Aquaculture Magazine February-March 2022 Vol. 48 No. 1 by Aquaculture Magazine

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FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

INDEX 4

Aquaculture Magazine Volume 48 Number 1 February - March 2022

EDITOR´S COMMENTS

6 INDUSTRY NEWS 12 ARTICLE

Underwater Fish Detection and Counting Using Mask Regional Convolutional Neural Network.

18 ARTICLE

Intensification of Penaeid Shrimp Culture: An Applied Review of Advances in Production Systems, Nutrition and Breeding.

22 ARTICLE

Use of GIS and machine learning to predict disease in shrimp farmed on the east coast of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.

26 ARTICLE

Aquaculture as a circular bio-economy model with Galicia as a study case: How to transform waste into revalorized by-products.

ARTICLE

The water, energy, and land footprint of tilapia aquaculture in Mexico, a comparison of the footprints of fish and meat.

ARTICLE

Effect of rearing systems and dietary probiotic supplementation on the growth and gut microbiota of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) larvae.

42 ARTICLE

Development of conceptual model integrated estimation system for fish growth and feed requirement in aquaculture supply chain management.

50 ARTICLE

Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND): Virulence, Pathogenesis and Mitigation Strategies in Shrimp Aquaculture.

ARTICLE

Cancer contagion on clams: an ecological threat.

56 ARTICLE

A comparison of the technical efficiency of Aquaculture Stewardship Council certified shrimp farms to non-certified farms.

60 ARTICLE

Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Methods in Fuzzy Decision Problems: A Case Study in the Frozen Shrimp Industry.

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cover

Climate -Friendly Seafood- The Potential for Emissions Reduction and Carbon Capture in Marine Aquaculture The larger GHG footprint of fed finfish is commonly attributed to the emissions intensity of feed supply.

Production Performance of Super Intensive Vannamei Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei at PT. Sumbawa Sukses Lestari Aquaculture, West Nusa Tenggara.

34 ARTICLE 38

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Volume 48 Number 1 February - March 2022

Editor and Publisher Salvador Meza info@dpinternationalinc.com Contributing Editor Marco Linné Unzueta Editorial Assistant Johana Freire opm@dpinternationalinc.com Editorial Design Francisco Cibrián Designer Perla Neri design@design-publications.com Sales & Marketing Coordinator Juan Carlos Elizalde crm@dpinternationalinc.com Marketing & Corporate Sales Claudia Marín sse@dpinternationalinc.com Business Operations Manager Adriana Zayas administracion@design-publications.com

Subscriptions: iwantasubscription@dpinternationalinc.com Design Publications International Inc. 401 E Sonterra Blvd. Sté. 375 San Antonio, TX. 78258 info@dpintertnatinonalinc.com Office: +210 5043642 Office in Mexico: (+52) (33) 8000 0578 - Ext: 8578 Aquaculture Magazine (ISSN 0199-1388) is published bimontly, by Design Publications International Inc. All rights reserved. www.aquaculturemag.com

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

64 GREENHOUSES AND POND LINERS

Permalon® Uniquely Engineered, High-Density Polyethylene Geomembrane from REEF INDUSTRIES, INC.

66 ARTICLE

Aero-Tube Hose, the most convenient oxygenation system.

70 ARTICLE

Interview with John Bowzer, senior aquaculture research scientist and on-site director of ADM’s Aquaculture Innovation Lab.

EVENTS 84 UPCOMING ADVERTISERS INDEX

COLUMNS

PRECISION AQUACULTURE

Challenges and opportunities artificial intelligence brings to the aquaculture industry. By: Iván Ramírez Morales, Ph. D.

ON SIGTH

CARPE DIEM

DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MARKETING BYTES

Leonardo DiCaprio and Mexican Aquaculture. By Alejandro Godoy

Welcome 2022: World Aquaculture Society. By Antonio Garza de Yta, Ph.D.

Social Media Marketing is for Wholesale Businesses Too. By: Sarah Cornelisse*

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

Is microbiome manipulation a solution or a tool? By Stephen G. Newman Ph.D. * President and CEO, AquaInTech Inc.

RESEARCH, THE PROMOTER OF COMPETITIVE AQUACULTURE

Marco Linne Unzueta Associate Editor

t is essential to establish research focused on developing biotechnologies that allow production that can replace the use of the ecosystem to produce and increase global food security. In aquaculture, marketing, economics, financial viability, and risk analysis are considered technological barriers directly related to commercial competitiveness. According to this scenario, should we consider what William D. Phillips, Ph.D., said (Nobel Prize in Physics in 1997): “The value of science is priceless, so it is crucial to continue investing in it and understand that although there are many other things that society requires, it should never be neglected. 4 »

In this time, we live facing some challenges, and in the future, they will be worse if we do not invest in science to solve them, and we cannot know which of the things we support the most will make a big difference.” The science should strengthen the aquaculture activity, so this edition of Aquaculture Magazine presents research and technological developments to generate sustainable and competitive aquaculture. Proposals on this topic are submitted in this latest edition. Some of the articles are regarding feeding strategies, nutrition improvement, and analysis of the factors that intervene in the structure of production costs that establish feeding needs, in the hope of improving crop

profitability, supported by techniques that enhance the performance and sustainability of food production through aquaculture. While it is true, that must overcome numerous technical, regulatory, and economic obstacles for innovation and commercial development. The solutions can lead to improved competitiveness and a large-scale aquaculture industry worldwide. It is necessary to establish alliances between the productive, government, and academic sectors to build scenarios for greater competitiveness considering the balance between the activity’s profitability, job creation, foreign exchange earnings, food safety, and environmental conservation.

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

AUG. 15 - 18, 2022

ST. JOHN’S CONVENTION CENTRE

ST. JOHN’S NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR, CANADA

For details: aquacultureassociation.ca | was.org | naia.ca For More Information Contact:

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P.O. Box 2302 | Valley Center, CA 92082 USA

Tel: +1.760.751.5005 | Fax: +1.760.751.5003 FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

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INDUSTRY RESEARCHNEWS REPORT

Mowi highlights that Norwegian salmon is fed with deforestation free soy from Brazil A new independent report states that the suppliers of Brazilian soybean to Norwegian salmon have accomplished their goal for a deforestation and conversion free supply chain, reported Mowi, one of the largest seafood companies in the world, and the world’s largest producer of Atlantic salmon. A move described by the Rainforest Foundation as a historic commitment and a game changer in Brazil. A year ago, the salmon industry announced that their Brazil suppliers had decided to become 100 % deforestation and conversion-free. A commitment that extends their deforestationfree commitment to their supplier’s entire soybean business, also outside the salmon value chain. WWF and the Rainforest Foundation then said this was a benchmark to inspire other global animal protein sectors but wanted a robust and independent system to ensure that the companies fulfilled the obligations.

Norwegian salmon industry sets an important example “It is great news that Brazilian soy producers for the very first time are confirmed to be fully deforestation and conversion-free in all their operations”, says Nils Hermann Ranum, head of Drivers of deforestation program at Rainforest Foundation Norway. “Demanding that suppliers are fully deforestation-free is necessary to stop ongoing deforestation in Brazil. Private sector companies have a responsibility to avoid contributing to deforestation and environmental damage, and the Norwegian salmon industry and their suppliers set an important example that other food producers must follow,” says Ranum. Satellite techniques to prevent cheating The international certification foundation ProTerra established a monitoring 6 »

More than 3 million hectares and five thousand direct suppliers There are three companies that deliver soy to the Norwegian salmon industry. Two of them, Caramuru and CJ Selecta have undergone the audits. The third company, Cervejaria PetropolisImcopa, is in a corporate change and a separate audit is conducted now for them. There was no non-conformity observed by the Auditor, only improvement opportunities. This Brazilian value chain includes 5,136 direct suppliers that grow 2.4 million tons of soy on land covering more 33,294 km2. In 2021 24 suppliers were blocked because they did not live up to the criteria. The independent auditors also tested the robustness and effectiveness of the system by checking a sample of Encouraging to see the proactive 50 names randomly chosen from the cooperation public lists of suppliers that incurred “This transparent process shows that in social and/or environmental liabiliour suppliers have achieved a 100% ties. This list was compared with the deforestation free supply chain as list of soy suppliers in the systems. promised. This comes in addition to No relationship or conflict was found the fact that we already have sourced between the names of soybean supplideforestation free soy to our feed pro- ers and those randomly selected to the duction for a number of years,” says consulted public lists. There was no Mowi’s Chief Technology and Sustain- non-conformity observed by the Auability Officer Catarina Martins. ditor, only improvement opportunities “It is encouraging to see that our verified for each company, which do proactive cooperation with suppliers not impact the system’s efficiency and on sustainability and transparency pays were already being worked on by the off,” Martins adds. audited companies. and verification method to verify that no farmer that had removed any forest would be allowed to sell soy to the suppliers. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the system, contracts, and names from public lists of social and environmental liabilities were randomly selected and checked against the names in the company soy receiving report. Using satellite techniques and embargo lists the newly published audit report confirms that the soy supply chain has become deforestation and conversionfree. The audit report also checked that the farmers did not have any work related to slavery or illegal labor and that there was no agriculture overlaps with indigenous lands.

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

Saudi fisheries program CEO lays out USD 4 billion investment plan The Saudi Arabia’s National Fisheries Development Program (NFPD) plans to attract over USD 4 billion of foreign and local investment into local fishing industry as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 scheme to diversify the economy. A committee appointed to visiting different countries to study aquaculture have assessed potential Saudi seafood production at over one million tons. The man tasked with making this happen over the next eight years is NFPD CEO, Ali Al-Shaikhi. His body is mandated by the government to expand the country’s seafood industry, boost food security and grow agricultural exports. Al-Shaikhi told Arab News that “this was an idea that in 2010 transformed into an initiative. A steering committee hired KPMG to study the potential of the Kingdom’s seafood sector. The committee also visited many countries to study aquaculture, and they assessed potential Saudi seafood production, at over one million tons”. Meanwhile, a market study discovered that KSA seafood consumption per capita was less than 50 percent of the global average 11 kilos rather than 24.

Improve aquaculture production facilities and increase production capacity “Four years later, the committee’s report spelled out a clear strategy, to improve our aquaculture production facilities, and to increase production capacity. This was approved by the Royal Court, which assigned a program to implement the strategy.” Al-Shaikhi joined the NFPD in 2017 after serving in the National Aquaculture Group and the Almarai food company. He said that “the NFDP works with the government and the private sector. We have a very good team and we have moved fast”. FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

They said thay are “focused on job creation, protecting the local markets and improving and promoting our seafood industry.” He added that thay “are preparing the platform for investment. We have spent almost SR300 million (USD 80 million) over the last three years only on research, carrying out feasibility studies, measuring environmental impacts, identifying the right species to be cultivated, calculating feed consumption rates and so on”. “We have created hatcheries for fish and fish feed and we are developing food processing techniques. Once all these critical elements are in place, the investor or farmer will have all the knowledge required and can just focus on production”, he added.

Identifying investment opportunities “Now we are working with the private sector to achieve our goals. We identify investment opportunities and make it easier and faster to invest in terms of new regulations and government support,” Al-Shaikhi reported. Fishing is an age-old tradition in the Gulf, but aquaculture is an increasingly ‘smart’ industry demanding a range of specialized skills. How is Saudi Arabia preparing to meet this challenge?

Train one hundred Saudi citizens as aquaculture leaders “At present over 3,000 Saudis technicians are employed in our aquaculture sector,” Al-Shaikhi said. “We do not yet have academic colleges specific to aquaculture in the KSA, so we will help young Saudis to study aquaculture abroad. We are launching an initiative to develop one hundred Saudi [citizens] as aquaculture leaders — with 70 percent of funds coming from the private sector and 30 percen from the government.” “And we just signed an agreement with a local academic facility to train 3,000 Saudis for the aquaculture and fisheries sector. Foreign academics are coming in, so we will have knowledge transfer from them as well as from international governments we cooperate with,” he explain. Al-Shaikhi noted that “aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing areas in the food sector. Worldwide it’s growing 6 percent per year. This contributes to food security, job creation and rural development — and it’s sustainable in terms of the environment and climate change. Aquaculture is one of the key elements that will improve the quality of life in many countries, and of course, we want this to happen in Saudi Arabia.” »

INDUSTRY RESEARCHNEWS REPORT

China’s new 14th Five-Year Fishery Development Plan will boost aquaculture growth The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs recently formulated and issued the 14th Five-year Plan for National Fishery Development. The program studies and assesses challenges and opportunities facing the industry and makes overall arrangements for the development of the fishing industry during the 14 years in which will be implemented. With the goal of building a solid foundation for fish production, the government plans, among many other actions, to stabilize the aquaculture area, boost green and healthy aquaculture, revitalize fish seed production and optimize catch supply. The Plan that also summarizes achievements in fishing during the 13th Five-year Plan period, sets general principles for fishing-related work during the 14th Five-year Plan period, including placing equal emphasis on quantity and quality, facilitating innovation-driven and green development, boosting domestic demand, propelling openness and win-win results, and adopting an integrated approach to development and safety. The goal is to promote high-quality development and modernization of the fishing industry. The Plan also puts forth 12 targets in four areas: fishing industry development, green ecology, S&T innovation, and governance capability, so as to ensure the basic realization of a modern fishing industry by 2035.

A list with six priorities The Plan puts forward six priorities of which the first is build a strong base for fishing production, stabilize the production of aquatic products and ensure their supply. Also, it will put ensuring the supply of aquatic products at the top of the agenda for development of the fishing industry. For that will stabilize aquaculture acreage, push for green and healthy aquaculture, revitalize fish seed production, and optimize the fish catch supply. 8 »

The second one priority is to promote the integrated development and modernization of the fishing industry, improve the processing and distribution of aquatic products, develop various business models, strengthen the expansion of markets for aquatic products, and facilitate the development of industry clusters. Meanwhile, the third one focus is to deepen reform and innovation in the fishing industry, and improve governance, as well as strengthen fishing industry S&T and advance reforms in fishing boat and harbor management, set up more fishery cooperatives and enhance law enforcement.

A 10-year fishing ban in the Yangtze River Continue to enhance the protection of aquatic life, especially in the Yangtze River, and promote the sustainable use of fishery resources, is the forth priority. Also includes to take concrete measures to implement the 10-year fishing ban in the Yangtze River, strengthen the conservation of aquatic resources, and improve the protection of aquatic wildlife. Other objective will be to strengthen risk prevention and control, and push for the safe development of the fishing industry. Ensure the safety of aquatic life, strictly guarantee the quality and safety of aquatic products, improve the safety of fishing boats, and enhance the safety of fishing activities involving foreign parties. And finally, the Plan “will promote open development and win-win cooperation”; boost international cooperation in the fishing industry, continue to improve the capacity for honoring

agreements, and encourage domestic aquaculture companies to venture abroad. The Plan also includes planning for 12 major projects. Going forward, the ministry will focus its work on realizing the goals set forth in the Plan, and help local authorities achieve key targets, reported from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

Tianjin’s situation Days later the Tianjin Municipal Committee of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, was reported that the action program establishes that the city’s fishery economic production will reach 8 billion yuan (about USD 1,258 million) for 2025, while the net income per capita of fish workers will exceed 30,000 yuan (about USD 4,720). Tianjin is one of the four municipalities under central state management (along with Beijing, Shanghai and Chongqing) in the People’s Republic of China. Located in the northern region of the country, it is one of the five national central cities of great historical significance. As a treaty port since 1860, Tianjin has always been an important seaport and gateway to Beijing. It is China’s fifth most populous city with some 15,618,300 inhabitants, occupying an area of 12,000 km². According to planning, during the period of the 14th Five-Year Plan, the city will develop 50 high-level ponds covering 60,000 mu (about 4,000 hectares), increasing the yield per mu by 120% and the profit per mu by 10%, was reported by the Tianjin Government Affairs Network, the portal website of the Tianjin Municipal Government. FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

Israeli company AquaMaof signs a contract for the construction of a plant lemonfish in Chile to produce 900 tons of lemonfish Israeli company AquaMaof has signed an agreement with Atacama Yellowtail SpA (AYT) for the construction of a Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) farm to produce 900 t per year of lemonfish (Seriola lalandi) in the Coquimbo region of northern Chile. After its first phase, the plant’s production is expected to double to 1,800 t. The initial investment will be US$25 million, and construction of the facility is expected to start in the second half of 2022. Meanwhile, the first harvests are expected to reach the market in the fourth quarter of 2024. AquaMaof and Inno-Sea will participate in this project as shareholders. The agreement has been made possible thanks to the joining forces of AquaMaof, AYT and Inno-Sea, AquaMaof ’s partner for Chile and Latin America. According to Roberto Tishler, AquaMaof ’s sales director, the project is of “strategic importance” for AquaMaof in Chile.

The new bluefin tuna The director said that for the company this species is the next bluefin tuna, farmed in acontrolled and healthy environment, without the use of antibiotics or chemicals. “The result is a healthy, nutritious and fresh source of seafood, produced in a sustainable way, safeguarding the welfare of the fish throughout its life cycle and optimizing the human resources needed to participate in the whole process,” added Tishler. AYT’s general manager, Jorge Urrutia, noted that this first RAS facility is an important part of the company’s vision to establish sustainable commercial production of the highest quality lemonfish. “We strongly believe in and trust AquaMaof ’s RAS technology,” he assured. In addition to implementing the latest technology and recirculation processes, the Atacama Yellowtail project will generate approximately 50 new jobs, especially in the communities of Tongoy and Puerto Aldea. The new

project will allow workers to train and generate economic activities different from those they have traditionally carried out, said Urrutia. This is precisely one of the objectives that AYT claims to have, to achieve an aquaculture facility that respects the environment and at the same time offers a sustainable industrial activity that provides decent jobs, job security and ongoing training. The Israeli company explains that aquaculture in general, and AquaMaof ’s RAS technology in particular, are revolutionizing the field of aquaculture by facilitating efficient and sustainable fish farming, even in extreme environments such as deserts. Today’s consumers, say AquaMaof, are environmentally conscious and want to buy healthy, organic and chemical-free products that are locally sourced from environmentally friendly producers, do not affect the world’s natural resources, and use energy and water consciously and efficiently.

Technology based on positioning itself in a desert climate region The growth of the aquaculture sector and the development of a cost-effective solution for land-based aquaculture serves the needs of consumers by providing a sustainable solution that makes efficient use of natural resources and energy, improving overall sustainability. “AquaMaof ’s advanced RAS technology has been proven to produce fresh, tasty and healthy, premium fish such as salmon, trout, halibut, sea bream and others, from fish farming to the local market, consistently meeting production targets. AquaMaof has more than 30 years of experience in fish farming, with successful projects and farms worldwide,” they said.

The roots of the AquaMaof technology are based on positioning itself in a desert climate region with high temperatures and low rainfall. For example, with studies of different fish and shrimp species being conducted at the company’s R&D facility in Israel’s Negev desert, AquaMaof enables producers to achieve profitable production in any environment and climate. By harnessing the natural desert environment to its advantage, the system achieves effective temperature control, resulting in low-cost production.

INDUSTRY RESEARCHNEWS REPORT

The new EU4Algae platform aim to boost the production and consumption of seaweed in Europe The European Commission has presented the EU4Algae platform to boost the production and use of algae through a three-year plan to develop its industry and attract new species to the EU market. The platform, which will come into operation in the summer, aims both to promote the consumption of this foodstuff and its use in other European business activities. To this end, the Commission will launch an action plan at the end of the year to promote its consumption among EU member countries. The EU wants to strengthen its weak international position against powers such as China or Indonesia Together with CINEA and a consortium (comprised of EurA AG, EABA, Systemiq, Technopolis and s.Pro), the Commission is launching EU4Algae. This 3-year project will accelerate the scale-up of a regenerative, resilient, fair and climate friendly algae industry in Europe, and bring more novel algae species to the EU market. This entity is articulated as an information hub for projects and a space for collaboration between farmers, producers, distributors, consumers and technology developers, as well as investors, companies, researchers and NGOs. The initiative is part of the ‘From Farm to Fork’ strategy, as part of the European Green Pact, in which Brussels has set the objective that algae become an alternative source of protein to those of animal origin in line with the progress of the new vegan, vegetarian or flexitarian trends.

Improve the European position in the international market Beyond the nutritional interest of algae, their commercial use from a sustainability approach is increasingly widespread in industries such as the manufacture of biodegradable plastics. In this sense, the Community Executive also seeks to improve the European position in the in10 »

ternational market of an industry made up of just 375 companies that employ some 4,000 people in the EU. Algae are produced and consumed throughout the world for centuries. They are appreciated in especially Asian cuisine for their high nutritional value and distinct salty or umami taste. In recent years, they are becoming a standard ingredient as well in western vegan dishes.

Promoting underwater biodiversity Outside of the culinary realm, algae have turned into a go-to feedstock for sustainable industrial applications, such as biodegradable plastics. Moreover, their production helps improving ocean health by reducing carbon dioxide, phosphorus and nitrogen in marine ecosystems. They are also a nursery and hide-out for many marine animals, promoting underwater biodiversity. Despite all the above, the uptake in Europe of algae production and consumption is slow. So the European Commission is stepping up the game. The platform will be a unique space for collaboration among European algae stakeholders including algae farmers, producers, sellers, consumers, technology developers as well as business-support organisations, investors, public authorities, academia, researchers and NGOs. It will also act as a single information hub on algae funding calls, projects, business-related information, intelligence and best practices. The collaboration platform will be online by the summer 2022. The EU4Algae

platform will draft recommendations to those initiatives and support their implementation.

The Spanish case In the Spanish case, for example, and according to data from the Spanish Aquaculture Business Association (Apromar), some 5.2 tons of macroalgae suitable for direct human consumption of Laminaria and Gracilaria species were produced in 2019, with an industrial concentration in Andalusia (83%) and Galicia (17%). In the case of microalgae, commercial production was barely 8 tons. This token production contrasts with major powers such as China, which produced 18.5 million tons, Indonesia (9.3 tons) or South Korea (1.7 tons). Sustainable food system and global food security In its ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy, a key component of the European Green Deal, the Commission stated the ambition for algae to “become an important source of alternative protein for a sustainable food system and global food security”. In last year’s strategic guidelines for sustainable aquaculture, the Commission highlighted the role of seaweed cultivation in climate mitigation (through carbon sequestration) as well as climate adaptation (e.g. nature-based coastal protection). And by the end of 2022, the Commission will release an EU Algae initiative accompanied by an Action plan to promote algae in Europe. FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

Indonesian government pushes for the renovation of shrimp farming ponds in Aceh province

Indonesia’s Director General of Aquaculture, Tb Haeru Rahayu, recently explained that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) will cooperate with the Aceh Tamiang Regency in Ace province in revitalizing traditional shrimp ponds. The ultimate goal of the initiative is for domestic shrimp production to reach 2 million tons by 2024. This was explained by the head of the Directorate General of Aquaculture (DJPB) under KKP during the inauguration of a group of ponds for the sustainable farming of vannamei shrimp. To achieve this goal, KKP is intensively pursuing superior programs to boost shrimp production. One of the ongoing programs is to revitalize traditional ponds in potential areas, such as in Aceh Tamiang district. As detailed by the director, the DJPB has reached an agreement to optimize the use of sustainable aquaculture resources, especially shrimp ponds. “The development of sustainable farming areas will be optimized in areas that have high potential and have the support, both from the community and local governments. Because with this support, it is expected that superior product-based aquaculture systems and businesses can be fostered,” Rahayu explained.

pressed his satisfaction with the construction of the sustainable vannamei shrimp cluster that was built in Aceh Tamiang. Considering the number of 11 plots, the production pond area is 2.6 hectares, the stocking density is 80 fish per cubic meter and the production target is about 27 tons per cycle, it is a remarkable achievement. Therefore, it is hoped that this grouping can boost the economy of the community, as well as be imitated by other regions. “Hopefully, this Vannamei Shrimp Sustainable Farming Cluster will be successful, so that we can later expand it with the participation of other growers,” Rahayu said. “Even with a limited budget, KKP is still trying its best to help develop the potential of local aquaculture in Aceh and throughout Indonesia,” the director continued. This achievement, he further explained, is the result of collaboration between KKP and the Aceh Tamiang Regency Government. It is expected that the vannamei shrimp harvest can increase the income of local shrimp farmers, triggering the multiplier effect of economic revival in the surrounding community.

“In the future, I hope that the Aceh Tamiang Regency Government will continue to use other budget sources to increase growers’ income. One of the recommendations is the Institute of Marine and Fisheries Capital Management (LPMUKP). For the aquaculture sub-sector to become a driver of the regional economy,” Rahayu said. For his part, the head of the Ujung Batee Brackish Water Culture Fisheries Center, M. Tangang, added that the Balai he heads is ready to provide ongoing guidance to growers throughout Aceh who need it, “so that the increase in aquaculture production can be done properly, so that it contributes to economic and social development. poverty alleviation in Aceh’s coastal areas.” Tangang explained that traditional ponds had a yield of 250 kg per hectare for two cycles per year, but now it is expected that with the Sustainable Shrimp vannamei Group, productivity can be increased by 12-15 tons per hectare per cycle. It is expected that if its development continues, the results will be even greater. “We will always be present in the midst of the growers. And as a UPT mandated to produce shrimp, the BPBAP of Ujung Batee has distributed support seeds targeting small growers and also for the development of sustainable vannamei shrimp pond group,” Tatang said.

Gratitude to KKP For his part, Aceh Tamiang regent Mursil praised the program carried out by KKP. According to him, this program is very good, and he is optimisProductivity can be increased and tic that the results will be maximized. “I really appreciate KKP’s help in deobtain three times the profit Results from technical studies indicate veloping this group of shrimp ponds. Increase the productivity that, for each harvest, farmers can earn I feel incredibly excited. There are no KKP, Rahayu said, believes that in- around Rp 10 million (about USD 700), words but words of thanks and gratitensification or upgrading the use of three times Aceh’s provincial minimum tude to KKP for allocating the budintensive technology can increase the wage (UMP). If the UMP here is Rp 3 get for the vannamei shrimp cluster in productivity of shrimp ponds in vari- million (just over USD 200), it means Aceh Tamiang. KKP is extraordinary,” praised the Regent. ous regions. At the same time, he ex- three times the profit. FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

» 11

ARTICLE

Underwater Fish Detection and Counting Using Mask Regional Convolutional Neural Network. By: Aquaculture Magazine *

hrimp farmers who use ponds for production rely on cast netting shrimp and then relating the amount caught in the surface area of the cast net to the surface area of the entire pond. Holding shrimp in water causes stress due to a lack of dissolved oxygen and the fact that they are highly concentrated when packed for weighing, which can take up to two minutes. This increase in stress and potential exoskeleton damage increases mortality and hastens the spread of black spot occurrences.

Related Work The aspects related to the technological factors are hardware availability, cost, and software modularity. On the other hand, organizational factors such as knowledge sharing 12 »

Shrimp counting is essential for farmers to estimate and manage hatching. However, counting shrimp from images is a challenging task for several reasons, including the small size of shrimp and their transparent color, which we cannot easily see. An additional challenge to shrimp counting that is not present in shrimp detection is distinguishing multiple overlapping shrimps. Deep learning is an obvious choice for dealing with cluttered scenes where conventional vision analytics machine methods struggle with semantic segmentation and management support are essential to maintain the shrimp counting system. Finally, other factors contributed to the resource factors such as dataset, deep learning skills, and fishery farm availability. Our study focused on the counting process using the deep learning-based algorithm in underwater fish detection and recognition.

Handcrafted Feature Engineering Calculating geometrical features is a suitable manual inspection method in the industry or agriculture sector. However, a discontinuous feature includes an irregular edge or circularity. Another significant matter in handcrafted feature engineering is scale-invariant. Many remarkable feature engineering FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

inventions can address scale-invariant with the employment of a non-linear function; however, such approaches are less tolerable or robust when dealing with lowcontrast and high-contrast images. Again, their procedures entail an extensive, long processing time for the training model.

Non-Machine Learning-Based There are several methods in counting based on non-machine learning, namely blob, counting by detecting the pixel area, and shape analysis. The input image is segmented into blobs of moving objects, using background subtraction and shadow elimination. Various features are extracted and normalized for each blob according to its approximate size in the actual scene. The number of objects could estimate simultaneously in each blob. Machine Learning-Based Machine learning is an algorithm that allows software applications to become more accurate in predicting outcomes without being explicitly programmed. The basic premise of machine learning is to build algorithms that can receive input data and use statistical analysis to predict an output while updating outputs as new data become available. Deep Learning-Based Deep learning is an artificial intelligence function that mimics the FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

work of the human brain in data processing and decision-making patterns. Deep learning is an artificial intelligence subset of machine learning that involves a network that can learn without supervision from unstructured or unlabeled data. Deep learning can also be referred to as deep neural learning or a deep neural network.

Mask R-CNN Mask R-CNN aims to solve the instance segmentation problem and separate objects in an image or a video. Mask R-CNN includes two stages: generating the proposals regions with an object given the input image or video in the first stage. The second stage covers a pipeline that can anticipate the object class label, uncover the bounding box, and create an object mask at the pixel level specified in the first stage proposal region. On the other hand, faster RCNN is a unique algorithm used for object detection. Similarly, the Faster R-CNN consists of two phases. The first phase, known as the regional proposed network (RPN), recommends a bounding box only for nominees with constrained objects. In the second stage, after extracting features from each bounding box via Region of Interest Pooling (RoIPool), Faster R-CNN executes subsequent processes involving the classification and regression for each bounding box.

Experimental Results and Analysis To save time in the training models’ process and shorten the time in the labeling dataset, Mask R-CNN is used in this paper to find out the best parameter and detect the total number of shrimps in an image. Building a Dataset The dataset used for this paper is a picture that consists of a troupe of shrimps. The picture was collected with a total number of 120 images. Underwater cameras obtained some of the data used in the experiment for marine animals and others. The data are divided into seven categories: fish, shrimp, scallop, crab, lobster, abalone, and sea cucumber. Each category ranges from 1,000 to 1,400 sheets, with a total of 8,455 sheets where 80% of data were used for training and 20% for testing sets. Training the Model We chose ResNet101 in combination with FPNs from the Mask R-CNN backbone networks. The feature map was extracted from the input image by the backbone network first, and then the features were output by the backbone network. The training model procedure in this paper uses 100 training images and the default and improved hyperparameters of the Mask R-CNN model. In the last step, the optimal hyperparameters are selected based » 13

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egories: less dense, medium dense, and highly dense. The maximum number of actual numbers is 256 shrimps, and the minimum number is four shrimps. For the less dense category, the ground truth is between 1 to 90 shrimps, consisting of 82 images. The value of R2 is the comparison of results between the actual number of shrimps and the predicted number of shrimps. The method performed on the actual number with the predicted number is using linear regression.

on their performance, and the model is used in the next phase, which is the implementation phase or the testing phase.

Evaluation Index The evaluation index for the performance of the model is evaluated based on precisions, recall, mean average precision (mAP), accuracy based on category, and value of R2.

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With 20 images as the validation set, the validation results of the improved method are compared with those of other methods. To calculate the accuracy based on the category is a comparison between the actual number (ground truth) and the number predicted based on the training dataset. The density of the number of shrimps is divided into three cat-

Experimental Results and Analysis We studied the performance of the proposed improved Mask R-CNN model and compared it with the existing Mask R-CNN model using the shrimp datasets. The improved Mask R-CNN model has a significant improvement in precision and recall by comparing the Mask RCNN model. Notably, the accuracy drops as the density increases. It also suggests that in the less dense category with the number of ground truths of 2,682, the proposed model

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can obtain the predicted number of shrimps of 2,671 and achieve the value for an accuracy rate of 99.59% and an error rate of 0.41%. In the medium dense category with the ground truth number of 1,715, the proposed model can achieve the predicted number of 1,679 shrimps, 97.90% accuracy, and 2.10% error rate. Meanwhile, if the number of ground truths is 644, the proposed model still predicts 564 shrimps and 87.58% accuracy, and a 12.42% error rate. Therefore, the analysis recommends that the overall accuracy rate for the proposed model on the training dataset reached 97.48%, which are 4,914 shrimps out of 5,041 shrimps. One of the ideas in counting is to calculate the object indirectly by estimating the density map. Density maps are created by performing a convolution with a Gaussian kernel and normalizing it so that integrating it yields the number of objects. The main objective is to train the convolutional network to plot an image to a density map that can accumulate the number of object occurrences. Linear regression for the improved Mask R-CNN model suggests that the regression line fits nicely over the data, which means the predicted number of the shrimps is similar to the actual number of shrimps. This work offers several significant contributions: i. The shrimp images were recorded from the top view with the assumption of equal size due to similar shrimp age kept in the container. ii. It can automatically estimate the number of shrimps using computer vision and deep learning. iii. Default Mask R-CNN can be manipulated to effectively segment and count small shrimps or objects. iv. The shrimp counting accuracy depreciates as the shrimp density increases or intensifies. 16 »

v. The shrimp estimation efficacy has a linear proportion when the hyperparameters such as maximum detection instance, learning rate, maximum ground truth instance, RPN threshold value, RPN train anchors per image, the number of steps per epoch, train region of interest per image, validation steps, and weight decay are increasing. vi. The linear regression shows that R2 increases with better precision after performing hyperparameter manipulation over the default Mask R-CNN. vii. This application can reduce shrimp death risk compared to practicing manual counting.

Conclusions After testing and improvement, the proposed method improved the mAP, precision, and recall. The critical parameters that influence this advancement for the proposed method are maximum detection instance, maximum ground truth instance, number of thresholds, train anchors for each image, number of steps for each epoch, number of train regions of interest of each image, number of validation steps,

number of steps in each epoch, and numbers of epochs, regularization, optimizers, learning rate, batch size, learning momentum, and weight decay. The training dataset and validation dataset results show that the improved Mask RCNN model can detect and locate the shrimp accurately with a value of 97.48% compared to the existing method, which is more accurate than existing methods. The current study contributes to our underwater computer vision knowledge by addressing three critical issues: reducing underwater animal death risk despite manual counting, Mask R-CNN configuration, and highlighting the pitfalls and advantages in terms of efficacy when dealing with different densities of small animals. This is a summarized version developed by the editorial team of Aquaculture Magazine based on the review article titled “UNDERWATER FISH DETECTION AND COUNTING USING MASK REGIONAL CONVOLUTIONAL NEURAL NETWORK” developed by: TEH HONG KHAI - Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, SITI NORUL HUDA SHEIKH ABDULLAH - Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, MOHAMMAD KAMRUL HASAN - Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, AND AHMAD TARMIZI - Mahjung Aquabest Hatchery. The original article was published on JANUARY 2022, through MULTIDISCIPLINARY DIGITAL PUBLISHING INSTITUTE under the use of a creative commons open access license. The full version can be accessed freely online through this link: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/2/222

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Intensification of Penaeid Shrimp Culture: An Applied Review of Advances

in Production Systems, Nutrition and Breeding The total global production of farmed marine shrimp increased 86% in the past 10 years, reaching more than 6.5 million tons in 2019 and a value of nearly 40 billion U.S. dollars. Much of the industry growth over the past 30 years has been achieved through horizontal expansion, that is by expanding the footprint of low-input extensive and semi-intensive farming sectors. However, vertical expansion, by means of increased By: Aquaculture Magazine *

ustainable intensification is a promising approach to increase shrimp production, when there is increasing competition for the use of finite resources, but also when there is a need for a more ‘controlled biosecurity’ environment similar to other intensive meat producers such as poultry and swine.

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intensification of farming, provides an alternative approach. The move towards increasing intensification by industry was not only fostered by increasing shrimp demand, but by consecutive disease outbreaks. Multiple episodes of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND), enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP), and white feces syndrome negatively impacted the

main producer countries with substantial economic losses. Shrimp nutrition and breeding are other areas that have directly enabled and improved intensification and will continue to be critical for the ongoing growth in this sector. Overfeeding can quickly overload the system and underfeeding or inadequate dietary formulations can

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result in nutrient deficiencies. An understanding of synergies between the related areas of production systems, nutrition, and breeding is crucial to produce healthy, fastgrowing shrimp, and to ensure the success of commercial operations. This article reviews the current production systems and strategies being used for Litopenaeus vannamei super-intensive shrimp farming; explores the advances and key contributions that nutrition, breeding, and pathogen surveillance are having towards intensification, discusses the synergies across these different areas, and provides future perspectives for super-intensive shrimp culture.

Super-Intensive Production Systems and Strategies Regardless of the system or strategy, the intensification process has led to greater adoption of chemical sanitation protocols and pre-treatment of water, as well as heightened use of water supplements during the culture cycle. Water supplements are used to adjust and stabilize the water quality parameters, microbiological and environmental conditions, as well as to suppress the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. A hybrid approach: Biofloc Technology (BTF) and Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) As per the ‘microbial loop concept’, bacteria in biofloc play a key role at the bottom of the food chain by utilizing dissolved organic matter. Bacteria can re-incorporate up to 50% of the carbon released by phytoplankton, accelerating mineralization and making the carbon available to higher trophic level organisms. This recycling process is especially important in superintensive conditions with limited FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

water exchange and with high loads of nutrient inputs. Such advantage could be employed to decrease production costs in BFT culture and are enabled by the continuous availability and consumption of natural food sources in the form of the ‘bioflocs’ by the shrimp. In large-scale operations, RAS can be criticized for the large volumes of water required for production. In this regard, techniques with more efficient water use have been tested and developed and include recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and hybrid systems. The hybrid approach incorporates some RAS equipment and filtering devices into BFT operations. Depending on the environmental conditions, such as levels of suspended solids, microbial management, C:N ratio, N:P ratio, and control of light intensity, the hybrid system can be photoautotrophic-based (greenwater RAS) or heterotrophic-based (BioRAS).

Nursery Systems The shrimp nursery phase is a period of rearing between hatchery and grow-out. The adoption of a

super-intensive nursery phase can support more production cycles per year, optimizing the land use and improving the predictability and efficiency of production. The co-culture of low trophic species combined with shrimp has the potential to consume a portion of the suspended or settled particles in the culture system, and act as a bioremediator against pathogenic organisms. Moreover, there is a significant opportunity to co-culture plants with the shrimp. These approaches are known as integrated multitrophic aquaculture. In conditions where the nutrients are mostly provided by the compounded feed rather than natural productivity, the key criteria to assess the cost of feeding should be overall production efficiency. It is unknown whether nutrient demands of shrimp are met under super-intensive conditions, though it is likely that the provision of essential macro/micronutrients and modified feeding management strategies could assist animals to cope and thrive in the more challenging super-intensive farming environment. » 19

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The Role of nutrition in shrimp intensification L. vannamei reared in semi-intensive systems will have lower requirements of protein, energy, and lipids compared to those reared in RAS and intensive systems. While ‘standard formulations’ designed for traditional systems might be convenient in terms of feed mill logistics, it is likely that tailored feeds

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can lead to improvements in feeding efficiency and water quality in the grow-out environment. Regardless of the source of alternative proteins, the differences in nutrient digestion need to be carefully evaluated and are important considerations when selecting ingredients for super-intensive shrimp aquaculture. Besides, high stability of diets in water becomes increas-

ingly important in super-intensive systems where the breakdown of uneaten feed particles can lead to major issues with water quality. Selection of carbohydrate ingredients with high digestibility and resulting pellet stability would be a useful strategy to manage diet quality for super-intensive systems shrimp diets. In the context of super-intensive systems, a recent review revealed feed additives have an important role in minimizing antibiotic use in shrimp culture and other aquaculture industries as well as reducing the incidence of disease and promoting growth. The mechanisms by which feed additives have such beneficial effects on shrimp health include stimulating the innate immune system, providing micro-essential nutrients, and maintaining a healthy microbiome. As formulated feed is a major production cost of shrimp farming, the quantity of feed and frequency of feeding are key factors that drive economic success or loss in any production cycle. The use of novel feeding technology, such as timer-feeders and acoustic demand feeders, can dramatically improve growth and feeding efficiency while reducing labor costs. FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

Breeding and Pathogen Surveillance in Shrimp Intensification Breeding has an important role in super-intensive farming to ensure that the cultured shrimp stocked into the rearing systems are suited to life in a more crowded and nutrient and microbial laden environment, and to ensure that the shrimp performance can be enhanced through an ongoing process of genetic improvement. Stocking of pathogen-free shrimp along with other effective management strategies, therefore, reduces the risk of disease. Pathogen-free shrimp, appropriately referred to as specific pathogen-free (SPF) shrimp, can only be developed through domestication. While domestication provided the vehicle to achieving SPF, it has also opened opportunities for other breeding advances through genetic change within the cultured shrimp breeding lines. Genetic improvement has been achieved through ‘directed genetic selection’ for traits yielding production and financial benefits within commercial farming environments. Pathogen surveillance is a key element of farm biosecurity and is even more critical in super-intensive systems where rearing stresses and economic risks are heightened. There are several approaches for pathogen surveillance including point-of-care (POC) methods that can be used by farmers to obtain real-time data and private and government laboratory services based on PCR or histological technologies. Besides pricing and availability constraints, the choice of breeding lines that super-intensive farmers might decide on will be influenced by the risk posed by pathogens and other stressors within their farming system. This depends on the level of biosecurity and management able to be maintained in their FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

farming system and their appetite for risk, as well as the trade-off in reduced growth if using disease or stress-tolerant lines.

Sustainability and Social License From an environmental sustainability perspective, current superintensive systems use less water per kilogram of shrimp produced, reuse water, have lower FCR, and optimize farmland and water resources. Consequently, for efficient commercial operations, there are many environmental benefits of using super-intensive shrimp farming approaches on grounds of resource efficiency. Looking more broadly across the shrimp industry production chain, the shrimp hatchery sector that supplies the super-intensive farming industry is commonly criticized on animal welfare grounds due to the common use of unilateral eyestalk ablation of female broodstock; this technique used for the purpose of stimulating female gonadal development and synchronizing egg and nauplii production in hatcheries. ‘Ablation’ is of growing consumer concern and currently prohibits acceptance of products into certain markets. While the welfare concerns over ablation should boost the interest in working with breeding companies to develop alternative approaches to de-risk future and growing consumer concerns over the practice but could also work as an undertaking to modernize the shrimp industry and build-on some of the positive social license credentials of superintensive farming. Conclusions and Future Perspectives Considering the high load of nutrients in the form of uneaten feed, feces, and diverse organic matter in super-intensive systems, from an

environmental and social license perspective, there is a need to convert these outputs into high-value products such as microbial biomass or complementary aquatic protein, by applying circular economy approaches. Effective intensification of shrimp farming, as in other cultured terrestrial and aquatic species, requires that the cultured animals have a health status and genetic characteristics suited to thriving in these environments. Operating in parallel to breeding, the risks of pathogens outbreaks and disease can be reduced by proper feed management and inclusions of feed additives and functional ingredients in formulations. Development of super-intensive farming in ways that align to enhanced environmental sustainability, and which consider growing consumer concerns of animal welfare, product quality, and food safety, will be important to avoid excessive critique of the industry; to allow ongoing access of super-intensively produced products to many global markets; and to ensure the industry takes a development path that is responsible and looking to the future.

This is a summarized version developed by the editorial team of Aquaculture Magazine based on the review article titled “INTENSIFICATION OF PENAEID SHRIMP CULTURE: AN APPLIED REVIEW OF ADVANCES IN PRODUCTION SYSTEMS, NUTRITION AND BREEDING” developed by: MAURÍCIO G. C. EMERENCIANO - CSIRO, ARTUR N. ROMBENSO - CSIRO, FELIPE D. N. VIEIRA Federal University of Santa Catarina, MATEUS A. MARTINS - Federal University of Santa Catarina, GREG J. COMAN HA H. TRUONG - CSIRO, TANSYN H. NOBLE - CSIRO AND CEDRIC J. SIMON - CSIRO. The original article was published on JANUARY 2022, through MULTIDISCIPLINARY DIGITAL PUBLISHING INSTITUTE under the use of a creative commons open access license. The full version can be accessed freely online through this link: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12030236.

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Use of GIS and machine learning to predict disease in shrimp farmed on the east coast of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

By: Aquaculture Magazine *

isheries in Vietnam contribute to the development of sustainable livelihoods and to the general economy, especially in the Mekong Delta. Shrimp farming is the most significant fisheries activity in the country. A number of these diseases, such as acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND), diseases caused by

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The Mekong Delta of Vietnam has the greatest potential for shrimp aquaculture, an activity that plays a vital role in rural development and helps approximately one million fish farmers to achieve a sustainable livelihood. However, shrimp farms in the Mekong Delta are being affected by various diseases which seriously constrain sustainable shrimp farming. Machine learning is an advanced computer technique that can provide strong support for fisheries, and one of its applications is the prediction of disease outbreak.

white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), and the disease caused by Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP disease), have disastrous effects on shrimp farms. To reduce the risk of diseases that threaten shrimp farming, we first attempted to assess the status of disease infection in shrimp farms through visualization of the distribu-

tion of three serious diseases, namely, WSSV, EHP, and AHPND, on a map of farms located on the east coast of the Mekong Delta. We then extracted geographical information from this map, which was examined as a feature related to disease outbreak. Then, various factors, including the clinical signs of infected shrimp, environmental impact, and geographi-

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cal features influencing disease, were investigated. The machine-learning technique was applied to these factors to predict the occurrence of each disease based on classification algorithms. In shrimp ponds affected by EHP, shrimp growth is normal for the first month after stocking; however, growth slows thereafter, with the direct consequence of a decrease in shrimp farmers’ incomes. The clinical signs of EHP disease are indistinct; as such, it is difficult to recognize the infection. White spot disease, caused by WSSV, the sole member of the virus family Nimaviridae, is a viral disease that causes high mortality in shrimp within a short time. The disease has been identified as the most serious disease affecting shrimp in coastal farms. The WSSV has been the focus of much research which has resulted in the identification of the relationship between WSSV and salinity and determination of the viability of WSSV in pond sediment.

Materials and methods Dataset The data for this study have been collected since 2013 at shrimp farms in four provinces located on the east coast of the Mekong Delta. The two main shrimp species cultured in these farms are the tiger prawn Penaeus monodon and the whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. The collected dataset consisted of two main parts: clinical signs and environmental factors. The clinical signs included: (1) gut status, differentiated as discontinuous gut, yellow liquid in gut, little food in gut, or empty gut; (2) hepatopancreas status, defined as hepatopancreatic paleness and atrophy; (3) slow growth; (4) soft shell; (5) white feces; (6) white spots; (7) vermiform structure; and (8) gregarine infection. The environmental factors consisted of temperature, salinity, pH, NO2, and NH4. FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

Machine learning To predict the occurrence of disease, the dataset was divided into training and testing datasets. The training dataset was used to generate the prediction model, and the testing dataset was used to determine the model’s accuracy. Here, the dataset consisted of the three dependent variables WSSV, EHP, and AHPND, and multiple disease labels were assigned to each farm.

Logistic regression The logistic regression model is often applied to probabilistic prediction. In this study, the scikit-learn package for Python was used to implement the prediction. The structure of a neural network consists of many nodes (neurons) located in layers. There are three main layers: the input, hidden, and output layers. The intelligence of this algorithm occurs through the connection and weight of nodes. » 23

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Random forest makes a prediction model by selecting samples randomly and uses features to build multiple decision trees. The result is obtained by majority voting of decision trees; therefore, the random forest is more suitable and powerful than a single decision tree.

Gradient boosting Gradient boosting aim to make a weak learner into a strong learner, and it is developed through many applications. Here, we used gradient boosting and random forest implemented in scikit-learn of the Python Package. Results and Discussion To establish the distributions of the farms infected by each disease, we separately mapped the locations of farms with AHPND, EHP, and WSSV in the four provinces on the east coast of the Mekong Delta. Specifically, the density of farms infected by AHPND was high in Ca Mau and Tra Vinh Provinces, while EHP 24 »

had less effect on farms in Bac Lieu Province, and WSSV was sparsely distributed throughout the entire study area. Subsequently, machine learning using these algorithms was used for prediction. The model attained values of 88.96% for WSSV, 86.89% for EHP, and 97.93% for AHPND; however, this algorithm showed low accuracy in the testing dataset: 72.97% (WSSV), 72.97% (EHP), and 91.89% (AHPND). The neural network model functioned better than the logistic regression model in our dataset. For the training dataset, the accuracies of the neural network model were 97.24% for WSSV, 95.86% for EHP, and 96.55% for AHPND. Notably, the model was stable in predicting the testing dataset: 83.78%, 75.67%, and 91.89% for WSSV, EHP, and AHPND, respectively. The random forest and gradient boosting methods provided overfit models for our dataset. Because these models learned details, they performed well with the training

data. However, they could not ascertain the main trends of the dataset, which resulted in worse performance. For the training dataset, accuracy was 100% for all disease prediction; nonetheless, these models yielded low accuracies in the testing set in comparison with those in the training set. Specifically, the random forest model predicted with accuracies of 83.78% for WSSV, 78.37% for EHP, and 83.78% for AHPND, and the gradient boosting method obtained accuracies of 78.37% for WSSV, 78.37% for EHP, and 81.08% for AHPND. The large difference in accuracy between the training dataset and the testing dataset showed that these two algorithms were not suitable for our analysis.

Discussion Accurate predictions were achieved by the neural network method for both the training dataset and the testing dataset, and this method outperformed the logistic regression, FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

random forest, and gradient boosting methods. This study contributes to disease management by helping shrimp farmers to understand how GIS-based technology can be used to visualize disease outbreaks and to determine strategies for reducing the risk of disease. The combination of GIS and machine learning provided comprehensive prediction and an intuitive map which provided visualization of the distribution of disease. Knowledge of disease status at the local levels also allows assessment of the effectiveness of disease management activities. Heavily infected areas may be related to weak farm management, with the latter contributing to crosscontamination between farms or an infected seed source, whereas areas with low levels of infection suggest good disease management on farms. Based on such information, shrimp farmers can easily determine suitable locations for new farms or prepare appropriate solutions to avoid infection. The use of GIS in this study contributed to the clarification of the outbreak and spread of disease that was analyzed based on the locations of farms, hatcheries, and river tributaries. Research reveals that the closest distance between farms and the river revealed that some farms FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

that shared the same river water source. Furthermore, to increase the comprehensiveness of prediction, we examined environmental factors related to conditions suitable for strong activation of pathogens. Temperature and salinity strongly affect disease, which tends to break out in hot weather and under conditions of high salinity, but other factors, such as pH, NH4, and NO2 levels, also influence infection rates. These environmental factors are particularly noticeable in the Mekong Delta where hot and dry weather result in conditions favorable for higher risk of disease. Among the environmental factors, salinity contributed the most to disease prediction, followed by temperature, pH, NO2, and NH4. Although the environment affects the estimate of the area of disease spread, this process is mainly based on evidence of whether infected farms are present. To improve EHP prediction accuracy, more data are required, such as the density of shrimp in ponds and details of feeding and care regimes. Although the Mekong Delta has many shrimp farms and disease is highly prevalent, as evidenced by huge economic losses, disease data are difficult to collect. Also, because disease outbreaks constitute a sensi-

tive situation, shrimp farmers usually do not share information on the status of their infected farm. Furthermore, farmers usually find treatments themselves. Additionally, disease research requires long periods of sufficient data, especially for extensive farms. However, if data could be collected from all shrimp farms in the region, including both healthy and infected farms, the visualization of disease distribution would be clearer, and prediction would be more accurate. Full mapping of all farms would provide a foundation for future research, such as detection of affected populations, the effects of industrial pollutants on disease, analysis of the most suitable areas for farm development, and assessments of annual changes in shrimp farm distribution. Infection prediction will become more accurate when the dataset is updated with additional data and, accordingly, the estimated area of the disease will be reliably visualized in the infected area. Additionally, given suitable data this research can be applied to protect shrimp farms in regions other than those located on the east coast of the Mekong Delta.

This is a summarized version developed by the editorial team of Aquaculture Magazine based on the review article titled “USE OF GIS AND MACHINE LEARNING TO PREDICT DISEASE IN SHRIMP FARMED ON THE EAST COAST OF THE MEKONG DELTA, VIETNAM” developed by: NGUYEN MINH KHIEM - Hokkaido University – Can Tho University, YUKI TAKAHASHI - Hokkaido University, HIROKI YASUMA Hokkaido University, DANG THI HOANG OANH - Can Tho University, TRAN NGOC HAI - Can Tho University, VU NGOC UT - Can Tho University, NOBUO KIMURA Hokkaido University. The original article was published on JANUARY 2022, through SPRINGER under the use of a creative commons open access license. The full version can be accessed freely online through this link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12562-021-01577-8.

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Aquaculture as a circular bio-economy model with Galicia as a study case: How to transform waste into revalorized by-products By: Aquaculture Magazine *

Aquaculture production has risen over the last decades, and it is expected to continue to grow which means the proportional increment amount of waste. ‘Circular economy’ has been defined as “an economic system that replaces the ‘end-of-life’ concept with reducing, alternatively reusing, recycling, and recovering materials in production, distribution and consumption processes. Circular economy and bioeconomy converge in the use of biological resources, and particularly when this biomass is a by-product that represents an input for another industrial sector.

s fish are mostly carnivores, aquaculture diets contain high amounts of animal protein to yield optimal products. This requirement reduces its sustainability, therefore, in order to become the source of future food products it has to reduce food waste and stimulate a change towards sustainable and healthy diets for humans. Galicia, a regional part of Spain, provides more than 20% of the aquaculture products generated in Europe and represents more than the 80% of the Spanish productivity. Three groups of fishing activities can be found along the Galician coastline: aquaculture, shellfish harvesting, and fishing. Bivalves are by far the main species produced in Galicia, led by the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis). Also, Galicia was a pioneer region in the aquaculture production of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and currently the first European producer. This City is also the first Spanish producer of Senegalese sole (Solea senegalesnsis), and the only European producer of blackspot sea bream Pagellus bogaraveo. The features of Galician marine waters, such as temperature, upwelling and tides also determine the development of the characteristic vegetation of marine macroalgae, or seaweeds, mainly composed by fucoids, kelps and carragenophytes. In Galicia, seaweeds are traditionally used to obtain agar, jelly or as an agricultural fertilizer. There is also an important number of seaweeds washed ashore, which are not covered by a specific legislation and are freely harvested for agar and alginate extraction, or as soil conditioner.

Aquaculture waste and by-products In quantitative terms, the percentage of primary products, by-products and wastes generated from aquaculture depends on the selected species. For fish grown in aquaculture facilities it has been estimated that 45% is directly transformed while the remaining 55% is considered subproduct. Similar efficiencies have been determined for crustaceans, where the shell, including the head, rep26 »

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resents 60% of the total body weight while the portion directly destined to consumption is about 40%. Molluscs are the most efficient organisms since flesh constitutes 70% and shell 30% of total body weight. Regarding waste classifications, aquaculture wastes can be divided into four groups: solid wastes as particles in suspension; dissolved organic substances; dissolved chemical compounds; and pathogens. Although, more recent works classify wastes from RAS in just two classes: biological (fecal solids, uneaten food, and detached bacterial flocs) and effluents (mostly containing organic matter and nitrate). Finally, it is important to underline another two types of wastes derived from aquaculture: chemical and pathological. The presence of the first one, also called residues, is due to veterinary treatments that animals require to minimize the presence of diseases and mortality rates. The second one is the pathogenic load that may be found in waters.

Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture: reutilization of aquaculture wastes To magnify the productivity of aquaculture systems and reduce their environmental impact, derived wastes, such as metabolic products or uneaten food, have to be considered potential source of minerals, vitamins, proteins and lipids, for their further use. Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) is considered a model to fulfil all these requirements. This production design implies the culture of few species from different trophic levels, so wastes produced by those from higher levels are inputs for species from lower levels, similar as occurs in natural ecosystems. First level usually includes fish, crustacean and cephalopods. The second one involves filtering invertebrates (e.g. filter molluscs, anemones, sea cucumbers, etc.), which feed on organic matter generated by first level, such as feed remains or sub-products. In the third level, marine macroalgae use inorganic compounds, like those from excretory products released by previous levels. IMTA 28 »

systems allow the production of different valuable species with less amount of consumable and reduce the negative environmental impact. Therefore, production systems based on IMTA model favors the responsible use of natural resources and a sustainable productivity.

Innovative application of aquaculture sub-products Even when an IMTA model is applied, aquaculture still generates different types of sub-products which may be re-used in diverse ways depending on their characteristics. To maximize the throughput of this industry, a hierarchic model shall be applied to all sub-products. Primary aquaculture products are those obtained as part of the main production process while sub-products are those secondarily obtained and can be directly utilized if they comply legal requirements. The reutilization of aquaculture sub-products permits to recover ingredients with high economical value for other industries. Human food ingredients Several compounds widely used in food industry can be obtained from sub-products, for example, fish flour, chitosan, proteins concentrated, collagen, gelatin, and astaxanthin. These by-products may represent a sustainable and innovative source of high-quality type I collagen for its further use in biomedical, cosmetic, or nutraceutical fields. Indeed, protein represents a useful ingredient for many

industries since it is responsible for providing textural properties. Protein can be incorporated into food products in order to improve their organoleptic features. Regarding freshwater production, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) frames have been treated with a separation technology named electro-dialysis with filtration membrane. This technique allowed fractionating active peptides from complex hydrolysates yielding enriched fractions with peptides that showed antioxidant properties. Astaxanthin is the most common carotenoid obtained from aquaculture sub-products, particularly, salmon, trout, krill, shrimps, fresh water crabs and crustacean shells are the main sources for recovery. Carotenoids and other colorants are useful food ingredients which are present in many products destined to human consume since they enhance their organoleptic characteristics by providing color but also additional properties.

Animal feeding Different sub-products derived from aquaculture such as fish flour, ground shell, chitosan, astaxanthin, proteins concentrated and silage, that resulted from the liquefaction of the fish, can be incorporated to feed formulation for aquaculture animals, farm animals and pets. Crushed shells represent an important calcium supplementation, very useful when introduced in hen feeding. The replacement of the calcium present FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

in limestone with that from oyster shells has been proved to enhance egg production, strength weight and thickness. Chickens fed using oyster shells also showed a quicker increase of weight. For instance, the application of aquaculture by-products for designing animal feeding has several advantages, including the reduction of cost production and environmental impact of the aquaculture industries. This synergy between aquaculture and livestock farming has special importance in Galicia since it reinforces two main economic activities in the region.

Agriculture Although the re-use of aquaculture subproducts results more efficient in higher levels of the waste hierarchy, their employment in agriculture is also a potential destination to be considered. Historically, shells from mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) have been used as a liming agent or as mulches for soil amendment in farming in Galicia. In fact, the agricultural application of shells represents the second major shell market. The use of this natural product allows their application in ecological agriculture and represents a replacement for mined-CaCO3.

based products such as collagen or gelatin, lipids and pigments result very useful. Moreover, food industry is boosting the development of biodegradable active packaging to reduce single-use plastics and improve shelf-life products. Freshwater cultured species, such as rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), are a valuable source of active peptide hydrolysates and oils rich in PUFAs. Both beta-carotene and astaxanthin are very common marine carotenoids present in salmon, trout, krill, shrimps, and crustacean shells, but also in macro and microalgae. Pigments represent sources of colors that additionally provide bioactivities. Astaxanthin has been reported to have antioxidant properties, stimulate immune system, prevents diabetes, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. In cosmetics, it has been used in skin care and anti-aging formulations. In addition to the pigments, macroalgae represents a sustainable source of biodegradable and non-toxic natural bioactive compounds. Many micro and macroalgae molecules have moisturizing, anti-aging, lightning and/or photoprotective properties and then have been applied for sunscreen creams, peeling, slimming, hair and dental care products.

Industrial uses: food packaging, cosmetic and pharmaceutical Biodiesel and other uses For food packaging, cosmetic and phar- This combustible alternative represents a maceutical industries, marine protein- green source of energy for two reasons: FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

in first place for the reduction of waste production and in second place because biodiesel is biodegradable, so it produces less air toxins and lower amounts of CO2 than other hydrocarbon-based fuel or diesel. Wastes capable of yielding oil, such as skin, fishbone or liver, are the most suitable ones for obtaining biodiesel. Aquaculture wastes and underused sub-products can provide an alternative substrate for producing single-cell protein (SCP). This sustainable production of SCP can return to the aquaculture company that provided wastes as a fishmeal ingredient. Other potential applications of aquaculture sub-products include the use of shells as constructing materials.

Future trends and conclusions In order to achieve a more efficient production system, different prototypes to integrate multiple trophic levels (IMTA) were implanted in Galicia. However, even this efficient model can generate wastes and sub-products. In this scenario, a circular bio-economy model should be adopted to re-utilize wastes and subproducts and maximize their throughput while reducing their negative environmental impact. Nevertheless, the recent implementation of ‘circular economy’, ‘bio-economy’ or ‘circular bio-economy’ strategies presents few drawbacks as the time and cost-consuming processes that delay the approval of new products derived from these production systems. Therefore, even though these innovative and sustainable models have been demonstrated to be efficient, they still require visibility and stronger support. This is a summarized version developed by the editorial team of Aquaculture Magazine based on the review article titled “AQUACULTURE AS A CIRCULAR BIO-ECONOMY MODEL WITH GALICIA AS A STUDY CASE: HOW TO TRANSFORM WASTE INTO REVALORIZED BY-PRODUCTS”, developed by: M. FRAGA-CORRAL - Universidade de Vigo, P. RONZA - Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, P. GARCIA-OLIVEIRA - Universidade de Vigo - Centro de Investigaçaô de Montanha, A.G. PEREIRA - Universidade de Vigo - Centro de Investigaçaô de Montanha, A.P. LOSADA - Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, M.A. PRIETO - Universidade de Vigo - Centro de Investigaçaô de Montanha, M.I. QUIROGA - Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, J. SIMAL-GANDARA - Universidade de Vigo”. The original article was published on NOVEMBER, 2021 through ELSEVIER. under the use of a creative commons open access license. The full version can be accessed freely online through this link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2021.11.026

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Production Performance of Super Intensive Vannamei Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

at PT. Sumbawa Sukses Lestari Aquaculture, West Nusa Tenggara

By: Aquaculture Magazine *

Vannamei shrimp production with super-intensive technology is the future orientation of aquaculture systems with the concept of low volume high density, that is by not requiring a large area, so it was easily controlled, but has high productivity. Therefore, shrimp production with a super intensive system can be successful and profitable if the production process is applied properly.

ven in this condition of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for Vannamei shrimp exports to the U.S. market remained stable. It was recorded that the total export of Indonesia Vannamei shrimp to the U.S. market in April 2019 was 9,544 MT (metric tons) and in April 2020 to 13,804 MT, which increases of up to 45%, which places Indonesia as the second largest of exporting country to the U.S. market. The advantages of Vannamei shrimp are a high response to feed, resistance to disease, high survival rate, high stocking density, and relatively short maintenance time of about 90 – 100 days per cycle. The increased production of Vannamei shrimp will continue to meet the demand community both at home and abroad. Various efforts have been made, especially through the development of aquaculture technology applications. This study aims to examine the production process and product performance of super-intensive system Vannamei shrimp on an industrial scale that applied at PT. Sumbawa Sukses Lestari Aquaculture, West Nusa Tenggara. 30 »

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Methodology

Work Procedures This study consists of several stages of production, including pond and media preparations with an area of 3,025 m², selection and stocking seeds with a stock density of 250 tails/m², monitoring of growth, management of feed, management of water quality, monitoring of pest and disease, and harvest. Data Analysis Production performance parameters include survival rate (SR), biomass production, average body weight (ABW), average daily growth (ADG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Water quality parameters observed during maintenance include temperature, brightness, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, TOM, and nitrite. The data obtained were then tabulated using the application Ms. Excel to produce representative data in the form of graphs and tables and analyzed descriptively.

Results And Discussion

Pond Preparation The pond land used with size 55 x 55 x 2 m is covered with HDPE plastics. Pond preparation begins with drying the pond bottom for 7 – 10

The quality of water in the maintenance container must be controlled to produce optimal seed growth.

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days. Drying of ponds aims to speed up the oxidation process of residual organic matter, killing pathogenic bacteria, and pest organisms. The pond bottom needs to be cleaned of dirt such as moss, barnacles, oysters, and organic sludge leftover from the cycle previously. The setting of paddlewheels and blowers aims to ensure a continuous supply of oxygen to the maintenance medium. Dissolved oxygen is one of the most important water quality variables for supporting shrimp life. According to Sumitro et al. (2020), the use of diffusers can increase the survival rate of organism aquatic production.

Feed Management Management of feed properly needs to be done, so that it can give optimal production results. Optimal feeding is given to support the growth of cultivated shrimp. Feeding can be done in two ways, such as: using an automatic feeder and manually spreading it using a raft. Feed management is important in making a feeding program so that ADG and FCR at harvest can match the target. Feed control needs to be carried out to see how much feed is used up in one feeding. If in 3 units of feed given If all is used up, then the feed will be added by 30 – 50% of the feed program implemented.

Media Preparation Seawater that has been accommodated in a reservoir pond 150 m x 60 m deposited for 3 – 5 days, before being distributed to pond plots. Heroecobalance (HEB), treatment was given 2 days after the water entered the plot to grow a balance of microorganism populations in the pond ecosystem.

Water Quality Management Optimal water quality is one of the requirements in cultivation activities. The quality of water in the maintenance container must be controlled to produce optimal seed growth. The observed water quality parameters in this research, including temperature, brightness, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, TOM, and nitrite. Based on the results of water quality measurement data, it is known that during maintenance, conditions of temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and TOM are according to the optimal range. Several other parameters, like brightness, alkalinity, and nitrite reached the limit of the range optimal due to maintenance that reaches DOC of 100 affects the condition of water quality. Overall, the water quality condition in this study is still in the optimal range in supporting the growth of cultured shrimp.

Seed Selection and Stocking The success of a shrimp production business was influenced by the quality of the seeds stocked in the pond. Before stocking, seed selection is carried out through visual observation, such as appropriate body length, uniformity, seeds activity, and stress response. The stress response is known through the salinity test and formalin test which aims to see the level of seed resistance to a given stress factor.

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Water quality management including lime and siphoning is carried out regularly to maintain optimal water quality conditions. Giving lime works to stabilize and raise the pH of pond water. Giving lime is given upon entering DOC of 15 because the pH conditions have started to fluctuate. The type of lime used is quicklime (CaO), which was previously dissolved in a container filled with seawater and spread into the pond. Giving lime is also done when it rains because in that condition the shrimp experience stress due to fluctuations in media temperature. Drastic temperature changes are caused by water rain that enters the pond and causes a lot of molting shrimp. Molting causes the condition of the lobster to be very weak and emits a fishy smell from the meat. This triggers cannibalism, which attracts the appetite of its predators, namely lobster healthy condition or not molting. Siphon cleaning is very important to minimize the accumulation of effluent in the pond bottom. The more feed that is given to the pond, the more often siphon cleaning frequency. Pest and Disease Monitoring Pests found during the rearing process were crabs and baby monitor lizards. The presence of pests can become predators for shrimp, resulting in low SR when harvest. Identification of diseases that attack shrimp was not found during the study takes place. 32 »

However, the Total Plate Count (TPC) test found the presence of Vibrio sp. which is still within the normal range in the maintenance media samples. There are probiotics in maintenance media that can suppress the growth of Vibrio sp. which appears. Growth Monitoring Growing Vannamei shrimp with a stocking density of 250 fish/m2, at harvestable to produce ABW 22 g/ head. This correlates with the value of ADG shrimp, each sampling continues to increase up to 0.40 g/day at harvest. According to Pratiwi et al. (2016), growth in crustaceans is a change the increase in length and body weight that occurs periodically after molting. Molting occurs in animals with the exoskeleton, including lobsters where the old skin is removed and then replaced with a new skin. Factor affecting the occurrence of molting, among others: (1) external factors, namely environmental quality (temperature, salinity, or pH), nutrition, and postacclimatization or transportation treatment, (2) internal factors, namely production of Molting Hormone (ecdysteroid) and Molt Inhibiting Hormone (hormone inhibiting molting). Harvest Before partial harvest, dry sampling was carried out to determine the ABW of shrimp to be harvested. This harvesting is done by spreading nets at the pointal ready determined. The

total harvest is done by lowering the water slowly through the floodgate until it runs out, which is preceded by installing a waring (harvest bag) on the floodgate. If there is still water left in the aquaculture pond, the nets will be spread so that the shrimp contained in the pond is no longer left. The results of the wastewater from the harvest will be channeled to the waste collection tank, to maintain water quality used in aquaculture activities. The total shrimp production in the research ponds showed an SR of 71%, biomass reaching 8.96 tons, harvest size 45-32, and FCR 1.6, and no fatalities caused by infection. Based on the results of the total production, it shows that the cultivation of super-intensive Vannamei shrimp enlargement by applying SOPs and actual conditions environmental quality supports optimal production performance.

Conclusion The process of Vannamei shrimp cultivation on an industrial scale with a super-intensive system that is applied by PT. Sumbawa Sukses Lestari Aquaculture, West Nusa Tenggara produces optimal shrimp harvest. Production performance of Vannamei shrimp reared up to DOC of 100 has SR 71%, biomass as much as 8.96 tons, harvest size 45 – 32, ABW 22 g/tail, ADG0.4 g/day, and FCR 1.6.

This is a summarized version developed by the editorial team of Aquaculture Magazine based on the review article titled “PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF SUPER INTENSIVE VANNAMEI SHRIMP LITOPENAEUS VANNAMEI AT PT. SUMBAWA SUKSES LESTARI AQUACULTURE, WEST NUSA TENGGARA”, developed by: RIFQAH PRATIWI - Marine and Fisheries Polytechnic Kupang, I NYOMAN SUDIARSA, PIETER AMALO - Marine and Fisheries Polytechnic Kupang, AND YUSUF WIDYANANDA WIARSO UTOMO - Marine and Fisheries Polytechnic Kupang. The original article was published on SEPTEMBER 2021, through JOURNAL OF AQUACULTURE AND FISH HEALTH under the use of a creative commons open access license. The full version can be accessed freely online through this link: 10.20473/jafh.v11i1.21143

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The water, energy, and land footprint of tilapia aquaculture in Mexico,

a comparison of the footprints of fish and meat.

By: Aquaculture Magazine *

ood energy and water are closely interlinked in the so termed food energy water nexus (FEW nexus) that can be considered as a complicated web with many relationships. Studies on energy, water and food systems showing these linkages should evaluate them in terms of sustainability, resilience, and feasibility, indicating how they can be managed. An important component in the FEW nexus is animal food. Livestock production systems to produce meat and other animal products have large requirements for natural resources. Fish from aquaculture shows great potential to contribute to food se-

34 »

In the food-energy-water (FEW) nexus, livestock has a dominant place. It is generally considered as water, energy and land intensive. Aquaculture could provide additional animal protein and contribute to meeting the food demand. This study assesses the sustainability of aquaculture using the indicators water footprint (WF), energy footprint (EF) and land footprint (LF), comparing results with livestock.

curity. Especially Tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) production is important. Mexico is the ninth global Tilapia producer with a production of 180,000 tons in 2017. Aquaculture provides 91% of the Mexican Tilapia production, but production is related to environmental impacts. In Mexico, aquacultural production systems vary from low to high intensity. Extensive, semi-intensive and intensive systems require different inputs, translating into different environmental impacts. To evaluate environmental impacts of food production systems, such as aquaculture, assessment tools have been developed, e.g. the WF, energy footprint (EF) and land footprint

(LF). The WF is a tool to calculate freshwater amounts appropriated and polluted along the production chain of a certain good or service, expressed in water volumes per unit of product. The concept includes three components: i) the blue WF related to consumption of surface or groundwater lost due to evaporation, incorporated into a product or transferred to another water body; ii) the green WF referring to rainwater consumed along production chains; and iii) the grey WF, freshwater amounts required to assimilate contaminant loads. Results of this study indicate differences amongst footprints of animal foods and provide a tool to

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till Tilapia fillet after the processing phase, excluding packaging, retailing and consumer transportation and cooking. Finally, the study compared results for Tilapia with WFs, EFs and LFs for beef, poultry and pork meat produced in industrial systems.

stimulate production and consumption in the direction with optimal resource use in the FEW nexus. In Mexico, there are freshwater quality issues. In many places, surface water is polluted. For aquaculture, freshwater for extensive systems comes from open surface water of suitable water quality filling a reservoir. For intensive and semi-intensive aquaculture, pond water mainly comes from groundwater, because it meets freshwater quality standards. There is a lack of official regulations that control wastewater discharge from aquaculture activities though. Tilapia prefers freshwater of good quality. Critical water parameters are temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, non-ionized ammonium, nitrites, nitrates, and carbon dioxide. Parameters should remain in the optimal range

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since they influence fish survival and feed consumption. Tilapia fish life stages including four phases: i) broodstock phase; ii) breeding phase; iii) fattening phase; and iv) processing phase.

Method and data The indicators to assess the sustainability of Tilapia fillet from aquaculture in Mexico were the WF, EF and LF. The study used a chain analysis approach that includes the five production phases: i) broodstock, ii) breeding, iii) fattening, iv) processing, and v) the transportation phase. The functional unit was one ton of Tilapia fillet. First, the study defined the system and system boundaries, i.e. the Tilapia production system in Mexico from fish eggs in the broodstock phase

Results Water footprint Tilapia production carried out in an intensive aquaculture system has blue WFs larger than WFs of extensive and semi-intensive systems. This is partly due to the dependency of intensive systems on high refreshment rates of 250% of the pond water per day, in the semi-intensive system rates are only 30%. The extensive system does not refresh at all, and blue WFs are caused by evaporation. Other factors are the survival rate that is smallest in the extensive and largest in the intensive system and the stocking density that is largest in the intensive system. Energy footprint The EF in the extensive system is mainly caused by fuel for transportation and harvesting and for the breeding and processing phase, which is the same as for the semi-intensive and intensive system. The large EFs of the semi-intensive and intensive systems

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of 11 kg per capita per year. A shift towards more fish from aquaculture systems would increase footprints even more. The total WF of Mexico is 140.16 Gm3/yr, so that the consumption of only 2 kg of Tilapia from intensive systems would represent 4% of the total WF. If all fish would be produced in intensive systems, footprints would even be larger. are caused by larger fuel use in agriculture where aquafeed is produced and large electricity use in aquaculture due to pumping and aeration of the ponds, where especially intensive systems require much electricity, two times more than in the semi-intensive system, mainly due to more intensive aeration and pumping.

Land footprint Semi-intensive and intensive production systems, which are feed dependent systems, have similar LFs. Extensive systems have smaller LFs, because no feed is applied and the total LF is mainly determined by the facilities of the reservoir. The LF of the extensive system is two times larger than the direct LF of the semi-intensive and intensive system. For the semi-intensive and intensive system, the LF of the feed dominates the total LF and contributes 95%. Comparison tilapia and meat The study compared the WF, EF and LF of Tilapia fillet produced in the intensive system with the footprint of the most common meat types consumed, beef, poultry and pork produced in an industrial system. The production of Tilapia fillet from a cradle-to-processing phase perspective not only consumes more blue water than the other animal foods, 13,027 l/ kg, but also generates the largest grey WF, 1,873 l/kg. The WF of Tilapia fillet protein is two times larger than the WF of beef protein, and four times more than pork. If WFs are expressed per unit of nutritional energy, differences are even larger. 36 »

Discussion To reduce the blue WF of Tilapia fillet, it is important to concentrate on the phase with the highest WF, the fattening phase and for the grey WF, the fattening and processing phase. New technologies, such as the biofloc technology (BFT), might support future aquaculture farms in Mexico to decrease water pollution. In general, the BFT is a system recognized for water and feed recycling, in which fish waste is transformed in feed by adding bacteria and flocculation in the system. However, this technology increases the EF since it requires aerating and mixing the water constantly. We expected that the phase with the highest water pollution would be the breeding phase due to hormone use. However, according to previous research related to hormone use in aquaculture and its contribution to wastewater, the amount of testosterone used for sex reversal is very small, which matches with the outcome in this research. For grey WF reduction it is more important to consider inputs like fertilizer and/or aquafeed. The WF, EF and LF of Tilapia fillet also relates indirectly to aquafeed production due to its crop components in the formula. It is important to optimize feed production to decrease footprints and at the same time meet fish nutrition requirements. It is a challenge to scale up aquaculture in Mexico and produce all Tilapia in intensive systems. Freshwater and land availability, water pollution, and energy required are the main limitations. Today, Tilapia demand is 2 kg per capita per year, which is small compared to total fish consumption

Conclusions From a FEW nexus perspective, it is not more sustainable to replace terrestrial animal protein with Tilapia fillet protein. Tilapia fillet not only requires more freshwater than beef, pork and poultry, but also pollutes larger amounts of water than terrestrial animals due to constant effluent loads coming from the ponds. From a freshwater perspective, it is more sustainable and efficient to obtain animal protein from terrestrial animal sources. For energy and land, Tilapia is not the better choice, because footprints are comparable. If aquaculture in Mexico would be scaled up, so that all presently available Tilapia would be produced in intensive systems, the availability of sufficient freshwater and water pollution would be the main challenges. To reduce the Tilapia WFs, it is important to focus on decreasing water exchange rates, thus a reduction of blue WFs, also reducing energy use related to water pumping. LF reduction is possible with new aquafeed formulas with smaller LFs are used. Future aquaculture needs to take footprints into account and develop new technologies to make the system more efficient.

This is a summarized version developed by the editorial team of Aquaculture Magazine based on the review article titled “THE WATER, ENERGY, AND LAND FOOTPRINT OF TILAPIA AQUACULTURE IN MEXICO, A COMPARISON OF THE FOOTPRINTS OF FISH AND MEAT” developed by: P. GUZMÁN-LUNA - Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, P.W. GERBENS-LEENES - University of Groninge, S.D. VACA-JIMÉNEZ - University of Groninge - Escuela Politécnica Nacional de Quito. The original article was published on OCTOBER 2020, through ELSEVIER under the use of a creative commons open access license. The full version can be accessed freely online through this link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105224.

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ARTICLE

Effect of rearing systems and dietary probiotic supplementation on the growth and gut microbiota of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) larvae

By: Aquaculture Magazine *

Common problems in aquaculture occur by naturally present opportunistic bacteria that may become pathogenic when the host immune system is weakened by environmental stress. The selective establishment of beneficial microbiota in the gut is crucial for the stable production of healthy fish larvae. The microbial colonization of the fish gut is mainly influenced by rearing water and feed, apart from the selective pressure from the fish host itself.

ecent studies showed that the gut microbiota of fish larvae, such as zebrafish, is more similar to the surrounding environment than adult fish, which indicates the great importance of the early-life rearing environment. For example, Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) larvae reared in recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) and active suspensions tanks showed distinct gut microbiota composition. Traditionally, flow-through systems (FTS) are used for fish larvae culture. In FTS, the nutrient load and microbial density are continuously diluted due to water exchange, which has been reported to select for fast-growing bacteria, known as rstrategists. On the other hand, RAS allows maintaining a stable microbial community composition in the water selective to the growth of slow-growing bacteria, known as K-strategists Opportunistic bacteria are characterized as r-strategists, which often can affect negatively fish health, while Kstrategists can deal better with perturbations in nutrient availability and are considered harmless for fish survival. 38 »

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The use of probiotics, which are beneficial microbes that can modulate the microbial community of its host, improve feed utilization and reduce disease susceptibility, has been proposed as a strategy for sustainable aquaculture. It has been demonstrated that probiotics increase the survival of marine fish larvae. Considering the differences in the rearing environment between RAS and FTS, as described above, we hypothesize that tilapia larvae rea red in RAS will develop a different gut microbiota and show better survival and growth than those reared in FTS. In this study, two rearing systems, namely FTS and RAS, were tested for Nile tilapia larvae culture. To test the impact of B. subtilis as dietary probiotic in RAS treatment, a control diet and a control + B. subtilis coated diet (RASB) were applied. The effect of the three treatments (FTS, RAS and RASB) on survival, growth performance and gut microbiota were evaluated in Nile tilapia larvae, starting from first feeding, for 26 days.

Water quality maintenance and fish survival The hatching rate of Nile tilapia eggs were 82%, 73% and 78% in the incubator for the FTS, RAS and RASB treatment, respectively. The three rearing systems shared the same source for water supplementation, and no significant differences in pH, TAN and NO2-N was observed between the systems. The repeated measure ANOVA showed that the cumulative mortality was significantly higher in FTS (P = 0.002), while RAS and RASB had similar cumulative mortality over time. Gut microbial community composition Numerically, there was trend that FTS < RAS < RASB in bacterial richness in the gut of tilapia fry at 26 dof. Our analysis showed that one genus, namely Plesiomonas, was shared among all three treatments, while Escherichia and Shingella showed high prevalence FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

in RAS, and Gemmobater and Bacillus were prevalent in the RASB treatment. No core genus was solely identified in FTS treatment. Looking at the phylum level, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota and Planctomycetota were the dominating phyla in the gut of tilapia fry from the three treatments, which accounted for 87% of the total population. At last, the genera significantly enriched in each treatment were selected by LDA. A total of 39 genera were detected significantly enriched in the gut from each of the three treatments.

In detail, FTS was enriched with Shinella (RA = 8.3%) and Hyphomicrobium (RA = 1.6%). RAS was enriched with Paracoccus (RA = 8.7%), Mycobacterium (RA = 8.7%) and Cetobacterium (RA = 5.0%). RASB was enriched with Gemmobacter (RA = 5.7%) and Bacillus (RA = 4.0%).

Discussion Environmental rearing conditions during early life and diet determine the microbial community composition and structure in the fish intestine. The assembly of gut microbiota » 39

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further influences fish larvae’ immunological and histological development, which plays a crucial rule in fish health and growth. Our study demonstrated the feasibility of modulating the bacterial community in the fish gut by creating different rearing systems or by dietary probiotic supplementation during early life, which could influence survival and lead to a healthy gut microbiota composition. Rearing system affected mortality and gut microbiota of tilapia fry The water quality in the three rearing systems was optimal for the growth of Nile tilapia. Supplementation of Bacillus spp. in the feed or water was shown to enhance the water quality by reducing the ammonia and nitrate concentrations in the systems. A trend for a lower nitrate concentration in RASB than RAS was observed in our experiment during the later experimental period. However, this difference could also be due to the numerically higher water exchange in RASB when compared with RAS. Our study showed that the rearing system (FTS vs RAS) had no significant effect on the growth of tilapia larvae. At the same time, RAS significantly improved the survival rate of tilapia larvae. Compared with FTS, RAS has a more stable

Environmental rearing conditions during early life and

diet determine the microbial community composition and structure in the fish intestine.

40 »

and diverse microbial community composition in the tank water than FTS, which is typically dominated by potentially pathogenic r-strategists in the water. The microbial matured water has improved marine larval survival in the early life stage, which also applies to freshwater fish species like tilapia in the RAS and RASB treatment of this study. The difference in the microbial composition and bacterial loading of tank water between FTS and RAS might explain the differences in the fish gut microbiota. The fish sampled from different tanks within the same RAS showed similar gut microbiota composition in this study, in line with our previous study. However, fish sampled from different tanks within FTS showed different gut microbiota compositions, according to the large number of unique ASVs detected in fish from FTS. The high variability between individuals in FTS is also a characteristic of rstrategists, potentially explaining the significantly higher variability in the water microbial community between parallel tanks in FTS than RAS. Our study further demonstrated that RAS as a water microbial maturation strategy in larvae culture delivered a more stable and reproducible gut microbial community in tilapia gut than FTS.

Dietary probiotic supplementation altered fry gut microbiota but not growth The growth-promoting effect of Bacillus spp. on tilapia is dose-dependent. Although B. subtilis can improve the growth and survival of juvenile or adult tilapia in some studies, dietary supplementation of Bacillus spores to 2 g tilapia fry for 8 weeks did not affect their growth. In this study, dietary supplementation of B. subtilis at the dosage of 108 CFU/g did not significantly influence the growth of Nile tilapia larvae, which might be due to the restricted feeding masking the probiotic effect on fish growth. Bacillus spp. were reported to increase the disease resistance of fish. Microbial functionality influenced by rearing system and probiotic supplementation Both the rearing system and the probiotic supplementation in the current study modulated the microbial composition in the gut of tilapia. In the present study, FTS treatment group was significantly enriched with Shinella and Hyphomicrobium. Both were previously reported to be present in high abundance in RAS, however, the role of these genera in the fish gut is still not clear. Besides, the fish gut microbiota from RAS and RASB treatments were dominant with CetoFEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

bacterium, while it was detected in low abundance in FTS (RA = 0.02%). C. somerae is an anaerobic microbe which produces vitamin B12 in the freshwater fish intestine and is related to fermentative metabolism of peptides and amino acids. C. somerae was commonly detected as core species in freshwater fish species, including tilapia. Moreover, a decrease in abundance of Cetobacterium in zebrafish gut by antibiotic treatment was shown to increase the susceptibility of fish to pathogen infection, in our study, the high mortality of fish larvae in FTS could be related to the low occurrence of C. somerae in the fish gut. In addition, RAS was enriched with Mycobacterium (RA = 8.7%). Some species belonging to Mycobacterium genus, such as M. marinum, were reported as pathogens and cause mycobacteriosis in fishes. However, whether Mycobacterium causes pathology depends on the species and the host’s susceptibility. FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

Dietary supplementation of B. subtilis spores enriched the Bacillus spp. in the gut of RABS treatment (RA = 4.0%), which implied its colonization in the tilapia gut. Besides, dietary probiotic supplementation increased the abundance of Gemmobacter in our study. Gemmobacter was shown to be a dominant genus in the gut of zebrafish larvae, confirming the presence of these taxa in freshwater fish gut. To summarize, recirculating system and probiotic administration may benefit the gut microbial colonization of tilapia larvae as evidenced by the observed positive correlation between the gut microbiota distribution and the standard body length as well as survival in RAS and RASB treatments.

Conclusions This study demonstrated the feasibility of modulating the gut microbiota of tilapia larvae through different rearing systems (i.e. FTS and RAS) and dietary probiotic supplemen-

tation (RASB). Though FTS had similar or even superior water quality compared to RAS, RAS showed better survival of larvae than FTS. This result could be partly explained by the alterations in the gut bacterial colonization, for instance, the absence of Cetobacterium in FTS. Dietary B. subtilis supplementation in RAS increased the abundance of potentially beneficial Bacillus and Gemmobacter in the fish gut. Our study indicated that RAS is superior to FTS for fish larvae culture concerning survival, while dietary probiotic supplementation may further improve gut health with potential implications during later life stages. This is a summarized version developed by the editorial team of Aquaculture Magazine based on the review article titled “EFFECT OF REARING SYSTEMS AND DIETARY PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE GROWTH AND GUT MICROBIOTA OF NILE TILAPIA (OREOCHROMIS NILOTICUS) LARVAE” developed by: YALE DENG - Wageningen University, MARC C.J. VERDEGEM - Wageningen University, EP EDING - Wageningen University, FOTINI KOKOU - Wageningen University. The original article was published on AUGUST 2021 through ELSEVIER under the use of a creative commons open access license. The full version can be accessed freely online through this link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2021.737297

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Development of conceptual model integrated estimation system for fish growth and feed requirement in aquaculture supply chain management. By: Aquaculture Magazine *

In aquaculture, feed becomes a significant factor in the structure

of production costs and can reach more than 70% of the total cost incurred. Therefore, it becomes an essential factor for cultivators in Indonesia to adjust the target harvest to feed needs. Design and conceptual model that can be implemented and can be expected to improve the profitability of cultivators.

ith the rapid development of inland fisheries, the problems faced are increasingly diverse, ranging from serious ecological problems and environmental impacts such as hyper-nitrification caused by sediment due to excess feeding. The impact is the decreasing water quality in ponds that can indirectly increase fish mortality. Therefore, it is necessary to have an integrated application system that can precisely estimate feed needs and estimate the harvest quantity and connected to the aquaculture supply chain management. There have been several estimation systems that have been developed and focused on factors such as the mass weight of fish using image analysis and neural net42 »

works and infrared reflection system, fish length using an underwater stereo system, the number of fish in the pond using image density grading and local regression, automatic feeding based on standard feeding protocol (SFP) and the use of hybrid methods in determining the quantity of feed used in the form of factorial bioenergetics and fuzzy logic control. The application of technology in the aquaculture process shows that a technological approach in determining estimates and monitoring the cultivation process can significantly increase the profitability of cultivators. At the end of this study, based on the findings of gap research and problems in the field, the authors formulated ecosystem design and conceptual models to improve farmers welfare.

Systematic Mapping Process A Systematic Mapping Study (SMS) is conducted to build a clarity scheme and research structure in software engineering. The results analysis focuses on the frequency of publications that share the same category. The first step that must be done in conducting a SMS is defining the research question. To follow, a review of the scope needs to be taken. From a predetermined research question, the article search process is done by determining keywords first based on the research question that has been defined before. Then, the article search process is done by using “OR” and “AND” operators to obtain appropriate results, focusing on articles published after 2010 and conducted through ScienceDirect, IEEE, and Emerald journal sources. In performing searches, inclusion and exclusion criteria are used to filter found articles. This filtering aims to limit the relevance and quality of the paper found. FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

business value forms or organizations by leveraging new approaches and new technologies. DSC has ushered the supply chain and logistics industry into rapid change and new innovations. Designing an effective supply chain management process with the aim of conducting DSC transformation can be started by integrating, analyzing, automation, reconfiguration, and digitizing.

Result and Discussion The following process conducted after the search process is classified according to the characteristics and focus of each research that has been divided into six categories, namely validation research, evaluation research, solution proposal, philosophical papers, opinion papers, and experience papers by reading the title and abstract of each selected article. The results of the classification of the process are divided to the focus of the area in the field of aquaculture or divided into variables that affect the process of aquaculture. The focus area is divided into six areas: feed, water, dimension, growth, behavior, and managerial. After the analysis process for each research topic is done, the last step is to identify the use of technological approaches that were carried out. The question is whether it integrates with fishery supply chain management or stands alone as an innovation that increases certain factors in the cultivation process. This analysis process is done to know the extent FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

of integration in fishery supply chain management. The mapping results show that there has been no research that focuses on utilizing estimation systems integrated with the ecosystem of fishery supply chain management so that there is a gap in the research that can be met. Digital Supply Chain (DSC) Digital Supply Chain (DSC) is an intelligent, value-based, and efficient process to generate new revenue and

Digitization in Aquaculture Feed becomes a significant factor in the structure of production costs and can reach more than 70% of the total cost incurred. In the distribution and marketing sector, fishery products are time-critical products. If the ready-toharvest products are not immediately distributed, then the cultivation process will require a much greater cost because the need for feed and care is also increasing. However, there are still minimal innovations that depart from the point of view of the fishery supply chain. This can be done by integrating from upstream to downstream in the aquaculture process by paying attention to its impact on the level of profitability. Methodology The methodology conducted in this study is divided into two parts. The first part of the literature study was conducted to discover the latest technological developments in the aquaculture sector, where at this stage, gap research was found. In the next section, based on the gap research found

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Digital Supply Chain (DSC) is an intelligent, value-based, and efficient process to generate new revenue and business value forms or organizations by leveraging new approaches and new technologies.

and data collected from case studies in the field, the author formulated a conceptual model based on digitization in the DSC. A single case study approach with the Indonesian Catfish Industry Association (APCI) is conducted to understand how digitization can help improve cultivator profitability by integrating the supply chains process.

Ecosystem Design and Conceptual Model of Integrated Estimation System Starting from the research gap and problems found based on data collected through APCI in the field, this study proposed an ecosystem design and conceptual model of the system that aims to digitize by integrating farmers and feed suppliers and buyers in one application ecosystem. Four actors in the fisheries supply chain management process can share information and become integrated with each other. In this case, the association acts as an advisor. This is done to overcome resistance to the use of technology at the cultivator level. In practice, monitoring data is sent by farmers to advisors via short messages or social media so that they can be input into the system by advisors. Monitoring data that can later be used to procure feed and provide information on timing and estimated harvest quantity to potential customers so that the supply chain can running from upstream to downstream in one application ecosystem. 44 »

Supply chain literature has broadly acknowledged the dominant role of Information Technology (IT) that assists in improving operational and competitive performance in the collaborative supply chain. They state that IT and supply chain management together create digitally held supply chains. Complex supply chains can be efficiently coordinated when both the central unit and its partners have been equipped with IT infrastructure at the same level. Also included in the study, the conceptual system model was built with an estimation system approach that is integrated with the supply chain management ecosystem, the estimated need for feed can be raised during the cultivation planning process so that cultivators can directly get an estimate of most of the capital spent for a certain number of fish in the pond to be used. The supplier then gets the feed requirement information from the integrated system. After that, the process of determining the estimated harvest period and quantity of harvest yield can be known after the monitoring process is done by including feed reports, fish weight, and fish deaths that occur. The report obtained periodically estimates the date and quantity of harvest from the report of fish weight growth which can be used by market sales and auction to bring the estimated harvest production to market before it is harvested. From the conceptual process

flow of the model above, the subsequent development that can be done is by implementing a conceptual model into real case industry applications.

Conclusion From the results of the literature review analysis, it can be concluded that the development of information technology in aquaculture has been widely done and spread evenly on every topic in the process of aquaculture. However, all technologies found in the process of the literature review stands alone without having integration with other systems following the concept of integration in the supply chain management. Starting from the research gap that has been found and data collected from the author field, an ecosystem design and conceptual estimation system model was formulated that can integrate farmers, suppliers, and customers in one application ecosystem. Future research that can be done is implementing and evaluating the ecosystem design and conceptual model that was formulated into real case industry applications. This is a summarized version developed by the editorial team of Aquaculture Magazine based on the review article titled “DEVELOPMENT OF CONCEPTUAL MODEL INTEGRATED ESTIMATION SYSTEM FOR FISH GROWTH AND FEED REQUIREMENT IN AQUACULTURE SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT” developed by: MOHAMMAD ARDA DWI ARDIANTO - Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology, MUDJAHIDIN - Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology. The original article was published on 2021, through ELSEVIER under the use of a creative commons open access license. The full version can be accessed freely online through this link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2021.12.162.

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Climate-Friendly Seafood:

The Potential for Emissions Reduction and Carbon Capture in Marine Aquaculture

By: Aquaculture Magazine *

ood production contributes significantly to climate change through both direct and indirect emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG). The GHG emissions per unit of protein produced by aquaculture generally compare favorably with most livestock production FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

Although aquaculture’s current contribution to GHG emissions from food production is small, there is high likelihood of aquaculture expanding, given the human health benefits, and increasing social preferences for seafood. Therefore, it is critical to identify pathways to advance the growth of climate-friendly practices. Doing so provides an opportunity to avoid further environmental degradation associated with the expansion of food production. and some wild-caught fisheries, but considerable variability exists within each food type. The lower emissions intensity of aquaculture is mostly attributable to a lack of direct GHG emissions from land use change and more favorable feed conversion ratios. Responsible development of aquaculture is a key

strategy to meet growing food demand and nutritional needs and to achieve food security within planetary boundaries. Responsible development of aquaculture is a key strategy to meet growing food demand and nutritional needs and to achieve food security within planetary boundaries. » 45

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Mariculture Aquatic algae cultivation is dominated by the production of seaweeds in shallow to moderately deep coastal waters and, rarely, in offshore marine environments. As non-fed organisms that can be readily grown in a range of conditions and locations, seaweed mariculture often has fewer environmental impacts than other types of plant or animal food production. Similar to seaweed cultivation, bivalve farming tends to have fewer environmental impacts than many other forms of food production and may provide positive ecological functions relevant to the health and resilience of marine environments. As non-fed organisms that can be readily grown in a range of conditions and locations, seaweed mariculture often has fewer environmental impacts than other types of plant or animal food production, similar to seaweed cultivation, bivalve farming tends to have fewer environmental impacts than many other forms of food production and may provide positive ecological functions relevant to the health and resilience of marine environments.

Fed finfish production via mariculture is not yet a major contributor to total global aquaculture production, but the sector has comparatively large negative impacts on the marine environment and significant potential for future global expansion.

In the present article, opportunities are explored for these three mariculture sectors to support climate change mitigation through climate-friendly design and operational practices that can lead to either avoided emissions (reducing the quantity of GHGs emitted) or enhanced carbon sequestration.

Responsible development of aquaculture is a key strategy to meet growing food demand and nutritional needs and to achieve food security within planetary boundaries.

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Mariculture’s greenhouse gas emissions footprint GHG emissions from mariculture occur via many pathways, including upstream on-farm, and downstream emissions. Previous studies indicate that up or downstream activities contribute a considerable proportion of GHG emissions in mariculture, often more than on-farm operations, particularly when feed production is included as an upstream process. With post-farm transport emissions excluded, the most emissionsintensive aspects of seaweed mariculture are usually on-farm activities, particularly electricity and fuel use, although there is variability across the studies in the activities included as a part of on-farm production. Although seaweed mariculture may represent a comparably low emissions production opportunity, attention

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should be given to sources of energy for cultivation, especially given efforts to move or expand seaweed cultivation to potentially energy intensive, offshore environments. Bivalve mariculture does not require feed inputs, which minimizes the associated land-based emissions from agricultural products. Consequently, bivalve mariculture is increasingly discussed as a sustainable, climate-friendly source of nutrientrich protein production for human consumption. Importantly, bivalve shell formation is a net source of CO2. The larger GHG footprint of fed finfish is commonly attributed to the emissions intensity of feed supply. Emissions from feed supply include crop agriculture and associated landuse change, wild-caught fish meal or oil, as well as feed processing and transport to farms. The expansion and intensification of fed finfish mariculture have considerably increased the cumulative nutrient load and subsequent eutrophication in coastal marine environments. Increased nitrogen and particulates in the water can lead to the loss or degradation of seagrass habitats below and adjacent to the farms. This can result in GHG emissions through

The larger GHG footprint of fed

finfish is commonly attributed to the emissions intensity of feed supply.

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release of stored blue carbon in the plants and sediments below them and can reduce the capacity for future blue carbon sequestration.

Opportunities for climate-friendly mariculture Unless low-emissions alternatives to fossil fuels can be readily adopted, the potential socioecological benefits of large, offshore mariculture development could be diminished by a need to increase fuel use to enable distant production at scale. However, changes in a country’s energy portfolio and the market forces driving the availability and affordability of biofuels are likely to occur at a national or regional level, with single farm operators having little control over these overarching drivers of on-farm GHG emissions. Site selection for coastal fed finfish mariculture should exclude areas of seagrass and other sensitive blue carbon habitats where possible, although complete avoidance may not be practical in some regions, due the widespread distribution and seasonal variations in the presence and density of seagrasses.

The method used to harvest mature bivalves has profound impacts on local benthic disturbance, seagrass cover and, therefore, blue carbon burial and storage. Manual harvesting of raised mariculture is the practice least likely to disturb seagrass and buried carbon. Raised culture also avoids the direct competition with seagrass for space and reduces sediment resuspension compared with on-bottom culture. This both stabilizes sediment to allow seagrass recruitment and enhances or prolongs carbon storage by reducing oxidation of subsurface sediments.

Opportunities for avoided emissions and emissions offsets in seaweed mariculture. Although biomass yields from seaweed mariculture can be very high, often greater than those from terrestrial crops, variability in the marine environment around farm sites affects productivity. This, in turn, can significantly affect production efficiencies and GHG emissions, as well as the potential for negative interactions with the marine environment. FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

Emerging markets for climatefriendly, nonfood seaweed bio products provide an opportunity to realize GHG emissions offsets from seaweed mariculture. The production of seaweed-based biochar for use as a soil improver can also indirectly support climate change mitigation and offsets through agricultural soil improvement, because it contains recalcitrant carbon that facilitates long-term soil carbon sequestration.

Potential for carbon sequestration through seaweed mariculture. Natural seaweed habitats are typically associated with hard substrates, as opposed to soft sediment and, therefore, have lower inherent potential for direct transfer and sequestration of carbon to the sediment than blue carbon habitats. However, naturally growing seaweeds do donate organic carbon in the form of detritus to nearby receiver blue carbon habitats, where the material is trapped and buried in the sediment. The transfer of organic carbon to receiver habitats (both deep sea and shallow blue carbon environments) can also occur from seaweed mariculture farms. Carbon from seaweed mariculture may also be moved indirectly into nearby coastal sediments through grazing organisms that consume biomass at the farm and move into neighboring marine ecosystems, although, again, the magnitude of this transfer and its ultimate impact on carbon sequestration are currently unknown. The intentional farming of seaweed as a means to capture and sequester anthropogenic CO2 could function in a similar way to carbon farming initiatives on land. This approach would rely on a non-harvest mariculture model, where biomass is either retained in situ or allowed to sink to the deep sea where the carbon can be sequestered for long periods of time. FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

If all the organic carbon from farmed seaweed was sequestered and the seaweed farming operations were carbon neutral; global seaweed mariculture could sequester between 0.05 and 0.29 Gt of CO2e per year.

implies that organic carbon enrichment under sea cages is not a feasible mechanism for long-term carbon sequestration.

Conclusions By linking the provision of food Is carbon sequestration from mariculture to broader enviachievable through bivalve ronmental benefits, such as GHG mariculture? abatement, our study can support Because bivalve shell formation and the development of climate-friendly respiration are a net source of CO2 mariculture practices that generfrom sea to atmosphere, the po- ate sustainable ecological, social, tential for bivalve monocultures to and economic outcomes. Considdirectly sequester carbon is limited. ering the projected global reliance Seaweed primary production is usu- on mariculture for food producally carbon limited, but when grown tion into the future and the indusclose to bivalve mariculture, CO2 re- try’s persistently high growth rate, leased by the bivalves can enhance sustainable intensification and the seaweed photosynthesis. This in broadscale adoption of the Ecosysturn releases oxygen and improves tem Approach to Aquaculture will conditions for bivalve cultivation, be critical to mitigating the climate with an optimal ratio for carbon impacts of a scaleup in mariculture capture by seaweeds of 4:1. Of production. course, the capacity of such cocultures to truly sequester carbon depends on the fate of the harvested bivalve shells. The influence of bivalve mariculture on blue carbon habitats, whether positive or negative, will be mediated by environmental setting, hydrodynamics and farm design adopting mariculture designs that promote the regulating services and boost seagrass performance is necessary if bivalve mariculture is to indirectly enhance blue carbon sequestration as well as reducing potential for environmental GHG emissions. Is carbon sequestration achievable through fed finfish mariculture? There is evidence of sediment accumulation and organic carbon enrichment under fed finfish mariculture net pens. However, some studies suggest that organic carbon accumulated in surface sediments under sea cages is highly labile, with increased carbon turnover rates and returns to baseline levels after fallowing. This

This is a summarized version developed by the editorial team of Aquaculture Magazine based on the review article titled “CLIMATE-FRIENDLY SEAFOOD: THE POTENTIAL FOR EMISSIONS REDUCTION AND CARBON CAPTURE IN MARINE AQUACULTURE” developed by: ALICE R. JONES - Oxford University, HEIDI K. ALLEWAY - Oxford University, DOMINIC MCAFEE - Oxford University, PATRICK REIS-SANTOS - Oxford University, SETH J. THEUERKAUF - Oxford University, AND ROBERT C. JONES - Oxford University. The original article was published on JANUARY 2022, through OXFORD ACADEMIC - BIOSCIENCE under the use of a creative commons open access license. The full version can be accessed freely online through this link: https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biab126

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Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND):

Virulence, Pathogenesis and Mitigation Strategies in Shrimp Aquaculture By: Aquaculture Magazine *

n the past, chemical and antibiotics have been commonly used in the shrimp culture system to control bacterial diseases including AHPND. However, the excessive and indiscriminate use of antibiotic has resulted in the development of antibiotic-resistant microbes, which may have potential risks for consumer health globally. Probiotics, phage therapy, use of plant-based compounds and environmental manipulation might be applicable in shrimp culture system to control the AHPND (alone or in combination)] Bacterial diseases have brought socio-economic and environmental unsustainability to the shrimp aquaculture industry during the last decades. Vibriosis, an important bacterial disease, caused by opportunistic Vibrio spp. continues as the most se50 »

Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND), a relatively new farmed penaeid shrimp bacterial disease originally known as early mortality syndrome (EMS) has been causing havoc in the shrimp industry. The shrimp production in AHPND affected regions has dropped to ~60%, and the disease has caused a global loss of USD 43 billion to the shrimp farming industry. The conventional approaches, such as antibiotics and disinfectants, often applied for the mitigation or cure of AHPND, have had limited success. Additionally, their usage has been associated with alteration of host gut microbiota and immunity and development of antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens. In this review, the most important findings of AHPND are highlighted, discussed and put in perspective, and some directions for future research are presented.

rious threat to shrimp farmers in the region. Apart from “classical” vibriosis, some Vibrio spp. are also responsible for causing acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND), originally known as early mortality syndrome (EMS).

AHPND, having a devastating impact on the shrimp aquaculture industry, develops quickly, starting approximately 8 days post stocking and severe mortalities (up to 100%) occur within 20–30 days. Hence, in this review at first an overview FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

of the current knowledge on acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) is given, including the disease associated gross signs and histopathology changes. Later, the current status on management/ mitigation solutions for acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) with respect to shrimp aquaculture is summarized.

Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND)—An Overview The shrimp production in AHPND affected regions has dropped temporarily to ~60% and has resulted in collective losses exceeding an estimated USD 43 billion across and in Mexico. AHPND affects multiple species of shrimp including commercial species, Penaeus monodon, Litopenaeus vannamei and Macrobrachium rosenbergii and crustacean model Artemia franciscana. AHPND is characterized by severe atrophy of the shrimp hepatopancreas accompanied by unique histopathological changes at the acute stage of disease. Furthermore, as disease progress massive sloughing of hepatopancreatic FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

or digestive tract epithelial cells in the absence of any accompanying pathogen can be observed within approximately first 30 days of shrimp post-larvae stocking.

Gross Signs and Histopathology of AHPND At the initial phase, shrimp exhibits signs of damage in the hepatopancreas and in the gut there is partial or total absence of food. During the acute phase, no bacterial cells are observed in the AHPND-affected tissue, which suggests that AHPNDcausing bacteria secreted binary toxins might be responsible for mediating AHPND in shrimp at later stage of infection. The AHPND-affected shrimp exhibit signs of anorexia and lethargy with empty digestive tract and loss of tissue pigmentation. The hepatopancreas becomes atrophied and whitish in appearance. During the terminal phase, the damage of tissue is mostly done by PirAVP and PirBVP toxins. However, bacterial proliferation at the site of damage is caused by secondary bacterial infections, possibly by a vibriosis.

Causative Agent of AHPND The AHPND is caused by specific strain of bacteria, e.g., Vibrio parahaemolyticus, V. punensis, V. harveyi, V. owensii, V. campbelli and Shewanella sp. that contains pVA1 plasmid. The PirAVP and PirBVP are the primary virulence factor of AHPNDcausing bacteria that mediates AHPND etiology and mortality in shrimp. Supplementation of PirABVP toxin has significant antagonistic interaction on in vivo virulence of V. campbellii, V. parahaemolyticus, V. proteolyticus and V. anguillarum strain in the same model. One of the factors that might interfere with virulence of Vibrio spp. is the digestive physiology of the host animal. The binding of PirABVP toxin with epithelial cells of the digestive tract, might have induced immunological response in brine shrimp larvae, which subsequently prevents the attachment and entry of pathogenic bacteria and decreases the in vivo virulence of Vibrio species. Therefore, it appears that PirABVP toxins will not always aggravate vibriosis. » 51

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Vibrio parahaemolyticus as a Causative Agent of AHPND In shrimp aquaculture, V. parahaemolyticus is an important aquatic pathogen and several strains are capable of causing acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) and other important disease resulting in significant economic losses. AHPND-causing pVA1 plasmid reported to contain two plasmid mobilization genes and a group of transfer genes for conjugation, the plasmid has been reported to mobilize to other Vibrio strains and even non-Vibrio spp. These processes explain the huge possibility of conversion from non-pathogenic to pathogenic AHPND strain that positively enhance the spread of AHPND. It is also remarkable to mention that all human pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus strains produce thermostable direct hemolysin (TDH) and TDHrelated hemolysin (TRH), as the main virulence factors

measures adopted, based on presence or absence of PirABVP toxins in the shrimp and aquaculture system, can be more suitable to control and eradicate AHPND from shrimp culture system.

Probiotics Probiotics have emerged as promising alternatives for improving disease resistance in farmed shrimp against AHPND. The beneficial effect of probiotic microorganism is generally influenced by several facControl and Management of Acute tors related to rearing conditions unHepatopancreatic Necrosis der larger scale, survival ability until Disease (AHPND)—Current Status reaching the gastrointestinal tract of The prophylaxis measures to con- the host, method of administration, trol AHPND mainly focus on pond dosage, probiotic strain and shrimp management (aeration, feeding, etc.) species. and disinfections before shrimp Maintaining a biological balance post-larvae stocking. The conven- among bacteria and algae in aquational approach applied so far in the culture ponds and gastrointestinal mitigation or cure of V. parahaemo- tract of shrimp is one of the ways lyticus AHPND strains, such as in- to reduce the effect of AHPND in terrupting feeding or application of shrimp. Probiotics can participate antibiotics and disinfectants has had in establishing a balance of gastrolimited success. intestinal microbial flora, improving Most of the therapeutic and the digestive functions and immune control measures developed mainly system and increase the survival of targets AHPND-causing V. parahae- L. vannamei against the pathogenic molyticus. However, the presence of V. parahaemolyticus AHPND strain. AHPND-causing pVA1 plasmid encoding the binary toxins named PirAVP Phage Therapy and PirBVP in non-Vibrio parahaemolyti- The emergence of bacterial antibicus and even on non-Vibrio species has otic resistance problem in animals generated concerns since the man- and humans, the use of phages as a agement measures used to control a therapeutic agent (shows an effective particular AHPND causing bacterial bacteriolytic activity) is advantageous strain may not be useful and can gen- as it is natural and relatively inexpenerate unwanted economic pressure to sive, without serious or irreversible farmers. Therefore, the management side effects reported to date. 52 »

Jun et al. results showed that the pVp-1 phage can infect 90.9% of V. parahaemolyticus AHPND strains and further demonstrates bacteriolytic activity against three strains, known to be highly pathogenic. Following prophylactic and therapeutic treatment, pVp-1 phage- treated shrimps exhibit significant recovery from AHPND histopathological lesions. These results highlight that phage could be suitable for prophylactic and/or therapeutic use against AHPND-causing V. parahaemolyticus.

Plant-Derived and/or Natural Compounds In recent years, plant-based compounds are identified to possess the property of inducing heat shock protein within the animal in a noninvasive manner. These compounds/ molecules are also commonly called as heat shock protein inducers (Hspi). Functionally, the protective function of Hsp70 is documented to be due to its molecular chaperone activity maintaining protein homeostasis by protecting the nascent polypeptides from misfolding, facilitating co- and post-translational folding, assisting in assembly and disassembly of macromolecular complexes and regulating translocation. Therefore, natural compounds/molecules can be used to induce Hsp70 production in host and provide protection against biotic and abiotic stress. Environmental Manipulation Aquatic bacteria are often subjected to fluid shear and hydrodynamic FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

Apart from management measures, the polyculture system has been identified as a potential strategy to control AHPND in shrimp farms. The results demonstrated that the presence of predator fish, multiple shrimp species or high stocking density in culture system contribute to increased risk of AHPND infections. However, alternative approaches like polyculture, water ageing (≥ 7 days long) and delay in feeding after stocking were likely to promote protection against AHPND in shrimp.

forces, created by either natural factors or anthropogenic activities such as the use of aerators and pumping devices frequently used to enhance shrimp productivity. AHPND V. parahaemolyticus strain has two phenotypic forms and shaking condition determines the existence of phenotypic form. Hence, designing methods that can induce phenotype switching in AHPND-causing V. parahaemolyticus in an aquaculture setting will open the possibility for effective management of AHPND in shrimp farming, without necessarily removing the AHPND-causing bacteria from the culture system. Growing shrimp in a biofloc system can be a promising alternative strategy to improve environmental conditions and health status of cultured animals. The basic principle of the biofloc system is to recycle waste nutrients, in particular, inorganic nitrogen resulting from uneaten feed and feces into microbial biomass, which can be used FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

in situ by the cultured animals or be harvested and processed into feed ingredients. Apart from serving as protein and lipid sources these aggregates flocs can contain microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP) and microbially bioactive components such as carotenoids, vitamins, glutathione, antioxidants and minerals, which nutritionally modulate the shrimp health and immune response and result in better growth performance and increased resistance against pathogenic microbial infections. The above-mentioned management practices including probiotics, phage therapy and plant-derived compounds have shown promising results to control the outbreak of AHPND in shrimp. Pre-stocking and poststocking measures, including evaluation and screening of the health status of post-larvae, feed quality assessment and disinfection of input materials is helpful to control AHPND in shrimp farms.

Conclusions and Future Perspective The AHPND affected shrimp show unique histopathological changes, including massive sloughing of hepatopancreatic epithelial cells without any accompanying signs of a pathogen, which demonstrates the involvement of bacterial secreted binary PirAVP and PirBVP toxins in inducing AHPND. Moreover, recent studies have demonstrated that, apart from PirABVP toxins, the AHPND associated strains have other specific virulence factors that might be involved in virulence of AHPND-causing bacteria and disease pathology. The above-mentioned management approach discussed in this review, including, probiotics, phage therapy, use of plant-based compounds and environmental manipulation might be applicable in shrimp culture system to control the AHPND (alone or in combination).

This is a summarized version developed by the editorial team of Aquaculture Magazine based on the review article titled “NECROSIS HEPATOPANCREÁTICA AGUDA (AHPND): VIRULENCIA, PATOGÉNESIS Y ESTRATEGIAS DE MITIGACIÓN EN LA ACUICULTURA DEL CAMARÓN” developed by: VIKASH KUMAR - ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI) - Ghent University, SUVRA ROY - ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI) - Ghent University, BIJAY KUMAR BEHERA - ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI), PETER BOSSIER- Ghent University Y BASANTA KUMAR DAS - ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI). The original article was published on JULY 2021, through MOLECULAR DIVERSITY PRESERVATION INTERNATIONAL (MDPI) under the use of a creative commons open access license. The full version can be accessed freely online through this link: https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins13080524.

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Cancer contagion on clams:

an ecological threat

By: Aquaculture Magazine *

ontagious cancers occur when cancer cells spread between individuals. Currently, contagious cancers are known to naturally-occur in dogs, Tasmanian devils, and various species of mussels, clams, and cockles. A recent study of clams in Spain shows how these cancer cells can infect individuals of other clam

Leukemia-like diseases known as disseminated neoplasia (DN) were reported in many bivalve species in the twentieth century even though the contagious nature of some of these cancers was not established until 2015. DN has been recently reported to be contagious in seven species of the American, Asian, and European coasts.

species in two seas in southern Europe. Genomic studies in recent decades have transformed cancer biology because it is now possible to determine in which individual a cancer cell originated. Cancer occurs when a cell in the body suffer genetic changes that cause inappropriate cell proliferation. Once started, can-

cer evolves and some of these cells spread throughout the host’s body, serving as a seed for new tumors. This process is known as metastasis. However, sometimes cancer cells do not travel to other parts of the host’s body but can go further by infecting another individual by transferring these cancer cells from the organism that originated them to a new host. These are clonal transmissible cancers, also known as contagious cancers, and they are sort of “large-scale metastasis”. Most of the known contagious cancers can only spread between individuals of the same species; however, some contagious cancers that affect marine bivalves can sometimes infect a different species than the one that caused the cancer.

A new case of contagious cancer Recently, warty venus clams (Venus verrucosa) from six countries on the southern coast of Europe were collected and screened (Figure 1). A cancer called disseminated neoplasia (DN) was detected in the hemolymph of clams from two Spanish locations: Mahon in the Balearic Islands of the Mediterranean Sea and Ribeira on the Galician coast of the Atlantic Ocean. 54 »

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

A genetic study confirmed that it is the same contagious cancer that is affecting warty venus clams on the two locations, that is, cancer cells found in warty venus clams of the Atlantic and Mediterranean Seas have the same origin. These locations are separated by more than 1,069 nautical miles. How is it possible that a contagion of cancer occur? Two hypotheses are considered: either transmissible marine cancers move using ocean currents to colonize new clams from other regions; or they can be inadvertently introduced by human action into disease-free regions. Researchers have not found genetic variation between cancer cells from the Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea what means the contagion occurred in the recent times.

Crossing the species barrier An unexpected finding of this study was that the DNA extracted from warty venus clams showed genetic matches with the DNA of two species: the expected one, the warty venus clam, and a second unexpected one, the striped venus clam (Chamelea gallina) (Figure 2).

The analysis of mitochondrial DNA and several nuclear genes revealed that the DNA of the cancer cells belongs to a striped venus clam in which this cancer originated, which is now parasitizing specimens of the warty venus clam. However, striped venus clams, which share habitat with warty venus clams in the Mediterranean, have not yet been diagnosed with disseminated neoplasia. Perhaps the striped venus clam has adapted to resist infection by the contagious cancer being the first evidence

in a member of its own species; despite this, the cancer has survived by grafting onto a new host species.

A potential ecological threat The risk of cancers that do not respect individual or even species barriers highlights the importance of identifying and monitoring these contagious diseases to prevent a possible ecological disaster for these species overall when humans move individuals from one place to another. This is a summarized version developed by the editorial team of Aquaculture Magazine based on the review article titled “MITOCHONDRIAL GENOME SEQUENCING OF MARINE LEUKEMIAS REVEALS CANCER CONTAGION BETWEEN CLAM SPECIES IN THE SEAS OF SOUTHERN EUROPE” developed by: GARCÍASOUTO, D.-Universidade de Santiago de Compostela y Wellcome Sanger Institute, BRUZOS, A.L.- Universidade de Santiago de Compostela; DÍAZ-COSTAS, S.Universidade de Santiago de Compostela; ROCHA, S.-Universidade de Vigo; PEQUEÑO, A.- Universidade de Santiago de Compostela; ROMAN-LEWIS, C.Universidade de Vigo; ALONSO, J.-Universidade de Vigo; RODRIGUEZ, R.-Universidade de Vigo; COSTAS, D.-Universidade de Vigo; RODRIGUEZ-CASTRO, J.Universidade de Santiago de Compostela; VILLANUEVA, A.-Universidade de Vigo; SILVA, L.-Instituto Español de Oceanografía; VALENCIA, J.- Laboratori d’Investigacions Marines i Aqüicultura e Instituto de Investigaciones Agroambientales y de Economía del Agua; ANNONA, G.- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn; TARALLO, A.Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn; RICARDO, F.-University of Aveiro; BRATOS CETINIC, A.- University of Dubrovnik; POSADA, D.-Universidade de Vigo; PASANTES, J.J.Universidade de Vigo; TUBÍO, J.M.C.-Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. The original article was published on JANUARY, 2022 through eLife under the use of a creative commons open access license. The full version can be accessed freely online through this link: https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.66946

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A comparison of the technical efficiency of

Aquaculture Stewardship Council certified shrimp farms to non-certified farms.

By: Aquaculture Magazine *

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council’s shrimp certification standard is meant to serve as a market-based tool that rewards the better actors in the industry for improved performance in areas like technical efficiency, social responsibility, and traceability. The goal of this study was to compare production methodology and efficiency of farms currently certified to the ASC shrimp standard to non-certified farms from recent field surveys in the same geographical areas. The data revealed how difficult it has been for the ASC shrimp standard to capture a meaningful share of the global shrimp market. These findings were used to make recommendations for the ASC standard and certification standards in general, including a greater emphasis on requirements for limits on efficiency-based metrics beyond reporting the outcome of the calculation.

ne of the most valuable seafood commodities is farmed penaeid shrimp, which has a value that far exceeds the proportion of tonnage produced. The whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, is the most commonly cultured penaeid species globally, accounting for 83% of all penaeid shrimp culture. Socially, shrimp farming has been criticized for exploiting local labor and disconnecting local communities from natural resources and has been more recently linked to allegations of forced labor on fishing vessels used for the production of fishmeal in shrimp feeds. Nevertheless, shrimp trawling has also caused damage to marine ecosystems. The ills of shrimp aquaculture can be greatly reduced by better farm siting and operations, while those of trawling are more difficult to correct, and the penaeid shrimp catch has plateaued. The interest in promoting sustainability in aquaculture and developing best management practices is generally shared amongst environmentalists, industry, and academic institutions. 56 »

The role of certification schemes is to allow consumers to discern shrimp from well operated shrimp farms from those originating from poorly operated farms and thereby

encourage sustainable practices with their purchases. The concept behind certification schemes is that by setting high standards for certification, better actors in the market will FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

be rewarded with better prices and preferential treatment from buyers. Over time, certification will theoretically lead to a shift in performance, towards better performance, thereby improving the standard practices of the industry. However, the practice of certification has not existed long enough to demonstrate this pattern. The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is one of the world’s most prominent certification bodies in aquaculture. They have several standards for the certification of common aquaculture products, including the Aquaculture Stewardship Council shrimp standard. Originally crafted in 2015, it includes standards that must be met by a farm for worker’s welfare, community engagement, resource efficiency, and environmental responsibility. The objective of this study was twofold; i. describes the characteristics of the farms certified under the ASC shrimp standard, ii. compare quantitative efficiency metrics from farms certified by the ASC shrimp standard to data recently collected in Southeast Asia, and Ecuador with field surveys at shrimp farms.

Methods y Results Data from the ASC’s publicly available certification audits were extracted to create the data for this study. The audits were screened for data in September and October of 2020. The following variables were comFEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

pared: average farm size, production, production intensity, FCR, water exchange rate, and energy use. Altogether, there were 123 farm audits that strictly culture L. vannamei in the ASC auditing data during the time of data screening, with most of the farms occurring in Asia. The Latin American countries, where there are certified farms, have a relatively high percentage of production covered from certification, ranging from 3.26% in Mexico to 94.56% in Honduras. The countries from Asia where farms are certified have far less production under certification. Altogether, 4.14% of global production of L. vannamei is certified under the ASC standard. Based on data in the audit reports, Ecuador has the most area of land under certification with over 22,000 ha certified, roughly 45% of the total land for L. vannamei farms certified under the ASC Shrimp standard. The countries with the most certified farms were India (36), Ecuador (27), and Thailand (25). ASC farms were significantly larger than the noncertified counterparts as revealed from recent data obtained from field surveys, with the ASC farms in Asia being 10 times larger on average than non-certified farms. Production intensities were predictably higher in Asia than Latin America, but certified farms in Asia on average had the highest production intensity of all groups. Water exchange as a per-

centage of daily pond volume was significantly lower at farms in Asia that were certified than uncertified farms. Both Asian and Latin American farms that were certified used less energy than their uncertified counterparts, although the difference was not significant in Latin America. There was a significant difference in the rate at which farms reported the use of fertilizer, Zeolite, and Probiotics in Asia farms. In all three cases, the non-ASC farms had a higher rate of reporting chemical use for these chemicals. In all cases except disinfectants, ASC farms reported using these chemicals at a lower proportion than their non-certified counterparts.

Discussion The ASC’s shrimp standard, developed through a multi-stakeholder process, is meant to be at the leading front of certifications in the aquaculture sector. One of the most apparent conclusions from this data is that there are truly two different predominant styles of shrimp farming that have been able to obtain certification. For the most part in Asia, the farms are highly intensive and with small ponds and a comparably small overall area when compared to ASC farms elsewhere, while the farms in Latin America are large and semi-intensive. Based on the size of the farms that are being certified, it is clear that the farms that are able to obtain cer» 57

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tification are only those that are either large enough or are producing enough volume in smaller highly intensive farms to absorb the costs of certi-

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fication, which is understood to be substantial. This creates a paradoxical problem for the ASC, which is in order to broaden the market share of

the standard and therefore its potential impact, the standard would likely have to be altered in order to be obtainable for a larger number of farms.

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Several certifications in this study were multi-site (roughly 25%), so this does seem to be a path to certification for clusters of smaller farms. The ASC standard has rather strict limits on amounts of phosphorus and nitrogen that may be discharged per ton of shrimp harvested. While compliance with these limits requires better management, these limits do not assure water quality protection in receiving water bodies. Unless the assimilation capacity of the receiving water body is known, a farm can comply with the ASC nitrogen and phosphorus standards but release enough nitrogen and phosphorus to initiate or exacerbate eutrophication. The FCR and by extension type and amount of feed used by a farm largely determines its environmental impact, as feed management plays a role in the amount of embodied resources tied up in production in the farm, the water quality outcomes, the impacts on wild fish, and the health of shrimp in ponds. The worst performing group in this study was the ASC-certified farms in Latin America, and the best performing group was the ASC-certified farms in Asia. It is likely that the large size of the ponds in Latin America, indicative to the production systems in this region, limit the ability to manage feed inputs and production. Large ponds are more difficult to manage intensively compared to relatively small ponds. Direct energy use is an important measure, as it relates to the use FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

of aeration and pumping on a farm, which are key management practices that can determine the environmental impacts of the farm. ASC farms were better on average than their noncertified peers in both Asia and Latin America, which is encouraging for an eco-label. Chlorination with bleach (NaOCl) and high test hypochlorite [Ca(OCl)2] were by far the most common method of chlorination. Disinfection of ponds also eradicates wild fish, so the use of piscicides such as rotenone and saponins was not common in Asia. The main therapeutic applied were organic acids such as lactic or ascetic acid which are used to prevent Vibrio infections in shrimp. None of the ASC farms in Asia used therapeutic, and therapeutic use in Latin America was more common at non-ASC farms. The greatest use of vitamins at non-ASC farms in Asia, and Vitamin C was the common one applied. The most critical pieces of information missing from several of the audits that should be specified to be explicitly included are the actual production of the farm for the most recent complete year, the number of production ponds (and nursery and hatchery ponds separately), the different water surface areas such as the production ponds, canals, and reservoirs if any are present, and the total area of the property and the area dedicated to shrimp farming in the cases where not all of the property is utilized.

Conclusions The ASC appears to have captured the high end of the market in terms of farm size, suggesting that large, in many cases corporate, farms are the farms that are able to obtain certification. There appears to be a dichotomy between Latin America and Asia in terms of farm style and management, although this was relatively well known. Finally, while technical efficiency is an important aspect of sustainability and was the focus of this study, this study does not capture the entirety of what the ASC certification is meant to assess, including other important aspects of responsible farming such as fair labor practices, supply chain traceability, community engagement, previous land use at the farm site, and local regulation compliance. Periodic comparisons of ASC certification data to industry surveys will strengthen the claims made by the ASC mainly that they are a leader in environmental stewardship in aquaculture.

This is a summarized version developed by the editorial team of Aquaculture Magazine based on the review article titled “A COMPARISON OF THE TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY OF AQUACULTURE STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL CERTIFIED SHRIMP FARMS TO NON-CERTIFIED FARMS” developed by: ROBERT P. DAVIS - Auburn University, CLAUDE E. BOYD - Auburn University. The original article was published on JULIO de 2021 through ELSEVIER under the use of a creative commons open access license. The full version can be accessed freely online through this link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crsust.2021.100069.

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Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Methods in Fuzzy Decision Problems: A Case Study in the Frozen Shrimp Industry By: Aquaculture Magazine * The difficulty of choosing suppliers of raw shrimp makes selecting raw material suppliers in the fisheries sector a multi-criteria decision-making problem. The aim of this research is to develop an optimal supplier selection model for the shrimp industry within a fuzzy environment. FANP and WASPAS methods are combined in this study to develop a fuzzy MCDM model to support the supplier selection process in the shrimp industry. FANP and WASPAS methods were chosen due to their availability in many decision-making software, which allows the proposed model to be easily applied in practical situations. The FANP-WASPAS model can support optimal decision-making because it considers problems based on many criteria and allows the decision-makers to check the correlation between criteria. It also considers the ambiguity, uncertainty, and subjectivity of many different decision makers. Therefore, the model in this study can support companies in the shrimp industry in making optimal decisions regarding supplier selection

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he EU is currently the fourth largest shrimp consumer market purchasing from Vietnam, after the US, Japan, and China. However, the EU has strict requirements for shrimp products imported from other countries. To meet the above requirements, frozen shrimp exporters must improve production systems, improve product quality, and optimally select suitable raw suppliers. As the consumers and governments become increasingly concerned with the sustainability of products, it is extremely important for exporters to identify optimal frozen shrimp suppliers who can satisfy the requirements of EU importers. Therefore, the frozen shrimp supplier evaluation and selection process is a decision-making process that involves multiple criteria, which can be quantitative or qualitative in nature. Multi-criteria decision-making processes can be supported using MCDM methods such as a Combined Compromise Solution (CoCoSo), Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), or Multi-criteria Optimization and Compromise Solution (VIKOR). In many cases, the selection criteria may consist not only of quantitative, but also qualitative, criteria. In these cases, fuzzy theory is integrated into the MCDM method to create fuzzy MCDM mod-

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

els to support the decision-making processes within uncertain decisionmaking environments. This study aims to develop an MCDM model based on Fuzzy Analytical Network Process (FANP) and Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS) to support the frozen shrimp supplier evaluation and selection process within a fuzzy environment.

Literature Review In the past few decades literature has analyzed and employed MCDM models to support supplier evaluation and selection processes in different industries to address criteria in both quantitative and qualitative forms. Each of these models are unique and different from each other as each model uses a unique set of criteria or uses distinct MCDM methods. In some instances, these MCDM methods are applied in combination with fuzzy set theory to solve decision-making problems with qualitative criteria. MCDM methods are frequently employed in different decision-making problems in different industries and sectors. The MIVES multi-criteria analysis network which combined multi-attribute utility theory (MAUT) and MDCM is also applied in different decision-making problems such as public investment projects evaluation and selection problem and assessment process of urban-pavement conditions. Miranda-Ackerman et al (2019). developed a green supplier selection model in agrofood industry supply chains based on TOPSIS method in combination with a multi-objective decision-making model. Alamanos et al (2018). employed four MCDM techniques—multi attribute utility theory (MAUT), AHP, TOPSIS and ELECTRE— to create a multi-criteria analysis tool to support the water resource management strategies evaluation process. Karacan et al (2020). introduced a novel approach to the chickpea cultivars selection problem under stress conditions using FAHP and goal programming technique. FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

In supply chain management, MCDM models are commonly employed in decision support systems. One of the common use cases of these systems is to solve supplier selection problems. While there have been multiple MCDM models introduced to support supplier selection problems, none of these is developed for the frozen shrimp industry, especially under uncertain decision-making environment.Martinez-Cordero (2004) developed a MCDM model to evaluate and select sustainable shrimp farming method. Gangadharan et al (2016). employed an AHP-based decision-making support model for the ground water vulnerability assessment process of shrimp farming area. This research study’s goal is to develop a robust and effective supplier selection decision support tool for frozen shrimp exporters under fuzzy environment by combining FANP and WASPAS methods. The FANP method is chosen due to its advantages over FAHP in complex decision-making problems where

there is dependency between criteria. Furthermore, FANP and WAPAS methods are also easy-to-understand and readily available in many decisions support software, which increase the proposed model usability.

Methodology

Fuzzy Analytic Network Process (FANP) Model The combination of fuzzy theory and ANP/AHP methods is widely applied in similar decision-making problems. The FANP method is chosen to calculate the criteria weights in this study due to its ability to handle interdependent criteria which is common in supplier selection problems, as well as its ability to represent the uncertain nature of the decisionmaking process. Furthermore, FANP method is also widely available in different decision-making software which helps improve the proposed method’s usability. Theoretical weaknesses of the AHP/ANP are primarily: the rank reversal problem, the priorities derivation method, and the comparison » 61

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scale. Solving a reversal problem and performing a preferences aggregation with the use of a left eigenvector method should, as a result, produce a reverse sequence of elements which were pairwise- compared in a matrix. Therefore, it is important to check the consistency of the pairwise comparison matrix to ensure that the model can perform adequately. The FANP model is applied to calculate the weights of the selection criteria and sub criteria. Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS) The WASPAS method is applied to calculate the ranking of the alternatives due to the method’s simplicity and easy-to-understand nature which adds to the proposed model’s applicability. In the WASPAS method, each alternative ranking score is the product of the scale rating of each criterion of strength by the criterion’s significance weight

Case Study From the reference documents and expert analysis, the authors identified a list of criteria. In this case study five main criteria with 16 sub-criteria and seven potential suppliers are identified.

FANP Model After the supplier selection criteria and potential suppliers are identified, the decisionmakers compare the attributes related to the criterion. Then, the pairwise comparison matrix is constructed, and the weight vector of each matrix is determined. All properties are compared against each individual criterion. The fuzzy pairwise comparison matrix between main criteria is calculated. In the next step the fuzzy pairwise comparison matrix between the main criteria is converted into crisp numbers using the triangular fuzzy number method. After weights of the sub-criteria are determined by FANP, how to choose the best supplier WASPAS is developed.

WASPAS Method The WASPAS method will be used to select the best supplier after receiving the comparison weights criteria from the FANP model results. The proposed model’s rationality and stability are verified using the concept of sensitivity analysis. In this case, the resolving coefficient values (λ) are used to test the reliability of the proposed approach between λ = 0.1 and λ = 1. According to the results, Supplier 3 (S3) is consistently the best alternative, and the remaining six suppliers are not optimal in any case. The alternatives are ranked as S3 > S2 > S7 > S1 > S4 > S5 > S6. Therefore, it is confirmed that the proposed model can be applied to real–world cases. The research has successfully created a hybrid MCDM model using FANP and WASPAS to assist the supplier evaluation and selection process in the shrimp industry. Conclusions Selecting suppliers is an important decision-making problem that can boost business and increase profits in the shrimp industry. However, the supplier selection process tends to rely, mostly, on the decision-maker’s experience which creates inaccuracy and ambiguity. The FANP-WASPAS model can support optimal decision-making because it considers problems based on many criteria and allows the decisionmakers to check the correlation be-

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FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

The WASPAS method is applied to calculate the ranking of the alternatives due to the method’s simplicity and easy-to-understand nature which adds to the proposed model’s applicability.

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tween criteria. It also considers the ambiguity, uncertainty, and subjectivity of many different decision makers. Therefore, the model in this study can support companies in the shrimp industry in making optimal decisions regarding supplier selection. Although the study is only applicable to the shrimp industry in Vietnam, the proposed model can be adapted and modified to support other industries in different countries as a resource in solving MCDM problems. A potential application is the development of fuzzy MCDM models based on the proposed method to support the supplier selection processes for different Vietnamese exported aquatic products to the EU market, such as pangasius and tuna. Future research can look into different methods to handle the uncertainty of supplier selection processes, such as the inte-

gration of D numbers into MCDM models and perform a comparative analysis of different models to identify the optimal support tool for the supplier selection problems of supply chains.

This is a summarized version developed by the editorial team of Aquaculture Magazine based on the review article titled “MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION-MAKING METHODS IN FUZZY DECISION PROBLEMS: A CASE STUDY IN THE FROZEN SHRIMP INDUSTRY” developed by: CHIA-NAN WANG, VAN THANH NGUYEN, JUI-CHUNG KAO, CHIH-CHENG CHEN, AND VIET TINH NGUYEN. The original article was published on FEBRUARY 2021, through MOLECULAR DIVERSITY PRESERVATION INTERNATIONAL (MDPI) under the use of a creative commons open access license. The full version can be accessed freely online through this link: https://doi.org/10.3390/sym13030370.

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GREENHOUSES AND POND LINERS

Permalon® uniquely engineered, HIGH-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE GEOMEMBRANE FROM REEF INDUSTRIES, INC. REEF Industries, INC. was founded in 1957 and is located in Houston, Texas. Since its inception, it has been manufacturing and fabricating reinforced film laminates and composites. With over 60 years experience in the market, the brand is able to produce quality, customized, configured final products, ensuring customers’ needs are always met in a timely and professional manner. In line with this, Reef Industries, INC. is proud to offer Permalon®, a uniquely engineered, high-density polyethylene geomembrane for the most demanding

By: Aquaculture Magazine

Permalon® Unique and Innovative from Reef Industries Reinforced film laminates and composites are essential for a wide range of technologies and industrial applications. In this area, Reef Industries plays a critical role, manufacturing and fabricating these materials, and transforming them into an extensive variety of products, material grades, additives, and fabrication capabilities. According to Reef Industries, its fabrication technique is optimized by using impulse, wedge, or hot air welding with the goal of producing uniquely configured and fabricated products that meet customer requirements. Throughout its journey in the market, Reef Industries has stood out by developing materials and products in line with the newest innovations in technology, as they have surfaced over the years. As a result, it has developed new product lines to be distributed worldwide that make up its current product portfolio, which comprises of Griffolyn®, Armorlon®, Terra Tape®, Banner Guard® and Permalon®. Permalon® provides the highest quality solution for a wide-range of applications. The material consists of a unique, high-density polyethylene geomembrane, and patented construction that yields the best weight to strength ratio available, while providing exceptional tear and puncture resistance. There is evidence that con64 »

containment applications, such as Irrigation and Aquaculture Liners and Drop-in Tank Liners.

firms no material offers a better balance of properties, nor more proven performance and reliable durability for the most demanding containment applications, than Permalon®.

Product versatility to meet and exceed consumer needs One of the key characteristics of Permalon® is that it was designed to be lightweight and easily handed. It has been confirmed that these attributes ensure cost-effective installation, a considerable advantage in cost reduction for customers. In addition, Permalon® products can be custom configured to encounter the project’s specific demands; moreover, they are available in a range of weights and thicknesses, as can be seen in Figure 1 and Figure 2. Permalon® Liner Key Features In general, the characteristics and balance of properties of Permalon® branded products make them an option that offers the customer the best advantages and benefits, including unmatched quality, a custom configured product, proven performance, reliable durability, cost savings, and versatility. One of the product categories that offers the Permalon® brand is Liner materials. These materials are often used for ponds, tanks, raceways, and other aquaculture facilities. To the right are some of their main features.

• Lightweight and easy to handle for quick installation. • UV stabilized for durability. • Custom engineered fabrication and sizes up to an acre available. FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

• Non-toxic/ Will not affect the health of your crop. • Available with geotextile composite for difficult site conditions. • Cold crack tested to -60°F for continuous performance in extreme temperatures. • Alloyed polyethylene laminate resists punctures and tears for a more secure system.

Permalon® Liner products and materials as a key option in Aquaculture Permalon® Liner products are the ideal choice for a wide range of applications including pond and lagoon liners, aquaculture, irrigation liners, quick tanks, secondary containment systems, lined/cover for contaminated soils, custom fabricated box/container liners, odor and/or rainwater control, and decontamination pads. Besides that, Reef Industries provides its customers the advantage of large sheets and standard rolls, available in stock for immediate shipment. In the case of Drop in Tank Liners, Permalon® ensures excellent physical properties, outstanding service life, and it is nontoxic to fish. In addition, it offers high strength and high performance. These Liners are offered in stock configurations for immediate availability or can FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

be custom fabricated to meet specific requirements, including special dropin configurations, such as custom, three-dimensional liners in cylindrical or rectangular shapes to fit or retrofit different structures, as can be seen in Figure 3. REEF Industries has also developed accessories for field use that are specially designed to work with Permalon® products and materials, including its pressure sensitive tape, fab tape, bulkhead fittings, bung fittings, and pipeboots, as shown in Figure 4.

CONCLUSION The aim of this article was to present the key attributes and characteristics of Permalon® products and materials, which are manufactured, fabricated, and commercialized by REEF Industries. The relevance of Permalon® is clearly supported by the wide balance of product attributes and properties that ensure clear advantages to customers, such as reliable durability, cost savings, customized products, and superior quality, among others. In the aquacultural area, these materials play a fundamental role for the most demanding containment applications, for example, Irrigation Liners, Aquaculture Liners, and Drop-in Tank Liners.

This informative version of the original article is sponsored by:

This is a summarized version developed by the editorial team of Aquaculture Magazine based on the review article titled “PERMALON TRIFOLD” developed by: REEF INDUSTRIES INC. The original article was published on 07-2019, through www.reefindustries.com under the use of a creative commons open access license.

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Aero-Tube Hose,

the most convenient oxygenation system

By: Aquaculture Magazine *

The global demand for seafood continues to increase over the years, generating the need for new technologies to improve production processes. Fish farming has emerged as an answer to satisfy seafood requirements, but also to protect oceans from overfishing, contributing to producing healthy food and guaranteeing a better feed conversion rate, resulting in a more efficient process.

issolved oxygen availability is the key to ensuring successful fish farming. Fish absorb oxygen through direct contact with water, turning this element into a fundamental condition to achieve good results in aquaculture. Factors such as air pressure, hydrostatical pressure, and salt content directly affect oxygen solubility. Although fish farming is commonly focused on water temperature control only, this trend has recently switched within intensive culture systems where water oxygenation is even more relevant. Besides protecting farmers’ stocks, optimal oxygen levels ensure growth by improving fish appetite, but it also helps to control water temperature avoiding stress in fish.

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Aero-Tube Hose to ensure oxygen availability Aero-Tube Hose represents a major advancement in aeration technology. Developed by innovation experts at Swan, the blue stripe Aero-tube Hose is a dual-patented aeration hose that works as a whole with an air supply to deliver oxygen to water. Oxygen smoothly permeates through its micropores. By creating a vast number of microbubbles in the water, at an average size of 3 mm each, it is possible to maximize the water surface area improving oxygen transfer getting higher rates than conventional aeration systems. This blue stripe hose versatility allows it to operate at maximum capacity with both regenerative blowers and linear air pumps, guaranteeing an optimal airflow of 2.2 m3/ hr/m (0.4 cfm/ft) if recommended length for intake on one (2-3m) or both sides (4-5m) is not exceeded. Moreover, the blue stripe should be positioned face down for better performance. Besides, the hose should be fastened or weighted, and the hose end can be sealed or fitted with a plug and clamp. How does Aero-tube Hose works? It is a rubber/polyethylene diffuser hose with an antimicrobial coating that reduces fouling and blockage, providing significantly higher oxygen transfer rates which induce higher dissolved oxygen levels. These features added up to low start-up cost, low replacement costs, and maintenance, leading to efficiency in production, and energy costs savings by up to 75 percent. Despite the hose thick and porous walls, it is highly flexible and durable with an antialgal and antimicrobial material that requires no chemicals to be added during cleaning, offering a long-lasting system. FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

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ARTICLE

Aero-Tube Grid, combining systems to get better results Aero-Tube Grid is an engineered system created to get the most out of aeration tubing. It is an injectionmolded HDPE plastic frame combined with 20.1 m (66 ft) of blue stripe Aero-Tube Hose. The Hose is attached to the aeration grid with stainless steel clamps, turning it into one solid system ready to be plugged into an air supply to infuse up to 300 m3/hr of air into water. It is the most convenient way to implement a low-cost and highly efficient AeroTube oxygenation system. Due to its flexibility and durability, the Aero-Tube Grid can be used in an extensive range of applications, from aquaculture to wastewater treatment. The system can resist up to 7kPa of airflow and 44m3/hr air pressure. It holds the antialgae and antimicrobial feature the hose also offers and will not break if someone accidentally stepped on it.

This informative version of the original article is sponsored by:

More information: 1-800-848-8707 aeration@swanhose.com

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ARTICLE

Interview with John Bowzer, senior aquaculture research scientist and on-site Manager of

ADM’s Aquaculture Innovation Lab.

By: Aquaculture Magazine *

oused within the 12,000 sq. ft. ANTC facility, aqua researchers will have access to a pilot lab that allows production of commercialequivalent feeds for rapid prototyping of new technologies, such as feed ingredients and additives that can increase production efficiency, mitigate 70 »

The global company in human and animal nutrition, ADM, announced the opening of its Aquaculture Innovation Lab at the Animal Nutrition Technology Center (ANTC) in Decatur, Illinois, United States of America. This laboratory extends ADM’s international research and development capabilities to a new region, building on existing aquaculture research facilities located in Brazil, Mexico and Vietnam. environmental impact and improve animal health and welfare. In addition, the ANTC is strategically located near ADM’s James R. Randal Research Center and ADM production facilities in Decatur. At the Aquaculture Innovation Lab, trials can be conducted with a variety of target species and segments,

including various water temperature and salinity with tight control over water quality conditions, fish performances, behavior and health status. Its first trials are expected to begin in the second quarter of 2022. Aquaculture Magazine Editor&Publisher Salvador Meza spoke with John Bowzer, Senior Research Scientist in FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

Aquaculture and On-Site Manager of the Aquaculture Innovation Lab. about the lines of research that will be conducted in the new lab and the guidance it will provide ADM to their customers with those innovations.

Interview Questions:

1. What are the main objectives of the new Aquaculture Innovation Lab? ADM’s new Aquaculture Innovation Lab was designed with unique flexibility that supports upstream research and product development. We’re exploring innovative solutions to meet the needs of the market, such as feed ingredients and additives that can increase production efficiency, mitigate environmental impact and improve animal health and welfare. This facility will drive aqua nutrition breakthroughs, from concept to commercialization. Furthermore, we have the expertise and portfolio to address the nutritional needs of aquaculture at all life stages, from hatchery to harvest. 2. Regarding the efficiency of aquaculture diets, what are the main lines of research in the first stage of the laboratory? After opening in January of 2022, this new lab will begin our first research trials in Q2. ADM’s specialties in aquaculture are shrimp, tilapia and marine fish, so our primary focus is on these species. Our research teams are investigating feed additives and feed formulations that will deliver more nutrients with less waste, both accelerating the grow process and improving environmental conditions. 3. We are entering a stage of precision nutrition in aquaculture, considering the inclusion in diets of peptides and free amino acids, as well as phytobiotics and organic acids. Is this a trend that you consider including in the research in this laboratory? Precision nutrition is a fundamental priority of ADM’s global Animal Nutrition strategy, including the aquaculture segment. We seek natural nutrition solutions that will deliver a balanced FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

diet to fish and shrimp, optimizing their performance and minimizing farmers’ reliance on medications. We also provide solutions customized for different seasons and environmental systems. While peptides and amino acids are essential nutrients in aquaculture diets, phytobiotics and organic acids are a little different. These additives are included as a proactive approach to animal health and welfare. Enhancing resiliency of the gut microbiome, for example, can boost farm yields and enhance profits. 4. Concerning the sustainability of aquaculture feeds, will this topic be included in the laboratory’s research and development objectives? Sustainability is integrated into every element of our work at ADM. In my aspect of the business, the better we are at raising aquaculture, the better stewards of the environment we will be. We are committed to supporting healthy oceans and reducing the risks of overfishing by developing more sustainable aquaculture feed and ingredients. For example, alternative proteins can replace fish meal or fish oil in aquafeed formulations without sacrificing essential nutrients. ADM is also exploring environmentally responsible farming practices – improving how systems function to optimize feed efficien-

cy, improve biosecurity and reduce waste – though that’s less of a focus at the U.S. lab. 5. What are the species that will prioritize the development of high-efficiency aquaculture diets? ADM has a wide footprint in the global aquaculture industry with a focus on shrimp, tilapia and marine species. That said, our Aquaculture Innovation Lab in the U.S. was designed to be flexible. Trials can be conducted with a variety of target species and segments, including various water temperature and salinity with tight control over water quality conditions, fish performances, behavior and health status. Our scientists are able to conduct trials on the most relevant species and conditions to our customers. 6. Will the laboratory’s research be extended to some aquaculture facilities in the selected countries, whether owned or owned by clients? This new lab extends our international research and development capabilities to a new region. Our other aquaculture research facilities are large, farmlike systems located in Brazil, Mexico and Vietnam. We serve customers in the APAC region, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, China and Thailand, and LATAM areas like Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico and Central America. » 71

PRECISION AQUACULTURE

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

artificial intelligence brings to the aquaculture industry Up to a few years ago, if we wanted a computer to do something new, we had to program it. That meant coding, step by step, what we wanted the computer to do. Arthur Samuel, in 1956, was determined to create a computer that could beat a human at a board game. So, the question arose, what if we made the computer play with itself as an opponent a million times until it learns winning strategies... and it worked. In 1962, Arthur’s computer had beaten the Connecticut state

By: Iván Ramírez Morales, Ph. D. Leader of R + D + i in Larvia @larvia_ai @ivaneduramirez

champion. Ever since, thousands of new ideas under the same principle have emerged under the name of machine learning or artificial intelligence.

oogle’s search engine was undoubtedly the first commercial success of machine learning. Google was followed by Amazon, Netflix, LinkedIn, Facebook, and the list of AI-based companies keeps growing. Nowadays, instead of using traditional coding to get results, companies employ algorithms that have learned to do it from collected data. Computers can learn to do things that we often do not know how to do ourselves and even do it better than we could have ever done it. This outcome has led researchers globally to consider taking a step forward, entering images instead of text data and numbers, providing computers with cameras, microphones, environmental sensors, access to internet data, connectivity to other devices, and the ability to move servo motors, with the idea to use this data to train algorithms to perform detection, classification, and decision support tasks. That approach and the actual demon72 »

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

Our research will soon enable us to estimate relevant characteristics to diagnose health or nutritional problems, just as a preview of the wide list of potential applications.

strations of its feasibility became a turning point in most industries. Computers can now see, read, hear, speak, move, sense the environment, activate, or deactivate devices, and access data from the Internet. Although indeed, there is still no artificial intelligence capable of performing tasks on its own, today’s singletask algorithms are often capable to deliver high performance with a high level of accuracy over long periods, thus far surpassing us in the execution of repetitive tasks. FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

These developments lead to exciting opportunities in different areas, such as aquaculture. Notably, our company has been capable to detect the location, length, width, weight, and color characteristics of shrimp larvae and juveniles. Interestingly, the mean we used to achieve our goal was a regular app, whose results were more accurate and delivered in less time than an operator could ever provide. Our research will soon enable us to estimate relevant characteristics to diagnose health or nutritional problems, just as a preview of the wide list of potential applications. The development of cost-effective solutions useful to producers will make an absolute difference so that critical links in the production process can be streamlined and optimized. This defiance generates many opportunities for the new technology startup industry, intending to use artificial intelligence algorithms to solve operational problems efficiently at a low cost. We can get ahead of ourselves by assuring that artificial intelligencebased applications will replace labor. However, the industry has noticed

that with technological advances, people are not being replaced by computers, but are integrated into a human-machine symbiosis, generating better productive results in the field, which means that the producer grows, and the job offer increases. Thus, what would be a challenge turns into an opportunity to optimize production by accessing information that would otherwise be very difficult to obtain.

Ivan Ramirez Co-founder of Larvia Research and Development Leader ivan@larvia.ai IG: ivaneduramirez

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ON SIGTH

LEONARDO DICAPRIO AND MEXICAN AQUACULTURE Love the Wild a startup of the Seafood sector was introduced in 2014, in the United States; it had among its investors the activist Leonardo DiCaprio. This editorial takes the form of a case-study exposing the trajectory of this brand while making an analysis of its business strategies from the point of view of Michael Porter’s key factors to successfully competing in the market. The aim is to take advantage of the learnings that arise, which could make an important

By: Alejandro Godoy

contribution to new ventures in the field of aquaculture.

n 2014 one of the most funded Seafood projects in the United States was “Love the Wild” brand, a company with high commercial potential. Its CEO Jacqueline Claudia, a former farmworker at Kampachi Velella, had an ambitious business strategy. This company grew and consolidated in 2017; an investment fund invested $2.5 million into the project. The plan, at the time, was to distribute in 3,000 stores across the U.S. market through Safeway, Wegmans, Target, and Wholefoods. In March 2017, Vogue magazine published “Leonardo DiCaprio invests ethically.” Its public relations were so good that they caught the interest of the activist to become part of the investors, creating a boom in sales. This company sought the most sustainable products at that time: shrimp, trout, catfish, salmon, and farmed barramundi. They were sustainable because they used fishmealfree feed and other certifications. On the other hand, they had developed a gorgeous heart-shaped 74 »

Love the Wild heart-shaped product package.

packaging that was selling successfully and was an innovation on supermarket shelves and refrigerators. The cost for each kit was $7, which included one fillet of 170 grams and a sauce for its preparation. They had first-class traceability systems and

the ranking list of sustainable species by the Monterrey Bay Aquarium. All this business model was seen with great success. However, in 2019, the removal of all products from supermarkets was announced, FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

Love the Wild stood out for selling the most representative sustainable sea-food products from the market, including shrimp, trout, catfish and barramundi, offering them in innovative heart-shaped package.

and little by little, the company was declining. When closing this edition, its website www.lovethewild.com was completed with a sign “will be back soon.” What can we learn from this business model if it had everything in its favor? However, if we analyze closely, we can understand that there are three ways to attack a market according to the father of the business strategy, Michael Porter. 1. Cost leadership, that is, to be the cheapest in the segment to be in the best price point. For Love The Wild were high-cost inputs; in this case, it was an expensive product for the market in 2014. 2. Leadership in Differentiation refers to standing out from others in the market. In this case, the differentiation was in the packaging, a wise strategy, and an image of the brand ambassador DiCaprio. 3. High segmentation or niche market refers to finding a specific niche with little competition. In this

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

case, the market niche may have been too small for the expected sales. We need to prioritize our commercial strategies, know what we are competitive in, and know our business. For “Love the wild”, they wanted to attack all the strategies simultaneously, and they didn’t know what their business was. And what does all this have to do with Mexican Aquaculture? Analyzing under this same perspective, we will use the Ecuadorian shrimp strategy as an example: First, they controlled their costs, consolidated production supply, and increased their volumes to obtain economies of scale in years, injection of technological tools, and more automation. Later they penetrated the Chinese and European markets, with shrimp head on, without neglecting sustainability and quality, in years. After several years of being internationally recognized for their costs, they entered the U.S. market. Another example is the Mexican pork and poultry industries. They are highly productive, with different consolidated stages. After controlling their costs and dominating the production through automation and industrialization, the pork industry looked for a highly differentiated and demanding market niche that is the Japanese one. Still, they always knew they were in the food manufacturing business. I am leaving my dear readers, but not before telling you about an experience. In 2016 I was invited by the Colombian Federation of Aquaculture Fedeacua and USSEC to talk about the seafood markets in Mexico and the United States. At the World Tilapia Forum, among the keynote speakers, I met Dr. Osler Desouzart,

one of the most recognized consultants in the world for his career and the significant development he had had in the pork and poultry industry in Brazil (first or second producer in the world). We had the opportunity to chat at lunch, and when we introduced ourselves at the speakers’ table, he asked me where I was from. My answer was from Mexico, Sonora; he was surprised and answered, “I know Sonora.” “Explain to me, Alejandro, why they have a beautiful and competitive pork and poultry industry recognized worldwide, and I do not recognize tilapia or Mexican shrimp .”At the time, I did not know how to answer, but now, I understand what he was referring to after all these years.

*Alejandro Godoy is an advisor to aquaculture and fishing companies in Mexico and the United States. He has more than 8 years of experience in Trade Intelligence of fishery and aquaculture products, and has also carried out trade missions to Japan, Belgium and the United States. In addition, he was coordinator for the promotion and commercialization strategies of the Mexican Council for the Promotion of Fisheries and Aquaculture Products (COMEPESCA), the Mexican Tuna Council and the Mexican Shrimp Council. Contact: alejandro@sbs-seafood.com

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CARPE DIEM

WELCOME 2022: World Aquaculture Society

by Antonio Garza de Yta, Ph.D. President, World Aquaculture Society (WAS)

Aquaculture is as diverse as are the regions of the world and regardless of size or location, the industry everywhere shares similar needs and faces similar challenges that will only be mitigated by us all working together.

quaculture is as diverse as are the regions of the world. Numerous species, countless environments, many different farm sizes and levels of technology; a variety of approaches and goals. Whilst often in Asia aquaculture’s main purpose is to produce affordable species for food, in other regions of the world it is to produce high value products for local consumption or exports. It is not surprising for anybody that aquaculture is an Asian phenomenon, with China leading world production in a substantial way. Nevertheless, worldwide, the most common constant of aquaculture is its continuous growth. The reason of why this trend is going to continue for many years is simple: aquaculture is the most efficient and sustainable way of producing protein in the world. Nevertheless, regardless of size or location, the aquaculture industry everywhere shares similar needs and fac76 »

es similar challenges that will only be mitigated by us all working together. Some of our pressing needs are: • Fish protein and fish oil need to be reduced or eliminated from aquatic feeds to allow aquaculture to continue growing. • Solid genetic programs need to continue to address adaptability of species, disease resistance and desirable production traits such as growth rate and food conversion ratio. • We must build a solid and resilient industry. Aquaculture does not only need to adapt and take preventive measures for climate change, but also for financial and multi-variable crises such as the one generated by Covid-19. • Capacity building programs should aim to the professionalization of the industry in all the value chain and at all levels, including government personnel that need to be able to take decisions based on the most recent scientific information available.

• Thorough strategic planning is essential, and it must encompass various subsets of the industry, such as marketing, service providers, capacity building, investment & financing, seafood consumption promotion, digitalization, seafood trade negotiations, development of trade cooperatives and associations, and very importantly, regional cooperation. • Aquaculture needs to be an instrument to improve the quality of life of the people engaged in it. It should be a good tool to promote the inclusion of women and the young in rural development, thus reducing rural migration. My vision for the future of aquaculture is very positive. It cannot be otherwise: • I can see innovation being a major disruptor of the status quo. While Recirculation Aquaculture Systems and Offshore cages will become more important, biotechnology such as tissue culture and cellular seafood producFEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

tion will become major players in the industry. • I see circular economy as a concept being embraced by the industry where all by-products are utilized, maximizing resource usage, and decreasing environmental footprints to a minimum. • In the long run I envision livestock produced worldwide being fed protein produced by aquaculture of aquatic plants. • I look forward to aquaculture becoming the major source of protein and the culmination of the Blue Revolution. However, for the near future, aquaculture needs to aim towards specific goals: 1. First, aquaculture needs to concentrate efforts on decreasing its environmental footprint in all the value chain from production to distribution including all the side industries associated with aquaculture such as processing, storage and feed manufacture. FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

2. Aquaculture needs to become a national priority in every region and country. Recently, aquaculture has been in the minds and speeches of most decision makers, but that has rarely been reflected in national budgets and priorities. Public and private investment is crucial for aquaculture to keep expanding. 3. Scientific and policy cooperation within and between regions needs to be more active and efficient. Regional and global aquaculture organizations, such as the World Aquaculture Society will play a major role as platforms to facilitate dialogue, where producers, service providers, academia, consumers, financing agencies, decision makers, and all stakeholders could work together. Let’s keep adding efforts towards pushing the Blue Growth agenda and building a solid future for aquaculture. On behalf of the World Aquaculture Society Welcome to Aquaculture 2022.

WAS President 2021 - 2022. Antonio Garza de Yta, a renowned international aquaculture professional, who holds a Masters degree and a Ph.D. in Aquaculture from the University of Auburn, USA. He is an aquaculture expert, FAO frequent consultant, as well as a specialist in strategic planning. Ex-director of Extension and International Training for the University of Auburn and creator of the Certification for Aquaculture Professionals in that academic institution.

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DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MARKETING BYTES

Social Media Marketing is for Wholesale Businesses Too

By: Sarah Cornelisse*

any businesses engage in both directto- consumers (B2C) and wholesale (B2B) marketing to diversify markets, minimize risk, or attain other business goals. Wholesale aquaculture businesses marketing to restaurant, grocery store, specialty store, and food wholesalers may question the role that social media can play in their marketing efforts. Social media marketing is often viewed from the standpoint of facilitating connections between businesses and individual consumers. However, wholesale businesses can also benefit from social media marketing. In wholesale marketing, the organization is the customer and marketing should target the needs, interests, 78 »

and challenges faced by the individuals responsible for buying on the organization’s behalf. For example, a study of U.S. consumers found that “safe”, “healthy”, and “fresh” were the top ranked seafood attributes1. Wholesale businesses that share content on social media channels highlighting production and harvest practices and distribution methods provide information to their buyers that those businesses can then use to demonstrate to their customers how they are meeting these desired attributes. The individuals responsible for purchasing are likely to be social media users themselves. One study found that approximately 75% of wholesale buyers use social media

in their purchasing activities and decision-making and that social media contributed to increased decisionmaking confidence2. And while it might be assumed that social media platforms used by wholesale buyers differ from those used by consumers, according to Statista, as of January 2021, the top five social media platforms used by B2B marketers worldwide were Facebook (89%), LinkedIn (81%), Instagram (72%), YouTube (57%), and Twitter (54%)3. However, the use of LinkedIn, You- Tube, and Twitter were higher with B2B marketers than with their B2C counterparts pointing to the greater likelihood of success in engaging with buyers on these platforms. FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

However, as with business-toconsumer social media marketing, wholesale social media marketing requires that you be developed and implement a strategy, starting with developing goal. B2B social media marketing goals are diverse, including brand awareness, thought leadership, lead generation and conversion, customer education, and talent recruitment. Like direct-to-consumer marketing, wholesale marketing is about creating trust and building relationships. Producing and sharing quality content on chosen social media platforms allows wholesale businesses to position themselves to achieve these goals. Wholesale buyers cannot purchase from aquaculture businesses if they do not know that they exist. Social media plays a valuable role in generating brand awareness by providing businesses the opportunity to display their unique personalities and humanizing attributes–aspects that are effective in connecting with customers. Further, social media is highly effective for sharing content, highlighting and enhancing the expertise of a business. Social media content can address topics and issues routinely addressed through other marketing communications, such as email, website, or in-person. For instance, wholesale businesses can demonstrate an understanding of the needs and pain points of wholesale buyers, such as product volume, quality, and consistency, and address these issues through social media content. Brand awareness can also drive demand for a wholesale business’s products from end consumers, leading to buyers seeking them out. Social media content should illustrate the wholesale business’s ability to fulfill the needs, desires, and motivations and end consumers while also highlighting how this solves a buyer’s problem or enhances the buyer in the consumer’s eye. By taking control of brand awareness, wholesale busiFEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

nesses can improve the positioning of their business and products with buyers. While the objective of brand awareness is visibility, thought leadership is focused on a business positioning themselves as an authority on certain issues. Price will always be an important factor in a buyer’s decision but knowing that they are purchasing from a wholesale business that is knowledgeable on vital issues important to both them and their customers is also crucial. One survey found that 92% of buyers use social media to engage with thought leaders4. Consider a restaurant positioned as sustainably oriented. The restaurant buyer is more likely to engage with and purchase from wholesale aquaculture businesses that participate in social media-based sustainability conversations, sharing their expertise on seafood sustainability. Social media platforms offer features such as Groups on Facebook and LinkedIn, ‘Topics to follow’ and Spaces on Twitter, and hashtags across multiple platforms, that allow users to develop and interact in communities in which they can engage with other users on common interests or issue areas. Additionally, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and LinkedIn allow for both individual accounts and pages and business pages, allowing for both personal and organizational presences and interactions. To position them as thought leaders, wholesale businesses and key business individuals (owners, salespeople, etc.) should take advantage of the opportunity social media provides to answer questions and engage in discussions, sharing knowledge and experiences that emphasize expertise. Social media is not just a presales marketing tool, however. Social media marketing can also be leveraged by wholesale businesses to generate sales between their buyer and the end consumer. Just as social media marketing generates brand aware-

ness with wholesale buyers, brand awareness is also generated with end consumers. Wholesale aquaculture businesses can take advantage of this to share with consumers where their products can be found – whether their local restaurant, grocery store, caterer, or other outlet. Wholesalers’ social media marketing while seemingly similar in nature to that of direct-to-consumer businesses differs in a key area. Wholesalers must show appreciation for the complete value chain and demonstrate this knowledge to buyers. Social media can be a valuable tool to wholesale businesses in achieving this. 1 Valle de Souza, S., K. Quagrainie, W. Knudson, and A. Athnos. 2021. “Go FISH: U.S. Seafood Consumers Seek Freshness, Information, Safety, and Health Benefits” Choices. Quarter 4. Available online: https://www.choicesmagazine.org/choices-magazine/theme-articles/ the-economics-of-us-aquaculture/go-fish-us-seafoodconsumers-seek-freshness-information-safety-andhealthbenefits 2 BusinessWire. September 15, 2014. New IDC Study Reveals That the Most Senior and Influential B2B Buyers Use Online Social Networks in Their Purchase Process. 3 Statista. August 3, 2021. Leading social media platforms used by B2B and B2C marketers worldwide as of January 2021. 4 Jarski, V. January 24, 2015. Social Data’s Influence on B2B Sellers and Buyers. MarketingProfs.com

References cited by the author available under previous request to our editorial team. *Sarah Cornelisse is a Senior Extension Associate of agricultural entrepreneurship and business management at Penn State University in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology and Education. Sarah has expertise in direct marketing, valueadded dairy entrepreneurship and marketing, the use of digital and social media for agricultural farm and food business marketing, and business and marketing planning and decision making. Originally from New York State, she has a B.A in mathematics from the State University of New York at Geneseo, and M.S. degrees in Agricultural Economics and Animal Science, both from Penn State University. Correspondence email: sar243@psu.edu Editor’s note: references cited by the author within the text are available under previous request to our editorial team.

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THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

Is microbiome

manipulation a solution or a tool? Science is a powerful tool for understanding how the world we live in works. This knowledge, when used wisely, has had, and will continue to have dramatic impacts on human welfare. Unfortunately, it can be challenging for the layman and even for many scientists to sort out what is real from what is not. It is estimated by some that 50% or more of the papers published in peer reviewed scientific journals are not reproducible. Vast amounts of published observations fail this true test of validity; they are not reproducible.

By: Ph.D Stephen G. Newman*

ublishing for the sake of publishing has become routine and it is unfortunately all too common that some with questionable ethics cite the results from studies of this nature to support technologies and ultimately sales of products that may have no cost benefit. As some terms become increasingly visible, they are being used in ad and promotional campaigns with the inevitable result that they end up as a part of the puffery that has become the norm for many marketing campaigns. The words ecology, green, and sustainable come to mind. A word under threat today is microbiome.

What is the Microbiome? The term microbiome can be confusing as it is often used specifically in reference to what is present on or in an animal. The broadest definition acknowledges that it is not solely about animals but that it encompasses all aspects of the environment of which animals are but one component. An all-encompassing definition of the term microbiome is “All microorgan80 »

isms, consisting of bacteria, bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria), fungi, protozoa and viruses that are present in a specific environment”. This can be in and on an animal or a plant or it can refer to any element of the environment including objects. An assemblage of microbes anywhere would be considered a microbiome. The term, as used in reference to aquaculture, typically refers to what is present in and on the external and internal surfaces of a given aquatic animal. It can also refer to the specific microbial composition of individual elements of a production environment, such as the sediments, the water column, biofilms, etc. Any given microbiome is just a subset of a much larger ecosystem (which is a much larger microbiome). It is often thought of as being what is in the gut of an animal when the microbiome in the gut is just a small piece, a subset, of a much larger microbiome. The microbiome has been the subject of intense research accelerating rapidly over the last decade or so. Interest continues to grow as research suggests that various iterations

of microbiomes may have profound impacts on animal health and general well-being. The multitude of organisms that make up a microbiome produce a wealth of metabolites some of which appear to serve important functions. We are only just beginning to understand what these are and what role they play in immunity, health, etc. Since the early 1880s, microbiologists have been growing bacteria on agar. Until recently this was the only tool available for identifying what was present. Figure one shows typical vibrio colonies growing on a selective media. We know today that most bacteria cannot be cultured. Some estimates are over 99%, although this not widely appreciated until the development of gene detection tools focusing on 16sRNA were developed. This is a highly conserved gene that is critical for the formation of proteins. It has allowed researchers to characterize what is present without being able to culture the organisms present. The conserved and variable components of this ribosomal component are powerful tools for identiFEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

fying genera and with specific probes, species. Typically, the development of specific probes requires the ability to culture the bacteria on bacteriological media making the tool useful for broadly identifying what genera are present as most bacteria do not grow on media. Figure 2 shows an overview of penaeid shrimp microbiomes. As the word microbiome falls into over usage much as the words eco, green, and sustainable have, there will be publications that leave the reader with impressions that are inaccurate. Much as with other nucleic acid-based tools there are inherent limitations in what we can learn from their use. Microbiome testing focuses on generalities in the sense that groups of related bacteria are identified. The probes that are used are not usually species specific. This means that when a change in the relative percentages of given genus occurs it does not tell us what species have been impacted. This is nonetheless useful information but limited. Microbiomes are a dynamic and constantly evolving assemblage of organisms. They can consist of thousands of species of microbes. Microbiomes appear to be in a constant state of flux in response to inputs and outputs. Many researchers are reporting on the composition of specific microbiomes as if they are static and even in some cases claims are being made that certain products bring about changes that are not just beneficial, but that are largely unaffected by externalities. This could be misleading. The ability to manipulate the microbiome to reduce stress the animals are under, inure them to the presence of pathogens, and in general to increase productivity is being offer up as a solution to compensate for poor biosecurity. Those that are advocating this do not seem to be addressing the fact that the microbiome is not stable. The assemblages of the microbes that make up any given microbiome, by their very nature, are going to be in a constantly evolving state as most ecosystems are in a state of constant change. Focusing on shrimp farming as an example, the typical paradigm is outdoor culture exposed to the elements. Controlled inputs are the shrimp themselves (when from nucleus breeding facilities), nutrients that are added such as feed but also includes carbohydrate additions and many “snake oil” products that farmers routinely use that may have little or no impact on the animals. As the shrimp grow, they consume a variety of feeds, they molt, defecate and some die. This adds to the pool of nutrients. Water may or may not be exchanged. This also impacts nutrients loads and composition. In most instances it is an illusion that the inputs are controlled, i.e. that we are fully aware of what we are adding and how it is altering the microbiome. Microbiomes appear to evolve in response to inputs and their very nature is such that there is a continual battle for dominance among the components. FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

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THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

These have broad ranging impacts on a given microbiome’s development. We are still in the early stages of having an in-depth understanding of how all these factors interact to impact this. There are some that would have you think that the microbiome is stable and unchanging and that their products change it in a way that is consistently favorable. We know that this is more than likely not the case. This is not to say that benefits may not occur. It is far from being this simple and while data does suggest that one can bring about localized changes in the microbiome, to tout these changes as being permanent or even for that matter anything more than tools to help potentially shift things in favor of the shrimp, is naive at best and intended to mislead at worst. For aquatic animals it has repeatedly been documented that for the most part what is in the gut is what is in the environment. With the advent of tools that allow scientists to determine the composition of the microbiome, we can take snap shots but no motion pictures, yet. This is leading to a lot of conclusions being made that may not be as accurate as the claims suggest. Typically, these may be reflections of how the microbiome changes in response to inputs, the environment, the presence of other organisms, and likely other factors that we have yet to fathom. A snapshot might be useful, but it more than likely does not reflect what one would see if one were mapping changes on a constant basis. Observations that are based on what is occurring at a given moment might lead to some ideas about how the presence of certain organisms can apparently impact any number of different aspects of the host. The data to date strongly suggests, that, likely through the production of metabolites that act directly on the host, or indirectly that act on other members of the microbiome or the host as well, there will be a wide range of impacts, not all necessarily favorable. 82 »

We must not allow ourselves to be fooled into thinking though that any changes we can bring about in the short term will automatically bring about meaningful long-term benefits. The literature is full of observations of this nature, any number of which would have you believe that what they posit reflects reality. The constantly changing nature of these complex assemblages of microbes makes it likely that what we note in our snapshots is offering but a short-term perspective on what is occurring. Do not be surprised if you see some claims being made for some products for fish and shrimp, that claim that when fed to them, will alter the microbiome in a manner that they will show data for as being proof of some wild claims. The evidence in human beings to date suggests that this may be a simplification of what is going on. We are still in the early stages of sorting out how the myriad of vari-

ables that are a common element in shrimp and fish farming impact the microbiome in the animal and the environment around them. If we produced these animals indoors in totally biosecure environments from cradle to grave and were able to control the inputs and outputs, then we might be able to end up with a more or less stable microbiome. However, I would question if this were needed in these systems unless it can be shown that animals grow quicker and are more likely to realize their genetic potential than not. From an animal health standpoint, if these systems are run properly, pathogens are not going to be an issue and having a microbiome that impacts the animal’s ability to deal with the presence of specific pathogens would seem to be a waste of resources. My final words are “caveat emptor”. Do not look for magic bullets to solve problems that are inherent in what really are biosecurity and even in FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

some instances structural deficiencies in production paradigms. For shrimp farming, buying animals from nucleus breeding centers with lengthy histories and endless testing of individual broodstock is the best (and maybe the only) way to keep pathogens out of your production systems. Do not rely on fixes that do not take this into account. Also bear in mind that stress is often what leads to increased susceptibility. Weakened animals can be killed by opportunistic pathogens, many of which are not inherently virulent. It is not likely that microbiome manipulation will change this. FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

Stephen G. Newman has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland in Conservation and Resource Management (ecology) and a Ph.D. from the University of Miami, in Marine Microbiology. He has over 40 years of experience working within a range of topics and approaches on aquaculture such as water quality, animal health, biosecurity with special focus on shrimp and salmonids. He founded Aquaintech in 1996 and continues to be CEO of this company to the present day. It is heavily focused on providing consulting services around the world on microbial technologies and biosecurity issues. sgnewm@aqua-in-tech.com www.aqua-in-tech.com www.bioremediationaquaculture.com www.sustainablegreenaquaculture.com

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