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Technologies and Modern Techniques for Advancing Sustainable Aquaculture

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Ecology Science and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 March 2025 | Viewed by 8420

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Ichthyology & Aquatic Environment, University of Thessaly, Thessaly, Greece
Interests: light and electron microscopy; aquatic animal histology; aquatic animal histopathology; bone mechanical properties; collagen; aquaculture
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The world’s current global population is 8.1 billion, and it is expected to reach 9.6 billion by 2050. Food sources will not be sufficient for this rapid population growth and feeding the planet will be an intractable problem. Aquaculture could be a sustainable solution, as it is the most fast-growing food production sector. According to FAO, approximately 550 aquatic species are currently farmed all over the world, and over half of the aquatic foods used for human consumption are farmed. The total world aquaculture production reached 185.4 million tonnes in 2023, but this has to be increased in order to address the rapid growth of the Earth's population. The climate crisis makes imperative the need for novel, modern and sustainable technologies in order to maximize production and sustainably manage the aquatic environment. These new technologies will be vital in the future role of aquaculture.

Dr. Panagiotis Berillis
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • aquaculture
  • aquaponics
  • sustainable aquaculture
  • multi-trophic aquaculture
  • organic aquaculture
  • new species
  • new aquaculture technologies
  • recirculation aquaculture systems
  • engineering and technology of aquatic environments

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 2003 KiB  
Article
Mediterranean Aquaponics: Fasting and Refeeding in a Polyculture Aquaponic System
by Ioannis Mitsopoulos, Anastasia Papadopoulou, Nikolaos Vlahos, Panagiotis Berillis, Efi Levizou and Eleni Mente
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(21), 9829; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14219829 - 28 Oct 2024
Viewed by 744
Abstract
The use of Mediterranean euryhaline fish and halophytes in aquaponics presents a sustainable and alternative approach to food production. The present study investigates the effect of compensatory growth on sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and Baltic prawn (Palaemon adspersus) co-cultivated [...] Read more.
The use of Mediterranean euryhaline fish and halophytes in aquaponics presents a sustainable and alternative approach to food production. The present study investigates the effect of compensatory growth on sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and Baltic prawn (Palaemon adspersus) co-cultivated with the halophytic glasswort (Salicornia europaea). Three autonomous systems were established, each containing forty-five sea bass, nine Baltic prawns, and eight glasswort plants, with different feeding regimes for each treatment: (i) daily feeding (treatment A), (ii) three days of feeding per week followed by four days of fasting (treatment B), and (iii) feeding for seven days followed by seven days of fasting (treatment C). The growth performance of the fish was significantly higher in treatment B. Conversely, the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was notably higher in treatment A. As for the prawns, their final body weight and length were similar across all treatments. The glasswort plants also demonstrated significantly improved growth in treatment B. These results indicate that the incorporation of feeding and fasting cycles can be an effective feed management strategy for polyculture aquaponic systems. Additionally, food deprivation had a positive impact on the growth performance of both glasswort and prawns. Full article
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18 pages, 483 KiB  
Article
An Algorithm for Nutrient Mixing Optimization in Aquaponics
by Alexander Kobelski, Patrick Nestler, Mareike Mauerer, Thorsten Rocksch, Uwe Schmidt and Stefan Streif
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(18), 8140; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14188140 - 10 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1037
Abstract
Controlled environment agriculture is a promising alternative to conventional production methods, as it is less affected by climate change and is often more sustainable, especially in circular and recycling frameworks such as aquaponics. A major cost factor in such facilities, however, is the [...] Read more.
Controlled environment agriculture is a promising alternative to conventional production methods, as it is less affected by climate change and is often more sustainable, especially in circular and recycling frameworks such as aquaponics. A major cost factor in such facilities, however, is the need for skilled labor. Depending on available resources, there are endless possibilities on how to choose ingredients to realize a desired nutrient solution. At the same time, the composition of the desired solution is subject to fluctuations in fish water quality, fertilizer availability, weather, and plant development. In high-evaporation scenarios, e.g., summer, nutrient solutions might be mixed multiple times per day. This results in a complex, multi-variable task that is time-consuming to solve manually, yet requires frequent resolution. This work aims to help solve this challenge by providing methods to automate the nutrient mixing procedure. A simple mass-balance-based model of a nutrient mixing tank with connections to different water sources, drains, and fertilizers is provided. Using methods of static optimization, a program was developed which, in consideration of various process constraints and optimization variables, is able to calculate the necessary steps to mix the desired solution. The program code is provided in an open-source repository. The flexibility of the method is demonstrated in simulation scenarios. The program is easy to use and to adapt, and all necessary steps are explained in this paper. This work contributes to a higher automation level in CEA. Full article
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Review

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22 pages, 2754 KiB  
Review
From Feed to Fish—Nutrients’ Fate in Aquaculture Systems
by Ana Paula Dalbem Barbosa, Sarian Kosten, Claumir Cesar Muniz and Ernandes Sobreira Oliveira-Junior
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(14), 6056; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14146056 - 11 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1768
Abstract
Aquaculture is increasing globally, providing protein to a growing population, but little is known regarding the nutrient budgets in aquaculture. To obtain insight into how management practices impact nutrient fluxes in freshwater aquaculture earthen ponds worldwide, we conducted a literature review. Our literature [...] Read more.
Aquaculture is increasing globally, providing protein to a growing population, but little is known regarding the nutrient budgets in aquaculture. To obtain insight into how management practices impact nutrient fluxes in freshwater aquaculture earthen ponds worldwide, we conducted a literature review. Our literature search yielded 23 papers in which nutrient budgets were reported. Our results showed that the main nutrient inputs are inlet water, feed, and fertilizers, but they varied according to location and management practices. Overall, feed and fertilizers constituted the predominant nutrient sources, accounting for up to 99% of the total inputs. The most quantified outputs were outlet water, fish, and sedimentation. Our findings indicate that only up to 20% of carbon, 45% of nitrogen, and 60% of phosphorus are assimilated by the fish. In some systems, up to 80% of carbon, 80% of nitrogen, and 60% of phosphorus accumulate in pond bottoms; in other systems, the outflow represents substantial losses of up to 16% of carbon, 76% of nitrogen, and 55% of phosphorus. More insight into nutrients’ fate in fishponds is crucial from a sustainability perspective, as feed and fertilizer use can likely be optimized, reducing operational costs and the potential impact on the surrounding environment and atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations. Full article
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24 pages, 749 KiB  
Review
Advancements in Fish Vaccination: Current Innovations and Future Horizons in Aquaculture Health Management
by Garima S. Rathor and Banikalyan Swain
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(13), 5672; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14135672 - 28 Jun 2024
Viewed by 4075
Abstract
Aquaculture is rapidly becoming one of the pivotal sectors in the farming economy, driven by the increasing demand for high-quality animal protein at an affordable cost, especially with the escalating human population. However, the expansion of high-density fish populations also brings forth a [...] Read more.
Aquaculture is rapidly becoming one of the pivotal sectors in the farming economy, driven by the increasing demand for high-quality animal protein at an affordable cost, especially with the escalating human population. However, the expansion of high-density fish populations also brings forth a challenge—the rapid transmission and spread of infectious disease agents among them. To combat this, vaccination is emerging as a reliable and standardized method for providing immunity against viral and bacterial outbreaks. The ideal vaccine is expected to be safe, effective, economical, and easily administered. The fish vaccination industry continually publishes new information on fish immunology and vaccinology, contributing to the improvement in vaccine formulation and efficacy. This review aims to offer insights into the current status of bacterial, viral, and parasitic diseases, discuss existing vaccinations, and address potential industry-threatening diseases like infectious edwardsiellosis, motile aeromonas septicemia (MAS), Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV) disease, infectious salmon anemia (ISA), vibriosis, and white spot disease. Technological advancements have played a crucial role in enhancing our understanding of fish immunological mechanisms, leading to improved vaccine administration and the development of recombinant live attenuated, subunit, DNA, and RNA vaccines. However, challenges such as oral tolerance, vaccine degradation, and stressful environments persist, impacting vaccine efficacy. Addressing these challenges and gaining a deeper understanding of the fish immune system and host–pathogen interactions will be pivotal for future improvements, contributing to the sustainability of aquaculture and enhancing global food security. Full article
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