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The first feeding study of tropical Australia's Irukandji box jellyfish has found that they actively fish. They attract larval fish by twitching their extended tentacles, highlighting their nematocyst clusters (stinging structures) and using them as lures.

A relatively new method of targeting specific DNA sequences in zebrafish could dramatically accelerate the discovery of gene function and the identification of disease genes in humans, according to scientists at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NH…

Aquaculture is facing a new era of expansion in Europe. What are the environmental implications of this, and how can the sector expand sustainably? This Future Brief from Science for Environment Policy presents an overview of research into aquacultures impacts…

Juvenile production of Nile tilapia comprises a stage with high economic losses due to disease outbreaks, as stressful conditions caused by increased fish handling at this stage favouring opportunistic infections by several pathogens, write Santiago Benites de…

Small-scale fisheries (SSFs) in developing countries are extremely important for local communities, as they are a major source of food, livelihood, and income. This report from the World Bank looks at several case studies of fisheries in Africa and how they pe…

In recent years, piscine reovirus has emerged as a pathogen of interest to European salmon producers. The complete spectrum of effects that this virus has on infected fish is not yet fully understood, making it difficult to ascertain the full implications to t…

In a paper published June 3, 2015 in the online journal PLOS ONE, University of Connecticut researchers Jan-Michael Hessenauer and Jason C. Vokoun, both in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, report on fisheries induced evolution (FIE) in …

Good water quality on tilapia farms depends on a suitable environment to promote growth. Such an environment can be achieved by maintaining the correct balance between feed input and the assimilative capacity of the water. However, the more fish that are grown…

The use of genetically modified organisms in the food industry is a highly controversial topic. In this article, for TheFishSite, Sam Andrews discusses the sustainability aspects of GM in aquaculture but also the questions around what negative effects GM fish …

One in two seafood workers is a woman. This worldwide desktop study by the FAO, the first of its kind, presents what is known, and what remains to be investigated in this crucial component of the seafood industry.

A new study from The University of Cambridge shows that cichlid fish reared in larger social groups from birth display a greater and more extensive range of social interactions.

Water quality is very important in fish farming as poor quality water can effect the health and growth of the fish. It is important that farmers pay attention to the water's chemical and physical factors.

Purdue University research has discovered that wild-type zebrafish consistently beat out genetically modified Glofish in competition for female mates, an advantage that led to the disappearance of the transgene from the fish population over time.

Fish fed polystyrene nanoparticles are less active and show changes to theirbrains and metabolism, according to a study by Swedish and Danish researchers.The findings suggest that nanoparticles in the environment could have a majorimpact on fish and aquatic ec…

Fish species capable of warming their body core are able to swim two and a half times faster than those whose body temperature does not change, according to a study from the University of California, Santa Barbara and other institutions.

A type of microsporidian parasite is severely affecting aquaculture in Asia. This report by Dr Stephen Newman addresses best practice in reducing the pathogen. Taken from the Global Aquaculture Advocate, a Global Aquaculture Alliance publication.

Marine ecosystem composition can be changed by night-time artificial lighting from coastal communities, shipping and offshore infrastructure, according to new research.

Governments around the world must take action to safeguard the contributions of the oceans to the global economy, which are valued at $24 trillion, according to this report from the WWF: 'Reviving the Ocean Economy - The Case for Action - 2015'.

The stocking rate of channel catfish in aquaculture can affect production, but what effect does it have on the development of off-flavours in fish flesh? This study by Bartholomew Green and Kevin Schrader from the US Department of Agriculture aimed to answer t…

The dynamics of common carp influences on the environment and ecology in polyculture ponds are unclear, so this study by Mohammad Rahman looked at the effects of various stocking densities of common carp on the dynamics of nutrients, phytoplankton, zooplankton…

Feed additives may help to reduce the impact of early mortality syndrome on shrimp stocks, according to a report from Minh Phu AquaMekong Shrimp Vet Laboratory in Vietnam and Nutriad International in Belgium.

The benefits realised by recirculating aquaculture systems including enhanced fish growth, product quality and survival, as well as reduced treatment costs have made the recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) approach an important production trend, write Stev…

Bycatch from longline tuna fisheries is a global environmental problem. This report from the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership shares some examples of best practice to avoid harming non-target organisms.

Mortalities of oyster Crassostrea gigas seed associated with ostreid herpesvirus have been observed in many oyster-producing countries since 2008. This report, by Bruno Petton and colleagues from the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea, looks…

Dr Shelley Clarke, Technical Coordinator-Sharks and Bycatch of the ABNJ Tuna Project under the FAO-led Common Oceans Program, co-authored a global review of status and mitigation measures for bycatch in longline fisheries for tuna and tuna-like species.

Current efforts to decrease fish discards from the catch use discard estimates based on observers placed on vessels, but length composition data from scientific research trawls can help to improve the estimates at a regional level, allowing improved legislatio…

The positive impact on fish quality of humane harvesting practices means that increased fish welfare provides strong benefits to the consumer, write Barbara Rasco and colleagues from Washington State University and Blue North Inc. fisheries company.

The use of organic acid supplements in the diet of commercially farmed shrimp led to greater nutrient utilisation and some protection from pathogenic bacteria, write Wing-Keong Ng and colleagues from Universiti Sains Malaysia.

The amino acid taurine is a crucial ingredient in the diet of many commercially important fish species, but the removal of fishmeal from diets may cause a deficiency, write Guillaume Salze and Allen Davis from Auburn University.

Including small amounts of garlic in the diet of Nile tilapia led to an increase in growth rates, suggests a study from A.I. Mehrim and colleagues from Mansoura University in Egypt.

The objectives of the Aquaculture for Food Security, Poverty Alleviation and Nutrition (AFSPAN) project were to strengthen the knowledge base and develop new and more rigorous methodologies of quantifying the contribution of aquaculture to combat hunger and po…

Salmon raised in a reduced photoperiod environment of 18 hours light are more likely to show undesirable early maturation than those raised under 24 hour light, write Christopher Good and colleagues from the Conservation Fund's Freshwater Institute and USDA-AR…

Triploid Atlantic salmon are not more susceptible to sea louse infection than diploid fish, according to a study by Benedikt Frenzl et al, University of Stirling, UK.

A new study has shown that the dottyback, a small predatory reef fish, can change the colour of its body to imitate a variety of other reef fish species, allowing the dottyback to sneak up undetected and eat their young.

Scientists at MIT and Harvard University have identified two optical structures within a limpet's shell that give its blue-striped appearance.

Fish Vet Group's PondDtox contains unique bacteria (Paracoccus pantotrophus), which are highly effective in anaerobic conversion of toxic Hydrogen Sulphideinto non-toxic sulfate in benthic environments.

The manner and routes of dispersal vary with the species and the ecological conditions. Many fish form shoals to avoid predation. Shoaling with familiar conspecifics affords the fish an even greater advantage by increasing the benefit for relatives. This promo…

Salmon recovery and the potential detrimental effects of dams on fish have been attracting national attention due to the environmental and economic implications. In recent years acoustic telemetry has been the primary method for studying salmon passage, but no…

Tilapia has drawn much attention lately and been recognized by FAO as the most potent culture fish species in supplying human protein source of the Century.

The level of success we get in catfish farming is usually tied to the level of management practices we decide to put in place in conjuction with the level of efficiency we achieve from our culture systems, writes Lanre Ogunsina, Fish Unlimited. Part 2 and 3 co…