Book review:Aquaculture in China:Success stories and modern trends

A B S T R A C T This article reviews a newly released book edited by Jianfang Gui,Qisheng Tang,Zhongjie Li,Jiashou Liu,and Sena S.De Silva,which is entitled Aquaculture in China:Success Stories and Modern Trends,Wiley Blackwell,2018,ISBN:978-1-119-12074-2,xxix+xxxvii+xxix+xli+711 pp.,€222.20,£200.00,$270.00.

1.About the book and its editors:aquaculture in China:success stories and modern trends

Wiley Blackwell published a new book with the title of“Aquaculture in China:Success Stories and Modern Trends”in May.With more than 700 pages,the newly released book is the result of a joint effort of more than 100 aquaculture scientists over three years.

The book comprehensively introduces the success stories and accomplishments achieved in aquaculture of China.Using real life examples and plain and clear language,Jianfang Gui,Qisheng Tang,Zhongjie Li,Jiashou Liu,and Sena S.De Silva cover a wide range of topics that are mainstream to aquaculture practice,including feed formulation and feeding techniques,genetic breeding and seed industry technologies,disease pathology and related control technologies,aquaculture technologies,and the conservation of aquaculture species and environmental protection in China.

The book explains the reasons and driving forces behind the success stories and predicts,as well as suggests,the future trends and strategies of Chinese aquaculture.Of important academic and practical value,this book will be the reading material and reference for aquaculture scientists,managers,policy makers,farmers and related students both in and outside of China.The book will be translated into Chinese in the near future so that those involved in aquaculture in China,including farmers,will have access to this invaluable resource.

Xianliang Zhang,Director General of the Fisheries Bureau,Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China,reviews the huge success as well as the challenges faced in the new era for Chinese aquaculture.In the forward of the book,he wrote,“the editorial team led by Prof.Jianfang Gui and Prof.Qisheng Tang worked hard on this book and we all truly appreciate their efforts”.Prof.Gui,academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Prof.Tang,academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering,have outstanding achievements in freshwater and marine aquaculture,respectively.“I felt honored to be invited to write the forward for this book.”Zhang said,“I believe these success stories and case studies will not only have important practical significance for the present transformation,upgrading and structural reform on the supply side of the Chinese aquaculture industry,but also provide a reference for establishing aquaculture policy and promoting sustainable aquaculture in other countries of the world.”Zhang was also sure that the extension and application of the successful cases“showcased”in the book will play an important role in promoting the development of aquaculture in developing countries,especially those countries of the Belt and Road Initiative,and promote and stimulate international collaboration in aquaculture.

Dr.Sena S.De Silva,professor of Deakin University with worldwide expertise in aquaculture and fish nutrition,is one of the editors of the book.He wrote in the speech he sent to China,“I've been a main driver in the project that led to the current publication,which has taken nearly two and a half years to come to fruition,through the efforts and endeavors of many parties.This landmark publication will be useful to every one and all involved directly in the development of the aquaculture and related sectors not only in China but globally.”

The book was donated by the WWF(China)and the State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Biology and Biotechnology.

2.The topics in the book

It is impossible to encompass the entire contents of this monumental book in this brief review,just like it would be impossible to describe in detail the contents of an encyclopedia in a book review.Here I will provide a general overview about the main subjects in each book section.The book starts with Section 1,“Notable Developments in Chinese Aquaculture in the Past Few Decades”,which contains“Contribution of Chinese Aquaculture to the Sector,Globally,and to Overall Food Security”,“Inland Aquaculture:Trends and Prospects”,“Mariculture:Developments,Present Status and Prospects”, “Chinese Aquaculture:Its Contribution to Rural Development and the Economy”,and “Species Composition in Chinese Aquaculture with Reference to Trophic Level of Cultured Species”.

The second Section:Traditionally Farmed Species/Species Groups and Farming Practices,consists of“Grass Carp:The Fish that Feeds Half of China”,“Typical Cases of Silver Carp Culture”,“Developments in Common Carp Culture and Selective Breeding of New Varieties”,“Crucian Carp and Gibel Carp Culture”,“Recent Developments in Bream Culture:Culture Systems and Genetic Improvement”,and “Integrated Rice- field Aquaculture in China,A Long-Standing Practice,with Recent Leapfrog Developments”.

Section 3 is entitled Emerging Cultured Species/Species Groups.There are 14 topics,including “Freshwater Pearl Culture”,“Chinese mitten Crab Culture:Current Status and Recent Progress Towards Sustainable Development”, “Culture of the Oriental River Prawn(Macrobrachium nipponense)”, “Mud Crab,Scylla paramamosainChina's Leading Maricultured Crab”,“Sturgeon Culture:Status and Practices”, “Snakehead Culture”, “Mandarin Fish Culture:Status and Development Prospects”,“The Success of Yellow Cat fish Aquaculture in China:From Rare Wild Fish to Popular Farmed Fish”,“Aquaculture of the Paddy Eel,Monopterus albus”,“Aquaculture of the Large Yellow Croaker”,“Flat fish Farming”,“Rabbit fish-Emerging Herbivorous Marine Aquaculture Species”,“Soft-Shelled Turtle Culture”,and “Hard-Shelled Turtle Culture”.

In Section 4,Alien Species in Chinese Aquaculture, five topics are covered:“Cray fish(Procambarus clarkii)Cultivation in China:A Decade of Unprecedented Development”,“Development of the Culture of the White-Legged Shrimp,Penaeus vannamei”, “Channel Cat fish Culture”,“Status and Trends of the Tilapia Farming Industry Development”,and “Development of Largemouth Bass(Micropterus salmoides)Culture”.

In “Developments in Feeds in Chinese Aquaculture”,or Section 5,the authors illustrate“Feed Developments in Freshwater Aquaculture”and “Feed Developments in Mariculture”.

Section 6,“Genetic Breeding and Seed Industry”,contains four topics:“Applications of Genetic Breeding Biotechnologies in Chinese Aquaculture”,“Half-Smooth Tongue Sole(Cynoglossus semilaevis):Whole Genome Sequencing to Molecular Sex Control”,“Stock Enhancement and Genetic Preservation of Chinese Mitten Crab(Eriocheir sinensis)in the Yangtze River Estuary”,and “Enhancing Aquaculture Through Artificial Propagation:Freshwater Fish Fry and Fingerling Production”.

Section 7 is entitled“Environmental-Related Issues in Chinese Aquaculture”.This section addresses topics such as “Multi-Trophic Mariculture Practices in Coastal Waters”,“Ecological Engineering Technologies for Optimizing Freshwater Pond Aquaculture”,“Disease Prevention and Control”,“Development of Lake and Reservoir Aquaculture Related Practices in China”,and “In SituConservation of Aquatic Genetic Resources and Associated Reserves”.

In Section 8,“Development Strategies and Prospects”,Prof.Tang et al.concludes the book by highlighting“Development Strategies and Prospects-Driving Forces and Sustainable Development of Chinese Aquaculture”.

3.Summary

Aquatic products have been a major component of our diet.In the modern context,global consumption of aquatic products is increasing.However,unlike our other staples,until a few years ago the greatest proportion of our aquatic products were from wild capture.This scenario has undergone a radical change and a greater proportion of aquatic products that are consumed are from aquaculture production.Aquaculture,the farming of waters,is thought to have originated in China,many millennia ago.Nevertheless,it was transformed into a major food sector only in the second half of the last century,and it continues to forge ahead,primarily in the developing world.China leads global aquaculture production in volume,in the number of species that are farmed,and has contributed immensely to transform aquaculture practices from an art to a science.

This book attempts to capture some of the key elements and practices that have contributed to the success of Chinese aquaculture.The book includes contributions from over 100 leading experts in China and provides insights into some aquaculture practices that are little known to the rest of the world.This book will be essential reading for aquaculturists,practitioners, researchers and students,and planners and developers.