养殖密度对池塘工程化循环水养殖大口黑鲈抗氧化力、组织结构及应激基因表达的影响

为研究池塘工程化循环水养殖模式下养殖密度对大口黑鲈（应激基因表达的影响,以初始体重（4.50±0.23）g的大口黑鲈幼鱼为研究对象,设置3个养殖密度组,分别为0.2 kg/m³（SD1）、0.4 kg/m³（SD2）和0.6 kg/m³（SD3）,每个密度组设3个重复,实验周期为120 d,分别在实验的第30天、60天、90天和120天采集样本并分析。结果显示,实验结束时的最终密度分别为5.64 kg/m³（SD1）、8.79 kg/m³（SD2）和11.21 kg/m³（SD3）。养殖前90 d,肝脏超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）活力在各密度组间差异不显著（<0.05）;30 d和60 d时肝脏丙二醛（MDA）含量未受到养殖密度的影响（<0.05）;各密度组间肠道淀粉酶、脂肪酶活力没有显著差异（ mRNA相对表达水平在30 d和60 d没有显著差异（<0.05）,SD1组肝脏<0.05）;切片结果显示,3个密度组实验鱼肝脏和肠道结构正常,未受到严重损害,SD3组实验鱼肝脏细胞间空泡稍增多,肠道杯状细胞变小,数量减少。综上所述,在本实验条件下,养殖后期,养殖密度会对加州鲈生理状态产生影响,高密度应激会导致鱼体抗氧化以及免疫功能受到抑制,肝脏、肠道组织产生轻微损伤,0.2 kg/m³密度组大口黑鲈的生理状况最好。综合考虑,池塘工程化循环水养殖模式下大口黑鲈幼鱼的放养密度以0.2~0.4 kg/m³为宜。     

枸杞岛贻贝养殖海域碳通量及固碳能力研究

为研究枸杞岛贻贝养殖海域不同季节碳通量及固碳能力, 本研究在 2020―2021 年监测和分析了养殖海域温度、盐度、pH、总碱度(TA)及水体中溶解无机碳(DIC)、溶解有机碳(DOC)、颗粒有机碳(POC)分布特征, 估算了枸杞岛贻贝养殖海域表层海水二氧化碳分压(pCO₂)及海–气界面二氧化碳交换通量(FCO₂)值, 并分析 pCO₂ 的影响因素, 探讨枸杞岛贻贝养殖海域固碳能力。结果表明, 枸杞岛海域表层海水 4 个季节的温度、盐度、pH、TA、DIC、 DOC、POC 的空间分布在季节上差异极显著(P＜0.01)。枸杞岛海域 pCO₂ 全年的变化范围为 65.19~719.1 μatm, 水团混合和生物活动等是影响海域表层海水 pCO₂ 的重要因素。枸杞岛贻贝养殖海域 FCO₂ 值的变化范围为–63.75~ 99.18 mmol/(m² ·d), 四季变化极显著(P＜0.01), 全年碳分布格局有较大差异, 其中, 春、夏、秋三季均为碳汇, 分别为 (–18.86±12) mmol/(m² ·d), (–11.59±7.95) mmol/(m² ·d), (–3.61±37.22) mmol/(m² ·d), 冬季为碳源[(78.24±5.09) mmol/(m² ·d)]。枸杞岛贻贝养殖区 FCO₂ 值均高于外海非养殖区, 且达到显著水平(P＜0.05), 是弱汇区。本研究区域内贝壳固碳量为 18425.59 t, 贻贝软组织固碳量为 4973.97 t, 单位面积贻贝固碳量达 22.83 t/hm² 。该研究可为贝类养殖碳汇评价提供参考。     

南极南奥克尼群岛2017年春季南极磷虾资源声学评估

南极磷虾（Euphausia superba）为南大洋中上层生态系统的关键种,对其生物量的研究有助于更准确地掌握磷虾的生态和分布信息。基于2017年我国南极磷虾声学调查采集的断面回波映像,应用声学回波后处理软件（Echoview）,评估了南奥克尼群岛周边水域的磷虾生物量。该海域磷虾体长范围为25.50~49.21 mm,平均体长为（33.01±4.06）mm;其中雌性平均体长为（33.15±3.90）mm,雄性平均体长为（32.68±4.43）mm,雌、雄磷虾体长无显著性差异。本海域声学映像可分为1338个积分单元,最大单元磷虾密度为554.07 g/m²,最小单元密度值为0 g/m²。调查海域磷虾分布不均匀,87.90%的积分单元无磷虾生物量。磷虾平均密度为71.01 g/m²,总生物量为1.77×10⁶ t,密度差异系数为97.4%。磷虾主要分布在水深<200 m的南奥克尼群岛大陆架海域,群岛东侧磷虾生物量多于西侧。积分单元中磷虾密度大于450 g/m²但小于600 g/m²的有2个,群岛东西两侧各1个;密度值大于300 g/m²但小于450 g/m²的积分单元有6个,5个位于群岛东侧。远离群岛的2个断面（1,9）和调查海域中心的2个断面（5,6）磷虾生物量较少。本海域磷虾的昼夜垂直移动对磷虾生物量评估也无影响。磷虾白天聚集在60~180 m水层,随着时间推移,磷虾逐渐向上或向下移动。光照强度是触发磷虾白天下沉、夜晚上浮的因素之一。     

人工湿地联合塘内设施调控生产性虾塘水环境的效果与技术

研究了由表面流与水平潜流组成的复合人工湿地联合使用塘内曝气增氧机与人工净化网调控生产性淡水对虾养殖塘水环境的效果与技术。养殖中后期(约60 d后), 湿地以1.65 m/d水力负荷, 3次循环处理虾塘废水, 有效调控虾塘水质, 确保养殖成功。结果表明湿地对废水中有害物质均可程度不等地去除, 蓝绿藻得以控制, 出口水 -N与BOD5分别为极显著(P<0.01)与显著(P<0.05)去除, 去除率与去除速率分别为72.6%, 0.467 g/(m²·d)与29.7%, 2.651 g/(m²·d), -P为41.7%, 0.022 g/(m²·d), TN为26.1%, 2.619 g / (m2?d), CODMn为15.9%, 3.738 g/(m²·d), -N去除率仅3.6%, 但去除速率较高[0.462 g/(m²·d)]。湿地静止4 d期间, 废水中 -N与 -N去除率达96.8%与93.3%, 均极显著去除(P<0.01)。养殖周期试验塘水化学指标均维持在虾安全生长范围内, 收获虾8.81 g, 9.36 cm; 对照塘因爆发蓝绿藻仅养殖60 d, 收获虾3.06 g, 6.54 cm。试验表明, 在不用药、不换水条件下, 联合塘内设施, 人工湿地以较高水力负荷与低频率运转可有效调控虾塘水质, 确保养殖成功。     

絮团浓度对革胡子鲇零换水养殖效果的影响

为研究絮团浓度对革胡子鲇零换水养殖效果的影响,在不额外添加有机碳源（只利用饲料中的碳）的革胡子鲇（）养殖系统中,设置了平均絮团质量浓度为561.18 mg/L和780.41 mg/L两个处理组,比较了两实验组的水质、菌群结构、鱼生长及氮利用效率。结果表明,两种浓度絮团条件下,总氨氮（total ammonia nitrogen,TAN）和亚硝酸氮（NO₂^--N）能分别维持1.84 mg/L和1.79 mg/L以下。两处理组间pH、溶解氧（dissolved oxygen,DO）、TAN、NO₂^--N、氮素利用效率及主要生长指标无显著差异（-N）浓度（822.0 mg/L）明显高于低浓度絮团组（623.33 mg/L）。高通量测序分析菌群结构结果表明,两组间门水平的菌群组成种类及优势度无显著性差异（<0.05）。两处理组中的革胡子鲇存活率分别达到（91.11±1.53）%和（94.44±2.08）%,饲料系数为（1.41±0.18）和（1.27±0.26）,特殊生长率为（2.13±0.04）%/d和（2.19±0.08）%/d,均无显著差异（>0.05）。两实验组饲料氮的利用率分别达到了72.17%和71.34%。综合以上结果认为,仅利用饲料中的碳既能维持革胡子鲇的零换水养殖且能取得较高的氮素利用效率,两种絮团浓度对革胡子鲇的生长无显著影响,高浓度絮团组中的硝化作用更明显。     

盐度对珍珠龙胆石斑鱼幼鱼渗透调节与耗氧率的影响

为研究盐度对珍珠龙胆石斑鱼（）渗透调节与耗氧率的影响,设计实验一,将（162.5±12.1）g珍珠龙胆石斑鱼置于不同盐度（6、12、18、24、30）下养殖10 d,测定血清渗透压及Na⁺、Cl^-、K⁺离子浓度。实验结果表明,随盐度的升高血清渗透压及Na⁺、Cl^-、K⁺离子浓度也随着升高,各组[Na⁺]：[Cl^-]比值无显著差异（>0.05）;经回归分析得到血清等渗点渗透压为365.95 mOsm/kg,所对应盐度为12.75。实验二,将（26.4±2.7）g幼鱼置于不同盐度（6、12、18、24、30）下养殖30 d,测定在开始暴露后0 h、3 h、24 h、72 h鳃Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase活性及表达和第30天耗氧率,结果表明鳃Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase活性随盐度的增大呈“U”形变化;鳃Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase α1基因表达量波动较大,在72 h后随盐度增大先降低后增加,变化趋势与酶活性一致;第30天耗氧率随盐度的增加先降低后增加又降低。综上所述,珍珠龙胆石斑鱼幼鱼10 d内能够完全适应6~30盐度急性变化,耗氧率除了受离子渗透调节的影响,还可能与其生活史阶段有关。     

三种主养草鱼池塘沉积物-水界面碳通量的研究

为了探讨环境因子和底栖配养生物对碳通量的影响,采用实验室培养方法,测定并比较了不同混养模式下沉积物-水界面各形态碳的通量,监测了8月沉积物-水界面上覆水中各形态碳含量的昼夜变化。3种主养草鱼池塘的养殖模式为草鱼、鲢和鳙混养(GSB),草鱼、鲢、鳙和凡纳滨对虾混养(GSBL),草鱼、鲢、鳙和鲤混养(GSBC)。主要实验结果如下:(1)在养殖周期内,3种混养模式沉积物-水界面可溶性无机碳(DIC)通量范围为0.65~16.90 mg/(m²·d),可溶性有机碳(DOC)通量范围为0.16~13.49 mg/(m²·d),颗粒性有机碳(POC)通量范围为-2.29~3.32 mg/(m²·d);GSB和GSBC模式各形态碳通量均以8月最高,GSBL模式则以7月最高。(2)在养殖周期内,3种混养模式沉积物对DIC和DOC均表现为释放,而对POC在4-6月以吸收为主,其余时间表现为释放。(3)在养殖的中后期,3种混养模式的DIC、DOC和POC通量存在一定差异。其中,GSBL和GSBC模式中各形态碳通量值显著高于GSB模式(P<0.05)。(4)8月上覆水中DIC和DOC的含量在4:00达到最大值,POC含量则表现为GSBL模式在4:00达到最大值,12:00达到最小值,而GSBC模式在4:00达到最小值,12:00达到最大值。(5)各形态碳通量的变化与上覆水中的DO、pH呈显著负相关关系,而与水温呈显著正相关关系。     

梭鱼池塘养殖密度对其生长性能的影响

为了解池塘养殖密度对梭鱼生长性能的影响,进行了为期126 d的室外池塘规模化海水养殖试验,研究了体长为(84.17±13.95)mm、体质量为(12.58±5.12)g的梭鱼在两种养殖密度(5.4、11.9尾/m²)下的生长情况和摄食行为。试验结果:梭鱼的生长与养殖密度呈正相关,低密度组梭鱼的终末体质量(243.23 g)、体质量增长率(1 833.5%)、特定生长率(2.39%/d)、肥满度(1.46)、成活率(91.1%)及饲料系数(1.86)均优于高密度组(173.88 g、1 282.2%、2.12%/d、1.39、83.2%、2.41);高密度组的单位面积产量(1.72 kg/m²)比低密度组(1.20 kg/m²)高30.2%;2个密度组梭鱼的体长与体质量呈幂函数相关(高密度组:W=5×10-5L2.781 8;低密度组:W=7×10-5L2.731 8),且为异速生长;体长、体质量与养殖天数呈线性相关(高密度组:L=1.370 9d+91.798 8,W=2.013 5d-3.602 0;低密度组:L=1.119 5d+94.134 3,W=1.303 2d+6.672 7)。结果表明,该试验条件适合于梭鱼的规模化生产,低密度组梭鱼生长情况更好,但单位面积产量要低于高密度组,生产中需要综合考虑产量与饲料利用之间的关系,平衡成本和收益。     

桑沟湾春季海–气界面CO2交换通量及其与养殖活动的关系分析

为研究不同养殖活动对海–气界面CO2交换通量(F)的影响,于2014年5月采用走航式CO2分压仪对中国北方典型的多营养层次混合养殖海域—桑沟湾养殖区的表层水CO2分压(pCO2)进行了大面调查,并通过数据计算桑沟湾海区的F值。在调查过程中,选择在网箱养殖区、贝类养殖区、藻类养殖区等区域内进行24 h定点连续观测。探讨了春季桑沟湾海–气界面CO2的交换通量及其主要影响因素。大面调查结果显示,桑沟湾内海水中pCO2总体变化趋势是由湾内向湾外递减,网箱养殖区海水中pCO2远远高于其他区域。在大面调查中,贝类、藻类、贝藻混养、网箱养殖区的F值分别为(–1.02±0.83)、(–15.40±1.28)、(–4.32±1.41)、8.14 mmol/(m2·d)。定点连续监测显示,藻类、贝类、网箱养殖区的pCO2 24 h平均值分别为(320±14)、(330±10)、(413±37) μatm。研究表明,光合作用是海–气界面CO2交换通量的主要影响因素之一,不同养殖区之间的海–气界面CO2交换通量差异显著。影响各养殖区海–气界面CO2交换通量日变化规律的影响因子与走航调查结果一致。养殖活动是影响海–气界面CO2交换通量的主导因素。     

上海地区凡纳滨对虾淡水土池三级养殖模式探索

为探索凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)健康生态养殖模式,在上海市金山区开展了凡纳滨对虾淡水土池三级养殖模式试验。试验将虾苗至成虾的养殖周期分为虾苗暂养(一级养殖)、幼虾培育(二级养殖)、成虾养殖(三级养殖)3个阶段,每年进行2茬养殖。3个阶段养殖池塘数量的比例为1∶3∶3,面积比为1∶80∶300,养殖密度分别为1.1万尾/hm²、98万尾/hm²、44万尾/hm²,养殖时长分别为20~25 d、30~42 d、35~60 d,两茬养殖间隔为30~35 d。试验结果显示,在无尾水净化设施设备的情况下,所有试验塘水质均符合淡水池塘养殖水排放要求;幼虾驯养(一级养殖)成活率为73.2%,幼虾培育(二级养殖)成活率为(88.4±4.5)%,成虾养殖(三级养殖)成活率为(57.7±5.1)%;单茬养殖单位产量为(3 427±230)kg/hm²,两茬合计单位产量为(6 855±452)kg/hm²,高于当地传统养殖模式的平均水平。结果表明,三级养殖模式具有产量高、发病率低、环境友好等优点,可作为凡纳滨对虾的一种健康生态养殖模式进行推广。     

Premiers resultats de l'elevage en cages de Tilapia nilotica (L.) dans le Lac Kossou,Cote d'IvoirePreliminary results of cage rearing Tilapia nilotica (L.) in Lake Kossou,Ivory Coast

The experimental rearing of T. nilotica in 1-m³ cages floating in Lake Kossou, Ivory Coast, was performed between March 1974 and April 1975. The fish were fed water-stable pellets (24.7% protein), the daily ration generally varying between 6 and 3.4% of the ichthyomass present. Fingerlings (9–55 g each) were stocked at densities of 200–400 fish/m³. They reached commercial size (more than 200 g) within 4–6 months, depending on the biomass present in the cage (stocking density and average individual weight of fish), as well as on limological conditions. The average annual mortality was 5.9%. Annual production varied from 36 to 64 kg/m³. The feed conversion rate averaged 2.8. A reduction of the daily ration for fish larger than 40 g reduced this value.Fingerlings should average at least 20–30 g in weight at initial stocking of the cage. Two crops a year can then be easily realized. If only male fish are reared, three harvests per year appear to be possible, increasing the annual cage production of fish close to 200 kg/m³ with proper management.The possible development of T. nilotica cage culture is actually hampered due to the lack of adequate fish feed available commercially, and to the lack of sufficient quantities of calibrated fingerlings throughout the year.     

封闭式精养池塘N、P营养盐的自净作用研究

以珠江三角洲的精养池塘为例,通过对一个养殖周期的水质和生产情况调查,计算了N、P营养盐的平衡收支情况,获得了养殖池塘N、P营养盐的净沉积速率,在此基础上分析了浮游植物对N、P吸收、底泥的吸附沉淀和底泥-水界面营养盐的扩散在池塘自净作用中的贡献。结果表明:养殖池塘N营养盐的自净作用主要来自浮游植物的吸收,强度达到0.35 g/(m2.d),扩散作用也是N营养盐的重要的自净机制,其强度与水体-底泥间隙水中的N营养盐浓度梯度相关,在优质鱼养殖池塘,扩散作用强度达到0.42~0.49 g/(m2.d),而在家鱼养殖池塘,呈现出反向的扩散,强度为0.02~0.10 g/(m2.d)。养殖池塘P营养盐的自净作用来自浮游植物的吸收、底泥的吸附沉淀,二者的强度分别达到0.049 g/(m2.d)、0.04~0.12 g/(m2.d),二者之和一般大于养殖鱼类无机P排泄速度0.079 g/(m2.d),底泥的P释放是维持水质稳定的重要过程,在观测的池塘中,P释放强度达到0.019~0.068 g/(m2.d)。     

Influence of feeding regime on intraspecific competition, fin damage and growth in 1+ Atlantic salmon parr (Salmo salar L.) held in freshwater production cages

The feeding behaviour, growth and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of cage‐held Atlantic salmon parr (Salmo salar L.) were studied when in 576 m³ (12 m × 12 m × 4 m) commercial freshwater cages under ambient water temperature (8.84±3.53°C) and photoperiod (11.02±2.05 h) for 205 days. The effect of feeding regime on fin damage was also investigated. Six groups (n=31 234±2051 fish group⁻¹, initial stocking density 1.25±0.14 kg m⁻³) were fed to satiation using either (a) an imposed regime involving scheduled, fixed ration feeding every 10 min from dawn till dusk or (b) on demand from dawn till dusk using commercial interactive feedback systems. During feeding, there were no significant differences in aggression although swimming speeds and turning angles were significantly higher in fish under the imposed regime. On‐demand feeding significantly reduced the incidence of dorsal fin damage. There was no clear relationship between fish size, feed regime and the incidence of fin damage until 1 week before the fish were transferred to marine cages, when the smallest fish under each feeding regime had the highest incidence of fin damage. Interestingly, growth did not differ between regimes, but fish under the imposed regime were significantly overfed and achieved higher FCRs.     

Commercial Diets in Phase I Palmetto Bass,Morone saxatilis × Morone chrysops,Production in Plastic‐lined Ponds: Fertilizer or Feed?

The role of offering a commercial pelleted diet has been characterized as both an expensive organic fertilizer and as a selected food item for larval hybrid striped bass (palmetto), Morone saxatilis × Morone chrysops, culture operations. In this study, we examined the effects of providing a commercial diet on fish production and zooplankton dynamics during phase I culture in plastic‐lined ponds. We also sought to estimate relative dietary contribution of a commercial fish feed relative to natural pond biota using stable isotope tissue analysis. Palmetto bass were stocked into six 0.04‐ha plastic‐lined ponds at a rate of 125,000/ha. During the 31‐d culture period, ponds were fertilized with alfalfa pellets at a rate of 112 kg/ha/wk. At 14 d post‐stock (dps), Silver Cup Trout Fry diet was offered at a rate of 13.6 kg/ha/d and fertilization was discontinued in three ponds. Although mean final fish length was significantly greater within the fed treatment, no other production parameters were found to be different (P < 0.1). Following feed application, copepod concentrations within the fed ponds were greater in magnitude by 24 dps. Through stable isotope tissue analysis, we found a significant enrichment in both ¹³C and ¹⁵ν of fish, zooplankton, and Chironomidae larvae within the fed ponds (P < 0.10). Using a three‐source mixing model, the mean (±SE) percent composition of feed in the fish's isotopic signature increased from 5% ±2 to 20% ±6 within 16 d. Although fish production was not greatly affected through the addition of a commercial fish feed, enriched ¹³C and ¹⁵ν of fish tissue indicate that palmetto bass fingerlings increasingly utilized the prepared diets over time. However, based on the isotopic values of fish and potential food sources, it can be estimated that natural pond biota likely accounted for up to 80% of nutrient assimilation in the hybrid striped bass.     

Effect of stocking density on the growth performance and yield of Nile tilapia [Oreochromis niloticus (L., 1758)] in a cage culture system in Lake Kuriftu,Ethiopia

This research was conducted to investigate the effect of stocking density on the growth performance and yield of Oreochromis niloticus in cage culture in Lake Kuriftu. The treatments had stocking densities of 50 (50F), 100 (100F), 150 (150F), and 200 (200F) fish per m^?3. All treatments were in duplicate. Juveniles with an average weight of 45. 76±0.25 g were stocked in the treatments. The fish were fed a composite mixture of mill sweeping, cotton seed, and Bora food complex at 2% of their body weight twice per day using feeding trays for 150 days in powdered form. The growth performance of O. niloticus was density dependent. The final mean weight of O. niloticus ranged 147.76±0.28–219.71±1.42 g and the mean daily weight gain was 0.69±0.01–1.15±0.02 g day^?1. Fish held in cages with lower density were heavier than the ones held at higher densities, and showed higher weight gain and daily weight gain. The most effective stocking density, in terms of growth parameters, was 50 fish m^?3. The gross yield (4.5–20.55 kg cage^?1) showed a significant difference with increasing stocking density (P<0.05). Moreover, the apparent food conversion ratio (2.48–7.22) was significantly affected by stocking density (P<0.05). However, survival rate was not affected by stocking density (P>0.05). It can be concluded that the most effective stocking densities were at 50 fish m^?3 cage for larger size fish demand in a short period and 200 fish m^?3 for higher gross production with supplementary feed.     

Density and Organic Matter Influence on Egg‐laying and Hatching of Branchiura sowerbyi (Oligochaeta)

This study aimed to assess the combined effects of density of adults of Branchiura sowerbyi and the source of organic matter on the production of eggs and young species. The experimental units used were 250‐mL beakers with 100 mL of fine sand (0.074–0.210 mm) and 150 mL of chlorine‐free water with constant aeration at the temperature 25 C. The experiment was conducted based on a two‐factor model with six treatments and three repetitions, applied in a completely random design. The densities 5 individuals/38.5cm² (D5; 1298/m²) and 8 individuals/38.5cm² (D8; 2078/m²) were assessed with commercial fish feed (FF), commercial poultry feed (PF), and turkey manure (TM) as sources of organic matter. A total of 1223 cocoons and 2138 eggs were produced, with average hatching of 40.0 ± 15.1%. The highest number of cocoons and eggs was found with the use of PF, D8 having produced the highest number of cocoons and eggs. The hatching rate was not influenced by the source of organic matter or density and no influence was registered from the density of adults on the survival. The PF provided the highest growth of adults, and generally the use of TM provided the worst performance.     

Pilot Production of Hatchery-Reared Summer Flounder Paralichthys dentatus in a Marine Recirculating Aquaculture System: The Effects of Ration Level on Growth, Feed Conversion, and Survival

Pilot‐scale trials were conducted to evaluate growout performance of hatchery‐reared summer flounder fingerlings in a state‐of‐the‐art recirculating aquaculture system (RAS). The outdoor RAS consisted of four 4.57‐m dia × 0.69‐m deep (vol. =11.3 m³) covered, insulated tanks and associated water treatment components. Fingerlings (85.1 g mean initial weight) supplied by a commercial hatchery were stocked into two tanks at a density of 1,014 fish/tank (7.63 kg/m³). Fish were fed an extruded dry floating diet consisting of 50% protein and 12% lipid. The temperature was maintained between 20 C and 23 C and the salinity was 34 ppt. Under these conditions, growth, growth variation (CV_wt), feed utilization, and survival of fish fed to 100% and 82% of a satiation rate were compared. Due to clear changes in growth patterns during the study, data was analyzed in three phases. During phase 1 (d 1–d 196), fish showed rapid growth, reaching a mean weight of 288 g ± 105 and 316 g ± 102, with a CV_wt of 0.36 and 0.32 and FCR's of 1.38 and 1.36 in the subsatiation and satiation groups, respectively. During phase 2 (d 196–d 454), fish displayed slower growth reaching mean weights of 392 g ± 144 and 436 g ± 121, with a CV_wt of 0.37 and 0.28, and increasing FCR's of 3.45 and 3.12 in the subsatiation and satiation groups, respectively. During phase 3 (d 454–d 614), fish showed little growth reaching mean weights of 399 g ± 153 and 440 g ± 129, with a CV_wt of 0.38 and 0.29 in the subsatiation and satiation groups, respectively. Over the entire growout period (d 1–d 614), feed conversion ratios were 2.39 and 2.37 and survival was 75% and 81 % in the subsatiation and satiation treatments, respectively. The maximum biomass density reached during the study was 32.3 kg/m³. The satiation feed rate was superior to the 82% satiation rate, since it maximized growth rates, with no effect on FCR. The higher CV_wt in the subsatiation group suggests increased competition for a restricted ration led to a slower growth with more growth variation. The decrease in growth in phases 2 and 3 was probably related to a high percentage of slower growing male fish in the population and the onset of sexual maturity. This study demonstrated that under commercial scale conditions, summer flounder can be successfully grown to a marketable size in a recirculating aquaculture system. Based on these results, it is recommended that a farmer feed at a satiation rate to minimize growout time. More research is needed to maintain high growth rates through marketable sizes through all‐female production and/or inhibition of sexual maturity.     

Production Parameters and Economics of Small-Scale Tilapia Cage Aquaculture in the Volta Lake,Ghana

To calculate the potential for cage aquaculture to create economic opportunities for small-scale investors on the Volta Lake, Ghana, a local NGO with technical support from the Government of Ghana ran two trials (one of four and one of six units) of small-scale cage aquaculture in the town of Dzemeni. Cages were built locally from available materials at a cost of approximately US$1000 per 48 m³ cage. An indigenous line of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, was stocked either as mixed sex (first trial) or all-males (second trial) at an average rate of 103 fish/m³ and grown on locally available pelleted feeds for approximately six months. Total costs averaged US$2038 per six-month production cycle. Gross yield ranged from 232 to 1176 kg/cage, averaging 460 kg/cage (9.6 kg/m³). Final average weight of mixed sex populations (253.05 ± 47.43g) was significantly less than of all-males (376.7 ± 72.30g). Likewise, percentage of fish over 300 g at harvest was significantly lower in mixed-sex (38.3%) compared to all-male (75.7%) populations. Mortality resulting primarily from poor handling during transport and stocking averaged 70% and was a major determinate of production and profitability. To break even, harvested biomass of fish needed to exceed 15 kg/m³. At 25 kg/m³, small-scale cage aquaculture generated a net income of US$717 per cage per six months (ROI = 30.2%) on revenues of US$3,500. Water quality in the area surrounding the cages was not negatively affected by aquaculture at the scale tested (5 tons of feed per six months).     

Preliminary study on the effects of exclusion of wild fauna from aquaculture cages in a shallow marine environment

Previous investigations into the environmental impacts at a shallow-water oligotrophic marine experimental cage aquaculture site in Western Australia have found no accumulation of organic material, and limited changes in macrofaunal communities. It was hypothesised that wild fish populations in the area consumed particulate wastes emanating from the cage, thus reducing the benthic impacts. An experiment was designed to quantify the accumulation of organic material on the seabed occurring in the presence and absence of wild fauna. Three treatments were arranged in duplicate, cages without exclusion nets (normal situation) (CAGE-FISH); cages surrounded by a 35-mm mesh exclusion net (preventing wild fish access to the sea bed and water column near the cage) (CAGE-FISH-EXCL); and empty cages surrounded by exclusion nets (to control for effects from the exclusion net) (CAGE-EXCL). In addition, four reference sites without cages (REF) were sampled. Following baseline sampling, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were stocked into the CAGE-FISH and the CAGE-FISH-EXCL treatments at an initial stocking density of 2.4 kg m⁻³. The experiment was terminated after 62 days, at a final stock density of 5.6 kg m⁻³. Sampling found significantly greater accumulation of nutrients and fine sediments under the cages enclosed in the exclusion net than in other treatments and sites. Levels of organic carbon deposition at cages with exclusion nets was found to be 4.5±1.0 g C m⁻² day⁻¹ (mean±S.E.) compared to 0.7 to 1.1 g C m⁻² day⁻¹ at control and reference sites.The accumulation of nutrients at the CAGE-FISH-EXCL sites was correlated to distinct changes in macrofaunal community composition, with a sharp increase in overall macrofaunal abundance and a growing dominance of capitellid polychaetes. Based on a comparison between sedimentation rates within and outside excluded areas, the proportions of the total sedimenting nutrients consumed by wild fish were calculated to be 40% to 60%. It was concluded that in the natural coastal system of Western Australia or comparable environments, wild fish are potential important consumers of cage aquaculture waste materials. The fact that sediment C, N and P did not increase below cages with fish and no exclusion nets suggests that the benthic fauna, including surface grazing fish, at these sites were able to assimilate much of the remaining total sedimentary nutrients.     

Production of Australian freshwater crayfish in earthen-based systems using pelleted diets and forage crops as food

Juvenile Cherax destructor (commonly called theyabby) were cultured in earthen-based ponds and tanks for 70–105d, and were fed pellets and/or a forage crop of the perennialwhiteclover, Trifolium repens. Three supplementary feedingstrategies were evaluated. Yabby growth on pellets consistently exceeded (by67–159%) that obtained on clover. Base-line yields for extensiveproduction systems are around 400 kg ha^–1. Thesupplementary addition of T. repens produced yields of 635kg ha^–1 (in ponds) to 1086 kgha^–1 (in tanks). The sequential addition of cut-cloverto tanks stimulated growth to levels approaching those achieved on pellets.Yabbies stocked into ponds at 17 m^–2 and fed 33%protein pellets for 100 d, resulted in a yield of 1117 kgha^–1.Pellet inputs at a rate of 129–249 g m^–2(dry matter) and 38–83 g m^–2 (protein) over70–100 d resulted in acceptable growth and feed utilisationindices. Clover inputs of 534–682 g m^–2 (asdry matter) or 84–177 g m^–2 (as protein)produced reasonable growth rates but poor feed utilisation indices. Aconsiderable quantity of the dry matter and protein content of clover waseitherinefficiently utilised or directed into other production pathways. In tanks,clover inputs from 113–296 g m^–2 (drymatter) and 24–54 g m^–2 (protein) weresufficient to maintain high growth rates for 4 weeks, while in ponds, inputs of21 g m^–2 (dry matter) and 4.3 gm^–2 (protein) were sufficient for 3 weeks. During theearly weeks of production no growth advantage was gained by providing pelletstoanimals cultured in forage-based systems. Forage depletion occurred after3–4 weeks and was probably a major growth limiting factor.