Abstract: This article reviews publicly available environmental monitoring reports for two “open loop” Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) regasification plants operating in Italian coastal waters: Porto Viro (Veneto region, in operation since September 2009) and Livorno (Tuscany region, in operation since October 2013). These plants are key infrastructure for Italy’s energy independence. This review was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of the current monitoring programs and suggest potential improvements. Based on the information reviewed, it was found that many of the contaminants being analyzed were consistently below the limits of quantification and did not provide useful data for understanding the potential impact of the plants’ emissions. Additionally, this review found that the concentration of oxidizing chlorination residuals (CPOs, TROs) was not being measured, despite its importance in assessing potential harm to marine organisms. This article concludes by recommending the implementation of a peer-review process for both the monitoring schemes and the periodic monitoring reports, and suggests that future monitoring efforts should prioritize the analysis of the most relevant parameters and indicators.

Abstract: Anthropogenic warming of the world’s oceans is not just an environmental crisis but can result in a significant threat to human health. A combination of a warming ocean and increased human activity in coastal waters sets the stage for increased pathogenic Vibrio-human interaction. Warming patterns due to climate change have already been related to the emergence of Vibrio outbreaks in temperate and cold regions. Seafood, including seaweeds is uniquely poised to contribute to global food and nutrition security. In recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in seaweeds due to its many uses, its high nutritional value, and its ability to provide ecosystem services, such as habitat provision, carbon and nutrient uptake, and coastal protection. However, some seaweed species can be a reservoir for harboring pathogenic Vibrio and illnesses like gastroenteritis have recently been associated with foods prepared with seaweeds. Here we investigated the impact of elevated water temperatures on the abundance of major human pathogens Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio alginolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus/cholerae in seaweed and coastal waters. Three seaweed species, Fucus serratus, Palmaria palmata, and Ulva spp. were exposed to temperature treatments (16°C and 20°C) to assess effects of mean temperature rise on Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio alginolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus/cholerae colonisation. Colony-forming units (CFU) were counted from seaweed surfaces and surrounding water. F. serratus and P. palmata showed significantly higher Vibrio abundance at higher temperatures compared to Ulva spp., however, temperature did not significantly affect abundance of tested Vibrio species in surrounding waters. These results indicate that certain seaweed species may serve as major hotspots for human pathogenic bacteria in warmer conditions with implications for human health.

Abstract: Over recent decades, widespread declines of kelp forests have been reported along the European coast, prompting the need for effective and scalable restoration strategies. The green gravel technique, in which kelp gametophytes are seeded onto small rocks and cultivated in the lab before being outplanted, has shown promising results. In this study, we tested the effects of four commonly available substrates—granite, limestone, quartz, and schist—on the early development of Laminaria ochroleuca recruits under optimal laboratory conditions. All substrates supported gametophyte adhesion and sporophyte development. By week 6, quartz and schist promoted the greatest recruit growth, with quartz and limestone showing the best overall performance by week 7. Final recruit densities were similar across substrates, indicating multiple materials can support early development. While schist performed well initially, its friability raises concerns for field deployment in high-energy environments. Quartz and limestone showed both biological effectiveness and practical advantages, with limestone emerging as the most cost-effective option. Substrate selection should consider not only biological performance but also economic and logistical factors. These findings contribute to refining green gravel protocols and improving the feasibility of large-scale kelp forest restoration, though field validation is necessary to assess long-term outcomes under natural conditions.

Abstract: The Portuguese coast forms a key biogeographic transition zone where co-occurring kelp species show limited vertical overlap. This study aimed to understand whether temperature and light responses help explain the vertical niche differentiation of Laminaria ochroleuca, Saccorhiza polyschides, and Phyllariopsis brevipes. Results revealed that P. brevipes, despite occupying the southernmost range, showed low thermal tolerance: 27°C significantly increased respiration rates, indicating metabolic stress, and exposition at 30°C caused physiological stress. In contrast, L. ochroleuca and S. polyschides exhibited greater thermal resilience but displayed high light requirements, with evident stress at 30°C. These results suggest that light availability plays a key role in shaping vertical zonation, with species adapted to low light occupying deeper subtidal zones. S. polyschides, a high light-requiring species, dominates the shallow subtidal, while L. ochroleuca, also high light-requiring and temperature-tolerant, is abundant in both intertidal pools and shallow subtidal habitats. These findings raise new hypotheses regarding future distribution patterns under climate change: while L. ochroleuca may continue expanding polewards and potentially replace other Laminaria spp. at shallow depths, low-light-adapted, cold-water species may retain a competitive advantage in deeper zones.

Abstract: Aquaculture is a rapidly expanding sector that plays a critical role in global food security. However, intensive fish farming practices can lead to increased bacterial infections and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study investigated microbial profiles, antibiotic susceptibility, and antibiotic residues in market-ready Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) from key aquaculture production regions in Zambia. A total of 118 fish samples were collected from small-, medium-, and large-scale farms in Kafue and Siavonga districts, covering both cage and pond culture systems. Bacterial isolates were identified using selective media, biochemical tests, and molecular methods. The antibiotic susceptibility of Vibrio spp., Lactococcus garvieae, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Aeromonas spp. was determined using the disk diffusion method. Residue analysis was conducted using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The results revealed significant bacterial contamination, with E. coli detected in 6.78% of samples, Salmonella spp. in 17.8%, and Aeromonas spp. in 3.39% in large-scale commercial operations. Vibrio spp. prevalence was highest in pond culture at 22.88%, while L. garvieae was most prevalent in large-scale pond farms at 10.17%. Antibiotic resistance was widespread, with 100% resistance to ampicillin in E. coli across all farm scales and 100% resistance to imipenem and erythromycin in L. garvieae from cage culture. Minimal antibiotic residues were detected, except for a single instance of penicillin residue in small-scale cage culture. These findings underscore the need for enhanced biosecurity measures, and robust monitoring systems to mitigate AMR risks and ensure food safety in Zambia’s aquaculture industry.

Abstract: Freshwater fishes are one of the most threatened animal taxa in North America.  In Canada, roughly 30% of the occurring species are currently listed and under protection including redhorses. This review covers Moxostoma spp. ecology, biology, conservation efforts and highlights challenges, to galvanize actions and outcomes through research. Threats to their survival are strongly associated to increasing anthropogenic pressures, superimposed by climate change effects. In Canada, recovery plans for the copper and the black redhorse, and a management plan for the river redhorse are operational. The recovery strategy for the copper redhorse relies on stocking campaigns of 0+ juveniles which was exclusively based on artificial breeding of captured wild broodstock. A conservation aquaculture program that includes genetic diversity and adaptation considerations was recently initiated and areas of refinements identified are: broodstock and early-life rearing protocols and environmental and physical enrichment protocols to improve juveniles post-release fitness. Research through the prism of conservation physiology are proposed in the identification welfare and health bioindicators and adaptability/response to climatic change. Concurrently, aquatic ecosystem protection/restoration, control of invasive species, eDNA detection/telemetry tracking and post-release monitoring efforts should also be reinforced.

Abstract: This study investigated non-antibiotic therapeutic strategies for controlling lactococcosis in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The efficacy of Aloe vera extract, Vitamin E/Selenium supplementation, and multi-strain probiotics was evaluated against Lactococcus garvieae infection in an experimental setting. Two hundred Nile tilapia were divided into four groups: control, Aloe vera, Vitamin E/Selenium, and probiotic. After a 42-day treatment period, fish were challenged with L. garvieae and monitored for 28 days. Clinical signs, mortality rates, and survival were assessed. The control group exhibited severe disease progression with 100% mortality by day 21 post-infection. Aloe vera treatment reduced mortality to 20%, showing moderate efficacy. Vitamin E/Selenium supplementation provided greater protection with only 5% mortality. The probiotic-treated group demonstrated the most remarkable results, with no clinical signs or mortalities throughout the study. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between treatment groups and the control, with probiotics showing the largest effect size (Cohen's d = 0.98, p < 0.001), followed by Vitamin E/Selenium (Cohen's d = 0.9, p = 0.001) and Aloe vera (Cohen's d = 0.74, p = 0.003). These findings highlight the potential of non-antibiotic interventions in managing L. garvieae infections, with probiotics emerging as the most effective treatment. The study contributes to the development of sustainable aquaculture practices and reduced reliance on antibiotics, aligning with global efforts to mitigate antimicrobial resistance in aquaculture.

Abstract: The growth of Zambia’s aquaculture sector has brought significant economic opportunities while also introducing challenges related to fish health management. This study investigated the prevalence and distribution of Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS), Lactococcosis, and Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV) across wild and farmed fish populations in Zambia. A total of 349 fish samples were collected from seven districts, encompassing eight fish species. EUS was detected in six wild fish species, including Tilapia rendalli (10.3%), Oreochromis macrochir (11.7%), and Oreochromis andersonii (7.2%). Its prevalence varied geographically, with Mongu (13.7%) and Shang’ombo (10.4%) exhibiting the highest positivity rates. Histopathological findings revealed lesions pathognomonic for EUS, confirming the impact of environmental conditions, such as low pH, on the pathogen’s proliferation. Importantly, no EUS cases were detected in farmed fish. Lactococcosis was identified exclusively in Oreochromis niloticus from Siavonga, with a high prevalence of 68.4%. This localized outbreak highlights the role of environmental stressors, such as high stocking densities in cage culture systems, in promoting pathogen proliferation. Other surveyed locations and species showed no evidence of Lactococcosis, suggesting effective biosecurity measures in these regions. No TiLV genome was detected, confirming Zambia’s TiLV-free status at the time of the study. This underscores the importance of ongoing surveillance and biosecurity to prevent the introduction of this globally significant pathogen, which poses severe risks to tilapia farming worldwide. These findings emphasize the need for enhanced disease monitoring, targeted health interventions, and improved management practices to support the sustainable development of Zambia’s aquaculture sector.

Abstract: The increasing frequency of fish escapes from aquaculture facilities poses ecological, economic, and traceability challenges. This study investigates the potential of heavy metals, fatty acid profiles, and NMR-based metabolomics to distinguish between wild, cultured, and escaped individuals of three Mediterranean fish species: Sparus aurata (gilthead seabream), Dicentrarchus labrax (European seabass), and Argyrosomus regius (meagre). Muscle tissues were analyzed using ICP-MS, GC-MS, and 1H NMR spectroscopy to quantify 15 trace metals, 35 fatty acids, and polar/apolar metabolites. Wild seabream exhibited significantly higher levels of arsenic, selenium, and mercury, and a lipid profile rich in DHA and ARA, contrasting with the linoleic acid-enriched profile of cultured fish. Metabolomic analyses revealed elevated TMAO levels in wild specimens, serving as a robust marker of environmental adaptation, while escaped fish showed intermediate metabolic signatures. The integration of multivariate statistics (MDS and PLS-LDA) enabled effective classification of fish origin, particularly in seabream. These findings highlight the utility of combining chemical and omics-based tools to enhance seafood traceability, improve aquaculture sustainability, and prevent seafood fraud.

Abstract: Cage aquaculture in Lake Kariba, Zambia, is critical to the region’s fish production but faces significant challenges in disease outbreaks. This study assessed the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) of aquaculture producers in Siavonga concerning fish health and disease risk management. Data were collected through structured interviews with 14 producers, representing small, medium, and large-scale farms. The study aimed to identify gaps in biosecurity awareness and practices, particularly in relation to disease prevention and control.The results showed that knowledge of biosecurity and disease risks was predominantly low across all farm scales. Specifically, 90% of small-scale producers and 100% of medium-scale producers exhibited low knowledge, while 50% of large-scale producers showed low knowledge. Attitudes toward biosecurity were generally negative, with 90% of small-scale producers holding negative attitudes, compared to 50% of large-scale producers who demonstrated positive attitudes. The implementation of disease management practices was more consistent in medium- and large-scale operations, with 100% of large-scale farms following moderate to good practices, compared to 100% poor practices in small-scale farms.Significant gaps in adherence to best biosecurity practices were observed, particularly in small-scale farms. For instance, 60% of small-scale farms did not follow quarantine procedures, and only 20% assessed disease risks pre-movement. In contrast, 100% of large-scale farms implemented quarantine measures and assessed disease risks before moving fish.This study highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve biosecurity knowledge and practices, especially among small-scale producers, who constitute 71.4% of the respondents. Training, resource allocation, and policy enforcement are crucial to addressing these gaps and mitigating the risk of disease outbreaks that threaten the aquaculture sector’s sustainability in Lake Kariba.

Abstract: Global climate change presents a significant challenge to aquatic ecosystems, with ectothermic fish being particularly sensitive to temperature fluctuations. The brain plays a crucial role in perceiving, regulating, and adapting to thermal changes, and its response to heat stress is crucial for survival. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying heat stress and acclimation in fish brains remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the adaptive mechanisms of Hong Kong catfish (Clarias fuscus) brains under heat acclimation and acute heat stress using transcriptome analysis. Fish were divided into two groups: a normal temperature group (NT, 26°C for 90 days) and a heat-acclimated group (HT, 34°C for 90 days), followed by acute heat stress (34°C for 72 hours) and recovery (26°C for 72 hours). Heat acclimation improved C. fuscus tolerance to acute heat stress, with faster gene responses and stronger neuroprotection. Key pathways enriched included cell adhesion and ECM-receptor interactions during recovery. Apoptosis regulation was balanced, with the HT group upregulating anti-apoptotic genes to mitigate neuronal cell death. Additionally, the lysosome-phagosome pathway was activated during recovery, facilitating the transport of lysosomal enzymes and clearance of damaged cellular components, aiding neuronal repair. Ribosome biogenesis was suppressed under heat stress to conserve energy, but this suppression was less pronounced in the HT group. In summary, heat acclimation enhances neural protection in C. fuscus brains by promoting neuronal repair, suppressing apoptosis, and activating lysosomal pathways, thereby improving tolerance to acute heat stress. These findings offer a molecular basis for breeding heat-tolerant fish species in aquaculture and deepen our understanding of thermal adaptation in aquatic animals amid global climate change.

Abstract: To ensure sustainability, the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) requires the evaluation of the impacts of fisheries beyond the main targeted species, to include those on bycaught, endangered threatened and protected populations and keystone species. However, traditional stock assessments require extensive datasets that are often unavailable for data-limited fisheries, particularly in small-scale settings or the Global South. This study evaluates the robustness of length-based approaches for fish stock assessment by comparing simple indicators and quantitative methods using an age-structured Operating Model. Simulations were conducted for a range of scenarios, for a range of life-history types and recruitment and natural mortality dynamics. Results reveal that while length-based approaches can effectively track trends in fishing mortality, performance varies significantly depending on species-specific life histories and assumptions about key parameters. Simple indicators often matched or outperformed complex methods, particularly when assumptions about equilibrium conditions or natural mortality were violated. The study highlights the limitations of length-based methods for classifying stock status relative to reference points, but demonstrates their utility when used with historical reference periods or as part of empirical harvest control rules. The findings provide practical guidance for applying length-based approaches in data-limited fisheries management, ensuring sustainability in data and capacity situations.

Abstract: This study investigated the antibacterial activity of aqueous and organic extracts from 78 marine organisms, including seaweeds and sponges, collected from the coastal zone of Ceará, Brazil. Biological tissue extracts were obtained by maceration using distilled water and 50% acetonitrile. The extracts were tested against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacterial strains using the disk diffusion method and measuring inhibition zone diameters. Results showed that 30.7% of the organisms exhibited antibacterial activity, with greater effectiveness in organic extracts. Demonstrated remarkable bioactive potential, particularly the genus Aplysina, Amphimedon compressa, Amphimedon viridis, Mycale sp., and Pseudosuberites sp. Seaweeds showed no activity in aqueous extracts, but some organic extracts were effective against Gram-positive strains, notably Amansia multifida. Most extracts were more effective against Gram-positive bacteria, likely due to their simpler cell wall structure. These findings highlight the biotechnological potential of marine organisms from the Brazilian coast as sources of novel antibacterial molecules, contributing to the search for alternative therapies in response to the growing issue of bacterial resistance.

Abstract: Abstract: If we are to appreciate the significance of cellular injury to health and illness, we must first un-derstand its physiological basis. This applies even to the masses of cells that adapt to adverse circum-stances. These variations, which range from atrophy and hypertrophy to hyperplasia, metaplasia, and dysplasia, show how cells strive to maintain homeostasis in response to different stimuli. However, when a particular insult exceeds these adaptations in its intensity, two possibilities face the cell: either a temporary injury that can still be repaired by itself (reversible damage) or death (necrosis—either whole cellular necrosis then causes functional loss as in koryosis ). At the same time, mechanisms of injury, such as free radical harm or hypoxia, make the complexity inherent characteristic of cellular fornwid varietes to environmental adversity. The study of how cells die--that is, the mechanisms behind apop-tosis and necrosis--brings out marked differences in both their effects on humans entering clinical trials as well as offering various possibilities for medical intervention in many different pathological condi-tions. This is how the entire picture is combined. We believe this framework will lay the foundation for rationalizing the intricate relationships between injury to individual cells and its derivative effects in a larger physiological context.

Abstract:

To identify an ideal dose of pig manure from piggeries in the Forest Guinea for the production of zooplankton in rural fish farms for larval breeding, three doses including a control of 0 (T0), 300 (T1) and 600 (T2) g/m3 were tested for forty-five days. The experimental device of three buckets with a capacity sixty liters per treatment was each filled with 40 liters of demineralized water and immediately fertilized with the different doses. Three days after fertilization, phytoplankton was seeded followed by zooplankton seventy-two hours later. The initial seeding density was 35±7.62 ind/L or (23±1.13 ind/L of copepod nauplii or 1.84±0.13 µg/L (Thermocyclops sp.), 4±0.1 ind/L or 1.88±0.1 µg/L copepod adults (Thermocyclops sp.), 1±0.007 ind/L or 2.7±0.7 µg/L cladocerans (Moina sp. and Daphnia sp.) and 3±1.48 ind/L or 0.21 ± 1.48 of rotifers (Brachionus sp and Asplanchna sp.). The results show that doses of 300 (T1) and 600 (T2) g/m3 of pig slurry gave good primary production, the highest of which was obtained with T2 (4.63±2.48 mg/L) with a strong correlation with zooplankton biomass (r2 between 0.96 and 0.98). Biomasses recorded in T2 were 594.35±24.93 µg/L rotifers, 589.73±18.98 µg/L copepods and 449.95±18.15 µg/L cladocerans. This dose could be considered ideal for rural fish farmers in forested Guinea.

Abstract:

As the sea ice reduces in both extent and thickness and the Arctic Ocean opens, there is substantial interest in mapping the marine ecosystem in this remote and until now largely inaccessible ocean. We have used R/V “Kronprins Haakon” during surveys in the central Arctic Ocean in 2022 and 2023, to record the marine ecosystem using modern fisheries acoustics and net sampling. The 2022 survey reached all the way to the North Pole. In a first, rather manually based post-processing of these acoustic recordings using the Large-Scale Post Processing System (LSSS), much effort was used to remove segments of noise due to ice-breaking operations. In a second, more sophisticated post-processing, the KORONA module of LSSS with elements of machine learning was applied for further noise reduction and to allocate the area back-scattering recordings to taxonomic groups as order, families and even species of fish and plankton organisms. We discuss our results with a perspective of underpinning the need for further development of post- processing systems for direct allocation of back-scattered acoustic energy to abundance of categories and even species of marine organisms.

Abstract:

A new polypeptide vaccine towards salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) was given to experimental groups of 2 x 8000 Atlantic salmon parr (Salmo salar L.), following the vaccination of a total of 4 x 8000 parr with a common set of vaccines used in Norwegian aquaculture to prevent infection in salmon growing at sea. The remaining 2 x 8000 salmon served as control. The trial was conducted at a sea farm research facility at Knappen-Solheim in Masfjorden, Norway. Natural infection with sea lice were staged and counted once a week from January – December 2023. The infection was never above 2 mature female lice per salmon, maximum limit set specifically for the present trial by the Norwegian Food Safety Authorities, thus delousing with chemicals or other methods was avoided. Mortality, growth, sexual maturation, slaughter quality and welfare quality parameters were not significantly different between vaccinated and control salmon. The vaccine had a minor positive effect on salmon lice development. All fish were slaughtered and marketed at a size of 5.8 Kg (> 83 % Superior quality).

Abstract: Teleost Immunoglobulin M (IgM) is a crucial molecule in the adaptive immune response in teleost fish. Therefore, specific antibodies against IgM are essential tools for studying immune response and evaluating vaccine efficacy across various teleost species. Producing antibody using synthetic peptide antigen is a convenient approach when IgM sequence is known. However, anti-peptide antibodies often fail to recognize natural antigen in either their denatured or native form, limiting their utility for antigen detection. In the present study, we identified a highly antigenic amino acid sequence stretch between the CH3-CH4 domains of IgM heavy chain. Using medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) as a model, we generated anti-peptide antibodies and tested their specificity and reactivity against native serum IgM. Based on in silico analysis, we hypothesize that this antigenic site also applicable to other teleost species. Using this antibody, we successfully assessed systemic and mucosal antibody response following medaka exposure to bovine serum albumin-coated microplastics via immersion.

Abstract:

The current survey aimed to analyse the water quality from wells in a rural area situated in the north-east of Romania, comprising the main water source for human consumption in the area. 80 wells were analysed for total dissolved solids, which was used as the main indicator of water quality and followed by measurements of dissolved oxygen and saturation, salinity, conductivity, redox potential and pH . For comparison, the values of these parameters were also measured in the water from the public network of the cities of Iasi and Botosani, as well as in various brands of bottled water. The results highlighted important water quality issues in rural areas, especially in terms of microbiological contamination and high nitrate levels, urging the need for future measures to improve the local infrastructure and water treatment systems. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the challenges related to ensuring drinking water in rural communities and provide a basis for developing effective public policies in water resources management.

Abstract:

Bivalve microbiomes play a vital role in host health, supporting nutrient processing, immunity, and disease resistance. However, increasing hypoxia in Chilean coastal waters, driven by climate change and eutrophication, threatens to disrupt this microbial balance, potentially promoting pathogens and impairing essential functions. Mytilus chilensis, a key species in the region, is vulnerable to hypoxia-reoxygenation cycles, yet the effects on its microbiome remain poorly understood. This study investigates the impact of hypoxia on the structure and functional potential of the microbial communities residing in the gills and digestive glands of M. chilensis. Employing full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we explored hypoxia's effects on microbial diversity and functional capacity. Our results revealed significant alterations in the microbial composition, with a shift towards facultative anaerobes thriving in low-oxygen environments. Notably, there was a decrease in dominant bacterial taxa like Rhodobacterales, while opportunistic pathogens such as Vibrio and Aeromonas exhibited increased abundance. Functional analysis indicated a decline in critical microbial functions associated with nutrient metabolism and immune support, potentially jeopardizing the health and survival of the host. This study sheds light on the intricate interactions between host-associated microbiota and environmental stressors, underlining the importance of managing the microbiome in the face of climate change and aquaculture practices.