A multi-trait evaluation framework to assess the consequences of polyculture in fish production: An application for pikeperch in recirculated aquaculture systems

Towards the Sustainable Intensification of Aquaculture: Exploring Possible Ways Forward

“…Other species, including most fish and crustacean species, require external food sources and are usually cultivated in intensively fed monocultures [2]. Monoculture, the cultivation of a single aquatic species at varying densities, is widely practiced throughout the globe-Europe, North America, China, and Australia [2,24,25]. Monocultures are characteristic of intensive recirculated aquaculture systems in which a species with a high market value is cultivated in high density [24].…”

“…Monoculture, the cultivation of a single aquatic species at varying densities, is widely practiced throughout the globe-Europe, North America, China, and Australia [2,24,25]. Monocultures are characteristic of intensive recirculated aquaculture systems in which a species with a high market value is cultivated in high density [24]. High-quality commercial feed is fed to monocultures and usually accounts for 50-80% of production costs, and the main products are high-value fish and crustaceans [2].…”

“…Monoculture aquaculture is based on the concept of linear economy, which is not the most sustainable approach [2]. By cultivating only one species, the aquatic organisms that are farmed cannot consume all the food given to them, which is disadvantageous from the point of view of resource efficiency [24]. Monocultures have lower resistance to pathogens and viruses [24].…”

“…Polyculture can be described as the rearing of two or more species, the combination of plants and animals, fish or plants, and even aquatic and terrestrial species in the same fixed space [24,26]. Polyculture has its roots in China, where several species of carp were reared in one pond or fish farming was combined with rice cultivation [26,27].…”

“…Bio-RAS or systems combining BFT and RAS technologies have been explored with the aim of achieving zero water exchange and reduced disease risk [62]. Monocultures are characteristic of RAS, but to optimize water use, the possibility of using RAS as a polyculture cultivation mechanism is being explored [24]. Xu et al [63] briefly describe the recirculating pond aquaculture system (RPAS) as "an innovative mode of pond culture for its environmentally friendly characteristics".…”