The development of “Marine Ranching” requires global interdisciplinary collaboration and academic sharing

In recent decades, the global demand for food has increased rapidly due to population growth and diminishing cultivated land. Aquaculture production has experienced rapid growth in the past 40 years and is recognized as one of the key means of addressing global food demand. However, inland aquaculture faces challenges such as water scarcity and ecological damage, leading to attention increasingly turning to the ocean. According to statistics, two-thirds of China's seafood comes from aquaculture. The reason is that China has focused on shifting from traditional fishing to systematic marine agriculture, with the core concept being the “Marine Ranching,” which views the ocean as a vast ecological management farm. The successful implementation of this concept is crucial for ensuring food security. However, the development of “Marine Ranching” requires interdisciplinary collaboration.

The special issue on “Marine Ranching” included articles that reviewed the trajectory of fish farming in Zimbabwe and provided a new perspective on the integration of aquatic pathology and nutrition for disease prevention and control. Briefly, it is well known that disease is one of the most important limiting factors for aquaculture expansion and productivity. Researchers demonstrated that ferroptosis and iron mineralization are both involved in the death and survival of fish challenged with Pseudomonas plecoglossicida. Additionally, they highlighted the importance of hematological parameters, particularly poikilocytosis, in the diagnosis of diseases in aquaculture. Moreover, antibiotics are frequently utilized in aquaculture to prevent and treat diseases. In the content of this issue, the potential adverse effects of inappropriate oxytetracycline use have garnered significant attention. Consequently, there has been a growing emphasis on researching more ecologically sustainable methods, such as the use of Isalo scorpion cytotoxic peptide stimulation to enhance the disease resistance of fish.

In conclusion, this special issue on “Marine Ranching” provided a platform for global interdisciplinary academic sharing. By drawing on these academic studies, we can continuously refine disease prevention and control measures and promote the healthy development of marine aquaculture. Not only that, sharing academic outcomes will undoubtedly bring greater wisdom and strength to establish a scientific, efficient, and sustainable blue granary production system.