Aquaculture and Fisheries Commons^™

Exploring The Significance Of Kenya's Indigenous And Emerging Blue Foods For Sustainable Aquaculture Development. A Review, Jonathan Munguti, Mavindu Muthoka, Domitila Kyule, Esther Magondu, Kevin Obiero, Jimmy Mboya, Menaga Meenakshisundaram, Tanga M. Chrysantus, Gerald Kwikiriza, Francis K. Njonge

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Kenya's aquaculture sector is at a pivotal stage, transitioning from a historical reliance on Nile tilapia and African catfish toward a more diversified production portfolio that integrates indigenous and emerging freshwater and marine species. This shift is increasingly recognized as essential to enhance climate resilience, food security, and ecosystem health. This systematic review synthesizes more than two decades (2000 to 31st January, 2026) of peer-reviewed literature to evaluate the biological suitability, culture performance, and socio-ecological roles of underutilized native taxa, including Ningu (Labeo victorianus), Jipe tilapia (Oreochromis jipe), freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium spp.), rabbitfish (Siganus sutor), marine-acclimatized Nile tilapia, mud crab …

Fisheries Research Report No. 365: Recreational Fishing For Marron In South-West Western Australia In 2026, Claire B. Smallwood, Karina L. Ryan, Eva Lai

Fisheries Research Reports

The smooth marron (Cherax cainii) (‘marron’) is endemic to freshwater dams and rivers of south-west Western Australia. Marron are managed as a single stock within the South-West Recreational Freshwater Resource and are highly vulnerable to overexploitation due to the biological characteristics of the species (e.g., low fecundity, localised populations) as well as environmental (e.g., habitat loss, reduction in rainfall) and human (e.g., fishing, land clearing) pressures on freshwater ecosystems.

Due to this vulnerability, this species has been the focus of research, monitoring and management since the 1970’s. Since 2000, annual phone-recall (2000 – 2021) and online-recall (2022 – 2026) surveys …

Harnessing Kenyan Aquaculture Through Social Media: Impacts, Challenges And Strategic Directions, Domitila Kyule, Jonathan Munguti, Mavindu Muthoka, Esther Magondu, Menaga Meenakshisundaram, Chrysantus M. Tanga, Kevin Obiero, Cecilia Githukia

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Aquaculture is increasingly important for food, nutrition and livelihoods in Kenya, but the sector still faces persistent constraints in extension delivery, farmer learning, input access, market coordination and information reliability. This review examines how social media and related digital communication tools are shaping aquaculture development in Kenya, with attention to impacts, challenges, governance needs and strategic directions. A systematic literature review of studies and institutional sources published between 2015 and 2025 was conducted. The search identified 388 records, of which 45 sources were included in the final synthesis after screening, eligibility assessment and quality appraisal. Because the evidence was heterogeneous, …

Resource Assessment Report 9: South Coast Crustacean Resource 2045-25 Assessment, Emma-Jade Tuffley, Simon De Lestang

Resource Assessment Reports

The South Coast Crustacean Resource (SCCR) comprises southern rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii), western rock lobster (Panulirus cygnus), crystal crab (Chaceon albus), giant crab (Pseudocarcinus gigas), and champagne crab (Hypothalassia acerba). The resource is accessed primarily by the South Coast Crustacean Managed Fishery (SCCMF), which operates between Augusta in the west and the South Australian border in the east. Since the 2022–23 season, the SCCMF has been managed under an Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) system with Total Allowable Commercial Catches (TACs) set for four quota zones. Recreational fishing retains a small quantity of rock lobster only.

During the 2024–25 fishing season, …

Gendered Analysis Of Fish Feed Ingredients And Sourcing Practices In Western Kenya’S Aquaculture, Kristie Drucza, Sujata Ganguly, Rodrigue Yossa, Chrysantus Tanga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Introduction – Fish feed management plays a central role in aquaculture productivity, but it is rarely analysed through a gender lens. This study examines how women and men differ in their use and sourcing of fish feed ingredients in smallholder aquaculture systems in Western Kenya. Drawing on feminist economics, it explores how everyday roles, access to resources, and mobility shape feed practices. Methods – The analysis uses survey data from 213 fish farmers, including 112 women and 101 men, across six counties in Western Kenya. A binary logit model was used to assess factors associated with the use of selected …

An Emergent Seafood Nationalism Takes Hold In The United States, Owen Temby

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

This paper introduces the concept of ‘seafood nationalism’ to describe how, since 2024–2025, the United States increasingly uses tariffs, trade remedies, food safety enforcement and origin-based rules to favour American seafood over foreign products. Federal actions include Executive Order 14276, Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness, which directs agencies to address unfair trade practices, unsafe imports and to develop a coordinated seafood trade strategy. Additional measures include a tariff package imposing a 10% duty on nearly all seafood imports and 30% on seafood from China, as well as new anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders on warm-water shrimp. This paper presents Gulf …

Resource Assessment Report No. 8: Pilbara Prawn Resource - 2024 Assessment, Inigo Koefoed, Rachel Marks, Scott Evans, Sharon Wilkin, Jason How

Resource Assessment Reports

The Pilbara Prawn Resource (Resource) is accessed by three managed commercial fisheries; the Exmouth Gulf Prawn Managed Fishery (EGPMF), the Onslow Prawn Managed Fishery (OPMF) and the Nickol Bay Prawn Managed Fishery (NBPMF). All three fisheries are managed under effort controls, with the EGPMF and OPMF targeting brown tiger prawns (BTP; Penaeus esculentus), western king prawns (WKP; Penaeus latisulcatus), blue endeavour prawns (BEP; Metapenaeus endeavouri), and lesser quantities of banana prawns (Penaeus merguiensis). The NBPMF primarily targets banana prawns while also catching BTP, WKP, and BEP in lower numbers. These fisheries are situated adjacent to one another along the Pilbara …

Resource Assessment Report No. 7: Shark Bay Invertebrate Resource - 2024 Assessment, Jason How, Inigo Koefoed, Rachel Marks, Scott E. Evans, Sharon Wilkin

Resource Assessment Reports

The Shark Bay Invertebrate Resource (Resource) is accessed by three managed commercial fisheries; the Shark Bay Prawn Managed Fishery (SBPMF), the Shark Bay Scallop Managed Fishery (SBSMF) and the Shark Bay Blue Swimmer Crab Managed Fishery (SBCMF). Additionally, blue swimmer crabs are taken by recreational fishers through a variety of methods, though the overall level of boat-based catch is relatively low (~ 7.8 t). The SBSMF and SBCMF fisheries are quota managed and primarily retain their target species of scallops and crabs, respectively. The SBPMF is an effort-managed fishery that targets brown tiger prawns (BTP; Penaeus esculentus) and western king …

Fisheries Management Paper No. 313: Western Australian Statewide Small Pelagic Scalefish Resource Harvest Strategy, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Fisheries Management Papers

Harvest strategies for Western Australia’s (WA) aquatic resources are formal documents developed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD, the Department) to support decision-making processes that ensure the outcomes are consistent with the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD; Fletcher 2002a) and Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (EBFM; Fletcher et al. 2012).

Harvest strategies are a key component of all contemporary fishery management systems and a requirement for certification under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC; Marine Stewardship Council 2018). The objectives of ESD are reflected in the objects of the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 (FRMA).

This Statewide …

Gaining Mussel: Evaluating Reintroduction Success Of Native Freshwater Mussels In Nebraska And Eastern Wyoming, Travis A. Moore

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Freshwater mussels are one of the most imperiled groups of organisms in North America, with over two-thirds of species considered threatened, endangered, or of special concern. These long-lived bivalves are essential to stream ecosystems, acting as filter feeders that improve water quality and as indicators of aquatic health. In Nebraska and Wyoming, native mussel populations have declined sharply due to habitat modification, pollution, and reduced connectivity. Two species of particular concern are the Plain Pocketbook Lampsilis cardium, listed as Tier I at-risk in Nebraska, and the Fatmucket Lampsilis siliquoidea, a Tier II at-risk species. In response, state agencies …

Developing An Independent Shallow-Water Survey For The Western Rock Lobster Fishery: Tracking Pre-Recruitment Abundance And Habitat Change, Lucy Rudd, Simon De Lestang, Owen Young, Benjamin Hebiton

Fisheries Research Reports

Background

Puerulus settlement has proven to be a good forecaster of legal recruitment of Western Rock Lobster entering into the commercial and recreational fisheries. However, in 2011, this relationship broke down, with average puerulus settlement levels not being reflected in commercial catch rates four years later. Some northern areas showed unexpectedly low catch rates, while other southern areas showed unexpectedly high catch rates. Since this change followed the 2011 marine heatwave, it was assumed that this event changed some component(s) which were important to the growth and survival of juvenile lobsters. It was determined that a better understanding of this …

Assessment Of Goose-Beaked Whale Responsesto Mid-Frequency Active Sonar Usinga Hierarchical Hidden Markov Model, Stacy L. De Ruiter, Erin A. Falcone, Shannon N. Coates, Brenda K. Rone, David A. Sweeney, Karin A. Dolan, Susan M. Jarvis, Russel D. Andrews, Stephanie L. Watwood, Gregory S. Schorr

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Background

Acoustic disturbance is increasingly recognized as an ecological concern, particularly at sea. In light of marine mammal stranding events associated with use of naval mid-frequency active sonar (MFAS), which often involve goose-beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris), research has sought to detect and characterize Ziphius behavioral responses to MFAS.

Methods

We deployed Sound and Motion Recording and Telemetry (SMRT) tags on 13 Ziphius in the Southern California Bight. The study area includes the United States Navy’s Southern California Anti-submarine Warfare Range (SOAR), and deployments overlapped temporally with training exercises including MFAS use. We used hierarchical hidden Markov models (HHMMs), which provided …

Assessing The Influence Of Temperature And Water Level On Gill Disease In Goldfish, Moses Elijah Cadawas, Emmalie Turner, Darlene Panvini

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Gill disease in fish is a strong biological indicator of water quality and environmental stress. These diseases are commonly caused by bacterial or parasitic infections that target gill tissues and can lead to severe physiological impairment and ultimately mortality. Several environmental factors, including water level and temperature, play a critical role in determining fish susceptibility to these infections. Changes in these conditions can act as stressors that weaken immune defenses and promote pathogen proliferation. This study aimed to evaluate the relative impact of environmental stressors on the development of gill-associated disease in Carassius auratus (goldfish) under controlled conditions. Following exposure …

Fisheries Management Paper No.312: Discussion Paper On Management And Licensing Options For The Charter Industry - Statewide Strategic Review Of Western Australia’S Charter Fishing Sector, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Fisheries Management Papers

This consultation paper has been prepared to support the statewide strategic review of Western Australia’s (WA) charter fishing sector, which was initiated as a government commitment.

The paper details issues and proposals relating to the management and licensing framework, development opportunities and representation model for the charter fishing industry. The proposals have been developed in consultation with the Charter Review Working Group. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) now seeks comment from relevant stakeholders on the issues and proposals outlined within this paper.

Comments provided will assist in providing advice and recommendations to the Minister for Fisheries …

Fisheries Research Report No. 358 - Recreational Fishing For Blue Swimmer Crab In Cockburn Sound: Estimates Of Effort And Catch In 2024/25, Alissa C. Tate, Claire B. Smallwood, Eva K M Lai

Fisheries Research Reports

The Cockburn Sound Blue Swimmer Crab (Portunus armatus) fishery was reopened to recreational fishing in December 2024 following a 10-year closure. Monitoring was essential to assess fishing effort and catch for this species.

A boat ramp (bus route) survey at four key access points (Leeuwin, Woodman Point, Palm Beach, and Point Peron) and shore-based roving creel survey (Fremantle South Mole to Point Peron) were used to collect data from December 2024 to May 2025. These surveys provide estimates of fishing effort, total catch (kept and released), harvest and catch rates for Blue Swimmer Crab in Cockburn Sound.

A total of …

Polyhydroxybutyrate (Phb) From Biofloc Systems Enhances The Growth And Immune Performance Of Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia, Menaga Meenakshisundaram, Jimmy B. Mboya, Felix Sugantham

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

This study characterised polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)-producing bacteria from the culture water of genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT) in biofloc ponds and investigated the influence of PHB on the growth and immune performance of GIFT. Out of 40 bacterial isolates, Bacillus infantis, Exiguobacterium profundum, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterococcus hirae showed positive results for PHB against fluorescent stains. The PHB yield in the range of 5%–95.45% (w/w) was recorded, with the highest from K. pneumoniae (95.45% w/w). The experimental treatments included a basal diet as a control (C), a basal diet with PHB (5 g kg⁻¹) from …

Supplemental Data For Gulf Coast Walleye Edna Survey, Kevin W. Jones

Research Data

This file contains the full eDNA collection and amplification dataset for:

Jones, K.W. (2026). Development and application of an eDNA protocol for the detection of Gulf Coast Walleye (Sander vitreus) in Mississippi [Thesis submitted for publication]. Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Mississippi State University.

Fenced And Feral: Farming And Spread Of Flowerhorn (Amphilophus Spp.) In Lake Sampaloc, Philippines, Janice A. Ragaza, Hannah Nicole Gasmen

Environmental Sustainability

This study examines the spread and ecological impact of invasive Flowerhorn cichlids (Amphilophus spp.) in Lake Sampaloc, Philippines, driven by both accidental release and intentional aquaculture practices. Field observations and literature reveal that these highly adaptable and aggressive fish outcompete native species, contributing to biodiversity decline amid increasing pollution, eutrophication, and microplastic contamination. Their phenotypic plasticity allows them to thrive in degraded environments, further exacerbating ecological imbalance. While local communities have begun utilizing Flowerhorns for ornamental trade and potential aquafeed production, such practices risk reinforcing their proliferation. The study highlights the need for integrated management strategies combining biosecurity, pollution control, …

Improvements To Fisheries Compensation Processes And Valuation Methodologies In Western Australia, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Fisheries Published Reports

This report has been prepared by the Compensation Working Group (WG) to provide advice to the Minister for Fisheries on improving Western Australia’s (WA) fisheries compensation processes under two key legislative frameworks:

• Fisheries adjustment schemes, under the Fisheries Adjustment Scheme Act 1987
• (FAS Act), and 
• Statutory compensation under Fishing and Related Industries Compensation (Marine Reserves) Act 1997 (FRICMA).

This work has been undertaken as a precursor to the larger scale adjustment and compensation processes that will be required as part of the implementation of several marine parks throughout the Kimberley and South Coast of WA.

Linking Local Ecological Knowledge And Management Perspectives On Oyster Predation In Mississippi And Alabama, Cynthia Lupton, Eric Sparks, Mark Woodrey, James M. Drymon, Nigel Temple, Steven Scyphers

Research Data

Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) provide critical ecosystem services, yet populations along the northern Gulf Coast are declining due to environmental stressors, such as water quality issues and predation. To evaluate how threats to oysters are perceived across stakeholder groups, we surveyed oyster Farmers and Resource professionals in Mississippi and Alabama about predator impacts, seasonal patterns, and mitigation strategies. Survey responses (n = 21) were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Fisher’s Exact tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, and t-tests. Farmers and Resource professionals identified multiple predators as important sources of mortality, but their relative rankings differed across groups. Resource professionals consistently viewed southern …

Fisheries Management Paper No. 311: West Coast Deep Sea Crustacean Resource Harvest Strategy, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Fisheries Management Papers

Harvest strategies for Western Australia’s (WA) aquatic resources are formal documents developed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD, the Department) to support decision-making processes that ensure the outcomes are consistent with the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD; Fletcher 2002a) and Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (EBFM; Fletcher et al. 2012). Harvest strategies are a key component of all contemporary fishery management systems and a requirement for certification under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The objectives of ESD are reflected in the objectives of the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 (FRMA).

This West Coast Deep Sea Crustacean …

Anthelmintic Efficacy Of Rosemary Oil And Its Nanoemulsion Against The Monogenean Parasite, Zeuxapta Seriolae, In Yellowtail Kingfish (Seriola Lalandi), Md Reaz Chaklader, Lindsey Woolley, Hosna Gholipour-Kanani, Masashi Maita, Gavin Partridge

Fisheries Research Articles

This study evaluated the anthelmintic efficacy of rosemary oil delivered as a nanoemulsion compared with regular rosemary oil against the monogenean parasite Zeuxapta seriolae in yellowtail kingfish (YTK; Seriola lalandi). A 20-day feeding trial tested three dietary treatments: two levels of regular rosemary oil (providing 0.85 and 1.7 g cineole·kg−1 feed) and a rosemary-oil nanoemulsion (providing 0.85 g cineole·kg−1 feed), against a control diet without rosemary oil. Juvenile fish (293 ± 5 g) were pre-exposed to Z. seriolae oncomiracidia before the trial, resulting in an initial mean parasite abundance of 97 ± 4 per fish. At trial completion, plasma …

Largemouth Bass Diet Changes Through The Summer In Central Minnesota, Ethan Kunz

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Largemouth Bass Micropterus nigricans is one of the most widespread fish species in the world, due in part to human introduction for angling. Largemouth Bass are opportunistic predators that will consume the largest prey they can often find; however, it has been shown that their diet mainly consists of invertebrates such as crayfish, with less focus on other fish species. This research aimed to determine what the Largemouth Bass diets in Central Minnesota consist of, and how they may change from the beginning of summer through the beginning of fall. A total of 174 Largemouth Bass were sampled from late …

Relationship Between Ratio Of Hybrid Sunfish To Their Parent Species And Latitude, Maxwell Kattner

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Hybrid sunfish of the Lepomis genus make up a generally small but notable portion of the population of sunfish in Minnesota lakes. Hybrid sunfish play a significant role in freshwater ecosystems across the United States. They are both morphologically and behaviorally distinct in some ways and similar in other ways to their parent species, causing them to both fill and compete with their parent species for niches occupied by multiple Lepomis species. Despite this, the ratio of hybrid sunfish to their parent species has never been properly explored. This study observed if the ratio of hybrid sunfish to their parent …

Greenhouse Gas Report For Western Australian Wild-Catch Fisheries And Aquaculture 2004-2025, Christophe D'Abbadie, Johnny Machon, Dipesh Maharjan, Mark Goninon, Pia Dobson, Jason How, Rodney Duffy Dr., Ainslie Denham, Shaye Carman, Trina Anderson

Climate Science Published Reports

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Western Australian wild-catch fisheries and aquaculture for the fiscal years (FY) 2004/05 to 2024/25. These industries represent important components of the Western Australian primary production sector, with distinct emissions profiles and trends.

Key Findings:

Emissions from wild-catch fisheries have declined significantly over time, from approximately 0.341 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO₂e) in FY 2004/05 to 0.136 Mt CO₂e in FY 2024/25, a reduction of approximately 60%.

Emissions from aquaculture in FY 2024/25 were approximately 0.350 Mt CO₂e, reflecting substantial industry growth from near-negligible levels in …

Fisheries Research Report No. 359: Metropolitan Monitoring Program 2025, Alissa Tate, Claire B. Smallwood, Karina L. Ryan, Troy Matthews

Fisheries Research Reports

Ongoing monitoring of recreational fisheries in the Perth Metropolitan zone is essential to ensure the sustainable use of fisheries resources. Surveys of shore- and boatbased recreational fishers within the Metropolitan zone of the West Coast bioregion provide information on human dimensions and catch-per-fisher as well as mean length and weight of key recreationally caught species. For shore-based fishers, estimates of fishing effort, catch and harvest are also presented for key nearshore species. This information is used to support ongoing assessments for key nearshore species and the development and evaluation of harvest strategies and other management actions, such as for Australian …

Impacts Of Offshore Wind Energy Development On The Commercial Sea Scallop Fishery, Sarah Borsetti, Daphne M. Munroe, John M. Klinck, Andrew M. Scheld, Eileen E. Hofmann, Eric N. Powell, David B. Rudders

CCPO Publications

The Atlantic sea scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) fishery on the Northeast U.S. continental shelf generates approximately USD 500 million ex-vessel revenues annually, making it one of the most valuable single species fisheries in the United States. Wind energy development is planned for key areas on the U.S. Mid-Atlantic shelf where the Atlantic sea scallop fishery operates, creating novel challenges in managing trade-offs between traditional users like fisheries and new users like offshore wind energy. An agent-based modeling framework that integrates spatial dynamics in Atlantic sea scallop stock biology, fishing fleet behavior, and federal management decisions, was implemented to investigate …

Effectiveness Of Walleye Stocking In Winter Kill Lakes, Tyler Haus

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Winter kill events, marked by extensive fish mortality due to hypoxic conditions under the ice, are a common phenomenon in shallow eutrophic lakes, especially in the northern lakes in the northern United States. These events can drastically alter fish communities and often result in the elimination of top predators. Though these lakes will typically slowly bounce back to what they were in a couple of years. This study evaluates the effectiveness of walleye, Sander vitreus, stocking in lakes after a winter kill. For this study, four known winter kill lakes that are consistently stocked with walleye were studied. Pre- …

Assessing Urban–Rural Differences In Largemouth Bass Abundance In Minnesota, Jonathan Gates

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Urbanization can significantly alter freshwater ecosystems and influence sport fish populations. This study examined differences in largemouth bass Micropterus nigricans catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) between urban and rural lakes in Minnesota and evaluated temporal changes between 2000–2010 and 2011–2021. Forty lakes (20 urban, 20 rural) were selected using Minnesota Department of Natural Resources fisheries survey data. Lakes were classified using NLCD 2019 land cover data, with ≥10% developed land designated as urban. Nonparametric analyses (Wilcoxon rank-sum and signed-rank tests) were used to assess spatial and temporal differences in CPUE. Results showed that rural lakes had consistently higher median CPUE than urban lakes …

Statewide Northern Pike Response To Minnesota’S 2018 Regulation Change, Elijah Wozniak

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Management of northern pike (Esox lucius) is challenging because it attempts to balance ecological sustainability with angler interests. Northern pike often stunt their own growth by diminishing the size and abundance of prey fish, their food source. Anglers are often displeased when small pike occur in high population densities. In response to populations of small northern pike, the DNR implemented a new, statewide northern pike regulation in 2018. The objective of this study was to determine whether the regulation successfully changed the mean weight, length, and CPUE of northern pike in Minnesota. The secondary objective was to test …