Advances in Marine and Brackishwater Aquaculture, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2015

This book compiles the latest findings in the field of marine and brackishwater aquaculture. It covers significant topics such as techniques of culture of live feeds (microalgae, rotifer, Artemia, marine copepod & polychaetes), while also highlighting vital themes like the culture and applications of free and marine sponge associated microbial probiotics, controlled breeding, seed production and culture of commercially important fin and shell fishes. Moreover, the book focuses on the breeding and culture of marine ornamental fishes, sea cucumber and sea urchin and discusses seaweeds culture, aqua feed formulation and nutrition, water quality management in hatchery and grow-out culture systems, fish disease diagnosis and health management and cryopreservation of fish gametes for sustainable aquaculture practices, all from a multidimensional perspective.

The global fish production was 154 million tonnes in 2011 which more or less consisted of capture and culture fisheries (FAO, 2012). Roughly 80% of this is from inland-freshwater aquaculture and the remainder from capture fisheries in the marine and brackishwater sector. However, marine and brackishwater catches have recently begun to diminish due to overexploitation, climate change and pollution. The UNEP report affirmed that if the world remains on its current course of overfishing, by 2050, the ocean fish stock could become extinct or no longer commercially viable to exploit. In these circumstances, aquaculture is considered to be a promising sector to fulfill our future protein requirement. However, brackishwater and marine fish production now face serious challenges due to e.g. lack of quality fish seeds, feeds, poor water quality management and diseases.

Fisheries and aquaculture sectors play a vital role as potential sources of nutritional security and food safety around the globe. Fish food is rich in protein, vitamins, phosphorous, calcium, zinc, selenium etc. In addition, fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, which help to prevent cardiovascular diseases. Fish food can also provide several health benefits to consumers. The omega 3 fatty acids found in fish can reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol (the ?bad? cholesterol) and increase the HDL levels (the ?good? cholesterol). Research conducted in Australia has proved that fish consumption can be used to cure hypertension and obesity. It is also reported that people who ate more fish were less prone to asthma and were able to breathe more easily. Omega 3 fish oil or fish consumption can help to prevent three of the most common forms of cancer: breast cancer, colon and prostate cancer. The omega 3 fatty acids present in fish or fish oil induce faster hair growth and prevent hair loss. Since most varieties of fish are rich in protein, eating fish helps to keep hair healthy. Furthermore, fish or fish oil helps in improving the condition of dry skin, giving it a healthy glow. It is useful in treating various skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis, itching, redness of skin, skin lesions and rashes. It is well known that eating fish improves vision and prevents Alzheimer?s and type-2 diabetes, and can combat arthritis. Further, fish oil or fish is good for pregnant women, as the DHA present in it helps in the development of the baby?s eyes and brain. It helps to avoid premature births, low birth weights and miscarriages. In addition, it is widely known that fish can be a good substitute for pulses in cereal-based diets for the poor. The global fish production was roughly 154 million tonnes in 2011 (FAO, 2012). It is estimated that by 2020 global fish requirements will be over 200 million tonnes; as such, innovative technological improvements are called for in order to improve the production and productivity in fisheries. In this context, this book provides valuable information for academics, scientists, researchers, government officials and farmers on innovative technological advances for sustainable fish production using aquaculture methods.

The book identifies the main issues and trends in marine and brackishwater aquaculture from a global perspective in general and in the Indian context in particular. It includes 23 chapters written by prominent researchers from various institutes and universities across India, who address the latest aquaculture technologies with distinctive approaches to support academics, researchers and graduates in the fields of Fisheries, Aquaculture, Marine Science, Marine Biology, Marine Biotechnology, Zoology and Agricultural Sciences. Our thanks go to our contributors; we are confident that all readers will immensely benefit from their valued expertise in the field of marine and brackishwater aquaculture.

1. Isolation and culture of microalgae.- 2. Recent advances in rotifer culture and its application for larviculture of fin fishes.- 3. Production and preservation of Artemia.- 4.Intensive indoor and outdoor pilot scale culture of marine copepods.- 5. Culture of marine polychaetes.- 6. Probiotics: Live boon to aquaculture.- 7. Sponge associated microbes: A potential probiotics for the management of fish diseases.- 8. Controlled breeding, seed production and culture of brackishwater fishes.- 9. Culture of seabass (Lates calcarifer) in cages in pond.- 10. Concept of stress and its mitigation in aquaculture.- 11. Breeding and rearing of marine ornamentals.- 12. Breeding and seed production of tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon.- 13.Semi intensive culture techniques for shrimp farming.- 14. Breeding, larval rearing and farming of mangrove crab, Scylla serrata (Forskal, 1775).- 15. Review of prospects for lobster farming.- 16. Mussel farming and its potential in India.- 17. Breeding and culture of sea cucumbers in India.- 18. Culture and values of sea urchin.- 19. Methods of cultivation and economic values of seaweeds.- 20. Water quality management in fish hatchery and grow-out systems.- 21. An overview of aquafeed formulation and processing.- 22. Cryopreservation of fish gametes and its role in enhancing aquaculture production.- 23. Aquaculture disease diagnosis and health management.

Dr. A. R. Thirunavukkarasu is a Retired Principal Scientist & Head, Fish Culture Division, Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA), Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. He obtained his M.Sc and Ph.D. Degrees in Marine Biology from the C.A.S. in Marine Biology, Annamalai University. He started his career as a Research Assistant in the Tamil Nadu State Fisheries Department and then joined as a scientist in the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (Govt. of India), where he served till 1991 and subsequently moved to the CIBA. His specialization include Marine Fisheries Management, Inland Fisheries Development and Brackishwater Aquaculture. He has about 3-decade research experience with over 200 publications including manuals, edited books besides symposium proceedings. He has successfully completed over 20 major research projects worth to the tune of Rs.8-crore, funded by Indo-French scheme, NFDB, NAIP, DBT, NATP, Mega Seed Bank, etc. To the pinnacle of his achievements, during mid-nineties, he has developed a new technique for the induced breeding and seed production in the commercially valuable finfish, Asian Seabass-Lates calcarifer that has revolutionized the Indian Aquaculture industry with the year round sustained supply of seeds. The Seabass seed production technology was transferred to the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture (RGCA), Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA - Govt. of India) and he has been actively involved in the consultancy services to the private agencies like M/S Seabass Hatchery and to the aqua-culturists at large. Subsequently, his research team made a technological break-through for viable land-based brood stock production of Cobia Rachycentron canadum in pond and RCC tank holding systems. Further, he has successfully standardized the techniques and developed protocols for the controlled breeding of Grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) through pon

Written by a distinguished panel of experts in the field of marine aquaculture

Offers theories and principles that are crucial for producing high quality fish seed

Provides innovative and interesting research ideas and findings to researchers, students and farmers for sustainable and successful aquaculture practices