Travis W. Brown

Bio: Travis W. Brown is an academic researcher from Brunswick Community College. The author has contributed to research in topics: Catfish & Ictalurus. The author has an hindex of 6, co-authored 11 publications receiving 192 citations. Previous affiliations of Travis W. Brown include University of Alabama & Auburn University.

Demonstration of alternative feeds for the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, reared in low salinity waters of west Alabama

Abstract: The replacement of marine proteins with vegetableproteins orterrestrialanimalbyproductsinaquacul-ture diets has been gaining momentum. This studyexamines the viability of replacing ¢sh meal inshrimp production diets with alternative proteinsources (combinations of vegetable proteins) in in-land low salinity waters of west Alabama. The testdiets were formulated to contain 36% protein and8% lipid.Thebasaldietcontained10% ¢sh meal.The¢sh meal was then replaced (on a weight to weightbasis) with poultry meal (PM), pea meal or distiller’sdried grain with solubles (DDGS). Two separate ex-periments (laboratory trial and farm trial) were de-vised to test the e⁄cacy of the diets for Litopenaeusvannamei reared in low salinity waters. The labora-tory trial was conducted at the E.W. Shell FisheriesResearchStationinAuburn,Alabama,USA,whereasthefarmtrialexaminedthesamedietsinanoutdoor£ow-throughsystematalowsalinityshrimpfarm inwest Alabama. Results indicate no signi¢cant diier-encesinshrimpgrowth,weightgain,survivalorfeedconversion ratio among dietary treatments, suggest-ing that PM, pea meal and DDGS can serve as alter-natives to ¢sh meal as a protein source for shrimpreared in lowsalinityenvironments.Keywords: poultry meal, distiller’s dried grainwithsolubles,peameal,lowsalinity,¢shmeal,Lito-penaeusvannameiIntroductionFarmers of the Paci¢c white shrimp Litopenaeus van-nameiin inland lowsalinity wellwaters (LSWW) arefaced with the challenge of rearing animals in lessthan ideal environments (Saoud, Davis & Rouse2003; Roy, Davis, Saoud & Henry 2007a,b). Depend-ingontheirsource,inlandLSWWavailabletocultureshrimp can be of varied ionic composition and sali-nity (Boyd & Thunjai 2003; Saoud et al. 2003). Ionicimbalances, which are often found in LSWW, cangenerallybe solvedthroughadditionsof speci¢c ions(e.g. K and Mg) to culture water (McGraw & Scarpa2003; Roy etal.2007a).CommercialfarmersutilizinginlandLSWWare mitigating theproblemby increas-ing levels of Kand Mg in their pond waters throughthe addition of muriate of potash and/or KMag(McNevin, Boyd, Silapajarn & Silapajarn 2004). Un-fortunately,addinglargeamountsofagriculturalfer-tilizers to ponds is an additional expense to inlandfarmers. Increased production costs, competitionfromforeignmarketsandtheincreasingcostofdieselfuelareadditional burdens onfarmers.The cost of feed generallyaccounts for 50^60% oftotal production costs and, thus, west Alabamashrimpfarmers are interested in reducing feed costs.One strategy to reduce feed costs is by reduction in¢sh meal with alternative plant and animal proteinsources.Fishmealis consideredamongthemostsui-table protein sources for shrimp feeds. In spite of itsimportance, a considerable reduction in the use of¢sh meal is expected in the near future. Among thechief concerns include limited availability, variablesupply and cost. Given the growing demand by ani-mal production industries for ¢sh meal and its lim-ited supply, prices are likely to continue to increase,therefore, restraining future use as the main proteinsource in shrimp feeds. Likewise, emerging environ-mental and safety issues associated with the use of

Approximate Water and Chemical Budgets for an Experimental, In‐pond Raceway System

Abstract: There is increasing interest in intensive production of Ictalurid catfish in the United States and a better understanding of water quality dynamics in intensive culture is needed. Budgets for water, nitrogen, and phosphorus were estimated over a production season (March–November) for an In-pond Raceway System for channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, and hybrid catfish, I. punctatus × I. furcatus, with co-culture of paddlefish, Polyodon spathula, and Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. In addition to the rainfall and runoff, 70 cm of water was applied from a well to offset evaporation and seepage. Production of each kilogram of live catfish required 1.50 kg of feed and released 51.7 g nitrogen and 9.7 g phosphorus. Harvest of catfish accounted for 34.0% of nitrogen and 37.1% of phosphorus applied in feed. Seepage and overflow removed only small portions of nitrogen and phosphorus, while denitrification and ammonia volatilization removed large amounts of nitrogen. Some nitrogen accumulated in sediment. Phosphorus was harvested in fish and absorbed by pond sediment. Mechanical aeration aided in maintaining appropriate dissolved oxygen levels for fish production.

Production of Gulf Killifish in the Black Belt Region of Alabama Using Saline Groundwater

Abstract: The Gulf killifish Fundulus grandis, commonly called the bull minnow, mudminnow, or cacahoe, is a popular live bait along the Gulf of Mexico coast in the United States. Although culture techniques for Gulf killifish have been established for more than 30 years, this species is not commonly produced. Suitable coastal areas are thought to be one of the limitations. Low-salinity groundwater occurs in much of the United States, including portions of the Alabama Black Belt region; however, the relative abundance of minerals in the water varies. Spawning success was compared among Gulf killifish held in saline groundwater (salinity = 4.2–11.1‰) from four inland sites and in 5‰ synthetic seawater. Gulf killifish production (fry to subadult) was compared between two sites of similar salinity but with different mineral profiles (site A had 4.0‰ salinity and received water from a fertilized source pond; site B had 3.2‰ salinity and received water with no fertilizer additions); initial stocking densities in...

A 20-year retrospective review of global aquaculture.

Abstract: The sustainability of aquaculture has been debated intensely since 2000, when a review on the net contribution of aquaculture to world fish supplies was published in Nature. This paper reviews the developments in global aquaculture from 1997 to 2017, incorporating all industry sub-sectors and highlighting the integration of aquaculture in the global food system. Inland aquaculture—especially in Asia—has contributed the most to global production volumes and food security. Major gains have also occurred in aquaculture feed efficiency and fish nutrition, lowering the fish-in–fish-out ratio for all fed species, although the dependence on marine ingredients persists and reliance on terrestrial ingredients has increased. The culture of both molluscs and seaweed is increasingly recognized for its ecosystem services; however, the quantification, valuation, and market development of these services remain rare. The potential for molluscs and seaweed to support global nutritional security is underexploited. Management of pathogens, parasites, and pests remains a sustainability challenge industry-wide, and the effects of climate change on aquaculture remain uncertain and difficult to validate. Pressure on the aquaculture industry to embrace comprehensive sustainability measures during this 20-year period have improved the governance, technology, siting, and management in many cases. The volume of global aquaculture production has tripled since 2000 with positive trends in environmental performance, but the sector faces mounting challenges including pathogen management, pollution, climate change, and increasing dependence on land-based resource systems.

Achieving sustainable aquaculture: Historical and current perspectives and future needs and challenges

Abstract: Important operational changes that have gradually been assimilated and new approaches that are developing as part of the movement toward sustainable intensive aquaculture production systems are presented via historical, current, and future perspectives Improved environmental and economic sustainability based on increased efficiency of production continues to be realized As a result, aquaculture continues to reduce its carbon footprint through reduced greenhouse gas emissions Reduced use of freshwater and land resources per unit of production, improved feed management practices as well as increased knowledge of nutrient requirements, effective feed ingredients and additives, domestication of species, and new farming practices are now being applied or evaluated Successful expansion into culture of marine species, both off and on shore, offers the potential of substantial increases in sustainable intensive aquaculture production combined with integrative efforts to increase efficiency will principally contribute to satisfying the increasing global demand for protein and food security needs

Shrimp culture in inland low salinity waters.

Abstract: Inland aquaculture of shrimp in low salinity waters is widespread in many regions worldwide. Owing to its ability to grow and survive in low salinity environments the Pacific white shrimp, (Litopenaeus vannamei Boone) has become the candidate of choice for low salinity culture. Remediation techniques have been developed to improve the osmoregulatory capacity of shrimp reared in low salinity waters. These techniques have evaluated water modification strategies that improve low salinity waters used for production by adding potassium and magnesium fertilizers and dietary approaches that involve modification of the feeds offered to shrimp with supplements that might improve osmoregulatory capacity. Based on our own experience as well as what we found predominantly in the literature, it appears that modification of the rearing medium with potassium and magnesium fertilizers is more effective than dietary modification techniques at improving the growth, survival and osmoregulatory capacity of shrimp reared in low salinity waters.