JWAS Editor's Choice Awards 55(1)
The American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) has a high market value for human consumption and th...
Pearl farmers in Polynesia commonly use the ear-hanging method to culture pearl oysters while panel-net methods are used in other countries to produce higher quality pearls. Johnston et al. (2019) used whole-farm data to develop the first economic analysis of culture methods for the black-lip pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera. While panel-net methods had a somewhat greater average cost, savings in labor costs resulted in greater profitability of panel-net methods.
Rapid advances in genetic engineering technologies offer new opportunities to enhance efficiencies and growth in aquaculture, but also pose new challenges. Osmond and Colombo (2019) review the literature related to genetic engineering with a focus on improving aquaculture through nutrition by developing novel fatty acids and amino acids from plant oils, plant meals, and yeast. Consumer acceptance challenges are also discussed.
Concerns over whether U.S. aquaculture is over-regulated have increased. Engle et al. (2019) measured the national on-farm regulatory cost burden on U.S. salmonid farms to be $16.1 million per year, averaging $150,506 per farm and $1.23 per pound. Effluent discharge regulations were the most costly, and regulatory costs were 18 times greater on small farms. The regulatory burden not only increased farm costs but has also constrained growth of the industry.
Continued improvement in production efficiency and profitability are essential for the continued growth of aquaculture. Abdel-Rahim et al. (2019) found that crustacean-enhanced broodstock diets of European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) resulted in improved survival, growth, swim bladder inflation, condition factor, and improved tolerance of post-larvae to salinity/temperature stress tests. Resulting improvements in efficiency were shown to improve profitability.