Novel and emerging technologies: can they contribute to improving aquaculture sustainability?

Aquaculture continues to be the fastest-growing food production sector with great potential to meet projected protein needs. The scientific and business communities are responding to the challenges and opportunities inherent in the growing aquaculture sector with research efforts generating novel technologies that mirror the diversity of the industry. In genetics and breeding, the pace of advancement and innovation has been increasing exponentially.

The number of breeding programmes, diversity of species, target traits and efficiency and sophistication of techniques applied continues to expand and advance. However, the pace of scientific development has at times outdistanced our ability to analyze risks and benefits, develop appropriate culture and containment technologies, educate and communicate, and reach policy and regulatory consensus. Now, more than ever, efforts must be made for society to accurately analyze and understand risks, to capture opportunities to raise healthier aquatic organisms faster with less environmental impact, while improving economic stability and providing associated social benefits. Disease outbreaks continue to constrain aquaculture sustainability. Improvements in aquatic animal and plant health are coming from new technologies, improved management strategies and better understanding of the genetic and physiological basis of immunity. Vaccine development is benefiting from better specific antigen determination, more efficacious adjuvants and enhanced vaccine delivery.

Traditional diagnostic technologies and newer methods have greatly improved speed, specificity and sensitivity. Research on improving oral delivery and disease management strategies that focus on prevention offer opportunities for improved control of pathogens and parasites in the future, obviating the use of antibiotics and chemotherapeutants. An important key to culture of any fed species is the development of sustainable, cost-effective and nutritionally complete feeds, along with efficient feed management systems. Current research is focusing on improved understanding of nutritional requirements, nutrient availabilities and cost-effective formulations designed to maximize food conversion efficiency. Continuing cost pressures and the acute need to find additional protein and lipid sources to augment limited fishmeal and fish oil supplies is driving an increased understanding of how different nutrients are utilized and how to use increasing amounts of terrestrial ingredients. New sources of proteins and lipids from algae and microbes can offer alternatives, as cost efficiencies improve.

Use of enzymes, probiotics and prebiotics, phytogenic compounds and organic acids are being shown to change gut microflora and improve health, digestibility and performance. Improved pelleting and extrusion technologies allow the production of top-quality feeds. Advancements in production systems, including recirculation technologies, cages and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, are also contributing to industry expansion and sustainability. All of these production system technologies are benefitting from expanding information and communication systems which are enabling advances in every stage of production. These and other examples suggest some of the benefits that future scientific-based innovation will contribute towards meeting increasing food demands, while improving social, environmental and financial sustainability of the global aquaculture industry.