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19 pages, 3780 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Different Chondrus crispus Aquaculture Methods and Carrageenan Extraction

by João Rui Tanoeiro, Duarte Fortunato, João Cotas, Tiago Morais, Clélia Afonso and Leonel Pereira

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5466; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095466 - 27 Apr 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2249

Abstract

With the notable scarcity of Chondrus crispus on the Portuguese coast, and interest in exploiting compounds such as carrageenan, this study focuses on investigating different aquaculture methods and recording the yield of carrageenan from specimens grown by different methods. We compare the growth [...] Read more.

With the notable scarcity of Chondrus crispus on the Portuguese coast, and interest in exploiting compounds such as carrageenan, this study focuses on investigating different aquaculture methods and recording the yield of carrageenan from specimens grown by different methods. We compare the growth of Chondrus crispus in aquaculture using Free Floating, Cages, Attempted Fixation on Rock, and Fixed Line similar to Long Line. The best method was Free Floating where Nursery 0 had a 24-day Specific Growth Rate (SGR) of 2.08 ± 0.47%/day. The worst method in terms of growth was Nursery 2 (Attempted Fixation on Rock) where the SGR at 28 days was 0.33 ± 0.69%/day, and no fixation was observed. In terms of carrageenan extraction, all culture methods gave rise to biomass that had a lower extraction yield than wild specimens, at 50.95 ± 4.10%. However, the Free-Floating method from Nursery 1 showed an acceptable carrageenan content (31.43 ± 7.00%). Therefore, we demonstrate that the concept of C. crispus cultivation may be key to promoting the sustainability and stability of this species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Aquaculture: Scientific Advances and Applications)

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31 pages, 7825 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Grid-Connected Solar Photovoltaic System for Nile Tilapia Farms in Southern Mexico: Techno-Economic and Environmental Evaluation

by Elizabeth Delfín-Portela, Luis Carlos Sandoval-Herazo, David Reyes-González, Humberto Mata-Alejandro, María Cristina López-Méndez, Gregorio Fernández-Lambert and Erick Arturo Betanzo-Torres

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(1), 570; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13010570 - 31 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2942

Abstract

Tilapia farming is the predominant aquaculture activity, with 4623 aquaculture farms in Mexico alone. It is relevant to apply technological alternatives to mitigate production costs, mainly those associated with supporting energy savings for aeration and water pumping in aquaculture farms. There is limited [...] Read more.

Tilapia farming is the predominant aquaculture activity, with 4623 aquaculture farms in Mexico alone. It is relevant to apply technological alternatives to mitigate production costs, mainly those associated with supporting energy savings for aeration and water pumping in aquaculture farms. There is limited information confirming the feasibility of implementing photovoltaic systems connected to the grid (On grid-PV) in aquaculture farms. The working hypothesis proposed for the development of the work was that On Grid PV systems in Tilapia aquaculture farms in Mexico are technically feasible, economically viable and environmentally acceptable. Therefore, the objective of this research is to design a grid-connected photovoltaic system for rural Tilapia aquaculture farms in Mexico and analyze it with a feasibility assessment through technical, economic and environmental variables, as part of the link between academia and the productive sector. Methodologically, the On Grid-PV design was carried out in an aquaculture farm in Veracruz, Mexico, as a case study. It was developed in two stages: the field phase (1), where a non-participant observation guide and a survey with open questions were applied to perform the energy diagnosis, and the cabinet phase (2) where the calculation of the economic and environmental variables was carried out with the clean energy management software Retscreen expert, the engineering design was based on the Mexican Official Standard for electrical installations, and Sunny Design 5.22.5 was used to calculate and analyze the electrical parameters of the On Grid PV. The results revealed an investment cost of USD 30,062.61, the cost per KWp was of 1.36 USD/Watt, and the economic indicators were the net present value (USD 41,517.44), internal rate of return (38.2%) and cost–benefit ratio (5.6). Thus, the capital investment is recovered in 4.7 years thanks to the savings obtained by generating 2429 kW/h per month. As for the environment, it is estimated that 11,221 kg of CO2 equivalent would be released into the atmosphere without the On Grid-PV. In conclusion, the hypothesis is accepted and it is confirmed that On Grid-PV installations for Tilapia farms are technically feasible, economically viable and environmentally acceptable; their implementation would imply the possibility for aquaculture farms to produce Tilapia at a lower production cost and minimized environmental impact in terms of energy. It is recommended that aquaculture farmers in Mexico and the world implement this eco-technology that supports the sustainable development of aquaculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Aquaculture: Scientific Advances and Applications)

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17 pages, 2370 KiB

Open AccessArticle

RNA-Seq Analysis on the Microbiota Associated with the White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in Different Stages of Development

by Raúl Enrique Valle-Gough, Blancka Yesenia Samaniego-Gámez, Javier Eduardo Apodaca-Hernández, Francisco Xavier Chiappa-Carrara, Mauricio Rodríguez-Dorantes and María Leticia Arena-Ortiz

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(5), 2483; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12052483 - 27 Feb 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2376

Abstract

White leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) is a widely cultured species along the Pacific coast and is one of the most important crustaceans in world aquaculture. The microbiome composition of L. vannamei has been previously studied in different developmental stages, but there [...] Read more.

White leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) is a widely cultured species along the Pacific coast and is one of the most important crustaceans in world aquaculture. The microbiome composition of L. vannamei has been previously studied in different developmental stages, but there is limited information regarding the functional role of the microbiome during the development of L. vannamei. In this study the metatranscriptome in different developmental stages of L. vannamei (larvae, juvenile and adult) were generated using next generation sequencing techniques. The bacterial phyla found throughout all the stages of development belonged to the Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, these bacterial phyla are present in the digestive tract and are capable of producing several hydrolytic enzymes, which agrees with high representation of the primary metabolism and energy production, in both host and the microbiome. In this sense, functional changes were observed as the development progressed, in both host and the microbiome, in stages of larvae the most represented metabolic functions were associated with biomass production; while in juvenile and adult stages a higher proportion of metabolic functions associated to biotic and abiotic stress in L. vannamei and the microbiome were shown. This study provides evidence of the interaction of the microbiome with L. vannamei, and how the stage of development and the culture conditions of this species influences the gene expression and the microbiome composition, which suggests a complex metabolic network present throughout the life cycle of L. vannamei. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Aquaculture: Scientific Advances and Applications)

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25 pages, 2728 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Effective and Low-Maintenance IMTA System as Effluent Treatment Unit for Promoting Sustainability in Coastal Aquaculture

by Luís Resende, Juan Flores, Cláudia Moreira, Diana Pacheco, Alexandra Baeta, Ana Carla Garcia and Ana Cristina Silva Rocha

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(1), 398; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12010398 - 31 Dec 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2374

Abstract

Integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) is a versatile technology emerging as an ecological and sustainable solution for traditional monoculture aquacultures in terms of effluent treatment. Nevertheless, IMTA is still poorly applied in aquaculture industry due to, among other reasons, the lack of effective, low-investment [...] Read more.

Integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) is a versatile technology emerging as an ecological and sustainable solution for traditional monoculture aquacultures in terms of effluent treatment. Nevertheless, IMTA is still poorly applied in aquaculture industry due to, among other reasons, the lack of effective, low-investment and low-maintenance solutions. In this study, one has developed a practical and low maintenance IMTA-pilot system, settled in a semi-intensive coastal aquaculture. The optimisation and performance of the system was validated using Ulva spp., a macroalgae that naturally grows in the fishponds of the local aquaculture. Several cultivation experiments were performed at lab-scale and in the IMTA-pilot system, in static mode. The specific growth rate (SGR), yield, nutrient removal, N and C enrichment, protein and pigment content were monitored. Ulva spp. successfully thrived in effluent from the fish species sea bream (Sparus aurata) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) production tanks and significantly reduced inorganic nutrient load in the effluent, particularly, NH₄⁺, PO₄³⁻ and NO₃⁻. The enrichment of nitrogen in Ulva spp.’s tissues indicated nitrogen assimilation by the algae, though, the cultivated Ulva spp. showed lower amounts of protein and pigments in comparison to the wild type. This study indicates that the designed IMTA-pilot system is an efficient solution for fish effluent treatment and Ulva spp., a suitable effluent remediator. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Aquaculture: Scientific Advances and Applications)

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17 pages, 1207 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Systemic Insights on the Integration of UN Sustainable Development Goals within the Norwegian Salmon Value Chain

by Mohd Abualtaher, Turid Rustad and Eirin Skjøndal Bar

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(24), 12042; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112412042 - 17 Dec 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3257

Abstract

This study proposes a conceptual framework that aims to gain insight into the integration of the sustainable development goals (SDG) within the Norwegian salmon value chain (NSVC). The proposed framework was developed by applying the systems engineering six-step method and validated through empirical [...] Read more.

This study proposes a conceptual framework that aims to gain insight into the integration of the sustainable development goals (SDG) within the Norwegian salmon value chain (NSVC). The proposed framework was developed by applying the systems engineering six-step method and validated through empirical findings from the NSVC. The framework’s application highlighted and analyzed the presence of the SDGs in corporate sustainability reports, academic curriculum, research, and governmental policies. This study uncovered the complexity-reduction elements within the system that drive SDG integration and assure their progress. The SDGs provide a global context for sustainability endeavors in the NSVC. A globally expanded value chain has an organic relationship with global sustainability terms and schemes. The existing practice of corporate sustainability annual reporting was found to be a significant channel for SDG communication. The novelty of this study was that it proposed a mind-map to understand SDG integration within an industrial value chain abstracted into three concepts: commitment, communication, and performance measurability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Aquaculture: Scientific Advances and Applications)

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11 pages, 1680 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Management of the First Feeding of Dorada Brycon sinuensis with Two Species of Cladocerans

by César Jiménez-Velásquez, Victor Atencio-Garcia, Julia Eva Ayazo-Genes, José Espinosa-Araujo and Martha Prieto-Guevara

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(20), 9379; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11209379 - 9 Oct 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1318

Abstract

The management of the first feeding is a critical stage in the viability of the larvae and fingerling rearing. So far, the first feeding of the bryconids record the best results when fed with forage larvae; thus, the aim was to evaluate two [...] Read more.

The management of the first feeding is a critical stage in the viability of the larvae and fingerling rearing. So far, the first feeding of the bryconids record the best results when fed with forage larvae; thus, the aim was to evaluate two species of cladocerans as live prey in the first feeding of dorada Brycon sinuensis and to evaluate their effects on the control of cannibalism. Larvae (1.2 ± 0.15 mg and 5.9 ± 0.4 mm initial weight and total length) were fed Moina minuta (Mm), Macrothrix elegans (Me) or a mixture (50:50) of cladocerans (Mix) at a rate of 20 prey mL⁻¹, once for 24 h. Another dorada larvae group were fed newly hatched larvae of Piaractus brachypomus (4.5 ± 0.9 mm) as forage larvae (F_L) in a ratio of 2:1 (prey:predator). The larvae were stocked to 50 L⁻¹ in aquaria with 5 L of useful volume (12 per treatment). The growth, survival, stress resistance, cannibalism mortality, and the number of prey in the gut contents were analyzed. Dorada larvae fed F_L showed higher growth, but those fed Mm showed the highest survival rate (76.1 ± 6.6%) and the lowest cannibalism mortality (16.8 ± 3.7%) (p < 0.05). The use of the cladocerans allowed high survival and stress resistance (95.3 ± 2.4%), and M. minuta proved to be a suitable prey for cannibalism control in the management of the first feeding of dorada larvae. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Aquaculture: Scientific Advances and Applications)

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Review

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18 pages, 983 KiB

Open AccessReview

Lessons for Coastal Applications of IMTA as a Way towards Sustainable Development: A Review

by Amir Hossain, Paula Senff and Marion Glaser

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(23), 11920; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122311920 - 22 Nov 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4727

Abstract

Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems integrate the cultivation of species from different trophic levels. Uneaten feed, solid wastes, and dissolved nutrients are turned into harvestable and healthy food, making IMTA a driver for ecologically sustainable aquaculture. Its wider sustainability potentials arise from social, [...] Read more.

Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems integrate the cultivation of species from different trophic levels. Uneaten feed, solid wastes, and dissolved nutrients are turned into harvestable and healthy food, making IMTA a driver for ecologically sustainable aquaculture. Its wider sustainability potentials arise from social, environmental, and economic sustainability enhancement options. Biological and economic outcomes are promising, while social equity and acceptance remain to be further investigated in the context of the long-term viability of aquaculture. Sustainable coastal and marine aquaculture development requires a holistic approach that involves social/cultural, economic, as well as environmental sustainability. This article examines IMTA as a pathway to socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable development. We collate evidence that shows that IMTA can minimize the negative environmental effects of aquaculture, assist local economies, and boost competitiveness and long-term economic viability. Available analyses of socio-economic and cost-effectiveness reveal positive prospects for IMTA systems, through product diversification, faster production cycles, and IMTA product prices and show a divergence between financial returns at the level of the entrepreneurial unit and economic returns at the macro level, which inhibits the uptake of IMTA. We conclude that the lack of governance analysis or inappropriateness of institutional development, in terms of aquaculture governance and management laws and regulations, is at the core of the hitherto weak engagement with IMTA. Unsuitable policies, regulations, and public and private sector decision policies and implementation, underlined by the scarcity of analyses of aquaculture governance institutions, are part of the reason for this. The evidence we have aggregated indicates that the relative scarcity of commercially successful coastal IMTA undertakings is not so much an intrinsic feature of the IMTA approach but is likely to have been generated by missing or inappropriate governance structures and procedures in the coastal realm. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Aquaculture: Scientific Advances and Applications)

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12 pages, 781 KiB

Open AccessReview

Towards Sustainable Aquaculture: A Brief Look into Management Issues

by Noorashikin Md Noor and Siti Norliyana Harun

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(15), 7448; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12157448 - 25 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2744

Abstract

Aquaculture’s role has expanded over the past two decades, with the industry contributing to nearly 50% of the overall fish production. Aquaculture production in Asia and Africa contributes a significant share of total global aquaculture output growth. Aquaculture supports livelihoods and income improvement [...] Read more.

Aquaculture’s role has expanded over the past two decades, with the industry contributing to nearly 50% of the overall fish production. Aquaculture production in Asia and Africa contributes a significant share of total global aquaculture output growth. Aquaculture supports livelihoods and income improvement in a number of states, despite the fact that economic situations have indeed been unfavourable and environmental concerns remain undeniable. To meet the growing demand for fish, aquaculture must expand. However, this expansion will not be sustainable unless management and planning are significantly improved. Local, national, and international management are needed to address the social, economic, and environmental problems. These provide the foundation to proper aquaculture management strategies. In considering the involved ecology, water quality, and genetics, aquaculture can have a detrimental impact on the environmental sustainability. This paper highlights the review on site selection with capacity evaluation, analysis of threats and risks, as well as certification and standards, which are all important considerations in achieving a sustainable aquaculture industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Aquaculture: Scientific Advances and Applications)

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