Reviews in Aquaculture最新文献

Emerging infectious diseases are a major threat to global aquaculture production and are projected to increase in frequency due to anthropogenic stressors and climate change. Our ability to screen the global aquatic ‘infectome’ is dramatically improving through unbiased metatranscriptomic (i.e., total RNA) sequencing. Despite recent advances in molecular diagnostics and next-generation sequencing, outbreak investigation in aquaculture often encounters limitations due to the targeted nature of conventional techniques, which may only capture a small portion of the diverse array of disease-causing agents present in nature, sometimes requiring years to resolve. Here, we propose that unbiased metatranscriptomic sequencing serves as a cost-effective and powerful technique for characterising pathogens during disease outbreaks and in surveillance programmes. In doing so, we offer a diagnostic framework to mitigate infectious disease threats to global aquaculture. We emphasise the importance of combining rapid metatranscriptomics with traditional techniques for a holistic examination of the causes of unknown aetiologies in aquatic animals, and how it can be used to examine host responses in parallel with pathogen discovery. We suggest that the integration of metatranscriptomics into aquaculture will require upskilling, proficiency testing, user-friendly bioinformatic tools and open data sharing. Furthermore, it is essential to establish a reporting framework—with analytical guidelines—that ensures the protection of animal industries while safeguarding trade interests.

Global demand for animal protein has increased dramatically due to the exponential development of the human population, which in turn led to intensification of aquaculture. However, the aforementioned fact impose stress on cultivable organisms, resulting in susceptibility to infectious diseases. Alternatively, this situation warranted the search for an environmentally friendly approach to replace the application of various chemical, physical, and biological processes that fail to cope with the required standards. In this context, biofloc technology (BFT) has emerged as a viable technique for aquaculture management with a sustainable and environmentally benign approach that has proven to have no adverse effects. BFT provides a conducive environment for cultivable aquatic species and system sustainability. Also, by maintaining the C:N ratio, the microbiome of BFT offers an appropriate carbon source and recycles waste. As well, the addition of probiotics and prebiotics (polysaccharides) in BFT certainly improves the host's antioxidant status, innate immunity, and disease resistance. Numerous studies on the use of BFT for various aquatic farmed species have been carried out recently, and it has evolved as a promising technique for the growth of sustainable aquaculture. BFT uses less water, increases productivity, provides biosecurity, and improves the health status of numerous aquaculture species. This review aims to compile and validate the scientific data about the benefits of biofloc in ensuring the health, biosecurity, and sustainability of aquaculture in light of the transformative role of probiotics, prebiotics, and microbiomes.

Since 1989, China has become the world's largest aquaculture producer through pond culture, significantly contributing to global food security but potentially posing environmental threats. However, little is known about the changes in the pond water quality at broad spatial and temporal scales, thus creating challenges in the sustainability of pond aquaculture. Herein, we explore changes in water quality in China's aquaculture ponds from 1989 to 2020 and assess the waterbody's health status to optimize sustainable management strategies. This study highlights pond water quality changes closely associated with China's aquaculture practices, development, and related policies. Seasonal and regional farming variations significantly impact water quality, with peak aquaculture seasons and Central China and North China associated with the lowest water quality scores. Pond water quality initially declined with the rise of intensive aquaculture but improved after 2012 with the adoption of ecological engineering measures, eco-farming practices, and policies supporting green development. Under a scenario combining these efforts, the water quality score in 2035 is projected to increase by 57% of the 2020 level. These findings reveal that national ecological initiatives and advancements in green aquaculture techniques and public policies can significantly enhance the water quality of China's aquaculture ponds, offering valuable insights into environmental governance in global agriculture.

The CRISPR/Cas genome editing technology, with its advantages of simplicity, high efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, has become a key tool for dissecting gene function, knocking out harmful/undesirable genes, and repairing defective genes. It has also shown great potential in the genome editing of aquatic animals such as tilapia, carp, salmon, and sea urchins. Disease prevention and control are core areas of aquatic animal research and the aquaculture industry. Novel technologies based on CRISPR/Cas, such as rapid diagnostic kits for aquatic diseases and species-specific drugs against parasites, have been developed in the disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of aquatic animals. Based on our work in these fields, this review summarizes the relevant new technologies and latest progress, aiming to provide readers with a quick and comprehensive understanding of the application status and future trends of CRISPR/Cas technology in the prevention and control of aquatic diseases and to provide a reference for related fields.

Aquatic animal germplasm research plays a vital role in biodiversity conservation and sustainable aquaculture. The traditional view is that diversity of germplasm resources is commonly attributed to genetic variation. However, recent studies in transgenerational epigenetics have shown that epigenetic information can also be passed down to offspring, which is consistent with the definition of germplasm. Therefore, it is necessary to define epigenetic information, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and ncRNAs, which can be passed down through generations, as epigenetic resources and incorporate them into the concept of germplasm. Germplasm resources should include not only genetic resources but also epigenetic resources. Epigenetic variation can arise from genetic, environmental, or stochastic factors. Genetic and epigenetic variation co-determine phenotypic traits. It has been demonstrated that epigenetic information can be inherited across generations in aquatic animals. DNA methylation, histone modification, and ncRNAs are involved in addressing environmental challenges, maintaining genetic diversity, improving breeding strategies, combating inbreeding decline, and age determination. Therefore, future research on epigenetic resources is important for germplasm conservation, development, and utilization. This review proposes a new theoretical framework to elucidate the place of epigenetic resources in germplasm research and collects articles from the past 8 years that explore the inheritance of epigenetic information in aquatic animals. Integrating epigenetic research into germplasm studies enhances our understanding of population dynamics, adaptation, and evolutionary processes, thereby informing conservation strategies and enhancing aquaculture practices. By considering both genetic and epigenetic resources, we can address the challenges facing germplasm diversity and sustainable aquaculture more comprehensively.

Amid the aquaculture boom, chemical contaminants, diseases, and improper nutrition persist as threats to the sustainability of aquaculture. The accumulation of lipid droplets in different tissues has emerged as a hallmark in aquatic animals exposed to these stressors. While abundant knowledge is available on lipid droplets in mammals, relatively little is known in aquatic animals. Recently, interest in lipid droplets has grown in parallel with the recognition that they are actively engaged in the regulation of stress responses, metabolic modulation, infections, and immune response in different aquatic animals. This review first outlines the diversity of lipid droplets protein in various aquatic animals and discusses the function of lipid droplets in maintaining cellular homeostasis by contacting other organelles. Subsequently, the mechanisms of lipid droplet biogenesis in response to various chemical contaminants are summarized. Additionally, we describe the complex roles of lipid droplets in the host-pathogen dynamic and the link between excessive lipid droplets accumulation and unwanted metabolic diseases in several aquatic animals. Finally, the potential application of lipid droplets in aquaculture is presented. A better understanding of the dynamics and functions of lipid droplets will facilitate the development of lipid droplets-based therapeutic strategies, thereby improving the sustainability of aquaculture.

The introduced striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, Sauvage, 1878) and North African catfish (Clarias gariepinus, Burchell, 1822) are popular choices in Indian aquaculture due to their high productivity and ease of management. Among all introduced non-native fish species, catfish production is particularly notable, with P. hypophthalmus contributing 1.6 million metric tons (mmt) and C. gariepinus reaching 0.4 mmt. This paper examines the ecological, biodiversity, environmental, and disease concerns associated with the intensive aquaculture of the non-native catfish species, using a OneHealth approach to assess sustainability. Generated information on biological plasticity, resource competition, genetic interactions, invasion risks, biodiversity impacts, food safety, and disease risks in extensive aquaculture of non-native catfish are presented. A risk assessment (RA) was performed using an Excel–based developed module having 28 attributes and rated on a scale of 1 to 5. The results indicated significant risks, particularly for C. gariepinus, which had a risk score of 116 out of total 140 response points obtained from 65 farmers, manifesting 82.85% risk. In comparison, P. hypophthalmus had a response score of 85, displaying 60.71% risk. The findings suggest that C. gariepinus poses a higher ecological risk than P. hypophthalmus, primarily due to poorly controlled aquaculture practices, inadequate biosecurity, and insufficient regulatory measures. To tackle these issues, it is recommended that stringent policy with clear regulatory framework on the OneHealth approach will ascertain safe interconnectedness of aquaculture, environment, fish, and human health while improving the biosafety of non-native catfish aquaculture practices safeguarding human health, fish populations, and overall ecosystem health.

Global aquaculture production has been rapidly increasing in recent decades. Associated with this growth, there has been a discussion with respect to the industry's socioeconomic impact. In particular, the industry's ability to make a positive difference in the communities where it is conducted is often questioned. This is a difficult topic to address due to limited data availability. However, it is a critical question concerning the aquaculture industry's long-term viability. Some recent studies have addressed specific indicators such as poverty reduction in a given country. However, no studies review the impact of an aquaculture industry on a broad set of indicators over time. In this paper, we review the impact of the Chilean salmon industry on three broad socioeconomic indicators: employment, salary level and migration; as well as several narrower indicators. While data beyond production initially are scarce and mostly found in the gray literature, the information they provide connects well with newer data sets as they become available. Not unexpectedly, employment in the Chilean aquaculture industry increases with production. The industry pays relatively well, and it has a societal impact as opportunities created by the industry first reverse outward migration and then lead to inward migration. This is also associated with reduced poverty, a more even income distribution, a higher female labor participation ratio, and higher education levels. While the overall socioeconomic impacts of the industry are positive, they are also disrupted by severe environmental crises and show that the socioeconomic benefits are conditioned on environmental sustainability.