AAC 2018 Conference

Aquaculture Innovation for Sustainable Future

The application of Genomics has had a revolutionary impact on the production of terrestrial animals/ From the use of genomic selection in dairy cattle to the use of epigenomics to understand previously unexplained sources of phenotypic variation, genomics can help elevate the success of aquatic species breeding programs. The goal of this session is to provide an overview of the recent developments of genomic applications in Aquaculture focusing into 3 main areas: breeding, epigenomics in aquaculture and functional genomics (especially nutrigenomics). This year we will try to focus on providing a stage for emerging genomics scientists to present their work, and we encourage graduate students and post-doctoral fellows to submit abstracts.

This session will feature the latest research, development and commercialization in Marine Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (MIMTA) and Freshwater Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (FIMTA or aquaponics).  Speakers are encouraged to discuss  progress in the different extractive components of IMTA systems (dissolved inorganic nutrient absorbers, small particulate organic suspension feeders, large particulate organic deposit feeders, and mineralizing microbial components),the evolution of the IMTA concept, who it is for, and what will be needed to see the emergence of this innovative practice in the western world. As aquaculture expansion in Canada will most certainly come from more species than just salmon, diversification will not only be key to maintain competitiveness of the industry, but the IMTA multi-crop diversification approach (fish, seaweeds and invertebrates) will likely play a role.  Speakers are encouraged to examine IMTA as an economic risk mitigation and management option to address pending issues such as: climate change and ocean acidification impacts, the evolution of the regulatory framework, embracing the integrated coastal area management (ICAM) and circular economy strategic approaches, and proper valuation of the ecosystem services provided by extractive species.

Successful aquaculture requires an understanding of the physiology of the organisms being cultured. Only with this knowledge does it become possible to meet their environmental requirements and thereby allow them to realize their biological potential. Physiology encompasses the integration of biochemical and molecular processes into important whole-organism responses such as growth, sexual maturation, osmoregulation, disease resistance, and the ability to withstand the stressors of being reared in artificial environments. This session will focus on understanding the impacts of captive rearing on the physiology of aquatic organisms and on optimizing the rearing environment so as to maximize physiological performance.

The environmental sustainability and social license of the aquaculture industry relies heavily on the existence of an adequate regulatory framework for the management of sites.  In Canada, provincial and federal regulators prescribe the methods used to monitor the environmental effect of aquaculture.  Many techniques are available to evaluate benthic health at an aquaculture site which include direct sediment monitoring (sediment chemistry, benthic/faunal indices and DNA barcoding), video surveillance, acoustic techniques and modeling approaches.   The adequate implementation of these techniques is at the core of the design of appropriate monitoring programs and subsequent management decisions. This session will examine environmental monitoring tools / techniques, their limitations and how they could be better implemented as a basis for environmental management policies. Current research and “outside the box” thought processes on novel approaches to better assess the environmental footprint of aquaculture activities are encouraged.

Shellfish production is highly dependent on developing technologies, environmental factors, husbandry practices and animal health. Understanding the influence of these variables is primordial in the establishment of a dynamic and vibrant industry in Canada. This session will focus on current research related to any aspect that can affect shellfish production, such as deep water farming, genomics, predation, diseases, carrying capacity, spat supply, triploidy and climate change.