Ruby Gonzalez
From the Editor
BY JEAN KO DIN
Diving back in
Virtual events are here to stay, I think. We lived in a different world when our team at Annex Business Media first started to develop virtual events in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the world to close borders and shelter in place, in order to minimize in-person interactions and prevent the spread of a virus we knew very little about at the time.
We had to pivot very quickly that year because as an industry-based publication, we saw that we could play a role in bringing the hatchery professionals together in a way that the industry never considered before. People were missing the value of going to a physical meeting place, and sharing ideas face-to-face. Virtual events seemed like an attractive alternative when travel was no longer a viable option.
Looking back, I think we expected too much from our virtual events though. We expected them to be a one-to-one replacement for in-person meetings and it was never going to be that, no matter how much we tried with virtual exhibit booths or inchat networking.
power of the virtual event in bringing our hatchery community together under one roof, or I should say, screen.
The World Trout Culture Summit is coming back this year on Oct. 16. We want to continue evolving this project as an avenue to bring the environmental conservation sector and the commercial food production sector together again, under the common goal of trout culture.
Whether it was five years ago or this year, I think our team has really honed in on the power of the virtual event to bring the hatchery community together under one roof, or I should say, screen.
In 2023, we introduced the World Trout Culture Summit. In many ways, the pandemic was now in the rear view mirror. We also knew more about how virtual events worked and we realized that if we picked a niche subject, we could bring a world of experts right to our audience’s screens. That was the goal when we initially launched.
Our Hatchery International audience doesn’t just unite professionals from different geographies, it also unites professionals who work in conservation hatcheries, research lab hatcheries, ornamental fish hatcheries, and food production hatcheries. There are not many opportunities for these crowds to mingle as much as they should.
Whether it was five years ago or this year, I think our team has really honed in on the
VOLUME 26, ISSUE 5 | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2025
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I feel as though the first summit only scratched the surface of the trout world. Now, I hope I’ve gained more understanding that will help me dive back in and dive deeper into the conversation.
We want to talk about research, innovation, climate challenges, market expansion, and best practices of rearing healthy and happy salmonids. At the time of this publication, we are still at the early stages of shaping the agenda, but if you stay up-to-date with our website and our social media, you’ll soon know the leaders and experts we plan to bring to the discussion. There simply is no easier way to bring global professionals together and I hope you can join us.
Our team will only get better and better at harnessing the power of a digital platform. We foresee lots of future opportunities to explore. Maybe there are other niche sectors that we can delve into, like shellfish, seaweed, shrimp, zebrafish, etc. Maybe we can explore a certain type of technology, like water use from full flowthrough, to a partial reuse system, to a hybrid flowthrough, to a full recirculating aquaculture system.
Hatchery work continues to fascinate me with how diverse and wide-ranging the community can be, so it really feels like the possibilities are endless. But, when we select an area of focus, our team has to make sure that we are keeping your interests the priority. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me via email at jkodin@annexbusinessmedia. com. | HI
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OCTOBER 16, 2025
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Back by popular demand and following the success of its inaugural 2023 event, is the World Trout Culture Summit 2025 - an easyto-access online event for trout culturists worldwide. Whether you’re raising trout commercially or for re-stocking purposes, this event is for you! This year’s event will be packed with informative presentations and panel discussions. Learn from international trout experts and industry peers. Register today!
AGENDA*
(UTC-5:00 Eastern Standard Time)
11:00 AM to 11:50 AM Keynote: Trout Powerhouse
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1:00 PM to 1:50 PM Feeding for sustainability * Agenda is subject to change
NOW and choose to watch live on event day or the recordings later at your convenience.
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Ecuador wants to lead in measuring living wage on shrimp farms
In Ecuador, the Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP) and IDH are measuring and validating that their SSP shrimp farm workers are paid a living wage.
Through IDH’s digital platform, Salary Matrix, SSP members can compare what they pay with their region’s estimated living wage. With Salary Matrix, the companies can determine whether their wages meet or exceed the threshold – or fall below. The platform helps companies comply with fair labor conditions, said a press release from SSP.
“We reaffirm that the well-being of the people who make the production chain possible not only can, but must be a priority,” said SSP director, Pamela Nath. “We continue to demonstrate that it is possible to offer premium-quality shrimp, compete in the most demanding markets, and at the same time adhere to the highest social and environmental standards. This measurement will allow us to support that commitment with concrete and verifiable evidence, raise the sector’s social standards, and
inspire more actors in aquaculture to join this race to the top.”
The decision to move forward with this program followed a 2023 pilot project conducted by IDH and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC). The pilot project demonstrated that several Ecuadorian farms met or exceeded the country’s estimated living wage threshold in its southern coastal region, the press release indicated.
The program, which started in Guayaquil on June 11, aims to ensure that participating
shrimp farm companies pay their workers sufficient wages to live in a dignified manner with their families, said the press release.
The Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP) is a group of leading companies committed to transforming the future of shrimp aquaculture. IDH is an international foundation that brings together public and private stakeholders to make global agricultural markets more sustainable and inclusive.
Scientists make healthy salmon feed from carbon dioxide-eating algae
Ferrosilicon plant Finnfjord AS is using algae to “eat” all its carbon emissions. The algae is then incorporated into salmon feed by Nofima, the organization said on its website.
The algae are grown in large tanks. Carbon dioxide – the exhaust from ferrosilicon production – is channeled into the tanks, and the algae produce protein. The algae biomass is then sent to feed producers at Nofima, Skretting, and Cargill, who use a detailed formula to develop the salmon feed, the website indicated.
“We incorporate the algae into the feed and conduct growth trials with the salmon, from fry to slaughter weight. Results so far show that the salmon grow well on the algae feed and are in good health,” said senior scientist Sten Siikavuopio, who leads Nofima’s part of the project.
It turns out, the algae are very high in Omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA and EPA, which salmon
Nofima, Skretting, and Cargill are working together with the ferrosilicon plant Finnfjord AS in Troms to turn all polluting CO₂ from the facility into healthy salmon feed. PHOTO: FINNFJORD AS
need in their diets. Siikavuopio believes algae oil could eventually replace fish oil in fish feed.
Quality scientist Stein Harris Olsen and fish health scientist Elisabeth Ytteborg at Nofima have documented the quality and fish health of salmon that have eaten the algae feed. They say the fish is healthy and unequivocally edible, and the salmon muscle is the same as with salmon fed by other means. So far, Nofima is only adding a small amount of the algae to salmon feed but technology is improving and it is possible to add more algae, said the website.
“With the new feed we have tested, we have managed to include up to 15 percent algae in the feed. Trials so far show that the fish grow and thrive very well with a high inclusion of algae in the feed,” said Siikavuopio.
Pilot project sees carbon emissions drop 15-35% in Ecuador shrimp farms
The project, known as the North Star Shrimp Initiative, helped Ecuador introduce science-based best practices aimed at reducing emissions across the supply chain, said The Nature Conservancy.
“Ecuador is the world’s largest supplier of farmed shrimp,” said the group on its website. “However, shrimp farming is more carbon-intensive than other types of aquaculture, and has a carbon footprint about twice that of salmon farming. Decarbonizing the supply chain is an important step towards a sustainable and robust food system.”
The North Star Shrimp Initiative works directly with farmers, feed producers, distributors, retailers, policymakers, and financial institutions to build a stronger and more sustainable shrimp industry, The Nature Conservancy explained.
The project focuses on reducing on-farm emissions, improving shrimp feed, and restoring mangroves, said the website.
About half of shrimp farming’s footprint is due to energy-intensive water pumps and aerators. To reduce emissions from these sources, the initiative helps farmers transition to clean energy sources and implement technologies to reduce energy use, the website indicated.
As for shrimp feed, almost a third is comprised of soy, the use of which has led to significant deforestation. Also, shrimp feed contains fish meal and fish oil which could be sourced irresponsibly and deplete wild fish stocks. The initiative helps farmers source feed containing soy that has not contributed to deforestation, as well as fishmeal and fish oil from electronically monitored fleets, said the website.
Additionally, shrimp aquaculture has resulted in mangrove deforestation to make room for new farms. The initiative helps to restore mangrove populations, the website indicated.
Following the successful pilot in Ecuador, this model is now being scaled up within Ecuador and applied in Asia.
In a pilot project with The Nature Conservancy, Ecuador’s shrimp farms saw carbon emission reductions of 15 to 35 per cent.
Plans for Mexico’s first aquaculture centre announced at 2025 UN Ocean Conference
Innovaciones Alumbra is launching Mexico’s first global aquaculture centre focused on warmwater, generative, and regenerative systems. The announcement was made at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference.
According to its website, the Center for Applied Aquaculture Innovation (CAAI) is partnered with Innovasea, Santomar, Sol Azul, and other organizations that are committed to restoring oceans, advancing innovation, and building resilient coastal economies.
“Our oceans and their resources are significantly degraded. We must move beyond efforts to do no further harm and take huge strides toward generative and regenerative outcomes. It’s time to invest significantly in advanced technologies and systems,” said Christy Walton, founder of Innovaciones Alumbra. “Our hope is that this centre will accelerate the sector toward business models that restore ocean health and promote biodiversity while producing food and economic opportunities for communities.”
The centre plans to foster scientific and technological breakthroughs in multiple phases of the value chain for finfish, shellfish, and algae. The intent is to bring science, entrepreneurship, and ecosystem restoration experts together to build practical models for the future of food, ocean health, and economic opportunity, said Innovaciones Alumbra in a press release.
The centre will be built in La Paz, Baja California Sur. Once constructed, it plans to offer a variety of state-of-the-art facilities, including laboratories, hatchery, technology, and openocean projects, the press release continued.
Topics of focus will include species validation, advancing applied research and technology, refining production models for small
and medium businesses, and building talent, explained the press release.
The launch of CAAI signals Mexico’s growing leadership in the field of warm-water aquaculture, the press release concluded.
Chinook juvenile mortalities
in West Coast due to eating anchovies, NOAA says
A thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency likely killed up to half of newly hatched winter-run Chinook salmon in the Sacramento River from 2020 to 2021, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported.
The deficiency may be related to adult salmon eating large amounts of anchovies, which have dominated the area recently, said the report. These findings were published in the Pro-
LONG-LASTING AQUACULTURE PUMPS
ceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
“The long-term loss of habitat and water has weakened many California salmon populations, and further declines from thiamine deficiency or other reasons may lead to extinction,” said NOAA.
Anchovies break down thiamine. When salmon eat large amounts of the small fish, they may develop thiamine deficiency, which causes neurological problems that affect swimming and eating, and sometimes death. Scientists do not know why anchovies are dominating the area’s ocean waters.
In 2020, researchers from NOAA and other agencies first noticed juvenile salmon swimming upside down and in other odd patterns, with many dying. After further study, they realized the juveniles were low in thiamine, which is essential to early development, the NOAA explained.
When fish health scientists injected adult female salmon with thiamine upon their return to hatcheries, more offspring were produced healthy. Just-fertilized eggs or just-hatched fry could also be treated in a thiamine bath in hatcheries. However, there is no real way to help wild spawning salmon in the rivers.
After speaking with fishermen who noticed large amounts of anchovies in salmons’ stomachs, the scientists started suspecting excessive anchovy was causing the deficiency.
The Center for Applied Aquaculture Innovation launch was announced at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference.
NOAA Fisheries scientists sort fish during the spring 2024 Rockfish Recruitment and Ecosystem Assessment Survey. PHOTO: NOAA
PHOTO:
Aquaculture could gain more than 20 million jobs by 2050, says World Bank
The aquaculture sector could generate up to 22 million new jobs by 2050, said the World Bank. Their report, entitled Harnessing the Waters: A Trillion Dollar Opportunity in Sustainable Aquaculture, was written with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). It touts aquaculture as “one of the most promising opportunities for building a more sustainable food system over the next 25 years.”
At the rate aquaculture is currently going, business-as-usual investments of US$0.5 trillion could see growth to 159 million metric tons and generate up to 14 million jobs by 2050. However, investing US$1.5 trillion, while an ambitious goal, could increase aquaculture production to 255 million metric tons. This could create up to 22 million jobs, the World Bank said in a press release.
“To realize aquaculture’s full potential, we must shift toward practices that are not only productive, but also environmentally responsible, socially inclusive, and economically viable,” said Genevieve Connors, acting global director at the Department of Environment at the World Bank. “This is a call to action to deepen collaboration, to invest boldly in new aquaculture technologies, and to foster stronger alignment between public and private sectors.”
Aquaculture is responsible for almost 60 percent of our global seafood production. The industry is essential to food security and sustainability. It also has the lowest carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions of all animal production sectors, said the press release.
“Aquaculture is among the most sustainable ways to produce animal protein and will be essential in feeding the world’s growing population,” said Sergio Nates, senior director for aquaculture at WWF. “As the sector continues to expand, it holds immense potential to deliver positive social impact globally. It’s critical that we guide this growth through sustainable and responsible production practices.”
Innovative financing can help the sector to scale and reach its full potential, said the report.
Kentucky SU, South Korean researchers partner to promote aquaculture
Kentucky State University (KSU)’s Andrew Ray is co-leading a joint project agreement between the U.S. and South Korea to foster aquaculture.
The agreement between the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) is intended to boost aquaculture research and collaboration, according to a research.com report.
“We are excited to be working with our friends in South Korea,” said Ray. “It has already been a productive relationship, and I look forward to continuing it. As a country that produces a large amount of seafood, we have a lot to learn from them and as one of the top three research-producing universities in Kentucky, KSU has much to offer people around the world.”
The report explained, as part of the joint project agreement, Ray and South Korean marine shrimp researcher, Bae Sun-Bye, will tour aquaculture facilities in each other’s countries. They
will meet with researchers and government officials to help enhance aquaculture research potential in the U.S. and South Korea.
The agreement also includes funding for research each year, said the report.
As a result of this work, Ray has been conducting research on flounder. His master’s student has been examining effects of flounder stocking density in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). Ray is also exploring the potential for Kentucky farmers to produce fresh seafood locally, research.com said.
In his most recent visit to South Korea, Ray toured Raon Bada, an olive flounder farm that produces 40 tons of flounder per year using RAS technology, the report said.
The report also indicated, farmers in South Korea have started using RAS with certain filters to clean the water and allow it to be reused. In this way, they hope to reduce the incidence of diseases in their fish and increase production.
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Secret ingredient
The search for new fish feed ingredients continues in the research space
By Ruby Gonzalez
The quest for sustainable and cost-effective fish feed ingredients is a continuous journey in aquaculture research.
As the industry strives for more environmentally friendly practices and reduced operational costs, scientists are looking beyond conventional feed sources. This search is leading to some surprising discoveries, from common pond pests like snails to innovative uses for macroalgal co-products and the vast potential of microalgae.
The goal is clear: develop alternative diets that support healthy fish, ease the financial burden on farmers, and contribute to a more sustainable future for global fisheries.
Another way of looking at pests
The solution may just be hiding in plain sight. The abundance of snails, Pirenella supracretacea, growing in the earthen ponds is always a cause of concern. One day, Edgar Somblingo, officer-in-charge at the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center-Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC-AQD) at the Dumangas Brackishwater Station, started seeing it in a different light.
What he, like the rest, had considered as pest before, he now saw as a candidate feed ingredient in the cultured snubnose pompano (Trachinotus blochii) diet. It is a known fact that the fish eat mollusks in the wild.
Snubnose pompano is a high-value species and may be described as a “most edible fish” because of its size, taste, and texture profile. Historically, it thrived only in the high-salinity environment of marine waters. Now it can be raised in brackish waters as well.
Rearing and growout protocols are in place, making it relatively easy to raise. Fingerling supply is improving. Among the suppliers is the SEAFDEC-AQD’s hatchery seedstock division, which sells the species as newly-hatched larvae and fry.
What is there not to like? Farmers in the Philippines say that feed expenses could be slashed.
Currently, cultured pompano is fed with 100 percent commercial diets, which can represent 50 per cent of the operation costs.
Somblingo is leading research that studies the feasibility of the snail as a “cost-efficient alternative diet” in pompano.
In the experiment, one group is given only commercial feed, and the other a commercial diet supplemented with snails. The conclusion has yet to be released.
Should the commercial feed-snail combo diet be effective, it would provide a two-pronged advantage.
“If proven to be successful, fish farmers will be greatly benefitted. First, it could cut down the cost of pompano feeding, making the fish affordable for everyone. Next, pompano may be a biological control agent for the snail population – reducing the need for chemical inputs, such as molluscicides, in pond culture operations,” SEAFDEC-AQD said in a press statement.
SEAFDEC-AQD researchers have developed a keen eye for identifying abundant and readily available alternative feeds. In 2023, for instance, its team of experts released a study on inclusion of polychaete mud worms (Marphysa iloiloensis) in the Indian white shrimp (Penaus indicus) diet. It was established that with feeding even once a week, the diet can improve fish reproductive performance and offspring quality in the hatchery.
Macroalgal co-product
A study conducted in the U.S. showed the efficiency of a macroalgal co-product in juvenile trout diet. It showed that this can replace 100 percent fish meal (FM), with performance indicators comparable to diet with 100 per cent FM.
This feed formulation had similar final weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, feed intake, and specific
Microalgae has been identified as a “transformative alternative” fish feed because of its high-quality protein and amino acids content.
growth rate to those using zero per cent, 33 per cent, and 66 per cent replacement of FM.
“This study clearly shows that the high (100N) inclusion of microalgae co-product in rainbow trout diets is comparable to FMbased diet, with no significant differences in growth metrics, fatty acid composition, and lower economic conversion ratio,” wrote authors Pallab K. Sarker, et al. in “Towards sustainable aquafeeds: microalgal (Nannochloropsis sp. QH25) co-product biomass can fully replace fishmeal in the feeds for rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ),” published in Foods journal.
The results indicate that the microalgal co-product “may be a practical approach to fully replace FM in rainbow trout feed.”
Nannochloropsis sp. QH25 co-product is a leftover after oil extraction for nutraceuticals.
In terms of dollar-per-kilogram of trout production, the conversion ratio is almost identical in fish fed with the reference of 100 per cent FM and fish fed 100 percent with microalgal co-product feed at $0.88 and $0.86, respectively. This result was traced to “slightly higher feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the microalgal co-product feed compared to the reference feed.”
The current scale and technologies available largely contribute to the price of Nannochloropsis sp. “It is predicted that with the emergence of large-scale facilities, the cost of microalgal biomass and feed will decrease, making it more competitive,” the study said.
Microalgae cultivation pathways
Microalgae has been identified as “a transformative alternative” fish feed. These have high-quality proteins containing all essential amino acids.
The trait is complemented by fast growth rates and being able to thrive in extreme environments. Water requirements, for example, can even be saline or wastewater. Under optimal conditions, biomass can grow by 100 percent within a few hours. It also has an active role in carbon capture.
As a food source, microalgae is not limited to animal feed but may be used for human food as well. It plays a role in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for zero-hunger. It features prominently as well in about 50 per cent of the SDG, including climate action, clean water and sanitation, and affordable and clean energy.
Production, however, is hampered by several factors.
In the review, “Advancements and challenges in microalgal protein production: A sustainable alternative to conventional protein sources,” authors Sameh S. Ali, et al. provided a comprehensive analysis of the latest advancements, challenges, and future perspectives in microalgal protein production.
Microalgae cultivation of four primary metabolic pathways was discussed, specifically phototrophic, heterotrophic, mixotrophic, and photoheterotrophic. Of the four, phototrophic cultivation is the most widely used. The main requirements explain this. Sunlight is the primary source of energy and CO2 is the carbon source.
“This approach is highly scalable and suitable for outdoor biomass production, making it a preferred choice for large-scale operations,” they recommended.
Its downsides stem from light limitations in dense cultures, contamination risks in open systems, and high evaporation rates in outdoor ponds.
“To address these limitations, innovations in photobioreactor design and light manipulation are being explored. Closed photobioreactors (PBRs) offer better control over growth conditions but are energy-intensive and costly to operate,” it was cited.
Just like phototrophic cultivation, the three other pathways have their respective pros and cons in terms of suitability for large-scale production.
Scalability and economic feasibility remain major challenges in microalgal protein production, said the authors.
They emphasized the need for cost-reduction strategies, genetic engineering for enhanced yields, and industrial-scale process optimization. “By integrating innovative extraction techniques with biorefinery models, microalgal proteins hold immense potential as a sustainable, high-quality protein source for food, feed, and nutraceutical applications.”
The review was published in BMC | HI
Pirenella sp. is a tiny snail that grows abundantly in earthen ponds, where it is considered a pest. Its feasibility as a supplemental diet in snubnose pompano is being studied. PHOTO: SEAFDEC-AQD
BY MAGIDA TABBARA
Feeding the crowd Feed for Thought
Magida Tabbara is a PhD candidate in Aquaculture at Auburn University with an emphasis on aquatic animal nutrition. She has over five years of experience in aquatic nutrition, feed formulations, and feed manufacture, in addition to experience in scientific writing, technical writing, and journalism.
Anticipating good shrimp growth at high stocking densities
The production of Pacific white shrimp has flourished significantly over the past decade.
The increased production of this shrimp in particular is due to the fact that the Pacific white shrimp possesses a number of desirable factors that make it the animal of choice for aquaculture. Aside from the increased demand for it, Pacific white shrimp is known to grow at very fast rates, reaching market size very quickly and allowing for multiple crops per season. Additionally, the shrimp can tolerate high stocking densities, which allows farmers to raise more animals within the same available volume of water they have.
Despite those attractive traits, shrimp farmers still have concerns about cost-effectiveness and shrimp farming efficiency. In the end, the farmers want to maximize their yield while paying the minimum possible.
To achieve that, there are many things to take into account, including the quality of feed offered, the type of system where the shrimp are being raised, and of course, how many shrimp were stocked in the same medium. Targeting a happy medium that combines proper management of feed, feeding, system dynamic, and how many animals to stock helps achieve a big crowd of big shrimp and increase economic returns.
The perfect balance
Farmers, just like any person, prefer cheaper feed for their animals. However, buying cheap feed does not necessarily decrease production cost.
Shrimp growth and production efficiency are elementarily affected by feed: feed quantity, frequency, feeding rates, and protein content. Protein quality (i.e., source of protein, animal or plant-based) and quantity (protein level) in the feed offered to the shrimp
is definitely a primary consideration for good yields.
In particular, the level of protein in the feed affects its cost considerably, which in turn is reflected in high production expenses. Some would think that shrimp could grow well if offered lower levels of high-quality proteins.
That may be true to a certain extent. Looking into biofloc systems, for instance, which are used in shrimp hatcheries, production expenses are strongly influenced by a complex dynamic between the protein content of the feed, feed input, and water quality.
In a study performed in an intensive biofloc system, shrimp weight gain was significantly affected by the protein level in the feed. Formulated to use the same high-quality protein sources, shrimp grew the best when offered feed formulated to contain 40 percent protein.
Interestingly, in such a system, the shrimp didn’t seem to grow the same when offered lower protein levels in the feed, even when the feed ration was increased to equate feeding 40 percent protein feed at the standard feeding ration.
When cost-effectiveness was analyzed, it was obvious that utilizing feed with higher protein content (35-40 per cent protein) resulted in the lowest feed cost per kilogram of shrimp produced. In other words, investing in feed containing adequate levels of protein for the shrimp ended up being more cost-effective than buying cheaper feed with a lower protein content. These results differed when the culture system was changed, as well as stocking density of the shrimp.
Making good use of all nutrients
Shrimp are versatile organisms and can be cultured in a variety of aquaculture systems.
Despite a majority of commercial production taking place in ponds, systems like algae-based or green water, biofloc, and mixotrophic systems are emerging as important culture systems in hatcheries.
Biofloc and mixotrophic systems, in particular, contain a wide range of microorganisms that can serve as
Targeting a happy medium between feed costs and production efficiency is a constant battle in shrimp farming.
feed for the shrimp. Additionally, such microorganisms help improve biosecurity by competitively excluding harmful microorganisms.
Furthermore, the bacterial part of those microorganisms help improve water quality parameters, leading to less water exchange needed, and serving as an additional nutrient source, which improves feed efficiency. Such systems, in combination with high-quality feed that contains adequate protein levels (35-40 per cent), can improve shrimp growth and increase yield.
In the attempt to further increase their yield, shrimp farmers try to intensify their stocking densities, aiming for big batches of big shrimp with every crop. However, such behavior can be a double-edged sword.
Stocking density strongly influences the economic viability of the shrimp farm or hatchery, as well as the health of the animals. Despite biofloc and mixotrophic systems
Investing in shrimp feed with adequate levels of protein ended up being more cost-effective than buying cheaper feed with a lower protein content.
offering additional nutrient sources to the shrimp, stocking them at higher densities can still stress them, mainly because of competing for resources, but also because of the decreased oxygen levels and degradation of water quality.
A study that evaluated shrimp growth at high stocking densities in both biofloc and mixotrophic systems concluded that deciding on a shrimp stocking is a strategic decision. The decision should be carefully taken based on the production goals of the facility: whether they want to boost their yields, achieve market size quickly, or deliver big size shrimp for their customers.
Once a goal is set, farmers ought to carefully manage their system in terms of proper feed selection, optimizing feed management, and keeping an eye on water quality.
Feed for thought
Shrimp farming is a dynamic process that can be tailored to meet the farmers’ production goals.
While we can answer questions like which protein sources are good ingredients in shrimp feed and how much protein the animals need, answering what the “perfect” system and “optimal” stocking density are remain open-ended questions with no right or wrong answer.
Each farmer must have a firm grasp on what they’re doing in the system they choose to raise their animals in, and how to manage it properly to achieve their final desired outcomes.
Feed your crowd: offer them what they need, as much as they want, while anticipating good growth and minimum mishaps. | HI
References
Bajracharya, S., Roy, L. A., García, J. C., & Davis, D. A. (2025). Stocking density and growth of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei in intensive recirculating (indoor biofloc and outdoor mixotrophic) systems. North American Journal of Aquaculture, 87(1), 28-36.
Bajracharya, S., Foes, G. K., Roy, L. A., García, J. C., & Davis, D. A. (2025). The effects of different dietary protein levels and feeding rations on water quality and growth performance of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) reared in individual biofloc culture systems. Aquaculture Research, 2025(1), 9447598.
Uganda’s aquaculture dream
Dewilos Fish Farm wants to empower farmers and boost food security
By Bob Atwiine
In the heart of Northern Uganda, where lush wetlands meet the sunbaked soil of Lira City, a quiet revolution in aquaculture is taking shape.
At Dewilos Fish Farm, a five-acre hub of innovation and determination, Fiona Achayo Birungi and her husband, Felix Edie Owilo, are building what is set to become the region’s largest fish hatchery, an ambitious facility with the capacity to produce over 800,000 fingerlings annually. But this isn’t merely a story about numbers. It is a testament to vision, resilience, and a bold reimagining of how Africa can sustainably feed itself while cultivating prosperity below the water’s surface.
Located in Arecho Cell, Amuca Ward, Lira West division, Lira city, Achayo describes her daily routine as a mix of hatchery management, pond maintenance, water quality monitoring, and feeding. She emphasizes the importance of efficiency guided by a detailed daily work plan and supported by a dedicated, skilled workforce.
Since its founding in 2019, Dewilos has evolved from a handful of modest ponds into a model enterprise, integrating fish farming with piggery, poultry, and organic innovations.
Lessons from the Netherlands
Armed with insights from a government-sponsored training trip to the Netherlands and honored as Uganda’s Best Farmer of 2023, Achayo is championing climate-smart practices and youth employment in a region long overlooked and shattered by war and insecurities but full of potential.
“The trip to the Netherlands was my turning point as a fish farmer,” she says. “I learned about innovative pond designs, like concrete ponds, efficient water recycling systems, sustainable feeding, and even modern packaging methods. Today, we have five concrete ponds, and we have introduced low-cost tarpaulin ponds made from wood and tarpaulin ideal for smallholder farmers.”
The farm now boasts 22 earthen ponds, 11 tarpaulin ponds, and 5 concrete ponds. Dewilos also cultivates Azolla, a nutrient-rich aquatic plant, and raises black soldier fly (BSF) larvae, producing up to 100 kilograms daily to feed their fish and poultry alongside a growing piggery project. The farm mainly produces Nile tilapia and catfish.
“These innovations have significantly improved productivity and sustainability,” Achayo adds. “Tarpaulin ponds are not only affordable
PHOTOS: BOB ATWIINE
Fiona Achayo and her husband Felix Owilo teaching smallholder fish farmers how to produce black soldier fly larvae feed.
but offer better water quality control. Organic feeds like Azolla and BSF promote faster, healthier fish growth.”
Tackling climate change head on Northern Uganda, with its semi-arid climate, faces unpredictable weather, high temperatures, erratic rainfall, and prolonged dry spells. Achayo says climate change has deeply impacted local fish farming.
“We have seen extreme rainfall that floods ponds during the wet season, and in the dry season, ponds can dry up completely,” she explains. “This requires backup water supplies and often increases operational costs.”
To build resilience, Dewilos has implemented climate-adaptive practices including pond bunkers lined with lime and solid-filled sacks, tree planting to combat erosion, and a water pumping system to transfer water between ponds. Two reservoir ponds have also been constructed to ensure water availability year-round.
Tackling climate change has not stopped inside and around the farm; the company has made further steps to educate and support local farmers in understanding the link between climate change and aquaculture, and adapting their own practices accordingly. It provides farm training and education using the media on climate-smart aquaculture practices. It has again helped to build a water recycling system for small-scale farmers, empowering them to adapt to climate change.
“We have given our neighbours each 20 trees to plant in their neighbourhood to ensure that even the environment around us is protected to overcome the effects of climate change,” she says.
With the region’s growing concerns of sustainable water use and conservation, Achayo implemented efficient water management systems to minimize waste and ensure sustainable use of water by building two reservoir ponds to collect and distribute water to the other ponds.
High Capacity pumping, grading & counting fingerlings (2,5’’)
High Capacity transfer & counting fingerlings (2,5’’)
Dewilos farm workers feeding fish inside tarpaulin ponds.
management.
“We aim to expand operations, become the most reliable fingerling source, maintain consistent fish production, create more jobs, and promote sustainable practices.”
Lending a hand
To ensure accessibility for smallholder fish farmers, Dewilos has embarked on establishing distribution points across the region, making it easier for smallholder farmers to access fingerlings.
The company also offers competitive pricing for fingerlings, making them affordable for smallholder farmers, and provides training and support to smallholder farmers on best practices in fish farming including handling and care of fingerlings.
“We have partnerships and collaboration with local organizations, cooperatives, and extension services to reach more smallholder farmers and provide necessary support. We also regularly monitor and evaluate the quality of fingerlings and the satisfaction of smallholder farmers to identify areas for improvement,” explains Achayo.
With steady growth and increasing production capacity, Dewilos is poised for expansion across the East African region.
“We now have the infrastructure to scale up. While our primary market remains Uganda, especially Northern Uganda, we are exploring export opportunities to Kenya, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” says Achayo.
“Our long-term vision is to become a leading aquaculture player in East Africa, known for quality fingerlings and sustainable practices. We are laying the groundwork, strengthening our logistics, distribution networks, and meeting regulatory standards for exports.”
Currently, Dewilos is the chief supplier of fish to the districts of Gulu, Oyam, Amuria, Kwania, Omoro, Lira, Kole, Dokolo among others.
Learning from Africa’s best
Dewilos draws inspiration from successful hatcheries across the continent.
“We have studied aquaculture models from Kenya, Nigeria, and Egypt,” says Achayo. “Kenya’s disease-resistant fingerling programs and hatchery systems are impressive. Nigeria’s success lies in innovative feed production and strong public-private partnerships. From Egypt, we have learned about water optimization and the importance of research and development.”
By applying these insights, Dewilos is building sustainable production systems, improving fingerling quality, and nurturing collaborations with local farmers, researchers, and private sector players.
Felix Eddie Owilo, who co-owns the farm with wife Achayo, adds that Dewilos is quickly becoming a leader in aquaculture innovation across Northern Uganda.
“One of the biggest challenges in fish farming is the cost and availability of quality feed,” he notes. “We have tackled that by growing our own azolla and BSF larvae. It has allowed us to produce healthier fish more affordably. The production of BSF reduces the costs of buying maize bran and the fillets. You produce your own BSF, you
Fiona Achayo and farm staff training fish farmers about pond and water
have your own azolla and your expenses on feeding are reduced,” explains Owilo.
Dewilos is also pioneering broodstock crossbreeding to enhance genetic quality and growth rates. The farm is now capable of harvesting Nile tilapia weighing up to two kilograms and catfish averaging three kilograms within a six-month cycle.
To achieve consistent, high-quality fingerling production, Dewilos is investing in rigorous hatchery management practices.
“We carefully select broodstock for disease resistance and genetic diversity,” Owilo explains. “We grow them for one to two years before breeding. We monitor water quality and follow standard operating procedures for spawning, larval rearing, and fingerling production.”
These systems ensure that Dewilos delivers fingerlings that are both healthy and reliable for farmers across the region.
Looking ahead
From humble beginnings in 2019 to becoming the largest fish and fingerling supplier in Northern Uganda, the journey has not been easy.
“We faced major hurdles,” Owilo recalls. “Lack of skilled personnel, high operational costs, and limited access to affordable quality feed were major challenges. Initially, we funded the farm from our salaries and small loans.”
Importing feed remains expensive, and the technology to produce it locally is still limited, especially for fish fry. By growing azolla and BSF, the farm has significantly cut costs without compromising quality.
Owilo explains that the company plans for partnerships with other hatcheries in East Africa and beyond in the areas of collaborative research and development, sharing expertise and technology, coordinated production and distribution, and trade agreements to facilitate cross-border transactions.
“I see significant potential for cross-border partnerships and regional value chains in aquaculture. The East African region, in particular, presents opportunities for collaboration and mutual benefit. For example, partnering with hatcheries or fish farms in neighboring countries could enable the exchange of genetic materials, best practices, and technology,” he says.
“Regional value chains could also enhance market access, enabling hatcheries like Dewilos to supply fingerlings or fish products to a broader customer base. This could lead to economies of scale, improved quality, and increased competitiveness.”
He stresses that by working together with other countries in the region, Dewilos and other hatcheries can take advantage of new opportunities, grow their business together, create and improve market stability, create jobs for the local community, and increase food supply.
Owilo calls for harmonization of fish hatchery standards and regulations across African countries in order to ensure quality fingerling production and trade. He says this is crucial for ensuring quality because it can facilitate regional collaboration, improve quality control, and promote sustainable aquaculture practices.
“Our dream is to become Northern Uganda’s largest fish farm,” Owilo concludes. “We want to raise awareness about aquaculture, ensure food security, and boost the region’s economy. We aim to expand operations, become the most reliable fingerling source, maintain consistent fish production, create more jobs, and promote sustainable practices.”
As Africa embraces the promise of the blue economy, Dewilos Fish Farm may well be the blueprint the continent needs where innovation, resilience, and sustainability converge to feed a future from beneath the water’s surface. | HI
BUILT LIKE A TANK.
PERMALON® AQUACULTURE LINERS
Recirc in Action
BY SCOTT TSUKUDA AND KATA SHARRER, FRESHWATER INSTITUTE
DIY manufacturing for RAS success
While scrolling on your phone, you’ve probably seen applications of amazing technologies created by advanced manufacturing methods like computer numerical control (CNC) machining and 3D printing. Examples range from prosthetic hand replacements to 3D-printed shoes.
While these may spark your imagination, these methods can also be used to solve problems on your farm.
Additive vs. subtractive manufacturing
3D printing and CNC machining were developed in the mid-20th century. In the last decade, both have undergone major advancements, making them more affordable and accessible for users. On a fundamental level, these manufacturing technologies represent two different approaches – adding or removing material.
3D printing is an additive process that builds objects using filament, powders, or resins. Fused filament fabrication (FFF) is the most popular entry-level method because it is inexpensive, safe, and easy to use. FFF printers produce objects by extruding single-material thermoplastics like PLA, PETG, ABS, or composites with materials such as carbon fiber, wood, or metal through a heated nozzle to build objects layer by layer.
When using composites, molten plastics serve as the binding agent to ensure the materials can flow through the nozzle, and the secondary material adds desirable properties such as strength, heat resistance, or appearance.
In contrast, CNC machining is a subtractive manufacturing process where material is cut away, layer by layer, from a solid block to create an object. CNC machining begins with stock materials such as foam, wood, plastic, or metal to produce the desired item. There are many ways to achieve this, whether through metal cutting bits, lasers, or water. Bit-based machining, also called CNC routing, is the method discussed in this article.
The applications of 3D printing and CNC machining overlap and complement each other. Choosing one over the other depends
on the project requirements, goals, and the equipment capabilities.
In general, FFF 3D printing is excellent for rapid prototyping. Applications include creating parts with fine detail or complex geometries that may be hard to produce as a single piece. FFF 3D-printed parts can be robust, but they are often not watertight, and strength depends on print layer orientation and material choice.
In comparison, CNC routing allows for making parts from more durable materials like PVC, aluminum, or steel, but the process may involve more steps for a final product.
Getting started
New users might feel overwhelmed by the requirements to get started. Selecting equipment, materials, and software can be daunting, but many online resources, such as product reviews, user forums, and how-to videos, are available to help.
Generally, to go from design to production, you start with a concept drawn in computer-assisted design (CAD) software, convert that drawing into code your equipment understands, and then print or cut out your design. You will need to choose the manufacturing process, select appropriate materials, and determine how much time and resources you can allocate.
Although this technology is valuable, it may not be the best solution for all problems.
Existing approaches may provide easier solutions without requiring a lot of time to develop a new process.
Below are some important tips for starting in onsite manufacturing:
1. Starting with dependable hobby-grade machines and straightforward designs will help build confidence.
2. A quick way to improve is to download designs by others and print or cut them on your machine. There are many websites where creators share and sell designs.
3. Experiment and iterate instead of expecting your first attempt to be perfect. Approach the process with a mindset of continuous improvement or use the PlanDo-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle to turn a good solution into a great one.
4. Prototyping a custom part onsite lets you quickly test a feature or material and make changes before committing to a final version.
5. If you need further refinement, better durability, or larger volumes, consider outsourcing manufacturing to a local or online machine shop. This option is also useful if you can’t justify buying a higher-end machine.
RAS applications
The following are some examples of how we’ve used CNC machining and 3D printing to provide custom solutions for improvements at our aquaculture facility.
Scott Tsukuda is the director of operations at The Conservation Fund’s Freshwater Institute in Shepherdstown, W. Va., USA.
Kata Sharrer is a research support specialist at The Conservation Fund’s Freshwater Institute in Shepherdstown, W. Va., USA.
CNC machining a pipe inlet manifold. The Freshwater Institute shares some lessons using 3D printing and CNC machining technology to build system components.
Aquaculture systems
Although aquaculture systems are designed and built for specific production goals, operators have always relied on observations and experience to modify or “hack” equipment for improvements. Employing these onsite manufacturing technologies enables operators to refine their hacks to achieve higher quality results.
In the past, we manually drilled holes in PVC pipe to create inlet manifolds. While this process produced a functional part, switching to CNC machining improved the precision of the holes and increased production speed.
To streamline the daily cleaning process in our early life-stage tanks, we replaced wedgewire drain screens with CNC-machined flat drain plates. We cut custom-fit plates from off-the-shelf perforated PVC stock for these tanks. Additionally, we used the CNC to engrave tank identifiers on each plate.
Maintenance and repair
Facilities often accumulate equipment over time. Finding replacement parts for aging equipment can be difficult, especially for older models or if the manufacturer is no
longer in business. Having the ability to print or cut a replacement part extends equipment life and may even save time compared to searching for substitute parts.
We used 3D printing to create a custom part for a microscreen filter when float switches were catching on the side of a vertical pipe, preventing the filter backwash from operating consistently.
To solve this problem, staff designed a custom bracket that prevented the float switches from catching. Once the final design was validated, we printed all of the six brackets needed in one production run.
After unsuccessfully trying to find parts to fix broken floor drain plates, we were able to quickly solve the problem by CNC machining our own heavy-duty replacements.
Safety
Maintaining a safe workspace is critical to prevent downtime caused by injury. Sharp edges and protruding objects can pose risks to the head, hands, or other body parts. Accessing equipment may be awkward, increasing the chance of bumps or scrapes. Whether after an injury or in anticipation of one, 3D printing can help make the workplace safer.
After installing racking to support new chiller plumbing, some locations had protruding metal that prevented safe access. To fix this, we printed a colored endcap with flexible filament to visually alert to the hazard and cushion any accidental impact. Another way to soften sharp edges is to build a rounded edge or fillet into a cap or cover.
Summary
Tools and technology once exclusive to industrial settings are now accessible to more people, including RAS operators. Using 3D printing and CNC machining at your facility can help you address challenges and innovate custom solutions. | HI
Drum filter float switch mount CAD model (left); installed 3D-printed part (right).
Showcase
BioMar doubles vitamin D levels in salmon diets
BioMar has increased the Vitamin D3 levels for all their salmon diets by more than double, they said in a press release.
In 2019, the European Union raised the maximum permitted Vitamin D3 levels in salmonid aquafeed from 2,500 to 60,000 IU/ kg. Research conducted by BioMar since then found that increasing Vitamin D3 levels in the diet led to a proportional increase in fillet D3 content. There were no negative effects on fish performance, feed intake, or feed conversion, said the press release.
“Vitamin D is crucial for fish health, supporting bone development, calcium regulation, and
immune function,” said Pedro Gómez Requeni, senior R&D scientist at BioMar. “Our research confirms that feeds with optimized vitamin D3 levels enriched fillet Vitamin D content while maintaining an optimal fish performance.”
According to the press release, the Vitamin D increase aims to provide farmers with feed that promotes optimal fish performance, while producing fillets with enhanced nutritional value.
“Consumers are becoming more aware of the importance of Vitamin D for their health,” said Simon Wadsworth, R&D director at BioMar. “By formulating feeds that naturally enrich fish fillets, we are helping farmers offer products with added value and supporting public health goals.”
MiAlgae to create more than 100 green jobs at new Scotland facility
MiAlgae has submitted plans for a new production facility in Grangemouth, Scotland, to house its sustainable biotechnology solutions.
The first phase of the site aims to create over 100 green jobs once operational. With the planned expansion, MiAlgae will continue to offer retraining for workers coming from the oil
and gas industry, the company said in a press release.
“Grangemouth has incredible potential for us as we look to the next stage of our growth,” said Douglas Martin, founder and managing director of MiAlgae. “This location offers an ideal position to support our scaling efforts and meet the increasing demand for our ‘biotech for good’ solutions, with the creation of green jobs across engineering, production, and research and development.”
MiAlgae repurposes by-products from the whisky industry to grow microalgae.
According to the press release, the new facility will help MiAlgae address the increasing demands for sustainable and ethical sources of marine Omega-3s, required by the aquaculture and pet food markets.
Pedro Gómez Requeni, senior R&D scientist at BioMar.
Blue Future Holding – new owner of Lumic – launches health tech for juvenile fish
Blue Future Holding is now majority shareholder of Lumic, with 51 per cent ownership.
Lumic is also developing an integrated health station for juvenile fish production, in partnership with Greenfox Marine, said a press release from Blue Future Holding.
The health station will combine Greenfox Marine’s advanced ultrasound and camera systems with Lumic’s automated vaccination technology. Together, they are building a machine to analyze fish, sort by gender, health condition, and size, and simultaneously vaccinate, said the press release.
“Through this initiative, we can offer fish farmers a unique tool for deploying robust fish into the sea – with greater growth potential and lower mortality,” said Odd Magne Rødseth, CEO of Blue Future Holding. “This aligns perfectly with our investment strategy, which has sustainability and fish welfare as core values.”
The companies have already received their first customer order for the new fully integrated machine. Delivery is planned for the second half of 2025.
dsm-firmenich and Allix partner to develop sustainability module for feed
dsm-firmenich Animal Nutrition & Health is entering a strategic partnership with Allix, a global leader in feed formulation software.
The two organizations are combining dsm-firmenich’s industry-leading lifecycle assessment (LCA) platform, Sustell, with Allix’s feed formulation software. They aim to reduce the environmental footprint of feed, according to a press release from KWT Global.
With this dedicated sustainability module, users should be able to gather insights on the
environmental impact of their feeds, said the press release.
“Feed is a vital component in the food value chain. By combining the innovative Sustell platform with Allix’s established feed formulation software, we are unifying our joint commitment to developing the entire farm-to-fork data ecosystem,” said David Nickell, dsm-firmenich’s vice president of Sustainability & Business Solutions for Animal Nutrition & Health. “Sustell‘s LCA footprinting platform is essential throughout the value chain to address sustainability challenges and unlock significant value.”
According to the press release, the integration, which should be finalized later in 2025, is an important step towards full value chain transparency. The companies hope to help the entire food industry with accurate emissions reporting, to advance their sustainable practices.
> Premium quality, disease-free eyed eggs available all year round > Rainbow trout all female (diploid or triploid) and other salmonids We help
Hatchery Hack
BY NICOLE KIRCHHOFF
Water under pressure from climate risks
Water is the lifeblood of aquaculture. Whether flowing through tanks, ponds, raceways, or recirculating systems, the quality and stability of incoming water determine the health, growth, and survival of cultured species. Yet, as climate change reshapes water cycles and intensifies environmental stressors, fish and shellfish farmers face mounting risks to the safety and reliability of their source water.
Selecting the right water source is foundational to successful aquaculture hatchery operations. The source must support species-specific requirements, especially for eggs and larvae, with consistent temperature and salinity, low ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite levels, adequate dissolved oxygen, low turbidity, and minimal pathogen load.
Availability and reliability are equally critical; seasonal shifts, droughts, or floods can disrupt operations if not accounted for. Biosecurity risks from runoff, wildlife, or upstream pollution must be evaluated, along with the need for filtration or disinfection.
Infrastructure and cost also matter: Is the source gravity-fed or pumped? What are the energy and treatment expenses? Regulatory factors such as permits, water rights, and discharge restrictions must be reviewed early. The ideal source should also be resilient to climate variability, with backup options in place. Proven performance in nearby operations and access to historical water quality data can offer confidence.
Logistics, such as distance to the hatchery, should also be factored in. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s 2023 Census of Aquaculture, American aquaculture farms draw water from several major sources: groundwater (used by 1,915 farms), on-farm surface water (1,338 farms), off-farm surface water (276 farms), and saltwater sources (1,282 farms).
However, data from the U.S. Geological Survey suggests that surface water accounts for nearly 80 percent of total water withdrawals, making it the dominant source by volume. This reliance makes the industry highly exposed to changing weather patterns, hydrological shifts, and ecological disruptions. As extreme weather events become more
common, aquaculture operators are increasingly reporting water-related production losses, disease outbreaks, and regulatory shutdowns. Notable threats include:
• Algal blooms: Warming temperatures and nutrient runoff have triggered more frequent algal blooms that reduce oxygen, damage gills, and introduce toxins. In 2023, shellfish hatcheries in Puget Sound, Wash., and oyster farms in southern Vietnam experienced shutdowns due to persistent algal blooms that elevated pH and reduced larval survival. These blooms were linked to increased rainfall, urban runoff, and warmer coastal temperatures.
• Flood events and contaminant loading: Storm surges and tropical cyclones can overwhelm water infrastructure and flush pathogens or sewage into hatchery intakes. In 2022, a marine finfish hatchery in Florida reported over 60 percent egg mortality after Hurricane Ian due to silt-laden freshwater inflow. Similarly, in Mozambique, heavy flooding after Cyclone Idai led to sediment and pollutant influx that forced multiple hatchery closures.
• Saltwater intrusion into groundwater: Sea level rise and aquifer overuse are increasing salinity in well water. In southern Florida, farms have reported elevated chloride levels, forcing costly treatment or production changes. Comparable issues have been documented in Bangladesh, where shrimp hatcheries have had to adapt to higher salinity levels.
• Water scarcity: Reduced water availability has strained aquaculture systems. In California, trout and sturgeon farms experienced lower stocking densities and early harvests during the 2021–2022 drought.
In Chile, prolonged dry conditions in 2023 limited water access for salmonid hatcheries, leading to reduced smolt output.
Hatcheries must also be aware of contamination from human sewage, especially in areas with aging wastewater infrastructure. Coastal storms and urban runoff can carry untreated sewage into surface and groundwater, introducing harmful bacteria and chemical residues. This poses a major risk to larval health and long-term farm viability. Similar challenges have been reported in
Caribbean nations and Southeast Asia, where outdated sewage systems and informal coastal settlements contribute to degraded water quality during monsoons or hurricanes. To reduce vulnerability, hatcheries should incorporate the following resilience strategies:
• Invest in source diversification: Use multiple water sources when possible and explore rainwater harvesting or backup wells.
• Upgrade filtration and monitoring systems: Install UV, mechanical, and biological filters and use real-time sensors to detect parameter shifts.
• Incorporate emergency water storage: Tanks or reservoirs can provide clean water during emergencies.
• Prioritize hatchery biosecurity: Use fine mesh screens and sterilization at intake points; consider recirculating systems for larval stages.
• Use climate data in planning: Monitor regional forecasts and adjust production schedules accordingly.
Policy change is essential. Aquaculture must be recognized in water planning:
1. Elevate aquaculture in water policy : Advocate for water rights recognition and inclusion in watershed planning.
2. Support infrastructure funding: Push for USDA and climate resilience funds to support well construction, filtration systems, and storage upgrades.
3. Enforce upstream water protections: Work with regulators to address failing wastewater systems and reduce nutrient runoff.
4. Include hatcheries in disaster relief: Secure eligibility for programs like the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP) and improve insurance access.
5. Standardize climate impact reporting: Create systems for farms to report climate disruptions to support future policy.
Aquaculture is one of the most water-efficient forms of agriculture, using significantly less freshwater per pound of protein than other livestock systems. But clean, consistent, and climate-resilient water remains the sector’s most strategic resource.
Farms that plan ahead, invest in infrastructure, and engage in policy will be best-positioned to thrive in a rapidly changing climate. | HI
STA R T ST R ONG. STAY
ST R ONG.
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