Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and Retention in Atlantic Salmon, Salmo salar L., Fed Diets with Fermented Sugar Kelp, Saccharina latissima.

Using low trophic marine resources such as sugar kelp (Saccharina latissimi) is of great interest to increase the circular food production in the ocean. Sugar kelp does, however, contain high levels of carbohydrates and iodine and does not have considerable levels of protein and lipids, which may make it less suitable as a feeding ingredient. A 10-week feeding trial was done to investigate the effect of graded dietary inclusion levels of fermented sugar kelp (FSK), on growth performance, digestibility, retention of nutrients, and mineral composition in postsmolt Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). The experimental diets were made to simulate a standard grower feed for salmon postsmolts in SW with ∼63% plant-based ingredients vs ∼34% marine ingredients and increasing concentrations of FSK between 0% (control feed) and 4% of the diet. During the feeding trial, the weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR) decreased linearly with increasing dietary FSK levels, where the SGR was slightly reduced from 1.2% for the fish given the control feed to 1.1% in the fish given feeds containing 3% and 4% FSK. This resulted in a lower weight gain of up to 9% in the fish given 4% FSK compared to the control. Feed intake and feed conversion ratio were, however, similar in all diet groups, and FSK inclusion did not influence the digestibility of macronutrients or minerals, except for lipid. The reduced growth is likely related to a lower digestible energy level in the diets, and the retention of both lipids and energy was affected by FSK inclusion. Inclusion of FSK also influenced iodine availability and retention, as well as increasing iodine status in whole body and muscle in a dose-dependent manner until reaching a plateau, which corresponds to 124 mg I kg-1 WW (135 mg I kg-1 DW), at 3% FSK inclusion.

Impacts of ocean acidification and warming on post-larval growth and metabolism in two populations of the great scallop (Pecten maximus).

Ocean acidification and warming are key stressors for many marine organisms. Some organisms display physiological acclimatization or plasticity, but this may vary across species ranges, especially if populations are adapted to local climatic conditions. Understanding how acclimatization potential varies among populations is therefore important in predicting species responses to climate change. We carried out a common garden experiment to investigate how different populations of the economically important great scallop (Pecten maximus) from France and Norway responded to variation in temperature and PCO2 concentration. After acclimation, post-larval scallops (spat) were reared for 31 days at one of two temperatures (13°C or 19°C) under either ambient or elevated PCO2 (pH 8.0 and pH 7.7). We combined measures of proteomic, metabolic and phenotypic traits to produce an integrative picture of how physiological plasticity varies between the populations. The proteome of French spat showed significant sensitivity to environmental variation, with 12 metabolic, structural and stress-response proteins responding to temperature and/or PCO2. Principal component analysis revealed seven energy metabolism proteins in French spat that were consistent with countering ROS stress under elevated temperature. Oxygen uptake in French spat did not change under elevated temperature but increased under elevated PCO2. In contrast, Norwegian spat reduced oxygen uptake under both elevated temperature and PCO2. Metabolic plasticity allows French scallops to maintain greater energy availability for growth compared with Norwegian spat. However, increased physiological plasticity and growth in French spat may come at a cost, as they showed reduced survival compared with Norwegian scallops under elevated temperature.

CO2-Induced Ocean Acidification Alters the Burrowing Behavior of Manila Clam Ruditapes philippinarum by Reversing GABAA Receptor Function.

Biological burrowing behavior is an important driver shaping ecosystems that is being threatened by CO2-induced ocean acidification; however, the effects of ocean acidification on burrowing behavior and its neurological mechanism remain unclear. This study showed that elevated pCO2 significantly affected the burrowing behaviors of the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum, such as increased foot contraction, burrowing time, and intrabottom movement and decreased burrowing depth. Delving deeper into the mechanism, exposure to elevated pCO2 significantly decreased extracellular pH and increased [HCO3-]. Moreover, an indicator GABAA receptor, a neuroinhibitor for movement, was found to be closely associated with behavioral changes. In situ hybridization confirmed that the GABAA receptor was widely distributed in ganglia and foot muscles, and elevated pCO2 significantly increased the mRNA level and GABA concentration. However, the increase in GABAA receptor and its ligand did not suppress the foot movement, but rather sent "excitatory" signals for foot contraction. The destabilization of acid-base homeostasis was demonstrated to induce an increase in the reversal potential for GABAA receptor and an alteration in GABAA receptor function under elevated pCO2. This study revealed that elevated pCO2 affects the burrowing behavior of Manila clams by altering GABAA receptor function from inhibitory to excitatory.

A set of web-based public decision support tools for integrated planning and management in aquaculture.

We developed a set of web-based tools to meet the demand for spatial planning and help to determine the available space suitable for marine aquaculture activity. These tools were derived from AkvaVis concept, which was initially designed for the management of Norwegian aquaculture. The AkvaVis concept was adapted to different national aquaculture contexts and two other tools were developed in France and China. Besides using GIS maps and thematic layers, interactive functions were added to enable the user to select spatial parameters, build indicators for aquaculture siting and instantly display the requested information. For each tool, we describe the main technical features, input data, data geoprocessing, output products, tool strengths and limits, and applicability to other case studies. The three tools we present share common concepts and features:•use of standardized protocols for data (Web Feature Services, Web Map Services)•reusability of the modules developed for applications to other case studies•web-based interface for spatial data viewing and processingThey also show some differences, e.g., the Chinese tool exists as a desktop or a web-based support system. Differences and demonstrations for different aquaculture contexts in Europe and China offer some flexibility in future applications.

The effects of teflubenzuron on mortality, physiology and accumulation in Capitella sp.

The chitin synthesis inhibitor teflubenzuron (TFB) is a feed antiparasitic agents used to impede molting of the salmon lice, an ecto-parasite that severely affects the salmon industry. Low absorption of oral administered TFB may cause elevated concentrations in the feces discharged from the salmon into the benthic environment. The polychaete Capitella sp. are often dominant in such habitats and consume organic waste deposited on the sediment. In the present study, Capitella sp. were exposed to doses of TFB in salmon feed of 1, 2 and 4 g TFB kg-1 (0 g TFB kg-1 in control group) over an experimental period of 32 days. Cumulative mortality was 12%-15% in both treatment groups with 1 and 2 g TFB kg-1 and reached 27% in the group with 4 g TFB kg-1. Only the highest dose (4 g TFB kg-1) negatively affected feed intake, growth and respiration of the polychaetes while food conversion efficiency was not affected. At the end of the experiment, the concentrations of TFB in the Capitella sp. were high, in the range of 9.24-10.32 µg g-1 for the three treatment groups. It was suggested that a maximum level of absorption rate was reached, also for the lowest dose. High concentrations of TFB in the Capitella sp. might pose a risk to crustaceans that forage for polychaetes in the vicinity of fish farms. We conclude that the effects of TFB on Capitella sp. may therefore primarily be to the predators rather than the Capitella sp.

Metabolic responses to elevated pCO2 in the gills of the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) using a GC-TOF-MS-based metabolomics approach.

Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), primarily from anthropogenic emissions, are resulting in increasing absorption of CO2 by the oceans, leading to a decline in oceanic pH in a process known as ocean acidification (OA). There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating the potential effect of OA on the energetics/physiology and consequently life-history traits of commensally important marine organisms. However, despite this little is known of how fundamental metabolic pathways that underpin changes in organismal physiology are affected by OA. Consequently, a gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS) based metabolic profiling approach was applied to examine the metabolic responses of Crassostrea gigas to elevated pCO2 levels, under otherwise natural field conditions. Oysters were exposed natural environmental pCO2 (~625.40 µatm) and elevated pCO2 (~1432.94 µatm) levels for 30 days. Results indicated that 36 differential metabolites were identified. Differential metabolites were mapped in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database to search for the related metabolic pathways. Pathway enrichment analysis indicates that alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism and glycine, serine and threonine metabolism were the most statistically enriched pathways. Further analysis suggested that elevated pCO2 disturb the TCA cycle via succinate accumulation and C. gigas most likely adjust their energy metabolic via alanine and GABA accumulation accordingly to cope with elevated pCO2. These findings provide an understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in modulating C. gigas metabolism under elevated pCO2.

Implementation of marine spatial planning in shellfish aquaculture management: modeling studies in a Norwegian fjord.

Shellfish carrying capacity is determined by the interaction of a cultured species with its ecosystem, which is strongly influenced by hydrodynamics. Water circulation controls the exchange of matter between farms and the adjacent areas, which in turn establishes the nutrient supply that supports phytoplankton populations. The complexity of water circulation makes necessary the use of hydrodynamic models with detailed spatial resolution in carrying capacity estimations. This detailed spatial resolution also allows for the study of processes that depend on specific spatial arrangements, e.g., the most suitable location to place farms, which is crucial for marine spatial planning, and consequently for decision support systems. In the present study, a fully spatial physical-biogeochemical model has been combined with scenario building and optimization techniques as a proof of concept of the use of ecosystem modeling as an objective tool to inform marine spatial planning. The object of this exercise was to generate objective knowledge based on an ecosystem approach to establish new mussel aquaculture areas in a Norwegian fjord. Scenario building was used to determine the best location of a pump that can be used to bring nutrient-rich deep waters to the euphotic layer, increasing primary production, and consequently, carrying capacity for mussel cultivation. In addition, an optimization tool, parameter estimation (PEST), was applied to the optimal location and mussel standing stock biomass that maximize production, according to a preestablished carrying capacity criterion. Optimization tools allow us to make rational and transparent decisions to solve a well-defined question, decisions that are essential for policy makers. The outcomes of combining ecosystem models with scenario building and optimization facilitate planning based on an ecosystem approach, highlighting the capabilities of ecosystem modeling as a tool for marine spatial planning.

Proteomic-based comparison between populations of the Great Scallop, Pecten maximus.

Comparing populations residing in contrasting environments is an efficient way to decipher how organisms modulate their physiology. Here we present the proteomic signatures of two populations in a non-model marine species, the great scallop Pecten maximus, living in the northern (Hordaland, Norway) and in the center (Brest, France) of this species' latitudinal distribution range. The results showed 38 protein spots significantly differentially accumulated in mantle tissues between the two populations. We could unambiguously identify 11 of the protein spots by Maldi TOF-TOF mass spectrometry. Eight proteins corresponded to different isoforms of actin, two were identified as filamin, another protein related to the cytoskeleton structure, and one was the protease elastase. Our results suggest that scallops from the two populations assayed may modulate their cytoskeleton structures through regulation of intracellular pools of actin and filamin isoforms to better adapt to their environment. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Marine mollusks are non-model organisms that have been poorly studied at the proteomic level, and this article is the first studying the great scallop (P. maximus) at this level. Furthermore, it addresses population proteomics, a new promising field, especially in environmental sciences. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Proteomics of non-model organisms.

Variation in size and growth of the great scallop Pecten maximus along a latitudinal gradient.

Understanding the relationship between growth and temperature will aid in the evaluation of thermal stress and threats to ectotherms in the context of anticipated climate changes. Most Pecten maximus scallops living at high latitudes in the northern hemisphere have a larger maximum body size than individuals further south, a common pattern among many ectotherms. We investigated differences in daily shell growth among scallop populations along the Northeast Atlantic coast from Spain to Norway. This study design allowed us to address precisely whether the asymptotic size observed along a latitudinal gradient, mainly defined by a temperature gradient, results from differences in annual or daily growth rates, or a difference in the length of the growing season. We found that low annual growth rates in northern populations are not due to low daily growth values, but to the smaller number of days available each year to achieve growth compared to the south. We documented a decrease in the annual number of growth days with age regardless of latitude. However, despite initially lower annual growth performances in terms of growing season length and growth rate, differences in asymptotic size as a function of latitude resulted from persistent annual growth performances in the north and sharp declines in the south. Our measurements of daily growth rates throughout life in a long-lived ectothermic species provide new insight into spatio-temporal variations in growth dynamics and growing season length that cannot be accounted for by classical growth models that only address asymptotic size and annual growth rate.