 | CCCRES AQUAPONICS recommends :
Molecular research in aquaculture / By Ken Overturf. Ames, Iowa : Wiley-Blackwell: 2009.
Molecular research and biotechnology have long been fields of study with applications useful to aquaculture and other animal sciences. Molecular Research in Aquaculture looks to provide an understanding of molecular research and its applications to the aquaculture industry in a format that allows individuals without prior experience in this area to learn about an
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Fish farming is very efficient in terms of the conversion of protein, which means an important ecological advantage in light of the sustainability of fish feed resources.One of the most-frequently cited issues with the sustainable development of aquaculture is the capture of other fish as raw material to be used as fish feed in the form of fish meal and fish oil. It is seen as an issue because a food production sector is in part relying on a capture fishery for the supply of raw materials for the production of aquaculture feed. Typically, these other fish species are small, oil-rich, bony pelagic fish that are not normally used for direct human consumption. Two decades ago, the majority of fish meal and oil was used to make feeds for land animal production. At present, over 50 percent of fishmeal and over 80 percent of fish oil is used for aquaculture. If aquaculture is to fill the gap in demand for seafood, this raises important sustainability issues as to the availability of sufficient feed supply. This is particularly relevant given the fact that fishmeal and fish oil production has been, and is likely to remain, relatively constant at around 6 million and 0.9 million tonnes per year, respectively. However, as the demand for fishmeal and fish oil in aquaculture has increased, so the price has risen. This has driven both terrestrial agriculture and aquaculture to seek nutritional alternatives to fishmeal and fish oil. This is an on-going process and estimates made by the International Fishmeal & Fish oil Organisation (IFFO) show that the growth of aquaculture and the substitution of fishmeal and fish oil can continue together. The IFFO has started to produce datasheets on fisheries for fish meal and fish oil and these are available at the IFFO web site. Conversion of caught wild fish to farmed fishIt has been noted that certain types of fish, particularly salmon, are net consumers, requiring in the region of 3 kg of wild fish as feed to produce 1 kg of farmed fish. While it is true that growing high-quality salmon requires considerable amounts of fishmeal and oil, improved technology in fishmeal and oil production as well as better feeding practices on farms have reduced the ratio over time. Salmon are an exception, because their diets require large amounts of fish oil. For aquaculture overall, the ratio is now well below one: less fish is used for feed than is produced at farms. For carnivorous species, the ratio is still decreasing and expected to reach 1.0 around 2012 (IFFO). These figures do not include recent gains thanks to the recovery of meal and oil from aquaculture waste. Increasingly in Europe, waste from aquaculture is collected and processed, redirecting around 50 percent of the harvested weight to valuable products. It should also be noted that wild carnivorous fish also need food. It is estimated that it takes 10 kg of forage fish to produce 1 kg of salmon caught in the wild6. If by-catch values are added to the equation, another 5 kg of forage fish has to be added. Hence, even a 3 to 1 ratio for farmed salmon would be significantly better than a 10-15 to 1 ratio of salmon caught in the wild. Efficiency of food conversion in farmed fish The food conversion ratio (FCR) is defined as the weight of food that is required to produce one kilogram of fish. In the early days of aquaculture, farmed fish were fed with whole trash fish and FCRs were more than 20 to 1. Through the years, the ratio has dramatically declined. With the advent of dry, pelletised feeds and modern extrusion technologies, FCR levels are now almost 1 to 1. Certain trout and salmon farms achieve an FCR of less than 1:1, making them far more efficient converters of marine protein than their wild counterparts. As fish feeds represent an increasingly high share of total production cost, fish farmers have every interest in using feeds as effectively as possible, thereby also reducing the potential environmental impacts of non-consumed feeds. Overfeeding or underfeeding would increase the FCR. Therefore, many farms are equipped with underwater surveillance and monitoring systems as well as devices controlling the supply and delivery of feed. Replacement of marine protein sources by (terrestrial) plant proteinFor various reasons, fishmeal and oil are gradually being replaced by plant proteins in feed that is used in fish farms. Plant proteins can be less costly and they are free of potential contaminants like dioxin, PCB or mercury. However, fishmeal is an important ingredient in fish feed and can only to a limited extent be replaced by vegetable proteins without reducing feed efficiency and growth. After all, carnivorous or ‘piscivorous fish naturally feed on other fish. The fatty acid composition in the flesh from farmed fish will also reflect the feed composition and inclusion of vegetable oil will reduce the level of omega-3 fatty acids. Although the introduction of plant protein into the feed can be seen as a way of reducing the sectors dependence on fish meal and fish oil, some have questioned the trend because: - carnivorous fish do not naturally feed on plants;
- plant proteins may have anti-nutritional effects on fish;
- there is a maximum level of replacement, after which the texture and eating quality
- of the fish is compromised;
- some plant proteins could be derived from GMOs.
Generally speaking, though, marine plants have enormous potential to act as fish feed ingredients. Initial research has confirmed this potential and our knowledge in this area is starting to build. Decontamination of fish meal and fish oilFishmeal and fish oil are produced from fish that may contain contaminants. Various research projects are ongoing to look into the feasibility of de-contaminating fish meal and fish oil. One such project is carried out at the Fiskeriforskning Institute in Norway. Fish stocks of concern in the northern European industry are sprat and herring from the Baltic Sea, and herring, sprat, sand eel and blue whiting in the North Sea. The differences in dioxin and PCB levels reflect the general pollution levels in the respective fishing areas and will disfavour the North European fishmeal and oil producers in the world market. This is already the case in aquaculture, where most fishmeal is sourced from the southern hemisphere. The main objective of the project is to develop a new oil extraction process to reduce the persistent organic pollutants level in fishmeal. The research will aim to identity optimal processing conditions with respect to both decontamination efficiency and preservation of fishmeal and oil quality. The new oil extraction process is expected to have several advantages compared to a standard hexane extraction process. This will include the possibility of easy integration in an existing fishmeal processing line, use of a safe and non-flammable extraction medium and lower investment and operation costs. Do farmed fish contain artificial colouring?The natural red/orange colour of salmon results from carotenoid pigments, largely astaxanthin in the flesh. Astaxanthin is a potent antioxidant that stimulates the development of healthy fish nervous systems and that enhances the fishs fertility and growth rate. Wild salmon get these carotenoids from feeding on small crustaceans, such as prawns and shrimp. Astaxanthin does not naturally occur in fish feeds and thus must be added. The astaxanthin which is added to feed is identical to the natural pigment. Food milesIn recent years, there has been increasing emphasis on energy resources needed to ship in food from afar. Although the relationship between transport and overall sustainability can be complex, it can be said that where food supply chains are otherwise identical, reducing food transport improves sustainability. Therefore, generally speaking, European aquaculture production could be seen as more efficient in terms of "food miles" than imports of the same species from countries far away. However, there is a food mile issue with the use of fish meal and fish oil produced in the southern hemisphere and used in Europe, although this is itself a trade-off of not using fish meal produced in Europe due to issues of species in recovery (e.g. sandeel and capelin) and contamination of fish meal and oil (e.g. Baltic herring). However, as stated before, comparisons can be complex, involving differences between food supply systems that often involve trade-offs between a diverse variety of environmental, social and economic factors. The impact of food transport can be offset to some extent if food imported to an area has been produced more sustainably than the food available locally. For example, a case study showed that it can be more sustainable (at least in energy efficiency terms) to import tomatoes from Spain than to produce them in heated greenhouses in the UK outside the summer months. In the case of fishmeal and fish oil, the worlds largest producers of fishmeal and fish oil are in South America. There, fishmeal and fish oil are mass-produced very efficiently and shipped overseas (already with a reduced water content in the case of fishmeal) to Europe to be used as feed in aquaculture. Surely, this has to compare favourably to using airplanes to import fresh fish from Asia or South America.
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Quality of life for the planet
Need for high quality water and other resources
Clean water is the primary pre-requisite to successful aquaculture. A clean environment is therefore critical for its commercial success. Any environmental impact that would compromise the quality of the water used on fish farms must be monitored and minimised through appropriate siting (choice of locations) of farms and production processes. In recent years, the development of aquaculture has raised some associated environmental concerns. Like any farming operation on land, fish farm cages produce waste materials. These fall into three categories - uneaten feed, fish faeces and dead fish. Most of the environmental impacts of aquaculture can be managed and minimised through understanding of the processes involved, responsible management and the effective siting of farms. Uneaten feed - Should uneaten feed reach the bottom of a cage, processes that break it down can reduce the amount of oxygen in the sediment. In severe cases, oxygen levels in the water above may also decrease, creating "anoxic" conditions in which only a few animal species can survive. Should the feed contain antibiotics used to treat the farmed fish above, bacteria in the sediment and the natural breakdown of waste material might be affected. In practice, fish farmers do everything they can to prevent such a situation, since the cost of fish feed amounts up to 40 percent of the total production cost. Feed reaching the sediment is lost, and it is in the farmers interest to minimise such waste. On well-managed farms, feeding is carefully regulated to ensure that the maximum amount of food is taken up directly by the fish and farmers aim to ensure that less than 5 percent of the feed is wasted. To improve uptake by fish, feed pellets are manufactured to either float or to sink slowly through the water. Fish faeces - Unlike land animals, fish do not generally produce compact solid faecal material and more often excrete a loose cloud of faecal material that is easily dispersed by water currents. In still conditions, however, faecal material can build up beneath fish cages. It is, however, not in the farmers interest to let this happen, since the buildup of faecal material can lead to anoxic conditions which affect the fish above. Fish farmers wanting to ensure the health of their fish will frequently check the bottom below their fish cages to ensure that faecal material is not building up. In addition, in many EU Member States, the government employs diving teams to carry out inspections. If faecal build-up is observed, farmers will be advised to move their cages, allowing the bottom to recuperate for a short period, however full recovery typically takes between three to ten years. In recent years, improved feed formulations have also been introduced that fish digest more efficiently, producing less waste. Fish farmers generally avoid overly sheltered and stagnant sites, preferring areas that contain a healthy flow of water through the cages. Such flows disperse fish faeces so it can enter the natural food chain. Dead fish - Dead fish are a loss to the farmer and a potential health hazard to the stock as well as a source of pollution. Fish farmers will, at all times, endeavour to minimise the number of dead fish on their farms and to remove such mortalities where they occur. Fish farms are required to report significant fish deaths when they occur and are inspected by state agencies at least twice a year. Shellfish cultivationShellfish such as oysters, mussels and clams are filter feeders and take their food directly from the water in which they live. This means that they do not require supplementary food and, if anything, actually improve the quality and clarity of the water. Shellfish farming can only provide the best quality products if practiced in pristine environments with the highest water quality.Environmental problems can arise on shellfish farms where the animals are held at overly high densities, leading to depletion of food in the water and build-up of faeces below the holding areas. Both effects will harm the outcome for the farmer and hence shellfish farms are generally sited where water exchange is high and the stock is kept at densities that are compatible with the level of water exchange. In many cases, stocking densities on farms are lower than those of clusters of shellfish (e.g. mussels) that occur on natural beds. Shellfish farms have been thought to disturb wildlife habitats by taking up space on a beach where wading birds feed. It has been shown, however, that wading birds and oyster farms can exist side by side. The fallen oyster or mussel can have a positive impact on a birds feeding pattern. Other potential impacts include the importation of parasites, pests and diseases onto the shellfish farm which would then spread to other areas. The microscopic oyster parasite Bonamia ostrea, for example, gradually spread through Europe with the spread of oyster farming. Oyster farmers have responded by significantly reducing the density at which their shellfish are farmed. Some people complain of "visual pollution" caused by large numbers of floating barrels or shellfish trestles in otherwise unspoilt areas. Low-profile and dark-coloured floats have recently been developed to minimise the visual impact. Pond fish farmingFish pond systems represent the oldest fish farming activity in Europe, at least dating back to medieval times. Ponds were built in areas where water supply was available and the soil was not suitable for agriculture. The wetlands of Central and Eastern Europe are good examples of this. The total European production from pond farming is approximately 475,000 tonnes. About half of this production is cyprinid fish, such as common carp, silver carp and bighead carp. The main producer countries are the Russian Federation, Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, Ukraine and Hungary. Typical fish ponds are earthen enclosures in which the fish live in a natural-like environment, feeding on the natural food growing in the pond itself from sunlight and nutrients available in the pond water. In order to reach higher yields, farmers today introduce nutrients into the pond such as organic manure. This is accompanied by stocking of fingerlings and by water being flushed through the pond. Fish pond production, however, remains ‘extensive or ‘semi-intensive (with supplementary feeding) in most countries, where semi-static freshwater systems play an important role in aquaculture. Chemicals and therapeutics are not usually used in such ponds. Hence the main environmental issue is the use of organic fertilisers, which may cause eutrophication in the surrounding natural waters. The use of organic fertilisers is regulated at national levels. Extensive fish ponds are usually surrounded by reed belts and natural vegetation, thus providing important habitats for flora and fauna. They play a growing role in rural tourism. Many pond fish farms have been turned into multifunctional fish farms, where various other services are provided for recreation, maintenance of biodiversity and improvement of water management. In areas where water is scarce, some farm systems recirculate, treat and re-use their water. Such systems are generally self-contained and therefore pose little threat to the environment. Solid waste material produced in such systems is rich in organic compounds and often used as a fertilizer elsewhere. Alternatively, new hydroponic systems have been developed to grow vegetables and other food crops in the nutrient-enriched water. There is much interest in these systems, but their economic viability remains challenging. Trout farming in flow-through systems The most widely-practiced form of inland aquaculture in Europe is trout farming. Water is taken from the river, circulated through the farm and treated before being released downstream. All water in the farm is renewed at least once per day. Where more than one farm exists on the same river, it is in everyones interests that the quality of the outflowing water from one farm is good, as this then becomes the inflowing water for the next farm. Other water sources include spring water or drilled and pumped ground water. In some countries, heated industrial water sources (such as electricity generating plants) are used to increase the water temperature (by heat exchange) used in the farm, thereby saving energy costs to heat the water. Geothermal water also provides naturally warmed water, thus allowing the farming of new fresh water species (especially eel, sturgeon, perch and tilapia) with low environmental impact.
Recirculation Aquaculture SystemsRecirculation Aquaculture Systems (RAS) are land-based systems in which water is re-used after mechanical and biological treatment so as to reduce the needs for water and energy and the emission of nutrients to the environment. These systems present several advantages such as: water and energy saving, a rigorous control of water quality, low environmental impacts, high biosecurity levels and an easier control of waste production as compared to other production systems. The main disadvantages are high capital costs, high operational costs, requirements for very careful management (and thus highly skilled labour forces) and difficulties in treating disease. RAS is still a small fraction of Europes aquaculture production and has its main relevance in The Netherlands and Denmark. The main species produced in RAS are catfish and eel but other species are already being produced using this type of technology such as turbot, sea bass, pikeperch, tilapia and sole. Other environmental impacts of fish farming - the case of escaped fishIt is inevitable that fish farmed in net pens in either fresh or salt water will sometimes escape into the wild. In some cases, there will be a small but steady release of fish. Sometimes, large numbers will escape due to severe damage to the net pen by way of storms, predator attacks or vandalism. There has been vigorous debate on the potential impact of escaped farmed fish, in particular salmon, on wild populations. On the one hand, it has been suggested that escaped farmed salmon could compete for living space, breeding partners and food resources, spread disease, or interbreed with wild fish, causing "genetic pollution" and thereby weakening the wild strain and reducing its ability to survive . On the other hand, scientists have argued that farmed salmon, which are bred for fast growth in perfect conditions, are less able to compete for food, territory and mate in the wild than their wild colleagues. Therefore, a limited escape of farmed fish would be unlikely to have a serious effect on wild fish populations. Only if very large numbers of fish escape into a small area, would interbreeding occur and the fitness of the local population potentially be reduced. In its Aquaculture Europe 2005 conference, the European Aquaculture Society invited the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO) to hold a special workshop on the interactions between wild and farmed salmon. The summary report of this event "Wild and Farmed Salmon - Working Together" drew the following main conclusions: Through the use of single bay management, single generation sites and synchronised fallowing, real progress is being made in relation to minimising impacts of diseases and parasites, which are key issues for wild fish interests. The development of third-party audited containment management systems may represent a significant step forward. The liaison group should look more at the possibilities of rearing all-female triploid salmon, which could eliminate genetic interaction with the wild stocks, but which need to be balanced by the production cost of these fish, as well as consumer resistance to what could be seen as genetic manipulation. Restoration programmes can benefit from fish farmers expertise, but habitat protection and restoration have equal or greater importance in species restoration than stocking programmes alone. CCRES AQUAPONICS part of NGO CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)
President Obama talks with students at the University of Miami about algae as potentially one of the most productive ways to address our fuel needs as the price of gas continues to rise.
CCRES AQUAPONICS
Project of NGO
Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES)
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Fish farming can contribute to the protection and restoration of endangered fish populations living in the wild through the efficient provision of juveniles for release or stocking.
An increasing number of fish are finding their way onto the CITES lists of endangered species. The production of juvenile fish and shellfish in hatcheries is far more efficient (in terms of survival) than in the wild. These juveniles may not only be grown on as food, but also for the conservation and restoration of fish populations (through release or restocking) and the provision of fish for angling. This technique, also known as "stock enhancement" or "enhancement aquaculture" has an economic advantage in that production costs are much lower, and has proven to be successful for a variety of marine fish species, mainly in Norway, Japan and the USA. Sturgeons are among the worlds most valuable wildlife resources and can be found in large river systems, lakes, coastal waters and inner seas throughout the northern hemisphere. For people around the world, caviar, i.e. unfertilized sturgeon roe, is a delicacy. Sturgeons are also a major source of income and employment, as well as an important element of the local food supply. Current trends in illegal harvest and trade put all these benefits at risk. Since 1998, international trade in all species of sturgeons has been regulated under CITES owing to concerns over the impact of unsustainable harvesting of and illegal trade in sturgeon populations in the wild.  Photo: Juvenile sturgeon for restocking.
Source Aquaculture Europe Vol 32 (3). September 2007. Courtesy M. Chebanov.The Ramsar Declaration on Global Sturgeon Conservation recognises the importance of aquaculture in the preservation of sturgeon species, specifically mentioning the importance of captive broodstock programmes to prevent loss of genetic variety; the monitoring of stocked juvenile fish to assess the cost-effectiveness of stocking strategies; the cultivation of sturgeon for meat and caviar products - especially with due involvement of the lowincome local fishing community who need alternative livelihoods; and the need for internationally agreed standards on culture technology and general husbandry, adequate nutrition, disease prevention and product quality control. More information is available at www.wscs.info - the site of the World Sturgeon Conservation Society.Different trout species have been restocked in Europes rivers for decades. Prior to the Second World War, the UK production of trout juveniles was exclusively to stock rivers in England and Scotland to support natural populations and for recreational fishing. It was only in the 1950s that technology was introduced to produce fish for the table. This is the case across much of Europe, where trout remains the top aquaculture production species within European Member States, and where restocking accounts for a significant proportion of total trout fry production.  Photo showing 2007 re-population in the river Nivelle in the Basque region of France.
Photo courtesy of Dr. Jacques Dumas, INRA.CCRES AQUAPONICS project of NGO CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
Astaxanthin for Dyspepsia and Helicobacter pylori Dyspepsia is the general term given to a variety of digestive problems localized in the upper abdominal region. Typical symptoms for example include stomach pain, gas, acid-reflux or bloating. Dyspepsia is like the stomach version of the irritable bowel syndrome and its symptoms may appear at any age or to any gender. The medical approach to dyspepsia involves looking for treatable causes and addressing them if identified. Failing that, doctors suggest treatments by trial-and-error. The problem associated with this non-standardized approach involves drugs that may not work, may cause side effects and exacerbate the patient’s condition brought on by stressful attempts to cure symptoms.To understand the benefits of astaxanthin in dyspepsia, it is necessary to categorize specific types; most common forms are either non-ulcer dyspepsia or gastric dyspepsia. Non-ulcer dyspepsia problems usually do not have an identifiable cause, but fortunately, for most cases it is non-disease related and therefore temporary. On the other hand, gastric type dyspepsia is more severe and linked to identifiable causes. For example, the bacterial infection of Helicobacter pylori is a commonly known cause. Pathological symptoms of H. pylori infection include high levels of oxidative stress and inflammation in the stomach lining and symptoms like gastric pain and acid reflux., H. pylori can contribute to mild and severe kinds of symptoms, but on the other hand, people who are H. pylori positive can remain asymptomatic whereas others may develop into clinical problems. It is still unclear what triggers the severe form of infection and how the bacteria is passed on, but scientists suggested using strong antioxidants like astaxanthin for therapy and better long term protection.Helicobacter pylori in Gastric DyspepsiaThis Gram-negative bacterium is present in approximately half of the world population, and typically resides in the human gastric epithelium (stomach lining). H. pylori infection is generally acknowledged as the main cause for type B gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. The pathogenesis of this infection is partly due to the immunological response as shown by Bennedsen et al., (1999). Astaxanthin (200 mg/kg body weight) fed to H. pylori infected mice for 10 days exhibited signs of improved immune system. Normally, the T-helper1 (Th1) response exacerbates inflammation and epithelial cell damage due to infection, but the astaxanthin treated mice responded with a mixed Th1/Th2-response (Figure 1), which lowered gastric inflammation (Figure 2) and bacterial loads (Figure 3). Furthermore, the findings by Wang et al., (2000) also supported the idea that a diet supplemented with astaxanthin or vitamin C in mice lowered inflammation after 10-days of treatment (in vivo), and also inhibit H. pylori growth (in vitro). The mice treated with astaxanthin (10 mg/kg body weight) had the same effect as vitamin C (400 mg/Kg) which significantly lowered gastric inflammation and lipid peroxidation (Figure 4) compared to infected control mice; which continued to develop severe gastritis.Astaxanthin improved the cytokine IL-4 response (Th2 T-cell) to the presence of H. pylori (in vitro). Figure 2. Gastric inflammation (antrum + corpus) (Bennedsen et al., 1999) Astaxanthin reduced gastric inflammation in Helicobacter pylori infected mice. Astaxanthin reduced Helicobacter pylori colonization of the stomach of infected mice. Figure 4. Amount of lipid peroxidation products (MDA and 4-hydroxyalkenals) during H. pylori infection (Wang et al., 2000) Lipid peroxidation levels lowered in H. pylori infected mice after treatment with astaxanthin or Vitamin C. The success of astaxanthin in dyspepsia animal models prompted further prospective human studies. In 1999, the first clinical study performed in collaboration with the Centre for Digestive Diseases, Australia, involved 10 H. pylori positive subjects (non-ulcer) with typical dyspeptic symptoms such as heartburn and gastric pain, were each treated with 40 mg daily dose of astaxanthin for 21 days. 10 clinical parameters assessed the efficacy before and after the treatment period. The gastric pain, heartburn and total clinical symptoms results showed a significant drop of 66%, 78% and 52% drop respectively (Figure 5). Furthermore, follow-up checks 27 days after the cessation of astaxanthin intake (a total of 49 days from day 0), showed that the dyspeptic symptoms remained low (Lignell et al., 1999). In summary, astaxanthin effectively controlled the dyspepsia symptoms, and H. pylori eradication trend was observed, but not significant.Astaxanthin reduced total grade of clinical symptoms in H. pylori positive non-ulcer dyspeptic subjects after 21 days. Low symptom score continued even up to 28 days after treatment ceased. Reflux in Non-Ulcer Dyspepsia Approximately one in four people experience dyspepsia at some time that are linked to common causes such as food types, stress, stomach ulcers, or acid reflux (stomach acid backs-up into the esophagus). If the exact causes of non-ulcer dyspepsia are unknown, there are no standardized treatments that exist to effectively treat the patient. The usual procedure involves the problematic remedies of acid blocking medicines, painkillers or antibiotics. However, drug treatment faces problems with increasing antibiotic resistant bacteria and carries increased risk of damage to the stomach. Therefore, clinically proven non-drug treatments are becoming more attractive to physicians and patients.Astaxanthin efficacy in non-ulcer dyspepsia was demonstrated in a randomized double-blind placebo controlled study involving 131 patients complaining of non-ulcer dyspepsia. This collaborative trial conducted by the Kaunas University Hospital, Lithuania; Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen; University of Lund and the Karolinska Institute, Sweden demonstrated that 40 mg astaxanthin treatment up to 4 weeks significantly reduced reflux compared to the 16 mg. Figure 6. Reflux-syndrome Reduced reflux-syndrome score of non-ulcer dyspepsia patients treated with 16 mg and 40 mg astaxanthin. OutlookThere are considerable overlaps in a number of gastrointestinal disorders that may be treatable with conventional medicine, but what if it does not work? In that case, astaxanthin may be useful, particularly against H. pylori positive gastritis and non-ulcer dyspepsia acid reflux. The mechanisms of action include the following: decreasing oxidative stress by astaxanthin’s potent antioxidant property; controlling bacterial infection by shifting the immune response; and alleviating dyspeptic symptoms by retarding inflammation. Furthermore, these results infer that acid reflux in connection with either H. pylori positive or negative conditions can still expect improvements with astaxanthin.References- Bennedsen M, Wang X, Willen R. Treatment of H. pylori infected mice with antioxidant astaxanthin reduces gastric inflammation, bacterial load and modulates cytokine release by splenocytes. Immunol Lett. 1999. 70: 185-189.
- Kupcinskas L, Lafolie P, Lignell A, Kiudelis G, Jonaitis L, Adamonis K, Andersen LP, Wadstrom T. Efficacy of the natural antioxidant astaxanthin in the treatment of functional dyspepsia in patients with or without Helicobacter pylori infection: A prospective, randomized, double blind, and placebo-controlled study. Phytomedicine 2008. 15: 391–399.
- Lignell A, Surace R, Bottiger P, Borody TJ. Symptom improvement in Helicobacter pylori positive non-ulcer dyspeptic patient after treatment with the carotenoid astaxanthin. In: 12th International Carotenoid Symposium, Cairns, Australia, 18-23 July 1999.
- Wang X, Willen R, Wadstrom T. Astaxanthin rich algal meal and vitamin C inhibit Helicobacter pylori infection in BALB/cA mice. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2000. 44: 2452-2457.
CCRES special thanks to Mr. Mitsunori Nishida,
President of Corporate Fuji Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES)
All the food CCRES produced during the year is given to poor families. | CCRES AQUAPONICS Cooperating Institutions | |
|  | International Fish Farming Technologies provides a novel technology for the inland production of seawater fish. IFFTs innovative and environmentally friendly Closed Loop Mariculture (CLM) offers an alternative to conventional fish farming. By uncoupling from the environment and under stable rearing conditions they present the new perspective for sustainable and environmentally friendly fish farming. |
|  | Agro Ittica Lombarda S.p.A. : CALVISIUSâ Original Caviar Malossol is the registered trade mark of Agroittica Lombardas farmed White Sturgeon Caviar. Agroittica Lombarda, based in Brescia (Italy) runs the largest sturgeon farm in Europe producing 500 tonnes/year of meat and 20 tonnes/year of top quality caviar. Experienced since 1991 in farmed caviar processing, Agroittica has gained a worldwide reputation for the freshness, granulometry (min.2.8mm) flavour and hygiene of its sturgeon roe: a real Malossol with a very low salt content. This has been made possible because CALVISIUSâ is extracted from October through March thus avoiding high salting for longer preservation. |
|  | We, the Acadian Sturgeon and Caviar Inc. , produce and sell sturgeon stocking material - Atlantic (Acipenser oxyrhynchus) and shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) for aquaculture, restocking and research. We also offer consulting and R&D services in the field of sturgeon aquaculture and ecology. We are developing the production of sturgeon meat and caviar as well as a gene bank for both those sturgeon species in Carters Point, New Brunswick, Canada. |
|  | The GoConsult is an independent consultancy involved with ship-mediated biological invasions and species introductions for aquaculture purposes since 1999. Dr. Gollasch was chairman of the ICES Working Group on Introductions and Transfers of Marine Organisms (2001-2006). This group commented on the project to re-import sturgeons from North America to the Baltic countries and also monitors through country reports the importation of life specimens for trade and aquaculture, including sturgeons. Todays work is focussed also on the development of risk assessment and ballast water management scenarios for Europe as well as on specific efficacy tests of ballast water treatment systems. |
|  | The Holsten-Stör Fishfarm produces caviar from the Siberian sturgeon, Acipenser baeri, in closed recirculating systems. The caviar is sold under trademark "Baerioska". |
|  | The main objectives of the International Sturgeon Research Institute (ISRI) in Rasht (Iran) relate to conservation and sustainable use of sturgeon stocks in the Caspian Sea while also fostering regional and international cooperation to conduct sturgeon research in joint projects along the following thematic subject areas:
A) Specific Research topics:
- Sturgeon Ecology in natural waters and under ponds conditions
- Controlled reproduction, Sturgeon rehabilitation and restocking of sturgeon populations
- Stock assessment and improved catch technology
- General physiology and biochemistry of sturgeons
- Genetics and breeding, biotechnology and population genetics of sturgeons
- Sturgeon aquaculture
- Ecotoxicology studies using sturgeons as target species
- Processing technology and development of sturgeon products
- Sturgeon pathology and disease control
B) Involvement in Regional and International Cooperation:
- Cooperation with international organizations to conserve valuable stocks of sturgeons in the Caspian Sea and other endangered populations of sturgeon species in the world. eg. CITES ( Asia representative in Animal Committee), IUCN (Chairman of Sturgeon Specialist Group), Member of Foundation Committee and Board in WSCS
- Exchange scientific and technical information as well as research experts with other organizations and universities
- Conduct long term and short term training courses at different academic levels
- Hosting international conferences on management and conservation of sturgeon stocks. (Chairman of ISS5)
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|  | The North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO) is an international organization established under the Convention for the Conservation of Salmon in the North Atlantic Ocean which entered into force on 1 October 1983. The objective of the Organization is to contribute through consultation and cooperation to the conservation, restoration, enhancement and rational management of salmon stocks subject to the Convention taking into account the best scientific evidence available to it. The Convention applies to the salmon stocks which migrate beyond areas of fisheries jurisdiction of coastal States of the Atlantic Ocean north of 36N latitude throughout their migratory range. Contracting partners include Canada, Denmark, the European Union, Iceland, Norway, Russian Federation and the United States of America. NASCO has three regional commissions. NASCO can be contacted through the Secreatariat at NASCO / 11 Rutland Square / Edinburgh, EH1 2AS / United Kingdom |
|  | CRM-Coastal Research & Management is a private association of experts in the fields of Marine Research and Environmental Consulting, Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Marine Biotechnology. CRM elaborates science-based planning and decision tools, that help to avoid ecological or economical failures. Since 1993 CRMs interdisciplinary team supplies services for coastal industries (aquaculture, harbor, shipping, tourism) and is partner in international scientfic projects. The first seaweed farm in Germany was established by CRM in order to develop new value added products for cosmetic, medical and biotechnological use. |
|  | Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) of the Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V. The IZW conducts integrated biological and veterinary research on wildlife. Our work is focused on the mechanisms and functions of evolutionary adaptations that ensure the survival and reproduction of individuals in free-ranging and captive populations of wildlife, and the limits that may affect the viability and persistence of such populations. For this purpose, we study the behavioural and evolutionary ecology, wildlife diseases, and reproduction of mostly larger mammals and birds. A special group around Dr. A. Ludwig studies in particular sturgeon genetics in relation to their phylogeny and distribution but also in light of trade control of caviar. The institute was recently the co-organizer of the 2nd Status Workshop on Identification of Acipenseriformes Species in Trade |
|  | Department of Ecotoxicology (Institute for Ecological Research and Technology, Technical University of Berlin. Major research areas are: Fisheries and ecological status of habitats. Effects Monitoring (freshwater and marine) and the study of detoxification processes using modern methods to assess DNA damages (Genotoxicity, Xenoestrogens, Immunosuppression, Phagocytosis). Development of modern bioanalytical systems and (on-line) monitoring systems, entire cell bio-sensors. Development and testing of cost efficient screening methods (genotoxic potential, endocrine effects and immunosuppression) in inland and coastal waters. Landscape scale ecotoxicology in respect to the Water Frame Work Directive and REACH. Risk assessment, -communication and -management in constructions and materials. |
|  | The European Aquaculture Society (EAS) is an international non-profit association that promotes contacts and disseminates information among all involved or interested in aquaculture in Europe. EAS has members in more than 60 countries and participates in various initiatives to contribute to the sutainable development of European aquaculture. |
|  | From the start DIECKMANN & HANSEN has always been and still is a caviar import/export company and has therefore global experience in this trade and its quality control. DIECKMANN & HANSEN was founded in 1869 and is the oldest existing caviar trading company worldwide. |
|  | Polar and Marine research are central themes of Global system and Environmental Science. The Alfred Wegener Institute conducts research in the Arctic, the Antarctic and at temperate latitudes. It coordinates Polar research in Germany and provides both the necessary equipment and the essential logistic back up for polar expeditions. Recent additional research themes include North Sea Research, contributions to Marine Biological Monitoring, Marine Pollution Research, Investigation of naturally occuring marine substances, marine aquaculture and technical marine developments. |
|  | The European Association of Fish Pathologists was established on 25th October 1979 in Munich, Germany. it is an interdisciplinary society, embracing all aspects of aquatic disease in fish and shellfish, in aquaculture and in wild stocks. Members come from all disciplines, biologists, microbiologists, veterinarians, fish farmers and aquaculture engineers. The objective of the EAFP is to promote the rapid exchange of experience and information on aquatic disease problems and related topics. These aims are pursued mainly through regular regional and international meetings, support for training courses in laboratory techniques and the publication of the Bulletin of the European Association of Fish Pathologists, a fully citeable journal listed in ASFA, Current Contents and Science Citation Index. |
|  | Blackwell Verlag is the German subsidiary of the company Blackwell Publishing whose headquarters are located in Oxford, UK. At the heart of Blackwells publishing service is an organisation with international reach, publishing over 660 journals and collaborating with more than 500 learned societies. In 2002 Blackwell published over 600 books. With revenues of approximately 230 million euros, Blackwell is the largest privately owned publisher world wide. |
|  | The Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries is one of the principal German centres for research on limnic ecosystems, and unites hydrologists, chemists, microbiologists, fish ecologists and fish biologists. A combination of fundamental and applied research supports our long-term goal of management of aquatic ecosystems, via restoration, development and protection. Our research activities are primarily oriented to the analysis of the widespread structures and functions of freshwater ecosystems. Our subsidiary focus is the study of unique regional environments such as the Berlin river-lake system where numerous shallow lakes are interconnected by dominant rivers, and turbulence is a major influence. |
|  | Erwin Sander Elektroapparatebau GmbH: Ozone Generators for Laboratory and Industry - Typical Applications: Potable Water, Waste Water, Waste Air, Bottling Industry, Sterilisation, Swimming Pools, Laboratories, Material Tests, Petro Chemistry, Bio Chemistry, Water Chemistry, Climatic Technology, Cooling Towers, Test Cases, Aquaculture, Public Aquaria, Medicine, School, University |
|  | FishBase is a relational database with information to cater to different professionals such as research scientists, fisheries managers, zoologists and many more. FishBase on the web contains practically all fish species known to science. FishBase was developed at the WorldFish Center in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and many other partners, and with support from the European Commission (EC). Since 2001 FishBase is supported by a consortium of seven research institutions. |
|  | Deutsche See is the market leader for fish and seafood in Germany. Pleasure oriented foods and excellent service are the core competences - and this is demonstrated to customers and partners everday. The real cornerstones lie in the international sourcing of fresh and carefully selected products, their processing in the custom built "Deutsche See" factory in Bremerhaven and the groundbreaking Quality Management. Furthermore, "Deutsche See" offers a high degree of local presence and delivery all over Germany through a network of 26 "Deutsche See" branches. |
|  | aquaFUTURE e.K. - Aquaculture Equipment, Consulting, Fishfarming, Recirculated Systems |
|  | Vancouver Island University Known as a centre of excellence for teaching and learning, Vancouver Island University (VIU) is producing high calibre graduates who are in demand by employers across the country and around the world. Through its ongoing evolution and growth, VIU is proud to have contributed to the development of Vancouver Island and British Columbias culture, economy and knowledge base. VIU, formerly Malaspina University-College, has evolved from a small community college to a dynamic, internationally known university supporting a student population in excess of 18,000 full-and part-time learners and employing over 2,000 faculty and staff. |
|  | Founded in 1994, the Society to Save the Sturgeon is engaged in the restoration of the European sturgeon Acipenser sturio. Scientists, fishfarmers und nature conservationists work closely together in this ambitious project, supported by international experts and organisations, aming at the reintroduction of the species in the mayor German rivers. Accompanied by international cooperations, these stocks should be expended to neighboring areas. On our homepage, we want to give experts and interessted layman some insights to the project and the sturgeon - its biology and its way of life. |
|  | The Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C. (FFSBC) is a non-profit society that delivers all of the services formerly provided the by Provincial Governments Fish Culture Section (Provincial Hatcheries). The society works in partnership with the province to deliver the provincial fish stocking program as well as providing conservation fish culture services that support steelhead and sturgeon recovery programs. The Freshwater Fisheries Society is also responsible for the promotion and marketing of freshwater fishing in the province. One of the main objectives is to offer anglers the most comprehensive website for lake and stream sports fishing information in British Columbia. |
|  | Teom Lim is an award winning carver with a unique perspective. He is an artist, avid fisherman and fisheries biologist rolled up in one. His meticulous attention to detail and university background produces carvings that are beautiful and anatomically correct. These attributes coupled with his love for fishing have enabled Teom to create pieces of art that capture a moment in nature. |
|  | Sturgeon AquaFarms, LLC (SAF) is a company that is dedicated to restoring the worlds resources of sturgeon. The company was established in order to start an aquaculture operation in Florida, USA that would farm various sturgeon species for commercial production of sturgeon meat and caviar - beluga, osetra, sevruga.
Sturgeon AquaFarms, LLC. was established in order to farm sturgeon species Huso huso, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, Acipenser stellatus, Acipenser baerii, and Acipenser ruthenus. The company has been researching this proposal for the past seven years. During that time we have negotiated with the United States Department of Agriculture, Division of Aquaculture, Food & Drug Administration, Conservation Commission, Department of Fisheries, Water Management organization and Aquatic Services. We have corresponded with these agencies in an attempt to successfully fulfill all requirements for our proposal. |
|  | AquaBioTech Group is a leading independent aquaculture, fisheries and environmental consulting, development, testing, research and training company operating throughout the world.
ABT Aquaculture is a leading aquaculture consulting and technical support company that forms part of the AquaBioTech Group. The company has grown to become one of the largest dedicated independent aquaculture consulting company`s operating on a truely global scale. With clients and projects in over twenty-nine (29) countries and a team of over twenty-five (25) highly qualified and experienced staff and personnel, the company draws on a wealth of experience and expertise covering all aspects of aquaculture planning, feasibility, development and operation. |
|  | ZwyerCaviar LLC is an family owned enterprise, seated in the heart of Swiss alps. As an innovative company we are determined to succeed and differentiate ourselves in the highly competitive and growing luxury fine food market worldwide. We are socially and ecologically conscientious of everything we do. Our approach is led by sustainability. Caviar is about trust. ZwyerCaviar comes from a sustainable controlled and responsible aqua farming environment and meets the highest health and quality standards in the world. A high priority is given to the protection and conservation of the sturgeon species in the wild. The sturgeons of ZwyerCaviar live in an untouched natural reserve, far from civilization and pollution. ZwyerCaviar is a clima-neutral company and proud member of the World Sturgoen Conservation Society eV.
Apart from the corporate website there is a blog named Caviarist you may want to visit, which is a mix between a corporate (of ZwyerCaviar LLC) and a privat (Roger Zwyer) blog. |
|  | Aller Aqua Group: With more than 40 years in the sector, Aller Aqua is one of the most experienced suppliers of fish feed for freshwater and saltwater species.
Aller Aqua has a wide range of fish feed for freshwater and saltwater fish for example fish feed for carp, catfish, rainbow trout, cod, turbot, rockfish, salmon, seabass, seabream and sturgeon.
All our fish feed products are produced by means of extrusion. The fish feed must cover the basic metabolism of the fish and ensure healthy growth. In order to meet these requirements the fish feed composition must meet all needs for nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Aller Aqua fish feed meet all these requirements and have been adapted to various sizes of fish and feeding strategies. The feed have been developed in cooperation with customers and undergo continuous tests, in selected test stations and fish farms.
Fish feed from Aller Aqua are produced at our factories in Denmark, Poland and Germany. |
|  | The Fish Farm Giaveri Rodolfo was created in 1979 as an eel farm. Thanks to realization of an efficient system of modern aquaculture, with an advanced plant, it has become the leader in this field among the top European fish farms. For almost 30 years the focus of the farms eel production has been to satisfy traditional kitchen requests in the South of our Peninsula and Sardinia, while trade in the foreign market has been mainly in smoked eel. Furthermore, already in the early 80s, the breeding was diversified introducing alternative species as Carps, Tenches and especially the Sturgeon. At the beginning, bred for sport fishing and then for its meat, it became the new and real protagonist of Giaveri production. Sturgeon inspires a lot of interest for the high quality of its resulting caviar also covering a particular role for variety of exemplars of Acipenser which are present in the plant. |
|  | Empirika |
|  | MOTTRA Ltd are the purveyors of exceptional quality farmed black caviar from Latvia. Established in 2002 and founded by a group of Russian and Latvian caviar experts, MOTTRA combines a new environmental and scientific approach resulting in the production of the purest CITES certified caviar that will delight the most discerning connoisseur.
Mottra produces Osetra (Acipenser baerii) and Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) caviar all year long, no matter what the season, due to the Mottra caviar pools being totally enclosed and insulated under carefully controlled temperatures using unique technology. This allows Mottra to be in full control of the process of caviar ripeness as the water at the farm is not susceptible to climate change and the caviar can be collected when it is at its best. Mottra does not use any preservatives, chemical or medical additions to the fish nor to the caviar; only salt is added. The caviar is malossol, grain-to-grain. Unlike many farms, the Mottra sturgeon are "stripped" of their eggs and are allowed to mature rather than being culled, as for each year that the fish lives the superior the quality, and thus all round caviar experience. |
|  | The Tropenhaus Frutigen represents a new tourist attraction in the Bernese Oberland. 100 litres of mountain water flows out of the Ltschberg Base Railway Tunnel every second. This heat energy is put to good use in the Tropenhaus: Fish and plants that love a warm climate are cultivated in the extensive facility, which is open to the public, and the Tropenhaus has around 80 employees from the local area. The facility is run by the Tropenhaus Frutigen AG, with Hans Peter Schwarz as the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
The Tropenhaus Frutigen is an attractive excursion destination for both individuals and groups. Visitors experience at first hand how the waste heat from the Ltschberg Base Tunnel is made use of: Exotic plants thrive in the Tropenhaus, while heat-loving fish swim about in the large basins. The food that is produced on-site comes fresh onto the tables of the operations own restaurants. The Tropenhaus is also a suitable location for events of all kinds, such as wedding receptions, company events or meetings. A wide range of tourist attractions are also available in the immediate vicinity. |
|  | Berlin Institute of Technology (BIT) Department Ecological Impact Research and Ecotoxicology Research for a Sustainable Future of our Ecosystems: Our research line in the field of ecological impact research and ecotoxicology aims to understand changes in an ecosystem from molecule, cells, organisms up to population effects and landscape structure. Within this goal the aquatic-terrestrial connectivity is one of the main back bones. Beside anthropogenic caused changes, we are investigating natural compounds, such as cyanobacterial toxins, which also cuase changes in an ecosystem.
A sustainable protection of our ecosystems can only be achieved, if single ecosystem function are investigated in order to help achieving the goal to protect the ecosystems. |
|  | Fischzucht Rhnforelle is among the pioneers of sturgeon farming in Germany. In 1990 Peter Gross imported the first thousand small Siberian sturgeon juveniles from Konakowo (Volga River) to Gersfeld (Germany). Since than, he gradually converted the former trout farm into a sturgeon farm. Today, the Siberian sturgeon is reproduced year round and fertilized eggs are exported world-wide, including to the former origin in Russia. Today, juvenile production includes the highly endangered species Huso huso. | CCRES AQUAPONICS project of NGO CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES) |
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