, define, develop, and disseminate. The research subjects consisted of six junior high schools on the coast of Lombok, who were selected using the purposive sampling technique. The instrument used was a scientific literacy assessment of 16 reasoned multiple choice questions. Data were analyzed using normalized gain analysis. The results showed that science teaching materials based on marine aquaculture bioecology with floating net cage technology were effective in increasing the scientific literacy skills of students in the six sampled schools, obtaining an average N-gain value of 0.5 in the medium category.
 Keywords: marine aquaculture, bioecology, scientific literacy skills

Genome-wide sequencing reveals geographical variations in the thermal adaptation of an aquaculture species with frequent seedling introductions

Climate change and human activity are essential factors affecting marine biodiversity and aquaculture, and understanding the impacts of human activities on the genetic structure to increasing high temperatures is crucial for sustainable aquaculture and marine biodiversity conservation. As a commercially important bivalve, the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum is widely distributed along the coast of China, and it has been frequently introduced from Fujian Province, China, to other regions for aquaculture. In this study, we collected four populations of Manila clams from different areas to evaluate their thermal tolerance by measuring cardiac performance and genetic variations using whole-genome resequencing. The upper thermal limits of the clams showed high variations within and among populations. Different populations displayed divergent genetic compositions, and the admixed population was partly derived from the Zhangzhou population in Fujian Province, implying a complex genomic landscape under the influence of local genetic sources and human introductions. Multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were associated with the cardiac functional traits, and some of these SNPs can affect the codon usage and the structural stability of the resulting protein. This study shed light on the importance of establishing long-term ecological and genetic monitoring programs at the local level to enhance resilience to future climate change.

Parasites Infestation on Cultured Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) and the Impact of Fish Health

Barramundi Lates calcarifer is one of the leading marine aquaculture commodities in Indonesia, therefore fish health should be observed. This study was conducted to determine the type and number of parasites present in barramundi, the prevalence, mean intensity and mean abundance of parasite and the number of leukocytes in each individual, based on the level of infestation. This study used a quantitative descriptive method, using a total of 30 fish with two different sizes of host of ± 20 cm (large) and ±5 cm (small) each as many as 15 individuals. The results showed that size of host samples influenced the number of parasites infested with the prevalence of 40%, while ectoparasite 20%. This may due to differences in the living environment as well as the larger host provides more space to the parasites. The ectoparasites found in barramundi, namely Trichodina sp, Cryptocaryon sp, Benedenia sp, Diplectanum sp and endoparasites, namely Camallanus sp. Ectoparasites Trichodina sp. has the highest mean intensity of 20%. The highest mean abundance on large fish was 3.2 ind/fish on ectoparasite and endoparasites was 0.07 ind/fish. The lowest leukocytes were 179.82 103/μl (19.6 cm) and the highest in sample number three was 218 103/μl (20 cm), all exceeded the normal amount of leucocytes cells for fish was uninfected.

Trajectory of Particulate Waste Transported by Artificial Upwelling

The feeding activities of fish in marine aquaculture have raised concerns about severe benthic pollution within the cage area. This paper suggests removing particulate waste from the cage area through the implementation of artificial upwelling (AU), a method likely to alleviate the organic burden within the cultivation area. A numerical model was developed to simulate AU-induced particulate matter transport under different operating conditions, with the majority of simulation results validated through flume experiments. The influence of particle characteristics, environmental conditions, and engineering parameters of AU on organic matter transport are discussed. In particular, our study offers a detailed analysis of the minimum initial upwelling velocity required to transport particulate waste to a designated distance. It also recommends situating the bottom of the cage above the maximum height of the waste plume to effectively segregate fish from the waste carried by the upwelling.

Decoding the Arsenal: Protist Effectors and Their Impact on Photosynthetic Hosts.

Interactions between various microbial pathogens including viruses, bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, and their plant hosts have traditionally been the focus of phytopathology. In recent years, a significant and growing interest in the study of eukaryotic microorganisms not classified among fungi or oomycetes has emerged. Many of these protists establish complex interactions with photosynthetic hosts, and understanding these interactions is crucial in understanding the dynamics of these parasites within traditional and emerging types of farming, including marine aquaculture. Many phytopathogenic protists are biotrophs with complex polyphasic life cycles, which makes them difficult or impossible to culture, a fact reflected in a wide gap in the availability of comprehensive genomic data when compared to fungal and oomycete plant pathogens. Furthermore, our ability to use available genomic resources for these protists is limited by the broad taxonomic distance that these organisms span, which makes comparisons with other genomic datasets difficult. The current rapid progress in genomics and computational tools for the prediction of protein functions and interactions is revolutionizing the landscape in plant pathology. This is also opening novel possibilities, specifically for a deeper understanding of protist effectors. Tools like AlphaFold2 enable structure-based function prediction of effector candidates with divergent protein sequences. In turn, this allows us to ask better biological questions and, coupled with innovative experimental strategies, will lead into a new era of effector research, especially for protists, to expand our knowledge on these elusive pathogens and their interactions with photosynthetic hosts. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Analysis sedan vehicle structure in frontal impact using computer model

This paper presents an overview of Sedan vehicle structure based on frontal impact. The analysis results include parameters on the degree of deformation, the collision absorption ability of the Sedan vehicle structural model in accidents. The purpose is based on the comparison results to simulate the Sedan vehicle structure model that collides with other car chassis models at different speed levels, based on that, compares the crash analysis simulations to find the textures the frame absorbs the maximum impact energy and minimizes the deformation so as not to affect intrusion into the safe space of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The results of this paper show that the frame structures such as the A-Pillars and Horizontal brace between the engine compartment and the passenger compartment need to be improved to increase the safety for the passengers inside. The study results are expected to be expanded in to optimize the engineering structures and improve the efficiency in various fields included shipbuilding, offshore structures, marine aquaculture structures, etc. Keywords: Structural, analysis, Sedan, vehicle structure, fontal impact.

Virulence and pangenome analysis of Vibrio harveyi strains from Greek and Red Sea marine aquaculture

Comparative genomic analysis of Vibrio harveyi, a leading pathogen in Mediterranean aquaculture, was conducted to assess the genomic plasticity of the species. V. harveyi is responsible for vibriosis outbreaks during the warmer months, resulting in significant economic losses that impact Greek aquaculture. Over a span of six years, we curated a diverse collection of bacterial strains associated with these outbreaks. Whole-genome sequencing was employed in 21 strains to uncover their evolutionary relationships and virulence factors. Pangenome analysis revealed significant gene gain/loss, with numerous unique genes within the strains. The core genome featured genes associated with pathogenicity, including secretion systems, flagella, pili, siderophores, and toxins. Furthermore, we examined the phenotypic traits and virulence of these strains using in vivo testing with gilthead seabream larvae. Our findings indicated variant metabolic profiles and virulence among the strains during these in vivo assays. By integrating genomic and phenotypic data, our study highlights the ongoing evolution of disease-associated V. harveyi strains, which pose a growing challenge to the aquaculture industry.

A transition to sustainable marine living resources: Why does digital transformation matter?

This paper empirically examines how digital transformation in both the public and private sectors impacts the performance of marine living resources to demonstrate its importance for promoting a sustainable blue economy. Our approach captures the sustainable performance of countries within the European blue economy using three different measures: value added at the factor cost of capture fisheries, shellfish aquaculture, and marine aquaculture. In the context of digitalization, four different aspects are measured, namely online selling, e-commerce sales, e-commerce turnover, e-commerce, and customer relationship management, while digital public services are measured based on digital literacies, business mobility, and key enablers. By using various empirical techniques, namely a panel-corrected standard error (PCSE) model, FGLS models, and a pooled mean group estimation (PMG) in an autoregressive distributed lag estimation method (ARDL), we provide many remarkable findings. During the 2011–2019 period, we estimate that digitalization will have a significant impact on improving the sustainability of the blue economy in Europe. Nevertheless, long-term effects are more likely to be noticeable. Further, in the shape of a U curve, we also find that digitalization has nonlinear effects on marine living resources in the private and public sectors. In this study, results indicate that digitalization affects marine living resources only to a certain extent once they have reached a certain maturity level. Our findings suggest that European countries should accelerate the digital economy, strengthen the establishment of digital infrastructure, and promote digital implementation on the path toward sustainable marine living resources.

Metabolomic and Lipidomic Tools for Tracing Fish Escapes from Aquaculture Facilities.

During adverse atmospheric events, enormous damage can occur at marine aquaculture facilities, as was the case during Storm Gloria in the southeastern Spanish Mediterranean in January 2020, with massive fish escapes. Fishes that escape were caught by professional fishermen. The objective of this study was to identify biomarkers in fish that enable differentiation among wild fish, escaped farm-raised fish, and farm-raised fish kept in aquaculture facilities until their slaughter. We focused on gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). We used nuclear magnetic resonance to search for possible biomarkers. We found that wild gilthead sea bream showed higher levels of taurine and trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) in their muscle and higher levels of ω-3 fatty acids, whereas farm-escaped and farmed gilthead sea bream raised until slaughter exhibit higher levels of ω-6 fatty acids. From choline, carnitine, creatinine, betaine, or lecithin, trimethylamine (TMA) is synthesized in the intestine by the action of bacterial microflora. In the liver, TMA is oxidized to TMAO and transported to muscle cells. The identified biomarkers will improve the traceability of gilthead sea bream by distinguishing wild specimens from those raised in aquaculture.

Isolation and identification of bacterial pathogens causing ice-ice disease in Eucheuma cottonii seaweed at Seira Island Waters, Tanimbar Islands District, Maluku, Indonesia

Abstract. Tuhumury NC, Sahetapy JMF, Matakupan J. 2024. Isolation and identification of bacterial pathogens causing ice-ice disease in Eucheuma cottonii seaweed at Seira Island Waters, Tanimbar Islands District, Maluku, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 964-970. Seaweed cultivation has proven to be beneficial and enhances the well-being of communities. Production of seaweed in the waters of Maluku has increased despite facing the problem of ice-ice disease. Therefore, this research aimed to isolate and identify bacteria on the Eucheuma cottonii seaweed species affected by ice-ice disease in the waters of Seira Island, Tanimbar Islands District, Maluku. It was conducted in August 2023 at three observation stations, and water quality samples were collected in situ at all three stations, including temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), and turbidity. Furthermore, bacterial isolation and identification were carried out at the Laboratory of Marine Aquaculture, Ambon. Bacteria isolation and purification were performed on TCBS media using the streak plate technique, while identification used the API 20E test. The results showed that water quality parameters supported seaweed growth. Four bacteria that caused ice-ice disease in the waters of Seira were identified as Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio fluvalis, Vibrio cholerae, and Aeromonas caviae. Moreover, all four bacteria found were gram-negative and pathogenic. Bacteria belonging to the genera Vibrio and Aeromonas have been proven to cause infections in marine organisms, including seaweed. In conclusion, four types of bacteria were identified in seaweed affected by ice-ice disease.

Structure and gene expression changes of the gill and liver in juvenile black porgy (Acanthopagrus schlegelii) under different salinities

Black porgy (Acanthopagrus schlegelii) is an important marine aquaculture species in China. It is an ideal object for the cultivation of low-salinity aquaculture strains in marine fish and the study of salinity tolerance mechanisms in fish because of its strong low-salinity tolerance ability. Gill is the main osmoregulatory organ in fish, and the liver plays an important role in the adaptation of the organism to stressful environments. In order to understand the coping mechanisms of the gills and livers of black porgy in different salinity environments, this study explored these organs after 30 days of culture in hypoosmotic (0.5 ppt), isosmotic (12 ppt), and normal seawater (28 ppt) at histologic, physiologic, and transcriptomic levels. The findings indicated that gill exhibited a higher number of differentially expressed genes than the liver, emphasizing the gill's heightened sensitivity to salinity changes. Protein interaction networks and enrichment analyses highlighted energy metabolism as a key regulatory focus at both 0.5 ppt and 12 ppt salinity in gills. Additionally, gills showed enrichment in ions, substance transport, and other metabolic pathways, suggesting a more direct regulatory response to salinity stress. The liver's regulatory patterns at different salinities exhibited significant distinctions, with pathways and genes related to metabolism, immunity, and antioxidants predominantly activated at 0.5 ppt, and molecular processes linked to cell proliferation taking precedence at 12 ppt salinity. Furthermore, the study revealed a reduction in the volume of the interlamellar cell mass (ILCM) of the gills, enhancing the contact area of the gill lamellae with water. At 0.5 ppt salinity, hepatic antioxidant enzyme activity increased, accompanied by oxidative stress damage. Conversely, at 12 ppt salinity, gill NKA activity significantly decreased without notable changes in liver structure. These results underscore the profound impact of salinity on gill structure and function, highlighting the crucial role of the liver in adapting to salinity environments.

Aquaculture related humpback whale entanglements in coastal waters of British Columbia from 2008-2021.

Over the past two decades, increasing numbers of humpback whales have been returning to feed in the inshore waters of British Columbia (BC) where marine aquaculture farms are situated. This has led to growing concerns that the presence of aquaculture farms may pose an entanglement threat to humpback whales. However, it is not known whether aquaculture facilities attract humpback whales, or whether there are factors that increase the likelihood of humpback whale, becoming entangled and dying. We examined eight reports of humpback whales interacting with Atlantic salmon farms in BC from 2008 to 2021 to evaluate the conditions that may have contributed to their entanglements. Of the eight entangled humpbacks, three individuals died and five were successfully disentangled and released. All were young animals (1 calf, 7 subadults). Multiple factors were associated with two or more of the reported incidents. These included facility design, environmental features, seasonality, humpback whale age, and feeding behaviour. We found that humpback whales were most commonly entrapped in the predator nets of the aquaculture facilities (6/8 incidents), and were less often entangled in anchor support lines (2/8). The presence of salmon smolts did not appear to be an attractant for humpback whales given that half of the reported entanglements (4/8) occurred at fallowed salmon farms. Almost all of the entanglements (7/8) occurred in late winter (prior to the seasonal return of humpbacks) and during late fall (after most humpbacks have migrated south). Overall, the number of humpback whales impacted by fish farms was small compared to the numbers that return to BC (> 7,000) and accounted for <6% of all types of reported entanglements in BC. Human intervention was required to release humpback whales at fish farms, which points to the need to have well-established protocols to minimize entanglements and maximize successful releases.

Enhancement of Nutrient Composition and Non-Volatile Flavor Substances in Muscle Tissue of Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) Through Inland Low Salinity Saline-Alkaline Water Culture.

The red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), a globally significant marine aquaculture species, boasts formidable osmoregulatory capabilities and remarkable adaptability to low salinity, making it an ideal candidate for commercial cultivation in inland low salinity saline-alkaline waters. However, studies on the fundamental nutritional composition and flavor quality of S. ocellatus in these inland low salinity saline-alkaline waters remain unreported. This study delves into the impact of inland low salinity saline-alkaline environments on the basic nutritional components and nonvolatile flavor substances (including free amino acids and free nucleotides) in the muscle tissue of S. ocellatus. The findings reveal that redfish cultivated in these conditions exhibit a significant increase in the crude fat, ash, and protein content in their dorsal muscle tissue, coupled with a decrease in moisture content (p < 0.05), indicating an enhancement in the nutritional value of the dorsal muscle tissue. Furthermore, this cultivation environment significantly elevates the content of free amino acids in the muscle tissue (p < 0.05), particularly those contributing to umami and sweet tastes, while reducing the relative content of bitter amino acids. Although the total content of free nucleotides decreased, the equivalent umami concentration (EUC) in the muscle tissue markedly increased (p < 0.05) due to the synergistic effect of umami amino acids and flavor nucleotides, enhancing the umami taste characteristics. Therefore, inland low salinity saline-alkaline aquaculture not only elevates the nutritional value of S. ocellatus muscle tissue but also improves its umami flavor characteristics. This discovery opens new perspectives for further research into the impact of inland low salinity saline-alkaline environments on the flavor properties of marine animals.

Taste, sustainability, and nutrition: Consumers' attitude toward innovations in aquaculture products

Marine aquaculture is one of the solutions to provide sustainable nutritious food. While technological and product development in the marine aquaculture industry is challenging, the industry is also facing consumer skepticism. Therefore, it is crucial to understand consumers' food decisions to deliver the benefits of marine aquaculture on environmental sustainability and human nutrition. This study aims to test how a sheer cognition of innovative or traditional production methods influences the USA consumers' acceptance of marine aquaculture products.In an online experimental study, 186 consumers from the USA evaluated their perceptions of a series of marine aquaculture products that vary in processing levels. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the three conditions: Tradition, Technology, and Control condition. In the Tradition condition, participants were told the products are produced in a traditional way. In contrast, a high-tech production system is emphasized in the Technology condition. In the Control condition, the producer uses a conventional method to farm seafood. The results of a set of general linear models for repeated measures reveal that emphasizing traditional production methods is associated with better perceptions of tastefulness, healthiness, and sustainability. Further analysis of a structural equation model found that the difference between the Tradition versus Technology brand image mainly lies in the perceived sincerity of the producer. The image of a traditional producer contributes to better consumer trust, and it further leads to a higher perceived value of healthiness and sustainability.The results of the study shed light on the strategies to accelerate technological advances and the social acceptance of innovative nutritious food. The research is one of the early attempts in the aquaculture industry to collect consumer feedback on tech/product development. The process can support future tech/product research projects by enhancing the societal embeddedness of marine aquaculture innovation.