Tilapia Head GlycolipidAlleviates Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulcer via Regulating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Through COX/PGE2 Signaling Pathway inAdult

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the ameliorative effect and molecular mechanism of tilapia head glycolipid(TH-GL)on indomethacin(IDM)-induced gastric ulcer in male Sprague Dawley(SD)rats.The gastric ulcer model was established by oral administration of 30mgkg^(-1) IDM after 7 days of TH-GL or omeprazole(OME)administration in rats.Then the macroscopic gastric injury symptoms,gastric mucosa protective factor cyclooxygenase 1(COX-1),cyclooxygenase 2(COX-2),prostaglandin E_(2)(PGE_(2)),the levels of oxidative stress,and inflammatory cytokine expression levels in the rats were analyzed.The experimental results showed that multiple ulcers appeared on the gastric surface of the rats in the model group.Compared to the model group,TH-GL significantly alleviated gastric ulcers and reduced the gastric damage index in rats.In addition,TH-GL significantly promoted the expression of constitutive enzyme COX-1 while inhibited the expression of inducible enzyme COX-2,and make PGE2 maintain at normal levels.TH-GL also inhibited oxidative stress and inflammatory responses,increased superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity and glutathione(GSH)content,decreased the level of malondialdehyde(MDA)and the content of pro-inflammatory factor.In conclusion,these results suggested that TH-GL could maintain the expression levels of COX-1 and PGE2 while inhibit the expression of COX-2 in the gastric of rat and then prevent IDM-induced gastric ulcer,which may be related to the regulation of oxidative stress and inflammatory response.Therefore,TH-GL might be a new option for the prevention of gastric diseases induced by IDM.

Impacts of Climate Change on Economic Performance of Tilapia Pond Operations in Minalin, Pampanga: A Case of Intensive Large-Scale Pond Culture

Pampanga is the top tilapia-producing province in Philippines. One of its municipalities, Minalin, is considered as one of its major centers of production. This study aims to determine the impacts of climate change hazards on the economic performance of tilapia-intensive pond culture in Minalin, Pampanga considering the threats to the industry, livelihoods, and food security. Results revealed that the economic performance of tilapia pond operations using semi-intensive large-scale culture was affected by climate change, as reflected in the reduction of yield among tilapia pond operators. This makes intensive tilapia pond farming in Minalin still a viable venture but will now require more than a year to pay for investment (variable and fixed) costs if under climate change risks. The study recommends strengthening capacity building related to climate-smart tilapia farming technologies for pond operators and to implement appropriate technologies to address climate change risks.

Effect of cooking processes on tilapia aroma and potential umami perception

Tilapia is a freshwater fish group with a sustainable prospect but suffers off-notes appearing during cooking processes.To promote pleasant odorants by thermal cooking processes,tilapia fillets were cooked in different ways(roasting,microwave-heating,boiling and steaming).Their aroma profiles were analysed with special focus on off-notes and umami-enhancing odorants by principal component analysis,and correlated with the heating time,colour,moisture and water activity by partial least squares regression analysis.Results showed that the“green”and“earthy”off-notes were highly correlated with the boiling process(excess of water,short heating time),while most of the umami-enhancing odorants had a high association with the roasting process(low water content,long heating time,better Maillard reaction).This study indicated that roasting is the most adapted cooking process promoting Maillard-derived aromas,umami-enhancing aromas and meanwhile,reducing off-notes.This research helps in understanding the off-note generation in tilapia and promoting desirable umami-enhancing odorants.

Water Quality and Growth Performance of Nile Tilapia Fries Fed on Insect-Based Feeds

Fish feed is one of the main constraints on the growth of aquaculture in Kenya. The lack of high-quality and competitively priced feeds means that the fish farmers are unable to expand their production. To ensure that aquaculture remains viable and sustainable, it is necessary to optimize production through the utilization of locally available feeding materials. Insect-based feeds are alternative least-cost feeding resource in fish production. Using alternative protein sources such as black soldier fly larvae (BSF) and daphnia meal in place of fishmeal (Omena and Dagaa) is an ingenious strategy for sustainable fish aquaculture. This study evaluated the effect of four treatments: BSF, daphnia, Omena from Lake Victoria and Dagaa from Lake Tanganyika on the fish pond environmental parameters and fish fries’ performance (body weight and length). The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse with 30 fingerlings in each experimental unit. The feeding trials took 23 days. Results indicated that the four treatments have a varied effect on the BW and L of fish fries. A high growth rate was observed in Daphia, followed by BSF, Omena and Dagaa in that order. On the other hand, the treatments have varied effects on pond parameters with BSF promoting too much growth of algae. BSF have higher amounts of ammonia, nitrates and phosphorus, which stimulate the high growth of algae.

Effects of Garcinia kola “Bitter Kola” Powder on Sex Reversal, Survival and Growth Performance of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.)

This study was carried out in 2022 at the Itato agriculture community estate of fish hatchery in eastern Senegal with the aim of finding an alternative method to 17-α-methyl testosterone (MT) by using Garcinia kola “Bitter kola” powder to obtain Oreochromis niloticus male sex populations. 1800 fry of average size between 0.01 and 0.02 g were distributed in 12 aboveground tanks of 1 m3 each at a rate of 150 individuals/tank, following 6 duplicate treatments. The negative (B1 and B2) and positive (B3 and B4) control diets, to which between 0 and 60 mg/kg of 17alpha-methyl testosterone had been added respectively, were mixed with industrial feed containing 40% protein;the tank diets (B5 and B6), (B7 and B8), (B9 and B10) and (B11 and B12) contained 10 g, 20 g, 30 g and 40 g of Garcinia kola powder respectively for 1 kg of industrial feed con-taining 40% protein. These different treatments resulted in high proportions of males in the order of 97.03%;98.09% for the hormone and proportions of 94.03%;93.26% for 20 g of Garcinia kola extracts. In terms of weight growth, the best average weights for the hormone and Garcinia kola were 0.896 g and 0.980 g respectively. With regard to fish survival, the following results were recorded: 95.53% and 94.56% respectively for additions of 20 g and 30 g of Garcinia kola extracts to the feed supplied to the fish. On the other hand, a significant difference in the mortality rate of 35% and 5% respectively for the conventional hormone and 20 g of Garcinia kola extracts was observed. To conclude the study, it is recommended that further studies be carried out to determine the quality of the flesh, their life stages and the profile of the amino acids present in their proteins.

仿生态条件下星洲红鱼(Singapore red tilapia)和奥尼罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)生长和肌肉营养特性的比较研究

为比较星洲红鱼(Singapore red tilapia)和奥尼罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)的生长和肌肉营养特性,实验利用两种鱼的不同体色将其混养在同一池塘中,在相同的环境条件和养殖管理下研究其生长特性,并分析肌肉营养成分。结果表明:两种罗非鱼生长在前60 d无差异,60 d后星洲红鱼的体长、体质量日增长和特定生长率均大于奥尼罗非鱼,且差异显著(P<0.05)。据此得到了星洲红鱼和奥尼罗非鱼的体长(L)、体质量(W)生长与养殖天数(d)的回归方程。星洲红鱼含肉率高于奥尼罗非鱼9.65%(P<0.05),肌肉水分高于奥尼罗非鱼,蛋白质、粗脂肪和灰分含量均低于奥尼罗非鱼,其中脂肪含量差异显著(P<0.05),其他不显著。两种罗非鱼肌肉的氨基酸组成全面,氨基酸组成均符合FAO/WHO的理想模式,除精氨酸含量有差异外,其他氨基酸含量稍有差异但不显著。星洲红鱼和奥尼罗非鱼肌肉EAA/TAA、EAA/NEAA、DAA/TAA和EAAI分别为41.04%和40.95%,70.00%和69.34%,40.71%和39.08%,67.46%和67.08%,差异不显著。星洲红鱼、奥尼罗非鱼肌肉∑SFA和∑UFA分别为28.03%和28.60%,63.87%和61.38%,各脂肪酸含量除C14:0和C18:2外,其他含量差异不显著。研究表明,星洲红鱼和奥尼罗非鱼生长快、营养丰富、食用价值高,是优质淡水鱼类养殖品种,其中星洲红鱼含肉率高,生长快,养殖效益明显。

罗非鱼(Tilapia nilotica)简达气单胞菌病的病原分离鉴定及药敏试验

从患病罗非鱼(Tilapia nilotica)体内分离得到细菌NL05,通过回归感染试验确定NL05为致病菌,并测出NL05对罗非鱼的半致死量(LD50)为1×103 CFU/g。结合细菌形态学特征、生理生化指标和16S r RNA基因同源分析,鉴定NL05为简达气单胞菌(Aeromonas jandaei)。形态学观察发现,NL05为革兰氏阴性、短杆状;生理生化试验中麦芽糖、甘露醇、葡萄糖、水杨素、硫化氢等13种指标为阳性,蔗糖、阿拉伯糖、木糖、肌醇、卫矛醇等10种指标为阴性。药敏试验显示,NL05对奥复星、丙氟哌酸、丁胺卡那霉素、多粘菌素B、氟哌酸、利福平、洁霉素等13种抗生素敏感,对阿奇霉素、菌必治、卡那霉素、链霉素、美满霉素5种抗生素中介,对氨苄青霉素、阿莫西林、恩诺沙星、复方新诺明、甲氧苄啶等13种抗生素耐药。

尼罗罗非鲫(Tilapia nilotia)仔鱼前期器官发育与分化的组织学观察

本文报道了尼罗罗非鲫发育到仔鱼前期器官发育与分化的研究结果。其中,消化管、肝脏、胰脏、胆囊、鳔、眼和鳃等的发育已达到最后阶段的造型,分化程度较高。胸腺、甲状腺、肾脏仍属器官原基,分化水平较低。口中孵化的方式对眼的分化有一定影响。直到仔鱼前期末,消化管和消化腺没有实质性变化。但胃,肠内出现许多大的卵黄颗粒。在这一阶段,性腺增大十分明显,且被毛细血管及血岛将组织分成许多小叶。性腺的迅速发育与卵黄快速吸收和利用可能有一定的对应关系。

Comparative Study on the Antioxidant Activity of Peptides from Pearl Oyster(Pinctada martensii) Mantle Type V Collagen and Tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus) Scale Type Ⅰ Collagen

In this study, Pearl oyster mantle type V collagen(POMC) and tilapia scale type I collagen(TSC) were extracted and hydrolyzed by various proteases in order to obtain peptides. The antioxidant activity of the peptides was investigated by DPPH, hydroxyl radical scavenging experiments and a dynamic digestion model in vitro. The results show that there are significant differences in amino acid composition between POMC and TSC. The collagen peptides obtained from pearl oyster mantle(POMCP) by treating with alkaline protease exhibited higher antioxidant activity than that from tilapia scale(TSCP) treated with papaya protease, and both of them showed greater DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity than other peptides. After being separated via Sephadex G-25 chromatography, the M1 fraction isolated from POMCP, and the S1 fraction from TSCP with which both had higher molecular weights showed the strongest antioxidant activity than other fractions, and the M1 fraction exhibited stronger antioxidant activity than the S1 fraction in scavenging free-radicals and protecting cells from the oxidation damage. Furthermore, after treating the dynamic digestion system model in vitro, the DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of the M1 fraction increased slightly. These results suggest that POMCP exhibits stronger antioxidant activity than TSCP, which means that PMOP may be a good candidate to be a potential natural antioxidant in the food-processing industry.

罗非鱼(Tilapia)鱼皮提取明胶的工艺优化

以罗非鱼(Tilapia)鱼皮为原料,分别用碱法、酸法、酶法进行前处理,对3种方法的提取效果进行比较,筛选出最佳水解方法为酶法。优化了酶法处理后的漂白、熬胶工艺,获得鱼皮提取明胶的最佳工艺。结果显示,前处理采用0.2%的混合酶,调p H值至3.5,于40℃水浴中酶水解鱼皮1 h,用6%高锰酸钾溶液进行氧化漂白3 h,再用1.5%草酸溶液进行还原漂白45 min。控制p H值为5?6,分3次熬胶,每次分别将水浴加热升温至60℃、65℃、70℃,各加热2 h,过滤后将3次胶液合并,在真空度不低于500 mm Hg,温度不超过60℃的情况下浓缩至20%左右。然后在60℃的鼓风干燥箱干燥至明胶含水量14%以下,经粉碎机粉碎,即可得成品明胶。该工艺产品得率19.93%(湿基)、粘度13.1 m Pa·s、凝胶强度1034.3 g/cm2。

Dietary L-arginine supplementation reduces lipid accretion by regulating fatty acid metabolism in Nile tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus)

Background: Excessive white fat accumulation in humans and other animals is associated with the development of multiple metabolic diseases. It is unknown whether dietary L-arginine supplementation reduces lipid deposition in high fat diet-fed Nile tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus).Results: In the present study, we found that dietary supplementation with 1% or 2% arginine decreased the deposition and concentration of fats in the liver;the concentrations of triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein in the serum;and the diameter of adipocytes in intraperitoneal adipose tissue. Compared with the un-supplementation control group, the hepatic activities of alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase, and hepatic concentration of malondialdehyde were reduced but these for catalase and superoxide dismutase were enhanced by dietary supplementation with 2% arginine. Arginine supplementation reduced the total amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids, while increasing the total amounts of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the liver. These effects of arginine were associated with reductions in mRNA levels for genes related to lipogenesis(sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1, acetyl-CoA carboxylase α, stearoyl-CoA desaturase, and fatty acid synthase) but increases in mRNA levels for genes involved in fatty acid β-oxidation(carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1α and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α). In addition, hepatic mRNA levels for Δ4 fatty acyl desaturase 2 and elongase 5 of very long-chain fatty acids were enhanced by arginine supplementation.Conclusion: These results revealed that dietary L-arginine supplementation to tilapia reduced high fat diet-induced fat deposition and fatty acid composition in the liver by regulating the expression of genes for lipid metabolism.

Relationships of Dissolved Oxygen with Chlorophyll-a and Phytoplankton Composition in Tilapia Ponds

This study investigated the relationships among the parameters of dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll-a and phytoplankton composition in tilapia ponds. Each pond (a total of 18 ponds) was sampled once in the dry, winter season between January and March and again early in the rainy season between May and June. The data were analyzed by examining correlations among parameters as affected by season, altitude and culture system. Observations were made at sites located in 5 selected provinces of northern Thailand: Chiangrai, Chiangmai, Phayao, Lampang and Nakornsawan. Mean elevation of these areas range from 25 to 582 meters above sea level (masl) and were categorized into low (400 masl) elevation sites. Ponds were 0.8 - 2.0 m deep, 0.16 - 0.64 ha in area and could be further categorized into high and low input systems.Mean air temperature in winter ranged between 16.5°C - 35.8°C while mean water temperature ranged between 25.5°C - 27.1&#176;C. In rainy season, air temperature ranged between 22.0°C - 37.3°C and water temperature ranged between 29.4°C - 31.8°C. The amount of chlorophyll-a in both seasons were comparable (p > 0.05), but chlorophyll-a in high input system was significantly higher (p 0.05) than in low input ponds. Only weak correlation was found between chlorophyll-a, DOmax and DOmin. Multifactor-ANOVA was used to analyze the difference of total bacteria and filamentous cyanobacteria in ponds based upon elevation, culture systems and season. Result shows that there is a significant interaction observed between elevation, culture system and season (p 0.05). Species diversity and composition of phytoplankton in fish ponds in 2 seasons revealed the presence of 90 genera of phytoplankton under all 7 divisions. Divisions Chlorophyta and Cyanophyta had the most number of genera identified in both seasons with Pediastrum spp., and Scendesmus spp., and Anabaena spp. as dominant genera/genus, respectively.

Determination of 17<i>α</i>-Methyltestosterone in Freshwater Samples of Tilapia Farming by High Performance Liquid Chromatography

17α-methyltestosterone is used to induce the sex reversal of Tilapia sp. to obtain cultures mono-sex to an economically viable. This practice may lead to environmental contamination and problems in human health. Therefore methods need to be developed to detect residues of 17α-methyltestosterone in aqueous matrices. A simple high-performance liquid chromatographic method using ultraviolet detection (245 nm) and testosterone as internal standard has been developed for the monitoring 17α-methyltestosterone in freshwater samples of tilapia aquaculture. The method described involves limited sample preparation as it includes a filtration followed by a single solid-phase extraction step using C18 cartridge. Validation data indicated that the HPLC-UV method for 17α-methyltestosterone determination in the concentration range of 50 - 2000 μg/L provided good linearity, sensitivity, accuracy and precision. Method performance was efficiently applied to monitoring the freshwater samples of fish ponds and the surrounding aquatic channels.

Effects of dietary genistein on GH/IGF-I axis of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

There is considerable concern that isoflavones,such as genistein in fish feed composed of soybean protein,affects somatic growth in fish.Our previous works demonstrated that 30 and 300 μg/g dietary genistein had no significant effect on growth performance in Nile tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus),but the higher level of genistein(3 000 μg/g) significantly depressed growth.This study was conducted to further examine the effects of dietary genistein on the endocrine disruption on growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-I(GH/IGF-I) axis in Nile tilapia(O.niloticus).Juvenile fish were fed by hand twice daily to satiation with one of four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets,each containing either 0,30,300 or3 000 μg/g genistein.Following an 8-week feeding period,plasma GH and IGF-I levels were investigated by radioimmunoassay and gene expression levels of gh,ghrelin,gnrhs,ghr,npy,npyrs,pacap,ghrs,igf-I,igf-Ir,and igfbp3 were examined by real-time PCR.The results show that no significant change in plasma GH and IGF-I levels in fish fed with diets containing 30 μg/gand 300 μg/g genistein.mRNA expression of genes along the GH/IGF-I axis remained unaffected,except for igf-Ir,which was stimulated by the 300 μg/g genistein diet.While in fish fed the 3 000 μg/g genistein diet,the plasma GH and IGF-I levels decreased,and mRNA expression of gh,ghr2,npyr1,igf-I,and igf-Ir were also significantly depressed.In contrast,npy and igfbp3 mRNA expression were enhanced.This study provides convincing evidence for growth impediment by genistein by disturbing the GH/IGF-I axis in Nile tilapia O.niloticus.

Effects of phenanthrene on hepatic enzymatic activities in tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus ♀×O.aureus ♂)

The effects of phenanthrene（Phe） on hepatosomatic index（HSI） and hepatic enzymatic activities in hybrid tilapia（Oreochromis niloticus ♀× O.aureus ♂） were investigated via the static freshwater exposure at dosage of 50,100,and 400 μg/L for 4-14 d.Compared with the control group,HSI was significantly decreased（P 〈 0.05） at 400 μg/L at day 14.Increased enzymatic activities（P 〈 0.05） were observed for catalase（CAT）,glutathione peroxidase（GPx） and superoxide dismutase（SOD） at either 100 or 400 μg/L at day 8 and 14,as well as for CAT at 50 μg/L at day 14,except for GPx at 400 μg/L at day 8.Ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase（EROD） activity was significantly increased（P 〈 0.05） at all dosage at day 4 as well as at 50 μg/L at day 8,but significantly decreased at either 100 or 400 μg/L at day 14（P 〈 0.05）.Glutathione-S-transferase（GST） activity was not affected.The results suggest that CAT,GPx,SOD and EROD,as well as HSI in tilapia may be used as the biomarkers or indexes for evaluating or monitoring the pollution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons（PAHs） such as Phe.

Induction of testis-ova in nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) exposed to 17β-estradiol

The efficacy of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds (EDCs), 17β-estradiol was tested on the fish Oreochromis niloticus in order to understand the intersex relationship of fish, in which sequential hermaphrodism can consist of a male changing into a female (protandry) or a female changing into a male (protogyny). The fish were equally divided into 3 groups. The first group was the control group;the second and third groups were treated with 10 and 100 mg L-1 of 17β-estradiol, respectively, for 30 days. The overall result in this experiment had no significant effect on the growth parameters. Among the two treated groups, the low concentration group shows results similar to those of the control groups. The high concentration group shows changes to the male reproductive system with the appearance of the testis-ova present resulting in an intersex condition of the male gonads. With this experiment, it can be concluded that 17β-estradiol at high concentration reveals positive changes towards the male reproductive system of the fish, Oreochromis niloticus.

First identification of two co-existing genome-wide significant sex quantitative trait loci(QTL) in red tilapia using integrative QTL mapping

Red tilapia(Oreochromis spp.)is one of the most popular fish in China due to its bright red appearance,fast growth rate,and strong adaptability.Understanding the sex determination mechanisms is of vital importance for the selection of all-male lines to increase aquacultural production of red tilapia.In this research,the genetic architecture for sex from four mapping populations(n=1090)of red tilapia was analyzed by quantitative trait loci(QTL)-seq,linkage-based QTL mapping,and linkage disequilibrium(LD)-based genome-wide association studies.Two genome-wide significant QTL intervals associated with sex were identified on ChrLG1(22.4-23.9 Mb)and ChrLG23(32.0-35.9 Mb),respectively.The QTL on ChrLG1 was detected in family 1(FAM1),FAM2,and FAM4,and the other QTL on ChrLG23 was detected in FAM3 and FAM4.Four microsatellite markers located within the QTL were successfully developed for marker-assisted selection.Interestingly,three(Ipp,sox14,and amh)of the 12 candidate genes located near or on the two QTL intervals were abundantly expressed in males,while the remaining genes were more highly expressed in females.Seven genes(scly,ube3a,Ipp,gpr17,oca2,cog4,and atp10a)were significantly differentially expressed between the male and female groups.Furthermore,LD block analysis suggested that a cluster of genes on ChrLG23 may participate in regulating sex development in red tilapia.Our study provides important information on the genetic architecture of sex in red tilapia and should facilitate further exploration of sex determination mechanisms in this species.

Phylogenetics and Molecular Divergence of Tilapia Fish (Oreochromis Species) Using Mitochondrial D-Loop and Cytochrome b Regions

Understanding the level of genetic diversity in any population is an important requisite towards strategizing measures for conservation and improvement of stocks. This study focused on the assessment of phylogenetics and molecular divergence of tilapia fish species obtained from two populations (Domita in South-South and Odeda in South-West, Nigeria) using the displacement loop (D-loop) and cytochrome b region of the mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (mtDNA). A total of 28 samples (15 from South-South and 13 from South-West) were used for the genetic analysis. DNA was extracted from the tissue of all the samples using Quik-gDNATM miniPrep kit. The D-loop containing the hypervariable region was sequenced for all samples from the two populations, while cytochrome b (Cyt b) region of mtDNA was only sequenced for samples from South-South population. Chromatograms of the sequences were viewed and edited using Bioedit software. Multiple sequence alignment was carried out using molecular evolutionary genetic analysis (MEGA) software before subsequent genetic analyses. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the samples into two clusters based on population. Also, when the two mitochondrial regions were pooled together, they clustered into two major groups based on mitochondrial regions. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed 37.32% variation within population and 62.68% variation among population with a significant fixation index of 0.627 (p 0.05). The genetic distance inferred between D-loop regions of South-South and South-West populations was 0.243. Maternal lineage analysis revealed that the origin of tilapia fish from both populations could be traced to Oreochromis spirilus and Oreochromis leucostictus based on mitochondrial D-loop region. The findings of this study revealed molecular divergence among the tilapia populations and may serve as pivot information for the genetic improvement of this important species.

The Value of Pig Manure as a Source of Nutrients for Semi-Intensive Culture of Nile Tilapia in Ponds (A Review)

Growing global needs for food call for substantial increases in protein production in coming years, and for diligent conservation efforts. Manures from farm animals have been viewed both as a resource and as a waste product, but they are critically important sources of nutrients for organic and integrated farming and for traditional Asian aquaculture. Given constraints on livestock production and capture fisheries, careful development of the aquaculture industry is a necessity. The production volume and market share of tilapia are advancing extremely rapidly, and so too is the proliferation of misinformation and controversy. Culture and feeding practices differ widely, but feeding is usually recognized as the single largest cost to producers. Traditional Asian integrated farming practices involve the use of manures and other farm wastes to promote algae and zoo-plankton production, serving as a sole or supplemental nutrient source to the food chain that supports tilapia growout. Tilapia also ingest manures. The efficient use of nutrients from manures can have multiple benefits to integrated terrestrial agriculture and aquaculture, as long as product safety and quality are not compromised. With efficient use, handling of manures is simplified, fish production costs are reduced, fish nutrition can be improved, and potentially polluting materials are cycled constructively on integrated farms. Consumer and press reactions to the use of farm manures in food production can be highly polarized. Published responses cover a range of extremes, from enthusiastic endorsement to volatile reactions and outright rejection;in some areas this practice is considered to be more of a “PR (Public Relations) problem” than a health hazard. The perception in online public media that tilapia coming from ponds fertilized with manure are heavily contaminated with pathogens has not been supported by evidence. The perspectives of farmers in two major tilapia production areas (China and the Philippines) are included.

Survey of Climate-Related Risks to Tilapia Pond Farms in Northern Thailand

Climate is an important factor for aquaculture production. This study aimed to understand how farmers that culture tilapia in earthen ponds perceive and respond to climate impacts. Important climate-related risks identified include extreme temperatures (hot and cold), excessive rainfall, prolonged cloud cover, flood and drought. Site visits and data collection using questionnaires were conducted to identify important factors influencing farm profits, losses, decision to increase or decrease ponds. Special attention was given to knowledge about fish markets and weather and the impacts of weather and climate on fish growth, disease outbreaks and water quality in ponds. Altogether 585 fish farms in four provinces in northern part of Thailand selected to cover a range of elevations above sea level and thus climate were surveyed (Nakornsawan< 100 m, Lampang 100-300 m, Phayao 300-500 m and Chiang Mai > 500 m). Fish farms at different elevations reported different climate and weather-related impacts. In the area where elevation above sea level is < 100 m, farmers were affected more by floods and extreme hot weather which caused fish deaths and stress that reduced feeding and growth rates. Conversely, fish farmers in the area where elevation above sea level is >500 were impacted mainly by drought and cold weather. These conditions also caused disease outbreaks and reduced feeding rates. Farmers responded by reducing the amount of feed supplied and considering non-fish pond or non-farm supplementary occupations as an adaptation strategy. Among non-climate related factors high prices of feed were most commonly identified as a key issue by farmers. The differences among sites at higher and lower elevation provided insights into the kind of changes in risks farmers may face as climate changes that could be helpful in developing adaptation strategies for individual farmers and the sector as a whole.