Can IMTA System Improve the Productivity and Quality Traits of Aquatic Organisms Produced at Different Trophic Levels? The Benefits of IMTA—Not Only for the Ecosystem
IMTA is one of the most innovative and sustainable farming systems, exhibiting the best technique available in rearing aquatic organisms belonging to different positions along the trophic levels. In the literature and in legislation, the environmental benefits of IMTA protocols have been extensively...
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2024-11-01
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| author | Giusy Rusco Alessandra Roncarati Michele Di Iorio Michela Cariglia Caterina Longo Nicolaia Iaffaldano |
| author_facet | Giusy Rusco Alessandra Roncarati Michele Di Iorio Michela Cariglia Caterina Longo Nicolaia Iaffaldano |
| author_sort | Giusy Rusco |
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| description | IMTA is one of the most innovative and sustainable farming systems, exhibiting the best technique available in rearing aquatic organisms belonging to different positions along the trophic levels. In the literature and in legislation, the environmental benefits of IMTA protocols have been extensively recognized, mainly for its capability to reduce the ecological footprint of intensive aquaculture systems and concretely address the Sustainable Development Goal no. 14 (SDG 14). However, lesser attention is given to the assessments of its role in enhancing the zootechnical performance, animal welfare, and flesh quality of the species involved. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review that aims to offer a systematic analysis of the existing literature on the main commercial motivations that could draw the attention of stakeholders, including consumers and fish farmers, towards a greater social acceptability and implementation of the IMTA system on a large scale. The findings suggest that, beyond its environmental advantages, IMTA systems can positively influence the productivity, growth, survival, feed efficiency, and animal health and welfare (AH&W), as well as the nutritional quality of the harvested species, thus offering significant economic and market value both in terms of Environmental, Societal and Governance (ESG) parameters and One Health. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8c9b7ec9757a471683ec624e70a725d0 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2079-7737 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Biology |
| spelling | doaj-art-8c9b7ec9757a471683ec624e70a725d02024-11-26T17:52:35ZengMDPI AGBiology2079-77372024-11-01131194610.3390/biology13110946Can IMTA System Improve the Productivity and Quality Traits of Aquatic Organisms Produced at Different Trophic Levels? The Benefits of IMTA—Not Only for the EcosystemGiusy Rusco0Alessandra Roncarati1Michele Di Iorio2Michela Cariglia3Caterina Longo4Nicolaia Iaffaldano5Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, Via De Sanctis snc, 86100 Campobasso, ItalySchool of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Viale Circonvallazione 93–95, 62024 Matelica, ItalyDepartment of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, Via De Sanctis snc, 86100 Campobasso, ItalyGargano Pesca Società Agricola Consortile Arl-Società Benefit, Via Rucher 5, Interno 1/C, 71043 Manfredonia, ItalyDepartment of Bioscience, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, ItalyDepartment of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, Via De Sanctis snc, 86100 Campobasso, ItalyIMTA is one of the most innovative and sustainable farming systems, exhibiting the best technique available in rearing aquatic organisms belonging to different positions along the trophic levels. In the literature and in legislation, the environmental benefits of IMTA protocols have been extensively recognized, mainly for its capability to reduce the ecological footprint of intensive aquaculture systems and concretely address the Sustainable Development Goal no. 14 (SDG 14). However, lesser attention is given to the assessments of its role in enhancing the zootechnical performance, animal welfare, and flesh quality of the species involved. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review that aims to offer a systematic analysis of the existing literature on the main commercial motivations that could draw the attention of stakeholders, including consumers and fish farmers, towards a greater social acceptability and implementation of the IMTA system on a large scale. The findings suggest that, beyond its environmental advantages, IMTA systems can positively influence the productivity, growth, survival, feed efficiency, and animal health and welfare (AH&W), as well as the nutritional quality of the harvested species, thus offering significant economic and market value both in terms of Environmental, Societal and Governance (ESG) parameters and One Health.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/13/11/946improve IMTA acceptabilityfed speciesextractive specieszootechnical performanceanimal welfareflesh nutritional quality |
| spellingShingle | Giusy Rusco Alessandra Roncarati Michele Di Iorio Michela Cariglia Caterina Longo Nicolaia Iaffaldano Can IMTA System Improve the Productivity and Quality Traits of Aquatic Organisms Produced at Different Trophic Levels? The Benefits of IMTA—Not Only for the Ecosystem Biology improve IMTA acceptability fed species extractive species zootechnical performance animal welfare flesh nutritional quality |
| title | Can IMTA System Improve the Productivity and Quality Traits of Aquatic Organisms Produced at Different Trophic Levels? The Benefits of IMTA—Not Only for the Ecosystem |
| title_full | Can IMTA System Improve the Productivity and Quality Traits of Aquatic Organisms Produced at Different Trophic Levels? The Benefits of IMTA—Not Only for the Ecosystem |
| title_fullStr | Can IMTA System Improve the Productivity and Quality Traits of Aquatic Organisms Produced at Different Trophic Levels? The Benefits of IMTA—Not Only for the Ecosystem |
| title_full_unstemmed | Can IMTA System Improve the Productivity and Quality Traits of Aquatic Organisms Produced at Different Trophic Levels? The Benefits of IMTA—Not Only for the Ecosystem |
| title_short | Can IMTA System Improve the Productivity and Quality Traits of Aquatic Organisms Produced at Different Trophic Levels? The Benefits of IMTA—Not Only for the Ecosystem |
| title_sort | can imta system improve the productivity and quality traits of aquatic organisms produced at different trophic levels the benefits of imta not only for the ecosystem |
| topic | improve IMTA acceptability fed species extractive species zootechnical performance animal welfare flesh nutritional quality |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/13/11/946 |
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