Sponges as Emerging By-Product of Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture (IMTA)

Aguilo-Arce, Joseba; Ferriol, Pere; Trani, Roberta; Puthod, Patrizia; Pierri, Cataldo; Longo, Caterina

doi:10.3390/jmse11010080

Cited by 6 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 144 publications

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“…The increasing global awareness of the negative impact of the natural marine sponge collection led researchers to evaluate a sustainable solution for the supply of raw sponge material for the pharmaceutical industry. In fact, secondary metabolites isolated from Different uses of sponges in aquariology as ornamental species, and in aquaculture for the production of biomass for biotechnological applications in cosmeceutical, nutraceutical, and pharmacological fields, and for bioremediation of marine environment (modified from Aguilo-Arce et al, 2023).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Marine sponges as promising candidates for integrated aquaculture combining biomass increase and bioremediation: an updated review

Amato,

Esposito,

Federico

et al. 2024

Front. Mar. Sci.

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Sponge farming has been experimentally performed for more than 100 years, with early attempts mainly devoted for the supply of bath sponges and for ornamental purposes. During the last decades, sponge farming has been proposed to produce biomass specifically for those species from which many structurally diverse bioactive compounds were isolated, frequently present in a low concentration that limits their commercial production. This point is very important because it offers an environmental-friendly approach for the use of sponges as a source of natural compounds for pharmacological, cosmeceutical, and nutraceutical industries. In addition, sponges can have an ecological role as filter-feeding animals with a great significance in marine benthic communities. Thanks to their aquiferous system, they can filter large amounts of sea water, retaining up to 80% of suspended particles, resulting in a good system to bioremediate the marine environment from different contaminants. Remarkably, few attempts at integrating aquaculture systems were performed by combining the increase in sponge biomass and their use for bioremediation, showing impressive results and opening new possibilities in the aquaculture sector. This review concerns both in situ and lab-based aquaculture methods for the production of sponge biomass and for the sponge-related bioremediation of the marine environment focusing on microorganisms and contaminants (heavy metals, pesticides, microplastics, and others). Moreover, a first overview about integrated aquaculture combining biomass increase and bioremediation, as a challenging perspective for marine biotechnologies, is included.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite the ecological role of the sponges in IMTA systems and their efficiency in bioremediation, these marine organisms are still little used (Aguilo-Arce et al, 2023). Pronzato et al (1998) were the first to include sponges in the IMTA system as an extractive component.…”

Section: Role Of Sponges In Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculturementioning

confidence: 99%

Marine sponges as promising candidates for integrated aquaculture combining biomass increase and bioremediation: an updated review

Amato,

Esposito,

Federico

et al. 2024

Front. Mar. Sci.

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“…Marine sponges represent emerging by-products of IMTA systems, although their profitability is still under development [3]. Their most promising economic potential concerns the ability to produce bioactive metabolites that have been interesting in different industries over the last decades; nevertheless, their market is not yet well established owing to the so-called "biomass supply problem".…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since Egyptian civilization, marine sponges have been harvested and used by humans [1]. The method of harvesting the biomass and the commercial interest in it have changed over the decades (i.e., from collection to cultivation and from cosmetics to production of bioactive secondary metabolites [2]); however, these marine invertebrates still persist in the economy of some countries as an alternative source of income, from "bath sponges" in the Mediterranean (e.g., Greece, Italy, Croatia, Cyprus or Tunisia) and underdeveloped countries (e.g., Micronesia or Zanzibar) to ornamental species for aquariology, especially in the USA (reviewed in [3]).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do Sustainably Reared Marine Sponges Represent A Potential New Product in Aquariology? A Citizen Science-Based Approach

Aguilo-Arce,

Schiavo,

Trani

et al. 2024

Sustainability

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Marine sponges have historically been targeted for different purposes, mainly as bath sponges or more recently as a source of bioactive metabolites. However, their use as ornamental species for aquariology is less thoroughly studied. In light of the rise in the importance of sustainable production systems and to valorize the biomass obtained from them, this work assessed the market potential of sustainably reared marine sponges in Italian aquariology. Information was obtained by means of an anonymous questionnaire distributed using social media and printed QR codes targeting Italian aquariophily groups. A total of 101 people from almost all Italian regions participated in the study. Among the people with marine aquariums, almost two-thirds had marine sponges (obtained mainly from fishing discards and trusted shops), and those without them stated that there was no availability in the specialized shops. However, when people were asked about a hypothetical change in purchase intention or frequency of these invertebrates, 68.3% of the respondents showed a positive attitude toward the idea of acquisition. This study constitutes the first preliminary assessment of the valorization potential for sustainably cultivated sponges as ornamental species, which shows a promising prospective in the Italian aquariology sector.

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“…Several porifera species have been shown to be effective bioremediators of different categories of microbiological pollutants, organic and inorganic compounds (e.g., Aguilo-Arce et al, 2023). Sponges are predominantly marine benthic invertebrates that are effective filter feeders, capable of removing organic particles (dissolved and particulate organic matter, heterotrophic bacteria, heterotrophic eukaryotes, phytoplankton) from sea water.…”

Section: Adaptation Actions For Aquaculturementioning

confidence: 99%

Climate impacts and adaptation strategies for coastal erosion, aquaculture, and tourism along the Adriatic side of Apulia region

Parete,

Bruno,

Calabrese

et al. 2024

Front. Clim.

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This study addresses the imperative need for adaptation strategies to climate impacts in coastal areas, particularly vulnerable to climate change effects. Under the Interreg project “AdriaClim,” our research aims to provide a comprehensive account of predicted climate impacts and corresponding adaptation measures for three key sectors for the coastal economy of the Puglia region (Southern Italy): coastal erosion, aquaculture, and tourism. Analyzing regional climate projections, predicted climatic anomalies for Apulia have been delineated. Together with a comprehensive description of the investigated sectors, the expected sectoral climate impacts have been identified. The respective adaptation measures for each sector have been evaluated in terms of coherence with the studied context and effectiveness, among those proposed in the literature. In aquaculture, climate change may influence ecosystem structure, functionality, production cycles, infrastructure, and organism physiology. Integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) emerges as a solution to enhance the resilience of Apulian aquatic production systems to climate change. For coastal tourism, the vulnerability to various climate impacts is emphasized. These impacts can directly influence tourist flows or indirectly alter the attractiveness of the Apulian Adriatic coast. Given the sector's strong ties to anthropic, natural, and cultural elements, a comprehensive adaptive approach proves most effective. Concerning coastal erosion, results underscore the prevalence of numerous stretches of eroding low coastline, with future projections indicating scenarios of widespread retreat along the southern Adriatic coast. Consequently, protective, and coastal management measures become imperative. The analyses and the obtained results serves as a valuable knowledge framework essential for formulating a climate change adaptation plan for the Apulian Adriatic coast, aligning with the regional authorities' orientations.

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Sponges as Emerging By-Product of Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture (IMTA)

Cited by 6 publications

References 144 publications

Marine sponges as promising candidates for integrated aquaculture combining biomass increase and bioremediation: an updated review

Marine sponges as promising candidates for integrated aquaculture combining biomass increase and bioremediation: an updated review

Do Sustainably Reared Marine Sponges Represent A Potential New Product in Aquariology? A Citizen Science-Based Approach

Climate impacts and adaptation strategies for coastal erosion, aquaculture, and tourism along the Adriatic side of Apulia region

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