WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • DECEMBER 2024 63 environmental sustainability. As our world population continues to grow, the demand for seafood escalates and the strain on natural marine resources intensifies, mariculture emerges as a beacon of hope. By harnessing innovative technologies, adopting responsible practices, and continually advancing our understanding of marine ecosystems, mariculture has the potential to not only meet the world’s seafood needs but also contribute to the preservation of marine biodiversity. Notes Kiran K Ja*, Prakash Saravanan, Agricultural and Food Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, 721302, West Bengal, India. * Corresponding author: kirankjayaraj@gmail.com References Boyd, C. E., D’Abramo, L. R., Glencross, B. D., Huyben, D. C., Juarez, L. M., Lockwood, G. S., McNevin, A. A., Tacon, A. G. J., Teletchea, F., Tomasso, J. R., Tucker, C. S. and W.C. Valenti. (2020). Achieving sustainable aquaculture: Historical and current perspectives and future needs and challenges. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society 51(3):578–633. https://doi.org/10.1111/ jwas.12714 Chor, W. K., Lai, T. Y., Mathews, M. M., Chiffings, T., Cheng, C. W., Andin, V. C., Lai, K. S. and J.Y. Loh. (2022). Spatial Analysis for Mariculture Site Selection: A Case Study of Kukup Aquaculture Zones in the Peninsula of Malaysia. Frontiers in Marine Science, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.888662 (CONTINUED ON PAGE 64) TABLE 2. Key maricultural challenges and corresponding norms. Possible mariculture problems Norms to be followed 1 Accidental incorporation of pathogens via brood stock Strong monitoring and strict quarantine practices or seeds has a high possibility of affecting both cultured are to be followed. Fish seeds, as well as brood stock, as well as wild fish stocks. The release of pathogens are to be properly tested for pathogens and pathogenic into seawater is a serious economic threat. activity by fish behavioural analysis. 2 A large accumulation of organic wastes from fish faecal General mariculture regulations such as the number matter or unconsumed fish feed is a matter of concern. of cages, distance between cages, stocking density, Fish wastes are rich in nitrogen and phosphorous. etc. should be considered while building mariculture Accumulation of such nutrients will cause depletion of units. dissolved oxygen and can be a cause of environmental Polyculture of finfishes, molluscs, and seaweeds can pollution. help nutrient recycling to a certain extent. Waste accumulation can be minimized by feeds with a very high feed conversion ratio (FCR) and effective feeding mechanisms and practices. 3 Biological invasion is a matter of concern by the Scientific research trials are to be practiced before introduction of exotic species such as Penaeus vannamei introducing exotic species. Regular monitoring and or Kapaphycus alverazii to the natural marine environment. behavioural analysis should be done to assess the extent of biological invasion. 4 Escape fish from mariculture compete for food and Mesh size should be of the optimum dimension and spread diseases and harmful traits to wild fish. should be designed based on fish size. Regular monitoring of the number of fish is another way of controlling the escape. The mesh size of the fishing net should be less than the fish size. Mesh size is determined by the size of fish to be harvested. 5. Drugs and chemicals such as antibiotics, hormones, Minimal use of drugs and chemicals is the preventive way anaesthetics, pigments, and vitamins used in fish farming to control this issue. Mariculture cages or nets built in a farming leak into the seawater and pollute the environment. location with a good flow of water can limit the pollutant concentration in a particular place. 6. Predator fish get attracted to the cultured stocks. There is Anti-predator nets should be placed around cages or pens a high chance of predators getting attracted to nets in to restrict predation. The risk of entanglement can be fish farms and often getting tangled. reduced by reducing mesh size using tensioned or stiffened materials or by providing enclosure nets at the bottom. 7. The poor genetic quality of the cultured stock and reduced Disease-resistant brooders are to be selected and vigour are the after-effects of continuous inbreeding inbreeding should be minimized upon considering the in mariculture. maricultural farming regulations.
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