Insight into aquaculture's potential of marine annelid worms and ecological concerns: a review

Abstract

Polychaetes are marine annelid worms that can contribute to aquaculture diversification. Its culture has been viable, and commercially attempted, but intensive production has progressed only in few countries around the world. In the countries with no production, marine polychaetes are imported or harvested. A strong and sustained research investment provided to a better understanding of the nutritional requirements and reproduction of some species. Recent studies showed new technical improvements, which can lead to an important progress in productivity and give a new impetus to the polychaete production. Some marine worm species were identified as good candidates for integrated multitrophic aquaculture. The development of cost‐effective aquaculture techniques for marine annelid worms is essential to ensure a balance between commercial interests and the preservation of ecosystems. The influence of polychaete aquaculture on the environment and vice versa raise important concerns related to ecological security and sustainability of this activity. This review focus on the main technical improvements and advances that have been made in areas as diverse as: aquaculture potential of polychaetes, reared species, main species used worldwide, and highlights biological and ecological concerns, important challenges and recommendations.

Optimizing the Timeframe to Produce Polychaetes (Hediste diversicolor) Enriched With Essential Fatty Acids Under Different Combinations of Temperature and Salinity

“…According to reported values, approximately 121.000 tons of polychaetes (with an estimated value of USD 8.39 billion) were harvested globally in 2015, with these figures being comparable to some of the most important world fisheries (Watson et al, 2016). It has already been acknowledged that the collection of polychaetes from the wild is likely insufficient to satisfy global market demands and that this practice drives a multitude of negative environmental impacts (Fidalgo e Costa et al, 2006;Pombo et al, 2018;Xenarios et al, 2018). The polychaete Hediste diversicolor O.F.…”

“…The polychaete Hediste diversicolor O.F. Müller, 1776, popularly known as ragworm, is a highly valued bait species for sports fishing (Fidalgo e Costa et al, 2006;Carvalho et al, 2013;Sá et al, 2017;Pombo et al, 2018). It also plays a key dietary role on the nutrition and production of some fish and crustacean species (e.g., soles, shrimps and crabs), being often used to trigger gonad maturation and spawning (Lytle et al, 1990;Dinis, 1992;Luis and Ponte, 1993;Dinis et al, 1999;Meunpol et al, 2005).…”

Biodiversity–Ecosystem Functioning (BEF) approach to further understanding aquaculture–environment interactions with application to bivalve culture and benthic ecosystems

“…The role of the polychaete may be direct through the consumption of faecal pellets at the sediment surface or indirect through the stimulation of bacterial processes in deeper sediment layers. Further worm species have been identified that could help mitigate aquaculture wastes while producing additional farmed marine biomass in integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) (Pombo et al, 2018).…”

Survival, growth and biomass of mud polychaete Marphysa iloiloensis (Annelida: Eunicidae) under different culture techniques

“…With the increasing demand for polychaetes both from recreational fishing industry and aquaculture, the culture of polychaetes has become a sustainable alternative (Pombo et al, 2018).…”