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Local aquaculture production of marine finfish has potential to meet the domestic seafood demand and contribute to reduction of the United States (U.S.) seafood trade deficit. The United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, along with other research programs, has developed aquaculture production technologies for warmwater marine finfish species with potential for commercial production. To understand the marketing opportunities for the candidate species, an online survey of 818 seafood consumers in the southeastern U.S. was conducted to explore their awareness, familiarity, frequency of consumption, location of purchase, and likelihood of purchasing the species of interest. A binary logit model was specified to explore the factors that influenced consumers likelihood to purchase Atlantic cod, black sea bass, California flounder, California yellowtail, Florida pompano, redfish, red snapper, southern flounder, spotted seatrout, striped bass, summer flounder, and white seabass, the 12 species for which there were at least 100 survey responses. This study focused on consumers likelihood to purchase the candidate species at grocery stores and restaurants. The results show that consumers who placed high importance on source of the fish and quality were more likely to buy various candidate species including red snapper, striped bass, Atlantic cod, southern flounder, Florida pompano, California yellowtail, black sea bass, California flounder, and white seabass. Respondents who considered price to be important were more likely to buy California flounder, redfish, red snapper, white seabass, black sea bass (at grocery stores only), and summer flounder (at grocery stores only). Frequent consumers of Atlantic cod, southern flounder, California flounder, redfish, summer flounder (at grocery stores only) and California yellowtail (at grocery stores only) were more likely to purchase these species. Frequency of consumption, seasonality in consumption, and demographic characteristics, including income, age, race, and state of residence, influenced consumers likelihood to purchase various species of interest. • Quality, source, and packaging are identified as the most important factors for marine finfish consumers. • Respondents who placed higher importance on source and quality attributes had a higher probability of purchasing red snapper, striped bass, Atlantic cod, southern flounder, Florida pompano, California yellowtail, black sea bass, California flounder, and white seabass. • Those who considered price to be important were more likely to buy California flounder, redfish, red snapper, white seabass, black sea bass (at grocery stores only) and summer flounder (at grocery stores only). • Frequent consumers of Atlantic cod, southern flounder, California flounder, redfish, summer flounder (at grocery stores only), and California yellowtail (at grocery stores only) were more likely to purchase farmed sources of these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine finfish aquaculture is a rapidly growing subsector in the Asia-Pacific region, including Vietnam. However, in-depth information about health management practices is often inadequate. Our objective was to describe multi-species marine finfish aquaculture in northern Vietnam at the farm and species level, and identify practices that may influence fish health. Two surveys were conducted in April 2014 and April 2015 on respectively 120 and 119 farms of which 57% were the same farms, located in floating villages near Cat Ba Island in Hai Phong Province, Vietnam. Most management practices were not different between the multiple species per farm. Duration of grow-out season was part of both surveys and differed for most species between surveys, and also with findings from other studies. Most farmers did not have aquaculture related education. Few farmers recorded stocking, harvesting or mortality parameters, and there was little involvement of health professionals. Most stock originated from China, which could pose a risk on emerging diseases. Median proximity of farms was 3 m, which is a large potential for spread of pathogens between farms. There were few biosecurity practices in place to prevent pathogens from entering the farm, e.g. few farmers treated fish before stocking, and none indicated disinfection of harvesters. Overall mortality was different between species, but overall 50–75% was expected for many production cycles. This study provides a basic understanding that could inform future outbreak investigations or development of risk-based surveillance programs. Statement of relevance This is the first study that provides a basic understanding of health related factors in marine finfish aquaculture management in northern Vietnam. As the sector is growing, early interventions to adapt farmers to better practices may lead to a cascade of improvements, and may optimize and stabilize the sector as more families become dependent upon the industry for their livelihoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From a genetic resources viewpoint, emerging aquaculture species and species groups are examined mainly in terms of food use. In addition, we include species that are becoming increasingly important for biodiversity conservation and related ecotourism aspects. Together with ornamental fish species, we argue that these species are facing increasing vulnerability and warrant attention. Our intention is to raise awareness of the potential for increasing production and revenues from emerging species/species groups with an emphasis on an underlying link to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem preservation, and how this information will inform policy on access to the genetic resources and the sharing of benefits derived from their use. For food purposes, the fastest growing aquaculture sector is mariculture, and within this sector groupers and wrasses are considered to be the most important because they cater to the relatively lucrative live food fish restaurant trade (LFFRT), which is rapidly expanding in selected South-East Asian countries. In the Asian region, ecotourism is an emerging sector and a prominent fish group for this purpose is considered to be mahseer. A number of mahseer species are culturally and commercially important and are often seen as a group of indigenous species that are suitable for aquaculture. This review summarizes much of the limited information related to the patterns of use and exchange of genetic resources on emerging aquatic species/species groups, with particular reference to Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper estimates the current economic impact and future potential of cold-water marine finfish aquaculture in Maine. Salmon farming currently accounts for nearly 86% of the total value of state production. In 2001, 13,202 mt of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, were produced in Maine, generating US$63.7 million in revenue and an additional US$32.7 million in indirect and induced economic activity. In addition, alternative cold-water finfish species are under evaluation for commercial aquaculture including haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus, Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, and Atlantic halibut,Hippoglossus hippoglossus. Important constraints to culture of alternative species are identified through an ex-ante assessment of the early culture of haddock. Overall, capital formation is the most important constraint due to high risk and uncertainty on the rate of return to investment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

For more than a century, vibriosis affects various species of economically important cultured marine fishes around the globe. The knowledge of this bacterial disease on many species of cultured fish is still lacking, but progressing. This review focuses on updated fundamental knowledge related to vibriosis including the history, taxonomy, and various epidemiological aspects such as socio-economy, clinical signs, pathological changes, diagnosis, pathogenesis, transmission, risk factors and control measures of vibriosis. This review revealed a rising prevalence of vibriosis in aquaculture, concomitant with the rapid development of this industry worldwide. Yet, information on Vibrio infection in cultured fish, particularly on the Vibrio of non-medical importance, the influence of their virulence toxins to host cells, effects of global warming and the socio-economic impacts are still scarce, and need more profound studies. Moreover, comprehensive epidemiological information on vibriosis are quite limited in many Asian countries with tropical climate, limiting the progression in control and prevention aspects of the disease. • Vibriosis affects various species of economically important cultured marine fishes. • The knowledge on this bacterial disease on many species of cultured fishes is still lacking. • This review focuses on several updated fundamental knowledge related to vibriosis in aquaculture. • The aspects including the history, taxonomy, socio-economy and various epidemiological aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]