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Fishes
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Welfare and Sustainability in Aquaculture
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Welfare and Sustainability in Aquaculture

A special issue of Fishes (ISSN 2410-3888). This special issue belongs to the section "Welfare, Health and Disease".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 August 2024) | Viewed by 15883

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Esther Leal

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CSIC, Control of Food-Intake, IATS (Torre la Sal Aquaculture Institute) Torre la Sal, 12595 Cabanes, Spain
Interests: food intake; functional diets; stress; growth; welfare; sustainability; energy balance; behavior; fish; nutrition

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Aquaculture must be committed to the sustainability of the productive process and animal welfare. These goals will require the design of feeding strategies that maximize food utilization, reducing food waste. It is a sector of great importance in the food sustainability of the population because the consumption of fish has increased over the years, but the lack of knowledge of some essential factors causes high economic losses. Its main problems are the loss of specimens as a result of feeding problems, stress, and diseases. The aim of this journal is to increase knowledge about animal welfare as well as to increase the sustainability of aquaculture.

Dr. Esther Leal
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Fishes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • food intake
  • functional diets
  • stress
  • growth
  • welfare
  • sustainability
  • energy balance
  • behavior
  • fish
  • nutrition

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 1358 KiB  
Article
Socially Acceptable Feed Formulations May Impact the Voluntary Feed Intake and Growth, but Not Robustness of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
by Rodrigo Mendes, Paulo Rema, Jorge Dias, Ana Teresa Gonçalves, Rita Teodósio, Sofia Engrola, Francisco J. Sánchez-Vázquez and Luís E. C. Conceição
Fishes 2024, 9(9), 361; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9090361 - 16 Sep 2024
Viewed by 666
Abstract
Society is becoming more demanding with aquaculture’s environmental footprint and animal wellbeing. In order to potentially mitigate these concerns, feed formulations could be based on eco-efficient (circular economy-driven) or organic ingredients. This study aimed to investigate the growth performance, feed utilization, and health [...] Read more.
Society is becoming more demanding with aquaculture’s environmental footprint and animal wellbeing. In order to potentially mitigate these concerns, feed formulations could be based on eco-efficient (circular economy-driven) or organic ingredients. This study aimed to investigate the growth performance, feed utilization, and health status of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) when fed with such feeds. The growth trial lasted for 8 weeks, and fish had an initial weight of 31.0 ± 0.5 g (mean ± SD). Fish were fed until visual satiation, in quadruplicate, with one of three isonitrogenous and isoenergetic experimental feeds: a commercial-like feed without fishmeal (PD), a diet based on ingredients compatible with organic certification (ORG), or a feed formulated using circular economy-driven subproducts and emergent ingredients (ECO). Fish fed ECO showed a tendency for decreased feed intake, while ORG fish significantly reduced their intake compared to those fed PD. Consequently, fish fed ECO (62.7 ± 5.4 g) exhibited almost half the growth than those fed PD (107.8 ± 6.1 g), while ORG fish almost did not increase their weight (32.7 ± 1.3 g). ECO and ORG diets had a lower digestibility for protein, lipid, and energy when compared to PD. Feed utilization of fish fed ECO or ORG was also lower than those fed PD. From the health-related genes analyzed, only glutathione reductase (gsr) showed statistically significant differences, being more expressed in fish-fed ECO than those fed PD. Thus, even when such novel formulations induced extreme effects on voluntary feed intake, their impact was noted only in fish growth, but not in robustness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Welfare and Sustainability in Aquaculture)
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16 pages, 1772 KiB  
Article
Understanding the Causes of Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) Mortality in Norwegian Hatcheries: Challenges and Opportunities
by Lauris Boissonnot, Camilla Karlsen, Thor Magne Jonassen, Silje Stensby-Skjærvik, Torolf Storsul and Albert Kjartan Dagbjartarson Imsland
Fishes 2024, 9(7), 288; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9070288 - 19 Jul 2024
Viewed by 600
Abstract
Lumpfish are broadly used as biological sea lice removers in Norwegian salmon farming and are mostly produced in hatcheries. To date, there is little systematic documentation on the mortality causes of lumpfish in hatcheries. In the current study, data from 12 selected fish [...] Read more.
Lumpfish are broadly used as biological sea lice removers in Norwegian salmon farming and are mostly produced in hatcheries. To date, there is little systematic documentation on the mortality causes of lumpfish in hatcheries. In the current study, data from 12 selected fish groups from four hatcheries in Norway were collected to understand the challenges and opportunities related to the categorization of mortality causes of lumpfish in hatcheries. This study indicated that a high proportion of lumpfish mortality was categorized by the hatcheries as unspecified. When specified, mortality was primarily assessed as due to fin damage. Our analyses showed that mortality categorized as fin damage correlated with the detection of infectious agents in dead fish, suggesting that mortality was due to infections rather than fin damage. It was not possible to conclude whether infection with pathogens present in the environment caused fin damage or if injuries from aggression were a gateway for pathogens. Furthermore, due to the lack of information regarding production conditions, it was not possible to assess risk factors causing eventual aggression or the presence of pathogens. This study revealed that mortality causality—the chain of events leading to death—is mainly unclear in lumpfish hatcheries because (1) mortality categorization does not focus on underlying causes and (2) there is little documentation of production conditions, making it very difficult to relate mortality rates to external factors. The present findings highlight that there are gaps in the registrations made by hatcheries and that there is an urgent need to implement standardized monitoring protocols for lumpfish hatcheries. This will help identify the causes of mortality and, therefore, allow for the implementation of proper measures that will ensure better survival. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Welfare and Sustainability in Aquaculture)
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14 pages, 2667 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Impacts of Aquaculture Soundscapes on the Growth, Physiology and Behavior of Micropterus salmoides
by Yadong Zhang, Abubakar Shitu, Shengyu Hang, Zhangying Ye, Wen Xu, Hangfang Zhao, Jian Zhao and Songming Zhu
Fishes 2023, 8(7), 377; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes8070377 - 21 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1641
Abstract
Sound has a potential impact on animal welfare and production, but the impacts of soundscapes on aquaculture species in different aquaculture production systems have been rarely studied. This study investigated the impact of varying aquaculture soundscapes on largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). [...] Read more.
Sound has a potential impact on animal welfare and production, but the impacts of soundscapes on aquaculture species in different aquaculture production systems have been rarely studied. This study investigated the impact of varying aquaculture soundscapes on largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Three soundscapes were administered to replicated tanks: Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS:107.7 dB re 1 Pa RMS), In-Pond Raceway System (IPRS:115.1 dB re 1 Pa RMS), and Ambient (70.4 dB re 1 Pa RMS) as the control. The initial weight of fish in the three groups was 3.59 ± 0.30 g. Following a 50-day experimental period, the average weight of the Ambient group (14.08 ± 0.13 g) was significantly greater than that of the IPRS group (12.79 ± 0.08 g) (p < 0.05). Examination of physiological samples revealed that the soundscape negatively impacted the fish’s immunological, anti-oxidation, and digestive enzymes. Furthermore, the external noise also influenced the locomotive patterns of the fish aggregations. Fish polarity and cohesion were significantly more discrete (p < 0.05) in both the RAS (47.79 ± 2.34° and 98.52 ± 3.22 mm) and IPRS groups (48.04 ± 0.70° and 87.70 ± 7.31 mm) compared to the Ambient group (42.76 ± 1.42° and 85.73 ± 1.57 mm). These results highlight the significant impacts of the aquaculture soundscape on the development, physiological activities, and behavioral traits of largemouth bass. Future research should focus on determining and optimizing the impact of different equipment noise to ensure optimal welfare and production performance in aquaculture systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Welfare and Sustainability in Aquaculture)
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23 pages, 3061 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Growth-Related Parameters, Immune-Biochemical Profile, and Expression of Selected Genes of Red Tilapia Fed with Roselle Calyces (Hibiscus sabdariffa) Extract
by Amany M. Diab, Eslam E. Eldeghaidy, Mohamed H. Abo-Raya, Mustafa Shukry, Ahmed Abdeen, Samah F. Ibrahim, Liana Fericean, Mohamed Abdo and Malik M. Khalafalla
Fishes 2023, 8(4), 172; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes8040172 - 24 Mar 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2693
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to determine whether or not supplementing a diet with ethanolic roselle calyces extract (ER) had any effect on the rate of growth, intestinal morphometry, total carotene in skin and muscle, blood profile, immunity status, and the expression [...] Read more.
The purpose of this research was to determine whether or not supplementing a diet with ethanolic roselle calyces extract (ER) had any effect on the rate of growth, intestinal morphometry, total carotene in skin and muscle, blood profile, immunity status, and the expression response of red tilapia. The ER was added to four experimental diets at 0% (0 g kg−1), 0.5% (5 g kg−1), 1% (10 g kg−1), and 2% (20 g kg−1), which were designated as ER0 (control group), ER0.5, ER1, and ER2, respectively. The results show that ER1 induced higher weights (final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, and weight gain rate) and all ER groups had considerably (p < 0.05) decreased feed conversion rates (FCR) compared with the control diet. Histomorphometric examination of the intestinal villi absorptive capacity showed fish given ER, specifically ER1, had increased villus length, width, and goblet cells (p < 0.05). The best hematological and biochemical parameters (the antioxidant enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase, lysozyme activity, and WBCs count) were observed for 5 g kg−1 ER. In addition, diets supplemented with different levels of ER stimulated phagocytic activity (p < 0.05). Additionally, the highest total carotene content in skin and muscle was observed in ER0.5. The 0.5, 1, and 2% roselle extract diets induced upregulation of IGF-1, GHr, SOD, TNF-α, and LPL, whereas MSTN, HSP 70, and FAS were downregulated. In conclusion, dietary ER supplementations are advantageous for red tilapia because they improve immunological and growth-related parameters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Welfare and Sustainability in Aquaculture)
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20 pages, 9835 KiB  
Article
Effects of Stocking Density, Size, and External Stress on Growth and Welfare of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822) in a Commercial RAS
by Björn Baßmann, Lisa Hahn, Alexander Rebl, Lisa Carolina Wenzel, Marc-Christopher Hildebrand, Marieke Verleih and Harry Wilhelm Palm
Fishes 2023, 8(2), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes8020074 - 26 Jan 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3982
Abstract
The effects of semi-intensive (100 kg m−3), intensive (200 kg m−3), and super-intensive (400 kg m−3) stocking densities on the growth and welfare of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) were investigated under commercial production conditions. Plasma [...] Read more.
The effects of semi-intensive (100 kg m−3), intensive (200 kg m−3), and super-intensive (400 kg m−3) stocking densities on the growth and welfare of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) were investigated under commercial production conditions. Plasma cortisol, glucose, and selected transcripts following a stress challenge, lactate, as well as skin lesions, were analyzed at regular intervals (from 12 g juveniles to 1.5–2.0 kg). The fish grew well, but after 23 weeks, the semi-intensively stocked fish had a mean final weight of 1830.5 g, significantly higher than the super-intensively stocked fish with 1615.4 g, and considerably higher than the intensively stocked fish with 1664.8 g (p > 0.05). Cortisol and glucose responses significantly differed between stressed and unstressed fish, but not between treatment groups. An unforeseen external stressor (nearby demolition noise) caused stress responses among all treatment groups, but was similarly coped with. Mortality ranged between 3.8–9.2%. In the juveniles, skin lesions were reduced under intensive or super-intensive densities, with the least under semi-intensive densities in outgrown fish. Expression profiles of 22 genes were compared in the spleen at semi-intensive and super-intensive densities. The transcript concentrations of most genes remained unchanged, except for slc39a8 and mtf1, which were significantly downregulated in stressed catfish under semi-intensive conditions. We demonstrated that African catfish growth performance and welfare depend on age and stocking density, also reacting to demolition noise. This supports farm management to optimize stocking densities during the grow-out of African catfish in RAS and suggests avoiding external stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Welfare and Sustainability in Aquaculture)
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Review

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36 pages, 4292 KiB  
Review
Fish Welfare in Aquaculture: Physiological and Immunological Activities for Diets, Social and Spatial Stress on Mediterranean Aqua Cultured Species
by Mariano Dara, Pierluigi Carbonara, Claudia La Corte, Daniela Parrinello, Matteo Cammarata and Maria Giovanna Parisi
Fishes 2023, 8(8), 414; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes8080414 - 12 Aug 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5477
Abstract
Welfare assessment currently is less well-characterized for aquatic animals and the classical methodologies used for terrestrial animals are not adequate to improve our knowledge about fish well-being. Among different approaches, the status of organism responses can be carried out using different physiological and [...] Read more.
Welfare assessment currently is less well-characterized for aquatic animals and the classical methodologies used for terrestrial animals are not adequate to improve our knowledge about fish well-being. Among different approaches, the status of organism responses can be carried out using different physiological and biochemical tools. Here, we present the state of the art regarding fish welfare, methodologies, and experimental results with a particular focus on two important Mediterranean aquaculture species, Sparus aurata and Dicentrarchus labrax. We introduce an approach using physiological stress-indicators, growth performance and swimming activity to investigate the effects of the implantation of electronic tags to facilitate the application of telemetry for aquaculture purposes. The application of telemetry to research on aquatic organisms has expanded recently, and its utilization needs to be better understood. The mentioned approaches have been discussed for application in different aquaculture methodologies. Moreover, social stress and territoriality are relevant factors in the evaluation of gregarious species that may have consequences on the conditions of animals farmed in captivity. These aspects, that may impair the ability of fish to respond to various stimuli or negatively influence the flesh quality, here are analysed through behavioural observation, flanked by the physiological and immunological approach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Welfare and Sustainability in Aquaculture)
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