Aquatic Life Sciences

Ijeoma Patience OBOH, Nkonyeasua Kingsley EGUN, Ukpamufo Cyril OLOWO

Aquaculture contribution to human nutrition, consumers’ preferential bias towards capture fisheries and concerns on food safety has necessitated the need for information on the nutritional composition of fish species from diverse settings such as geographical locations and aquaculture rearing facilities. This study determined the nutritional profile and associated human health risk of adult size African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) cultured in plastic tanks with those harvested from the wild. Results showed the mean protein (18.04%) and lipid (8.71%) values of cultured C. gariepinus were significantly higher than reported values in C. gariepinus from the wild, which makes them of more nutritional value to consumers. Captured fishes reported higher ash, mineral and trace metal contents, which was attributed to the elevated levels of these elements in their habitat waters due to water pollution. Low metal pollution index (MPI) values in cultured and captured fishes indicated an insignificant bioaccumulation of trace metals, and the absence of non – carcinogenic (HI <1) and carcinogenic (ICR < 1 × 10^-6) risk associated with their consumption. Although the captured fishes at present poses no health risk to consumers; their recorded higher contents of trace metals, MPI, HI and CPI values is a cause for concern on the safe consumption of capture fishes. With increasing concerns on aquatic food safety, this study has shown that the consumption of cultured C. gariepinus provides more nutritional quality to consumers. The need for more monitoring studies on different culturing methods and settings on the nutritional composition and food safety is recommended.

Aquatic Life Sciences

Karl Cirilson Ellema Angulo

Coastal ecosystems support high levels of marine biodiversity and provide essential services, including shoreline protection, carbon sequestration, and fisheries production. Silot Bay, Liloan, Cebu, Philippines, is an ecologically and socio-economically important embayment; however, biodiversity assessments in the area remain sparse and temporally fragmented. This study presents a narrative review with structured literature search elements to synthesize available ecological studies on major taxonomic groups, including mangroves, fish, meiofauna, and algae, and to evaluate methodological consistency among studies retrieved from Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Philippine E-Journals, and institutional repositories from local universities. A total of nine studies met the inclusion criteria, the majority of which were conducted prior to 2000, with post-2000 research limited to a single study on algal communities. Substantial variation in sampling methods, effort, spatial coverage, and taxonomic resolution constrains direct comparison across studies and limits interpretation of temporal patterns. Differences in reported species richness and community composition are evident across taxa; however, these patterns cannot be confidently attributed to ecological change due to methodological inconsistencies and limited data availability. The small number of studies and reliance on partially inaccessible historical data further restrict the establishment of a reliable biodiversity baseline for Silot Bay. Overall, this review highlights significant knowledge gaps and emphasizes the need for standardized, multi-taxa biodiversity assessments to support long-term monitoring and evidence-based coastal management.

Aquatic Life Sciences

Nur Afidatul Himma

Parasitic infections in marine fish pose economic and public health risks, particularly when zoonotic species are involved. Ribbonfish (Trichiurus lepturus), a commercially important species in Indonesia, is highly susceptible to endoparasites that may reduce fish quality and threaten human consumers. This study aimed to identify the types, prevalence, and intensity of endoparasites infecting ribbonfish landed at Paciran (Lamongan) and Tamperan (Pacitan). A total of 56 fish samples were examined through necropsy and microscopic observation of internal organs. Two nematode species, Anisakis sp. and Camallanus sp., were detected in the intestine, stomach, and muscle tissues. Prevalence was 0.2% at Paciran and 0.4% at Tamperan, while intensity reached 1.3 and 1.9 ind/individual, respectively. Infected fish were typically larger, with body weights ranging from 100–400 g and lengths of 60–80 cm, and often contained undigested small fish and crustaceans that may serve as intermediate hosts. Although infection levels were classified as low, the detection of zoonotic Anisakis sp. underscores the need for continued monitoring to prevent potential health risks and safeguard fishery resources.

Aquatic Life Sciences

Muhammad Yusron, Diana Maulianawati

Shrimp aquaculture faces recurrent challenges from Vibrio spp., opportunistic pathogens that threaten production sustainability, particularly in traditional farming systems with limited management inputs. Although Vibrio levels in traditional ponds are generally assumed to remain below pathogenic thresholds, information on their persistence and relationship with water quality remains limited. This study aimed to isolate and quantify Vibrio spp. in traditional shrimp ponds in Tarakan, Indonesia, and evaluate their relationship with key water quality parameters. Water samples were collected biweekly from week 0 to week 10 at three stations in each of two ponds. Vibrio spp. were isolated using Thiosulfate Citrate Bile Salt Sucrose Agar (TCBSA), and Total Vibrio Counts (TVC) were expressed as CFU/mL. Physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen) were measured concurrently. Vibrio colonies were consistently detected throughout the culture period, ranging from 1.5 × 10¹ to 2.6 × 10³ CFU/mL in Pond 1 and 2.4 × 10¹ to 1.2 × 10³ CFU/mL in Pond 2, remaining below the pathogenic threshold (1 × 10⁴ CFU/mL). Water quality remained within optimal ranges. Pearson correlation analysis showed weak, non-significant relationships between Vibrio abundance and environmental variables. These findings indicate that Vibrio persistence in traditional shrimp ponds may be influenced by factors beyond physicochemical water quality, highlighting the importance of continuous monitoring to support disease prevention and biosecurity management.

Aquatic Life Sciences

Muh Yusril AL Tulus, Diana Maulianawati

Shrimp aquaculture depends on stable water quality, but fluctuations often reduce growth and survival, making optimal conditions essential for sustainable Penaeus monodon culture. This study aimed to evaluate key water quality parameters in two shrimp ponds and assess their suitability against established aquaculture standards. Field measurements and laboratory analyses were conducted over ten weeks across three sampling stations in each pond. Parameters measured included pH, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, phosphate, and water hardness. Results showed that pH ranged from 7.29–7.80, temperature from 31.40–32.00 °C, salinity from 17.30–17.88 ppt, and DO from 5.29–5.87 mg/L, all within acceptable limits (SNI 8038.1: 2014). Nutrient concentrations varied, with nitrate (0–0.4 mg/L), nitrite (0–0.4 mg/L), ammonia (0.1–0.4 mg/L), and phosphate (0–0.5 mg/L), where ammonia occasionally exceeded the safe threshold of 0.1 mg/L. Water hardness ranged from 0.17–0.43 mg/L CaCO₃, below the reference limit of 100 mg/L CaCO₃. Overall, the ponds provided suitable conditions for shrimp growth, but elevated nutrient levels at certain periods indicate the need for improved feed and waste management. Maintaining balanced water quality is essential to optimizing shrimp health, enhancing productivity, and ensuring the sustainability of aquaculture practices.

Aquatic Life Sciences