The effect of the quality of diet on the functional response of Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819): Implications for integrated multitrophic a…

2017

Abstract The integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (i.e., IMTA) is a practice combining organisms with different trophic levels with the final purpose of transforming the continuous waste of food by targeting species into nutrient input for other non-target species. This practice very often involves filter feeders, such as bivalves, by the use of which bioenergetics budgets are strongly influenced by the quality and quantity of different foods. However, to date, scant information is available, to really understand the rebounds of food availability on the growth performances of these harvested biomasses in the natural environment. By choosing the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis as a model, t…

Measuring the effects of temperature rise on Mediterranean shellfish aquaculture

2018

Abstract Shellfish aquaculture represents a worldwide valuable segment of the aquaculture market, spreading along the Mediterranean coasts, and is sensitive to the still unforeseen, poorly-known effects of climate change. Threats due to temperature rise can threaten the deployment and development of this sector, up until now recognised as the best candidate to mitigate the effects of fishery overexploitation. Here, we investigate the effects of temperature increase on the model species, Mytilus galloprovincialis, measuring outcomes from valve fragility (thickness) and condition index. Evidence of a reduction in the thickness of valves and the modulation condition of the mussels along with t…

A macroecological projection for the future of the Mediterranean marine space management in a Ecosystemic Community Strategy context

Over the past few decades we have witnessed rapid ecological changes that have occurred in the world's oceans and that have mainly affected the resilience and resistance of ecosystems and the vulnerability of communities living in these ecosystems. The real challenge will be to identify and select techniques and approaches based on a macroscopic vision in order to reduce the effect of global warming, the impact of human activities and their consequences on the marine environment. These interactions can generate effects that influence the functioning of oceanic and coastal ecosystems and, consequently, goods and services, such as fishing and aquaculture production. In fact, these activities …