Review of rice–fish-farming systems in China — One of the Globally Important Ingenious Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)

Rice–fish-farming systems constitute a unique agro-landscape across the world, especially in tropical and sub-tropical Asia. Rice is a globally important staple food crop, with a wide distribution and constituting diversified varieties. The introduction of fish rearing to rice farming creates an integrated agro-ecological system. China boasts a history of 1700 years in rice–fish-farming practice. It is no longer a sole agro-production practice, but an agro-cultural pattern. Therefore, it has been listed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as one of the Globally Important Ingenious Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). Qingtian County of the Zhejiang province has been selected as a pilot conservation site. The rice–fish-farming systems in China diversify China's agro-landscape and favor the conservation of species variety of both rice and fish. The survival of deep-water rice, an indigenous rice variety, and Oujiang red carp, an indigenous fish variety, are cases in point. Being low external input systems, the rice–fish-farming systems necessitate only small amounts of pesticide and fertilizer. The application of pesticides can be lowered to 50% of that of modern, high-input rice production; sometimes, no pesticide application is required. The natural enemies of rice pests show a prominent rise, making the bio-control of rice diseases and pests highly feasible. The rice–fish-farming system is also of great significance in global food security and global change. It provides food and animal protein for subsistence farmers living in ecologically-fragile mountainous regions. It also reduces economic risks that these farmers potentially face. The nitrogen-fixation role of the system increased the content of organic matter, total nitrogen and total phosphorus in the soil by 15.6–38.5%. It also reduces the emission of CH₄ by nearly 30% compared with traditional rice farming. However, the economical development and industrialization in China pose a threat to rice–fish farming and, consequently, the numbers of farmers involved in rice–fish farming are decreasing. This calls for the Chinese government to engage itself in the conservation and development of this system and to innovate the existing technologies. It would also be useful, in the meantime, to exploit and conserve rice–fish farming as eco-tourism resources, so that the income of the mountainous farmers can be increased and this important, indigenous agro-culture be conserved and developed.     

Environmental impact assessment as a management tool for the use of chemicals for fish farming in the UK

The paper begins by discussing the classification and use of chemicals for fish farming and the environmental impact assessment (EIA) regulations. EIA procedures for regulating chemicals through statutory authority are then discussed. Environmental assessment for fish farming can be a powerful management tool at both administrative and scientific levels.     

EFFICIENCY OF RESOURCE USE AMONG POND FISH FARMERS IN CENTRAL UGANDA: A STOCHASTIC FRONTIER PRODUCTION FUNCTION APPROACH

This article presents the use of a stochastic frontier production function to examine the efficiency of resource utilization in pond fish farming in Uganda. The study draws on data from a field survey administered to 200 small-scale fish farmers in three major fish farming districts in Central Uganda: Mukono, Mpigi and Wakiso. The districts were part of a large aquaculture development project funded by the United States Agency for International Development-Aquaculture and Fisheries Collaborative Research Support Program. Productive efficiency was analyzed using stochastic frontier analysis with a translog production function while assuming a truncated-normal distribution for the inefficiency term. The output variable was total quantity of fish produced, while input variables were quantity or value of inputs used in the production process, namely labor, pond size, stocking density, capital and feeds. The estimated index of resource-use efficiency revealed that small-scale farmers were inefficient in resource allocation by over-utilizing labor with an estimated allocative efficiency index of ?0.94 and grossly under-utilized pond size, feeds and fingerlings with allocative efficient indices of 1.15, 1.64, 3.71, respectively. The results suggest that there is considerable scope to expand output and also productivity by increasing production efficiency at the relatively inefficient farms and sustaining the efficiency of those operating at or closer to the frontier.     

美国鱼类及野生动物管理局与自然保护

美国鱼类及野生动物管理局是主管美国鱼类、野生动植物和自然栖息地的联邦政府机构,主要工作有保护濒危物种、管理候鸟、恢复重要的渔业、保护和恢复湿地等野生动物的栖息地、执行联邦野生动物的法律、参与国际保护工作、征收捕鱼和狩猎消费税和开展公众教育等。介绍了美国鱼类及野生动物管理局的基本情况、主要工作内容、保护案例等。美国在鱼类及野生动植物的管理与保护方面机构设置完备、职责清晰,法制健全,实施得当,充分发动民众参与,值得学习和借鉴。     

以大口黑鲈和大黄鱼配合饲料应用为例谈 改变鱼类营养和饲料研究范式

鱼类营养和饲料研究始于70年前并借鉴陆生动物营养研究经验形成了研究范式。在过去70年中,鱼类营养和饲料研究取得了大量的成果,这些研究成果推动了水产配合饲料技术的进步,为水产饲料产业从无到有、从小到大做出了贡献。然而,随着全球水产养殖规模的不断扩大,水产养殖发展面临的资源和环境压力日益增加,对水产饲料也提出了更高的要求。事实表明,根据一些鱼类营养和饲料研究成果所配方的饲料在养殖生产实践中往往不能取得预期的应用效果,这意味着在已有范式下取得的研究成果有时难以很好地满足现代鱼类养殖产业的需要。本文叙述了具有重要经济价值的两种肉食性鱼类大口黑鲈和大黄鱼配合饲料研发与应用的历程,指出对饲料蛋白需求的低估是限制配合饲料长期未能在大口黑鲈和大黄鱼养殖生产中应用的主要原因。早期研究报道大口黑鲈的饲料蛋白需求为400-440 g/kg,大黄鱼的饲料蛋白需求为450-470 g/kg。经过重新评估后将大口黑鲈和大黄鱼的最适饲料蛋白水平分别提高到480-510 g/kg和490-520 g/kg。在适宜的饲料蛋白水平下,投喂配合饲料的大口黑鲈和大黄鱼生长与投喂冰鲜鱼时相当。作者认为对饲料蛋白需求的低估与已有鱼类营养和饲料研究范式存在的不足有关,其表现为：（1）强调食物对鱼类生长的作用,但忽视了实验鱼遗传背景和食物以外的环境条件对生长和摄食的影响;（2）强调鱼类个体生长对评价营养需求和饲料质量的重要性,但忽视了鱼类个体生长差异并不能完全反映养殖产量和效益的事实;（3）强调生长和饲料利用效率作为鱼类营养和饲料研究评价指标的重要性,但忽视了养殖对环境和自然资源的负面影响是限制水产养殖产业可持续发展的瓶颈;（4）没有足够重视基础饲料配方在评价营养需求或饲料质量方面的影响,一些研究因基础饲料组成不当而产生没有实际意义的评价结果。针对上述问题,作者建议从概念、理论和研究方法方面对已有的范式做如下修改：（1）重视鱼类遗传背景和食物以外的环境条件对鱼类生长的影响,明确鱼类营养需求取决于其生长需求;（2）重视食物中各种营养素之间的相互作用,明确不同饲料原料在实现配方的营养平衡方面发挥着不同的作用;（3）重视对实验鱼种质和种群结构的选择,重视对照组和处理组个体生长差异的幅度对判断饲料处理效应的指示作用,重视饲料配方对渔业资源和环境等水产养殖可持续发展相关的内容的影响。经过修改后的研究范式更符合养殖生产实际,在此基础上开展研究所获得的成果也能够更好地指导配合饲料生产,为鱼类养殖产业的可持续发展提供更好的科技支撑。     

Examination of net volume reduction of gravity-type open-net fish cages under sea currents

Owing to heavy criticisms of nearshore fish farming for causing environmental pollution and encroaching on sea space used for shipping, boating, recreational sea activities and marine eco-tourism, offshore fish farming has now being seriously considered. Moreover an offshore site provides more pristine water and greater space for increased fish production. However, offshore fish farming poses challenges such as a more energetic sea environment. A higher sea current can lead to large deformation of fish net and hence a net volume reduction which compromises fish welfare. With the view to identifying the effects of various important parameters on net volume reduction of a gravity-type open-net fish cage, this paper adopts a mass-spring model for the dynamic analysis of current-induced net deformations of cylindrical fish nets with discrete weights hanging at the bottom edge of the nets. In this model, the net mesh comprises knot nodes and bar nodes connected by tension-only massless springs. The spring stiffness is determined from the net bar diameters and material properties. The current-induced loads are applied to each node and calculated based on Morrison’s equation. The governing equation system for nodal motions can be established according to Newton’s second law, and solved by using the Runge-Kutta method for the real-time net deformations. The effects of net string reinforcements, weight distributions and net shapes on the net volume reduction are studied with the view to shed insights into how one may improve fish cage designs to effectively mitigate net deformation under high sea current speeds in offshore fish farming sites.     

Biosecurity Versus Profits: A Multiobjective Model for the Aquaculture Industry

In this study, we measure the value of sanitary restrictions in terms of forgone profits. For this, we model the short‐run trade‐off between biosecurity and profits in the aquaculture industry. Incorporating the concept of “sanitary desirable volume (SDV)” for the salmon industry, we optimize a multiobjective model using base information from the Los Lagos region in Chile and identify a Pareto frontier. Within this setting, we analyze the shadow price of one objective in terms of the other, the effect of changes in the administrative regulations that limit fish density in the farms and the effect of prices on the Pareto frontier. We find that the effect of sanitary restrictions in terms of forgone profits is quantitatively important and that this effect is dependent on both the level of sanitary restrictions and the relative product prices. This has important implications for the design of sanitary restrictions in aquaculture. The level of the SDV should be determined carefully to avoid costly excess regulation. Moreover, market conditions can also affect the optimal level of regulation.     

Fuelling the fisheries subsidy debate: Agreements, loopholes and implications

There is a general consensus that most subsidies to fisheries, particularly fuel subsidies, are harmful to both the economy and the environment. As the World Trade Organization struggles to come to an agreement on fisheries subsidies, understanding the position of the negotiating countries is crucial. As we move toward more sustainable regulations, we must ensure that no loopholes exist for countries to evade binding regulations. In this note, we use the example of the United States to illustrate how arguments for exemptions can lead to such loopholes. The United States provides interesting insight, as it appears that their support for a ban on fisheries subsidies may be contingent upon a legal pun, which would allow them and other countries to carry on subsidizing fuel to their fishing fleets into the future.     

Betaine supplementation enhances the seawater adaptation of salmon, Salmo salar L.

Abstract. The growth of the Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., aquaculture industry has been tremendous; from a modest beginning, today's world production of salmon farming is close to 260 million tonnes in ten different countries. In particular the last 20–30 years have seen a dramatic increase in annual sales and production.
The methods vary. From exploiting the natural migrations of this anadromous fish, sea ranching has produced a viable industry. However, controlling the entire life cycle in closed systems has been more successful.
The growth of the farming industry is seriously hampered by such factors as diseases and parasites, algae blooms, environmental pollution, sabotage and rough seas. Several of these factors will not easily be eliminated, although methodical research and development could make the fish farming industry more efficient. Most of the fish farming is situated in remote regions, and the product has to be transported to heavy populated areas for sale, often across borders. The approximate average production costs per kilo differ according to the organization of the industry, average salary, the feed costs and the industrial hurdles, expressed as loss of fish, due to a variety of factors. Even though the market is growing, we must expect fierce competition. Farms producing fish of high quality at low cost will survive. The industry needs healthy fish in well-run farms, smart farmers and a government which helps the industry with reasonable regulations, guidance, applied and basic research, and insight into the future.     

Historical changes in fish communities in urban streams of the south-eastern United States and the relative importance of water-quality stressors

A total of 71 stream sites representing a gradient of urban land use were sampled across the Piedmont of the south-eastern United States in 2014. Fish data collected (observed) at each site were compared to an expected community based on georeferenced historical (~1950 - ~1990) species occurrence records for stream segments (1:100,000 scale) containing the sampled stream sites. Loss of expected fish species (per cent of fish species expected to occur but not observed) and homogenization (difference in Jaccard's similarity of the fish community among sites observed and expected) were determined. On average, there was a 13.2% increase in the similarity of fish communities across sites, demonstrating evidence of community homogenization. Occurrence of Redbreast Sunfish (Lepomis auritus), Green Sunfish (L. cyanellus) and Bluegill (L. macrochirus) increased more than 50% over time (between observed and expected). Species loss increased significantly with urbanization, whereas homogenization was not related to urbanization. Random forest analysis indicated that herbicides, insecticides and centrarchid species richness were significant predictors of species loss. Of these, generalized additive model regression indicated that herbicides represented the most parsimonious model based on a single predictor. Stream base flow, elevation and total nitrogen were significant predictors of homogenization. Generalized additive model regression indicated that decreased stream base flow was the single most important factor associated with increased homogenization. Chemical contaminants and associated ecosystem alteration and changes in streamflow may represent important regional influences on changes in fish communities in urban streams in the south-eastern United States.     

Export performance of major cultured shrimp producers in the Japanese and US markets

Increase in shrimp farming was stimulated by growth in world market for high-value shrimp products in the 1980s. The major cultured shrimp producers are located in Asia-Pacific and Latin American regions. The revealed comparative advantage (RCA) method is used to provide insights into the export performance of nine selected shrimp producers in the Japan and United States markets, separately. Shrimp is marketed in a wide variety of product forms, and prices vary according to various product attributes including species, size, taste, quality and origin. The results show that vertical product differentiation concerning different varieties of a good in terms of both quality and price plays an important role on the relative export competition of shrimp products among major shrimp-exporting countries. As a result of the geographical advantage, Asia-Pacific producers enjoy comparative advantage in the Japanese imported shrimp market. Joint ventures with the United States provide great benefits to Ecuador and Mexico in exporting fresh shrimp into the United States market.     

Assessment of the aquaculture subsystem in integrated agriculture–aquaculture systems in Northeast Thailand

A survey of integrated agriculture–aquaculture systems (IAAS) was carried out in four different agroecologies, an irrigated and three rainfed agroecologies (drought‐prone, rainfed lowland and rolling land), in Northeast region of Thailand, of tropical wet:dry climate. Fish culture system of IAAS varied with agroecology but not with the length of farmers' experience in IAAS farming. The size of pond holdings in the rainfed lowland agroecology was estimated to be significantly smaller (P≤0.05) than in the three other agroecologies. The highest average extrapolated gross fish yield of 2.3 tonnes ha^?1 was recorded in the irrigated agroecology and this was significantly higher (P≤0.01) than in the three rainfed agroecologies: drought‐prone (1.1 tonnes ha^?1), rainfed lowland (0.5 tonnes ha^?1) and rolling land (0.4 tonnes ha^?1). Higher fish yield in the irrigated agroecology was associated with longer stocking period and higher amount of pond inputs. Average income of IAAS households from fish also varied across agroecology in a fashion that was noted for yields. However, the farm pond played a pivotal role in the diversification of the farming system in rainfed agroecologies, as it was essentially the only source of water supply for fruit and vegetables production. While fish culture in all agroecologies was a low‐input system, intensification through fertilization of ponds with chemical fertilizers can be envisaged to increase fish production in IAAS in Northeast Thailand.     

The influence of land cover composition and groundwater on thermal habitat availability for brook charr (Salvelinus fontinalis) populations in the United States of America

Abstract – Brook charr (Salvelinus fontinalis) is a sentinel fish species that requires clean, cold water habitats generally resulting from landscapes that allow for surface water flows devoid of sediment and contaminants and high groundwater discharge of cold water. As such, brook charr are impacted by land cover changes that alter stream temperature regimes. We evaluated brook charr populations across their eastern and midwestern range in the United States with reference to thermal habitat availability in relationship to land cover and per cent baseflow. We found that while forest cover does protect brook charr thermal habitat, high levels of groundwater discharge can allow for increased levels of agriculture within a watershed by keeping the water cold in spite of warm ambient summer temperatures. Our study concludes that with enhanced communication among land, water and fisheries managers, society can provide for sustainable stream salmonid populations despite increased threats on cold water resources.     

Review on European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax,Linnaeus, 1758) nutrition and feed management: a practical guide for optimizing feed formulation and farming protocols

As increasing amounts of novel raw materials are used in aquafeed production, it is important to measure their quality against existing ingredients and their effects upon production strategies. A first step to achieving this goal begins with an improved understanding of the underlying growth potential of each farmed species across a range of dietary ingredients and farming practices. Species‐specific physiological limitations and metabolic effects of both single chemicals and complex chemical matrixes are factors to be considered in producing robust fish and a healthy aquaculture sector. The industry must also consider ethical, environmental and economic issues and optimize feed management practices. This review summarizes current knowledge on European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) nutritional requirements, presents current feed management practices for this species, gives insights on a secure framework for using plant ingredients in exchange for traditional marine raw materials and outlines its growth potential through a meta‐analysis of the best‐performance results available in peer‐reviewed scientific publications for this species. As the best‐performing fish were mostly those fed high fish meal fish oil control diets, the summarized results have the potential to be used as a quality control for benchmarking future scientific research in this fish species.     

Sludge Production and Management for Recirculating Aquacultural Systems

Waste discharge from recirculating aquacultural systems is typically in the form of sludge composed of partially stabilized excreta, uneaten food particles, and bacterial growth. The amount of solids produced can be estimated using an equation presented in this paper. In a typical recirculating system, total suspended solids (TSS) is the major pollutant of the sludge produced. The production of TSS ranges from 10 to 30% of the feeding rate on a dry weight basis. The ratio of 5-d biochemical oxygen demand to total suspended solids (BOD_S/TSS) of the sludge ranges from 0.10 to 0.2, the total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) content of the TSS ranges from 4 to 6%, and total phosphorus ranges from 0.2 to 2%.
The nature of the waste and the economics of the treatment processes dictate the disposal of aquacultural sludge. Effective clarification of aquacultural waste is critical in reducing sludge volume. Using lagoons for stabilization and storage is the most practical option. While direct disposal by land application seems feasible for rural areas with dry climates, additional stabilization/storage in a lagoon with eventual disposal through land application seems most feasible for a variety of conditions. The effluent produced from the sludge treatment processes can be used for irrigation or for direct discharge after further polishing (treatment).     

Cage aquaculture in Neotropical waters promotes attraction and aggregation of fish

The influence of cage aquaculture on the attraction and aggregation of wild fish was evaluated with an experimental tilapia farming structure. The structure was installed in the Corvo River, Rosana Reservoir, Paranapanema River basin, for 140 days. Samples were taken before and after farming began. Gillnets on the surface and near the bottom at different distances from the cages (0, 100 and 400 m) were used for fish sampling. The effects of the food supply at two protein levels were also analysed: Phase 1 = 32% PB and Phase 2 = 28% PB. Changes in species richness and abundance were observed, with the number of individuals and the fish biomass increasing significantly just after the farming began. Some species, such as Iheringichthys labrosus, presented increased abundance near the cages, while others, such as Plagioscion squamosissimus, were more abundant far from the cages. Auchenipterus osteomystax was the most abundant species during the experiment, especially when the protein content of the pellets was higher. It was demonstrated that farming tilapia in cages profoundly altered the abundance and composition of the wild ichthyofauna, suggesting the need to propose effective regulations for such activities, including fisheries restrictions in farmed areas or even the prohibition of cage farming.     

Total nitrogen,carbon and phosphorus digestibility in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fed with conventional and organic commercial feeds: implications for particulate waste production

Organic fish farming is postulated as a more environmentally friendly activity than conventional activities. However, environmental sustainability as regards waste output has not been addressed. In this respect, the most important environmental problems associated with fish farming are those related with the discharge of particulate wastes. In this study, total nitrogen, carbon and phosphorus digestibility was estimated in a wide size range of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fed a commercially available conventional diet and an organic feed, as a previous step to assessing particulate waste output. Neither fish size nor feed nutrient content was seen to influence nutrient digestibility in either species. The organic diet provided higher carbon but lower nitrogen and phosphorus digestibility than conventional feed in both species. Simulations under real ongrowing conditions resulted in lower values for nitrogen and higher values for carbon particulate wastes when conventional feed was supplied to both species. Particulate phosphorus wastes were 2.6‐ to 3.4‐fold higher for fish fed the organic diet. Restrictions concerning NO the raw materials used for organic diet formulation and differences in nutrient bioavailability between the diets seemed to be the underlying reason for the differences found.     

我国农业实施保护性耕作方式的对策研究

当前,保护性耕作作为一种科学的先进的耕作方式,由联合国粮农组织倡导在全球普及,并已经在全球70多个国家推广应用。全力推进保护性耕作,是促进农业可持续发展的重要途径,对推进我国耕作制度改革,提高耕地质量,提高粮食综合生产能力,建设节约型农业、环境友好型农业、现代农业和生态低碳农业,促进农业增效和农民增收具有重要意义。保护性耕作又是一场耕作制度的革命,是改善生态环境、促进耕地永续利用,确保我国粮食安全的重要战略措施。本文分析了我国农业面临着自然灾害的巨大挑战,提出了我国加快实施农业保护性耕作方式的重要意义和对策。     

DETERMINANTS OF INEFFICIENCY IN NORWEGIAN SALMON AQUACULTURE

This article builds on the literature investigating productivity and efficiency in the Norwegian salmon farming industry. The objective of this article is to investigate the determinants of inefficiency. We use a stochastic frontier approach that allows the estimation of a production function and an inefficiency function. The sources of inefficiency can be separated into temporary shocks and factors that lead to permanent efficiency differences. The results indicate an improvement in technical efficiency over time. This improvement can partly be explained by a restructuring of the industry, with firms becoming bigger and more specialized, as well as by improvements in government regulations. The inefficiency that is still present is mainly the result of temporary shocks. Disease outbreaks seem to be the most important of these temporary shocks, as disease problems lead to early harvesting or destruction of the fish and thereby, obviously, increase inefficiency.     

Comparative susceptibility among three stocks of yellow perch,Perca flavescens (Mitchill), to viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus strain IVb from the Great Lakes

The Great Lakes strain of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus IVb (VHSV‐IVb) is capable of infecting a wide number of naive species and has been associated with large fish kills in the Midwestern United States since its discovery in 2005. The yellow perch, Perca flavescens (Mitchill), a freshwater species commonly found throughout inland waters of the United States and prized for its high value in sport and commercial fisheries, is a species documented in several fish kills affiliated with VHS. In the present study, differences in survival after infection with VHSV IVb were observed among juvenile fish from three yellow perch broodstocks that were originally derived from distinct wild populations, suggesting innate differences in susceptibility due to genetic variance. While all three stocks were susceptible upon waterborne exposure to VHS virus infection, fish derived from the Midwest (Lake Winnebago, WI) showed significantly lower cumulative % survival compared with two perch stocks derived from the East Coast (Perquimans River, NC and Choptank River, MD) of the United States. However, despite differences in apparent susceptibility, clinical signs did not vary between stocks and included moderate‐to‐severe haemorrhages at the pelvic and pectoral fin bases and exophthalmia. After the 28‐day challenge was complete, VHS virus was analysed in subsets of whole fish that had either survived or succumbed to the infection using both plaque assay and quantitative PCR methodologies. A direct correlation was identified between the two methods, suggesting the potential for both methods to be used to detect virus in a research setting.