WorldFish

The global significance of mycotoxins in aquaculture is evident. However, regional vulnerabilities, effects, and inconsistent regulations on mycotoxin contamination remain underexplored. This study integrates a scientometric analysis of research on mycotoxins in aquafeed, published from 1992 to 2023 in Web of Science, with a conventional review of their occurrence in aquafeed and feed ingredients. Bibliometric tools, VOSviewer, and biblioshiny, were used to analyze global research trends, collaborations, and themes. We found a total of 181 publications, authored by 938 researchers from 49 countries, with Brazil leading (25 publications). The Toxins journal accounted for the most publications (23). Aflatoxins, particularly aflatoxin B1, were the most reported mycotoxins, alongside fumonisins, deoxynivalenol, and zearalenone. Mycotoxin occurrence was highest in tropical regions, particularly in East African countries (aflatoxins, fumonisins, deoxynivalenol, acetyldeoxynivalenol, ochratoxin A, roquefortine C, alternariol, T-2 toxin, zearalenone, and zivalenol), and the Southeast Asian countries (aflatoxins, fumonisins, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, and ochratoxin A), where climatic conditions exacerbate fungal growth and mycotoxin production. The findings highlight the global regulations on mycotoxins, the risks associated with the different mycotoxins, and their effects on the health of fish and humans. Our findings emphasize the need for stringent monitoring and regulation of mycotoxins in aquafeeds. Future research should focus on developing effective mitigation strategies and understanding the regional variations in mycotoxin prevalence to safeguard aquaculture productivity and consumer health.

Maximizing shrimp yield necessitates the efficient utilization of key inputs to enhance technical efficiency and overall production performance. This study employs Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) with a double-bootstrap procedure to derive statistically robust efficiency estimates. Using cross-section data of 256 semi-intensive whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) farms in Tamil Nadu, India, the study shows that most farms operate below the production frontier with an average technical efficiency score of bias-corrected, radial, and non-radial measures equivalent to 0.57, 0.60, and 0.38, respectively. Notable inefficiencies in input utilization underscore the need for targeted interventions to refine resource allocation strategies. The divergence between radial and non-radial efficiency scores suggests that while overall input use is relatively efficient, further optimization in specific resource management practices is required. The determinants of technical efficiency scores are farm size, stocking density, culture duration, and specific growth rate, all exerting statistically significant positive effects on shrimp yield. Findings highlight the critical role of strategic resource allocation to enhance farm performance by improving productivity, which helps ensure the long-term viability of shrimp aquaculture.

Recent evidence from developing countries demonstrates the positive impact of agricultural machinery on productivity. However, there is a research gap regarding its impact, particularly on food security. This study examines the effect of agricultural machinery on farm revenue and food security (HFIAS). The analysis is based on data collected from 413 smallholder farmers in the Arsi Zone in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. To avoid selection bias, an endogenous switching regression (ESR) is used, along with propensity score matching (PSM) for robustness. The first-stage ESR results show that factors such as cooperative membership, extension contact, and farm size positively influence machinery adoption, while crop diversification and tropical livestock units reduce the likelihood of adoption. The treatment effect reveals that machinery adoption increases farm income by 70% and reduces food insecurity likelihood by 51%, Counterfactual analyses show that non-adopting households could have enjoyed comparable benefits had they adopted agricultural machineries. These findings are consistent with PSM results. The finding suggests that strengthening extension services is crucial, as they can encourage machinery adoption and enhance food security for smallholder farmers. This research emphasizes the importance of targeted policies to boost machinery adoption, improving productivity and food security.

The success of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) as an aquaculture species is partly the result of continuous selective breeding leading to high performing strains. These elite strains have been derived from breeding populations of diverse origins and crosses with other Oreochromis species. Owing to the complex and unique evolutionary histories of each strain, existing reference genomes of wild populations are unsuitable to implement genomic selection for beneficial traits such as growth or environmental resilience in aquaculture programmes. Here we generated a high-quality genome assembly and annotation of the WorldFish Genetically Improved Abbassa Nile tilapia (GIANT) elite strain using a combination of PacBio HiFi, and Omni-C Illumina sequencing. As a male Abbassa Nile tilapia was used for the generation of the genome assembly, we reconstructed both X and Y haplotypes, identifying both amhY and amhΔy on LG23 indicating that Abbassa likely shares the same sex determination system as GIFT, and thereby differs from the existing reference genome, whose sex determination loci are located on LG1.

Transforming food systems to be healthier, more sustainable and more equitable will require coordinated efforts across diverse sectors. The agricultural sector typically dominates food system governance, potentially risking imbalance in the food systems space and sustaining an emphasis on food availability and agricultural production over more integrated solutions to food system challenges. We examine contemporary food systems governance, with a focus on the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) and on the Pacific and East and Southeast Asian regions. We reflect on the implications of agricultural dominance in the food system space and identify opportunities to support multisectoral food system governance to facilitate positive food system change.

view full article: https://rdcu.be/ehEgq The interaction between climate change and agricultural intensification contributes to biodiversity loss, while widespread degradation of land and water undermine food system productivity. Agroecological principles aim to guide food systems transformation but rarely refer to water or aquatic foods, which are critical elements of nutritious, sustainable and equitable food systems. Here we examine the principles and frameworks presented in agroecological literature and suggest rephrasing of six of the principles to incorporate water, aquatic foods and land- to seascapes. We recommend three cross-sectoral actions that leverage aquatic features in agroecosystems to facilitate more effective transition pathways towards sustainable food systems.

This study presents a literature-based review of Malaysia’s fishery and aquaculture sectors, examining their historical development, production trends, contributions, and challenges. Unlike existing studies that focus primarily on production trends or environmental concerns, this paper provides a policy-oriented perspective, linking production challenges to governance, economic constraints, and gaps in small-scale aquaculture and private-sector involvement. The study show that in 2022, Malaysia’s total fishery production reached 1.89 million metric tons, with aquaculture contributing 30%. While capture fisheries have stagnated due to overfishing and environmental pressures, aquaculture has expanded, playing a crucial role in post-Covid-19 recovery. However, sustainability remains a challenge due to climate change, water pollution, rising production costs, and regulatory barriers. To address these issues, the study recommends promoting sustainable fishing and aquaculture practices, enhancing research and development (R&D), streamlining regulatory frameworks, improving disease management, and expanding economic support and market access. These measures are essential to strengthening Malaysia’s aquaculture sector and ensuring long-term food security and economic resilience.

This study compared the effects of two aquaculture systems, In-Pond Raceway systems (IPRS) and Raceway system (RW), on water quality, growth performance, and production efficiency of two Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) strains: “genetically improved Abbassa Nile tilapia (GIANT) strain” and a non-improved local strain (Kafr El Sheikh) fed diets replacing 10% soybean meal by poultry byproduct meal. Fish (initial weight: 25.0 ± 1.0 g) were stocked at 120 individuals per hapa (1 × 1 × 1.75 m³) in triplicate groups, with 12 hapas per system and reared for 70 days. The water quality parameters (temperature, 27.5–30°C; dissolved oxygen, 6.50 mg/L; pH, 6.8–7.5) remained within the optimal range for tilapia production across both systems. GIANT strain reared in IPRS exhibited 1.38% day⁻¹ higher (P < 0.05) specific growth rate, and survival rate SR was 18.32% higher (P < 0.05) compared to Kafr El Sheikh strain. Similarly, GIANT tilapia achieved in IPRS exhibited 4.26% higher crude protein compared to RW, while crude fat was significantly lower in IPRS (P ≤ 0.05) compared to RW, and the viscera-somatic index (VSI) was significantly lower in GIANT cultured in IPRS correlating with reduced fat content, and there were no significant differences in any parameters measured on diets. In addition, total biomass showed higher (P ≤ 0.05) with GIANT in IPRS system about 689.78 kg/ha, and net yield was 2.20 kg/m³ compared to the Kafr El Sheikh strain. Moreover, Fillet yield increased 8.5% by IPRS-reared GIANT compared to RW systems. This study demonstrates that GIANT Abbassa strain cultured in IPRS outperforms in growth, yield, and fillet quality providing a sustainable model for intensifying tilapia aquaculture.

Parasitic infections threaten the endangered Oreochromis jipe and other ichthyic populations in Lake Jipe, thereby hindering conservation efforts. Initiatives have been made to farm O. jipe as a conservation strategy. To develop effective conservation approaches and ensure the species' survival in its natural habitat and aquaculture systems, it is imperative to understand the diverse parasites in these habitats. Consequently, this cross-sectional study was conducted to determine parasitic loads in tilapias from selected farms and Lake Jipe. A total of 111 fishes were collected (76 farmed, 35 from the lake), comprising 66 O. jipe, 34 Oreochromis niloticus and 11 hybrids of O. jipe and O. niloticus. The fish were euthanized, necropsied and examined for parasitic infections via visual inspection and light microscopy. Out of 111 fishes examined, 58 (52.3%) were infected with 212 parasites, including 135 (63.7%) and 77 (36.3%) from farm and lake habitats, respectively. The prevalence of parasitic infections in fish from the lake and farm habitats was 68.6% and 44.7%, respectively. The most frequently occurring parasite genera identified were Diplostomum (30.63%), Acanthocephalus (20.7%), Dactylogyrus (9.9%) and Contracaecum (2.7%), with mean intensities of 2.9, 3.7, 1.9 and 1.7, respectively. Contracaecum and Camallanus were exclusively found in fish from Lake Jipe, while Euclinostomum and Gyrodactylus were only observed in farmed fish. O. jipe had the highest prevalence of parasitic infections (59.1%), followed by O. niloticus (44.1%) and hybrids (36.4%) (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the examined fishes were infected with diverse parasites, which have both public health concerns (Euclinostomum and Acanthocephalus) and economic significance (Dactylogyrus and Gyrodactylus). Consequently, it is imperative to enhance public awareness and enforce biosecurity measures to mitigate potential health risks and to improve the productivity of the pond culture system and lake ecosystem. These measures will help reduce parasite dissemination and promote sustainable fish production and populations. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Sustainable development aspires to “leave no one behind”¹. Even so, limited attention has been paid to small-scale fisheries (SSF) and their importance in eradicating poverty, hunger and malnutrition. Through a collaborative and multidimensional data-driven approach, we have estimated that SSF provide at least 40% (37.3 million tonnes) of global fisheries catches and 2.3 billion people with, on average, 20% of their dietary intake across six key micronutrients essential for human health. Globally, the livelihood of 1 in every 12 people, nearly half of them women, depends at least partly on small-scale fishing, in total generating 44% (US$77.2 billion) of the economic value of all fisheries landed. Regionally, Asian SSF provide fish, support livelihoods and supply nutrition to the largest number of people. Relative to the total capture of the fisheries sector (comprising large-scale and small-scale fisheries), across all regions, African SSF supply the most catch and nutrition, and SSF in Oceania improve the most livelihoods. Maintaining and increasing these multidimensional SSF contributions to sustainable development requires targeted and effective actions, especially increasing the engagement of fisherfolk in shared management and governance. Without management and governance focused on the multidimensional contributions of SSF, the marginalization of millions of fishers and fishworkers will worsen.

Selective breeding is a potent method for developing strains with enhanced traits. This study compared the growth performance and stress responses of the genetically improved Abbassa Nile tilapia strain (G9; GIANT-G9) with a local commercial strain over 12 weeks, followed by exposure to stressors including high ammonia (10 mg TAN/L), elevated temperature (37 °C), and both for three days. The GIANT-G9 showed superior growth, including greater weight gain, final weight, length gain, specific growth rate, and protein efficiency ratio, as well as a lower feed conversion ratio and condition factor compared to the commercial strain. The expression of growth hormone in the brain of the GIANT‐G9 increased significantly after 6 weeks, although it slightly decreased after 12 weeks. Growth hormone receptor 1 expression also increased significantly after 6 weeks. Muscle insulin-like growth factors (igf1 and igf2) levels up-regulated significantly only after 12 weeks in the GIANT‐G9. Under stress, serum enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)) were significantly higher in the GIANT‐G9, while the commercial strain had lower levels. No significant changes were observed in liver ALP activity among stressed strains. Under stress, the GIANT‐G9 exhibited marked upregulation of splenic Toll-like receptors (tlr2, tlr9, tlr21), myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (myd88), nuclear factor kappa B (nf-κB), interleukin (il) 1β, and il6. Notably, il6 expression was higher than il1β in the spleen, with the opposite pattern in the head kidney. In response to immune stimulation, globulin levels significantly increased in the GIANT‐G9 but with similar values to the stressed commercial strain. Myostatin expression increased in the spleen of the stressed GIANT‐G9. The commercial strain exhibited the best liver catalase and superoxide dismutase activities under stress, while the GIANT‐G9 showed increased liver glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity after exposure to ammonia and temperature stress. Serum lysozyme activity increased in the stressed commercial strain and under temperature stress in the GIANT‐G9 but decreased under other stress conditions. Overall, the stressed commercial strain demonstrated higher survivability than the stressed GIANT‐G9. The study revealed significant interactions between strains and stress factors. The GIANT‐G9 exhibited higher growth rates but lower antioxidant and immune capacities compared to the commercial strain at the juvenile stage of life and production cycle.

Small-scale fisheries are a crucial source of nutrient-dense aquatic foods in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), yet practical tools to manage these fisheries to optimize nutritional outcomes in an ecosystem approach remain limited. We present an analytical framework and predictive model of fishery nutrient profiles under typical multispecies, multi-gear situations. Using six-years of catch data from Timor-Leste, we modelled how different fishing methods, habitats, vessel types and seasons influence the yield of nutrients of public health significance. Our results demonstrate that fishing method and habitat are strong predictors of catch nutritional profiles. Importantly, different combinations of fishing strategies can achieve similar nutritional outcomes, indicating complementary management pathways to enhance nutrient availability for communities while balancing ecological, economic, and human wellbeing goals. This replicable framework provides actionable insights for nutrition-sensitive fisheries management and offers data-driven guidance for policies aimed at improving food and nutrition security in LMICs.

Small-scale farmers in Bangladesh aquaculture face multiple challenges. Among these challenges are the inadequate supply of quality seed, limited credit access, poor availability of quality fish feed, land-use conflicts, the adverse effects of climate change, and the low adoption of best aquaculture management practices. These challenges spiral into low productivity, low incomes, and low food security of households. Extension has been seen as an important tool for technology and knowledge transfer, resulting in increased farm productivity and household food security. However, small-scale aquaculture farmers in Bangladesh lack access to critical extension service needed to improve productivity and their livelihoods. Using Propensity Score Matching, we test whether more decentralized extension systems yield similar food security outcomes as traditional extension models. Analysing data from 1,017 respondent, we find that decentralized extension models lead to improved food security of aquaculture households compared to non-beneficiaries. We recommend among others, the critical need to synergize extension systems, reduce costs and better target aquaculture farmers. Additionally, public-private partnerships can help leverage strengths from various extension approaches for more effective knowledge dissemination to aquaculture farmers, ultimately enhancing their livelihoods.

Context In pursuit of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030, large scale marine protected areas (LSMPAs) are rapidly increasing, especially in small island developing states (SIDS). Many SIDS have limited offshore research expertise or capacity to evaluate the efficacy of LSMPAs. The offshore Palau National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS) necessitated the Republic of Palau to develop its offshore research ability aimed at supporting science-based management. Owing to Palau’s important tuna fishery, investigating tuna reproductive biology in the PNMS was prioritized as a first step in evaluating the protective significance of the PNMS for tuna. Aims The aim of this study was to develop a useful and practical platform to conduct large scale ocean research within the context of SIDS. Methods A platform to conduct offshore research was developed. Reproductive histology and the presence and abundance of larvae were used to investigate tuna reproductive biology in the PNMS. Key results Most tunas sampled were mature, with 3 of the 59 sampled fish actively spawning. Twenty-two tuna larvae were collected across five offshore sites, and modeling results suggest larvae originated from these sites. Conclusions Findings suggest tuna spawn, to some extent, within the PNMS, and the PNMS provides local protection to tuna populations during this time. A research platform with five steps for developing, undertaking and understanding offshore research in SIDS was developed. Challenges and tips experienced are also detailed. Implications This platform can support the ever-increasing demand for offshore research in small island, large ocean states with limited resources and expertise.

Integrated rice-fish (RF) is seen as a valuable system to increase food production and farmers’ income in Africa. To date, no research has been conducted to comparatively assess integrated RF, rice, and fish monoculture systems in Africa. This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic and economic performances and identify constraints and enabling conditions for large-scale adoption of RF systems in Africa. Systematic review and meta-analysis were performed using papers collected from January 1999 to December 2023 and 30 pair-observations. The results showed a significant effect on FGR (+6%) in integrated RF compared to fish monoculture. The production cost increased by 300 USD/ha in integrated RF, but the gross revenue increased by more than 600 USD/ha resulting in an increase in net income by 300 USD/ha compared to rice monoculture. NUE, soil properties, and control of weeds, pests, and diseases were enhanced in the integrated RF compared to rice monoculture. Land ownership, water supply unreliability, access to fish feed and fingerlings, and lack of funding were the major factors limiting integrated RF adoption by farmers. Due to the limited data identified in this study, more field observations and long-term monitoring are necessary on land suitability and management practices for integrated RF.

Introduction Small indigenous species (SIS) of fish are rich in micronutrients that are essential to combat the existing malnutrition in Bangladesh. However, their availability is constantly decreasing due to gradual environmental degradation making their availability irregular and hence expensive in the market. Integrating SIS with carps in homestead ponds is being promoted as a form of nutrition-sensitive aquaculture to enhance both production and consumption of these nutrient-rich species. Various improved pond management techniques (IPMTs) are suggested to boost the nutrition-sensitive carp-SIS polyculture. Objectives This study examines the trends and factors influencing the adoption of IPMTs using the sustainable livelihood framework (SLF) approach. We address the following three key questions: (i) What are the trends in production and consumption of fish, in particular SIS from homestead ponds? (ii) Have farm households adopted or disadopted IPMTs over time? (iii) What are the determinants of adoption and disadoption of IPMTs? Methods Based on primary data of 234 households from Barishal district from 2014 and 2022, we perform significance tests to compare project and non-project households in 2014 versus 2022 and apply fixed effects Poisson regression and fixed effects negative binomial regression models to identify household decisions to adopt the IPMTs. Results and conclusion Quantitative survey results indicate a significant increase in the production and consumption of SIS over time. In 2014, the project households exhibited adoption rates of 60% or more for various IPMTs such as stocking of fast-growing species, pre-stocking liming, pond dike construction, fertilizer application, stocking of high quality fish seeds, aquatic weed control, and turbidity management. However, by 2022, some of these IPMTs were disadopted by project households and only a few techniques, including providing sunlight exposure to ponds, pre-stocking liming, and supplementary feeding, were more widely used. Additionally, many non-project households also increased their adoption rates of IPMTs significantly. The fixed effects regression model shows that adoption is positively influenced by the number of household members participating in aquaculture, size of the pond, sole ownership of the pond and the number of years household has been involved in aquaculture. Follow-up activities such as monitoring and training of the project beneficiaries and government support are recommended to support long-term adoption of the IPMTs.

This perspective reflects on conservation efforts to increase the coverage of marine protected areas in Solomon Islands. We demonstrate that the current model in which international conservation NGOs provide technical and financial support to pilot projects, from which community‐based resource management will spontaneously spread, is misguided. These site‐based projects typically require substantial financial resources, ignore external threats to coastal ecosystems, and tend to bypass existing governance structures, which makes replication in other areas highly problematic. We argue that to effectively support indigenous peoples and local communities in the management of marine resources and, thereby, achieve biodiversity conservation outcomes at scale, it is necessary to move away from site‐based conservation projects and focus instead on strengthening the capability of government agencies.

The production and consumption of food is one of the main drivers of environmental change globally. Meanwhile, many populations remain malnourished due to insufficient or unhealthy diets. Increasingly, dietary shifts are proposed as a means to address both environmental and health concerns. We have a limited understanding of how dietary shifts could alter where food is produced and consumed and how these changes would affect the distribution of environmental pressures both globally and across different groups of people. Here we combine new food flow data linking producing to consuming country with environmental pressures to estimate how a global shift to each of four diets (Indian, EAT-Lancet, Mediterranean, and mean Food Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs)) could affect environmental pressures at the global, country income group, and country level. Globally, cumulative pressures decrease under the Indian, EAT-Lancet, and Mediterranean scenarios and increase under FBDGs. On average, low income countries increase their cumulative consumption and production pressures while high income countries decrease their consumption pressures, and typically decrease their production pressures. Increases in low income countries are likely due to the nutritional inadequacy of current diets and the corresponding increases in consumption quantities with a shift to our diet scenarios. Despite these increases, we believe that three out four of our simulated dietary shifts can be seen as a net benefit by decreasing global pressures while low income countries increase pressures to adequately feed their populations. Additionally, considering principles of fairness applied, some nations are more responsible for causing historical environmental pressures and should shoulder more of the change. To facilitate more equitable shifts in global diets, resources, capacity, and knowledge sharing of sustainable agricultural practices are critical to minimize the increases in pressures that low income countries would incur to adequately feed their populations.