Agglomerate 3D gel matrix and novel mechanism of dietary delivery to the Syngnathidae family

每年全世界有超过2000万只海马被交易，各种迹象表明，海马和海马科成员，包括管鱼和海龙，可能在短短10年内灭绝。作为副渔获物的过度捕捞和栖息地的丧失被认为是罪魁祸首。虽然其中绝大多数是用于中医治疗各种疾病，但也有相当数量的鱼被用于水族馆、古玩和食品行业。海马更喜欢以“活的”米斯德虾为食，因为它营养均衡。Captivebreed Mysid价格昂贵且不可持续，使用更便宜的冷冻Mysid需要补充合成化学营养素。在生长、繁殖和健康（包括活力和颜色）方面尚未观察到成功。为了提高养殖成功率和恢复野生自然种群，需要尽快建立新的饲料和输送机制。新时代水产养殖（NEA）希望证明开发一套完整的海马饲料系统的技术可行性和商业潜力。NEA建议在团块3D凝胶基质中配制天然衍生成分。饲料系统将具有正确的生物利用度和营养概况-海马所需的脂质，维生素，矿物质，脂肪和游离氨基酸。此外，海马是受保护的生物，在刺激它们进食、确保吸引力和消耗最少的双废物方面存在挑战。这个项目被NEA和水生保护团体视为前沿创新。海马养殖是该物种在野外长期生存的关键，如果养殖标本能够满足需求，这将减轻目前受到威胁的野生种群所感受到的巨大压力。

More than 20 million seahorses are and traded worldwide each year and there is everyindication that seahorses and members of Syngnathidae, the family also encompassingpipefish and seadragons could be extinct in as little as 10 years. Over fishing as by-catch intrawler nets and loss of habitat are seen as the main culprits. Although the vast majority ofthese are destined for use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to treat a variety ofdisorders, substantial numbers are also taken for the aquarium, curio and food industries.Seahorses prefer to feed on ‘live’ Mysid shrimp for its balanced nutritional profile. Captivebreed Mysid is expensive and unsustainable and the use of cheaper frozen Mysid needs to besupplemented with synthetic chemical nutrients. Success in terms of growth, reproduction andhealth (including vitality and colouration) has not been observed. A new feed and deliverymechanism needs to be developed promptly to improve cultivation success and re-wild naturalstocks.New Era Aquaculture (NEA) wishes to prove the technical feasibility and commercialpotential of developing a complete dietary feed system for seahorses. NEA proposesformulating naturally derived ingredients within an agglomerate 3D gel matrix. The feedsystem will have the correct bioavailability and nutritional profile - lipids, vitamins, minerals,fats and free amino acids required by seahorses. Further, seahorses are reserved creatures andthere are challenges in stimulating them to the feed, ensuring attraction and consumption withminimal bi-waste. This project is seen as cutting edge innovation by NEA and the aquaticconservation community.Seahorse cultivation is the key to the long term survival of the species in the wild, if demandcan be met with cultivated specimens, this would alleviate the huge pressures that are felt bywild populations which are currently being threatened.