Abstract: An encapsulated formulation for food and bioactive agent delivery to aquatic animals includes various combinations of nutrients, a digestion enhancer, bioactive agents, and a local absorption enhancer. The bioactive agents and absorption enhancer may be encapsulated within a delay layer for targeted release at an area of the digestive tract distinct from the region of nutrient release. The bioactive agents and absorption enhancer may be coated with a sticky coating so that they tend to adhere to the inner surfaces of the wall of the digestive tract, thereby localizing their release and enhancing their effect. Instead of bioactive agents themselves, precursors may be delivered so as to generate the bioactive agents locally. The encapsulated precursors of a specific bioactive agent are separately contained in capsules which themselves can be adhesive to one another.

Abstract: A process for preserving and storing nematodes having an increased feeding value for later use as needed in the feeding of aquaculture organisms. In this process, nematodes are enriched with an additive such as essential fatty acids, vaccines, hormones, immunostimulants, attractants, nutrients and pigments. Liposomes can serve as a medium for feeding the additives to the nematodes. The enriched nematodes are then desiccated by inducing a quiescent anhydrobiosis (dehydration) and stored for off-the-shell use as needed. When required for feeding, the desiccated enriched nematodes are rehydrated and fed to the aquaculture organisms.

Abstract: The invention provides recombinant forms of piscine follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) with characteristic intramolecular disulfide bonds and modified glycosylation patterns in the ?-subunit that enhance the stability and metabolic activity of the hormone. Also provided are recombinant materials to produce the FSH ? and glycoprotein ?-subunits singly or in combination to obtain complete heterodimeric hormone of regulated glycosylation pattern. The piscine FSH agonists of the invention are therapeutically useful to expedite the onset of puberty in captive fish and to alleviate reproductive dysfunctions in fish.

Abstract: An encapsulated formulation for food and bioactive agent delivery to aquatic animals includes various combinations of nutrients, a digestion enhancer, bioactive agents, and a local absorption enhancer. The bioactive agents and absorption enhancer may be encapsulated within a delay layer for targeted release at an area of the digestive tract distinct from the region of nutrient release. The bioactive agents and absorption enhancer may be coated with a sticky coating so that they tend to adhere to the inner surfaces of the wall of the digestive tract, thereby localizing their release and enhancing their effect. Instead of bioactive agents themselves, precursors may be delivered so as to generate the bioactive agents locally. The encapsulated precursors of a specific bioactive agent are separately contained in capsules which themselves can be adhesive to one another.

Abstract: A process for preserving and storing nematodes having an increased feeding value for later use as needed in the feeding of aquaculture organisms. In this process, nematodes are enriched with an additive such as essential fatty acids, vaccines, hormones, immunostimulants, attractants, nutrients and pigments. Liposomes can serve as a medium for feeding the additives to the nematodes. The enriched nematodes are then desiccated by inducing a quiescent anhydrobiosis (dehydration) and stored for off-the-shell use as needed. When required for feeding, the desiccated enriched nematodes are rehydrated and fed to the aquaculture organisms.

Abstract: The invention provides a deep-water fish farming system comprising a fish cage of controllable buoyancy having one or more chambers, which can be submerged and refloated at a controllable rate to any depth. A winch mechanism mounted preferably on a platform that covers a section of the cage releases and gathers a cable connected to a sinker. When the combined weight of the system overcomes the buoyancy, the fish cage is submerged to a depth determined by the effective length of the cable between the winch mechanism and the sinker, with the sinker touching the sea bottom. The submerged cage is refloated to the surface by remotely activating the winch mechanism, thus releasing the cable, while keeping the sinker on the sea bottom. When the cage is refloated to the surface, the buoyancy is increased to allow pulling of the sinker from the bottom. The invention further provides a method for submerging and raising a fish cage at a controlled rate to any desired depth in deep water.

Abstract: A process for preserving and storing nematodes having an increased feeding value for later use as needed in the feeding of aquaculture organisms. In this process, nematodes are enriched with an additive such as essential fatty acids, vaccines, hormones, immunostimulants, attractants, nutrients and pigments. Liposomes can serve as a medium for feeding the additives to the nematodes. The enriched nematodes are then desiccated by inducing a quiescent anhydrobiosis (dehydration) and stored for off-the-shelf use as needed. When required for feeding, the desiccated enriched nematodes are rehydrated and fed to the aquaculture organisms.

Abstract: A fish cage system, which includes a fish cage having one or more cables connected to it. The fish cage and cable(s) have a combined buoyancy which is such that at least a portion of the fish cage is normally located at or above the water surface. The cable(s) are connected to a sinker whose weight is sufficient to overcome the combined buoyancy of the fish cage cable(s). The sinker is also connected to a second cable which is connected to a buoy. The buoy contains a winch for alternately shortening and lengthening the effective length of the second cable so as to alternately allow said fish cage to float or to submerge.