Replacement of Soybean Meal with Rhizoclonium riparium Protein Concentrate in the Diet of Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei Postlarvae

The biological value of incorporating Rhizoclonium riparium var. implexum protein concentrate (RPC) meal in the diet of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, postlarvae was evaluated for 60 days. Four diets were prepared: no seaweed inclusion (0%, control diet), 5.25% seaweed inclusion, 10.5% seaweed inclusion, and 15.75% seaweed inclusion with equivalent replacement rates of soybean meal at 0, 15%, 30% and 45%. Final average body weight (FABW) and weight gain (WG) of the shrimp were not significantly affected by the RPC supplementation (P>0.05) except those of shrimp fed the highest level of 15.75% RPC, which showed lower values but were statistically similar to those of the 5.25% group. Specific growth rate (SGR) and protein gained (PG) values of shrimp were not affected by the dietary RPC except those of the 15.75% group, which showed significantly lower values. Neither feed conversion efficiency (FCE) nor protein efficiency ratio (PER) showed a clear trend for graded concentration of RPC. Survival of shrimp was relatively good and statistically similar ranging from 76.0%-84.0%. In conclusion, Rhizoclonium protein concentrate can replace 30% soybean meal in the diet of Penaeus vannamei postlarvae or an equivalent of 10.5% inclusion rate without negative effects on the survival, growth, and feed conversion efficiency of white shrimp

Goals, challenges, and next steps in transdisciplinary fisheries research : perspectives and experiences from early-career researchers

Fisheries are highly complex social-ecological systems that often face 'wicked' problems from unsustainable resource management to climate change. Addressing these challenges requires transdisciplinary approaches that integrate perspectives across scientific disciplines and knowledge systems. Despite widespread calls for transdisciplinary fisheries research (TFR), there are still limitations in personal and institutional capacity to conduct and support this work to the highest potential. The viewpoints of early career researchers (ECRs) in this field can illuminate challenges and promote systemic change within fisheries research. This paper presents the perspectives of ECRs from across the globe, gathered through a virtual workshop held during the 2021 World Fisheries Congress, on goals, challenges, and future potential for TFR. Big picture goals for TFR were guided by principles of co-production and included (i) integrating transdisciplinary thinking at all stages of the research process, (ii) ensuring that research is inclusive and equitable, (iii) co-creating knowledge that is credible, relevant, actionable, and impactful, and (iv) consistently communicating with partners. Institutional inertia, lack of recognition of the extra time and labour required for TFR, and lack of skill development opportunities were identified as three key barriers in conducting TFR. Several critical actions were identified to help ECRs, established researchers, and institutions reach these goals. We encourage ECRs to form peer-mentorship networks to guide each other along the way. We suggest that established researchers ensure consistent mentorship while also giving space to ECR voices. Actions for institutions include retooling education programs, developing and implementing new metrics of impact, and critically examining individualism and privilege in academia. We suggest that the opportunities and actions identified here, if widely embraced now, can enable research that addresses complex challenges facing fishery systems contributing to a healthier future for fish and humans alike