In Chapter 10, we explore the vast biotechnology possibilities offered by water—the medium that

covers the majority of our planet. One of the oldest applications of aquatic biotechnology is aquaculture,
raising finfish or shellfish in controlled conditions for use as food sources. Trout, salmon, and catfish are
among many important aquaculture species in the United States

FIgUre 1.9 Bioremediation in Action Strains of the bacterium Pseudomonas were used to help clean
Alaskan beaches following the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Scientists on this Alaskan beach are applying
nutrients that will stimulate the growth of Pseudomonas to help speed up the bioremediation process.

FIgUre 1.10 Aquatic Biotechnology Is an emerging Science From using aquaculture to raise shellfish and
finfish for human consumption to isolating biologically valuable molecules from marine organisms for
medical applications, aquatic biotechnology has the potential for an incredible range of applications.
Shown here is a genetically engineered salmon (top) bred to grow to adult size for market sale in half
the time of a normal salmon (bottom

Aquaculture is growing in popularity throughout the world, especially in developing countries. It has
recently been estimated that close to 50 percent of all fish consumed by humans worldwide are now
produced by aquaculture. In recent years, a wide range of fascinating new developments in aquatic
biotechnology have emerged. These include the use of genetic engineering to produce disease-resistant
strains of oysters and vaccines against viruses that infect salmon and other finfish. Transgenic salmon
have been created that overproduce growth hormone, leading to extraordinary growth rates over short
growing periods and thus decreasing the time and expense required to grow salmon for market sale
(Figure 1.10). The uniqueness of many aquatic organisms is another attraction for biotechnologists. In
our oceans, marine bacteria, algae, shellfish, finfish, and countless other organisms live under some of
the harshest conditions in the world. Extreme cold, pressure from living at great depths, high salinity,
and other environmental constraints are hardly a barrier because aquatic organisms have adapted to
their difficult environments. As a result, such organisms are thought to be rich and valuable sources of
new genes, proteins, and metabolic processes that may have important human applications and
benefits. Bioprospecting efforts are ongoing around the world to identify aquatic organisms with novel
properties that may be exploited for commercial purposes. For instance, certain species of marine
plankton and snails have been found to be rich sources of antitu

mor and anticancer molecules. Intensive research efforts are under way to better understand the wealth
of potential biotechnology applications that our aquatic environments may harbor.