The study examines the long-term impact of different smolt production strategies on Atlantic salmon. Researchers investigated how varying freshwater photoperiods and diets, combined with different post-smolt rearing environments, affected mortality, growth, maturation, and the occurrence of melanized focal changes (MFC). The findings suggest that rearing post-smolts on land might compromise fish welfare and reduce harvest yield compared to direct transfer to sea cages. Land-based rearing at higher salinity increased MFC, while specific freshwater photoperiods influenced male maturation. Ultimately, the study emphasizes the complex interplay between freshwater and seawater rearing conditions in salmon aquaculture and calls for further research.

Ref:

Myklatun, L.E., Madaro, A., Philip, A.J.P., Pedersen, A.Ø., Remø, S., Hansen, T.J., Fraser, T.W.K., Sigholt, T., Stefansson, S., Fjelldal, P.G., 2025. Long term effects of smolt and post-smolt production strategy on mortality, growth, sexual maturation and melanized focal changes in farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). Aquaculture 602, 742371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2025.742371

This research article examines the current state of artificial intelligence (AI) within the aquaculture industry, highlighting its transformative potential and various applications. It identifies challenges currently facing aquaculture, including disease, feed costs, and environmental concerns, and explores how AI can address these issues through monitoring, disease detection, feed optimization, and reproduction management. The review further investigates commercially available AI-enabled products and the obstacles hindering the broader adoption of AI technologies, such as acquisition costs and the lack of technical expertise. Finally, the study proposes future research directions to improve productivity and sustainability in aquaculture systems, emphasizing the importance of making existing AI solutions affordable, reliable, and accessible. The authors conclude that AI can revolutionize aquaculture through continued collaboration between technologists, farmers, and policymakers, emphasizing the need to solve AI adoption challenges before creating new AI applications.REF:

Fernandes, S., DMello, A., 2025. Artificial intelligence in the aquaculture industry: Current state, challenges and future directions. Aquaculture 598, 742048. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2024.742048

The DNV Marine Aquaculture Forecast report provides projections for the marine aquaculture industry through 2050, examining trends in production, demand, and technology. It forecasts a substantial increase in marine aquaculture production to meet rising global food demand, driven by population growth and changing dietary preferences. The report anticipates shifts in production technologies, with increased adoption of offshore and onshore farming methods, particularly for high-value finfish species. It also addresses sustainability challenges related to feed, space utilization, and biodiversity impacts. The study emphasizes the importance of transparency, traceability, and innovation for the sustainable growth of the marine aquaculture sector. Regional differences in production and consumption patterns are highlighted, with Asia remaining a dominant player.

REF: DNV Marine Aquaculture Forecast: Oceans . DNV.

This research explores the impact of mooring line failures on the structural integrity of Norwegian fish farms, a critical concern as aquaculture expands into more exposed locations. Utilizing numerical simulations with the FhSim program, the study analyzes how breakages in mooring lines affect tension distribution and buoy displacement in both single-cage and multi-cage systems under various current conditions. The findings suggest that while a single breakage might not cause immediate collapse under normal currents, it increases the risk of structural failure and fish escape in harsher conditions.

REF:

Cheng, Hui, Lin Li, Muk Chen Ong, Karl Gunnar Aarsæther, and Jaesub Sim. “Effects of Mooring Line Breakage on Dynamic Responses of Grid Moored Fish Farms under Pure Current Conditions.” Ocean Engineering 237 (October 1, 2021): 109638. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2021.109638.

The FAO's "Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture" (GSA) is a comprehensive framework to promote responsible development within the aquaculture industry. It addresses the need to balance economic growth with environmental stewardship and social responsibility. Developed through extensive consultation, the GSA provides guidance for policymakers and stakeholders to create sustainable aquaculture practices. The guidelines emphasize good governance, responsible resource use, and the well-being of aquaculture-dependent communities. Ultimately, the GSA aims to ensure aquaculture contributes to global food security, poverty reduction, and the preservation of aquatic ecosystems for present and future generations.

Ref:

Guidelines for sustainable aquaculture, 2025. . FAO. https://doi.org/10.4060/cd3785en

Xu et al.'s 2022 paper investigates the wake and turbulence properties of aquaculture nets using numerical methods. The research compares nets constructed with twisted twines to those approximated as smooth cylinders, examining the impact of twine helixes on flow characteristics. The study uses unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) and Reynolds stress model (RSM) simulations to assess wake structures and turbulence at a subcritical Reynolds number. Key findings highlight stronger wake interactions and distinct vortex formations behind twisted-twine nets compared to equivalent-twine nets. The presence of helixes reduces turbulence kinetic energy, influencing drag forces on the nets. REF:

Xu, L., Li, P., Qin, H., Xu, Z., 2022. Numerical studies on wake and turbulence characteristics of aquaculture nets. Front. Mar. Sci. 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.1055873

This document presents a numerical investigation into the wake effect on multi-cage fish farms, a critical aspect of aquaculture structure design. The study uses the FhSim numerical program to analyze the impact of flow interactions between cages in a 4x2 array, considering factors like anchor line tension and cultivation volume. The research compares scenarios with and without wake effects, demonstrating that neglecting these effects can lead to significant overestimations of drag force and underestimations of cultivation volume.

REF:

Sim, Jaesub, Hui Cheng, Karl Gunnar Aarsæther, Lin Li, and Muk Chen Ong. “Numerical Investigation on the Cage-to-Cage Wake Effect: A Case Study of a 4 × 2 Cage Array.” Journal of Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering 143, no. 5 (October 1, 2021): 051301. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4049831.

his paper provides a comparative study of different hydrodynamic models used to predict forces on aquaculture nets. Accurate prediction of these forces is critical for ensuring fish welfare, preventing escapes, and properly dimensioning mooring systems. The review focuses on two main model types: Morison models (treating nets as collections of individual twines) and Screen models (treating nets as panels). The paper explores the strengths and weaknesses of various models within these types, considers the influence of factors like current velocity, inflow angle, solidity, and wake effects, and offers suggestions for model selection based on specific application contexts. The study also incorporates a new formula related to net-to-net wake effect, improving accuracy of simulations.

REF:

Cheng, H., Li, L., Aarsæther, K.G., Ong, M.C., 2020. Typical hydrodynamic models for aquaculture nets: A comparative study under pure current conditions. Aquacultural Engineering 90, 102070. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2020.102070

This research paper presents a new coupling algorithm for fluid-structure interaction (FSI) analysis of submerged aquaculture nets, addressing the need for precise and reliable design of novel offshore aquaculture structures. The algorithm combines two open-source numerical toolboxes: OpenFOAM (for computational fluid dynamics) and Code_Aster (for structural analysis). The core aim is to accurately predict the structural responses of nets under various environmental conditions (currents, waves) by considering the wake effects of these thin, flexible, and highly permeable structures.

REF:

Cheng, H., Ong, M.C., Li, L., Chen, H., 2022. Development of a coupling algorithm for fluid-structure interaction analysis of submerged aquaculture nets. Ocean Engineering 243, 110208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2021.110208