Does a ‘natural environment’ increase growth and reduce the mortality of Litopenaeus vannamei within a closed aquaculture system

Maidment-Blundell, Alexandra

Abstract

This investigation is into the ability to produce similar or increased levels of prawn growth and a reduction in mortality within two different enriched environments, compared to commercial standard of a bare environment. This is to address limitation issues with the sustainability and efficiency of commercially grown prawns in closed system aquaculture. The research is a response to a question proposed by a prawn aquaculture company (FloGro Fresh) as they would like to improve the sustainability and lower the costs of their current operation by optimising growth and reducing mortality rates. Two trials of differing enriched environments (Filter Brush and ‘Natural’) were carried out, with water quality analysis and husbandry checks carried out daily throughout both trials. The length and weight of individuals in the different treatments were measured at the end of each trial, to determine which environment had statistically significant effects on growth and mortality. Additionally, in trial 2 another tank size was introduced to analyse the effect of tank size on prawn growth and mortality, of each environment in addition to the previous tank size. Behaviour within trial 2 was recorded to assess the effect environment and tank size has on the behaviour of prawns within a closed system. This work demonstrates culturing Litopenaeus vannamei in added enriched material environments (of Filter Brush and ‘Natural’) can produce increased growth. The implications of this research are wide reaching within aquaculture because it introduces the possibility of creating a more productive environment, to optimise the husbandry process reducing the losses made in the rearing process, providing both economic and environmental benefits to the industry.

Citation

Maidment-Blundell, A. Does a ‘natural environment’ increase growth and reduce the mortality of Litopenaeus vannamei within a closed aquaculture system. (Thesis). University of Hull. https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4223778

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Jan 12, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 24, 2023
• Keywords: Biological sciences; Marine sciences
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4223778
• Additional Information: Department of Biological & Marine Science, The University of Hull
• Award Date: Feb 1, 2021