This study evaluated the effects of dietary folic acid supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant- and immune-related gene expression, and the response to acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) in Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei). Juveniles (12 shrimp per tank; four replicate tanks per treatment) were fed diets containing nominal supplemental folic acid levels of 0, 2, 5, or 10 mg kg−1 for 35 days, and 30 shrimp per dietary treatment (three replicate aquaria; 10 shrimp per aquarium) were subsequently challenged with an AHPND-causing strain of Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Among the supplementation levels evaluated, the 5 mg kg−1 diet produced the highest final weight (14.8 ± 0.5 g), weight gain (7.9 ± 0.3 g), a specific growth rate (2.14 ± 0.1% day−1), and the lowest apparent feed conversion ratio (1.3 ± 0.1), whereas the Control showed values of 12.3 ± 0.7 g, 5.4 ± 0.3 g, 1.6 ± 0.1% day−1, and 1.6 ± 0.1, respectively (p ≤ 0.05). Dietary folic acid modulated the relative expression of antioxidant-related genes (SOD, CAT, and GPX) in the gills and hepatopancreas and altered basal and post-challenge expression of the immune-related genes ALFP, CTL3, GILT, MNK, and SR in the gills. At 72 h post-challenge, final cumulative mortality differed among treatments (F3,8 = 5.405, p = 0.025), with lower mortality in T5 (36.7 ± 7.6%) than in the Control (53.3 ± 2.9%; Tukey, p = 0.022). These findings indicate that dietary folic acid supplementation influenced growth performance, challenge outcomes, and transcriptional responses in juvenile Penaeus vannamei. Among the supplementation levels evaluated, the 5 mg kg−1 diet consistently produced the most favorable combination of growth performance, lower final challenge mortality, and modulation of antioxidant- and immune-related gene expression.
Reliable aquaculture monitoring requires spatial, administrative, and environmental evidence to be integrated without treating these sources as equivalent. This study characterized mapped aquaculture land-cover dynamics in six coastal provinces of Ecuador from 1985 to 2024, assessed their 2023 correspondence with authorized or concessioned shrimp-farm area, quantified 2023–2024 land-cover transitions, and described climate exposure over a fixed historical aquaculture footprint. Annual MapBiomas Ecuador Collection 3.0 classifications were aggregated by province, canton, and parish; MPCEIP records were harmonized with INEC administrative codes; and CHIRPS v3 precipitation and ERA5-Land temperature were summarized over the union of all pixels mapped as aquaculture at least once during the study period. Mapped class 31 area increased from 58,198.792 ha in 1985 to 138,200.970 ha in 2024, with a maximum of 153,516.642 ha in 2022. In 2023, mapped area represented 74.508% of 202,114.900 ha of authorized or concessioned area, with strong canton-level rank correspondence. Between 2023 and 2024, persistence reached 135,774.430 ha, gross loss 14,816.766 ha, gross gain 2426.130 ha, and net change −12,390.636 ha. Climate exposure was wettest in 1998 and warmest in 2023. Together, the results show that coastal aquaculture development cannot be inferred reliably from a single territorial measure: long-term mapped expansion, administrative extent, recent classification changes, and climate exposure describe complementary but non-equivalent dimensions of the system. This distinction provides a more defensible basis for interpreting aquaculture land-use change and for targeting territorial monitoring and administrative verification.
To explore the optimization effects of fixed aquatic water treatment materials combined with immunomodulatory agents on the ecosystem and farming efficiency of Litopenaeus vannamei in high-water-level ponds, this study established experimental ponds (with fixed aquatic water treatment materials and feed supplemented with chitosan oligosaccharides) and control ponds (no fixed water treatment materials applied, fed with basal feed only). Through a comparative trial over a complete farming cycle, the study systematically analyzed changes in plankton community structure and diversity, water physicochemical factors, shrimp growth performance, immune indicators, and muscle nutritional composition. The results showed that in the experimental group, diatoms (Ditylum brightwellii and Skeletonema) dominated the plankton community, while the density of harmful blue-green algae (Oscillatoria and Trichodesmium) significantly decreased, and planktonic animal diversity improved in the later stages. Among the water physicochemical indicators, the experimental group exhibited a 50% reduction in nitrite levels by the later stages, significantly higher than the 33.33% reduction in the control group. Total ammonia nitrogen levels remained lower than those in the control group, with a smaller increase in the later stages. Total phosphorus levels were significantly lower in the experimental group after 80 days, and the later-stage decline in chemical oxygen demand was 11.65% higher than that in the control group. Shrimp body weight increased significantly by 13.23%, while hepatosomatic index, musculosomatic index, and immune enzyme (acid phosphatase and total antioxidant substances) activity also improved markedly. The content of unsaturated fatty acids (linoleic acid and oleic acid) in the muscles significantly increased. The study demonstrated that the combined application of fixed aquatic water treatment materials and chitosan oligosaccharide preparations can optimize the farming water environment, enhance shrimp growth performance and quality, and provide technical support for the ecological cultivation of Litopenaeus vannamei.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquaculture environments has become an increasing concern due to the dissemination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in aquatic ecosystems. This study investigated the occurrence of presumptive antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in commercial fish farms in Hajdú-Bihar county, Hungary. Between 2023 and 2024, water samples were collected from fishponds from Hajdúszoboszló, Biharugra, and Debrecen, followed by membrane filtration with 0.45 µm pore size mixed cellulose ester membrane filters, bacterial isolation using selective media including vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) agar, Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar, and Endo’s medium. The phenotypic characterization revealed the presence of diverse bacterial populations that could be associated with potential antimicrobial resistance. Bacterial identification using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) showed several bacterial genera, predominantly Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Enterococcus, Bacillus, and Escherichia. A total of 16 presumptive antimicrobial-resistant bacterial isolates recovered from selective media were identified using MALDI-TOF MS. Several detected species, including Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecium, and Enterococcus faecalis, are recognized as opportunistic bacteria associated with antimicrobial resistance dissemination. The findings demonstrate that aquaculture waters in Hajdú-Bihar county may serve as reservoirs of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.
The study evaluated the bioremediation potential of a commercial probiotic composed of multi-strain Bacillus (B. subtilis CCT 0089, B. amyloliquefaciens ATCC 31592, B. licheniformis CCT 7836 and B. megaterium CCT 7935) in biofloc technology (BFT). In vitro, the ideal dosage was identified between concentrations [0.01], [0.10], [1.00], and [10.00] g m−3. Additionally, the growth of probiotic species was characterised in different temperature and oxygen conditions, resistance in 3.0% sodium chloride culture medium, enzyme production (protease, amylase, and lipase) and antibacterial activity. The in vivo experiment evaluated the bioremediation potential of the probiotic and its impact on the growth performance of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus raised in BFT conditions. The group that received the multi-strain Bacillus probiotic at a dosage of 0.10 g m−3 experienced a decrease in floc volume, toxic ammonia, and nitrate levels, leading to environmental enhancements and improved well-being for the cultured organisms. It is advisable to use the multi-strain probiotic at a dosage of 0.10 g m−3 in BFT conditions.
Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) is one of the most devastating bacterial diseases affecting Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) aquaculture worldwide. Although Vibrio parahaemolyticus has been recognized as the principal causative agent of AHPND, increasing evidence indicates that Vibrio campbellii also plays an important role in disease outbreaks. The present study investigated the pathogenicity and temporal dynamics of pirA transcription in V. campbellii isolated from cultured L. vannamei. The isolate was identified by 16S rRNA sequencing, and pirA expression was quantified during bacterial growth under in vitro conditions and throughout experimental infection in vivo using quantitative real-time PCR. In vitro, pirA transcription increased rapidly during the exponential growth phase and reached its highest level at 6 h after incubation, followed by a gradual decline despite continued bacterial growth. Immersion challenge experiments using juvenile shrimp (1 × 106 CFU/mL) resulted in cumulative mortality exceeding 90% within 48 h post-infection. In vivo, pirA transcription remained relatively low during the early stage of infection but increased markedly at 36 h post-infection, coinciding with rapid mortality and severe hepatopancreatic damage. Histopathological examination revealed progressive epithelial cell sloughing, degeneration of B- and F-cells, tubular collapse, and extensive tissue necrosis, which are characteristic lesions of AHPND. These findings demonstrate that V. campbellii possesses strong pathogenic potential. Temporal induction of pirA transcription was closely associated with severe hepatopancreatic lesions and mortality during experimental infection. Collectively, these findings provide new insights into the temporal dynamics of pirA transcription during AHPND progression and its association with tissue pathology and mortality, supporting the development of early molecular diagnostics, disease surveillance, and biosecurity strategies for sustainable shrimp aquaculture.
The impact of a commercial microbial population (product name “RAS Right”) on the off-flavours geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) in water and fish of a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) for Nile tilapia production was studied over five months. The “RAS Right” product contains a microbiome that is reported to reduce geosmin. In the system that received “RAS Right”, geosmin ranged from 1.6 to 171.2 ng/L, while 2.4 to 89.3 ng/L occurred in the control RAS. After fluctuations in the first two months, water in the control RAS had lower geosmin concentrations (mean of 8.8 ng/L) than the treated RAS (mean of 16.6 ng/L). 2-MIB was low (<4.3 ng/L) or undetectable in both the control and treated systems. In the fish, geosmin varied from 112 to 3683 ng/kg, with the highest levels measured in the treated RAS during three of eight samplings. 2-MIB in the fish ranged from 11.6 to 136 ng/kg and peaked in the treated RAS in one sampling. The results indicate that “RAS Right” did not produce a significant reduction of geosmin or 2-MIB in water or fish. However, optimisation of the treatment with respect to dose or addition frequency may improve its effect, though this remains to be examined.
Aquaculture is expanding rapidly, creating a greater need for sustainable and cost-effective feed ingredients to reduce reliance on traditional protein sources such as fishmeal (FM) and soybean meal (SBM). Insect-derived frass, which consists of insect excrement, molted exoskeletons, uneaten substrate, plus associated microbial biomass, has shown potential as a viable and sustainable ingredient in aquafeed. Although traditionally used as an organic fertilizer, its richness in essential nutrients and bioactive compounds highlights its potential as a partial substitute for conventional feedstuffs. This study synthesizes current research on insect-derived frass, focusing on its nutritional composition and effects on growth performance, immunity, health, and gut microbiota in aquaculture species, alongside environmental, economic, safety, and regulatory considerations. Although a wide range of insect species have been evaluated for use in aquafeeds, research on insect frass has primarily focused on black soldier fly and yellow mealworm, with most studies examining its application in omnivorous fish species. Despite its promise as a circular economy-aligned aquafeed ingredient, challenges remain due to nutritional and amino acid variability, largely influenced by the quality of the original insect rearing substrate, as well as species-specific responses and potential contamination risks. To promote widespread adoption of insect-derived frass in aquafeed, there is a need to optimize insect rearing substrate selection and processing, define inclusion levels by insect and target aquatic species, establish safety protocols, and develop harmonized international standards.
This study applied time-series modeling using autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) to compare the growth performance of tilapia broodfish in pond and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) from June 2023 to May 2024. Descriptive statistics showed a higher mean percentage weight gain under RAS (26.69%) than pond culture (23.75%), although monthly variability in the RAS dataset was influenced by an outlier, which may be attributed to influential exogenous factors rather than water-quality parameters. Normality, stationarity, and autocorrelation diagnostics confirmed that both datasets were appropriate for ARIMA modeling without differencing. Multiple ARIMA models were evaluated based on RMSE, MAPE, MAE, AIC, BIC, and residual behavior; ARIMA (1,0,1) emerged as the best fit for both systems. Forecasting up to May 2028 revealed stable long-term growth patterns, with RAS consistently showing slightly higher forecasted growth compared to pond culture, although the difference remained small in absolute terms. Predictions remained within model-generated 95% confidence intervals; however, these results indicate internal model consistency rather than independent validation of predictive accuracy. The findings highlight that RAS offers more consistent and slightly superior growth performance, supporting its potential for optimized broodfish production. Recommendations emphasize adopting RAS for enhanced growth predictability and improved management in tilapia aquaculture.
The discharge of effluents from shrimp farms into coastal lagoons can alter food availability, water quality, and pollutant load, potentially affecting the biological performance and safety of farmed bivalves. This study evaluated the influence of shrimp farm effluents on the growth, total weight, and condition index of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea (Magallana) gigas. Two oyster cultivation zones were established in the coastal lagoon of Los Melagos (Sonora, Mexico): one near a shrimp effluent zone (EZ) and the other in a reference effluent-free zone (FZ). Shell height and length, total weight, and condition index were measured monthly, along with environmental variables, including chlorophyll “a” concentration and sea surface temperature obtained from satellite imagery. Oysters cultivated in EZ showed significantly higher total weight, condition index, and growth rates compared to those in FZ. Seasonal fluctuations in chlorophyll “a” were observed, reflected in growth patterns, suggesting greater food availability in waters influenced by effluents. However, these environments pose health risks that require continuous, integrated environmental and health monitoring.
Malabar red snapper (Lutjanus malabaricus) is widely farmed across Asia (e.g., China, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan) and is highly valued in regional markets. Despite its importance to fisheries and aquaculture, population structure and genetic connectivity between wild and farmed populations across the South China Sea remain poorly understood. We analyzed 594 individuals retained after quality filtering from an initial dataset of 930 samples, representing eight wild and farmed populations spanning north-eastern Australia (Queensland) and the South China Sea region (Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan), using 18,177 SNPs to quantify genetic diversity, population structure, and effective population size (Ne). Genetic differentiation was low but significant. Wild populations from Australia were differentiated from all other populations, indicating regional genetic isolation. In contrast, farmed populations from Malaysia and Singapore clustered closely with wild populations from Hong Kong and Singapore, indicating regional connectivity. Effective population size (Ne) in farmed populations was low (Ne = 49.1-138.6). Farmed populations from Malaysia and Singapore formed a genetically connected cluster, whereas the Taiwan farm population was genetically distinct. Low Ne was observed in farmed populations from Singapore and Taiwan. These findings support aquaculture management by identifying Australian populations as a distinct unit and enabling biosecure broodstock exchange within the Malaysia-Singapore cluster to minimize inbreeding and strengthen sustainable selective breeding programs.
Opportunistic bacterial and fungal infections from surface wounds remain a persistent threat to aquaculture, resulting in significant economic losses and reduced stock welfare. Topical wound sealants are widely employed in recreational aquaculture applications, yet no market regulation or efficacy data exist to support their usage. The broader biological/environmental impacts of these products also remain poorly characterized. This study provides the first quantitative assessment of the antibacterial, antifungal and cellular toxicity of a panel of commercially available topical ‘carp care’ formulations. Our data highlights highly variable to no functional growth inhibition or killing of microbial pathogens, significant inherent cyprinid cellular toxicity, and lack of submerged wet adhesion in all products tested. We show for the first time that commercial propolis solutions are ineffective against the four main pathogenic microorganisms affecting carp. Propolis formulations were also found to induce apoptosis and ROS generation in cyprinid cells in vitro, and permeabilise intact carp skin, questioning the foundation of propolis formulations in topical wound-care treatments for carp rearing/angling. We show improved efficacies can be attained through natural compound implementation, with increased antibacterial and antifungal effects, inherent regenerative benefits to cyprinid fibroblasts, and improved human and environmental safety profiles. This research demonstrates the widespread lack of efficacy in currently commercially available wound sealants for carp; of those tested here, many popular formulations are in fact inherently toxic to carp cells, and also have a permeabilizing effect on intact carp skin due to carrier solvent effects, providing a route for secondary infection; most show no activity against any common carp pathogens; and all uniformly lacked wet adhesion. This work provides a framework standard for the future development of topical wound-care formulations for carp and highlights the need for better dialogue between trade and academia when designing novel wound-care products.
This field study examined extant aquatic food production and marketing in the three coastal states of Lagos, Ogun, and Ondo before IMTA across 15 Local Government Areas (LGAs)/Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). Marketing mix practices in coastal aquatic food systems were explored through a structured, qualitative assessment using a multi-value chain perspective. Monthly sales volumes most frequently fell within the range of 1-5 tonnes. The local market was dominant, with some sales in the international markets. Respondents asserted that post-harvest processing was diverse, and some were satisfied with the technology available to preserve their products. Cold storage practices across coastal states were hindered by unreliable power supply. Zero-level channel distribution dominated among traders, with over 90% relying on word-of-mouth (WOM) to promote their products. Consumers showed a strong preference for the quality of local products and expressed openness to incorporating seaweed into their purchases. Health benefits, taste, and other reasons for purchase decisions varied significantly across the state chi(2) (df = 8, n = 300) = 92.39, p < 0.001. These findings provide a baseline for IMTA in Nigeria, highlighting existing strengths, market dynamics, and infrastructure gaps that must be addressed to support sustainable integration.
Smolt production in freshwater is an essential component of the salmonid aquaculture production chain. But it generates sludge (feed waste and fish feces) that must be managed to meet environmental regulations. While sludge can be reused as a resource, there are limited empirical results about cost structures, market conditions, and energy implications in industrial aquaculture. This study analyzes sludge collection, processing, and utilization based on a single-case study of a Norwegian smolt producer (Sisomar AS). The analysis combines company-level production data, accounting information, and process descriptions. In 2023, the company produced approximately 9.2 million smolt (1184 tons of biomass), generating 140 tons of dried sludge. Sisomar’s value creation from production of bio-based fertilizer from sludge is relatively close to that of comparable mineral fertilizers, but a direct comparison here is difficult because of large variations in the prices of mineral fertilizers. The energy consumption is significantly lower for organic fertilizer from Sisomar compared to standard technology for mineral fertilizer production. Bio-based fertilizers are looked at as an important contribution to dealing with environmental challenges, and this study discusses the characteristics of how market structures have importance for this.
Pre-fattening (also referred to as nursery culture) of Manila clam is a priority for this sector of aquaculture, as it allows hatchery-produced seed (1-3 mg) to reach sowable juvenile sizes of 30-100 mg and reduces reliance on natural juvenile recruitment. This study evaluated the efficiency of two early pre-fattening systems, both in economic terms and in product quality: conventional upwelling units (a high-density system) and flat-bottom tanks (a mid-density system), the latter tested with and without a sand layer. The 51-day trial was conducted under autumn environmental conditions (temperature 13-25.8 degrees C; salinity 25-28 ppt; chlorophyll-a 3-24 mu g/L), starting with 1.34 mg seed maintained under a water flow rate >= 15-20 mL/min/g. In upwelling units, the initial density was similar to 216 ind./cm(2). Four grading events produced four size classes, with total mean weights ranging from 6.4 mg in the smallest (tails) to 46.3 mg in the largest (heads). The overall population mean size was 19.0 mg, with a specific growth rate (SGR) of 5.2%/day and mortality of 17.6%. Flat-bottom tanks, stocked at similar to 30 ind./cm(2), achieved higher growth (overall weighted mean: 28.0 mg; SGR similar to 6%/day), but exhibited higher mortality (26.0% on average), with no significant effect from the presence of bottom sand. Overall, flat-bottom systems showed promising growth performance with reduced labor requirements, suggesting that this system could represent a viable alternative to upwelling. However, the associated rearing protocol could still be improved by optimizing stocking density and water exchange rates.
Global food production systems are increasingly challenged by population growth, climate change, water scarcity, and environmental degradation, necessitating the adoption of sustainable, resource-efficient food production strategies. Aquaponic systems integrate recirculating aquaculture with hydroponic crop cultivation, enabling nutrient recycling and improved water-use efficiency. Simultaneously, CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing technology has emerged as a powerful tool for precise genetic improvement of economically important aquaculture traits. This review critically evaluates current progress in CRISPR/Cas9 applications in aquaculture, with emphasis on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Evidence from peer-reviewed studies indicates that targeted modification of genes associated with growth regulation, disease resistance, nutrient metabolism, feed efficiency, and stress tolerance can significantly enhance fish productivity and physiological resilience. Genes involved in hypoxia adaptation and nitrogen metabolism may further improve environmental performance in intensive recirculating systems by reducing ammonia accumulation and enhancing nutrient utilization. However, most genome-editing studies have been conducted under laboratory or conventional aquaculture conditions, with limited information available regarding the long-term performance, ecological interactions, microbial dynamics, and biosafety of genome-edited fish in aquaponic environments. Technical limitations including off-target effects, mosaicism, delivery efficiency, regulatory uncertainty, and public acceptance continue to constrain large-scale implementation. In the short term, CRISPR/Cas9 applications are likely to focus on practical trait enhancement under controlled aquaculture systems, whereas longer-term research may explore fish lines specifically optimized for nutrient cycling, environmental resilience, and integrated aquaponic sustainability. Overall, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing represents a promising but still emerging strategy for improving sustainable aquaculture and aquaponic food production systems.
Sustainable aquaculture growth necessitates innovative strategies to meet the global protein demand while minimizing environmental impacts. This narrative review synthesizes the current understanding and emerging approaches for optimizing nutrient cycling and trophic transfer efficiency in pond-based aquaculture systems. We highlight two primary strategies: ‘demand-oriented feeding’, which adaptively balances feed inputs with natural food availability, and the ‘nutritious pond concept’, which enhances pond ecology through carbon/nitrogen ratio management and waste-driven nutrient recycling. A critical examination of the scalability and environmental trade-offs associated with these strategies is also presented. Despite the challenges presented by these strategies, their combination could create a more dynamic, ecosystem-based approach to aquaculture that is more resource-efficient and environmentally friendly, contributing to the development of ponds as sustainable, productive ecosystems that enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and support economic viability. Finally, we explored polyculture as an ecological strategy, highlighting its synergistic mechanisms for maximizing food web efficiency and its potential to enhance the two primary strategies.
This study presents the development and application of an integrated Geographic Information System (GIS)-based Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) framework for identifying suitable offshore aquaculture development zones in Cyprus. The methodology, developed within the OS AQUA project, combines environmental exclusion analysis, weather and proximity assessment, stakeholder and policy evaluation, and carrying-capacity estimation within a unified spatial decision-support framework. A sequential three-phase analytical workflow was applied to progressively refine candidate offshore areas under environmental, operational, infrastructural, regulatory, and governance considerations. The analysis identified four candidate offshore aquaculture zones in Cyprus—Xylofagou West, Larnaka (Faros area), Governor’s Beach, and Aphrodite Hills/Avdimou—demonstrating comparatively favourable conditions for offshore aquaculture development. The results highlight the importance of integrating environmental compatibility, operational feasibility, accessibility, stakeholder acceptance, and sustainability considerations within offshore aquaculture planning processes. Carrying-capacity assessment further indicated substantial offshore production potential under precautionary operational assumptions. Beyond the Cyprus case study, the proposed GIS-MSP framework offers a transferable methodological roadmap for offshore aquaculture zoning, Allocated Zones for Aquaculture (AZA) establishment, and sustainable marine spatial planning in the Mediterranean region.
The contamination of aquaculture products and effluents by Emerging Contaminants (ECs)—originating from both direct chemical applications and peripheral industrial activities—represents a critical global concern due to the environmental and public health risks associated with their persistence, bioaccumulation, and environmental dispersion. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the available scientific evidence on the occurrence, sources, environmental and human health impacts, and mitigation strategies of ECs in aquaculture production systems. A systematic literature search was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines across the Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Studies were selected according to predefined eligibility criteria, resulting in a total of 137 studies included in this review. The findings indicate that these pollutants accumulate within the tissues of farmed organisms, posing direct ingestion risks to humans, while contaminated effluents facilitate the widespread degradation of receiving water bodies. Given their environmental persistence and ubiquitous distribution, there is an urgent need for advanced analytical methodologies, robust regulatory frameworks, and the implementation of sustainable treatment technologies—such as advanced oxidation processes and recirculating aquaculture systems—alongside strategies for reducing antibiotics and microplastics. These measures are essential to mitigate the prevalence of ECs and safeguard both ecosystem integrity and human health.
Aquatic animal products are vital to global food security and nutrition, necessitating accurate, scalable, and non-destructive methods for quality assessment in aquaculture. Conventional techniques such as dissection and biochemical analysis are invasive, labor-intensive, and unsuitable for real-time or high-throughput decision-making. This review synthesizes six major categories of non-destructive technologies—electrical, spectroscopic, natural sensory, acoustic, radiographic, and infrared and microwave—classified by their underlying sensing mechanisms and therefore differing measurement capabilities and deployment feasibilities. To support objective technology selection, an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) framework was developed using general performance criteria (cost, accuracy, speed, usability) and one decision-critical application-specific criterion (non-invasiveness), and was demonstrated for ovarian maturation staging in mud crabs by ranking 19 candidate techniques. Accuracy had the highest weight (0.416), but non-invasiveness (0.224) and usability (0.197) substantially influenced the final ranking, illustrating how operational and welfare constraints could shift preferred solutions despite differences in analytical accuracy. Based on the global priority weights (GA), computer vision (CV) was identified as the most suitable option (GA = 0.076), balancing affordability, throughput, ease of deployment, and animal welfare compatibility, whereas high-end modalities such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR; GA = 0.073) and computed tomography (CT; GA = 0.070) were constrained by cost and operational complexity. Overall, this review–AHP–case study pipeline provides a transparent and reproducible decision-support basis for selecting non-destructive technologies across aquaculture species and quality targets.
