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An adequate understanding of fish behaviors and their interaction with farmspecific environments is pivotal for enhancing fish welfare in aquaculture. The fair-fish database aims to provide a consistent overview of the welfare of farmed fish. This platform consolidates ethological knowledge into profiles of farmed aquatic species. Its WelfareCheck profiles are organized around welfare indicators, with each criterion receiving classifications (no findings, unclear, low, medium, and high) regarding the likelihood and potential for individuals of a given species to experience good welfare in aquaculture systems, along with the associated certainty level. These criteria include home range, depth range, migration patterns, reproduction, aggregation patterns, aggressive behavior, substrate needs, stress responses, malformations, and slaughtering protocols. We investigated which of these 10 criteria are most relevant to the overall welfare of a species, considering the likelihood, potential, and certainty of good welfare in aquaculture. To achieve this, we reviewed and recorded the high classifications across each criterion and dimension from all published WelfareCheck profiles. To further investigate knowledge gaps across the criteria, we also recorded classifications marked as unclear and no findings. These were then compared across the criteria to assess the frequency of such classifications. While no significant differences were found between the criteria regarding the likelihood that the surveyed species meet their basic welfare needs, criteria related to reproduction, slaughter practices, and substrate needs demonstrated a high potential for better welfare outcomes. Moreover, reproduction and migration patterns exhibited high certainty in the available literature. Based on these findings, we conclude that improving the reproduction of farmed aquatic species, considering their natural needs and behavior, could be an effective and reliable approach to improving welfare. However, we also found a low certainty of information on aggression and an absence or conflicting data on home range, aggregation patterns, stress, and malformations. This highlights an urgent need for research in these areas, which are fundamental for developing more accurate assessments and recommendations for farmed aquatic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Slaughter and pre-slaughter practices can impact the flesh quality of farmed fish in a significant manner. Fish are sentient animals, able to experience emotions and psychological stress. They can perceive pain when killing methods are applied. European legislation does not adequately protect the welfare of farmed fish, unlike other animals. This study discussed how the implementation of slaughter and killing protocols, which include welfare indicators, can effectively enhance the well-being of fish and the quality of fish meat. The study investigated fish welfare at slaughter. Killing animals may induce suffering to the animals even under the best available technical conditions. Moreover, fish have different physiological characteristics and are slaughtered differently from terrestrial animals. The use of commercially available methods exposes farmed fish to pain and suffering during slaughter, which could lead to acute stress and post mortem changes in fish quality. The study aimed to discuss (i) the current knowledge and knowledge gaps on fish welfare related to stunning and killing methods; (ii) the variables that affect the post mortem changes in fish meat, and (iii) the indicators of welfare during slaughter. Application of welfare protocols at slaughter improves fish welfare. Specific protocols for fish are not provided in EC Regulation 1099/2009 on animal protection at killing. Detailed guidelines in the fish welfare assessment may allow the development of specific fish legislation. Developing humane technologies might have important effects on fish quality, consumer perception and aquaculture economics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African catfish farmers used animal waste as feed to reduce production costs, a practice that raised concerns among consumers, causing them to avoid it. Consequently, this study aimed to explore factors that influenced the acceptance of farmed African catfish. The data survey involving 2294 participants from Egypt was analyzed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test. The results indicated that 67% of participants abstained from consuming it, while 2.30% consumed it regularly. The chi-square test revealed significant consumption pattern variations (p < 0.05) based on most demographic factors. Entirely, 43% were uninformed about the nutritional value, market availability, and the potential impact of using aquafeeds on pricing. About 55–57% lacked information on feeding practices, had quality concerns, viewed catfish consumption as a health risk, and were unaware of its prices. Additionally, 68% were worried about pollution, and 76% found the available information insufficient. The main reasons for this challenge lie in consumers' health, religious, and psychological concerns. To address this, we propose a targeted marketing strategy focusing on improving safety and quality through safe and cost-effective aquafeeds. This involves requiring farmers to obtain quality certifications and adhere to best management practices, adding value to the product, and transparent communication with consumers to provide them with reliable information about cultivation practices and the nutritional value of African catfish. Effective collaboration among key stakeholders in implementation, efficient sector management, establishing an activity licensing system, and prohibiting current feeding practices will enhance sustainable demand and reverse the declining production trend of this promising species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sentiment analysis, a form of data analytics, utilises information from online discussions, reviews, and social media posts to assess consumer sentiments. This study utilised data collected from social media using online listening procedures to assess online sentiments on oysters from January 2019 through December 2022. The analysis utilises machine learning algorithms to extract consumer sentiments, opinions, and demands from online chatter from different online domains. The online sentiments are determined as positive, negative, or neutral based on their word choice, tone, and context. The information provided gives insights into perception, which is valuable information for oyster producers, seafood industry stakeholders, and marketers to identify consumer preferences and formulate appropriate strategies accordingly. The results suggest that while farmed oysters are gaining popularity, there are still some concerns and criticisms around the industry. Positive words associated with mentions of oysters in general include 'great', 'love', 'delicious', 'enjoyed', and 'oyster bar', while negative words associated with oysters include 'water', 'raw oyster', 'bad', and 'not eat'. The overall percentage net sentiment associated with all oysters in the United States is positive at 63%. The net sentiment associated with wild oysters is positive, at 51%, and that of farmed oysters is 58%. The oyster industry could invest more in public education, sustainability, and water‐cleaning initiatives to improve its image. Utilising social media to monitor and shape public perception can help the industry address concerns and enhance oyster‐related sentiments, offering valuable insights for marketing and sales strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing frequency and duration of marine heatwaves (MHWs) due to climate change pose severe threats to aquaculture, causing drastic physiological and growth impairments in farmed fish, undermining their resilience against additional environmental pressures. To ensure sustainable production that meets the global seafood demand and animal welfare standards, cost-effective and eco-friendly strategies are urgently needed. This study explored the efficacy of the red macroalga Asparagopsis taxiformis on juvenile white seabream Diplodus sargus reared under optimal conditions and upon exposure to a MHW. Fish were fed with four experimental diets (0%, 1.5%, 3% or 6% of dried powdered A. taxiformis) for a prophylactic period of 30 days (T30) and subsequently exposed to a Mediterranean category II MHW for 15 days (T53). Biometric data and samples were collected at T30, T53 and T61 (8 days post-MHW recovery), to assess performance indicators, biomarker responses and histopathological alterations. Results showed that A. taxiformis supplementation improved catalase and glutathione S-transferase activities and reduced lipid peroxidation promoted by the MHW, particularly in fish biofortified with 1.5% inclusion level. No histopathological alterations were observed after 30 days. Additionally, fish biofortified with 1.5% A. taxiformis exhibited increased citrate synthase activity and fish supplemented with 1.5% and 3% showed improved digestive enzyme activities (e.g., pepsin and trypsin activities). Overall, the present findings pointed to 1.5% inclusion as the optimal dosage for aquafeeds biofortification with A. taxiformis, and confirmed that this seaweed species is a promising cost-effective ingredient with functional properties and great potential for usage in a climate-smart context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An adequate understanding of fish behaviors and their interaction with farm-specific environments is pivotal for enhancing fish welfare in aquaculture. The fair-fish database aims to provide a consistent overview of the welfare of farmed fish. This platform consolidates ethological knowledge into profiles of farmed aquatic species. Its WelfareCheck profiles are organized around welfare indicators, with each criterion receiving classifications (no findings, unclear, low, medium, and high) regarding the likelihood and potential for individuals of a given species to experience good welfare in aquaculture systems, along with the associated certainty level. These criteria include home range, depth range, migration patterns, reproduction, aggregation patterns, aggressive behavior, substrate needs, stress responses, malformations, and slaughtering protocols. We investigated which of these 10 criteria are most relevant to the overall welfare of a species, considering the likelihood, potential, and certainty of good welfare in aquaculture. To achieve this, we reviewed and recorded the high classifications across each criterion and dimension from all published WelfareCheck profiles. To further investigate knowledge gaps across the criteria, we also recorded classifications marked as unclear and no findings. These were then compared across the criteria to assess the frequency of such classifications. While no significant differences were found between the criteria regarding the likelihood that the surveyed species meet their basic welfare needs, criteria related to reproduction, slaughter practices, and substrate needs demonstrated a high potential for better welfare outcomes. Moreover, reproduction and migration patterns exhibited high certainty in the available literature. Based on these findings, we conclude that improving the reproduction of farmed aquatic species, considering their natural needs and behavior, could be an effective and reliable approach to improving welfare. However, we also found a low certainty of information on aggression and an absence or conflicting data on home range, aggregation patterns, stress, and malformations. This highlights an urgent need for research in these areas, which are fundamental for developing more accurate assessments and recommendations for farmed aquatic species.

The surging global demand for fish has increased aquaculture practices, where antibiotics have become indispensable to prevent diseases. However, the passive incorporation of these compounds into the diet may have adverse effects on human health. In this work, the QuEChERS method combined with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was applied for the determination of 10 multiclass antibiotics (5 quinolones, 2 sulfonamides, 2 diaminopyrimidines, and 1 macrolide) in muscle tissue of farmed fish (European sea bass and gilt-head sea bream). The applied method demonstrated acceptable recovery values, mostly between 70 and 120%, with limits of quantification of the method meeting the established EU maximum residue limits. The analysis of twenty fish samples in duplicate revealed that most antibiotics were not present, with the only exception of oxolinic acid and tilmicosin in European sea bass, which were below the limit of quantification of the method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: The specific application of this work involves the development of an intelligent system for diagnosing and treating fish diseases in Greek fish farming. The project aims to enhance the competitiveness of Greek fish farming by addressing the increasing mortality rates attributed to unsustainable farming methods and environmental factors. The application of data mining classifiers, particularly decision trees (DTs), in predicting and categorizing fish mortality instances contributes to the development of an intelligent system for disease diagnosis and treatment. The proactive approach, supported by rigorous evaluation processes and a feature importance analysis, holds implications for sustainable aquaculture management and aligns with global sustainability initiatives. A proposal has been put forward advocating a data-driven strategy that employs classifiers from data mining to foresee and categorize instances of fish mortality. This addresses the increasing concerns regarding the death rates in caged fish environments because of the unsustainable fish farming techniques employed and environmental variables involved. The aim of this research is to enhance the competitiveness of Greek fish farming through the development of an intelligent system that is able to diagnose fish diseases in farms. This system concurrently addresses medication and dosage issues. To achieve this, a comprehensive dataset derived from various aquaculture sources was used, including various factors such as the geographic locations, farming techniques, and indicative parameters such as the water quality, climatic conditions, and fish biological characteristics. The main objective of the research was to categorize fish mortality cases through predictive models. Advanced data mining classification methods, specifically decision trees (DTs), were used for the comparison, aiming to recognize the most appropriate method with high precision and recall rates in predicting fish death rates. To ensure the reliability of the results, a methodical evaluation process was adopted, including cross-validation and a classification performance assessment. In addition, a statistical analysis was performed to gain insights into the factors that identify the correlations between the various factors affecting fish mortality. This analysis contributes to the development of targeted conservation and restoration action strategies. The research results have important implications for sustainable management actions, enabling stakeholders to proactively address issues and monitor aquaculture practices. This proactive approach ensures the protection of farmed fish quantities while meeting global seafood requirements. The data mining using a classification approach coincides with the general context of the UN sustainability goals, reducing the losses in seafood management and production when dealing with the consequences of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Sentiment analysis, a form of data analytics, utilises information from online discussions, reviews, and social media posts to assess consumer sentiments. This study utilised data collected from social media using online listening procedures to assess online sentiments on oysters from January 2019 through December 2022. The analysis utilises machine learning algorithms to extract consumer sentiments, opinions, and demands from online chatter from different online domains. The online sentiments are determined as positive, negative, or neutral based on their word choice, tone, and context. The information provided gives insights into perception, which is valuable information for oyster producers, seafood industry stakeholders, and marketers to identify consumer preferences and formulate appropriate strategies accordingly. The results suggest that while farmed oysters are gaining popularity, there are still some concerns and criticisms around the industry. Positive words associated with mentions of oysters in general include ‘great’, ‘love’, ‘delicious’, ‘enjoyed’, and ‘oyster bar’, while negative words associated with oysters include ‘water’, ‘raw oyster’, ‘bad’, and ‘not eat’. The overall percentage net sentiment associated with all oysters in the United States is positive at 63%. The net sentiment associated with wild oysters is positive, at 51%, and that of farmed oysters is 58%. The oyster industry could invest more in public education, sustainability, and water‐cleaning initiatives to improve its image. Utilising social media to monitor and shape public perception can help the industry address concerns and enhance oyster‐related sentiments, offering valuable insights for marketing and sales strategies.

The study investigated fish welfare at slaughter. Killing animals may induce suffering to the animals even under the best available technical conditions. Moreover, fish have different physiological characteristics and are slaughtered differently from terrestrial animals. The use of commercially available methods exposes farmed fish to pain and suffering during slaughter, which could lead to acute stress and post mortem changes in fish quality. The study aimed to discuss (i) the current knowledge and knowledge gaps on fish welfare related to stunning and killing methods; (ii) the variables that affect the post mortem changes in fish meat, and (iii) the indicators of welfare during slaughter. Application of welfare protocols at slaughter improves fish welfare. Specific protocols for fish are not provided in EC Regulation 1099/2009 on animal protection at killing. Detailed guidelines in the fish welfare assessment may allow the development of specific fish legislation. Developing humane technologies might have important effects on fish quality, consumer perception and aquaculture economics.

Aquaculture sector is considered an important economic activity both at global and European levels. It contributes in food security, employment, and social cohesion especially in coastal areas. Furthermore, it provides high nutritional value products and plays a significant role in constant supply of fish products in the market. However, major marketing challenges are observed within the sector. Particularly, product communication is considered a major marketing issue as it has been indicated by a plethora of studies. Notably, it has been observed that there is a higher consumer preference of captured fish versus farmed fish, especially in coastal areas. This is due to the fact that there is a substantial consumer knowledge gap regarding aquaculture production process. Interestingly, this is also being observed in organic aquaculture sector, indicating a substantial consumer knowledge gap and consequently consumer confusion unable to identify the added value of organic aquaculture products. Therefore, the present study aims to review the literature regarding consumer knowledge and confusion in aquaculture production. Thus, a scoping review of research was conducted based on systematic search from relevant research, review articles, and online documents. Policy and marketing strategy recommendations are provided on how to improve consumers' knowledge and consequently how to tackle consumers' confusion regarding sustainability production practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Hematological analysis represents a valid tool for the control of pathologies and stress in fish, playing a crucial role in evaluating the health status of this animal species. Moreover, serum protein distribution and concentration can be affected by different physiological and pathological conditions. In view of such considerations, this study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of two innovative automated methods (automated blood count counter and flow cytometry) for hematological investigation and serum total proteins and their electrophoretic fractions in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The findings obtained in the current study support the idea that the two hematological methods investigated could be useful in implementing the applicability of automated instrumental techniques in aquaculture. This study aimed to assess the usefulness of two innovative automated methods (automated blood count counters and flow cytometry) for hematological investigation in Tilapia to make a contribution to the clinical diagnostics of this farmed species. Moreover, serum total proteins and their electrophoretic fractions (prealbumin, albumin, α-, β-, and γ-fraction), as health condition indicators, were assessed. The analysis of serum total proteins and electrophoretic fraction showed a normal and typical electrophoretic pattern of healthy fish (serum total proteins, 3.70 ± 0.62 g/dL; prealbumin, 0.44 ± 0.20 g/dL; albumin, 1.17 ± 0.66 g/dL; α-fraction, 1.49 ± 0.64 g/dL; β-fraction, 0.32 ± 0.16 g/dL; and γ-fraction, 0.29 ± 0.13 g/dL). The relationships between the values of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and thrombocytes (TCs) obtained with the two automated methods were determined using Pearson correlation analysis. The results showed a significant positive correlation between automatic blood cell counting and flow cytometry analysis for RBCs (r = 0.97, p < 0.0001) and WBCs (r = 0.91, p < 0.0001), whereas no correlation was found for TCs (r = −0.11, p = 0.66). The preliminary results gathered in this study seem to highlight the usefulness of the new analytical techniques herein investigated in tilapia, suggesting their application in the hematological investigation of farmed fish species and their usefulness for monitoring the health and well-being of fish reared in aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taste plays a fundamental role in an animal's ability to detect nutrients and transmits key dietary information to the brain, which is crucial for its growth and survival. Providing alternative terrestrial ingredients early in feeding influences the growth of rainbow trout (RT, Oncorhynchus mykiss). Thus, the present study aimed to assess the influence, via long-term feeding (from the first feeding to 8 months), of alternative plant ingredients (V diet for vegetable diet v. C diet for a control diet) in RT on the mechanism of fat sensing at the gustatory level. After the feeding trial, we studied the pathways of the fat-sensing mechanism in tongue tissue and the integrated response in the brain. To this end, we analysed the expression pattern of free fatty acid receptors (ffar) 1 and 2, markers of calcium-signalling pathways (phospholipase C β , Orai, Stim or Serca), the serotonin level (a key neurotransmitter in taste buds) and the expression pattern of appetite-regulating neuropeptides in the hypothalamus (central area of appetite regulation). The results revealed that the V diet modified the expression pattern of ffar1 and paralogs of ffar2 genes in tongue tissue, along with differential regulation of calcium-signalling pathways and a defect in serotonin level and brain turnover, without influencing neuropeptide expression. This study is the first to support that changes in feeding behaviour of RT fed a V diet could be due to the difference in nutrient sensing and a decrease in hedonic sensation. We revealed that RT have similar fat-detection mechanisms as mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We characterized the presence of plastics in different organs of the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) from some off-shore aquaculture facilities of the Mediterranean Sea. Plastics were detected in 38% of analyzed fish. Higher contamination was observed in fish from Turkey and Greece with respect to Italy, without significant differences between the geographical areas. Plastics accumulated mostly in the gastrointestinal tract and, to a lower extent, in the muscle, which represents the edible part of fish. Based on the particle detected, a maximum amount of 0.01 plastic/g wet weight (w.w.) can occur in muscles, suggesting a low input for humans through consumption. A large portion of the particles identified was represented by man-made cellulose-based fibers. The characterization of the polymeric composition suggests that plastics taken up by fish can have land-based and pelagic origins, but plastics can be introduced also from different aquaculture practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proximate composition, amino acid, fatty acid and mineral elements of wild and farmed Conger myriaster muscle were compared. Results indicated that the lipid content of farmed fish was significantly higher, while moisture content was significantly lower than that of the wild fish (P<0.05). The contents of all essential amino acids (EAA), half essential amino acids (HEAA) and Tyr, Asp, Glu were significantly higher in farmed Conger myriaster than that in wild fish (P<0.05). The ratios of the WEAA/WTAA (39.92% vs 39.77%) and WEAA/WNEAA (84.29% vs 82.37%) were similar in farmed and wild Conger myriaster (P>0.05). n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), n-6 PUFAs and total PUFAs content were lower in wild than that in farmed Conger myriaster (P<0.05). Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were higher in farmed than wild Conger myriaster (P<0.05). Farmed fish showed significant high content in K and Mg but low in Hg, As and Pb compared to wild fish (P<0.05). In a word, farmed Conger myriaster under investigation have high nutritional qualities and positive health benefits, it is a potentially healthier alternative to the wild Conger myriaster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We characterized the presence of plastics in different organs of the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) from some off-shore aquaculture facilities of the Mediterranean Sea. Plastics were detected in 38% of analyzed fish. Higher contamination was observed in fish from Turkey and Greece with respect to Italy, without significant differences between the geographical areas. Plastics accumulated mostly in the gastrointestinal tract and, to a lower extent, in the muscle, which represents the edible part of fish. Based on the particle detected, a maximum amount of 0.01 plastic/g wet weight (w.w.) can occur in muscles, suggesting a low input for humans through consumption. A large portion of the particles identified was represented by man-made cellulose-based fibers. The characterization of the polymeric composition suggests that plastics taken up by fish can have land-based and pelagic origins, but plastics can be introduced also from different aquaculture practices.

The increasing frequency and duration of marine heatwaves (MHWs) due to climate change pose severe threats to aquaculture, causing drastic physiological and growth impairments in farmed fish, undermining their resilience against additional environmental pressures. To ensure sustainable production that meets the global seafood demand and animal welfare standards, cost-effective and eco-friendly strategies are urgently needed. This study explored the efficacy of the red macroalga Asparagopsis taxiformis on juvenile white seabream Diplodus sargus reared under optimal conditions and upon exposure to a MHW. Fish were fed with four experimental diets (0%, 1.5%, 3% or 6% of dried powdered A. taxiformis) for a prophylactic period of 30 days (T30) and subsequently exposed to a Mediterranean category II MHW for 15 days (T53). Biometric data and samples were collected at T30, T53 and T61 (8 days post-MHW recovery), to assess performance indicators, biomarker responses and histopathological alterations. Results showed that A. taxiformis supplementation improved catalase and glutathione S-transferase activities and reduced lipid peroxidation promoted by the MHW, particularly in fish biofortified with 1.5% inclusion level. No histopathological alterations were observed after 30 days. Additionally, fish biofortified with 1.5% A. taxiformis exhibited increased citrate synthase activity and fish supplemented with 1.5% and 3% showed improved digestive enzyme activities (e.g., pepsin and trypsin activities). Overall, the present findings pointed to 1.5% inclusion as the optimal dosage for aquafeeds biofortification with A. taxiformis, and confirmed that this seaweed species is a promising cost-effective ingredient with functional properties and great potential for usage in a climate-smart context.

Simple Summary: In the growing aquaculture sector, more concerns have arisen regarding health management in farmed fish. Geographic information systems (GISs) dedicated to storing, collecting, retrieving, transforming, and displaying large sets of spatial data may help enhance disease control and surveillance, especially during outbreaks. To shed light on the actual implementation of GISs for health management in farmed fish in marine and freshwater environments, this scoping review analysed 54 relevant retained records from a base of over 1000 papers in the scientific literature published between 2010 and 2022. What stands out from this literature analysis is that these remote technologies are most successfully adopted in the highly valued salmonid farming industry of northern Europe and Chile. Furthermore, implementing such remote technologies and related disease mapping seemed particularly effective in controlling viral outbreaks. This review highlighted the gap between the potential of these smart GIS tools and the actual benefits accrued for disease control and surveillance when applied to farmed aquatic animals. Finfish aquaculture, one of the fastest growing intensive sectors worldwide, is threatened by numerous transmissible diseases that may have devastating impacts on its economic sustainability. This review (2010–2022) used a PRISMA extension for scoping reviews and a text mining approach to explore the extent to which geographical information systems (GIS) are used in farmed fish health management and to unveil the main GIS technologies, databases, and functions used to update the spatiotemporal data underpinning risk and predictive models in aquatic surveillance programmes. After filtering for eligibility criteria, the literature search provided 54 records, highlighting the limited use of GIS technologies for disease prevention and control, as well as the prevalence of GIS application in marine salmonid farming, especially for viruses and parasitic diseases typically associated with these species. The text mining generated five main research areas, underlining a limited range of investigated species, rearing environments, and diseases, as well as highlighting the lack of GIS-based methodologies at the core of such publications. This scoping review provides a source of information for future more detailed literature analyses and outcomes to support the development of geospatial disease spread models and expand in-field GIS technologies for the prevention and mitigation of fish disease epidemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acceptance sampling is important for food safety and is a relevant tool at production and official control levels, as it helps decision-making processes and verifies quality and food safety management. Generally, sampling plans are hypothesis tests of products that have been submitted for official appraisal and subsequent acceptance or rejection. The sample size is related to the set level of risk, the acceptable precision, and the tolerable misstatement size; therefore, sample size determination has a crucial role in setting up the accepted level of non-compliance and level of error. Using a simple predictive model based on combinatorics, this study showcases how sample size management can change the probability of rejecting good lots and/or accepting bad lots when the acceptance number is 0 (c=0). We showed that when c=0, a very high level of significance of the test corresponds to the high probability of rejecting a lot with an acceptable prevalence of defective items (type II error). We produced tables about the minimum sample size at different significance levels, which can be useful in the field. A paradigmatic example of the role of sample size in the acceptance-sampling plan is represented by the visual inspection for the detection of Anisakid larvae in fishery products. This study investigated this aspect and mainly referred to studies on the prevalence of larvae in farmed fish. We showed that, for lots =1000 items, the sample size is not strictly related to the lot size, but to draw a consistent control plan and reduce the variability in the clinical judgment, control authorities require a standardized approach. Because of this, the results on the prevalence of Anisakid larvae in farmed fish, if only based on sampling control plans, do not support a negligible risk statement, despite the claims reported in the EFSA opinion and several other studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polonium (210Po) is the major contributor (with approximately 90%) to the radiation dose from radionuclides contained in the human diet, and it is mostly associated with seafood. This study presents 210Po activity concentrations in the tissues of 16 fish species from the Aegean Sea and Sea of Marmara. Among all species investigated, the highest 210Po activity concentration was 4450 ± 33 Bq kg−1 dry weight (dw) in the digestive tract of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), and the lowest 210Po activity concentration was 1.3 ± 0.6 Bq kg−1 (dw) in the muscle tissue of the thornback ray (Raja clavata). Significant differences in 210Po concentrations were consistently found among the tissues of fish (P < 0.05). In general, the prominent accumulation of 210Po was observed in the digestive tract and liver while the muscle tissue generally displayed the lower concentrations. Polonium concentrations in the internal organs, such as muscle and liver, were related to the feeding ecology of fish and thus are a consequence of 210Po transfer in the food chain rather than 210Po uptake from water. The average 210Po concentration in fish filet was 54.1 Bq kg−1 dw and to attain the recommended limit for the annual committed effective dose (1 mSv year−1) would require the consumption of 1024 kg of mixed fish filet in 1 year, which is unlikely to happen. The highest 210Po activity concentration in the edible part of fish (filet) was determined in the anchovy (E. encrasicolus) but to reach the 1 mSv year−1 limit would require still the consumption of 7.1 kg year−1 of anchovy filet. Similar size specimens of wild and farmed fish, Dicentrarchus labrax and Sparus aurata, were analyzed to assess the differences in 210Po concentrations. Polonium concentrations in the wild fish were several-fold higher than in farmed specimens, these ones fed with fish feed with 210Po content lower than natural food in the sea. Therefore, the current trend of increasing the consumption of seafood from aquaculture seems to be reducing the radiation exposure to 210Po in the human diet that is considered beneficial to public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surging global demand for fish has increased aquaculture practices, where antibiotics have become indispensable to prevent diseases. However, the passive incorporation of these compounds into the diet may have adverse effects on human health. In this work, the QuEChERS method combined with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was applied for the determination of 10 multiclass antibiotics (5 quinolones, 2 sulfonamides, 2 diaminopyrimidines, and 1 macrolide) in muscle tissue of farmed fish (European sea bass and gilt-head sea bream). The applied method demonstrated acceptable recovery values, mostly between 70 and 120%, with limits of quantification of the method meeting the established EU maximum residue limits. The analysis of twenty fish samples in duplicate revealed that most antibiotics were not present, with the only exception of oxolinic acid and tilmicosin in European sea bass, which were below the limit of quantification of the method.

A proposal has been put forward advocating a data-driven strategy that employs classifiers from data mining to foresee and categorize instances of fish mortality. This addresses the increasing concerns regarding the death rates in caged fish environments because of the unsustainable fish farming techniques employed and environmental variables involved. The aim of this research is to enhance the competitiveness of Greek fish farming through the development of an intelligent system that is able to diagnose fish diseases in farms. This system concurrently addresses medication and dosage issues. To achieve this, a comprehensive dataset derived from various aquaculture sources was used, including various factors such as the geographic locations, farming techniques, and indicative parameters such as the water quality, climatic conditions, and fish biological characteristics. The main objective of the research was to categorize fish mortality cases through predictive models. Advanced data mining classification methods, specifically decision trees (DTs), were used for the comparison, aiming to recognize the most appropriate method with high precision and recall rates in predicting fish death rates. To ensure the reliability of the results, a methodical evaluation process was adopted, including cross-validation and a classification performance assessment. In addition, a statistical analysis was performed to gain insights into the factors that identify the correlations between the various factors affecting fish mortality. This analysis contributes to the development of targeted conservation and restoration action strategies. The research results have important implications for sustainable management actions, enabling stakeholders to proactively address issues and monitor aquaculture practices. This proactive approach ensures the protection of farmed fish quantities while meeting global seafood requirements. The data mining using a classification approach coincides with the general context of the UN sustainability goals, reducing the losses in seafood management and production when dealing with the consequences of climate change.

Gut microbiomes of fish species consist of thousands of bacterial taxa that interact among each other, their environment, and the host. These complex networks of interactions are regulated by a diverse range of factors, yet little is known about the hierarchy of these interactions. Here, we introduce SAMBA (Structure-Learning of Aquaculture Microbiomes using a Bayesian Approach), a computational tool that uses a unified Bayesian network approach to model the network structure of fish gut microbiomes and their interactions with biotic and abiotic variables associated with typical aquaculture systems. SAMBA accepts input data on microbial abundance from 16S rRNA amplicons as well as continuous and categorical information from distinct farming conditions. From this, SAMBA can create and train a network model scenario that can be used to (i) infer information of how specific farming conditions influence the diversity of the gut microbiome or pan-microbiome, and (ii) predict how the diversity and functional profile of that microbiome would change under other variable conditions. SAMBA also allows the user to visualize, manage, edit, and export the acyclic graph of the modelled network. Our study presents examples and test results of Bayesian network scenarios created by SAMBA using data from a microbial synthetic community, and the pan-microbiome of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) in different feeding trials. It is worth noting that the usage of SAMBA is not limited to aquaculture systems as it can be used for modelling microbiome–host network relationships of any vertebrate organism, including humans, in any system and/or ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oomycete infections in farmed fish are one of the most significant disease issues in salmonid aquaculture worldwide. In the present study, Saprolegnia spp. in different farmed fish species in Finland were identified, and the molecular epidemiology of especially Saprolegnia parasitica was examined. We analysed tissue samples from suspected oomycete‐infected salmonids of different life stages from a number of fish farms, as well as three wild salmonids. From collected oomycete isolates, the ITS1, 5.8S and ITS2 genomic regions were amplified, analysed phylogenetically and compared with corresponding sequences deposited in GenBank. Of the sequenced isolates, 91% were identified as S. parasitica. Isolates of yolk sac fry were identified as different Saprolegnia spp. Among the isolates from rainbow trout eggs Saprolegnia diclina dominated. In order to determine potential dominating clones among the S. parasitica, isolates were analysed using Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST). The results showed that one main clone contained the majority of the isolates. The MLST analysis showed four main sequence types (ST1–ST4) and 13 unique STs. This suggests that the Saprolegnia infections in farmed fish in Finland are not caused by different strains originating in the farm environment. Instead, one main clone of S. parasitica is present in Finnish fish farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 151 wild and farmed fish samples of three species (S. aurata, D. labrax and U. cirrosa) from south Mediterranean were examined for cadmium, lead and mercury and total lipids detection to verify possible differences between wild and farmed fish. Mercury was detected only in S. aurata samples, with mean values of 0.056 ± 0.128 mg/kg and 0.031 ± 0.033 mg/kg for farmed and wild samples, respectively. The results verified no significant differences in Pb, Cd and Hg levels between wild and farmed fish samples (p < 0.05). The farmed fish samples showed higher total lipids contents than wild (p > 0.05). As far as we know, this work report first findings on the toxic metal presence in farmed Umbrina cirrosa, showing no detectable Hg, Cd and Pb values. The results of this work seems to confirm that the presence of toxic metals could be more related to the pollution the site than the type of production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today's world, microplastic contamination of aquatic systems is a subject of major concern. In this study, the incidence of microplastics in freshwater fish from both farmed and wild sources was evaluated. Wild catla (Gibelion catla), stinging catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis), rui (Labeo rohita), tengara catfish (Mystus tengara), and pabdah catfish (Ompok pabda) were collected from Padma River, Turag River, and Bhairab River. Farmed fishes of same species were collected from Mymensingh and Chandpur fish markets. A total of 68 (43.6%) microparticles out of 156 were identified as microplastics using ATR-FTIR. About 66.67% (20 out of 30) of farmed fish samples had microplastics in their digestive system, while 88.4% (23 of 26) of wild fish samples presented microplastics. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in average microplastic count between wild and farmed fish. Average microplastic count also showed a significant difference among five fish species (p < 0.01). A variety of polymers were observed, with polyethylene being the most abundant, followed by polyester, polypropylene, polyamide-6, and polyurethane. This study suggests that microplastic contamination is ubiquitous and contamination is common in all of the fish species investigated, independent of their origin (wild or farmed). However, wild fish population is at a greater risk of ingesting microplastics. This study, for the first time ever, reports plastic pollution in freshwater fishes of Bangladesh from wild and farmed sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improved fish post-harvest technologies (IFPT) have been promoted as more efficient methods of fish processing, preservation, and value addition than the traditional methods prevalent in developing countries. The adoption rates, however, do not appear to be convincing. The purpose of this study was to determine the socio-demographic and psychological factors that influence intention of Kenyan farmed fish traders to use IFPT. The technology acceptance model (TAM) was used to properly explain the impact of TAM constructs such as perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), and attitude (ATT), as well as socio-demographic factors such as gender, age, education level and fish trading experience on traders’ intention to use the technologies. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect data using a semi-structured questionnaire from 146 traders in Busia, Siaya and Kakamega counties. At a significance level of p = 0.05, a linear regression model was used to examine the socio-demographic and psychological determinants of the traders’ behavioral intention to use the improved technologies. The regression analysis revealed that PU (β = 0.443; p = 0.000), PEOU (β = 0.364; p = 0.000) and ATT (β = 0.615; p = 0.000) influence traders’ intention to use IFPT, with ATT having the highest influence on intention. However, the traders’ socio-demographic characteristics have no effect on their intention to use the technologies, as the coefficients for gender (β = 0.148; p = 0.096), age (β = 0.016; p = 0.882), level of education (β = −0.135; p = 0.141) and fish trading experience (β = 0.017; p = 0.869) are all insignificant. These findings show that the traders intend to use IFPT and will use them when it is in their best economic interests.

In the era of intensification of fish farms, the high‐fat diet (HFD) has been applied to promote growth and productivity, provide additional energy and substitute partial protein in fish feeds. Certainly, HFD within specific concentrations was found to be beneficial in boosting fish performance throughout a short‐term feeding. However, excessive dietary fat levels displayed vast undesirable impacts on growth, feed efficiency, liver function, antioxidant capacity and immune function and finally reduced the economic revenue of cultured fish. Moreover, studies have shown that fish diets containing a high level of fats resulted in increasing lipid accumulation, stimulated endoplasmic reticulum stress and suppressed autophagy in fish liver. Investigations showed that HFD could impair the intestinal barrier of fish via triggering inflammation, metabolic disorders, oxidative stress and microbiota imbalance. Several approaches have been widely used for reducing the undesirable influences of HFD in fish. Dietary manipulation could mitigate the adverse impacts triggered by HFD, and boost growth and productivity via reducing blood lipids profile, attenuating oxidative stress and hepatic lipid deposition and improving mitochondrial activity, immune function and antioxidant activity in fish. As well, dietary feed additives have been shown to decrease hepatic lipogenesis and modulate the inflammatory response in fish. Based on the literature, previous studies indicated that phytochemicals could reduce apoptosis and enhance the immunity of fish fed with HFD. Thus, the present review will explore the potential hazards of HFD on fish species. It will also provide light on the possibility of employing some safe feed additives to mitigate HFD risks in farmed fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mass production of fish in a developing country like Bangladesh has ensured food security with quality of fish hardly. The purpose of this study thus is to identify the implicit price of the fish quality characteristics. In total, 200 consumers were randomly interviewed from three different coastal districts of Bangladesh where both farmed and wild fish were available. The consumers were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire during their purchase and the semi-log functional form of regression model was applied to explore the implicit price of the fish quality characteristics. The findings indicated that consumers' high payment (at least 61% price premium) on wild fish for its taste, size, and eye character. However, it was found that consumers preferred farmed fish for its freshness and bright color while they disfavored swollen abdomen and odor. The results also revealed that consumers paid 18% more for the farmed fish freshness and 9% less for the fish with odor and swollen abdomen. It was also noticed that quantity of the fish and presence of bones were the influential factors of reducing the price of both fish. The study implies that fish farmers need to produce fish considering quality characteristics rather than producing more since good food ensures good health. The study refers to the implementation of the 'Government Fishery Act' for increasing the wild fish stock including different small indigenous species, catfish, and hilsha for consumers' demands and preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on the genetic structure of fish is a useful means for optimizing identification of stocks, stock enhancement, breeding programs, management of sustainable yield and preservation genetic diversity. The population genetic structure of African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) in cultured population and feral populations from Rivers Guzuguzu, Fada and Magaga (Kano State) were investigated using RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA). Using a CTAB protocol, genomic DNA was extracted from the caudal peduncle of 157 samples of live specimen collected from each population. Five RAPD primers were used to amplify different loci on the extracted genomic DNA by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and the resultant DNA fragments were analyzed on agarose gel. A total of 406 reproducible bands were obtained in four populations for five primers. The dendrogram separated the four C. gariepinus populations into two distinct clades, Guzuguzu and Fada populations being in one clade, while Magaga and Cultured populations belonged to the other clade. The results based on RAPD-PCR profile ranged from 0.012 in Magaga/Cultured to 0.089 in Guzuguzu/Cultured. The genetic identity of C. gariepinus from four populations also ranged between 0.885 in Magaga/Guzguzu to 0.998 in Magaga/Cultured. The Nei's genetic distance and identity also confirmed the above information with the following ranges: 0.002 in Fada/Cultured to 0.102 in Magaga/Guzuguzu, and 0.903 in Magaga/Guzuguzu to 1.000 in Magaga/Cultured respectively. In conclusion, the genetic diversity and allele richness of the feral and domestic fish populations were comparable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acceptance sampling is important for food safety and is a relevant tool at production and official control levels, as it helps decision-making processes and verifies quality and food safety management. Generally, sampling plans are hypothesis tests of products that have been submitted for official appraisal and subsequent acceptance or rejection. The sample size is related to the set level of risk, the acceptable precision, and the tolerable misstatement size; therefore, sample size determination has a crucial role in setting up the accepted level of non-compliance and level of error. Using a simple predictive model based on combinatorics, this study showcases how sample size management can change the probability of rejecting good lots and/or accepting bad lots when the acceptance number is 0 (c=0). We showed that when c=0, a very high level of significance of the test corresponds to the high probability of rejecting a lot with an acceptable prevalence of defective items (type II error). We produced tables about the minimum sample size at different significance levels, which can be useful in the field. A paradigmatic example of the role of sample size in the acceptance-sampling plan is represented by the visual inspection for detection of Anisakid larvae in fishery products: this study investigated this aspect and mainly referred to studies on the prevalence of larvae in farmed fish. We showed that, for lots ≥1000 items, the sample size is not strictly related to the lot size, but to draw a consistent control plan and reduce the variability in the clinical judgment, control authorities require a standardized approach. Because of this, the results on the prevalence of Anisakid larvae in farmed fish, if only based on sampling control plans, do not support a negligible risk statement, despite the claims reported in the EFSA opinion and other several studies.

This study aimed to assess the usefulness of two innovative automated methods (automated blood count counters and flow cytometry) for hematological investigation in Tilapia to make a contribution to the clinical diagnostics of this farmed species. Moreover, serum total proteins and their electrophoretic fractions (prealbumin, albumin, α-, β-, and γ-fraction), as health condition indicators, were assessed. The analysis of serum total proteins and electrophoretic fraction showed a normal and typical electrophoretic pattern of healthy fish (serum total proteins, 3.70 ± 0.62 g/dL; prealbumin, 0.44 ± 0.20 g/dL; albumin, 1.17 ± 0.66 g/dL; α-fraction, 1.49 ± 0.64 g/dL; β-fraction, 0.32 ± 0.16 g/dL; and γ-fraction, 0.29 ± 0.13 g/dL). The relationships between the values of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and thrombocytes (TCs) obtained with the two automated methods were determined using Pearson correlation analysis. The results showed a significant positive correlation between automatic blood cell counting and flow cytometry analysis for RBCs (r = 0.97, p < 0.0001) and WBCs (r = 0.91, p < 0.0001), whereas no correlation was found for TCs (r = −0.11, p = 0.66). The preliminary results gathered in this study seem to highlight the usefulness of the new analytical techniques herein investigated in tilapia, suggesting their application in the hematological investigation of farmed fish species and their usefulness for monitoring the health and well-being of fish reared in aquaculture.

Abstract Since it is not usually possible to observe all of the fish in a school, it is difficult to monitor farmed fish in a crowded cage with the aim of scrutinising their condition. One possible solution to this problem is the use of simulations. The aim of this study is to simulate fish movement in a cage to be able to propose an optimal monitoring method based on limited observations made by instruments. In this study, we observed a Yellowtail (Seriola quinqueradiata) school in a fish cage at a fish farm and attempted to simulate their movement. The Yellowtail, while milling in a cage, forms a stable truncated cone‐shaped school. We successfully reproduced this shape of school by including the effects of negative phototropism and the hypothetical forces that fish experience from the cage wall, in addition to the forces of attraction, repulsion and orientation that have been postulated in previous studies. We also included the effect of intraspecific interaction. We hypothesise that longer fish exert a greater repulsive force on smaller fish. The results of our simulation suggest that the position of any fish in a school is thus a function of its length.

Bangladesh, like many developing countries, has taken various aquaculture product quality and safety control measures. However, it is little is known about Bangladeshi consumers' preferences, and in particular, whether they are willing to pay a price premium for safety improvements and what are the determinants of their WTP. This paper assesses consumers' preferences and WTP for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) of certified frozen farmed fish (major carps). Findings indicate that Bangladeshi consumers, on average, are ready to pay a premium of 24.62% more for HACCP-certified frozen major carps. Results also indicate that education, income, consumption frequency, perceived fish safety risk, taste, and freshness are the significant determinants of consumers' WTP for HACCP certified frozen major carps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumers prefer fish as a source of protein in their diet. The demand for fish is expected to increase yearly due to population growth and changes in consumer preferences for healthier food sources. However, consumers tend to prefer wild-caught fish to farmed fish. If the population grows faster than the total fish catch, Malaysia will face a shortage of fish food supply. Therefore, the aquaculture sector should be developed sustainably to increase the country's fish food supply. Thus, this study aims to identify Generation Y and Z preferences for farmed fish and the factors influencing consumer choices. Malaysian consumers between 15 and 40 years old who eat fish were randomly selected for the study. Online survey data from 609 respondents were analyzed using descriptive analysis and a logit regression model using the SPSS software. The results showed that 81.3 peratus of consumers chose to eat farmed fish compared to 18.7 peratus who did not. Age, race, knowledge, fish characteristic, availability and family culture were factors influencing consumer choice of farmed fish. The results of this study have the potential to contribute to the development of the aquaculture sector to meet consumer demand and fulfil the country's fish food supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essential oils (EOs) extracted from plants and their parts can be a promising therapeutic approach to control microbial infections. Analysis of Curcuma aromatica (wild turmeric) EO through gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS) revealed the presence of camphene (7.24%), eucalyptol (7.05%), camphor (10.21%), β-elemenone (15.83%), epicurzerenone (16.04%) and ar-turmerone and (9.41%) as the major compounds. Members of the Gram-negative bacterial genus, Aeromonas have a wide range of distribution in the aquatic environment and are primarily responsible for causing diseases in fishes. Therefore, the present study was carried out to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of the crude EO and its major compounds in vitro against two bacterial pathogens, Aeromonas veronii and Aeromonas hydrophila, isolated from diseased, farmed Channa punctata. The antibacterial efficacy was tested following disc diffusion and broth dilution methods. Results of disc diffusion of both EO and major compounds showed that A. hydrophila is comparatively more sensitive (maximum diameter of zone of inhibition: 43.27 ± 0.04 mm) than A. veronii (40.21 ± 0.15 mm) against the EO and major compounds. Though antibiotics can prevent or control bacterial infections, the resultant antibiotic resistance and possibility of residual effects in aquaculture systems are major drawbacks. Thus, the present study can aid as baseline data for using part of C. aromatica against bacterial infections in aquaculture and promote the use of traditional plants and their EOs as suitable alternative medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a target to increase local seafood production to fulfil Singapore's goal of producing 30% of its nutritional needs by 2030, the local population is expected to consume more seafood produced domestically as part of their daily diet. It is therefore valuable to acquire radioactivity levels to evaluate the radiation exposure to the public from consumption of these domestic seafood produce. In this study, we evaluated domestically farmed fish and shellfish for natural and anthropogenic radionuclides using gamma spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Mean activity concentrations of 228Ra, 226Ra, 40K, 137Cs, 238U and 232Th in farmed fish were determined to be 0.166 Bq/kg, 0.277 Bq/kg, 119.9 Bq/kg, 0.069 Bq/kg, 0.0190 Bq/kg and 0.0026 Bq/kg respectively, while activity levels observed in shellfish were 0.272 Bq/kg for 228Ra, 0.195 Bq/kg for 226Ra, 39.2 Bq/kg for 40K, < MDA for 137Cs, 0.2390 Bq/kg for 238U and 0.2013 Bq/kg for 232Th. The derived annual total effective dose arising from the intake of radionuclides has also been found to be significantly lower than the maximum dose of 1 mSv/yr allowable to the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor rib health in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) can lead to negative effects on welfare and fillet quality. The present research aimed to enhance the comprehension of long-term rib morphology within a broader musculoskeletal framework of harvest-sized salmon (3 kg), examining a population fed different smoltification diets. Generally, X-ray examinations revealed the highest concentration of abnormalities in the anterior-central area of the rib cage, and the mid-distal rib parts. The different diets, based on either marine (M-group) or vegetal (V-group) ingredients, modulated the morphology of the ribs in the central area of the rib cage. Compared to the V-group, the M-group had a lower prevalence of generalized radiolucency (GR) (19 vs. 26% of mid-distal rib parts), and axis deformations/malformations (12 vs. 17% of mid rib parts). Histological examination of GR, unrelated to near inflammatory processes, revealed potential degradation/transformation of central core chondrocytes to mesenchymal-like cells. The newly formed cavity progressed/expanded through osteolysis until it reached the periosteum. In parallel, there were progressive alterations of the concentric appositional growth pattern of the compact bone, with an increase of the external collagen layer under the cellular periosteum. Disorganized collagen-rich islands were also seen in the compact bone, as were signs of new osteoid deposition in the cavity. The degenerative process in GR was accompanied by an 18–20% increase in the cross-sectional diameter of the rib. The M-group presented numerically higher mechanical rib strength (p = 0.06), and phosphorus content (p = 0.07). The sensitivity of rib morphology to smoltification diet was higher than vertebrae in the long-term. This study enhances understanding of the etiology of the primary morphological rib abnormalities in Atlantic salmon, particularly in GR, by providing detailed histomorphology of pathological changes. The study associates these changes with altered rib development, degeneration, and possibly osteomalacia. • New histopathology and mechanical methods are developed to evaluate rib health. • Generalized radiolucency and axis deviations are the major rib abnormalities. • Radiolucent ribs link to altered appositional growth, osteolysis, and osteomalacia. • Rib morphology is more sensitive to smoltification diet than vertebrae. • Smoltification diet can affect the long-term vertebrae and muscle biomechanics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Sabah, Malaysia, Tilapia and Asian seabass are culturally and economically important seafood choices. Understanding their nutritional content and contaminants, both wild-caught and farmed, is crucial as demand increases. This study aimed to analyze the proximate composition and heavy metals concentrations in Tilapia and Asian Seabass fish flesh, and compare the wild-caught and farmed samples. The results revealed significant nutritional variations between the two groups. Wild-caught Tilapia exhibited higher protein content (16.90 ± 0.50 %), carbohydrate levels (0.7 ± 0.10 %), moisture (80.25 ± 0.58 %), and ash content (9.22 ± 1.27 %) while farmed Tilapia displayed elevated fat content (3.55 ± 0.05 %) and energy values (94.5 kcal per 100 g). Iron concentrations in both wild and farmed Tilapia remained within safe limits for human consumption and Zinc was detected in wild Tilapia only. Meanwhile, the farmed Asian Seabass demonstrated higher protein (18.45 ± 0.25 %), fat (0.9 ± 0.10 %), carbohydrate (0.8 ± 0.20 %), ash content (21.04 ± 2.1 %), and energy values (85.5 kcal per 100 g) compared to the wild. Further study can be conducted to study the benefits of these fish species to human health upon consumption. • Nutritional differences were seen between wild and farmed Tilapia and Asian Seabass. • Iron levels in both species from different sources were safe for human consumption. • Nutritional variations are due to environmental conditions and feeding practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finfish aquaculture, one of the fastest growing intensive sectors worldwide, is threatened by numerous transmissible diseases that may have devastating impacts on its economic sustainability. This review (2010–2022) used a PRISMA extension for scoping reviews and a text mining approach to explore the extent to which geographical information systems (GIS) are used in farmed fish health management and to unveil the main GIS technologies, databases, and functions used to update the spatiotemporal data underpinning risk and predictive models in aquatic surveillance programmes. After filtering for eligibility criteria, the literature search provided 54 records, highlighting the limited use of GIS technologies for disease prevention and control, as well as the prevalence of GIS application in marine salmonid farming, especially for viruses and parasitic diseases typically associated with these species. The text mining generated five main research areas, underlining a limited range of investigated species, rearing environments, and diseases, as well as highlighting the lack of GIS-based methodologies at the core of such publications. This scoping review provides a source of information for future more detailed literature analyses and outcomes to support the development of geospatial disease spread models and expand in-field GIS technologies for the prevention and mitigation of fish disease epidemics.

Global farmed finfish production increased from 9 to 56 million tonnes between 1990 and 2019. Although finfishes are now widely recognised as sentient beings, production is still being quantified as biomass rather than number of individuals (in contrast to farmed mammals and birds). Here, we estimate the global number of farmed finfishes slaughtered using FAO aquaculture production tonnages (1990–2019 data) and estimates of individual weight at killing (determined from internet searches at species and country level where possible). We relate these numbers to knowledge on humane slaughter, animal welfare law, and certification schemes. Since 1990, farmed finfish numbers killed annually for food have increased nine-fold, to 124 billion (1.24 × 1011, range 78–171 billion) in 2019. This figure does not represent the total number farmed (due to mortalities during rearing and non-food production) and is expected to increase as aquaculture expands. Our estimates indicate that farmed finfishes now outnumber the 80 billion farmed birds and mammals killed globally each year for food. The majority are produced in Asia. Inhumane slaughter practices cause suffering for most farmed finfishes. Most, 70–72%, have no legal welfare protection, and less than 1% have any fish-specific legal protection, at slaughter. The main global certification schemes in 2013–2015 accounted for 2% of slaughtered farmed finfishes. Fishes for which species-specific parameters for automated humane stunning are published comprise 20–24%. As the dominant taxa of farmed vertebrates, finfishes would benefit from better welfare if species-specific humane slaughter was defined and incorporated into laws and certification schemes.

Sustainable methods that increase farmed fish yield while controlling infections are required to prevent economic losses in aquaculture farms. In this study, we evaluated the effects of betaine‐supplemented (0%, 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1.0%) feed on the growth and immunity of the olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. Feed conversion ratios, post‐infection cumulative mortality rates and innate immune responses were monitored. Weight gain was significantly higher with 0.5% and 1.0% than with 0% and 0.1% betaine‐supplemented feed. Lysozyme activity was highest with 1.0% betaine. Respiratory burst activity was highest with 0.5% and 1.0% betaine. Serum bactericidal activity against Edwardsiella tarda was highest with 1.0% betaine (40% increase in survival rates compared with those in the control). Furthermore, serum virucidal activity against the viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) was higher with 1.0% betaine than with other concentrations. With 0.5% and 1.0% betaine, the survival rates against VHSV were higher than those in the control until day 11, after which they declined. Our study suggests that betaine is a promising agent for promoting the growth of and enhancing immunity against E. tarda in olive flounders. Our findings may further contribute to developing necessary alternatives to conventional antibiotics in fish farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

World population is increasing at a tremendous rate so is the demand for animal-based protein. Aquaculture is a promising industry that has the potential to supply high quality protein for mankind with minimum environmental impact. In the past decade, aquaculture practices have been shifting from extensive to intensive culture. To achieve maximum production per unit area, high stocking densities are maintained in intensive aquaculture. If not managed properly, this may lead to stress in fish. Fish under stress condition show decreased growth, suppressed appetite, weakened immunity and increased susceptibility to infections. Chemicals, vaccines and antibiotics are used for the treatment of diseased fish. Use of synthetic chemicals, vaccines and antibiotics is not sustainable because pathogens develop resistance against them and they have high residues. Moreover, certain chemicals used for the treatment of fish diseases are not safe for humans therefore are banned in some countries. Plant parts and their extracts are used in traditional medicines to cure many diseases and to improve health of mankind. In aquaculture industry, use of plants and their derivatives in fish feed to improve health status of fish is increasing. Several plants improve growth and overall health status of fish, some provide protection against pathogens by improving the immune system while others increase appetite by direct action on neuro-endocrine axis of fish. This review provides an in depth and up-to-date information about use of medicinal plants and their derivatives to improve growth and physiological status of fish and their possible mechanism of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in aquaculture environments is a growing concern due to their potential negative effects on fish health and, ultimately, on seafood safety. Earthen pond aquaculture, a prevalent aquaculture system worldwide, is typically located in coastal and estuarine areas thus vulnerable to MP contamination. The present study investigated the possible relation between MP levels of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) farmed in an earthen pond and its health status. More precisely, two groups of fish were established based on the lowest and highest number of MPs found collectively in their gastrointestinal tract (GIT), liver, and dorsal muscle: fish with ≤2 MP/g and fish with ≥4 MP/g. The intestinal integrity and oxidative stress biomarkers in the liver and dorsal muscle were evaluated in the established groups. No significant differences in the biometric and organosomatic parameters between groups were observed. The results indicated a significant increase in the number of acid goblet cells (GC) in the rectum of fish with higher MP levels (p = 0.016). Increased acid GC number may constitute a first defence strategy against foreign particles to protect the intestinal epithelium. No significant differences in oxidative stress biomarkers between the two fish groups were observed, namely in the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione S-transferase in the liver, or in lipid peroxidation levels in the liver and dorsal muscle. The overall results suggest that MP levels were possibly related to an intestinal response but its potential implications on the health status of pond-farmed seabass warrant further investigation. Monitoring MP occurrence across stages of aquaculture production could help to elucidate the potential threats of MPs to fish health., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

An adequate understanding of fish behaviors and their interaction with farm-specific environments is pivotal for enhancing fish welfare in aquaculture. The fair-fish database aims to provide a consistent overview of the welfare of farmed fish. This platform consolidates ethological knowledge into profiles of farmed aquatic species. Its WelfareCheck profiles are organized around welfare indicators, with each criterion receiving classifications (no findings, unclear, low, medium, and high) regarding the likelihood and potential for individuals of a given species to experience good welfare in aquaculture systems, along with the associated certainty level. These criteria include home range, depth range, migration patterns, reproduction, aggregation patterns, aggressive behavior, substrate needs, stress responses, malformations, and slaughtering protocols. We investigated which of these 10 criteria are most relevant to the overall welfare of a species, considering the likelihood, potential, and certainty of good welfare in aquaculture. To achieve this, we reviewed and recorded the high classifications across each criterion and dimension from all published WelfareCheck profiles. To further investigate knowledge gaps across the criteria, we also recorded classifications marked as unclear and no findings . These were then compared across the criteria to assess the frequency of such classifications. While no significant differences were found between the criteria regarding the likelihood that the surveyed species meet their basic welfare needs, criteria related to reproduction, slaughter practices, and substrate needs demonstrated a high potential for better welfare outcomes. Moreover, reproduction and migration patterns exhibited high certainty in the available literature. Based on these findings, we conclude that improving the reproduction of farmed aquatic species, considering their natural needs and behavior, could be an effective and reliable approach to improving welfare. However, we also found a low certainty of information on aggression and an absence or conflicting data on home range, aggregation patterns, stress, and malformations. This highlights an urgent need for research in these areas, which are fundamental for developing more accurate assessments and recommendations for farmed aquatic species., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision., (Copyright © 2024 Maia, Saraiva and Gonçalves-de-Freitas.)

The biting behavior of farmed fish on nylon netting raises concerns for microplastic accumulation in caged fish with potential influences on human health via consumption. Indeed, the reason for net biting is due to biofouling on the mesh being a tasty food that attracts fish. Hence, it is highly possible that a certain amount of microplastics from the mesh is ingested by fish, which can eventually enter the digestive system of humans through consumption. Caged fish may further receive microplastics from terrestrial flows or marine currents or through the food chain in the oceans. Therefore, the level of microplastic contamination in caged fish has been investigated by drawing a comparison with natural populations of Turkish and Iranian waters, in order to reveal the risks of microplastic transmission from fish to humans. Analyses of water samples, sediments, diets, zooplankton and fish tissues have been conducted and the amounts of microplastics in diets were evaluated. The identification of polymeric materials in collected microplastics was performed by FT-IR spectrometer, and Raman spectrometry was employed to determine the shape, size and polymer type of microplastics. Based on the preliminary results, the impact of cage nets on microplastic accumulation in fish digestive system and the interaction with human health risks upon consumption of contaminated fish have been assessed. The findings in this study may help to establish safe food strategies for future generations, with a healthy material selection approach in sustainable cage aquaculture management.