Improving sustainability of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) farming in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam through recirculation technology

Abstract

Per kg striped catfish produced, waste containing 46 g nitrogen (N) and 14 g phosphorous (P) is produced (De Silva et al., 2010). About 70% of striped catfish farmers discharge untreated effluents to the river. The remaining 30% of farmers discharge to rice fields or gardens (Phan et al., 2009), where part of the nutrients are reused. Discharging effluents pollute surface waters and increases the risk of horizontal disease transmission (Nguyen et al., 2007). Survival in striped catfish ponds is less than 70% mainly due to disease. More than 15 diseases/syndromes are commonly occurring in striped catfish farming (Phan et al., 2009). Diseases are treated with different antibiotics and chemicals (Bosma et al., 2009; Rico et al., 2013). However, consumers do not accept residues of antibiotics and chemicals in fish products leading to national and international laws and regulations that limit the number and amounts of chemicals and antibiotics farmers can use. When applying chemicals or antibiotics farmers are advised to ban application during the last 2 months before harvesting (BMP, 2009; MARD, 2011). Consumers prefer white fillets, but fillets can have grades of pink or yellow colour (Sang et al., 2009). Only white fillets are of export quality and fetch a higher price (Khoi, 2011). The fillet colour of striped catfish produced in deep ponds in the Mekong Delta is predominantly white. The high depth and water turnover rate of the pond farming system in the Mekong delta might contribute to more white fillets (Phu et al., 2014). Farmers will be willing to switch to less polluting farming systems, provided the colour grade of the fillet is maintained. 1.2. Aquaculture sustainability indicators Sustainability includes environmental, economic and social dimensions (Verreth and Oberdieck, 2009), and to monitor and compare sustainability performance indicators are required that are measurable and easy to apply at farm level. Basic indicators used to assess sustainability of aquaculture production systems are listed in Table 1.1 (Boyd et al., 2007; Verreth and Oberdieck, 2009).

Protective Effects of Bacteriophages against Aeromonas hydrophila Causing Motile Aeromonas Septicemia (MAS) in Striped Catfish

“…Striped catfish ( Pangasianodon hypophthalmus ) is one of the most important farmed fish species, especially in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and, more recently, the Philippines and Indonesia [ 1 ]. Vietnam supplied 90% of catfish production with a value of US$1.1 to 1.7 billion in 2015.…”

Profitability of multi‐loop aquaponics: Year‐long production data, economic scenarios and a comprehensive model case

“…Productivity is a key success factor and the FCR is of special importance for the RAS. Feeding, survival and growth data were recorded in studies (Hogendoorn 1983; Nguyen, 2016) and recalculated to FCR rates for 500 g fish (Bosma et al 2017). If these data are extrapolated to 1.3 kg weight, an average FCR of 0.92 seems possible for African catfish.…”

Reatment of wastewater from intensive striped catfish farming using Hymenachne acutigluma in batch surface-constructed wetland

“…Thus, catfish farming has become one of the most important aquaculture sectors in some countries. Currently, Vietnam is the largest catfish exporting country in the world, with more _________________________ than 90% of its products exported to over 100 countries, and the related activities provide opportunities for economic growth [1,2]. The fish farming economy is developing, and catfish ponds are projected to reach 13 000 ha by 2020 [3].…”

“…Intensive striped catfish farming has been reported to cause aquatic pollution in the Mekong Delta [2][3][4][5] and India [6]. A large amount of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds exists in the wastewater from aquatic ponds [2][3][4][5], but the physical and chemical properties of the wastewater from the ponds have not been investigated in detail.…”

“…Intensive striped catfish farming has been reported to cause aquatic pollution in the Mekong Delta [2][3][4][5] and India [6]. A large amount of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds exists in the wastewater from aquatic ponds [2][3][4][5], but the physical and chemical properties of the wastewater from the ponds have not been investigated in detail. Most of the wastewater was directly discharged into the main river (63%) and primary canals (19%), while only a small proportion of the effluent was screened (7.8%) and treated with chlorine and lime (11.2%) [1].…”