Suspended solids present a challenge in biofloc production system management as they can become excessive and require disposal / removal. Poersch et al added Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, as  biological controllers of suspended solids in an integrated biofloc technology (BFT) system rearing red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus, and Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. While all system, performance measures remained stable, the presence of Tilapia in the system significantly reduced particulate matter in the system. Appropriate co-culture of tilapia can control the suspended solids when integrated with red drum / marine shrimp culture with BFT in an integrated multitrophic system.

Macroalgae and bivalve aquaculture may offer nutrient sinks at scales that are of national, international or even global significance. Comparing extraction by these species to known human emissions can make the utility and importance of extractive species aquaculture more apparent. Park et al. offer a comprehensive analysis of Korean aquaculture production and show that 161,846 tons of CO₂ and 7,251 tons of N were removed by three major seaweed species and two shellfish species. This level of removal is equivalent to 5.7% of the CO₂ and 8.6% of N discharged from all wastewater treatment plants in Korea. Not only is this form of bioextraction highly effective, it is economically viable and equitable.

Olive Flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, is one of the most successfully cultured flatfish species worldwide. This marine species demands high levels of easily digested protein and current production methods still rely on large amounts of fishmeal or trash fish inclusion in formulated and freshly mixed diets respectively. In the latest featured article by Seong-Mok Jeong and co-authors investigated increasing inclusion of meal from cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus, to replace fishmeal in Olive flounder diets. Results showed up to 40% fishmeal replacement without any growth reduction. Antioxidant enzyme activity increased with cricket meal inclusion up to 60% but fatty acid profiles were impacted by high inclusion levels. Results indicate cricket meal is a readily available and viable protein source for partial fishmeal replacement for this valuable finfish species.

For more papers form the Editor's Choice Awards: Volume 52, Issue 4, please click here. 

Claude Boyd and Aaron McNevin apply their exceptional knowledge to review energy use, and wastage, in aeration for shrimp operations. The range of energy use on shrimp farms is extremely large. It extends from 11.4 to 41.6 GJ/t shrimp across the variety of industry operators. Huge potential for efficiency improvements are identified, with the authors showing that energy use for aeration can be less than 10-15 GJ/t shrimp. Installed capacity is often excessive in many farms, as is application of aeration at early production stages. The use of older technologies like self-made long-arm aerators leads to excess energy use. Applying research data on improved aerator design could improve efficiency in Asia, while monitoring of dissolved oxygen is a simple and under-utilised way to determine efficacy and improve efficiency.  This review provides practical and valuable recommendations to save energy and costs in shrimp production worldwide.