Improving sustainability of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) farming in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam through recirculation technology

The aim of this thesis was to document improvements in sustainability indicators of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, Sauvage, 1878) production through the application of recirculation and waste treatment techniques. To be able to document improvements in sustainability, in each system studied the same set of twenty sustainability indicators were measured. Indicators related to the use of fingerlings, water, diesel oil, electricity, labor, chemicals and antibiotics. Also, indicators related to nutrient utilization efficiencies and waste discharge were monitored. In addition, a sampling scheme, allowing to calculate organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorous and chemical oxygen demand mass balances covering a full production cycle and applicable in different production systems, was developed. Overall, from a sustainability point of view, striped catfish culture in ponds compared well to other important aquaculture species. Although favorable, it was concluded that water, chemicals and antibiotics use, survival, and the amounts of waste discharged could be further reduced through recirculation and treatment of solid wastes. The realized improvements through RAS technology and waste treatment technology were quantified in lab or pilot scale experiments. Large improvements were realized for water, antibiotic and chemical use, survival, waste discharge and color grade of striped catfish fillets at harvest. In addition, in RAS, utilization efficiencies of nutrients supplied through feeding were improved. Solid wastes removed from ponds or RAS could be partially re-used by making compost or producing methane for generating electricity. Another approach tested was the integration of a denitrification reactor in the recirculation system, which allowed to decompose solid waste and reduce nitrogen discharge. Denitrification in RAS did not affect fish growth, nutrient retention efficiencies and the quality of the fish fillets produced, and thus also improved sustainability of striped catfish farming. In conclusion, application of recirculation and waste treatment techniques tested in this thesis improved the sustainability for striped catfish culture. The challenge remains to scale up RAS and waste treatment technology for striped catfish to the production volumes handled in outdoor ponds without raising production costs.

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