Search

This study aimed to expand knowledge on lumpfish stress physiology by investigating the effects of acute stress on primary (i.e., cortisol) and secondary (e.g., metabolites) stress responses, as well as oxidative stress biomarkers, from stress exposure to a recovery phase. The results showed that the lumpfish physiological response to 1 min air exposure is mild, in line with recent studies, and comparable to that described for white sturgeons. Cortisol seems to be the most reliable acute stress biomarker in lumpfish, with a significant increase in plasma 30 min after stress exposure, returning to resting levels 2 h after exposure. In contrast, glucose and lactate were not significantly altered by short-term air exposure. Effects on hepatic energy mobilisation were also detected following the acute stress. This study showed that acute 1 min air exposure seems tolerable, allowing a swift recovery. However, more studies on the impacts of air exposure and repeated acute stressors on lumpfish stress and immune responses are required to develop industry standards for lumpfish health and welfare monitoring

Sole is a high-value flatfish species that is highly favored in many European markets. Nowadays most sole comes from capture fisheries; however, wild supply has been decreasing because of decreasing catches due to stocks overexploitation. Due to its high price and declining landings, as well as a desire by farmers to diversify their operations, there has been an expansion in sole aquaculture production in recent years and there are ambitious plans for further growth. In this paper we assess the potential for sole aquaculture in Europe using raceways. This is done by analyzing the production costs of sole farms and the price evolution in European sole markets