The Role of Zooplankton in Aquaculture Ponds

Fishy Fridays

Weekly spotlight on fisheries science journal articles

 

Jeff Kopaska
AFS Executive Director
jkopaska@fisheries.org

I was perusing the AFS Journals website today, and I saw a newly published paper from one of my grad school counterparts, Dr. Chuck Mischke! Well, even though I know little about Chuck’s area of expertise, I knew this had to be today’s paper. I recall numerous conversations about appropriate experimental designs and accurate sample sizes in aquaculture studies, and I think Papa Joe would approve of this study design.  The project looked at zooplankton harvest from fishless aquaculture ponds, what impacts that had on the phytoplankton and zooplankton communities in those ponds, and how that compared to control systems.  It also included the rationale for why one might want to undertake such an activity (amending fry ponds with zooplankton can save money and improve outcomes).  Lastly, I think you’ve really made it in this field if 87.5% of the references in your introduction are self-references. Nice work Chuck!  Enjoy today’s paper, and have a great weekend.

Harvesting zooplankton with submersible pumps does not affect water quality, stabilizes phytoplankton and zooplankton populations, and provides a supplemental food source for fry