AQUACULTURE

Apr 30 2026OPINION

Alaska’s Coast: A Call to Keep Fisheries Wild

The federal agency is preparing maps that label places for aquaculture, claiming it’s only for clams and seaweed. Yet this planning step could pave the way for large fish farms that have harmed other regions. When open‑net pens appear, they can spread parasites, transmit viruses, and create dead zon

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Apr 26 2026ENVIRONMENT

Fish struggle when plastic bits and pesticides team up

Scientists tested what happens when tiny plastic fibers and a common insect killer show up together in the water where young tilapia live. Over six weeks, fish exposed to both pollutants grew less and ate food less efficiently than fish exposed to just one or none at all. Their guts showed damage to

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Apr 04 2026ENVIRONMENT

How shrimp farms might be quietly changing coastal waters

Shrimp farming is booming along tropical coasts, but scientists still argue over whether these operations leak harmful metals into nearby mangrove swamps. A recent study took a close look at Todos os Santos Bay in Brazil, where shrimp ponds sit right next to mangroves. Researchers tested mud from th

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Apr 02 2026SCIENCE

How a fish gene fights deadly infections

Scientists found a protein in farmed tilapia that acts like an infection alarm. Called IRF5, it helps fish cells recognize threats like viruses and bacteria. When attackers show up, IRF5 gets more active in the fish’s head kidney—a place where immune cells are stored. This isn’t just some minor reac

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Feb 26 2026SCIENCE

Fish Vaccine That Triggers Cell Death to Stop Virus

Scientists studied a live fish vaccine that weakens a deadly virus in goldfish. The vaccine was made by changing the virus’s DNA. They found seven small changes, five missing pieces and one swapped section in important genes. One key change removed the start of a gene that normally stops cells from

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Jan 20 2026SCIENCE

Tilapia Muscle Cells: A Leap for Lab-Grown Fish Meat

Scientists have created a new type of muscle cell from a special kind of tilapia. They named it ONM, short for Oreochromis niloticus muscle. These cells were grown using a technique called explant. The cells did well in a special growth environment. They thrived in an L-15 medium with 5% fetal bovin

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Nov 21 2025SCIENCE

Why Fish Feed is Messing with Our Water Surveys

In the world of water studies, scientists often use environmental DNA (eDNA) to spot fish. But there's a problem: fish feed can fool these tests, making it seem like fish are present when they're not. This is a big issue, especially near fish farms, because it can give wrong results. Researchers to

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Nov 17 2025SCIENCE

How Fish Fight Germs: A Look at Tilapia's Tiny Defenders

Fish live in water. This water is full of germs. Fish are born ready to face these germs. They have a built-in defense system. This system is always on guard. It is called the innate immune system. One of its key weapons is tiny proteins called antimicrobial peptides, or AMPs. These AMPs help fish f

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Oct 15 2025ENVIRONMENT

Turning Trash into Treasure: How Bugs Can Help Farms and Fish Tanks

Aquaculture is growing fast. This means more fish farms, and more fish waste. This waste is wet and hard to deal with. It costs a lot to get rid of. But what if this waste could be turned into something useful? Enter the black soldier fly. These bugs are like tiny recycling machines. They can eat o

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Jul 09 2025SCIENCE

How Weather Affects Your Seaweed Snacks

Seaweed farming is big business. It's a key player in the global food scene. But climate change is making things tricky. Think about your favorite seaweed snack. It might taste different soon. Why? Because the environment where seaweed grows is changing. Scientists in South Korea studied this. They

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