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Current Advances and Challenges in Fisheries and Aquaculture Science: Feature Papers for the New Journey of Fishes

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A special issue of Fishes (ISSN 2410-3888).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 December 2021) | Viewed by 35264

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Maria Angeles Esteban

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Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Biology, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
Interests: fish immunology; immunostimulation; pollution; diseases; cell biology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Bernardo Baldisserotto

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Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
Interests: physiology; osmoregulation; anesthesia; antibacterials; culture of tropical freshwater fish
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Prof. Dr. Eric Hallerman

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Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 100 Cheatham Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
Interests: genetics education; population genetics; aquaculture; biotechnology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is designed to celebrate the new journey (SCIE indexing) of the open-access journal Fishes and is focused on presenting new ideas and advances at the cutting edge of fisheries and aquaculture science.

Advances in fisheries and aquaculture science often follow the introduction of new tools or analytic methods. For example, the introduction of geographic information systems led to advances in conservation planning and in the siting of aquaculture operations. Advances in genetic marker technologies led to whole-genome sequencing and improved detection of performance- or fitness-related loci, in turn leading to advances in marker-assisted breeding and conservation planning. Among the keys to successful modern aquaculture is the adequate management of the biology of cultivated species, the introduction of technological innovations (health, facilities, food, analysis, etc.), including the monitoring of activities and impacts or increased biosecurity, as well as the development of specific foods or the improvement of sustainability and business organization. All these examples are illustrative, but not exhaustive.

We invite manuscripts presenting studies of how advances in these or in many other directions can contribute to understanding and applications in the fields of fisheries and aquaculture science. We will then make a decision based on comments and suggestions from reviewers on the full manuscript for this Special Issue or as a regular paper.

This will be a dynamic Special Issue, and articles will be published as soon as the reviewers and editors are ready to accept them, without waiting for the deadline for the entire Special Issue to arrive.

Prof. Dr. Maria Angeles Esteban
Prof. Dr. Bernardo Baldisserotto
Prof. Dr. Eric Hallerman
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Fishes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research

3 pages, 184 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Current Advances and Challenges in Fisheries and Aquaculture Science

by Eric Hallerman, Maria Angeles Esteban and Bernardo Baldisserotto

Fishes 2022, 7(2), 87; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/fishes7020087 - 08 Apr 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2458

Abstract

Advances in fisheries and aquaculture science often follow the introduction of new tools or analytic methods [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Advances and Challenges in Fisheries and Aquaculture Science: Feature Papers for the New Journey of Fishes)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

17 pages, 4255 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Effect of Dietary Plant Feedstuffs and Protein/Carbohydrate Ratio on Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata) Gut Health and Functionality

by Catarina Basto-Silva, Irene García-Meilán, Ana Couto, Cláudia R. Serra, Paula Enes, Aires Oliva-Teles, Encarnación Capilla and Inês Guerreiro

Fishes 2022, 7(2), 59; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/fishes7020059 - 07 Mar 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2787

Abstract

This study investigated, for the first time, the integrated effects of dietary protein source and protein/carbohydrate (P/CH) ratio on gilthead seabream gut histomorphology, microbiota composition, digestive enzymes activity, and immunological and oxidative stress-related gene expressions. Four isolipidic diets: two fishmeal-based (FM) and two plant feedstuff (PF)-based diets, with P/CH ratios of 50/10 or 40/20 each (FM-P50/CH10; FM-P40/CH20; PF-P50/CH10; PF-P40/CH20), were tested. PF-based diets lead to more histomorphological alterations than FM-based diets. P/CH ratio had no relevant effect on gut histomorphology. Gut mucosa of fish fed PF-based diets presented a higher number of operational taxonomic units, and richness and diversity indices, while the P/CH ratio did not affect those parameters. The α-amylase activity was lower in fish fed with PF-based diets and in fish fed the P40/CH20 diets. Regarding the immune-related genes, only cyclooxygenase-2 was affected, being higher in fish fed the P50/CH10 diets than the P40/CH20 diets. Fish fed the FM-based diets presented higher expression of glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase, while fish fed the P50/CH10 diet had higher expression of superoxide dismutase. In conclusion, PF-based diets can compromise gut absorptive and digestive metabolism, but decreasing the dietary P/CH ratio had little effect on the parameters measured. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Advances and Challenges in Fisheries and Aquaculture Science: Feature Papers for the New Journey of Fishes)

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13 pages, 1657 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Feed Supplementation with the GHRP-6 Peptide, a Ghrelin Analog, Improves Feed Intake, Growth Performance and Aerobic Metabolism in the Gilthead Sea Bream Sparus aurata

by Leandro Rodríguez-Viera, Ignacio Martí, Rebeca Martínez, Erick Perera, Mario Pablo Estrada, Juan Miguel Mancera and Juan Antonio Martos-Sitcha

Fishes 2022, 7(1), 31; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/fishes7010031 - 28 Jan 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4671

Abstract

The aquaculture sector has experienced rapid and important growth with the subsequent increase of feeding and nutritional issues for sustaining this activity, mainly related to the use of high quality, safe and environmentally friendly feed ingredients. The use of additives in aquafeeds has proven to be a suitable option to improve different productive indicators in farmed fish. In the present study, the effect of adding the GHRP-6 peptide, a ghrelin analog, to a commercial diet of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) was studied at two proportions (100 or 500 μg/kg of feed). Both experimental diets show an increase in growth performance, as well as in feed efficiency after 97 days of experiment. The lower inclusion of GHRP-6 (100 μg/kg) results in a better aerobic metabolism, while the higher inclusion significantly increased plasma GH levels in agreement with the GH secretagogue effects of ghrelin. Similar growth outcome and differences between GHRP-6 levels in aerobic metabolism and GH stimulation suggest that improvements in culture performance by this peptide may occur through different mechanisms. Taken together, this compound can be considered as a viable dietary supplement for increasing production efficiency of sea bream aquaculture, although a better understanding of its dose-specific effects is still required. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Advances and Challenges in Fisheries and Aquaculture Science: Feature Papers for the New Journey of Fishes)

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19 pages, 1751 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Direct and Molecular Observation of Movement and Reproduction by Candy Darter, Etheostoma osburni, an Endangered Benthic Stream Fish in Virginia, USA

by Kathryn E. McBaine, Eric M. Hallerman and Paul L. Angermeier

Fishes 2022, 7(1), 30; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/fishes7010030 - 27 Jan 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2508

Abstract

Direct and indirect measures of individual movement provide valuable knowledge regarding a species’ resiliency to environmental change. Information on patterns of movement can inform species management and conservation but is lacking for many imperiled fishes. The Candy Darter, Etheostoma osburni, is an endangered stream fish with a dramatically reduced distribution in Virginia in the eastern United States, now known from only four isolated populations. We used visual implant elastomer tags and microsatellite DNA markers to directly describe movement patterns in two populations. Parentage analysis based on parent-offspring pairs was used to infer movement patterns of young-of-year and age-1 individuals, as well as the reproductive contribution of certain adults. Direct measurements of movement distances were generally similar between methods, but microsatellite markers revealed greater distances moved, commensurate with greater spatial frames sampled. Parent-offspring pairs were found throughout the species’ 18.8-km distribution in Stony Creek, while most parent-offspring pairs were in 2 km of the 4.25-km distribution in Laurel Creek. Sibship reconstruction allowed us to characterize the mating system and number of spawning years for adults. Our results provide the first measures of movement patterns of Candy Darter as well as the spatial distribution of parent-offspring pairs, which may be useful for selecting collection sites in source populations to be used for translocation or reintroductions. Our results highlight the importance of documenting species movement patterns and spatial distributions of related individuals as steps toward understanding population dynamics and informing translocation strategies. We also demonstrate that the reproductive longevity of this species is greater than previously described, which may be the case for other small stream fishes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Advances and Challenges in Fisheries and Aquaculture Science: Feature Papers for the New Journey of Fishes)

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19 pages, 4329 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Demographic and Life History Characteristics of Black Bullheads Ameiurus melas in a North Temperate USA Lake

by Logan W. Sikora, Joseph T. Mrnak, Rebecca Henningsen, Justin A. VanDeHey and Greg G. Sass

Fishes 2022, 7(1), 21; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/fishes7010021 - 14 Jan 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3061

Abstract

Black bullheads Ameiurus melas are an environmentally tolerant omnivorous fish species that are found throughout much of North America and parts of Europe. Despite their prevalence, black bullheads are an infrequently studied species making their biology, ecology, and life history poorly understood. Although limited information has been published on black bullheads, evidence suggests that bullheads can dominate the fish biomass and have profound influences on the fish community in some north temperate USA lakes. The goal of our study was to provide additional information on black bullhead population demographics, growth rates, life history characteristics, and seasonal diet preferences in a northern Wisconsin lake. Using common fish collection gears (fyke netting, electrofishing), fish aging protocols, fecundity assessments, and diet indices, our results suggested that black bullheads exhibited relatively fast growth rates, early ages at maturity, moderate fecundity, and a diverse omnivorous diet. Due to these demographic and life history characteristics, black bullheads have the potential to dominate fish community biomass in their native and introduced range. Results from our study may inform the management of black bullhead as native and invasive species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Advances and Challenges in Fisheries and Aquaculture Science: Feature Papers for the New Journey of Fishes)

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15 pages, 1960 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Larval Development in Tropical Gar (Atractosteus tropicus) Is Dependent on the Embryonic Thermal Regime: Ecological Implications under a Climate Change Context

by Simrith E. Cordova-de la Cruz, Marta F. Riesco, Gil Martínez-Bautista, Daniel Calzada-Ruiz, Talhia Martínez-Burguete, Emyr S. Peña-Marín, Carlos Alfonso Álvarez-Gonzalez and Ignacio Fernández

Fishes 2022, 7(1), 16; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/fishes7010016 - 11 Jan 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3151

Abstract

In ectotherm species, environmental temperature plays a key role in development, growth, and survival. Thus, determining how temperature affects fish populations is of utmost importance to accurately predict the risk of climate change over fisheries and aquaculture, critical to warrant nutrition and food security in the coming years. Here, the potential effects of abnormal thermal regimes (24, 28 and 32 °C; TR24, TR28, and TR32, respectively) exclusively applied during embryogenesis in tropical gar (Atractosteus tropicus) has been explored to decipher the potential consequences on hatching and growth from fertilization to 16 days post-fertilization (dpf), while effects on skeletal development and body morphology were explored at fertilization and 16 dpf. Egg incubation at higher temperatures induced an early hatching and mouth opening. A higher hatching rate was obtained in eggs incubated at 28 °C when compared to those at 24 °C. No differences were found in fish survival at 16 dpf, with values ranging from 84.89 to 88.86%, but increased wet body weight and standard length were found in larvae from TR24 and TR32 groups. Thermal regime during embryogenesis also altered the rate at which the skeletal development occurs. Larvae from the TR32 group showed an advanced skeletal development, with a higher development of cartilaginous structures at hatching but reduced at 16 dpf when compared with the TR24 and TR28 groups. Furthermore, this advanced skeletal development seemed to determine the fish body morphology. Based on biometric measures, a principal component analysis showed how along development, larvae from each thermal regime were clustered together, but with each population remaining clearly separated from each other. The current study shows how changes in temperature may induce craniofacial and morphological alterations in fish during early stages and contribute to understanding the possible effects of global warming in early development of fish and its ecological implications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Advances and Challenges in Fisheries and Aquaculture Science: Feature Papers for the New Journey of Fishes)

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12 pages, 287 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Solid-State Hydrolysis (SSH) Improves the Nutritional Value of Plant Ingredients in the Diet of Mugil cephalus

by Francisca P. Martínez-Antequera, Isabel Barranco-Ávila, Juan A. Martos-Sitcha and Francisco J. Moyano

Fishes 2022, 7(1), 4; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/fishes7010004 - 25 Dec 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2614

Abstract

The possibility of improving the nutritional quality of plant byproducts (brewers’ spent grain and rice bran) through an enzyme treatment was tested in a formulated feed for grey mullet (Mugil cephalus). The enzyme treatment was carried out by Solid-State Hydrolysis (SSH) using a commercial preparation including carbohydrases and phytase. A feed prepared without the treatment and a commercial feed for carp were used as controls. In a preliminary short-term trial carried out at laboratory facilities, fish receiving the enzyme-treated feed showed significant improvement in both FCR and SGR when compared to those obtained with the untreated diet, although both experimental diets presented worse values than those obtained with the commercial feed. Different metabolic indicators including higher values of muscle glycogen and plasmatic triglycerides supported the positive effect of the enzyme treatment on the nutritional condition of the fish over those fed on the diet containing non-treated ingredients. Results of growth and feed efficiency that were obtained in a second long-term trial developed for 148 days under real production conditions evidenced the equivalence among the experimental and commercial diets and confirmed that enzyme pretreatment of plant ingredients by SSH may be a useful procedure to improve the nutritive value of high fiber plant byproducts when included in practical diets for this species and others with similar nutritional features. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Advances and Challenges in Fisheries and Aquaculture Science: Feature Papers for the New Journey of Fishes)

11 pages, 496 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Conservation-Status Gaps for Marine Top-Fished Commercial Species

by Imanol Miqueleiz, Rafael Miranda, Arturo Hugo Ariño and Elena Ojea

Fishes 2022, 7(1), 2; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/fishes7010002 - 23 Dec 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4021

Abstract

Biodiversity loss is a global problem, accelerated by human-induced pressures. In the marine realm, one of the major threats to species conservation, together with climate change, is overfishing. In this context, having information on the conservation status of target commercial marine fish species becomes crucial for assuring safe standards. We put together fisheries statistics from the FAO, the IUCN Red List, FishBase, and RAM Legacy databases to understand to what extent top commercial species’ conservation status has been assessed. Levels of assessment for top-fished species were higher than those for general commercial or highly commercial species, but almost half of the species have outdated assessments. We found no relation between IUCN Red List traits and FishBase Vulnerability Index, depreciating the latter value as a guidance for extinction threat. The RAM database suggests good management of more-threatened species in recent decades, but more data are required to assess whether the trend has reverted in recent years. Outdated IUCN Red List assessments can benefit from reputed stock assessments for new reassessments. The future of IUCN Red List evaluations for commercial fish species relies on integrating new parameters from fisheries sources and improved collaboration with fisheries stakeholders and managers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Advances and Challenges in Fisheries and Aquaculture Science: Feature Papers for the New Journey of Fishes)

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15 pages, 1584 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Effects of Single or Combined Administration of Dietary Synbiotic and Sodium Propionate on Humoral Immunity and Oxidative Defense, Digestive Enzymes and Growth Performances of African Cichlid (Labidochromis lividus) Challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila

by Omid Safari, Mehrdad Sarkheil, Davar Shahsavani and Marina Paolucci

Fishes 2021, 6(4), 63; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/fishes6040063 - 15 Nov 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2622

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential effects of dietary synbiotic (SYN) (Pediococcus acidilactici + Galactooligosaccharides; 10 g kg⁻¹), sodium propionate (SP; 5, 10 and 20 g kg⁻¹) and a combination of SYN + SP on the growth performance, humoral immunity, antioxidant responses and disease resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila of African cichlid (Labidochromis lividus) fingerlings (0.52 ± 0.05 g) in a feeding trial lasting 63 days. A completely randomized design was run with eight treatments, including 0 (control) and supplemented diets containing SYN + SP (e.g., 10 + 5, 10 + 10, 10 + 20, 0 + 5, 0 + 10, 0 + 20 and 10 + 10). The lowest feed conversion ratio value was observed in fish fed the 5 g kg⁻¹-SP and 10 g kg⁻¹-SYN (p < 0.05). The highest values of protein efficiency ratio and protein productive value were recorded in fish fed the 10 g kg⁻¹-SYN (p < 0.05). Fish fed the 10 g kg⁻¹-SYN diet had the highest activities of immunity (lysozyme, immunoglobulin) and antioxidant responses (glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) (p < 0.05). After 28 days post-challenge, the highest survival rate (57%) was recorded in the diet containing 10 g kg⁻¹ SYN and 5 g kg⁻¹ SP. The results indicated that the single administration of SYN or combined with SP, especially at the level of 5 g kg⁻¹ of diet, enhanced the survival and growth performances, humoral immune response, antioxidant and digestive enzymes of African cichlid. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Advances and Challenges in Fisheries and Aquaculture Science: Feature Papers for the New Journey of Fishes)

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17 pages, 3316 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Nondestructive Monitoring of Soft Bottom Fish and Habitats Using a Standardized, Remote and Unbaited 360° Video Sampling Method

by Delphine Mallet, Marion Olivry, Sophia Ighiouer, Michel Kulbicki and Laurent Wantiez

Fishes 2021, 6(4), 50; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/fishes6040050 - 15 Oct 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2885

Abstract

Lagoon soft-bottoms are key habitats within coral reef seascapes. Coral reef fish use these habitats as nurseries, feeding grounds and transit areas. At present, most soft-bottom sampling methods are destructive (trawling, longlining, hook and line). We developed a remote, unbaited 360° video sampling method (RUV360) to monitor fish species assemblages in soft bottoms. A low-cost, high-definition camera enclosed in a waterproof housing and fixed on a tripod was set on the sea floor in New Caledonia from a boat. Then, 534 videos were recorded to assess the efficiency of the RUV360. The technique was successful in sampling bare soft-bottoms, seagrass beds, macroalgae meadows and mixed soft-bottoms. It is easy to use and particularly efficient, i.e., 88% of the stations were sampled successfully. We observed 10,007 fish belonging to 172 species, including 45 species targeted by fishermen in New Caledonia, as well as many key species. The results are consistent with the known characteristics of the lagoon soft bottom fish assemblages of New Caledonia. We provide future users with general recommendations and reference plots to estimate the proportion of the theoretical total species richness sampled, according to the number of stations or the duration of the footage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Advances and Challenges in Fisheries and Aquaculture Science: Feature Papers for the New Journey of Fishes)

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21 pages, 1999 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Aurantiochytrium sp. Meal Improved Body Fatty Acid Profile and Morphophysiology in Nile Tilapia Reared at Low Temperature

by Rosana Oliveira Batista, Renata Oselame Nobrega, Delano Dias Schleder, James Eugene Pettigrew and Débora Machado Fracalossi

Fishes 2021, 6(4), 45; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/fishes6040045 - 08 Oct 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2644

Abstract

Aurantiochytrium sp. is a heterotrophic microorganism that produces docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), thus being considered as a possible replacement for fish oil in aquafeeds. We investigated the effect of Aurantiochytrium sp. meal (AM) dietary levels (0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 g kg⁻¹) on Nile tilapia body and hepatopancreas fatty acid (FA) profile, body FA retention, somatic indices, and morphophysiological changes in the intestine and hepatopancreas, after feeding Nile tilapia juveniles (average initial weight 8.47 g) for 87 days at 22 °C. The 10AM diet was compared to a control diet containing cod liver oil (CLO), since their DHA concentration was similar. Within fish fed diets containing increasing levels of AM, there was a linear increase in n-3 FA content, especially DHA, which varied in the body (0.02 to 0.41 g 100 g⁻¹) and hepatopancreas (0.15 to 1.05 g 100 g⁻¹). The morphology of the intestines and hepatopancreas was positively affected in AM-fed fish. Fish fed 10AM showed less accumulation of n-3 FAs in the body and hepatopancreas when compared to fish fed CLO. Therefore, AM is an adequate substitute for fish oil in winter diets for Nile tilapia, with the supplementation of 40AM promoting the best results regarding intestine and hepatopancreas morphophysiology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Advances and Challenges in Fisheries and Aquaculture Science: Feature Papers for the New Journey of Fishes)

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