This book compiles the latest findings in the field of marine and brackishwater aquaculture. It covers significant topics such as techniques of culture of live feeds (microalgae, rotifer, Artemia, marine copepod & polychaetes), while also highlighting vital themes like the culture and applications of free and marine sponge associated microbial probiotics, controlled breeding, seed production and culture of commercially important fin and shell fishes. Moreover, the book focuses on the breeding and culture of marine ornamental fishes, sea cucumber and sea urchin and discusses seaweeds culture, aqua feed formulation and nutrition, water quality management in hatchery and grow-out culture systems, fish disease diagnosis and health management and cryopreservation of fish gametes for sustainable aquaculture practices, all from a multidimensional perspective.

The global fish production was 154 million tonnes in 2011 which more or less consisted of capture and culture fisheries (FAO, 2012). Roughly 80% of this is from inland-freshwater aquaculture and the remainder from capture fisheries in the marine and brackishwater sector. However, marine and brackishwater catches have recently begun to diminish due to overexploitation, climate change and pollution. The UNEP report affirmed that if the world remains on its current course of overfishing, by 2050, the ocean fish stock could become extinct or no longer commercially viable to exploit. In these circumstances, aquaculture is considered to be a promising sector to fulfill our future protein requirement. However, brackishwater and marine fish production now face serious challenges due to e.g. lack of quality fish seeds, feeds, poor water quality management and diseases.

Fisheries and aquaculture sectors play a vital role as potential sources of nutritional security and food safety around the globe. Fish food is rich in protein, vitamins, phosphorous, calcium, zinc, selenium etc. In addition, fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, which help to prevent cardiovascular diseases. Fish food can also provide several health benefits to consumers. The omega 3 fatty acids found in fish can reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol) and increase the HDL levels (the "good" cholesterol). Research conducted in Australia has proved that fish consumption can be used to cure hypertension and obesity. It is also reported that people who ate more fish were less prone to asthma and were able to breathe more easily. Omega 3 fish oil or fish consumption can help to prevent three of the most common forms of cancer: breast cancer, colon and prostate cancer. The omega 3 fatty acids present in fish or fish oil induce faster hair growth and prevent hair loss. Since most varieties of fish are rich in protein, eating fish helps to keep hair healthy. Furthermore, fish or fish oil helps in improving the condition of dry skin, giving it a healthy glow. It is useful in treating various skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis, itching, redness of skin, skin lesions and rashes. It is well known that eating fish improves vision and prevents Alzheimer's and type-2 diabetes, and can combat arthritis. Further, fish oil or fish is good for pregnant women, as the DHA present in it helps in the development of the baby's eyes and brain. It helps to avoid premature births, low birth weights and miscarriages. In addition, it is widely known that fish can be a good substitute for pulses in cereal-based diets for the poor. The global fish production was roughly 154 million tonnes in 2011 (FAO, 2012). It is estimated that by 2020 global fish requirements will be over 200 million tonnes; as such, innovative technological improvements are called for in order to improve the production and productivity in fisheries. In this context, this book provides valuable information for academics, scientists, researchers, government officials and farmers on innovative technological advances for sustainable fish production using aquaculture methods.

The book identifies the main issues and trends in marine and brackishwater aquaculture from a global perspective in general and in the Indian context in particular. It includes 23 chapters written by prominent researchers from various institutes and universities across India, who address the latest aquaculture technologies with distinctive approaches to support academics, researchers and graduates in the fields of Fisheries, Aquaculture, Marine Science, Marine Biology, Marine Biotechnology, Zoology and Agricultural Sciences. Our thanks go to our contributors; we are confident that all readers will immensely benefit from their valued expertise in the field of marine and brackishwater aquaculture.

Dr. A. R. Thirunavukkarasu is a Retired Principal Scientist & Head, Fish Culture Division, Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA), Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. He obtained his M.Sc and Ph.D. Degrees in Marine Biology from the C.A.S. in Marine Biology, Annamalai University. He started his career as a Research Assistant in the Tamil Nadu State Fisheries Department and then joined as a scientist in the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (Govt. of India), where he served till 1991 and subsequently moved to the CIBA. His specialization include Marine Fisheries Management, Inland Fisheries Development and Brackishwater Aquaculture. He has about 3-decade research experience with over 200 publications including manuals, edited books besides symposium proceedings. He has successfully completed over 20 major research projects worth to the tune of Rs.8-crore, funded by Indo-French scheme, NFDB, NAIP, DBT, NATP, Mega Seed Bank, etc. To the pinnacle of his achievements, during mid-nineties, he has developed a new technique for the induced breeding and seed production in the commercially valuable finfish, Asian Seabass-Lates calcarifer that has revolutionized the Indian Aquaculture industry with the year round sustained supply of seeds. The Seabass seed production technology was transferred to the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture (RGCA), Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA - Govt. of India) and he has been actively involved in the consultancy services to the private agencies like M/S Seabass Hatchery and to the aqua-culturists at large. Subsequently, his research team made a technological break-through for viable land-based brood stock production of Cobia Rachycentron canadum in pond and RCC tank holding systems. Further, he has successfully standardized the techniques and developed protocols for the controlled breeding of Grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) through pond reared stock, for the development of land-based broodstock of brackishwater ornamental fishes Scat (Scatophagus argus) and Moon fish (Monodactylus argenteus), controlled breeding and hormone-based sex reversal in Grouper (Epinephlus tauvina), maintenance of captive broodstock of Milkfish (Chanos chanos), etc. Under the NATP Scheme, he has standardized culture technique for the controlled breeding and seed production of shrimps in inland saline water environs. He is the Chairman of Steering Committee for evaluating the status of Inland Fish seed Production, Adviser to the Tamil Nadu government-Task Force on Fisheries Development besides an expert member in many universities and national level scientific committees. He was conferred with Gold Medal Award and Citation by the Aquaculture Foundation of India, Chennai and Hiralal Chowdhry Award by Fishing Chimes. He has visited several countries like Norway, Vietnam, France and Thailand.

Dr. P. Perumal is a Professor & Head, Department of Biotechnology, Periyar University, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India. Prior to his appointment in Periyar University, he had served as a Faculty-Research Associate, Lecturer, Reader and Professor in the C.A.S. in Marine Biology, Annamalai University, where he received his Ph.D Degree in 1989. He is also qualified in UGC-National Educational Test, 1985. He has over 30 years of research experience with about 150 publications to his credit. His specialization includes molecular taxonomy and live feed aspects of plankton, fish larviculture and antibiotic principles/drugs from the marine bioresources. He has about 25 years of PG-teaching experience, has successfully guided over 12 Ph.Ds, about 40 P.G. Dissertations and currently guiding many Ph.Ds, M.Phils & M.Sc. students. He has successfully completed many major research projects funded by ICAR, MoEs, DRDO (Govt. of India) and is currently operating a major research project funded by the UGC. He is a member of Academic Council, Senate, Board of Research Studies (of Periyar University), Chairman of PG-Board of Studies in Biotechnology & Bioinformatics (of Periyar University) besides member of Board of Studies in various colleges and universities. He is the Chairman of the Periyar University-Institutional Animals Ethical Committee & Co-ordinator of the Periyar University-Patent Facilitation Centre & Industrial MOU, an expert-member for Projects Review committee of European Commission (EC), Scientist-Member of Govt. Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College - Institutional Animal Ethics committee and Scientific Advisory committees besides serving as reviewer/editor for many national & international journals. He is a widely travelled man and has visited countries like China, Singapore, Korea, Thailand, France, Spain and Scotland.

Dr. P. Santhanam is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Marine Science, School of Marine Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India. He obtained his M.Sc, M. Phil and Ph.D Degrees in Marine Biology, from the C.A.S. in Marine Biology, Annamalai University. He has over 18 years of research and 8 years of teaching experience with over 90 publications in national and internationally reputed journals, books and proceedings. He has been specializing in the areas of Marine Planktonology & Aquaculture with reference to biodiversity, taxonomy, biology and culture of live feeds (marine microalgae and marine copepods) for fish larviculture. He has successfully guided several PG (35), M. Phil (12) and Ph.D (6) students and currently guiding many research scholars. He has successfully completed many major research projects funded by UGC, DST & DBT (Govt. of India) and is currently operating 2 major research projects funded by the DST & DBT (Govt. of India). He is a member in several scientific bodies and has been serving as editorial board member for over 4 journals and reviewer for over 20 reputed national and international journals. He has received DST-Young Scientist Award in 2007 and has been expert-member for various committees.