[ AQUACULTURE ] vital organs abilities.
or
swimming
Fish can be tagged at different places, depending on the size and the species. Dorsal sinus, intraperitoneal cavity, pelvic girdle, and cheek are the most common implant locations. Regardless of the implant location, a correct implant technique determines the welfare of the fish. The difference in fish anatomy of salmonids, carps, or percid species leads to small, but important differences during PIT tagging operations.
Training sessions to impart correct tagging techniques Over the last few years, Biomark has run dedicated 1-day workshops on proper PIT tagging techniques, where fish anatomy is the starting point. Correct planning and set up of the holding tank, anaesthetic bath, and recovery tank together with reduction of
fish stress and handling time are some of the other topics at these workshop (please contact Biomark for further information). In November 2021, the EU Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries published a report on the topic of the blue economy “Toward a sustainable blue economy in the EU: the role of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors”. One aspect of sustainability is animal welfare, which is also a subject at the Biomark workshops. At a second level, the use of special PIT tag antennas enables the collection of real time data from the net pens, tanks, or RAS systems. After harvest, the slaughtering facility can be equipped with an antenna system to automatically separate tagged (or test) fish to collect additional data (such as fat content, flesh pigmentation, disease resistance), which are essential to plan and improve the next farming season. At a simpler level, PIT tags, thanks to the
PIT tagging of large broodstock fish for breeding program and selection
unique code encrypted in the internal microchip, can be used for fish traceability. For instance, in caviar production, it is possible to track down and link together all the information (age, maturation, diet, etc.) from the tagged female to each single caviar lot. Traceability is a very important issue to which PIT tag technology can make a significant contribution
for the benefit of the growing global aquaculture sector. Biomark Inc. is part of the Global Aqua Group of MSD Animal Health and strives to develop tagging techniques that increase fish welfare. For further information on PIT tags, readers and tagging training, please contact: biomarkservice@merck.com
Insects hold the key to the expansion of the aquaculture industry
A sustainable source of highly nutritious protein The biotech company Tebrio has developed a protein ingredient rich in amino acids that enhances the development of fish fry and juveniles at a critical time in their growth. The product, :oProtein, is manufactured from the larvae of the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor, is 100% natural and safe, and can be used in feeds for both freshwater and marine species. Among the advantages it offers is a substantial reduction in the need for fishmeal, making it a sustainable alternative that helps to preserve stocks of industrial fish species.
T
he aquaculture industry has long been looking for new sources of feed to reduce dependence on processed fishmeal. Among the alternatives being considered, insects are emerging as one of the most sustainable and beneficial options available.
For the time being, insects do not compete with human food sources in Europe. But given their animal origin, they are perfectly adapted to the physiological and nutritional needs of fish. They are high in protein, rich in amino acids, and their fatty acid profiles, which
differ depending on the insect species, are adjusted to the different stages of growth of fry and juveniles. They are also highly digestible. And before being introduced to the market, they were already part of the natural diet of hundreds of species in the wild.
The overfishing dilemma Traditionally, the aquaculture industry has relied on fishmeal as the main source of protein for its feed. However, due to the overexploitation of the marine environment, this alternative alone will soon become unsustainable. In
EUROFISH .BHB[JOF
