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The decision by Ghanas Ministry of Fisheries to declare a closed season on the countrys industrial fisheries from 1st February to 31st March signifies the seriousness of the problem of dwindling fish supplies, writes Efua Konyim Okai.

New research suggests the the creation of marine reserves can cause fish to adapt their behaviour in a way that makes them less likely to stray from areas with low fishing pressure.

For decades Vietnams Mekong Delta has been under threat from one of its most lucrative industries. But now shrimp farming is being used to conserve, rather than deplete, the regions precious mangrove forests. Ann Moey, for the International Union for Conservat…

A new paper on aquaponics, which was published by the US North Central Regional Aquaculture Center (NCRAC), has just been published online.

Massive cuts could be in store for the agencies and people who provide the science and stewardship to preserve and protect our planet.

Coral reefs support approximately 25 percent of all known marine species. As one of the most complex ecosystems on the planet, coral reefs are home to more than 4,000 species of fish, 700 species of coral, and thousands of other plants and animals. Globally, 4…

Regulations around seafood packaging are naturally strict due to the speed of its decomposition. Seafood quickly and easily deteriorates due to factors like contamination, physical damage and badly managed temperature control during the various transport and h…

In the upside-down world of the pipefish, sexual selection appears to work in reverse, with flashy females battling for males who bear the pregnancy and carry their young to term in their brood pouch. But new research shows even more factors appear to play a r…

From kids walking on the beach to major museums, the amazing diversity of conch shells have captivated the eyes of collectors. And with more than 50,000 estimated living species bearing a shell, scientists who study the phylum Mollusca have long sought to unde…

In this article by I. Lupatsch et al, Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture Research, Swansea University, UK, the Daily energy and protein requirements of the anemone clownfish, Amphiprion percula, were determined as the sum of requirements for maintenance and gr…

M. Garca et al, Centro de Bioactivos Qumicos, Universidad central de Las Villas studied the effect of two Streptomyces strains alone or combined with Bacillus and Lactobacillus probiotics, over the growth and survival of the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, …

In aquaculture, producers commonly rely on formulated feeds to ensure optimal growth, health and quality of the farmed animal. Fish meal and fish oil from wild fisheries have traditionally been major constituents of aqua-feeds as they are excellent raw materia…

During the past 20 years, the pond culture of hybrid striped bass has developed into a successful sector of the United States aquaculture industry; annual production has grown exponentially from 10,000 pounds to nearly 12,000,000 pounds during that period, wri…

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi that cause a toxic response (mycotoxicosis) when ingested by farm and companion animals.

Illegal fishing is an all-too-common problem which has devastating effects on the environment and communities worldwide. It depletes fish stocks, damages ecosystems and disrupts the livelihood of legal fishers. Yet, despite its harmful consequences, its only b…

For the first time ever, the Pacific Spiny Lobster (Panulirus gracilis) has been grown successfully in a closed, land based aquaculture system in Panama, 600 m above sea level, 15 miles from the ocean at a biomass of over 5 kg/m3.

Many faster growing transgenic fish including both cold water (salmon, trout) and warm water (tilapia, carp) species have been produced. The development of transgenic fish can serve as excellent experimental models for basic scientific investigations, environm…

Prakash Chandra Behera, Business Head-Aqua, PVS Group, Vijayawada, India looks at how to manage Vannamei shrimp ponds with high stocking density and no water exchange in relation to growth, survival and water quality.

In Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) farming as in all fed aquacultured species feed accounts for 60 percent of the total production costs. Increasing prices of raw materials has led nutritionists to search for alternative ingredients to reduce or at least …

Aquaculture diet has become increasingly plant based. In addition, the industry faces environmental changes. Recent findings in salmonids show the two challenges are combined, give cause for concern.

Chronic Inflammation is a symptom of virtually every disease. Inflammation plays a major role in the development of the well known chronic problems of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, eye disease, mood disorders, fibromyalgia and the list goes on an…

This paper by D. Allen Davis, Elkin Amaya, Jesus Venero, Oscar Zelaya and David B. Rouse, Auburn University, discusses from a historical perspective the systematic improvements in feed management that have allowed us to improve feed utilization and total produ…

Global seaweed production has more than doubled between 2000 and 2014, from 10.5 to28.4 million tonnes. The 2012 world production of seaweeds was estimated to be about US$6billion (FAO, Food and Agriculture Organization, 2014); 95% of this production was from …

Nutritional value of food and feed is just not declining, it is collapsing, write Dr. C. S. Bedi and Dr. R. Karthik, Aquaculture Division, Guybro Chemicals.

Although cleaner fish are proving an effective and environmentally friendly way of removing sea lice on salmon farms, they can carry pathogens that can cause disease in both the cleaner fish and salmon. Speaking at Aquaculture Europe, 20-23 September, Edinburg…

Mycotoxins, secondary metabolites produced by molds, can harm many varieties of aquaculturespecies. Here are 8 key facts about mycotoxins that reveal the real dangers for production.

The aim of this study by Tatiana S Barbosa, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, et al was to determine species of the fungal genera Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium and fumonisin B1 (FB1), aflatoxin B1(AFB1), and ochratoxin A (OTA) contaminatio…

A new study by Future of Fish has explored the power of story to sell more fishand to determine what elements of that story most influence consumer purchasingbehavior. The study also aims to identify the business benefitsof data-rich supply chains and to ignit…

Dr Bill McGraw, an Aquaculture and Environmental Scientist in Panama, provides an overview of minerals in aquaculture and human diets.

In aquaculture, feed is amongst the most important factors that can impact fish growth rates. Most commonly found in pellet form, feed must be able to provide all of the required nutrients, offer the highest possible conversion rates, and of course be economic…

Over the past decade, the sustainability of seafood production has improved and is cause for ocean optimism. In an attempt for recognition of ongoing efforts, many producers and food retailers now claim products are sustainable, write Michael F Tlusty andistei…

Hammermills are commonly used for grinding a broad range of materials used in the production of aquaculture feeds. Since most species of fish, crustaceans, and shellfish have a very short digestive tract, they require a finely ground, highly processed feed in …

The rights of indigenous peoples living in coastal States to engage in their traditional fishing practices is an ongoing issue around the world. The central question lies in whether or not indigenous people are entitled to a preferred position, excluding or li…

Aquaculture production has grown enormously in recent years and among that Penaeid shrimps are one of the most important cultured species worldwide especially in Asia due to their high economic value and export.

Given limited funds for research and widespread degradation of ecosystems, environmental scientists should geographically target their studies where they will be most effective. However, in academic areas such as conservation and natural resource management th…

Aquaculture production can address contradictory challenges such as costs and environmental footprint by using phytogenic feed additives that improve digestibility, nutrient retention, feed efficiency and reduce emissions, write By Rui Gonalves, Technical Prod…

There has been significant interest in the development of integrated multi-trophicaquaculture (IMTA) in Europe but adoption of the concept has been limited. If we are to understand why there has been limited uptake of IMTA in Europe, perhaps it is necessary to…

Christopher Golden and colleagues calculate that declining numbers of marine fish will spell more malnutrition in many developing nations.

A new remotely operated vehicle, or ROV, has been unveiled that could help reduce costs and improve operational efficiency and yields in aquaculture. Canadian firm Deep Trekker, which manufactures the DTG2 ROV, describes it as affordable, easy to use and capab…

This report by the FAO documents successful practices of the sustainable intensification of aquaculture in the Asia-Pacific region.