Aquaculture information sources for small-scale fish farmers: the case of Ghana

The Ghana ministry of fisheries and the ministry of Agriculture provide free extension services and other technical services to fish farmers in Ghana, e.g. producing fingerlings at government-operated fish hatcheries for sale to farmers. Non-governmental organizations and universities have also provided some technical assistance to fish farmers in efforts towards the development of aquaculture in Ghana. The study identified the various sources of aquaculture information to Ghanaian fish farmers and examined the factors that affected their decision to utilize these alternative sources of information. Using choice modelling techniques, the study found that the probability of farmers seeking information on aquaculture from the Ghana government increases with literacy by about 43% more than with illiteracy and by about 34% with an increase in total size of ponds. The probability that a literate farmer will choose to obtain aquaculture information from a non-governmental organization decreased by about 10% compared with an illiterate farmer. The probability of choosing 'other sources' for aquaculture information increased by about 27% for farmers residing in Ashanti region compared with farmers in the Brong-Ahafo region but the probability of farmers seeking information from 'other sources' decreased with literacy and number of years farming.     

Characterisation of aquaponic producers and small-scale facilities in Spain and Latin America

Aquaponics is a sustainable food production system combining hydroponics and aquaculture. Although the domestic/small-scale aquaponic production has proliferated worldwide, there is scarce knowledge about how it is performed. The objective of this study was to determine the profile and motivations of aquaponic producers, the characteristics of the facilities and the performance of the production. The average aquaponic producer is a middle-aged man, with a certain level of studies and a moderate household income. The main motivations reported were the production of high-quality, healthy food, the concern for the environment and the autonomy gained. These motivations conditioned the purposes of the aquaponic facilities (mainly education, production of food for self-consumption and as a hobby), which, excepting small sales, did not have an economic motive. Due to their characteristics, aquaponic facilities are particularly adapted for urban agriculture (many of them were located on rooftops) and most of those studied were constructed recently. The nutrient film technique was the most used hydroponic subsystem, followed by media beds, where mostly a polyculture of leaf and fruit vegetables and aromatics are produced. Tilapia was the most common fish species used. In general, there is a lack of proper knowledge and expertise about these complex systems in order to efficiently operate them.

     

Composition and diversity of fish and fish catches in closures and open-access fisheries of Kenya

Abstract  Catch composition, relative abundance and diversity of fish catches in open access and three old fisheries closures were compared and contrasted with previous ecological studies. There was less variation in catch community composition among the fishing grounds than the closures, suggesting that fishing has homogenised catch composition. The trap survey found that some parrotfish [ Leptoscarus vaigiensis (Quoy &Gaimard), Calotomus carolinus (Valenciennes) and Scarus ghobban Forsskål] were relatively more common and that some important predators of macro-invertebrates [ Balistapus undulatus (Mungo Park) and Cheilinus chlorourus (Bloch)] were less common in the fishing grounds than closures. Unexpectedly, and in contrast to visual census results, cumulative number of species in catch surveys was higher in open access than closures sites. This may result from fishers covering more area and habitat or a reduction in the catch of competitively subordinate and rare species by aggressive, early-caught fish that can dominate bait. Comparisons of ecological visual census surveys and fisheries-dependent methods indicated that small differences in catch composition can reflect larger ecological differences and that baiting methods can underestimate biodiversity. Ecological impacts of fishing and large-scale changes in marine ecosystems must be considerable given the many fisheries-dependent assessments report modest changes.     

Predation risk from piscivorous fish influencing the diel use of macrophytes by planktivorous fish in experimental ponds

Abstract— This study investigated interactions between zooplanktivores (roach and perch) and piscivorcs (pike and large perch) in experimental ponds (16 m²) with open water habitat and three densities of natural macrophytes. Fish habitat selection was determined both day and night and was supported by daytime observations to study anti-predator behavioural patterns. Diel migration out from among macrophytes was seen in the absence of predators, particularly for roach, which changed from 13% of individuals being in open water during the day to 90% at night. The risk of predation from piscivores influenced the habitat selection of the zooplanktivores. Roach seemed to be the most vulnerable to predation from pike and selected the open water (90-92%) during daylight hours, but kept a 1-m distance from the macrophytes edge. The presence of pike thus reduced the use of macrophytes by roach, which in turn may improve macrophytes and the edge area as a refuge for zooplankton. Pike appeared to have less impact on the gross habitat selection of O+ perch, which were associated with the macrophytes (58–89%), though they were still vulnerable to predation. Adult perch, which was a generally less effective predator than pike, showed subdued behavior, concealing them selves in the macrophytes most of the time. No effect of the simultaneous presence of two predator species was found.     

Impact of aquaculture feed technology on fish income and poverty in Kenya

ABSTRACT

The impacts of improved agricultural technologies on smallholder households in Africa are well documented in the literature. However, the literature on the welfare impacts of aquaculture technologies, especially in the context of smallholder households, is very scanty. This paper applies the propensity score matching technique to household survey data to examine the impact of improved feed technology on fish income and poverty in Kenya. After controlling for observable household characteristics, the results indicate that improved feed technology increases aquaculture income and reduces poverty among fish farming households. Specifically, the income effect of the technology is 23–37%, with resultant poverty reduction effect of 19–23% points. Evidence from the study indicates that the likelihood of adopting improved feed in Kenya will surge with improved extension service delivery, access to government subsidized feed, and easy market access for purchasing improved feed and sale of mature fish.     

Better management practices and their outcomes in shrimp farming: evidence from small-scale shrimp farmers in Southern Vietnam

Despite the growth of aquaculture exports from developing countries to developed countries in recent years, a high percentage of these products are rejected at developed countries’ ports because of non-compliance with international standards. This paper presents a case study of the shrimp aquaculture sector in Vietnam to examine the factors behind the persistence of such port rejections. In particular, we focus on why the so-called better management practices (BMPs) are not appropriately adopted by many farmers and examine whether the number and types of information sources matter in farmers’ decisions on BMP adoption and whether BMP adoption actually leads to better performances. On the basis of our estimation using primary data collected in Southern Vietnam, we find that information sources and training experiences indeed matter in the adoption of a higher number of BMPs and that BMP adoption indeed reduces the possibility of disease outbreaks. These results prove the effectiveness of BMPs and suggest the importance of disseminating knowledge regarding them to farmers through experts.     

两种液化蛋白及其在饲料中的应用

IntroductionFish silage has been produced and used as high nutrition protein resource in feed for many years in Nor-way.The main raw materials are fish offals from fish processing industry,dead fish from fish farming factoryand pelagic fish.It is now a successful and profitable industry and benefits environment protection.With therapid growth in fish farming in China,the demands for high quality protein resource are increasing.There isgreat potential for adopting silage technology in China.A…     

Seasonal and diurnal variation of downstream fish movement at four small-scale hydropower plants

Hydropower structures hinder the movement and migration of fishes, impairing their life cycles. Additionally, downstream moving fish are often at risk of being injured during turbine passage. To improve hydropower production towards more fish-friendly techniques and management, knowledge on timing and extent of natural patterns of fish downstream movement is necessary. So far, migration behaviour of long-distance migrators such as eel or salmon has been well studied, but little is known about seasonal and diurnal movement patterns of nonmigratory species or medium-distance migrators. In this study, movement patterns of 39 fish species captured by stownets while transiting hydropower facilities in four impounded rivers were assessed and compared with the fish community composition directly upstream of the hydropower plants assessed by electrofishing. Strong differences between the fish community composition inhabiting the upstream sides of the dams and the fish detected in downstream passage were evident. In each study river, the downstream moving fish community composition differed significantly between spring and autumn. On average, significantly more fish were caught during the night (2.9 fish/hr) than during the day (1.3 fish/hr). Topmouth gudgeon, European grayling and pike-perch mostly moved downstream during the night, whereas roach, spirlin and bleak were the most frequent downstream moving fish during daytime. Downstream fish movement was positively related with turbidity, water temperature and discharge. The strong differences in seasonal and diurnal fish movement patterns suggest that fish damage can be strongly reduced by adaptive turbine and corridor management, for example by shutting down turbines at peak movements.     

Determinants of adoption behaviour of the fish farmers of Pabda fish culture (Ompok bimaculatus Bloch, 1794) in Tripura,Northeast India

Aquaculture International - Most of the adoption studies in catfish culture were restricted to feeding habits, growth rate and morphological studies, neglecting the social factors and adoption of...     

我国渔业科技发展特点及展望

为进一步研究鱼类糖代谢与鸢尾素(irisin)之间的关系,亟需制备irisin抗体并检测其应用可靠性。本实验通过构建Rosetta-irisin表达载体,经蛋白纯化、透析、超滤后免疫小鼠,获得相应多克隆抗体并检测其特异性和抗体效价。建立irisin检测方法,检测口服葡萄糖耐量(OGTT)、RNAi实验后鲤血清irisinA和irisinB的含量变化。免疫荧光检测鲤脑、肠道、心脏、肝胰脏irisin的表达及OGTT后,检测上述组织irisin含量变化。检测鲤肌细胞分化前后FNDC5 mRNA表达差异及irisin含量变化。结果显示,Rosetta-irisin表达载体在IPTG诱导4 h对鲤irisinA/B蛋白表达较BL21-irisin表达载体提高2.3/1.6倍;irisinA和irisinB抗体效价分别为9.0×10⁴和2.7×10⁵,不存在交叉反应,可分别对鲤血清irisinA和irisinB进行测定;OGTT后,irisinA和irisinB呈现出不同的合成变化;RNAi后,irisin含量显著降低;免疫荧光结果显示,irisin在脑中表达最高,肝胰脏次之,心脏、肠道中相对较少;OGTT后,脑、肠道、心脏和肝胰脏中irisinA和irisinB荧光强度显著增加。荧光定量表达分析与免疫荧光结果显示,鲤肌细胞分化后,FNDC5和irisin含量显著降低。综上,本实验制备了高亲和力和特异性的鲤irisinA和irisinB抗体,并检测其应用可靠性。该抗体的获得为系统研究irisin对鲤糖代谢的调控机制奠定基础。同时,鲤irisin检测方法可普遍用于其他鱼类irisin蛋白质水平的定量研究。

     

Weight-length relationships for selected fish species of the small-scale demersal fisheries of the south and south-west coast of Portugal

Weight-length relationships were estimated for 31 fish species from the south and south-west coasts of Portugal. These species, which are mainly sea breams (Sparidae), dominate the catches of the main fixed gears used in this region and account for more than 50% and 40% of the total fish landings by weight and by value.     

投饵网箱养鱼促进温杖子水库渔业高速增产的生态经济效益分析

温杖子水库按养鱼水面单位面积承受２２００ｋｇ／ｈａ网箱鱼的负载量设置网箱，建立以网箱养鱼为重要环节的水库新型渔业生产结构体系。三年中，水库水面鱼产量（含网箱鱼产量）由１４５．５ｋｇ／ｈａ上升到２６６．７１ｋｇ／ｈａ，年总产量增长１８．３倍；渔业投入资金年利润率达７１．９％；网箱养鱼的投入总能量转换效率提高了６．０３－６．３６％。合理开发和保护了水库渔业资源，促进了温杖子水库渔业的高速增产。     

The use of lidocaine-sodium bicarbonate as anaesthetic in fish

Lidocaine and lidocaine-sodium bicarbonate mixture were evaluated as anaesthetics for carp (Cyprinus carpio), catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and tilapia (Tilapia mossambica = Oreochromis mossambicus). Although both induced anaesthesia, the mixture was more effective for induction and recovery, and was able to achieve the required time for the fish to be out of water. The responses varied for the three test species.     

The use of two nature-like fishways by some fish species in the Swedish River Emån

Abstract –  We studied the use of two nature-like fishways by 15 fish species ( N  = 240) in the River Emån in southern Sweden. Use of the fishways for both passage and as a habitat was studied by electrofishing, trap catches and PIT telemetry. Of the 187 PIT-tagged fish, 52 individuals from 10 different species ascended one of the fishways for a total passage efficiency of 74%. For the five species that most frequently ascended the fishways, the passage efficiency was 100% for tench ( Tinca tinca L.) and perch ( Perca fluviatilis L.), 86% for chub ( Leuciscus cephalus L.), 60% for burbot ( Lota lota L.) and 50% for roach ( Rutilus rutilus L.). Individuals that failed to pass the fishways were typically small cyprinids or species that were assumed to have taken up residence in the fishways, such as juvenile brown trout ( Salmo trutta L.) and burbot. The nature-like fishways have re-established longitudinal connectivity for most of the studied species and also functioned as rearing and winter habitat for a number of species.     

玉曲河流域裂腹鱼类游泳能力研究及其在过鱼设施设计中的应用

为探究玉曲河流域裂腹鱼类的游泳能力,给过鱼设施建设和鱼类游泳行为学提供基础参数,本研究以该流域优势物种怒江裂腹鱼(Schizothorax nukiangensis)、贡山裂腹鱼(S. gongshanensis)为研究对象,在野外现场采用游泳能力测试水槽对裂腹鱼的感应流速、临界游泳速度、突进游泳速度及持续游泳速度、耐久游泳速度进行测定。测试结果表明：怒江裂腹鱼和贡山裂腹鱼的绝对感应流速相近,分别为0.18±0.01 m/s、0.18±0.06 m/s。怒江裂腹鱼和贡山裂腹鱼的绝对临界游泳速度分别为1.05±0.12 m/s、1.11±0.14 m/s,绝对突进游泳速度分别为1.45±0.26 m/s、1.40±0.21 m/s。二者的相对临界游泳速度分别为8.47±0.95 BL/s、9.21±2.45 BL/s,相对突进游泳速度均突破了十倍体长,分别为11.90±2.31 BL/s、10.80±3.16 BL/s。测得的怒江裂腹鱼和贡山裂腹鱼最大持续游泳速度均为0.63 m/s,怒江裂腹鱼和贡山裂腹鱼最大耐久游泳速度分别为0.93 m/s、0.73 m/s。当以怒江裂腹鱼、贡山裂腹鱼为主要过鱼对象时,建议鱼道入口及竖缝处流速1.05～1.40 m/s,过鱼设施内部的整体平均流速设计范围为0.24～1.05 m/s,以及休息池主流流速为0.18～1.05 m/s。本研究结果可为西藏玉曲河流域过鱼设施的设计提供参考,对该流域的鱼类资源保护具有重要意义。     

Economic and Risk Analysis of Tilapia Production in Kenya

Commercial production of tilapia in Kenya has potential for expansion, but growth and development of the tilapia industry in Kenya will depend upon its profitability and the effect of associated risks. Data from pond experiments, on-farm trials, and farm surveys were used to develop enterprise budgets and a risk analysis for nine production scenarios. The nine scenarios include: 1) monoculture of sex-reversed male tilapia fed either rice bran, a pelleted experimental diet, or a pelleted pig finisher diet; 2) clarias monoculture fed with each of the three diets; and 3) tilapia-clarias (sex-reversed male fingerlings) polyculture fed with each of the three diets. Net returns/ha were highest for production with the pig finisher diet, with clarias in monoculture the highest followed by tilapia in monoculture and then the polyculture system. The lowest net returns/ha were obtained with clarias fed rice bran. Profitability was affected by feed cost and tilapia survival. Tilapia monoculture systems had lower probabilities of financial losses than either clarias monoculture or the polyculture system. Use of the pelleted diets also resulted in lower probabilities of financial losses. Lower yields from the rice bran feed scenario resulted in its greater sensitivity to fluctuating costs of rice bran and survival of tilapia.     

Habitat use by an endangered riverine fish and implications for species protection

We investigated habitat specificity of the amber darter (Percina antesella Williams & Etnier 1977), an imperiled fish from restricted portions of 2 rivers in the southeastern United States. Foraging amber darters occupied a narrow range of riffle habitat, consistently avoiding areas < 20 cm deep and with velocity < 10 cm. s^?1 near the substrate, occupying areas with cobble or gravel substrate and average water-column velocity of 30 to 70 cm. s^?1. During low to mo'derate flows, approximately 20% or more of the study areas contained suitable habitat for the species. Amber darters appeared rare, and the numbers of individuals were uncorrelated with the concurrent availability of suitable habitat. Protecting the amber darter may require more than maintaining adequate depths and velocities over gravel-cobble substrates. Until we understand the potential importance of migration and dispersal for maintaining small populations, suitable habitat should be maintained over the longest contiguous stream segments possible.     

Habitat use by the African anabantid fish Ctenopoma muriei: implications for costs of air breathing

Abstract –  This study examined whether habitat use by the African anabantid fish Ctenopoma muriei is consistent with predictions relating to two costs of air breathing (surface travel and aerial predation). We predicted that C. muriei would be most abundant in habitats that minimize potential costs of air breathing. We quantified environmental correlates of C. muriei abundance within a series of wetland lagoons in Uganda and found that C. muriei was more abundant in shallow waters of the deepest lagoon, in vegetated habitats, and at a depth 15–30 cm below the surface. These locations may minimize cost of travel to the surface for aerial respiration, while maintaining a reasonable distance from the surface to avoid detection by aerial predators. In addition, we experimentally tested effectiveness of vegetative cover in reducing mortality of C. muriei by aerial predators (pied kingfishers) using enclosures with and without vegetation cover in a swamp pool. We found that the presence of vegetative cover significantly reduced susceptibility of C. muriei to predation by pied kingfishers when dissolved oxygen in the water was low and air-breathing frequency was potentially high.