Health & Welfare

The presence of compounds such as geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) can result in earthy or musty off-flavors in salmonids raised in the systems. 

After rapid expansion of glass eel culture in the mid-1990s was followed by overproduction, pricing problems, glass eel shortages and NGO pressures, European Union countries adopted national management plans for the eels. Importation of consumption eels was stopped, and exportation was phased out. 

The ideal pH for most aquaculture species is between 6.0 and 8.5. Lower pH values may result in decreased growth and survival, and greater susceptibility to disease. pH typically is lowest in the early morning, increases during the afternoon and declines at night. 

At present, Macrobrachium rosenbergii is the only shrimp species commercially farmed in Brazil. Most freshwater prawn farms are small, and prawn culture is often a secondary farming activity. 

In trials raising larger juvenile shrimp than those used previously in indoor super-intensive recirculating raceway systems, the positive effects from increased stocking size, growth rate and survival resulted in a reduced crop duration time. 

The authors conducted research to determine the optimum dietary protein levels and protein:energy ratios for different age groups of olive flounders. 

In 2012, samples collected from 92 AHPNS-affected ponds in the Mekong Delta found a number of Vibrio isolates, with the majority V. parahaemolyticus. 

The University of Arizona Aquaculture Pathology Laboratory identifies a unique strain of Vibrio bacteria as the causative agent for EMS/AHPNS. 

Sea lice are a significant threat to the Chilean salmon-farming industry. Chilean salmon farmers also understand that prevention and good management practices based on biosecurity measures are the best tools to minimize outbreaks of disease. 

In studies of early mortality syndrome/acute hepatopancreatic necrosis syndrome at an Agrobest shrimp farm in peninsular Malaysia, results indicated that the disease originated with infected postlarvae and quickly spread throughout the farm. 

The authors tested the effects of sequencing autotrophic and heterotrophic dominance on water quality levels in a recirculating system raising shrimp. Culture tanks were inoculated with nitrifying bacteria, and chemoautotrophic dominance was maintained. 

The meagre is a fast-growing fish species with good feed conversion that is a candidate for expanded aquaculture in the Mediterranean. The challenges of a lengthy adaption to captivity and susceptibility to external parasites are being addressed, and wild-caught broodstock now spawn regularly. 

Lab studies with channel catfish and rainbow trout have found that phytogenic feed additives like essential oils can help improve weight gain, feed conversion and immunity to disease. 

To meet demand and maintain the sustainability of the shrimp aquaculture industry, commercial synthetic artemia has been developed for use as a bio-secure replacement for live artemia in larviculture. 

The Queiroz Galvão Alimentos shrimp farm and hatchery in Brazil have been working with Concepto Azul to implement a disease-prevention and genetic-breeding program that addresses ongoing impacts from infectious myonecrosis virus (IMNV) and other pathogens.