Aquaculture Magazine August-September 2020 Vol. 46 No. 4 by Aquaculture Magazine

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INDEX

Aquaculture Magazine Volume 46 Number 4 August- September 2020

EDITOR´S COMMENTS

INDUSTRY NEWS

14 ARTICLE

Aquapreneurship: a viable option for the next generation of entrepreneurs.

20 ARTICLE

Effects of 4-hexilresorcinol and sodium metabisulfite on melanosis in fresh shrimps (Penaeus vannamei).

28 ARTICLE

Aquaculture growth in Africa: West Africa Region.

32 ARTICLE

on the

cover Future Scenarios for Global Aquaculture and Its Role in Human Nutrition

Intestinal microbiota of white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, feed diets containing Bacillus subtilis E20 fermented soybean meal (FSBM) or an antimicrobial peptide derived from B. subtilis E20 FSBM.

38 ARTICLE

Volume 46 Number 4 August - September 2020

Insect Protein: the Future of Feed.

Editor and Publisher Salvador Meza info@dpinternationalinc.com

50 ARTICLE

Algae Cultivation via a Novel Photobioreactor and Harvest Apparatus for Sustainable Aquaculture.

53 NEWS ARTICLE

Thailand’s CP Foods sells SPF Shrimp Postlarvae to the United States.

AQUACULTURE WITHOUT FRONTIERS

AwF align with SPC to Strengthen Aquaculture in the Pacific during COVID 19 pandemic.

Editorial Assistant Lucía Araiza editorial@dpinternationalinc.com

Editorial Design Francisco Cibrián

Designer Perla Neri design@design-publications.com

Sales & Marketing Coordinator Juan Carlos Elizalde crm@dpinternationalinc.com

Sales Support Expert Claudia Marín sse@dpinternationalinc.com

56 ARTICLE

Greenhouse and Pond Liner Coverings and Films.

NEWS ARTICLE

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster An industry-led transformative initiative designed to accelerate the development of the seafood sector and the ocean economy.

60 LATIN AMERICA REPORT Recent News and Events.

Business Operations Manager Adriana Zayas administracion@design-publications.com

Subscriptions: iwantasubscription@dpinternationalinc.com Design Publications International Inc. 203 S. St. Mary’s St. Ste. 160 San Antonio, TX 78205, USA 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

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COLUMNS

OUT AND ABOUT

Paradigms that the COVID-19 health contingency will shift in business... and everyone’s lives. By: Salvador Meza *

AQUAFEED

Recent news from around the globe by Aquafeed.com By Suzi Dominy

TECHNICAL GURU

AQUACULTURE ECONOMICS, MANAGEMENT, AND MARKETING

Improving efficiency of existing pump systems. By Amy Stone

Are Some Production Systems More Profitable than Others? By: Sarah Cornelisse*

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THE FISHMONGER

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

Taking the opportunity to improve: cold chain guaranteed.

The exciting future of aquaculture. By: Ph.D Stephen G. Newman*

What does the future hold?

hat the world and all of us are going through at the current times is unprecedented. It’s been around six months since the pandemic outbreak began unfolding worldwide. So far, here at Aquaculture Magazine, this is our third bi-monthly number published under the “new normality” global scenario. However, this has not been a static new dimension in which we commonly stepped in together but more of a scalable ever-changing platform that requires creativity, flexibility, constant innovation, and all at the same time, patience for the unexpected. Aquaculture, as an industry, is also

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standing on this same platform. But despite the uncertainty ahead, predictions, theories, and ideas on how the aquaculture activity will evolve and adapt in the future are beginning to be explored and shared within the international community. This planning and thinking process certainly is a significant opportunity to rethink every future step countries around the world could take to develop and expand aquaculture farming to meet the estimated future demands for animal protein. Our current edition (August – September 2020) includes several contents that can allow our readers to go beyond the question of when the

“normality” will get reestablished? And instead, dig deeper into the do’s, don’ts, and who should and could make bold movements for the future of aquaculture starting here, at the center of the unfolding new normal. We hope you enjoy and find our articles, collaborations, and updates insightful, and that we can begin walking towards a better-instaurated industry (each of us from our different trenches). And above all, maybe take some time to ask ourselves: how would we like to perceive this decisive moment for Aquaculture when looking back from 5 years ahead in time? Perhaps ten years or even twenty by year 2040?

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INDUSTRY RESEARCHNEWS REPORT

Canadian Grants Regulatory Approval to the World’s First Land-Based Omega-3 Canola Nuseed Americas Inc., a whollyowned subsidiary of Nufarm Limited has recently welcomed confirmation from Canada’s relevant regulatory authorities that its proprietary DHA refined canola oil has been deemed to be safe for human consumption and that DHA canola crude oil and meal are safe for aquaculture and livestock feed, respectively. In releasing its assessment, Health Canada determined that the highly refined oil derived from Nuseed’s Omega-3 Canola is safe for human consumption as or in foods in Canada. Separately, The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

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determined that Nuseed’s Omega-3 Canola meal is safe for use in livestock feed and the oil is safe for use in fish feeds. CFIA further confirmed that Nuseed’s Omega-3 Canola poses no increased environmental risk comparing to other cultivated canola and is approved for cultivation. Nuseed’s Omega-3 Canola fills the gap between how much omega-3 is needed to support human and animal nutrition and how little the ocean can sustainably provide. It has a unique DHA-rich fatty acid profile and has been developed as an alternative to fish oil to be included in

aquafeed (marketed as Aquaterra®) and for human nutrition (marketed as Nutriterra®). Nuseed partners with growers on strict identity-preserved contracts and adheres to the highest stewardship standards in production, having achieved Excellence Through Stewardship (ETS) certification. Nuseed is progressing additional regulatory applications in other relevant markets around the world. Further information on the company, visit: https://nuseed.com/

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INDUSTRY RESEARCHNEWS REPORT

eDNA applications will support advancements for Canadian Aquaculture eDNA, defined as any trace or fragment of DNA released from an organism into the environment, is proving to be an attractive tool in exploring and studying Earth’s biodiversity due to its noninvasive approach and relatively lower cost for sample collection and species monitoring. Genome BC has funded two projects to apply eDNA technologies to address challenges in salmon farming practices through improved environmental detection of problematic microbes, and to assess Pacific Salmon stocks. Kudoa thyrsites (Kudoa) is an endemic parasite that can have appreciable economic impacts on the BC fisheries and aquaculture industry by decimating flesh quality. Due to the nature of the parasite and the enzymatic liquefying of fillets, the parasite lies undetected until production endpoints resulting in the costly wastage of farmed Atlantic salmon and some wild-caught species, such as hake. Led by Dr. Wyth Marshall from the BC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences and Tiffany MacWilliam from Mowi Canada West, researchers are looking to the novel application of Digital PCR (dPCR) to measure eDNA in aquatic microbes. In a project entitled “Application of digital PCR to measure eDNA from waterborne spores of an endemic fish parasite affecting farmed Atlantic salmon,” researchers will enhance the likelihood of earlier detection of these parasites and reduce the damage from Kudoa infections, thus improving management of aquatic resources and increasing the adoption of this novel technology within the industry. “We are really excited for this opportunity to add digital PCR technology as a new tool to reduce the impacts of Kudoa infections on the production of salmon,” said Dr. Marshall, Research Scientist. “The 8 »

strength of this technology is its capability to provide numerical abundance data which we can use to understand the ecology of very tiny or microscopic organisms that affect farming efficiency. The platform is broadly applicable and will improve understanding of the distributions and drivers of abundances of parasites like Kudoa, as well as other microbes that are detrimental to fish health, such as harmful plankton and jellyfish.” The second project is led by researchers from Simon Fraser University and Gitanyow Fisheries Authority, Dr. Vicki Marlatt and Mark C. Cleveland respectively, and their project “Monitoring Pacific Salmon Stocks Using Environmental DNA” aims to create an efficient method of quantifying salmonids returning from the ocean to spawn. This analysis will produce a more accurate understand-

ing of salmonids surviving upriver migration in five species of Pacific salmon. Researchers will quantify the number of fish passing a specific fish fence based on the eDNA samples collected from the Kitwanga River and compare this information with traditional salmon counting methods at the facility. Advancing the tools used for monitoring of Pacific salmon populations is critical in understanding the health and abundance of these species and studying their role in ecosystems, as well as their cultural and economic value to humans. “We hope that this project will demonstrate the potential of eDNA for quantifying salmonids in the Kitwanga River,” said Dr. Marlatt an Assistant Professor in Environmental Toxicology. “We believe that we can also apply these methods to the many rivers currently not assessed due to the economic and logistical challengAUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

es associated with installing fish fences spanning entire salmonid rivers.” The application of novel technologies, like eDNA, is a significant step in moving research to commercial use. Genome BC’s investment in the BC fisheries and aquaculture sector can propel our provincial understanding of the issues surrounding the sector. In addition, coupling Genome BC’s research and funding capabilities with influential end users will ensure innovative environmental and genomic solutions. “eDNA has unique applications and we are only just beginning to realize the potential of this novel approach to analysis and sampling,” says Dr. Lisey Mascarenhas, Sector Director, Agrifood and Natural Resources at Genome BC. “We are also very pleased to support applied research that enhances the awareness, adoption, and operationalization of genomic solutions for the benefit of key economic sectors in BC.” This project was funded through Genome BC’s Sector Innovation Program which aims to support projects that will address the needs of each key sector and have the potential to generate social, environmental and economic benefits for British Columbia in the future. Further information:www.genomebc.ca AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

INDUSTRY RESEARCHNEWS REPORT

Scientists to test feasibility of novel protein in fish feed, University of Stirling study

Experts from the University of Stirling will investigate the feasibility of using a single-cell protein in salmon feed, as part of a groundbreaking carbon recycling project. The Institute of Aquaculture will evaluate a single-cell protein (SCP), produced from industrial emissions of carbon dioxide, as a substitute for marine and terrestrial meal in salmon feeds. The study – supported by the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) – forms part of the overarching REACT-FIRST project, which has received £3 million in funding from Innovate UK. The project is led by carbon recycling biotechnology company Deep Branch and consists of 10 industry and academic partners. It aims to produce a scalable model – demonstrating the sustainable generation of protein using waste carbon dioxide, and using that protein to produce fish and poultry feeds. Dr Mónica Betancor, who is leading the University of Stirling’s involvement in the study, said: “The project aims to evaluate and validate a SCP produced from industrial emissions of CO2, with an amino acid 10 »

profile tailored to meet the end-user requirements of the aquafeed industry, and also support and improve the sustainability and development of UK aquaculture by contributing to UK food security. Polly Douglas, aquaculture innovation manager at SAIC, added: “REACT-FIRST is a highly innovative way of turning the CO2 produced by another process into a key component of our food chain, providing a sustainable source of feed for fish. It could make a significant contribution to food security in the UK, while reducing the supply chain’s carbon footprint – both of which have seldom been of more relevance.”

Data REACT-FIRST will use microbes to convert carbon dioxide directly from industrial emissions into high-value products, specifically a novel SCP called ProtonTM. The project team will collect critical data on the cost, digestibility, nutritional quality, and carbon footprint of the product. Peter Rowe, CEO of Deep Branch, said: “Projects like REACTFIRST are key to help the industry

move towards achieving net-zero emissions. Its solution uses the technology developed by Deep Branch, but whilst this has huge transformative potential, commercialization is not possible without cooperation with key stakeholders across the value chain. REACT-FIRST addresses this, with its consortium of industrial and academic organizations, and even though relationships within these verticals are well established, the project represents the first time that the resources and expertise of all parties have been unified towards a single goal.”

Innovation The project will also involve: Drax, the UK’s largest renewable energy producer; BioMar, one of the world’s largest aquafeed producers; AB Agri, the UK’s leading producer of monogastric feed; Sainsbury’s; the Synthetic Biology Research Centre at the University of Nottingham; the School of Animal Rural and Environmental Sciences at Nottingham Trent University; and Innogen at the University of Edinburgh, experts in value chain integration and responsible innovation. AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

Million-dollar grant funds study of Great Lakes aquaculture to boost the number of fish farms in the region The aquaculture industry in the Great Lakes region lags behind much of the U.S, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The region’s contribution to the industry is considered insignificant compared to coastal areas. The National Sea Grant office recently awarded the funds to the new Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative. The group brings together scientists and educators from all eight states in the Great Lakes basin. The goal is to identify common challenges that might lead to solutions and further research. Dispelling the myths that aquaculture threatens the fishing industry and environment are among the biggest challenges for the project members, since the industry must educate the public that aquaculture can be sustainable and environmentally friendly. The U.S. imports most of its wildcaught and farm-raised fish because of packaging costs. About 90% of fish and seafood in the U.S. is im-

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ported, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. That creates about a $15 billion trade deficit, the second-largest U.S. trade deficit behind oil imports. The new collaborative will study how much consumers are willing to pay for local fish and emphasize buying local fish. Phase two of the project will identify how policy issues on aquaculture vary across the states. The aquaculture industry doesn’t operate under USDA supervision, so consumers aren’t familiar with how fish are regulated and safely brought to market. Aquaculture regulations are enforced by various agencies which vary from state to state. Industry start-up costs are expensive, but despite the obstacles in the Great Lakes region, aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing food production sectors in the world. Fish production is expected to increase by more than 30 percent by 2030, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

Aquaculture Magazine

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INDUSTRY RESEARCHNEWS REPORT

Seafarms Group ticks off two key milestones for Project Sea Dragon Australian sustainable aquaculture company Seafarms Group (SFG) has recently reached two key milestones for its Project Sea Dragon, which is an aquaculture in northern Australia and aims to develop a domesticated population of black tiger prawns.

Prawns The company has now grown and produced the third generation of prawns as part of its specific pathogen-free domestication program. The program began in 2016 and is an essential early phase investment in Project Sea Dragon. Their production uses environmentally-sustainable processes and is SeaFarms is Australia’s largest producer of farmed prawns. Keep River Road The company has completed the Keep River Bridge on Keep River

Road. Seafarms is aiming to complete the road by October. The road will go along the Western Australia and Northern Territory borders and will end at Legune Station in the Northern Territory. This will mean the Project Sea Dragon’s mobilization to Legune will be free of delays and, therefore, more efficient.

Financing Seafarms has appointed a member

of a leading global financial group to be the sole arranger. The arranger will organize up to $150 million of a proposed construction debt for the development of Project Sea Dragon. On market close, Seafarms is up 3.77 percent and is trading for 5.5 cents per share. Further information on Seafarms and its Project Sea Dragon is available at: https://seafarms.com.au/

Extru-Tech Introduces Self-Adjusting Die/Knife Cutter Head Dramatic reductions in maintenance costs and downtime are just two of the benefits of a new SelfAdjusting Die/Knife Cutter System from Extru-Tech, Inc. Equally important, the new advanced feature cutter head can be used across the full spectrum of wear plates. According to John Menold, field service manager for Extru-Tech, the new die/knife cutter system offers a cleaner cut than cast blade configurations due to a “precision” pressure pack and individually replaceable blades, which can be sharpened from three to five times. “Not only can they be re-sharpened, but the new blades have been reported to last from 2 1/2 to 10 times longer than cast blades,” Menold adds. “This translates into lower overall cost, particularly when you consider the automatic adjustment feature allows one cutter head system to be used on multiple dies. The 12 »

cutter assembly is easily secured and automatically set parallel to the wear plate with just one bolt.” Menold notes that the self-leveling feature also allows the system to accommodate non-perpendicular die stubs and worn plates. For additional ease of maintenance, the self-adjusting die/knife

cutter system is rated for wash-down and utilizes high temperature, sealed bearings for longer life. The single cutting edge of the blades also minimizes the risk of injury to employees and personnel. Further information on the product available at: http://www.extrutechinc.com/ AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

Taylor Power Systems Launches New Standby Generator Focused on the Aquaculture Industry Taylor Power Systems recently launched a new standby generator to meet the requirements of the fish farming industry. Catfish farming in the state of Mississippi, and overall in the south, is a vital part of the agriculture landscape. Today more farmers are utilizing the electric grid to power pumps and aerators on their fishponds. These changes have become necessary due to rising diesel fuel costs, not to mention the lofty price of new tractors to run the paddle wheels on PTO driven pumps. Yet, most farms are in rural areas where the electric grid is more vulnerable, which means an increased number of power outages. This is where the need for back-up power generation is a necessity in every aspect of the fish industry from the hatchery, to the pumps, to the aerators. For example, in the heat of a Mississippi summer, as a result of a power outage, shallow fishponds can lose the oxygen in the warm water very

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quickly. When oxygen starts to decrease, the fish will start to succumb to oxygen depletion. The farmer has to get oxygen back in the water as fast as possible to protect their investment. Having a reliable standby generator that immediately kicks in upon an outage provides peace of mind and a defense against what could be a critical loss. In the past, catfish farms have requested Taylor Power to build custom units to meet their specific needs. With this background of custombuilding generators for fish farms, Taylor Power was well-positioned to engineer a unit specifically tailored to the Aquaculture Industry. In addition to catfish farms, this custom generator is capable of meeting the standby demands of other agriculture farms.

• AC Alternator Stamford 4 Pole, with Optional PMG Provided as Standard, Class H Insulation, Self-Exciting • Integral Vibration Isolators • Spark Arrestor Muffler Mounted Internally, and Side Discharged to Reduce Water Intrusion • 6-Amp Battery Charger • Water Jacket Heater • Analog Auto-Start Controller for Reliability • Emergency Bypass Key Switch • 250-Gallon Single Wall Sub-Base Fuel Tank • 14-Gauge Powder Coat Painted Galvannealed Weather Enclosure.

Features: • John Deere Diesel Engine (6.8L Turbocharged Inline 6-Cylinder, Tier 3) • High Ambient Unit Mounted Radiator

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Aquapreneurship: a viable option for the next generation of entrepreneurs By: Suman Dey and Chinmaya Nanda* ICAR – Central Institute of Fisheries Education

Aquaculture provides an appropriate alternative for improving fish production to address increasing fish consumption with massive livelihood benefits for societies. However, aquaculture production of India is a mere 7.1% as compared to 61.5% of China. The current utilization pattern of inland water resources for farming and the productivity of India’s aquaculture systems are far below the global average. Since aquaculture requires both scientific capacity and business skills, hence promoting aquapreneurship development through skilled professionals can be a viable option in exploiting and expanding the aquaculture potentials of this country.

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Introduction Present-day challenges of nutritional security, unemployment, and livelihood security for a thriving population of more than 9 billion people (by mid-21st century) vis-à-vis the impacts of climate change and resource degradation calls for an innovative approach towards sustainable development. Agriculture and allied sectors, especially fisheries and aquaculture, possess the capability to gain sustainability while addressing the main issues of livelihood generation and unemployment (FAO, 2018). Although small scale fisheries contribute significantly in most rural areas of developing countries for food security and income generation (FAO, 2010), the current production has already reached its saturation (Kumaran and Anand, 2016). At the same time, aquaculture provides an appropriate alternative for improving fish production to address increasing fish consumption (Kumaran and Anand, 2016) with massive livelihood benefits for the rural poor (Phukan and Barman, 2015; FAO 2010, FAO, 2018). Sir Peter Drucker has also elucidated that “aquaculture, not the Internet, represents the most promising investment opportunity of the 21st Century”. Currently, aquaculture contributes significantly to the Indian economy and ranks second in the global aquaculture production (Ayyappan and Diwan, 2007). However, aquaculture production of India is a mere 7.1% as compared to 61.5% of China (FAO, 2018). The current utilization pattern of inland water resources for farming and the productivity of our aquaculture systems are far below the global average. Conversely, the share of employment in capture fisheries is stagnating or decreasing, and increased opportunities are being observed in the aquaculture sector (FAO, 2010; FAO 2018). Since aquaculture requires both scientific capacity and business skills, hence promoting aquapreneurship development AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

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through skilled professionals can be a viable option in exploiting and expanding the aquaculture potentials of India. Aquapreneurship is a successful marriage of entrepreneurship with aquaculture. Aquapreneurship turns the farm into an aqua business. It mainly relates to establishing aqua enterprises that may reap favorable benefits for the farmers. The entrepreneurs involved in aqua enterprise

Since aquaculture requires both scientific capacity and business skills, hence promoting aquapreneurship development through skilled professionals can be a viable option in exploiting and expanding the aquaculture potentials of India.

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establishment are referred to as aqua entrepreneurs/ aquapreneurs. Aquaculture entrepreneur/ Aquapreneur is an ingenious and creative person who is engaged in fish farming or fish trading activities that adds to their wealth (Mandania, 2012). It involves all the activities like farming, marketing, processing, trading, and value addition.

Why aquapreneurship? Aquapreneurs possess attributes similar to entrepreneurs, and so they are regarded as entrepreneurs too. Entrepreneurs are the innovators causing a change in the economy via new markets or new ways of doing things (Bairwa et al., 2014). Fundamentally, an entrepreneur requires entrepreneurial knowledge, ability, opportunities, and spirit (Colin and Jack, 2004) and an interplay among people, society, rules, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem with suitable environments, organizations, and new venture processes (Gartner, 1985) to develop a sustainable enterprise. Visualizing aquaculture through the lenses of entrepreneurship, introduces several

factors that hike into a beneficial undertaking. These elements like the development of goals, marketability of traditional species, availability and degree of technology, availability of production inputs and aid facilities and offerings, funding requirements, and environmental concerns (Baluyut, 1989) help such entrepreneurs to create something new, something distinct as they alternate or transmute values (Drucker, 1986). Managing aquaculture serves both commercial and social purposes, generally indicated through the significant objective. Subsistence and family farming, crop/animal integrated farming, and farming for recreational purposes, are primarily orientated to social benefits. In contrast, small-scale farming enterprises, cooperative and state farms, as well as vertically integrated large-scale farms are run mainly for economic gains (Pillay, 1997). Therefore, aquaculture ends up in providing employment/livelihood opportunities beside the development of rural areas (Baluyut, 1989). In Asia, aquaculture nourishes an enormous rural population, mostly AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

engaged in labour-intensive work through a protein-rich diet (Liao, 1988). Furthermore, aquaculture provides excellent opportunities for employment and income generation, particularly in the more economically depressed rural areas. Aquaculture employs large numbers of people either directly in fish farming activities (for example, fish pond/fish pen/fish cage operators, caretakers, construction workers, pump tenders, vehicle/ machine operators, harvesting aides) or indirectly as employees in related or ancillary industries (as net manufacturers, boat-makers, fry gatherers, bamboo suppliers) (Baluyut, 1989). Therefore, the concept of aquapreneurship is an essential focus of research that is making it possible to undertake concrete actions in aid of the productive sectors.

dition and marketing. Technological options for various subsectors like harvest, post-harvest, aquaculture production, by-product utilization are being generated, and the process is still going on in research institutes and fisheries universities (Mohanty and Sajesh, 2018). Conversely, remodeling fisheries education for promoting entrepreneurship can also foster this need where aquapreneur-

ship can serve as a viable promising venture for the fisheries graduate professionals to meet their employment demands in 2020 (Kumaran and Anand, 2016) besides offering a cheap protein for human intake and opportunities for rural development. Finfish and Shellfish aquaculture entails scientific capacity as well as business skills, which in turn needs entrepreneurship.

How aquapreneurship? Entrepreneurial possibilities in Indian aquaculture sectors are still under-exploited (Mohanty and Sajesh, 2018). Entrepreneurial possibilities exist across the value chain in aquaculture, from production to value adAUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

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2010). The government is also playing a proactive role through the provisions of Aqua-clinics and aquapreneurship development scheme with MANAGE as the nodal agency, as well as through the Aquaculture Incubation Centre, focussed on fisheries and aquaculture to promote entrepreneurship development (Mohanty and Sajesh, 2018). The government of India, in its Union budget 2020, has also announced investment for promoting entrepreneurship in the fish processing sector.

Consequently, an inflow of fisheries graduates is necessarily required for economic resource management and redeployment with a purpose to create economic values (Schumpeter, 1934) and foster such systems through sustainable development. However, current graduates incubate moderate entrepreneurial motivation with reduced risk-taking, variant focus, and low self-efficacy (Kumaran and Anand, 2016). This is due to the inadequacy of the fisheries curricu-

Aquapreneurship is a viable

and promising venture for the next generation of entrepreneurs concerning livelihood, profitability, and sustainability.

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lum, which can be enhanced while incorporating aquapreneurship and personality development as a course with adequate practical exposure to enhance their capacity and attitudinal predisposition (Kumaran and Anand, 2016). Besides including separate courses for entrepreneurship, student incubation centres may be established embraced with the handholding facilities required for converting professionals into Aquapreneurs.

Role of the government towards promoting aquapreneurship Although entrepreneurship in the fish farming sector is a neglected issue from the perspective of entrepreneurship development, (Phukan and Barman, 2015) efforts towards aquapreneurship development in governmental activities are evident through various developmental programs and schemes. The government of India has proposed a Modular Employable Skill (MES) development program to train people with marketable skills. Aquaculture is a potential area for employment generation, and is also included in this program. The program focuses on providing a minimum skillset vital for employability through a short-term modular course for specific skill development (Yasin,

Conclusion Aquapreneurship is a viable and promising venture for the next generation of entrepreneurs concerning livelihood, profitability, and sustainability. The aquaculture sector has the vast potential to utilize the business as well as the professional skills of the proliferating fisheries professionals in the sector. Amidst of a plethora of benefits, aquapreneurship may entail various challenges before the professionals such as gaps in their knowledge and skill, lack of updated information on existing technology, ignorance of proper market information or access, and lack of risktaking ability. However, to excel in any business, one has to face specific challenges that can be improved and translated into strengths. The formation of an independent Ministry for Fisheries, as well as the governments’ focus in budget allocation may provide impetus in promoting aquapreneurship development in the coming years, fostering the development of professionals into aquapreneurs.

References cited on the article by the authors are available under previous request to our editorial staff. *Ph.D. Scholars. ICAR – Central Institute of Fisheries Education Mumbai, India. Corresponding author – chinmaya.fexpa801@cife.edu.in

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ARTICLE

Effects of 4-hexilresorcinol and sodium metabisulfite on melanosis in fresh shrimps (Penaeus vannamei)

By: Bermúdez-Medranda, A. E. y PantaVélez, R. P.*

he great demand that presents the Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) and the growing exports from Ecuador, generate a large inflow of foreign currency. The control of the quality of the product is rigorous, rejecting containers that do not com-

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After their death, shrimps go through a process of blackening affecting their commercial value, being the cause of greater rejection of the product in the international market the melanosis in the shrimp, which is a change of color of the surface caused by enzymatic formation of compounds precursors which can spontaneously polymerize and/or react with cellular components to form insoluble pigments. A method used to prevent melanosis is the addition of preservatives in the post-harvest management of shrimp. The objective of the present study developed by researchers from the Technical University of Manabí, Ecuador was to evaluate concentrations of sodium metabisulfite at 4 and 6 % and 4-hexylresorcinol at 2 and 2.5 %, as inhibitors of melanosis. ply with microbiological, chemical or sensory specifications. One of the indicators in this control is the presence of melanosis, a serious problem that results in great economic losses, because it generates a depreciation of shrimp quality. Hence the great importance of achieving a rapid and ef-

ficient process before freezing, since melanosis, being a phenomenon of enzymatic origin, usually begins immediately after the death of the animal. In order to avoid the melanismic phenomenon suffered by most crustaceans, sulphites began to be used AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

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in the 50s and spread widely due to their effectiveness and low cost. But in recent years, research studies about their possible adverse effects and cases of allergies in sensitive people have aroused the concern of consumers. Different countries have adopted regulatory measures regarding the use and residual concentration of sulfites in crustaceans, considering a potential danger to human health because it can cause nausea, gastric irritation and vomiting due to the destruction of thiamine. Currently the shrimp P. vannamei cultivated in Ecuador is marketed treated with sodium metabisulfite, an antioxidant of proven efficacy, but over time the residual rate in tissues decreases and when it becomes insufficient, melanosis mechanisms start again, for which the export sector shows its concern to comply with product quality requirements and the maximum residual concentration of sulphites. Another disadvantage is the impact of sodium metabisulfite on the environment, appreciated by the deterioration of water in the growth of phytoplankton, concentration of dissolved oxygen, transparency, among others. In the last two decades studies have focused on the search for oth-

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er alternatives for the replacement of sodium metabisulfite, being the 4-hexylresorcinol the possible substitute, since its use is allowed by the health authorities of EE.UU, Canada, Australia and some Latin American countries. The objective of this study was to compare in the shrimp muscle the residual concentrations of the preservatives metabisulfites of sodium and 4-hexylresorcinol in shrimp

P. vannamei, and in turn know if they allow maintaining the quality of the product during marketing, inhibiting melanosis and that they do not present risks for the health of the consumer.

Material and Methods

Study area P. vannamei shrimp were treated with sodium metabisulfite (MBS) in a

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shrimp farm located in Ecuador. The residual analyzes of MBS were carried out between October 2013 and January 2014. In the experiment, a randomization design with four treatments and six repetitions was used. The treatments were: control (T1); immersion of the fresh shrimp in a 2% solution of 4-hexylresorcinol (T2); immersion of fresh shrimp in a 2.5% solution of 4-hexylresorcinol (T3); immersion of fresh shrimp in a 4% sodium metabisulfite solution (T4) and immersion of fresh shrimp in a 6% sodium metabisulfite solution (T5). All treatments lasted 15 minutes. Sampling was done with 12g shrimp in each of the replicates. The amount of animals used in the different dives was 4.5 kg, in the case of sodium metabisulfite. For 4-Hexylresorcinol the dosage of the chemical was carried out according to the recommendation of the manufacturer of the input. The measurement of residual sodium metabisulfite was calculated using the modified Monier Williams method AOAC 18Th 990.28 and for 4-Hexylresorcinol the technique of HPLC-UV.

Shrimp harvest method The shrimp is harvested with a bag while the pond is drained. This process is done with great care to prevent animal damage or excessive accumulation of mud and dirt mixed with the shrimp. The bag is emptied in clean baskets and must weigh no more than 35 to 45 pounds to allow reasonable handling. The shrimp should be treated from the shrimp farm to prevent the development of melanosis for which sodium metabisulfite should be applied. Method of application of 4-hexylresorcinol To get a 2% concentration, 4.5 L. of water were placed in a tub of 50 L. capacity, adding 4.5 kg of ice and 180 mL of 4-hexylresorcinol, where the live shrimp was submerged for the respective absorption of the preservative. For a 2.5% concentration, 225 mL of 4-hexylresorcinol were added. Method of application of sodium metabisulfite (4% solution) For the application of sodium metabisulfite (4% solution), 15.36 liters of water were placed in a 50

The use of 4-hexylresorcinol, an additive considered GRAS, was as effective as sodium metabisulfite to preserve shrimp from melanosis.

L. tub. Subsequently, 3.84 kg of ice were added, and the solution was stirred well, always maintaining the temperature of the water in the tub between 5-12 ºC. Approximately 1 L of water was placed at room temperature in a container and 800 grams of sodium metabisulfite were dissolved therein. Once the metabisulfite is well dissolved, the solution obtained should have a pH between 4.1-4.2. This solution was added to the previously prepared tub, where a temperature of 5°C is maintained. The harvested shrimp was submerged in the previously prepared tub, for 15 minutes, considering that this controlled immersion was one minute for each gram of the average weight of the harvested shrimp (SLA, 2011). The shrimp is maintained at 6 ± 2°C, for transport and arrival to the processing plant. Method of application of sodium metabisulfite (6% solution) In a 50 L. capacity tub, 15.04 liters of water, 3.76 kg of ice and 1,200 grams of sodium metabisulfite (6% solution) were placed, where the shrimps were submerged to absorb the preservative.

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The use of 4-hexylresorcinol was as effective as sodium metabisulfite in preserving shrimp from melanosis, with the advantage that consumers would appreciate a product free of allergenic additives.

Determination of Residual Sulphite in Fresh Product using the modified Monier Williams technique It is based on the digestion of the sample by the action of concentrated hydrochloric acid and heat, obtaining by distillation the sulfites that are collected in 3% neutral peroxide. The titration was carried out with a solution of sodium hydroxide containing a quantity of substance 0.01 mol/L.

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Sample Preparation for Analysis in Processing Plant The sample was taken at the time it arrived at the processing facilities, the cephalothorax and the shell removed, taking care to leave the hepatopancreas, homogenized and weighed 30 grams in a watch glass. Digestion of the Sample The already weighed sample was placed in a 500 mL Kjeldahl balloon, 150 mL of distilled water and 10 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid Q.P. were added at 37% and it was brought to a moderate boil for a period of 20 minutes. Preparation of the Collector Dissolution in the recovery fiolas In a 250 mL vial, 10 mL of 30% hydrogen peroxide in 90 mL of distilled water was diluted to obtain a fresh solution of 3% peroxide. To this solution was added with 3 drops of methyl red and neutralized with a solution of sodium hydroxide containing an amount of 0.01 mol/L substance, the solution gave pinkish

color change to straw yellow color. The fiola with the already neutralized solution was placed in the final part of the distillation equipment to collect the vapor condensate from the sample. The presence of sulphites in the sample was differentiated by the color change back to pink, after 20 minutes of boiling, the fiola was removed and proceeded to the titration with the 0.01 N sodium hydroxide solution, applying the formula to obtain the results. Calculation of results ppmSO2 = 32.03 x 0.01 x 1000 x (Consumption â&#x20AC;&#x201C; White) / Sample weight (g) Where: Sodium constant: 32.03 milliequivalents of the mass mol SC 0.01: Normality of NaOH 1000: Conversion factor from milliequivalents to micro equivalents Consumption: Amount of NaOH substance 0.01 mg/L titrant White constant: 0.01 N NaOH consumption per reagent blank

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Weight: In grams of the shrimp sample that was introduced into the Ball ppm SO2: Expression of the results in mg/L Evaluation of Melanosis To evaluate melanosis, 30 units of product were left at room temperature for 6 hours, assessing hour by hour, each of the treatments with the two preservatives. The determination was made in percentages of units of related samples. The amount of shrimp in the estimated time is based on the experiences of other packers and customers in the French market.

Evaluation of the organoleptic and microbiological characteristics The organoleptic analysis was carried out in fresh product immediately upon the arrival of the product to the plant. The evaluation form was presented randomly coded with a threedigit number. For this analysis the shrimp were cooked in water at boiling temperature for 3 to 4 minutes, in individual pots, renewing the water enters each sample. After cooking, the samples underwent rapid cooling by immersion in drinking water. The beheading and peeling was done manually. The 5 treatments were evaluated by a panel

Table 1 Residual concentration of sodium metabisulfite and 4-hexilresorcinol in the shrimp muscle in the different treatments evaluated.

of ten judges in each of the repetitions, using in the evaluation form a hedonic scale with 9 parameters to be chosen by the judges. The four treatments in odor characteristics, color and taste against white (product without treatment) were compared in order to evaluate if changes occur in the product, due to the application of preservatives. Samples of shrimp treated with the two preservatives were analyzed for total aerobes and for fecal coliforms.

Results

The results obtained in the samples of residual concentration in the shrimp muscle, comparing sodium metabisulfite and 4-hexylresorcinol, showed significant differences between treatments (Table 1).

Organoleptic and microbiological characteristics

The organoleptic variables were estimated in order to establish if the antimelanoses modify the sensory characteristics of the cooked samples of the crustacean. After evaluation, it was determined that there were no AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

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significant differences in the treatments in the different parameters evaluated, observing in the taste, a total average of (I like it little). The odor presented a general average, and in the color resulted in a total average of (I do not like or dislike). There was no significant difference in any of the treatments in the microbiological analysis for total mesophilic aerobes, indicating that types and concentration of preservatives

are effective in reducing the bacterial load. There was an absence of fecal coliforms at 45 °C in the different treatments evaluated, including the control demonstrating a good quality of raw material and management of the executed process.

Melanosis There were differences up to ten times between the control and the evaluated preservatives on the presence of melanosis. The results obtained show similar absence for both preservatives, indicating their effectiveness. Discussion Both preservatives showed to be effective to avoid melanosis, as reported in other publications. The results obtained for the residual values indicate that the sodium metabisulfite treatment at 4 % reached values according to European regulations, so it is the alternative that provides greater economic advantage. The use of 4-hexylresorcinol is allowed in the United States, Canada, Australia and some Latin American countries. In the present investigation the residual levels complied with the legal standard established by the European Parliament, where it es-

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tablishes that the residual level of 4 -hexylresorcinol should not exceed 2 mg/kg, and is considered a generally safe additive (GRAS) because it does not leave side effects caused by sulfites, which indicates a viable and convenient alternative to metabisulfite of sodium to inhibit melanosis. In the present investigation there were no significant differences when applying the preservatives to different concentrations, in the organoleptic aspect of color, odor and flavor, so both preservatives are an alternative in the prevention of melanosis in shrimp.

Conclusions The use of 4-hexylresorcinol, an additive considered GRAS, was as effective as sodium metabisulfite in preserving shrimp from melanosis, with the advantage that consumers would appreciate a product free of allergenic additives. * This is a summarized version developed by Ph.D. Carlos Rangel Dávalos, researcher and professor at the University of Baja California Sur México. The original article on which is based is titled: “Effects of 4 hexilresorcinol and sodium metabisulfite on melanosis in fresh shrimps (Penaeus vannamei)” by: Bermúdez-Medranda, A. E.y Panta-Vélez, R. P. The article was originally published on March 2019 through the Magazine Bio Ciencias under a Creative Commons license agreement. The full version of the article can be accessed at: https:// doi.org/10.15741/revbio.06.e465

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Aquaculture growth in Africa: West Africa Region

By: Benjamin Bockarie*

Aquaculture as a science and professional field of engagement has experienced some steady development over the years by the intervention of new local and scientific technology in the overall management of aquatic fauna and flora species, and in totality the level of interest from the public as a sustainable agricultural approach to food security problems. Aquaculture in Africa: Nigeria, Egypt, Madagascar, Sierra Leone, Ghana and other countries from the West African Region, has created more opportunities for self-employment, youth empowerment and a growth in the blue economy of African Nations. The developments of fish farming in Africa during the last two decades are summarized in this article.

ew research institutions have been established in some countries, while existing institutions have been enlarged. As a result of research work and publicity, fisheries are now recognized in many countries as a vital factor in national nutritional policy and more attention is being given to their development. The results already achieved, justify the intensification of fish culture, in order to reduce the deficiency of protein in the diet of the majority of African people nowadays. Aquaculture as a science and professional field of engagement has experienced some steady development over the years by the intervention of new local and scientific technology in the overall management of aquatic fauna and flora species, and in totality the level of interest from the public as a sustainable agricultural approach to food security problems. Aquaculture in Africa: Nigeria, Egypt, Madagascar, Sierra Leone, Ghana and other countries from the West African 28 »

“Tilapia culture in Ghana. Photo by Curtis Lind, 2009.” by WorldFish is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

Region, has created more opportunities for self-employment, youth empowerment and a growth in the blue economy of African Nations. Aquaculture in Africa like in any other continent has positively attracted the engagement of women in the market supply chain. Amidst many aquatic fauna and flora species the predominant fish species grown in Africa are; the African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus), Tilapia (Oreochromis spp.), this is basically due to their biology (reproductivity), and ecologic adaptability to the environment of Africa and their tolerance to management inefficiency. However, results over the years have justified that the production of fish via aquaculture efforts outweighs that of Aquatic Flora (Seaweeds) as it’s the opposite in some other areas of the world. The production of fish have gained volume in the aquaculture industry resulting into the need for commercialization, the growing of fish commonly in ponds and tanks as a traditional way

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“Aquaculture ponds in Ghana. Photo by Curtis Lind, 2009.” by WorldFish is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

of fish farming in Africa with the recorded scale of overall production shows the potentiality of a large scale productivity by the advent of sustainable technology like the use of the Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), Aquaponics, etcetera.

Aquaculture in Africa as a unique Agri-business has promoted the market with lots of fishery by products as used in: human food; animal feed; industrial uses; fertilizers; biochemical and pharmaceutical products. The list of products ranges from

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ARTICLE Table 1 Aquaculture production of aquatic animals by region (1 000 tons, in live weight) Africa. 2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

989

1,286

1,396

1,490

1,620

1,717 1,778

local technology to high tech skills, however, the trend in the value chain of aquaculture products in Africa holds chance on the realization of the unique and friendly input aquaculture has on the sustainable use of our earth aquatic natural resources. The market has been competitive; the majority of African Countries like Sierra Leone have 70% - 80% of their population reliant on fish and fishery

2015

2016

2017

2018

1,976

2,086

2,196

products as the cheapest source of animal protein which calls for more fish production attention.

Fish product markets in Africa have a successful increase in number “Unlike in Asia where the tradition of “farming fish” dates back thousands of years, it is only in the last few years that the development of

“Cage aquaculture in Ghana. Photo by Curtis Lind, 2009.” by WorldFish is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

“Floating cages on Lake Volta, Ghana. Photo by Curtis Lind, 2009.” by WorldFish is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

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aquaculture as a source of income and food has begun to be exploited in West Africa. With a suitable natural environment and a relatively stable political climate in most countries, West Africa offers an attractive investment destination for aquaculture because of its rich coastal ecosystem and inland rivers and estuaries spanning all the way from Mauritania to Equatorial Guinea and inland to Mali, Niger and Chad with diverse local species of high market value, such as tilapia, catfish and Atlantic tiger shrimp - all of which are currently being farmed and exported”. (State of World Aquaculture: 2006. FAO Fisheries Technical Paper. No. 500. Rome, FAO, 2006.). Fish and fish products are some of the most traded food items in the world – so it’s no surprise that in 2018, 67 million tons of fish (live weight equivalent) was traded internationally for a total export value of USD 164 billion. This equates to almost 38 percent of all fish caught or farmed worldwide. However, trade has recently hit a downturn. Available estimates for 2019 suggest that total trade value contracted by about 2 percent in both quantity and value compared with the previous year. The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has already negatively impacted trade among key exporters and importers in 2020 (FAO, The state of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2020). The production growth level in tons per annum shows development which validates that the trend of aquaculture products holds ground for emerging fish market locally and internationally. West Africa, with Nigeria leading the race in terms of aquaculture production level has opened the eyes of other countries like Ghana, Sierra Leone; in the sub region on the uniqueness of aquaculture contribution to food security. *Corresponding author: Benjamin Bockarie bockariebenjamin001@gmail.com

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Intestinal microbiota of white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei,

fed diets containing Bacillus subtilis E20 fermented soybean meal (FSBM) or an antimicrobial peptide derived from B. subtilis E20 FSBM The use of probiotics in shrimp farming is known to bring benefits such as improved nutrient absorption and feed conversion efficiency, promoting growth, immunity, and disease resistance; as well as the exclusion of undesirable bacteria in the digestive tract of animals. This study performed by researchers of the Aquaculture department of Pingtung National University of Science and Technology, Taiwan, and associated research institutions was conducted with the objective of profiling the microbiota structure in the By: Ann Chang Cheng, Shinn Pyng Yeh, Shao Yang Hu, Hsueh Li Lin, Chun Hung Liu*

hrimp aquaculture has been prompted due to increasing demands and decreasing fishery catches. The production of white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, is the highest penaeid culture in the world. The shrimp aquaculture industry has been impacted by increases

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intestines of the white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, after being fed for 60 days with diets that present these alternative features and a control diet.

in feed costs, serious diseases and environmental deterioration. Feed costs have the highest share in the total cost of shrimp aquaculture, and shrimp diseases have profound negative impacts on their production. The development of feed additives and novel feed ingredient substitutes to

reduce feed costs and prevent or reduce disease is important. In aquaculture, probiotics are known to have benefits, such as improving nutrient absorption and the feed conversion efficiency, thereby enhancing growth performance, immunity and disease resistance, and AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

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In a previous study by the same

authors, a biofunctional ingredient, Bacillus subtilis E20-FSBM, was shown to have antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that inhibited two important shrimp pathogens: Vibrio alginolyticus and V. parahemolyticus.

excluding undesirable forms of bacteria in the gut. Probiotics are also used to improve the nutritional value and utilization of plant ingredients through fermentation. Fermented soybean meal (FSBM) contains biologically active peptides that exert physiological effects on microbes in the gut, including antimicrobial activity. In a previous study by the same authors, a biofunctional ingredient, Bacillus subtilis E20-FSBM, was shown to have antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that inhibited two important shrimp pathogens: Vibrio alginolyticus and V. parahemolyticus. In addition, white shrimp fed a diet containing B. subtilis E20-FSBM (FSBMD) and a diet containing an AMP isolated from B. subtilis E20-FSBM (AMPD) had better disease resistance after an oral challenge with V. parahemolyticus, suggesting that FSBMDs or AMPDs might alter the composition of microorganisms in the intestine of shrimp and reduce the risk of disease.

(called the FSBMD), and AMP (control diet containing AMP at 62.5 μg/g, designated the AMPD). Diets were prepared based on the protein (37%) and lipid (7%) requirements of white shrimp. Shrimp and the experimental design Shrimp in the intermolt stage with a mean weight of 0.76 ± 0.02g were used for this study. After collection, shrimp were acclimatized in a cement tank (6 × 2 × 1 m) with aerated brackish water (25‰) and fed the control diet twice daily until the experiment was initiated. Three groups were tested: shrimp fed the control diet, the FSBMD, and the AMPD. Each feeding group, comprised of triplicate with 20 shrimp per replicate, was reared in cement tanks containing 0.8 tons of 25‰ aerated brackish water. Shrimp were fed the experimental diets twice daily at a rate of 5% of their biomass. Water temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH were maintained at 28 ± 1°C, >5 mg/L and 8.01–8.13 respectively. NH3-N and NO2-N were at optimal ranges of 0.01–0.11 mg/L and 0.01–0.06 mg/L, respectively. After the 60-day feeding period, shrimp were harvested and weighted, and then, nine shrimp from each group were selected for DNA isolation. 16S metagenomic sequencing and taxonomic classification DNA of whole intestine of shrimp was isolated in triplicate using a FavorPrepTM Tissue Genomic DNA extraction Mini Kit. The V3-V4

region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified using SureCycler 8,800 with bacterium-specific primers, including the forward primer (S17): 5´-TCGTCGGCAGCGTCAGATGTGTATAAGAGACAGCCTACGGGNGGCWGCAG-3´ and reverse primer (A21): 5´-GTCTCG T G G G C T C G G AG AT G T G TATAAGAGACAGGACTACHVGGGTATCTAATCC-3´ in the preparation solution (Nextera XT Index Kit). Each forward and reverse primer for V3-V4 amplification of samples was 5´-barcode-tagged with an 8-bp specific DNA sequence as shown in Table 1. Sizing of the amplified product was checked using a 4,200 TapeStation. After library construction, sequences of 2 × 300-bp paired-end reads were amplified. The Illumina paired-end reads were aligned to long reference sequences using Bowtie 2. Sequences were filtered, and potential chimeric sequence filtering was performed using Mothur. The effective reads and corresponding clean reads were in a range of 95.12% ~ 97.7%. In order to group sequences into operational taxonomic units (OTUs), the UPARSE algorithm was used, and sequences from each OTU that agreed were created. The Ribosomal Database Project (RDP) classifier was employed for classifying OTU sequences into taxa after an analysis of the bacterial community. Taxonomic levels from phylum to genus were analyzed, and the clustering results were visualized by observing a principal component analysis (PCA) plot.

Materials and methods

Preparation of the experimental diets Bacillus subtilis E20-FSBM and AMP derived from B. subtilis E20-FSBM were prepared according to procedures described previously. Three experimental diets were used to feed shrimp in this study, including a control diet, and diets containing FSBM 34 »

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Abundances and biodiversity of gut microbiota The alpha_diversity.py script in the website of QIIME (http://qiime. org/scrip ts/alpha_diver sity.html) was used to calculate genera, Pielou’s evenness (J), Shannon diversity index and Margalef ’s species richness.

Results

Growth performance Growth of shrimp fed experimental diets for 60 days is shown in Table 2. Shrimp survival was 91.38%–96.22%. Final weight, percentage of weight gain and feed efficiency of shrimp fed FSBMD and AMPD were not significantly different from control. Characteristics of the shrimp gut microbiome Totals of 579,196, 555,204 and 503,798 non-redundant sequences were generated for the control, FSB-

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MD and AMPD groups respectively. Sequences in the control, FSBMD and AMPD treatments were clustered, respectively, into 1,443, 1,374 and 2,169 OTUs, at an identity cut-off of 97%.

The obtained OTUs were then assigned to eight phyla, 20 classes, 40 orders, 68 families and 96 genera with taxonomic names (Figure 1). Similarities and differences in intestinal microbiota Figure 2 shows similarities and differences in observed genera among the control and treatment groups. Shared OTUs (Figure 2a), FSBMD replicates (Figure 2b), AMPD replicates (Figure 2c), OTUs shared as core microbiota among the control and treatment groups (Figure 2d), taxonomic clas» 35

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sifications of unique OTUs at the generic level can be seen. Two representative genera in the control group were Lachnoclostridium and Maribacter, while Kiloniella, Bilophila, Enterococcus, Acidaminococcus, Rhizobium, Anderseniella, Tyzzerella, Incertae, Sedis, Pseudospirillum, Winogradskyella and Desulfovibrio were unique to both the FSBMD and AMPD groups (i.e. not present in the control group). Microbiome structure and diversity Feeding of AMPD or FSBMD had a strong influence on the bacterial profiles of the shrimp. According to PCA data, the intestinal microbiota of shrimp was dependent on dietary supplementation and clustered into three distinct groups. Contributions of principal component 1 (PC1) and PC2 were 36.4% and 18.3%, respectively, and together, they explained

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54.7% of the variation in the dataset. At the phylum level, the microbial taxonomic composition showed the Proteobacteria to have the highest abundance in all groups, but Proteobacteria abundance was lower (82.94%) in shrimp fed the AMPD. Relative abundances of the Bacteroidetes (1.21% in the control) and Actinobacteria (0.56% in the control) were slightly higher in the FSBMD group (1.64% and 3.36%, respectively) and the AMPD group (1.35% and 4.24%, respectively). Across all of the data, the predominant genera (with the highest relative abundances) in shrimp intestines were Vibrio, Sphingomonas, Pseudoalteromonas, Shewanella, Shimia and Ruegeria. However, the relative abundances of the predominant genera varied among the various groups. In shrimp fed the control diet and

FSBMD, Vibrio, Sphingomonaas, Shewanella, Shimia and Mesorhizobium were predominant, whereas Vibrio, Pseudoalteromonas, Sphingomonas, Ruegeria, Marinicella, Pseudoruegeria and Planctomyces were predominant genera in the AMPD group. The analysis by PCA eigenvector plots showed that shrimp in the control group had higher accumulation of Vibrio in the intestinal tract compared to that of shrimp in the FSBMD and AMPD groups. Based on data of alpha diversity shown in Table 3, 96 genera of bacteria were detected in shrimp intestines. Shrimp fed the experimental FSBMD and AMPD diets both contained 84 genera. A slightly lower number of genera (78) were detected in the intestines of control shrimp.

Discussion Fermentation is an effective method for processing shrimp food to prolong the duration of preservation and enhance the food’s flavor and nutritional value. Some health benefits of the FSBM diet to animals may be attributable to AMPs or other compounds that alter the animal’s gut microflora. In our previous study, white shrimp fed the diets with maximal replacement levels of fish meal with SBM and B. subtilis E20FSBM at 37.42% and 61.67% had no significant difference in growth performance as compared to fish meal basal diet, which explain the normal growth of shrimp fed the diet containing fish meal replaced by SBM or B. subtilis E20-FSBM at the levels of ~10% in this study. In general, white shrimp might get higher weight gain in outdoor culture system as compared to that of shrimp in this study because many natural food, like algae, aquatic insect, zooplankton and other organic matter, in outdoor culture system can support shrimp growth. However, shrimp in the indoor culture system reflect directly the effects of the experimental diet. In addition, an AMP from B. subtilis E20-FSBM was demonstrated to AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

and support the colonization of potential probiotics. Vibriosis is one of the most important diseases in shrimp aquaculture and causes serious mortality. Vibrio spp. are widely distributed in marine environments worldwide and are typically among the most abundant flora in shrimp digestive systems. Endemic pathogens, Photobacterium and Vibrio, are predominant during the post-larval and juvenile stage (89.1% ~ 94.2%). Similarly, during this study, Vibrio spp. were predominant in shrimp intestines, accounting for 42.6% ~ 70% of the microbiota. In this study, shrimp in the FSBMD and AMPD groups had lower abundances of Vibrio in the intestines compared to that of shrimp in the control. The reduction in the abundance of Vibrio was due to the AMP supplemented in the diet, in addition to the AMP originally in B. subtilis E20FSBM. Flavobacterium, a potential fish pathogen, was also reduced in the intestines of shrimp fed the FSBMD or AMPD. Changes in the intestinal microbiota of the intestines of shrimp receiving the FSBMD and AMPD were beneficial.

strongly inhibit the growth of the shrimp pathogens, V. alginolyticus and V. parahaemolyticus. The AMP and B. subtilis E20-FSBM were individually incorporated into shrimp diets, and results showed that the shrimp’s resistance to V. parahaemolyticus significantly improved. The positive effects of the AMP and FSBM on the disease resistance of shrimp might be due to changes in the intestinal microbiota, and perhaps more specifically decreases in the abundances of potential pathogens, that is, Vibrio spp., as observed in this study. AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

Venn diagrams used for the analysis of differences in detected bacteria at the generic level showed that nine unique OTUs were recorded in the FSBMD group, whereas there were just two unique OTUs in both the control and the AMPD groups. Some genera, such as Gordonia and Rhodococcus were only found in the FSBMD and AMPD groups during this study. These genera are also known to be potential probiotics. Beneficial bacteria were more abundant in the FSBMD group. FSBM may be able to alter the structure of the intestinal microflora

Conclusions The B. subtilis E20-FSBM and an AMP derived from B. subtilis E20-FSBM enhanced the bacterial diversity, species richness and evenness in the shrimp gut. In addition, alterations in the intestinal microbiota of shrimp consuming the FSBMD and AMPD included an increase in colonization of beneficial bacteria and decreases in the potentially harmful pathogens, Vibrio and Flavobacterium. A decrease in potentially harmful pathogens can result a decrease in risk of disease. * This is a summarized version developed by Ph.D. Carlos Rangel Dávalos, researcher and professor at the University of Baja California Sur México. The original article on which is based is titled: “Intestinal microbiota of white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, fed diets containing Bacillus subtilis E20‐fermented soybean meal (FSBM) or an antimicrobial peptide derived from B. subtilis E20‐FSBM” by: Ann Chang Cheng, Shinn Pyng Yeh, Shao Yang Hu, Hsueh Li Lin y Chun Hung Liu. The article was originally published on 2020 through the Aquaculture Research Journal of Wiley. The full version of the article can be accessed at: https :// doi.org/10.1111/are.14345

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Insect Protein: the Future of Feed

Insect protein has taken center stage in the search of alternative proteins in animal feed. The novel insect-protein industry has scaled production in recent years, with a growing number of new companies appearing in Southeast Asia. Insect production offers the region an opportunity to decrease import-dependence while supporting local aquaculture producers with a price stable product. Meanwhile a growing body of evidence from commercial and By: Martin Zorrilla - Director of Research & Development, and Nada Dhaoi - Nutrition Manager Nutrition Technologies Sdn Bhd *

ver the past decade the feed industry has changed its perspective on insects. Insects in general were considered a pest or a nuisance at best, now they are seen as a pivotal ingredient that can transform the feed supply chain. This change in thinking starts

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academic trials illustrate that insect protein is a viable fishmeal replacement in carnivorous fish diets and in many cases results in improved immune response and gut health outcomes.

with the intuitive knowledge that insects are a major part of the diets of aquaculture species in the wild. That intuition is backed up by science, over a decade of careful trialing has demonstrated that insect protein is both highly digestible and palatable in the diets of numerous farmed species, from Salmon to Barramundi.

Along with the science a growing cohort of growth-stage companies have emerged to transform insect production from lab scale to commercial scale manufacturing. Aqua feeds containing insect protein, although at low inclusion rates, are now available on the market and major players in the feed industry have dedicated AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

teams working on securing supply. This year the International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed (IPIFF) announced that its 64 member companies alone had produced a total of 6,000 tons of insect protein in 2019. While these numbers are still small compared to conventional commodities - most insect companies are now bringing their first commercial facilities online, marking the start of aggressive expansion. Insect producers have attempted to mass-produce several species, including; mealworm, fruit flies and locusts, however the majority have focused their efforts on one particular species - the Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens). The Black Soldier Fly (BSF) stands out among the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 120,000 fly species due to several key traits: they do not need to feed as adults so they accumulate protein and fat in their larval stage, they can feed on a remarkable range of organic material, and they produce large

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numbers of offspring (600-900 per female). Because of this BSF can be easily bred, fed on a range of organic materials and easily processed into nutrient dense products. Crucially BSF are a beneficial species: they are not-pests, they do not transmit diseases and are not attracted to human dwellings or food.

Taking Flight in Asia The majority of insect protein companies are based in Europe, where the environmental sustainability of the industry has been welcomed by investors and regulators alike. However, Asia, Southeast Asia in particular, has been home to the second wave of innovation and development in the insect industry. This is because the region is ideally suited to be a center of insect protein production as well as consumption. The insect of choice, the Black Soldier Fly, is tropical in origin and therefore performs well in the tropical countries of South-

east Asia. The region also allows for low operating costs and proximity to the factory-grade food by-products needed as insect feed. Asia accounts for no less than 50% of the lost nutrition in food the global food supply chain, much of it from the industrial food processing that can be used for insect production. Yet agricultural production in the region is limited compared to its growing population, creating an import-dependence problem that insect protein can help to solve. It is estimated that by 2030 Asia will be home to almost half of the global population but contain only one-quarter of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agricultural land. This has contributed to a reliance on imported feed ingredients like fishmeal and soybean meal, both of which are mostly imported from South America, to support growing livestock and aquaculture industries. Over the past decade dependence on imported material has grown to

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Aqua feeds containing insect

protein, although at low inclusion rates, are now available on the market and major players in the feed industry have dedicated teams working on securing supply.

75-80% in aqua feed for countries like Vietnam and Malaysia. In 2017 Chinese demand for protein ingredients grew by 7% while its soybean meal production actually fell by 1.5%. Meanwhile government-led efforts to incentivize corn and soy production in countries like Indonesia have not succeeded in creating a meaningful domestic supply. Most Asian countries lack the large tracts of farmland required for soybean production, and the region’s already depleted fisheries means that fishmeal production can only decrease. In this context insect protein can play a crucial role as a scalable local supply of protein to support the continued growth of the aquaculture industry in Southeast Asian countries. Indeed a growing cohort of insects-as-feed companies have chosen to open or move to Asian countries. The Bangkok-based Asian Food And Feed Insect Association (AFFIA) includes 12 members that are producing insects for animal feed. As the fledgling industry scales up it may present the region with a way to lower import-dependence as well as production costs. Our company, Nutrition Technologies, has always seen Southeast Asia as the epicenter of the insect protein industry. Founded in 2014, Nutrition Technologies operates in Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam 40 »

with further regional expansion in the works. Our production is currently centralized in Johor (Malaysia), where we operate factories producing a high quality protein meal (Hi. Protein®), oil (Hi.Oil®) and frass (Hi.Frass®) from Black Soldier Fly Larvae. These larvae are reared on agricultural and food-processing byproducts in a vertical farming system that ensures product safety and traceability. The larvae undergo only 7 days of high-growth rearing after which they are processed into protein meal and oil. Within Malaysia our product represents one of the only locally produced protein ingredients suitable for use in Aquaculture. The scalability of the system means that we can substantially reduce the de-

pendence on imported protein ingredients in countries like Malaysia without requiring large tracts of land to do so. Our facility in Johor Bahru can produce more protein in one square meter than a hectare of soybeans can yield in the same amount of time.

Applications in Aqua feed Insect protein has emerged as a clear front-runner in the race to develop alternative proteins for aquaculture feed. The reason for this has always centered on its ability to replace fishmeal. Unlike plant-based alternatives insect protein is both highly palatable and highly digestible for carnivorous species. However, as a natural food source that many aquaculture species have evolved to eat, insect protein has

BSF oil and meal. Photo: Nutrition Technologies. AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

a much greater role to play than as a protein source alone. Recent research has demonstrated a range of beneficial effects on aquaculture species when insect protein in used in feed, including positive changes in micro biota and gut health. A growing body of research has demonstrated that insect meal as an alternative aqua feed ingredient in aquaculture seems to be promising both at technical-productive level and at consumer acceptance level. The evidence in favor of insect protein comes both from academic and commercial trials. Black soldier fly protein meal has been tested in commercial salmon feed produced by Skretting Norway and was first tested by Nordlaks in 2018, where fish showed the same growth performance when fed on BSFL protein as with traditional protein sources. In 2019, Le Gouessant Aquaculture and a European insect company succeeded in 100% fishmeal substitution with insect protein in rainbow trout feed without negative effects. While insect protein has been shown to have a suite of potential roles in aqua feed, most academic studies have focused on its potential as a fishmeal replacement. Belghit et al. (2019) investigated the use of partially defatted BSFL meal used in total substitution of fishmeal (FM) in the diet of Atlantic salmon. The authors

found that a 100% replacement of FM by BSFL meal was possible without negative effects on growth performance, feed utilization, nutrient digestibility, liver traits or the sensory qualities of the fillet. Insect meal has also been proved to be a relevant protein source in shrimp diets. Renna et

al. (2017) showed that a partially defatted BSFL meal can substitute 50% FM in rainbow trout diets without impacting growth performance. Many other studies investigating BSFL meal in different fish species have demonstrated its relevance as a FM replacement (as shown in Figure 1).

Figure 1 FM replacement by BSFL meal in diets of a wide range of aqua species observed without adverse effects.

Recent research has

demonstrated a range of beneficial effects on aquaculture species when insect protein in used in feed, including positive changes in micro biota and gut health.

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When considering alternative protein ingredients, digestibility is often a sticking point. Yet insect protein does not appear to have this issue, with several studies showing that insect protein has digestibility levels comparable to fishmeal and certainly higher than animal protein sources such as feather meal and meat and bone meal. High apparent digestibility coefficient of protein (up to 90%) of BSFL meal has been demonstrated when replacing FM in rainbow trout, Terova et al. (2019). A recent study has been conducted by Lin and coauthors (2004) who found the apparent digestibility coefficient of protein comparable to that of fishmeal when fed to orangespotted grouper. A landmark study by Belghit and co-authors from the Institute of Marine Research in Norway, found that inclusion of BSFL meal in Atlantic salmon diet had no effect on AA digestibility compared to control diets with fishmeal. In a trial with European seabass, Magalhaesa and coauthors (2017) found that arginine, histidine and valine digestibility actually increased in diets containing BSFL meal. The results above demonstrate that the residual presence of chitin in insect based diets and which is hardly digested by many fish species doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a huge impact on insect digestibility. Terova et al. (2019) reported that insect meal (BSFL meal) positively modifies trout gut microbiota not only by increasing the amount of beneficial lactic acid and butyrate-producing bacteria but also by increasing Actinobacteria which are often identified as chitin degraders. However, insect protein is much more potential than as a highly digestible fishmeal replacement. Evidence is growing that insect products improve immune response and modulate fish microbiota. Some of the most exciting research has been in shrimp, where insect meal has been shown to increase resistance to disease and improve immunity. 42 Âť

Motte et al. (2019) reported that shrimp fed diets in which FM was replaced by mealworm meal showed a lower mortality rate than those who received diets including only FM after a challenge with Vibrio. The treatment from this study with a 50% FM replacement with insect protein resulted in a 76.9% lower mortality rate than the control diet, suggesting that insect meal could have immuno-stimulating benefits. The immunological benefits of insect though to be related to their chitin content, which has been found to be an immuno-stimulant for both shrimp and fish. Besides chitin, insect meal and BSFL meal, in particular, is rich in lauric acid, a mediumchain fatty acid with antimicrobial properties.

Conclusion It will be some time before insect protein shows up in every aqua feed product ingredient list. But the question is increasingly when and not if it will do so. With production on the rise, com-

Black soldier flies. Photo: Nutrition Technologies.

panies in the feed industry are increasingly playing an active role to support the new industry and its promise of an environmentally friendly price-stable alternative to conventional ingredients. Ultimately insect protein has many contributions to make not only to feed companies and end users but also to the countries where production occurs.

For further information, visit: www.nutrition-technologies.com

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

Future Scenarios for Global Aquaculture and Its Role in Human Nutrition

By: Jessica A. Gephart, Christopher D. Golden, Frank Asche, Ben Belton, Cecile Brugere, Halley E. Froehlich, Jillian P. Fry, Benjamin S. Halpern, Christina C. Hicks, Robert C. Jones, Dane H. Klinger, David C. Little, Douglas J. McCauley, Shakuntala H. Thilsted, Max Troell & Edward H. Allison * Based on a recently published study developed by an international research community from over 20 renown universities and institutions, this summarized article explores plausible aquaculture futures and their role in nutrition security using a qualitative scenario approach. Two dimensions of economic development – the degree of globalization and the predominant economic development philosophy – bound four scenarios representing systems that are either localized or globalized, and orientated toward maximizing sectorial economic growth or to meeting environmental and equity dimensions of sustainability. These scenarios can prompt discussion among researchers, policymakers, and advocacy groups about desirable futures for nutritionsensitive aquaculture to help chart a course for how to get there.

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ARTICLE

ike any food production system, increasing aquaculture production will come with environmental costs. Environmental impacts, including those associated with energy use, water reliance, feed inputs, genetic risks and nutrient and pollutant release, vary widely because production systems and feed requirements are highly diverse, with around 460 species/ groups of algae, shellfish, and finfish raised in freshwater, brackish, and marine environments, using a wide range of technologies (Troell et al. 2014; Tacon 2020). But within this variability lies opportunities. Evaluating nutritional contributions therefore requires a systems approach to understand the distribution of seafood, as well as the economic value derived from seafood along the supply chain. This approach avoids pitting one fish against another in search of a silver bullet and emphasizes the importance of considering aquaculture in the context of the diversity of foods in a food system (Tlusty et al. 2019).

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Photograph credit: Hanson Lu.

Nutrition-sensitive aquaculture is defined within this analysis as a food system that (i) supports public health outcomes through production of diverse seafood, (ii) provides multiple, rich sources of essential, bioavailable nutrients, and (iii) supports equitable access to nutritionally adequate, safe, and culturally acceptable diets that meet food preferences for all populations, without compromising ecosystem functions, other food systems, and livelihoods. Key to nutrition-

This was not a predictive exercise, meaning scenarios were not assigned probabilities. Instead, the scenarios focused on contrasting situations that are plausible given the identified uncertainties faced by aquaculture and food sectors, health, human development, and the environment. 44 Âť

sensitive aquaculture is the shift from looking at aquaculture as primarily a means to produce seafood toward a means to create wellbeing, which necessitates accounting for socio-economic, environmental, and cultural dimensions. Previous analyses of the future of aquaculture have used supply and demand models to project production and consumption levels based on observed patterns of consumption, price, and elasticity of demand (e.g. Kobayashi et al. 2015; Tran et al. 2019). Although valuable for forecasting near-term demand, such projections are based on current diet patterns, trade environments, and governance contexts. Their utility can be expanded when coupled with qualitative scenarios to understand the conditions that enable or inhibit nutrition-sensitive aquaculture, such as the role of public and private investments in shaping development trajectories, the trade policy environment, technological innovation and knowledge transfer, and the response of consumers to information and marketing campaigns (Asche 2008;

Thong and Solgaard 2017; Garlock et al. 2020). Scenarios are plausible descriptions about how the future may develop, based on coherent and internally consistent relationships, but are not predictions or forecasts (Naki_ cenovi_c and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2000). Here, qualitative scenarios for future aquaculture are developed through a process of expert elicitation and focused on the medium term future (i.e. 2030â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2050). The presented scenarios can help prompt discussions about which futures are desirable. As the current food system experiences substantial shocks to both supply and demand, there is potential for the sector to reorganize and head down an alternate scenario path.

Methods Future scenarios were developed using a version of the exploratory-strategic scenario methodology, following scenario development approaches used for socio-environmental decision-making (Reilly and Willenbockel 2010). The first step was to converge AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

on the focal issue: the development of aquaculture and how different trajectories would likely affect its contribution to human nutrition. The second step was to identify forces that are driving change in the aquaculture sector, with an emphasis on drivers that affect its intersection with the overall food system. The two drivers identified as most important, most uncertain, and uncorrelated to each other were used to bound four contrasting scenarios. This was not a predictive exercise, meaning scenarios were not assigned probabilities. Instead, the scenarios focused on contrasting situations that are plausible given the identified uncertainties faced by aquaculture and food sectors, health, human development, and the environment.

national, regional and global governance will influence the adjustment of the food system to emergent concerns for environmental sustainability and distributional equity. The two axes relating to the degree of globalization and the economic growth philosophy create four quadrants, each representing a distinct future scenario explained below (see Figure 1).

Aquatic chicken The world moves toward further economic globalization and encourages boundless economic growth. Through genetic selection and modification, as well as technological innovations, the aquaculture industry develops intensive production systems with limited environmental regulation. The highly intensive and controlled production systems prioritize reducing production cost, raising Scenario results The two key drivers identified as concerns regarding environmental bounding the future of the aquacul- impacts and animal welfare. Despite ture sector are economic globaliza- this, seafood products may still be ention and economic growth trajectory. vironmentally efficient compared to Economic globalization refers to the other animal-source foods. Producstructure of the global economy, with- tion systems rely on globalized supin which aquaculture production and ply chains, sourcing feed ingredients trade take place, and economic growth internationally, taking advantage of trajectory refers to the degree to which low labor costs for processing, and

The two key drivers identified as bounding the future of the aquaculture sector are economic globalization and economic growth trajectory.

utilizing co-products and by-products globally. Through competition, only the most profitable system- species combinations win out, resulting in massive production of only a few species, which are highly traded and spread rapidly. This high level of production creates low global prices for such â&#x20AC;&#x153;aquatic chickens,â&#x20AC;? which occupy different price categories targeting different types of consumers and reach consumers around the globe due to low trade barriers.

Figure 1. Visual representation of the two selected axes and four resulting scenarios. AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

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The primary drivers of future aquaculture scenarios in the medium term identified here deal with macroeconomic factors that are uncertain in their evolution but highly influential.

This enhances access to seafood for those in urban areas and areas with good logistics. Self-provisioning and local smallholder production persist as part of integrated rural livelihoods for species not dependent on externally sourced seed, but this is marginal compared to a world where production is dominated by a few large species. The “aquatic chicken” supply chains are generally vertically integrated and only a few companies control key components of the supply chain, especially breeding and feed production. This level of consolidation has both risks and benefits.

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On the one hand, companies build significant knowledge with respect to production and marketing of these species and manage risk along the supply chain to reduce the probability of production disruptions. On the other hand, inherent low species diversity makes the systems vulnerable to disease, which can only partly be mitigated by improved knowledge about disease prevention and treatment.

Aqua-nationalism In this scenario, countries throughout the world turn inward for economic growth and focus on supporting national industries to meet seafood demand. While demand within countries continues to fuel production for domestic markets, limited technology transfer, sparse development, underdeveloped regulatory systems and import barriers for feeds result in less efficient production at the country level and higher prices. Such increases in prices reduce access to seafood by the poor, and lower total global aquaculture production. Inequality in seafood supply rises: the supply to current net importers declines sharply and while domestic production gradually expands, it is unable to close the demand gap and causes prices to rise. Reduced access

to imported feed ingredients increases production costs and further drives up prices. Growth of farmed seafood supply in “late adopting” countries where aquaculture development is currently in the nascent stages, is delayed, interrupted, or reversed. Overall, diversity of seafood available in each country generally declines as production diversity is constrained by local environmental conditions and limited technology transfer among countries. In lowand middle-income countries, reduced external pressure for improvements in environmental and food safety standards to comply with demand from export markets result in fewer regulatory spillovers to domestic- oriented production and larger negative environmental and public health externalities. To meet domestic demand and bring down rising costs, countries put production growth first and lift environmental regulations along the supply chain, allowing industry to exceed local carrying capacity and push up against environmental boundaries. Collectively, the world then pushes up against or exceeds planetary boundaries. Although small initiatives promoting locally produced, environmentally conscious seafood arise in some locations (e.g. “Slow Fish,” inspired by Slow Food),

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these systems are unsupported by economic policies and remain too niche to achieve any significant supply. In some places, rolling back environmental and animal health regulation results in disease outbreaks and biodiversity loss due to poor siting of farms in ecologically sensitive habitats. This increases risk of periodic seafood supply reductions and increased price volatility. In instances of disruptions from localized extreme events, regions are unable to source from foreign producers to fill production gaps without open trade policies. In other cases, protectionist trade policies limit some supply shocks and the spread of transboundary diseases by preventing the import of organisms that serve as vectors for transmission. Overall, fluctuating supply and lack of governmental intervention to influence food safety and nutritional quality, together with reduced species diversity available on domestic markets and inadequate consumer awareness and education, mean that farmed fish play a limited role in contributing to nutrition and public health in many countries.

Food sovereignty Countries throughout the world adopt sustainable local food production approaches focused on smallholder production. While some traditional production systems are highly productive, in general, global aquaculture production grows at a relatively slow rate â&#x20AC;&#x201C; if at all â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and total production is relatively low. Without efficiency and scale in production, there are fewer investments in production and distribution technology. While low production, in combination with high trade barriers, results in higher prices, the food production systems that arise in each country tend to be in line with local cultural preferences and environmental contexts, resulting in moderate species diversity at local levels and high species diversity globally. Throughout rural areas, fairly high seafood access exists for the large number of small-scale producers and their communities, but higher prices for seafood sold in urban markets reduce access for the urban poor. Since countries pursue a sustainable development path, production accounts for environmental limits, thus reducing risk of environmental disruptions, but when producers do experience losses, regions cannot fill the gap from foreign suppliers due to trade barriers. For those able to access farmed seafood, a variety of nutritious and culturally preferred species are available, albeit at a price. As a result, the sector contributes to nutritional diversity and quality in diets, and seafood is included in national dietary guidelines and is available to people at critical life stages, with the help of state subsidies or incentives, to state-run schools, hospitals, and elder care facilities. Regulations on food quality and incentives to maintain high nutrient content ensure that nutritional quality of farmed fish equals or exceeds that of wild caught fish. AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

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Photograph credit: Jaanus Jagomagi.

ARTICLE

Blue internationalism The world fully embraces the application of sustainable development principles, taking advantage of the benefits of globalized food systems while strengthening environmental governance to ensure the world does not exceed planetary boundaries. Global competition and high levels of technology transfer lead to relatively high global inland and marine seafood production. Favoring production of seafood in line with local environmental contexts, this world leads to moderate global species diversity, with the local species diversity depending on the specific approach in a given country. High global seafood production and low trade barriers enable low seafood prices, improving seafood access in urban areas and areas with transportation infrastructure connections and access to electricity for refrigeration. By accounting for environmental boundaries and diversifying production systems, this world reduces risks of environmental and disease disruptions to production. When disruptions do occur, trade openness allows regions to source from other regions to meet seafood demands and efficient and cooperative global surveillance systems enable disease outbreaks to be quickly contained before they erupt into pandemics threatening the sector. The Voluntary Guidelines to Support the Progressive Realization of the Right to Adequate Food in the Context of National Food Security are adopted by most States and ensure that nutrition information on farmed fish is available and State policies align with the Human Right to Food (FAO 2005). Regulations and fiscal incentives ensure that powerful food sector actors align their production, processing and marketing with dietary guidelines; they develop aquatic species strains with different nutrient “signatures” such that they can reach all sectors of the market with healthy food at affordable prices. 48 »

Photograph credit: Alex Antoniadis.

Discussion Despite the deep differences among the scenarios, there are elements of each of these scenarios in current production systems from around the world. Across the four scenarios, there is room for nutrition- sensitive aquaculture in each, but nutrition-sensitivity is not a given under any scenario. As discussed above, some scenarios are more strongly associated with the enabling conditions for nutrition-sensitive aquaculture (adoption of prosustainability policies that emphasize achievement of the sustainable development goals and equity of access to healthy, nutritious food), while others (emphasis on macroeconomic growth with little high-level attention or effective commitment to environmental sustainability and health equity) would likely require targeted policies to promote nutrition-sensitive aquaculture. These policies could include (i) ini-

tiatives that directly target behavior change and communication and other aspects of nutrition promotion (Ruel et al. 2018); and (ii) conditional cash transfer programs and support for family/homestead food production (e.g., Bolsa Fam_ılia and Programa de Aquisic¸~ao de Alimentos in Brazil, Rocha 2009). The primary drivers of future aquaculture scenarios in the medium term identified here deal with macroeconomic factors that are uncertain in their evolution but highly influential. These drivers likely interact with other prominent drivers of aquaculture production, such as climate change (for further input on this topic please read the full version of the article, link at the end of this version). Unlike globalization or sustainability policy, the mid-term direction related to climate change is fairly certain. Nevertheless, the scenarios which AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

As nations, investors, and development organizations look toward aquaculture to meet growing seafood demand, the macro policies, especially the degree of globalization and the economic growth strategy, will shape the form of aquaculture that takes hold.

sightful to consider the presented scenarios and what the future of aquaculture may look like if nations refocus inward for food and nutrition security or if the crisis drives further consolidation of the sector.

embrace a donut economics approach to economic development (Blue Internationalism and Food Sovereignty) bound the safe operating space for growth with a social floor and an environmental ceiling. As a result, these scenarios prioritize carbon emissions reductions to limit progression of global climate change, which would shift opportunities and risks for aquaculture within these scenarios. At the local scale, extreme weather events of droughts and floods are increasingly recognized as current and future challenges to aquatic farming, including in Malawi (Limuwa et al. 2018) and Thailand (Lebel et al. 2015). Ultimately, climate change will influence the scale, type, and quality of aquaculture production heterogeneously around the world. How such impacts will affect goals for addressing nutritionsensitive aquaculture is unknown but is no doubt critical for future research AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

to classify and understand the role of aquaculture in food and nutrition security. As the global COVID-19 pandemic is still unfolding, the full scope of damage to food systems in the longer term is unknown. Yet, it is already clear that portions of the aquaculture industry are suffering major setbacks, as some exports are being halted, workers are being laid off, food service segment demand has dramatically decreased, production units are incurring large losses (FAO 2020) and some countries are reconsidering their reliance on foreign seafood. Such setbacks can be particularly long-lasting for a budding sector, with many young farms that potentially lack the capital to weather the storm and the political clout to secure sufficient recovery aid. While it is unclear whether any of these events represents a momentary response or a lasting change, it is in-

Conclusion As nations, investors, and development organizations look toward aquaculture to meet growing seafood demand, the macro policies, especially the degree of globalization and the economic growth strategy, will shape the form of aquaculture that takes hold. As the world now appears to sit at a crossroads for the future of aquaculture and its role in contributing to global food and nutrition security, these scenarios can prompt discussion among researchers, policymakers, and advocacy groups about desirable futures for nutrition- sensitive aquaculture to help chart a course for how to get there. This article is a summarized version developed by the editorial staff of Aquaculture Magazine, based on the original publication of “Scenarios for Global Aquaculture and its Role in Human Nutrition” by: Jessica A. Gephart, Christopher D. Golden, Frank Asche, Ben Belton, Cecile Brugere, Halley E. Froehlich, Jillian P. Fry, Benjamin S. Halpern, Christina C. Hicks, Robert C. Jones, Dane H. Klinger, David C. Little, Douglas J. McCauley, Shakuntala H. Thilsted, Max Troell & Edward H. Allison. The original version of the article was published on July 2020 through the Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture of Francis & Taylor. In order to access the full version, please visit: https:// doi.org/10.1080/23308249.2020.1782342

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Algae Cultivation

via a Novel Photobioreactor and Harvest Apparatus for Sustainable Aquaculture By: Pure Biomass Inc* Algae can be used as a replacement for fish oil and fishmeal, which aquaculture relies heavily on as a source of protein and fatty acids in formulated fish foods. In fact, microalgae are the primary producers of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) for the entire global food chain, marine and terrestrial segments combined. Because algae cultivation can make up 30-40% of a hatchery’s operating expenses, improvements in algae production can lead to significant savings and a better bottom line for the business. Due to the rising costs of these wild ingredients and their finite supply, new alternatives are needed.

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icroalgae cultivation has long been an integral part of hatchery operations for the production of finfish, shellfish, and other aquaculture species. Marine consumers of microalgae include: oysters (all developmental stages), abalone, sea urchin, conch, penaeid shrimp larvae, sea monkeys, and zooplanktonic live prey (e.g. rotifers), which are cultivated as food for finfish larvae. Additionally, algae have shown potential as supplementary ingredients in formulated feeds as a natural source of vitamins, amino acids, and the pigment molecule astaxanthin, which is responsible for the pink coloration of salmonid flesh. Algae can also be used as a replacement for fish oil and fishmeal, which aquaculture relies heavily on as a source of protein and fatty acids in formulated fish foods. Due to the rising costs of these wild ingredients and their finite supply, new alternatives are needed. While terrestrial crops such as wheat, corn, and soy can be substituted for a portion of the marine-derived ingredients, these crops lack the highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) (e.g. DHA, EPA, and AA) that fish oil and fish meal provide. Microalgae, however, can provide these HUFA’s as well as protein. In fact, microalgae are the primary producers of HUFA for the entire global food chain, marine and terrestrial segments combined. Given the key role that algae cultivation plays in aquaculture and its rising potential, Pure Biomass Inc. is focused on delivering state-of-theart, yet affordable algae cultivation systems to help aquafarmers improve the quality, reliability, and productivity of their algae production process. Because algae cultivation can make up 30-40% of a hatchery’s operating expenses, improvements in algae production can lead to significant savings and a better bottom line for the business. AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

Figure 1: A full-scale (55,000-L) TriPARTM system, growing Haematococcus pluvialis at our research site in San Diego, CA. The TriPARTM provides several advantages to algae growers including: 1) contamination resistance for over 4 months 2) reduced need for dewatering by special harvest apparatus 3) eliminated need for temperature control 4) lower labor requirements via process automation 5) higher productivity via biofilm resistance, 6) reduced dependency on concentrated carbon dioxide (CO2) and 7) the modular assembly of the reactor cage makes for easy system expansion.

The Triangular Prism Algae Reactor The centerpiece of the Pure Biomass algae production platform is our newly developed TriPARTM (Triangular Prism Algae Reactor) intended for large-scale, sustainable algae production. The TriPAR is a closed photobioreactor containing 8,500 L within a space of ~10 m2 (6.7’ x 16’) by 6.’ high. The inner reactor body is formed from a large plastic bag, which is surrounded by an aluminum support cage in the shape of a long, triangular prism. Inside the reactor, a robotic harvest apparatus allows for the daily removal of concentrated biomass while maintaining culture sterility. Operation of the system is completely automated, including media charging, pH control, nutrient feeding, and biomass harvest. The unit can be operated as either a semi-continuous or fully-continuous system. If more capacity is required in the future, the same reactor can be linearly expanded in 4 ft. sections up to a maximum volume of 55,000-L (104’ long). Benefits of the TriPARTM include: minimal (or no) requirement for concentrated CO2 supplementation, no requirement for a surrounding greenhouse, reduced energy loads for heating and cooling, and signifiAUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

cantly improved water conservation compared to traditional reactors, all while maintaining culture purity and high productivity on a modest areal footprint. To achieve these benefits, the TriPARTM leverages several technological features: 1) The large volume of the culture allows for a high efficiency of CO2 capture while requiring a minimum amount of energy to drive mass transfer. 2) The reactor geometry is designed so that the air bubbles flow continuously along the inner walls, constantly mixing the culture and scouring the

surface free of biofilm. This allows for unfettered light penetration into the reactor, and largely removes the reservoir for contamination that a biofilm provides. 3) The style of mixing generated by the rising bubbles closely mimics optimal algae growth conditions found in nature, reproducing the cyclical pattern of light exposure that maximizes photosynthetic efficiency. 4) By taking advantage of gravity, upon turning off the air, the harvest apparatus, which is completely novel to photo-bioreactors, allows for the removal of settled biomass without

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compromising sterility. The potential result is a 20x reduction in water consumption associated with harvest and refill compared to existing technology. 5) The plastic bag used for process containment lowers the frequency of contamination events leading to better crop purity and more process uptime. In the event that a contamination does occur, the downtime required for process cleanout is greatly reduced by the ability to simply install a new culture bag, which also reduces the likelihood of a repeat contamination due to inadequate cleaning. In addition to our full-scale TriPARTM reactor, Pure Biomass also provides the seed train equipment needed for inoculum expansion. These include 25-L hanging bags, 250-L reactor cages, and 1350-L reactor cages. Together these units allow for clean seed expansion from frozen seed stocks all the way to full-scale inoculation. To the hatchery industry, both algae quality and quantity are key factors. The quantity of algae produced, which depends on both the volume of the cultivation equipment and the

productivity of the process (cell dry weight/L/day), is important, because algae cultivation is such a large part of a hatchery’s operating expenses. Algae quality is an important attribute due to the sensitivity of animal development to the balance of nutrients supplied by its diet. Ensuring proper animal nutrition is often so important as to warrant the cultivation of 3-5 different algal species in a single hatchery. This is done in order to provide the right blend of nutrients during each stage of an animal’s developmental cycle. Because the TriPARTM is a closed system, a hatchery is able to achieve high culture purity by excluding unwanted algal strains found in the local environment. In addition, the use of process automation and instrumentation for pH control, nutrient delivery, and batch cycle management ensure reliable, high productivity cultivations and that process conditions are maintained at the correct values to maximize the nutritional value of each algae strain. Due to the technical requirements needed for a hatchery to simultaneously produce multiple algal strains, the use of commercial algae concen-

trates has become a popular alternative. While these products do provide a way for hatcheries to more closely dial in their optimum feeding ratios, the efficacy of these products have been shown to be inferior to the efficacy of fresh algae cultures. Furthermore, at prices of $400-600/kg dry weight, algae concentrates can be significantly more expensive than algae cultivated in-house $150-400/ kg dry weight. This cost for in-house algae cultivation is based on the assumption of a small cultivation operation (~25 m2); however, larger algae cultivation operation with the TriPARTM system can bring down costs to <$30/kg dry weight. Pure Biomass believes that our TriPARTM system offers a good way for hatcheries of all sizes to produce their own, high-quality, live algae feeds using a robust production process. Furthermore, the TriPARTM system is easily scalable so hatcheries can grow their algae cultivation operations to the sizes where dramatic cost savings on algae feeds are possible. For more information visit: http://www.purebiomass.org/

Figure 2: Pure Biomass provides algae cultivation technology that focuses on affordable bio-secure solutions. By following our comprehensive standard operating procedures on sterile technique and culture transfer, you will be able to maintain high value, contamination resistant algae cultures, and produce them at the right scale for your operation.

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AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

NEWS ARTICLE

Thailand’s CP Foods sells SPF Shrimp Postlarvae to the United States

Homegrown Shrimp USA is a newly established company owned by Charoen Pokphand Foods Ltd, Public Company (CPF) located near Indiantown, Florida. Recently the website Shrimp News International published an interview with Robin MacIntosh, vice president of CPF in Thailand, where he talked about the latest advances in CPF’s new shrimp farm and hatchery in Florida, and its connection with the local shrimp farming industry. Bob Rosenberry, editor-publisher of Shrimp News International, made the interview, and in this article, we summarized its key messages.

omegrown, a wholly owned subsidiary of Charoen Pokphand Foods LTD (Thailand) is already established and operating in Florida, USA, with the objectives of developing a sustainable economic model for culturing marine shrimp in this country. As well as supplying SPF post larvae to the local and European markets. Below we present key facts about the products and operations that the company has recently shared with 20 members of the Unites States shrimp farming industry: • Homegrown Shrimp runs a new Penaeus vannamei hatchery in Indiantown, Florida, selling its postlarvae to shrimp farmers in Europe and the United States.

• The hatchery is completely closed and biosecure. It’s inland, runs on artificial saltwater and operates with a small labor force. • It sources its broodstock from CPF in Thailand. They are histologically clean and certified SPF from all known shrimp pathogens. • The broodstock are from CPF’s Turbo Line, a line developed for fast growth and disease tolerance. • Homegrown is committed to selling only the healthiest postlarvae. • The growth rate of the Turbo Line has improved 400% in 16 years of selective breeding, while CPF Thailand accounted for inbreeding and maximized genetic diversity. The line also has significantly improved tolerance to Vibrio infections.

• Optimum conditions for culturing the Turbo Line are a nearly constant temperature of 30° to 32° C, but any constant temperature will improve growth over fluctuating temperatures around the desired constant temperature. • Oxygen is maintained over 5.5 ppm. • Salinity can range from 1ppt to 45 ppt. • Feed size is essential, starting with smaller crumbles and working up to a pellet size of no more than 1.8 mm short cut. • Protein level should be 35% for growth of less than 2.5 grams per week. For growth of greater than 2.5 grams per week, protein levels greater than 40% are more appropriate. In the opinion of Bob Rosenberry, “CP Foods’ move into the postlarvae supply business in the United States is a bold decision that could “spark a revival of shrimp farming in the United States, since as long as I can remember seedstock availability, quality and price have been roadblocks to shrimp farming in the country”.

To read the full interview and original article, please visit: shrimpnews.com For further information on HomeGrown Shrimp, visit: http://homegrownshrimp-usa.com/

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AQUACULTURE WITHOUT FRONTIERS

AwF align with SPC to Strengthen Aquaculture

in the Pacific during COVID 19 pandemic

A Special Service Agreement has been signed this month between the Pacific Community (SPC) and Aquaculture Without Frontiers (AwF) which will engage AwF in providing business mentoring assistance to selected enterprises in overcoming business and technical constraints in their operations. This is under the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZMFAT) funded Sustainable Pacific Aquaculture Development Project (PacAqua) which aims to improve food security and increase economic growth.

By: Roy D. Palmer *

he Pacific Community (SPC) is an international development organisation gathering 26 Member Countries and Territories. SPC (www. spc.int ) harnesses science, knowledge and innovation for sustainable development, benefiting Pacific people, since 1947. The SPC Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems Division leads fisheries science expertise in the Pacific region and supports the 22 Pacific Islands countries & territories in coastal fisheries and aquaculture. We are working in an area covering 28.2 million km² of ocean, with the support of over 35 international partners. The PacAqua project is currently supporting 15 enterprises, comprising 14 private sector enterprises and one farmers’ association spread across eight countries (Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Federated Stages of Micronesia, Republic of Marshall Islands, and Tonga) and two territories (French Polynesia and New Caledonia) and aims to reach at least 19 enterprises by 2021. The project also supports six farmer clusters in Fiji and Papua New Guinea. “As aquaculture is successful when run as a business or set on a businesslike footing, especially during this 54 »

AwF visit to Women’s Cluster Farm.

COVID 19 pandemic, SPC focused on enhancing local business acumen among private sector operators,” said Robert Jimmy, the SPC Aquaculture Adviser. “As aquaculture is an important and expanding food-producing sector, the Pacific needs to improve food and nutrition security,” he added. The PacAqua project is also improving the uptake of improved aquaculture practices by strengthening government and farmer capacity in seed, feed and broodstock management. It is working with women aquaculture entrepreneurs, such as in Fiji, and women farmer cluster groups in countries

such as Papua New Guinea. Women participate extensively in aquaculture, but are often excluded from the transfer of technology, decision making and large-scale production (except as processors). Katherine Hawes, Chair, AwF (Australia) Ltd, said, “We are delighted that Aquaculture without Frontiers has signed a Special Service Agreement with The Pacific Community (SPC). During these difficult times our volunteers (business and technical advisors and mentors) will be aiming to add value and innovation to assist specific needs of PacAqua Enterprises AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

and Cluster Farmers in Pacific Island Countries and Territories. Hopefully, this will be the beginning of a long association, that will be of special benefit for aquaculture in the SPC region and we sincerely thank the management of the NZMFAT Pacific Aquaculture Development Project for enabling this opportunity. We look forward to sharing the expertise and knowledge of our specialist volunteers and helping to build and improve the aquaculture activities that offer important business, food security and nutritional prospects in the region.â&#x20AC;? Through collaboration with partner agencies such as the NZ government, implementing countries and private sector partners, and engagement of new partnerships such as AwF, SPC aims to contribute to aquaculture being more productive and economically sustainable, underpinned by responsible practices to ensure that the environment is protected from biosecurity threats. AwF Executive Director, Roy Palmer, highlighted that the areas AwF would be working on initially are more likely to be delivered via Zoom but as the program develops others will include face to face activities but much will depend on international travel improving. It is important to establish a framework covering issues such as how to make your SME Aquaculture Business bankable; training videos on key areas for strengthening aquaculture infrastructure starting from Market and working back to production; how to build business resilience amongst COVID-19 impacts; business leadership; local market development and assistance for South Pacific Mozuku (Mozuku is a collective term for various types of Japanese brown algae from the family Chordariaceae, which are used as food) for edible products; improved aquaculture practices- focusing on specific species; Mangrove Oyster processing assistance - handling, chucking and depuration video on best practice; Gender/ OHS- how to increase interest amongst Women and Youth to AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

Tilapia research farm in Fiji.

Tilapia Farm in Fiji.

One of the Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tilapia Cluster Farms.

develop their aquaculture enterprises; book-keeping training; identifying local fish, crustacean and algal species that can be used for aquaculture at the village level (multiple species in multiple areas) and developing best practice guidelines for husbandry of these species based on traditional use and international guidelines and developing best practice methods for delivery and storage of fish from aquaculture to market and retail outlets or develop alternative distribution methods. As travel improves and face to face activities can begin specific training

will be organised for areas such as fish health training for farmers; sea horse advance training; ornamental fish aquaculture activities and mentoring enterprises on business management. *Roy D. Palmer, Executive Director Aquaculture without Frontiers. For background on our strictly volunteer charity organization, please visit our website www.aquaculturewithoutfrontiers.org which has all the information about our history, projects and who is on our Boards. AwF has established organizations in Australia (Charity) and Mexico (NGO), but the mainstay is our organization incorporated in California #2671553 exempt from State and Federal taxes as a US501(c)(3) public charity. We run several networks on social media - School/Students; Women/Gender; Global Indigenous; Aquaponics; Aquarium Fish, Latin America and recently Small Island Development States.

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ARTICLE

Greenhouse and Pond Liner Coverings and Films Pond liners are used in ponds to keep water from seeping into the soil. They work by forming an impermeable layer between the water and the soil which prevents water loss. Pond liners also provide a base for plants to root themselves in, and provide a comfortable environment for fish to explore. Greenhouse coverings, although they serve a different purpose than pond liners, are also necessary to cultivate growth. A heavy-duty greenhouse cover is ideal for protecting investments from unwanted light transmission and provides longBy: Kalia Williams *

Pond Liner Plastic Film Pond liners are typically made out of multiple sheets of liner material that are welded together. Leaks can occur anywhere where a seam joins two sheets. In order to avoid leaks, pond liners need to age well. The liner material must be resistant to UV rays and to weather. There are a variety of pond liner materials. The most common materials are EPDM, RPE, and PVC liners. Here are various liner material options: RPE- Reinforced Polyethylene Pond Liners Reinforced Polyethylene liners (RPE) are one of the most durable pond liners available. They can last up to 40 years and have excellent puncture resistance. RPE liners do not need a protective underlayment because of their higher strength. RPE can also be produced in large sizes because they are lightweight. RPE liners do not bend as easily as other flexible liners, which is one drawback of this type of liner.

term service in high UV level environments. welded polypropylene liners are durable and light. They are also UV resistant and safe for fish and plants. Boxwelding is a process that uses heat to weld liners to conform to various 3D shapes. Box welded polypropylene liners allow for covering ponds with corners that are seamless and without folds. Rubber Liners Rubber liners are heavy compared to other liner materials and they are not as puncture resistant. Despite this, rubber liners are flexible and can fit nicely in ponds that have shelves

and a variety of other features. Punctures or tears, leaks in seams, and age and deterioration are all factors that risk the chance that small rocks, tree roots or other objects may remain in the hole excavated for the pond. The weight of the water pressing down on the liner may be heavy enough to puncture it. To decrease chances of the liner tearing, a strong liner material is necessary.

Greenhouse Coverings Greenhouse covers are a key component in greenhouse construction. The ideal greenhouse covers are

Box Welded Polypropylene Liners Box-welded polypropylene is one of the best materials to consider for regular or circular pond liners. Box 56 Âť

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

advantages. It can be prone to yellowing or clouding, which results in loss of light over time. This material is also prone to algae growth.

manufactured using a UV stabilizing additive to protect them from UV degradation and help them retain their original properties. The type of plant grown will determine the amount of light transmission needed and the type material to be used. The size of the greenhouse will be determined by growing goals. A few factors that go into how to choose the right greenhouse include climate, budget, and what will be grown in the greenhouse. Plastic Film Greenhouses Plastic (polyethylene) film is a popular material to use for covering greenhouses. It has a low initial cost and requires limited structural materials

and effectively diffuses sunlight. It is recommended to install a double layer of plastic film with airspace in between. This can reduce heating costs by up to 40 percent as opposed to other greenhouse cover materials. Polycarbonate Greenhouses Polycarbonate is a more rigid plastic than polyethylene. Polycarbonate is flexible and its double layered sheets are great for heat insulation. Due to its durability, polycarbonate sheeting is able to withstand hail storms and other accidents much better than glass. It is also not as prone to pollution damage or UV as polyethylene and can last up to 10 years. Polycarbonate sheeting does have a few dis-

Glass Greenhouses Glass provides the best light transmission out of all of the various coverings, which makes it the ideal material for greenhouse glazing. It has a higher thermal rating compared to other coverings and can last a long time. They are also resistant to air pollution and UV radiation and they are non-combustible. A few disadvantages of glass coverings are that they are often susceptible to catastrophe and cracked panels have to be replaced quite often. Fiberglass Greenhouses Fiberglass is rigid and durable. Because of this, it does not need structural backing. Fiberglass holds up well to catastrophic weather damage. A few disadvantages of using fiberglass include its vulnerability to sun exposure. This material tends to swell and reduce light transmission when exposed to long periods of sunlight. Fiberglass may last for five years before the UV breakdown becomes a factor. Fiberglass is also quite combustible and flames will continue to ignite even if you remove it from the source of ignition.

Conclusion Pond liner film and greenhouse coverings serve different purposes. Pond liners are used in ponds to keep water from seeping into the soil whereas greenhouse coverings protect plants from various factors. Both of these materials are responsible for limiting UV degradation and providing a comfortable environment for fish or plants. Therefore, choosing the right material is a necessary step in the cultivation process.

*For further information, visit: www.reefindustries.com

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NEWS ARTICLE

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster An industry-led transformative

initiative designed to accelerate the development of the seafood sector and the ocean economy By: Aquaculture Magazine Staff*

y 2030, the global ocean economy is expected to double in value to $3 trillion, outpacing the growth of the broader global economy by almost 20 percent. Today Canada’s Ocean economy employs nearly 350,000 Canadians and contributes more than $36 billion to our gross domestic product, with an incredible opportunity for growth ahead. With the most extensive coastline in the world, highly productive ecosystems, subsea resources, and untapped potential, Canada is wellpositioned to deliver on-demand for ocean solutions given the country’s expertise across ocean industries in technology, research, education, safety, and sustainability, combined with some of the most abundant ocean resources and innovative people on the planet. Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is an industry-led transformative cluster focused on tackling the shared challenges of multiple ocean sectors through a collaborative program designed to accelerate the development and commercialization of globally relevant solutions. The project encourages fisheries, aquaculture, offshore resources, ma58 »

rine renewables, bioresources, shipping, and ocean technology to come together for the development and commercialization of solutions to common challenges while advancing Canada’s position as a global leader in the matter by working in:

Technology Leadership Projects Technology Leadership Projects bring together investors and part-

ners from across ocean industries to develop and commercialize innovative solutions to shared challenges, while increasing connectivity, strengthening capabilities, growing supply chain, and expanding international reach. At the heart of every Technology Leadership Project is a strong industry partnership. Some projects start from an idea that a member pitches to other potential AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

partners. Others are born from the strong relationships that exist between OSC members. Any OSC member can initiate a project idea, and the participation of other organizations, including start-ups, and research institutions, is encouraged.

Innovation Ecosystem Activities Innovation Ecosystem activities focus on access to shared resources, regional connectivity, and innovative culture, strengthening the links between small and large companies to foster new supply chain partnerships, increasing commercialization from post-secondary institutions, and encouraging new entrants into the ocean economy, both talent and companies. This program is designed to address shared talent challenges identified by our members, attract the best entrepreneurs to the cluster, support the growth of work-integrated

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Second Call for Accelerated Ocean Projects “We had an incredible response to our first Call for Proposals under the accelerated program in May that saw an influx of new OSC members and some very exciting new projects that we look forward to announcAccelerated Ocean Solutions Pro- ing in the fall,” said OSC CEO gram Kendra MacDonald. “With continCanada’s Ocean Supercluster in- ued uncertainties due to the global cludes a Call for Proposals under its pandemic, Canada’s Ocean Supernew Accelerated Ocean Solutions cluster is driving new opportunities Program. Through the program, the for accelerated ocean projects, while OSC invests in short-term ocean also seeing continued momentum projects to help continue to build in our core programming. “Macresiliency in ocean sectors. This pro- Donald says these OSC projects gram supplements the OSC’s core will commercialize Canadian-made programs in Technology Leader- ocean solutions that have applicaship and Innovation Ecosystem, tions across ocean sectors and with and is intended to trigger additional a market opportunity that is global, industry investment in innovation, generating significant economic capability-building and helping build benefits including growing ocean resilience in the ocean economy. companies and retaining and creating more jobs in Canada. The Accelerated Ocean Solutions Program July 2020 Call for Proposals is an opportunity for projects that can be completed in less than two years. It is deadlinedriven and competitive with a focus on three Project Themes including: remote operations; digital/automated technologies; and environmental technologies. The application process is now open and begins with Expressions of Interest which must be submitted by August 11, 2020 at 4 p.m. Atlantic time to be considered. For complete details, visit the project’s website: www.oceansupercluster.ca learning environments, and skill agility of the ocean workforce. We invest in ecosystem-building projects to foster new partnerships with indigenous organizations and other stakeholders, contributing to the growth of Canada’s ocean economy.

» 59

LATIN AMERICA REPORT

Latin America Report: Recent News and Events By: Aquaculture Magazine Staff *

Drastic reduction in Ecuadorian shrimp exports The Ecuadorian shrimp sector announced in late July a severe contraction in its production and exports due to the market crisis and reduced demand. The announcement of the productive sector, made by the Minister of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments, and Fisheries Iván Ontaneda, also highlighted the impact that the world situation has had on the breeding and export of crustaceans that did not experience such a profound price crisis in over a decade. The production activities such as maturations and larviculture already register a worrying drop in production. And some shrimp farms are opting for a decrease in planting densities to avoid more significant economic losses that lead to layoffs of the personnel. China, which is the main destination for Ecuadorian shrimp exports (62%), has registered a drop in demand since May due to the global pandemic caused by COVID-19. Regarding the market and facing current challenges, the shrimp sector is responding to new demands immediately. The PCR analysis of working personnel has become widespread, as well as the reinforcement of biosafety measures in the processing facilities. In this way, the Chinese Customs authorities and the Ecuadorian producers contribute to the improvement of biosecurity processes in this new global context.

farms. That makes 110 companies that have received authorization to send products to China. The certified fish farms are located in Rio de Janeiro, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Santa Catarina. The announcement was made by the Brazilian Secretary of Commerce and International Relations which depends from the Ministry of Agriculture in this South American country, Orlando Ribeiro. “This brings possibilities for more trade, jobs, and income for thousands of national aquaculture and fisheries workers in Brazil” said Jorge Seif Júnior, secretary of Aquaculture and Fisheries on social networks. According to the president of the Brazilian Association of Pisciculture (Peixe BR), Francisco Medeiros, the news indicates an advance for the sector. “This step is good news. It is

necessary to understand that this is not the same thing as an immediate increase in exports, but it does mean a great achievement since we opened trade with the largest market in the world for fish consumption, which is China ”, he said. However, despite the interest from China, fish exports have not yet reached their full potential potential in Brazil. This nation exports only around 6,000 tons of fish, and byproducts annually, with a revenue of US $12 million. External sales grew 26% from 2018 to 2019. Production was 758,000 tons last year. Tilapia is the most exported fish, with a 19% increase in volume shipped abroad last year. But there is still room to grow the export results from this nation as the international agreements and connections increase step by step.

China is interested in purchasing more fish produce from Brazil China has recently extended export certificates to three more Brazilian fish 60 »

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México achieved the reproduction of corals in captivity for the first time Scientists at the Regional Aquaculture and Fisheries Research Center in Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo managed, for the first time in Mexico, to reproduce corals sexually in controlled environments and in an assisted manner, a historic achievement that gives hope for coral reef repopulation in the Mexican Caribbean. The team led by Dr. Claudia Padilla, from Inapesca, has been working on coral reproduction for 10 years, but this is the first time that they have spawned these organisms in a controlled pond, which simulates sea conditions in temperature, light, waves, and current. “Corals have two types of reproduction, sexual and asexual”, explains Dr. Claudia Padilla. Asexual reproduction consists of fragmentation of a colony: if a coral colony is broken by the force of the sea during a hurricane, or by the anchor of a ship, it is possible to fix those fragments and they will continue to grow. Claudia Padilla explained that this is a project that has taken months of preparation, for which there is no historic precedent in the country. It has been done before in Australia and Florida, but never in Mexico (until now). The collaboration program is financed with own resources from UNAM, Inapesca, the support of the international organization MARFUND and the collaboration of the Healthy Reefs Initiative.

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The specialist, who has been studying the corals of Quintana Roo for more than 25 years, stated that the fertilization of the gametes has already been carried out and the embryos are already swimming, hoping to become larvae that will then form the first polyp to make way for new corals, which in turn, will provide habitat and food for thousands of marine species.

Agreement between CNA of Ecuador and Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute in China The Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (YSFRI) and the National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) of Ecuador formally signed an agreement to develop cooperation in shrimp farming biological security projects protocol. The project will improve the shrimp farming technology in Ecuador and enhance product quality through the implementation of biological security technical measures for shrimp farming. The National Aquaculture Association (CNA) of Ecuador was established in 1993 and is committed to promoting the healthy and sustainable development of the aquaculture industry in Ecuador, improving the aquacul-

ture environment and improving animal welfare. The Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute (YSFRI) of China applies biosecurity measures to control and prevent aquatic animal diseases and has established a partnership with several Chinese companies to cooperate on techniques applied to biosecurity. For this cooperation project, Mr. Iván Ontaneda Berrú, Minister of Production, Trade, Investment and Fisheries of Ecuador, believes that “this is an important strategic decision for China and Ecuador to strengthen commercial and investment activities in economic cooperation”. China is an important market and strategic partner of Ecuador and Ecuador’s largest Asian trading partner, and shrimp is Ecuador’s first export product. Through this cooperation with the Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese technical experts can bring advanced shrimp farming technology to Ecuador, promote the healthy development of the shrimp farming industry, and enhance the international competitiveness of shrimp products in Ecuador. Jose Antonio Camposano, president of CNA, stressed the importance of such support from the Asian giant. “Both the employment and sustainability on the production of Ecuadorian shrimp could be improved,” Camposano said, welcoming experts from YSFRI to support the industry. The YSFRI is the World Organization for Animal Health’s reference laboratory for white spot syndrome virus and infectious hypodermic and hematopoietic necrosis virus. Also the organization has developed technology in the fields of aquaculture innovations, disease prevention and control, and pathogen detection. » 61

OUT AND ABOUT

Paradigms that the COVID-19 health contingency will shift in business... and everyone’s lives By: Salvador Meza *

Have you considered why we are now working more and producing less? There is no supplier, client, colleague, or friend nowadays who isn’t making comments about how they are busier at work now than before the COVID-19 health crisis, despite working from home.

62 »

fter-hours meetings that extend beyond normal business hours. Video calls and sales follow-up with clients for whom a simple email used to be enough. Virtual planning and re-planning meetings to adjust the budget to the reality of COVID-19 every month, or even every week. These are examples of how people are working more while performing less, as shown by the monthly income and growth results of companies. This “extra” effort people are putting into work is mainly due to trying to adjust to a different operating structure than the one they had previously developed, which was probably not unlike their parents’. The shift toward information technologies (IT) does not end at just downloading an app to communicate using computers or mobile phones. It involves changing our way of thinking and seeing human relationships as something that now is becoming integrated into automated

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

digital processes in which recognition, understanding, and even love are transmitted through a simple “Like” or a double tick that signals a message has been read. This adaptation process will require breaking long-standing paradigms that would certainly have taken years or even a couple of generations to disappear if not for this health crisis, especially among the highest-level executives in companies and corporations, the oldest of whom have traditionally been less prone to adopt digital tools. For them, information technologies seemed to be only for computer

experts, employees and collaborators of software development companies, or for “young people” who spend all their time on their mobile devices to the point of messaging online despite being physically just a few meters away from each other. But truth is that digital technologies have been available for a long time. What this sanitary confinement has revealed is that fully embracing them brings us the prospect of a life with greater expectations and benefits than we could have ever imagined. One example of this is the ability to work from home. From one day to the next, we discovered

that we didn’t really “need” to go to the office every day, and even that not every employee needed to work at the office. The collapse of this paradigm has made life easier for millions of people around the world who used to waste “dead” hours in long, daily commutes in heavily-congested cities. Instead of wasting two hours a day in their car or on the train, people now have regained that time to eat breakfast with their children, get some exercise, or sleep longer. And this is without taking into account the benefit of increased air quality in our cities, just from a single change in our way of thinking and seeing life. What this change in paradigms actually means, is that we are going to have to adapt to a new way of working and a new way of life in one or two years, when this would have usually taken humanity one or two generations. It also means that we will have to pick up our pace because we have to learn many things in a very short time. We have to adapt to, and embrace information technologies today. All the mental barriers we had, all those excuses against dedicating time to adopt digital tools, like, “That is not for me,” “I’m not interested in that,” “I don’t need that,” “We should continue doing things as before,” “I prefer things in print,” “I need to see people face to face,” they no longer make sense. That is why it seems we are now working more and producing less or—at best—the same. It’s because we are building the new labor and social world that will exist for the next 20 or 30 years. We are shaping the structures that will bring us cohesion and meaning in our “new” lives. Without planning for it or even realizing it, we are fully entering the Digital Transformation. Welcome! Salvador Meza is Editor & Publisher of Aquaculture Magazine, and of the Spanish language industry magazine Panorama Acuicola.

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» 63

AQUAFEED

Recent news from around the globe by Aquafeed.com By Suzi Dominy*

Developments in hatchery feeds Since hatcheries are the focus of this issue, it seemed appropriate to discuss recent developments in hatchery feeds that we have covered over the last few months through our dedicated hatchery media, HATCHERY Feed & Management (Hatcheryfm.com). Alternative proteins have been a constant theme in this column, and hatcheries have not escaped the trend. The market for freshwa-

Australian Crayfish Hatchery.

64 »

ter crayfish is worth some US$7.6 billion, and demand consistently exceeds supply. In the last issue of HATCHERY Feed & Management magazine, Asher Ariel of the Australian Crayfish Hatchery (ACH) explained that this is due to traditional production methods that are labor-intensive, season-dependent and fraught with inbreeding impacts. Describing how ACH had brought together innovative technologies for intensive production of redclaw

crayfish seedstock, including RAS, he noted the major impact of nutrition on health and survival. ACH has eliminated live feeds and has developed a fishmeal-free feed for crayfish hatchlings and broodstock. The feeds are based on insect-derived protein which is produced onsite - maintaining a high level of biosecurity; it is both sustainable and renewable. “Preliminary trials have shown an increase in crayling survival from less than 50% to greater than 90% compared to traditional fishmealbased larval feeds. In addition, an unexpected benefit was also quickly realized. The fishmeal-based feeds led to high ammonia levels requiring extensive biofiltration and water quality management to control. In contrast, using our Entomix diet, we recorded a dramatic reduction in ammonia – a significant bonus in RAS facilities, reducing labor and production costs”. ACH is currently undertaking high-level trials to investigate the effect of Entomix on broodstock health, fecundity and egg quality to further optimize their production technologies. Early-stage trials have shown great promise, with an average fecundity of 12 eggs per gram of female and greater than 95% egg survival to hatch. It’s not all alternatives however. Feed company Aller Aqua and marine ingredients producer TripleNine are seeing results of a research collaboration entered into in 2019 to identify functional components of marine raw materials, with particular attention to their beneficial performance in terms of fish health and growth, as well as sustainability. At Aller Aqua’s research facility, rainbow trout were fed on different diets containing TripleNine’s functional marine ingredients from first feeding until they reached fingerling size. The functional ingredients led to positive effects on fish growth performance and health and providAUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

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Â» 65

AQUAFEED

Australian Crayfish Hatchery.

ed excellent survival rates in the test groups. R&D director at Aller Aqua, Hanno Slawski explained that TripleNine’s marine ingredients are nutritionally valuable fish feed ingredients but using them as concentrated functional ingredients, their impact increases. In the future, 999Vital will serve as set functional ingredients in Aller Aqua’s starter feeds. Ongoing tests will further evaluate the effects in grow-out and broodstock stages for other possible applications.

The rise of RAS The design and management of RAS systems consume more and 66 »

more column space in HATCHERY Feed & Management news coverage, and in the magazines. Feed companies are working hard to tailor feeds specifically for the increasing number of species being raised in these systems. Most recently, BioMar has scaled up RAS and fry feed production. The new production line in Brande, Denmark, is now fully operational. The line is dedicated to RAS and fry aquaculture feed production and is the result of a DKK 100 million ($15.33 million) investment that has enabled BioMar to increase the annual capacity of the Danish facility by 25%.

“Being situated in an area with a long history of RAS research and development has enabled us to be first movers in RAS feeds and will continue to be crucially important in the innovation development of feeds for land-based farming. There is good recognition for our RAS feeds globally and our ambitions for this growing segment are high”, Carlos Diaz, CEO BioMar Group said. The facility has experience in specially designed feeds for more than 40 aquaculture species, including trout, salmon, and yellowtail kingfish. The investment project has been able to increase the overall capacity by 25% up to 160,000 tons of feed produced annually with improved flexibility, quality, and production performance. Pellets coming out of the new line are now in a much better diameter: length ratio, the inter-size gap has been improved for at smoother transition between pellet sizes. The improved process control technology on the new line will further strengthen BioMar’s ability to focus on more physical quality parameters such as sinking speed and water stability. Feed may be an important component in mitigating the effects of off-season spawning in RAS systems, on egg nutrients. The Norwegian Institute of Marine Research and Aquagen compared salmon spawning out of their regular spawning season in a land-based RAS facility to salmon spawning in the regular spawning season. Normally, broodstock are kept in the sea and transferred to land-based freshwater facilities to spawn in the fall, simulating the natural travel of salmon. In contrast, broodstock can be kept in RAS facilities throughout the entire maturation period, so farmers can shift the spawning season from autumn to summer by controlling both light and temperature of the water. This is how they gain access to new generations of salmon throughout the year. AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

Australian Crayfish Hatchery.

Researchers found that the broodstock that spawned during the offseason had higher levels of B vitamins, amino acids and fats compared to the fish from normal spawning season, but the eggs contained lower levels of these nutrients compared to the eggs from the normal spawning. “Results showed that the broodstock that spawn off-season does not transfer enough nutrients to the eggs and that the maturation is not optimal to achieve good growth for the next generation,” said researcher Kaja H. Skjærven. “Fats and amino acids are used both as an energy source and for growth by forming new membranes and proteins and if the eggs have less of this, the fish larvae will also become smaller.” The only difference in the experiment was the broodstock environment, which changed the nutritional content of the eggs and researchers AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

suggest that they may need an improved feed to get the same maturation in the off-season than in the normal spawning season. Adjustments of feed, temperature and light will probably allow equally good maturation of off-season eggs. Researchers are now investigating whether the differences in growth may be due to nutritional-based regulation of the genetic material, so-called epigenetic gene regulation mechanisms. That is if the nutritional status of the broodstock can affect how active the genes inherited from the parents are.

Live feeds The production of high-quality marine fish fry is limited by the low survival observed during the larval phase, which is often attributed to dietary deficiencies of the diets at first feeding. Despite progress made

with live feed (i.e. rotifers, Artemia) and enrichments, little is known about the micronutrient requirements, such as for selenium. Selenium is a critical component of several enzymes maintaining important biological functions such as cellular oxidation, and therefore, plays a key role in oxidative and stress status of marine larvae. The levels of selenium found in the larvae’s natural diet (i.e. copepods) are generally higher than those of the enriched live preys used in hatcheries. A team of researchers from the University of Stirling and the Spanish IATS-CSIC performed a study to establish a protocol to enrich Artemia nauplii with selenium using different inorganic (sodium selenite) and organic (selenoyeast) sources. Results indicated that the use of dissolved sodium selenite, an alternative inorganic and cheaper form » 67

AQUAFEED

BioMar’s new RAS and fry feed production line at their Brande, Denmark feedmill is now operational.

of selenium, did not increase the levels of selenium in the nauplii. However, the use of selenoyeast confirmed that it is possible to enrich the nauplii with targeted levels of selenium since this process followed a dose-response pattern with selenium enrichment ranging from

1.7 to 12.4 mg kg-1. Besides, the supplementation of the product to the regular enrichment product did not impact on lipids and fatty acids enrichment irrespective of the dose dispensed. Live feed as a vector for disease is an ongoing concern. A group of

South Korean researchers tested eco-friendly plasma-activated water (PAW) to disinfect Artemia cysts. PAW is an emerging non-thermal disinfection and surface modification technology that is chemical-free and eco-friendly. Plasma treatment of water creates an acidic environment which results in changes in the redox potential, conductivity and in the formation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. As a result, PAW has a different chemical composition than water and can serve as an alternative method for microbial disinfection. Researchers infected Artemia cysts during hatching using different bacteria species (Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio harveyi, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Edwardsiella tarda). The PAW disinfection rapidly reduced the bacteria load in cysts for up to three hours after treatment. The efficacy was higher in Artemia cysts inoculated with V. harveyi. The hatching rate of Artemia cysts infected with V. harveyi was reduced but recovered after PAW treatment. The hatching rate of the cysts that were not disinfected was reduced by 17.6%, but the cysts treated with PAW showed a significant increase in the hatching rate. Researchers suggest that plasmaactivated water can be used as an alternative disinfectant in aquaculture, especially to sterilize fish eggs.

Suzi Dominy is the founding editor and publisher of aquafeed.com. She brings 25 years of experience in professional feed industry journalism and publishing. Before starting this company, she was co-publisher of the agri-food division of a major UK-based company, and editor of their major international feed magazine for 13 years. editor@aquafeed.com

Artemia salina.

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AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

Improving efficiency

of existing pump systems by Amy Stone*

As expenses increase and the markets get even more volatile, everyone is looking to cut costs. While there are many ways to reduce expenses, this article will focus on improving efficiency of existing pump systems. Variable frequency drives are a great tool for optimizing hydraulic systems.

TECHNICAL GURU

ariable frequency/speed drives, or VFDs/VSDs, are often coupled with water pumps and air blowers to reduce/increase the motor speed while optimizing flow and pressure to intersect the system needs to the pump or blowerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best efficiency point. For many years, many people have oversized their pumps and blowers with the intention of using a valve to create artificial head pressure, moving the system curve far away from the pumps best efficiency point. A VFD works by manipulating the incoming frequency provided to the motor that it is controlling. This manipulation of frequency also changes the pressure and flow characteristics of the pump or blower. Some VFDs also have an internal transformer which allows it to convert single phase power to three phase power in the smaller horsepower applications. A very important piece to consider when adding a drive to your system is the type of motor that the pumps have. Not all motors can be used with a VFD. The motor must be rated for 3-phase voltages and inverter duty. If the equipment is not rated for inverter duty applications, it will prematurely fail from overheating the windings in the motor.

Water pumps Even though this has been an accepted practice that saves in acquisition costs, it translates into wasted energy, electrical expense, and undue wear and tear on the equipment. Using a throttling valve to control flow and create pressure also creates turbulence at the outlet of the pump which can create cavitation conditions that wear down valve bodies and significantly reduce their service life. Cavitation in pumps happens on the suction side and often occurs in higher speed motors (3500 RPM) in suction lift applications operating far to the right hand side of the curve, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

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TECHNICAL GURU

or outside of an acceptable operating margin of the pumps best efficiency point (BEP). Cavitation reduces the service life of the motor, impeller, and mechanical seals creating costly ongoing maintenance. Best efficiency point for a pump is when the entire rotating mass (motor bearings, shaft and impeller) are perfectly balanced while rotating. When a pump operates outside of BEP, there is shaft deflection, heat and vibration which all contribute to shorter service life and less efficiency which translates to money. In properly sized systems, a pump is engineered to the duty points of the system requirements. The pump size is calculated based on flow at total dynamic head pressure of the system. This information is used by manufacturers to determine the impeller diameter, wet end sizing and motor frequency thereby allowing the pump to operate at the BEP. Sometimes best efficiency of the pump requires a frequency that is outside of the motor’s synchronized speed without a VFD. Here is when a VFD comes into play. The VFD allows the user to set the frequency/speed of the motor to the optimal level which ultimately

allows the pump to work more efficiently. Friction loss, pressure-drop, and static head are a dynamic part of the system pressure. These dynamics change based on flow demand, filter loading, system stocking levels, changing water volumes, etc. VFD’s can assist with these changes when they are configured with sensors. Depending on the available features of the drive, controls and alarms can be easily integrated into

the system to help maintain water quality standards that can help maximize the culture’s growth and yield. As the filter is loaded and flow slows, the VFD can increase the frequency of the motor to accommodate the higher pressure and still maintain the target flow. There are safety features to avoid over pressurizing the system. Some manufacturers have integrated the VFD onto the pump motor while others prefer stand-alone

Best efficiency point for a

pump is when the entire rotating mass (motor bearings, shaft and impeller) are perfectly balanced while rotating.

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AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

In properly sized systems, a

pump is engineered to the duty points of the system requirements. The pump size is calculated based on flow at total dynamic head pressure of the system.

drives. The stand-alone drives are typically more flexible in programming and can connect to control and alarm systems. The integrated VFDs are generally repurposed pool pumps which are meant to be standalone units and do not have all the input and output options.

Blowers We are now seeing more and more blowers that are available with

VFD’s. This is fantastic news given that blowers are often oversized to be able to handle the maximum biomass of a system. Since we are often growing the animals for several months in the same water system, the oxygen demand increases. In typical systems we’ve seen, the blowers are oversized, and a side loop is created to vent off excess air. This is effective; however, the blower is using electricity to cre-

ate the air that is being vented away from the system. A VFD would allow the blower to produce the proper amount of air for the given requirements throughout the grow out cycle. While adding or designing a variable frequency/speed drive may not be the first thing you think of when you are trying to increase efficiencies, it is definitely an option to consider.

Amy Riedel Stone is President and Owner at Aquatic Equipment and Design, Inc. She was formerly a Manager at Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems, and she studied Agriculture at Purdue University. She can be reached at amy@aquaticed.com

Pump with integrated VFD. AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

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AQUACULTURE ECONOMICS, MANAGEMENT, AND MARKETING

Are Some Production Systems

More Profitable than Others? The following is a brief summary of a recently published scientific article: Engle, C.R., G. Kumar, and J. van Senten, 2020. Cost drivers and profitability of U.S. pond, raceway, and RAS aquaculture. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society. Article DOI: 10.1002/JWAS.12706. By: Carole R. Engle, Ganesh Kumar, and Jonathan van Senten*

Finfish aquaculture is complex and diverse, including many species and strains of fish raised in a wide variety of production systems. Technologies used to raise fish also continue to evolve into increasingly sophisticated forms. One seemingly ever-present question is that of which production systems and species are the most profitable. While there likely will never be one simple answer to that question, a recently published paper sheds light on some of the key factors that affect profitability of different production systems.

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n Engle et al. (2020), 58 different enterprise budgets were developed for nine species of finfish raised in earthen ponds, raceways, and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) at various scales of production. The budgets are available at: https://www.arec.vaes. vt.edu/arec/virginia-seafood/research/aquaculture_budgets.html. Key values such as those for land, interest rates, wages and salaries were standardized across all budgets to allow for more direct comparison among production systems and species. For the pond scenarios, data used were from surveys conducted of these established segments of U.S. aquaculture (see van Senten et al. 2017; Engle et al. 2019; and Kumar et al. 2020). Of the budgets, 27 were for catfish because of the wide array of farming practices used in the catfish industry and the importance of catfish production in U.S. aquaculture. Additional details on catfish results are available in Kumar et al. (2020). For the RAS budgets, recently published studies on the economics of RAS were used to select coefficients used in the budgets (Boulet et al. 2010; Liu et al. 2016; and Bjorndal

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Lack of accounting for non-cash costs and fixed costs often lead to overly optimistic estimates of profitability of businesses that do not generate sufficient returns to be able to continue operating when the time comes to replace equipment and other capital assets.

and Tusvik 2017, 2019), given that there are too few commercial RAS farms operating in the U.S. to be able to report values without violating confidentiality. Overall, the most profitable species and production systems were those of the two largest segments of U.S. aquaculture, catfish raised in earthen ponds and trout produced in raceways. These are both segments of U.S. aquaculture for which individual entrepreneurs have developed effective business models and markets over the years. Economically viable businesses develop based on the multiple decisions made by farm owners and managers over time that lead to development of efficient production practices through experience.

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

In contrast, the RAS scenarios modeled were not found to be profitable. It is important to note that the budgets developed included costs for all inputs and accounted for non-cash costs such as depreciation. Lack of accounting for non-cash costs and fixed costs often lead to overly optimistic estimates of profitability of businesses that do not generate sufficient returns to be able to continue operating when the time comes to replace equipment and other capital assets. In the case of RAS, accounting for all opportunity costs includes that of the return on the investment expected by investors at some point in the future. All production systems evaluated in this study showed economies of

scale. Thus, it is of no surprise that the average size of aquaculture farms has continued to increase, and that production has intensified over time. Greater levels of production with the same set of production facilities and equipment spreads those fixed costs over greater amounts of production that lead to reduced overall costs per pound of fish produced. The greatest contributors to overall cost of production were capital, feed, labor, management, energy, and fingerlings (for some scales and species), although the order of importance of these production inputs varied among scenarios. What is most important in terms of knowing which costs are the greatest is that, to be profitable, the greatest costs on

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AQUACULTURE ECONOMICS, MANAGEMENT, AND MARKETING

All aquaculture producers must monitor costs on an ongoing basis. Attention paid to efficiency metrics can assist producers to improve financial performance on their farms.

Figure 1

the farm need to be used most efficiently for the business to be competitive. Study results showed substantial differences in the efficiency of use of these key inputs. Feed was used most efficiently in RAS, likely due to the ability to control water temperature year-round. Of note were the results on the productivity of use of capital and labor. Capital was the single greatest cost in RAS production, while labor was the third greatest cost. Per dollar of capital, catfish production yielded twelve times greater volumes of product than did RAS farms; trout raised in raceways produced twice the volume of product per dollar of capital as RAS (Figure 1a). Labor productivity in RAS was also substantially lower than that in catfish and trout production (Figure 1b). Thus, while economies of scale are important in RAS, economies of scale alone may not be sufficient for RAS to be prof74 Âť

itable. Greater attention needs to be paid to improving the efficiency of use of major production inputs such as that of capital and labor in RAS farming. It must be noted that this generalized analysis does not mean that RAS cannot be profitable. There are several RAS farms in the U.S. that have operated profitably for more than 15 years. These farms are very well managed, pay close attention to cost controls and to the efficient use of key production inputs (in terms of maximizing production per unit of each input). All aquaculture producers must monitor costs on an on-going basis. Attention paid to efficiency metrics can assist producers to improve financial performance on their farms. NOTE: This work was supported by USDA NIFA grant no. 201670007-25757 accession no. 1010733

from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

References cited by the authors are available under previous request to our editorial team. Ph.D. Carole R. Engle*, Engle-Stone Aquatic$ LLC Carole Engle holds a B.A. degree in Biology/Rural Development from Friends World College and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Auburn University where she specialized in aquaculture economics. Dr. Engle is a past-President of the U.S. Aquaculture Society and the International Association of Aquaculture Economics and Management. She is currently a Principal in Engle-Stone Aquatic$ LLC, and can be reached at cengle8523@gmail.com

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

THE FISHMONGER

Taking the opportunity to improve:

cold chain guaranteed By: The fishmonger *

The Covid-19 crisis is enabling all governments and businesses to take stock on where they are, determining what is working and how they can consider changes to make them better into the future.

andling seafood, wherever you are in the value chain, needs thought, planning and training; yet sadly our industry continues to play ‘Russian roulette’ in many areas. Our environment is constantly changing, our processes are also impacting change, and research is constantly bringing up new issues. Food safety is

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

not an area where you can relax. Constantly whenever the Fishmonger raises such issues with industry members the defense is “we have been in the industry a long time and have never had a problem.” What they fail to recognise is that they are not keeping up with trends and training their staff on the latest knowledge and information relating to food

safety to ensure the consumer is getting the safest product. Just this week The Fishmonger saw a promotion for “sensational sashimi-grade Scallops” and pointed out to the seafood operator that there was no such thing as “sashimi-grade” and would be happy if the operator could direct The Fishmonger to the “sashimi-grade standard.” The reply was “In actual fact the term sashimi-grade is used to refer to fish that has been judged to be eaten raw and these scallops can certainly be eaten raw. In fact, they are best when eaten raw. Sashimi fish is largely determined by its level of freshness. Ready to eat raw products (sushi & sashimi) demand seafood of high quality and are determined by handling & storage methods & cold chain management. When you have combined knowledge of seafood of more than 100 years as our Directors have, you certainly know when seafood is of quality that can be eaten raw.” Mmm…. the Directors could have 500 years of seafood knowledge, but they have no qualifications and what is more important is that their staff know the important processes that need to be adhered to. It can be risky

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THE FISHMONGER

The restaurant formula that was operational and profitable previously is clearly not going to work whilst the virus remains alive, and without any vaccination available. It is going to be some time before any return to normality.

to guarantee “sashimi-grade” unless you have documentation to prove the cold chain management. What must be pointed out here is that this product was wild caught in a remote area and had to travel over 3000 kilometers to the market so there would have been logistical issues making it difficult to maintain quality and temperature. Let us not forget that ready-to-eat sushi/sashimi is regarded as a potentially hazardous food. As such, there are requirements for food businesses to maintain the

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temperature (in Australia it is either at or below 5˚C during transport, storage, and display). The onus is on the supply chain to maintain and prove that, in the case of any issue. Additionally, one of the latest issues is that there is evidence that seafood parasitic illness is increasing around the world. With an eating trend being eating raw, marinated, cured seafood we need to take a moment and consider the consequences. This increase could be due to the increasing numbers of sea mammals

such as seals, whales and dolphins who can carry the parasite and contaminate fish. Some fish consume the parasites directly from infected species, whereas others, e.g. predatory species obtain them from the fish they eat. Also, fishing boats that gut the fish at sea then throw the waste into the ocean where other fish and crustaceans can eat it can lead to more local contamination and infected fish. There are several seafood parasites capable of causing illness in people. The parasite of most concern is that which causes Anisakiasis. The adult anisakid worm has not been shown to cause illness; it is the larval stage that is the problem. Research has shown that this worm is present in oceans worldwide. Why has this suddenly become a problem? Partly it is due to changes in our dietary habits. Raw seafood dishes such as sushi, sashimi, ceviche (also cebiche, seviche, or sebiche), gravlax and cold smoked salmon are extremely popular and that increases our risk of exposure. The trend now is to undercook fish or squid which can, unfortunately, lead to survival of the anisakid and other parasites.

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THE FISHMONGER

Parasite infection symptoms can include stomach-ache, vomiting, diarrhea, as well as allergic type reactions such as tingling tongue, cough, a strange rash, heart palpitations or even anaphylactic shock. Symptoms can occur within six hours or up to a week after consumption, although, allergic symptoms can occasionally be immediate. Some of these symptoms may be prolonged or become chronic until the parasite is physically evicted from the body or an appropriate treatment is prescribed by your doctor. The strong advice to any recreational fisher who prepares raw fish dishes from their own catch is to avoid this at all costs. It is best to cook any recreational fish but, if you are intent, on consuming raw then the best advice is freezing the fish for a minimum of seven days (longer for large fish) as this will kill parasites. Remember that freezing will not kill food poisoning bacteria or viruses or prevent allergic reactions from parasites. 78 »

Ideally source good quality fish from a reputable supplier that can identify the species, whether wild captured or farmed, and the area it was harvested and when it was harvested so you know the type of fish you are buying and have knowledge on harvesting. Before preparing the raw fish wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and dry thoroughly. Make sure all utensils and chopping boards are thoroughly washed in warm soapy water and dried. Take particular care to clean bamboo rolling mats for sushi, they should be scrubbed using a brush with soap under hot water to remove any food residue and left to dry thoroughly. Remember that sushi rice can also be a food poisoning risk as toxins can form if it cools slowly. Follow sushi recipes carefully, especially the amount of vinegar to be added, and when cooked, divide the rice into small containers, cover and cool in the fridge.

It has long been advice that pregnant women, the elderly and people with poor immune systems should not eat raw fish dishes and cold cooked prawns because of the potentially fatal risk of the food poisoning bacteria. This applies whether the raw fish dishes are bought commercially or prepared at home. A safer alternative for these groups is to cook any fish or seafood to at least 63°C in the center using a thermometer. Safety ‘Folklore’ that needs to be addressed is that vinegar, lemon juice or salt will not kill the infectious stages of parasites. Some of the more robust parasites survive quite well for several days in the presence of acids and levels of salt below 10%. The advantage that aquaculture farmed product has is that it can avoid all the parasite issues and generally can meet market expectations of being cold chain guaranteed.

The Fishmonger

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

The exciting future of aquaculture

Predicting the future is typically laden with risk. There are however a few safe bets. Perhaps the safest prediction is that the output of high quality protein from the global aquaculture industry will continue to increase over the next several decades. There are few who would argue that the production of high-quality proteins and fats from farmed aquatic animals is not essential for humanity to feed itself as our population swells to the 9 to 10 billion level over the next three decades. The actual numbers are not important; the increase in demand for reasonably priced high quality seafood will continue to increase one way or another.

By: Ph.D Stephen G. Newman*

he challenge lies in figuring out how do we get there from here? Last year, prior to Covid-19 (C19), many sectors were enjoying unprecedented market growth. In a few short months, this has changed. C19 is wreaking havoc on all levels of food production. The impact is variable with some elements of global aquaculture yet to feel the full impact of this raging pandemic. The market is in a highly volatile state. Demand is off and producing countries are dealing with the fallout of widespread C19. For the immediate future we can expect more of the same. How long it will take for humanity to return to pre-Covid rates of consumption of seafood is anybody’s guess. Local consumption of lower cost species will continue but the large import markets have been disrupted. It is not unreasonable, given the path we are on, that the total output of the international shrimp farming community will drop by a third. Likely farmed salmon, a high value fish, will also see something similar. This quite sudden and AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

dramatic impact will bankrupt vulnerable farmers and suppliers. There will be many who are affected to some degree but not enough to drive them out of business. Some will actually come out stronger. Consolidation in some sectors will likely occur as those companies who have large

cash reserves will guy on an acquisition spree. Even after an effective and longlasting vaccine is available it will take some time until enough people have been immunized before the world could return to “normality”. There should be a gradual return to some

Photograph: Genics Pty Ltd.

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THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

Photograph: Genics Pty Ltd.

semblance of normality as the disease comes under control. This will take at least 24 months from early 2020 conservatively before we can even begin. The vaccine has to be developed, found to be safe and effective with minimal side effects.

80 Âť

As C19 continues to rage, we can expect to see the growth rate of all global aquaculture to be reduced significantly. We should expect to see a few years with very low to negative growth rates. Service sectors everywhere are heavily impacted. As long

as restrictions are in place that limit seating in restaurants and the fear of contracting C19 persists there is little hope of this sector recovering any time soon. However, it will recover; hopefully not with changes that impact everything post C19. It is possible that this may actually drive an increase in efficiency. The vast majority of shrimp and fish farming globally is not science based. It differs little from how it might have been done a hundred years ago. This will not change quickly. Those producing countries reliant on the US dollars, European euros, Chinese Yuan and Japanese yen have an incentive to push the rate of change. I envision a future where science based aquaculture dominates. What does this mean? Much greater control will be exerted over all aspects of the process. The goal will be to become truly sustainable, reduce the overall costs of production, and optimize the production of a given species. As I see it this will require: 1. The consistent implementation of the levels of biosecurity required to ensure that all below is achieved in a sustainable manner. 2. Genetic improvement to ensure faster growth and increased toler-

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

How long it will take for humanity to return to pre-Covid rates of consumption of seafood is anybodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guess.

ance to stress in general and to specific pathogens. 3. Development of truly SPF stocks using the methods established for use in terrestrial agriculture. 4. Move towards indoor highly controlled systems using RAS and biofloc or a combination. 5. Reduce environmental impacts while improving productivity.

Improving biosecurity Without this there can be no real sustainability. Sustainability will require a dramatic shift in how farmers and regulators think. The single greatest issue today is the failure to break the cycle of pathogens entering the production system via broodstock. The terms SPF, SPR, SPT have clear cut definitions that have been largely ignored heretofore. More often than not, they are used in marketing and puffery. All too often farmers accept what they are being told at face value and regulators do not seem to grasp what is needed to truly achieve these things. Repeatedly we see new diseases being introduced and spread and even many existing pathogens that could have been eliminated being passed on endlessly in what has become an all too vicious cycle. The technology and the tools exist today to ensure that this cycle is broken. No one will use wild broodstock. One cannot screen for pathoAUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

Photograph: Genics Pty Ltd.

gens that we do not know exist. Animals will not be allowed to be called SPF unless they are from facilities that have followed the established requirements, with some modifications, to accommodate the high levels of fecundity that shrimp and many fish species have. Every individual broodstock will be screened for all known pathogens. The technology for doing this cost effectively exists today (Genics Pty Ltd.). Broodstock will be produced in these highly bio secure facilities with each country having their own centers. These animals will be clean and free of all known pathogens and held in a manner that ensures that they cannot be exposed to new pathogens.

Genetic improvement The overall goal of sustainability encompasses market considerations as well. After all if the costs of production are too high and continue to be volatile, this affects the farm gate price and in turns the price to consumers. The higher the price, the smaller the potential market. There

are several approaches that can be used to reduce the overall cost of production. Genetic modification will be an essential element of this. There are two generalized approaches. One is (natural) selection. This entails selecting those animals based on phenotype that express the genes that they need in order to grow faster, larger, be disease resistant or pathogen tolerant, etc. This approach is the method of choice among man of those companies that have dedicated themselves to selling genetically improved broodstock. In the case of farmed shrimp, this approach has already resulted in significant advances. Using conventional selection techniques the white shrimp, P. vannamei, has been successfully domesticated. A large multinational (Charoen Pokphand Foods Ltd. public company Thailand) has devoted considerable resources to this and they produced lines of shrimp that will pave the way for a sustainable future. They have families that, under the right conditions, will grow more than Âť 81

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

a gram per day, that are tolerant and/ or resistant to some of the common pathogens affecting farmed shrimp and that do not sexually differentiate or do so much later than the wild type they started from. These shrimp grow well at very high densities and with proper management have very low feed conversion ratios and high survivals. This widespread use of these lines can change the entire face of the global shrimp industry. By being able to produce 4 to 5 cycles a year of shrimp at high densities from truly SPF broodstock with FCRs a bit over 1 and high survivals, the costs of production can be dramatically dropped. Wide spread adoption is however not guaranteed at this time. There are a few reasons for this although one of them has no business even being considered. Several major shrimp producing countries are ensuring that their industries will continue to be pseudoscience based by failing to understand what a truly SPF animal actually is and what is production entails. The second approach is genetic manipulation by adding genes, altering gene function by impacting local gene expression, etc. It is unfortunate that those NGOs who fear the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are able to exert the influence that they have on the market place. Fear mongering ensures the

I envision a future where science based aquaculture dominates. What does this mean? Much greater control will be exerted over all aspects of the process.

82 Âť

Photograph: Genics Pty Ltd.

perpetuation of pseudoscience as well. Economically desired traits are generated via a number of methods to give the desired outcome. There are very few examples of GMO fish and the one company, Aquabounty, that has been at this the longest, is still facing regulatory hurdles and market based biases. There is no evidence that the additions that they have made, which result in salmonid smolts growing much quicker, reducing the costs of production, are in anyway even remotely harmful. Other companies are looking at similar things and with the advent of CRISPR technology it is possible to fine tune the process to the extent where single mutations can be generated that have a positive impact on the value of the crop, with no traces that this is in fact is what occurred. The EU considers the use of CRISPR to be genetic manipulation while the FDA does not. No genes are being added. The Chinese, the largest seafood consuming country in the world, evidently have few if any

concerns either as the literature is full of reports of the use of CRISPR to generate animals with more desirable phenotypes. Since CRISPR is reportedly undetectable, there is a good chance that some altered strains may find their way into the market place. These animals will find their way into the market eventually, especially if this approach can be used to generate animals that outperform those produced via natural selection. Given the rapid growth, the ability to grow at extremely high densities and the freedom of the presence of pathogens being carried over from the hatchery into production, the consistent use of the existing naturally selected animals could have a dramatic impact on the overall footprint of a given farm. Consider that in an average 10 ha, low density production system, harvesting 1 to 2 MTs per ha with 2 or slight more cycles per year is currently the norm. Growing shrimp at much higher densities in small lined ponds (less than 0.5 ha and some as small as .05 ha) with built in systems AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

Post C19 we will see a period of growth driven by increasing demand and eventually, barring unforeseen complications, a return to the 6% or more average growth well into the foreseeable future. to remove massive organic matter loads can result in yields on the order of 50 MT per ha (or more). This approach allows much higher levels of productivity with a much smaller environmental impact. These systems are already proliferating in some areas of SE Asia and as the quality of the PLs improves we will see more of this in the future.

Highly controlled systems Highly controlled production paradigms are increasing in number. Many different types of biofloc/recirculating system hybrids are evolving. Systems with the smallest possible footprint and greatest potential for profit is the ultimate goal. By using lines of shrimp that have been selected for the AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

conditions present in these systems their potential can be realized. The availability of SPF animals, generated using established methods employed for terrestrial animals, having the potential to grow at daily rates that historically many farmers were happy with weekly, and the availability of PCR testing systems that allow for low cost testing already exist today. We are seeing these types of systems develop in inner cities far from sea water. Hydroponics and aquaponics are becoming elements of some of these and high levels of automation will become the norm. Artificial Intelligence (AI) programs in combination with engineered systems will allow these to run with little human input. All production parameters will be automated. To date, thee systems have met varying degrees of success. Unfortunately today, as the point has been made, without paying attention to some very import details, like the use of broodstock that are not free of pathogens, failure is the norm. Feeding can be automated with animals being fed based on their demand and water chemistry parameters including the critical O2 levels can be as well allowing real time 24 hour a day monitoring. This reduces human error and should allow for low cost production paradigms in those areas where labor rates would

make human involvement problematic. The future of aquaculture is rosy. While I have focused more so on shrimp, the generalities apply to fish as well. Post C19 we will see a period of growth driven by increasing demand and eventually, barring unforeseen complications, a return to the 6% or more average growth well into the foreseeable future. As the industry slowly consolidates and moves toward the use of science based production methodologies, many of which are available today, the costs of production will drop and demand will continue to grow.

Stephen G. Newman has a bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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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Upcoming

aquaculture events

NOVEMBER 2020 AQUACULTURE AFRICA 2020 Nov. 28 – Dec. 1 Alexandria, Egypt. T: +1 760 751 5005 E: worldaqua@aol.com W: africanchapter@was.org

DECEMBER 2020 WORLD AQUACULTURE 2020 Dec. 14 – Dec. 18 Singapore, Singapore T: +1 760 751 5005 E: worldaqua@aol.com W: www.was.org JANUARY 2021 6TH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE ON SHRIMP FARMING 2021 Jan. 28 – Jan. 29 Chiapas, Mexico T: +52 1 331 466 0392 E: crm@dpinternationalinc.com W: www.panoramaacuicola.com MARCH 2021 AQUASUR 2020 Mar. 03 – Mar. 05 Puerto Montt, Chile E: info@aqua-sur.cl W: www.aqua-sur.cl

LATIN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN AQUACULTURE 2020 Mar. 22 – Mar. 25 Guayaquil, Ecuador T: +1 760 751 5005 E: worldaqua@aol.com W: www.was.org APRIL 2021 AQUACULTURE EUROPE 2021 Apr. 12 – Apr. 15 Cork, Ireland T: +1 760 751 5005 E: worldaqua@aol.com W: www.was.org

15° FIACUI – INTERNATIONAL AQUACULTURE FORUM Apr. 21 – Apr. 22 Chiapas, Mexico T: +52 1 331 466 0392 E: crm@dpinternationalinc.com W: www.panoramaacuicola.com MAY 2021 3rd. INTERNATIONAL MARICULTURE SYMPOSIUM May. 20 – May. 21 La Paz, Mexico T: +52 1 331 466 0392 E: crm@dpinternationalinc.com W: www.panoramaacuicola.com

AUGUST 2021 WORLD SEAFOOD INDUSTRY 2021 Aug. 25 – Aug. 27 Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico T: +52 1 331 466 0392 E: crm@dpinternationalinc.com W: www.panoramaacuicola.com

SEPTEMBER 2021 WAS NORTH AMERICA & AQUACULTURE CANADA 2021 Sep. 26 – Sep. 29 St John’s Newfoundland, Canada T: +1 760 751 5005 E: worldaqua@aol.com W: www.was.org NOVEMBER 2021 RASTECH 2021 Nov. 3 – Nov. 4 South Carolina, USA. T: +1 760 751 5005 E: worldaqua@aol.com W: www.ras-tec.com

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AQUAEXPO GUAYAQUIL 2020..............................................33 26 al 29 de Octubre, 2020. Guayaquil, Ecuador. E-mail: aquaexpoec@cna-ecuador.com 15° FIACUI...........................................................................77 April 21 - 22, 2021, Chiapas, Mexico. T: +52 1 331 466 0392 E: crm@dpinternationalinc.com W: www.panoramaacuicola.com GUATEMALA AQUALCULTURE SYMPOSIUM 2021..................................................INSIDE COVER Cooming Soon, 2021. Santo Domingo del Cerro, La Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala. E: simposiodeacuiculturagt@agexport.org.gt W: www.simposio.acuiculturaypescaenguatemala.com LAQUA 2020..................................................................................7 22 - 25 de march, 2021. Guayaquil, Ecuador. Tel: +1 760 751 5005 E-mail: worldaqua@aol.com www.was.org INFORMATION SERVICES AQUAFEED.COM..........................................................................65 Web portal · Newsletters · Magazine · Conferences · Technical Consulting. www.aquafeed.com

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AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

Aquaculture Magazine August-September 2020 Vol. 46 No. 4

Articles inside

Algae Cultivation via a Novel Photobioreactor

Greenhouse and Pond Liner Coverings and Films

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

THE FISHMONGER

TECHNICAL GURU: Improving efficiency of existing pump systems

AQUACULTURE ECONOMICS, MANAGEMENT, AND MARKETING

COLUMNS

AQUAFEED