Health & Welfare

Dietary phosphorus is essential for growth and healthy skeletal development of farmed fish. Fish health, limited availability and environmental concerns all urge modern aquaculture to handle phosphorous resources wisely and sustainably. 

Silencing genes in white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) with critical roles in replication could provide a strong antiviral effect and thus reduce shrimp mortality. The authors therefore established a study to evaluate the antiviral efficacy of double-stranded (ds)RNA against non-structural WSSV genes. 

Phytoplanktonic organisms, or microalgae, are very abundant in aquaculture ponds and have critical roles in these ecosystems, significantly influencing overall pond ecology and water quality. Proper management of phytoplankton populations is essential for successful aquaculture pond production. 

Biological filters are essential parts of recirculating aquaculture systems that transform toxic fish compounds such as ammonium and nitrite into less-harmful nitrate. The authors tested the convenience and efficiency of three methods for the initial inoculation of aerobic biofilters. 

Inbreeding commonly causes a decrease in the mean values of traits of productive interest in aquaculture. Results of a study, however, showed that inbreeding had no effect on grout survival of Pacific white shrimp from 65 to 130 days of age. 

Much of the chemical breakdown of foodstuffs begins in the stomachs of animals through acidification. Effective use of digestive biology is a goal in aquaculture, so dietary acidifiers have been gaining interest in recent years. 

Loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a highly specific technique that can amplify DNA in isothermal conditions. The kit can amplify the target gene of the pathogen using a single temperature and give results in one hour. 

Variability in the quantity and quality of larval yields limit aquaculture growth. New biotechnological advances promise to revolutionize the way we assess and solve bottlenecks. A study demonstrated the use of metabolomics to assess and classify mollusk larvae quality and identify biochemical pathways that may reveal further important insights. 

A study confirmed the utility for improved polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of the Vibrio bacteria that cause acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) in asymptomatic shrimp by permitting the shrimp to expire and decompose for several hours prior to preservation and PCR processing. 

The production period for largemouth bass in ponds hampers the economic feasibility of pond culture in the United States. A study demonstrated that bass fingerlings could be raised at high densities in a semi-closed recirculating system without serious mortality, size variability or growth retardation. 

The authors conducted a study to evaluate whether treatment of Trichodina-parasitized tilapia with formalin would improve fish survival and reduce F. columnare infection. Tilapia not treated with formalin showed significantly higher mortality than treated fish. 

To evaluate the application of an air pressure-based transport method within a recirculating aquaculture system, the authors performed testing with harvest-size salmon at The Conservation Fund Freshwater Institute. 

At the recent GOAL conference, the British Columbia Salmon Farmers Association committed to reveal sea lice counts at farms operating in the province while promising a future without antibiotics, despite struggles with the persistent yellow mouth disease. 

In line with the Global Aquaculture Alliance’s mission to advocate, educate and demonstrate responsible aquaculture worldwide, the Advocate is a forum for information and insight into one of the world’s most important and fastest-growing industries. 

Obligate and opportunistic parasites play a critical role in determining the productivity, sustainability and economic viability of global finfish aquaculture enterprises. Without stringent and appropriate control measures, the impacts of these pathogens can often be significant.