The objectives of this volume are to present an up-to-date (literature survey up to 2001) account of the biology of Artemia focusing particularly upon the major advances in knowledge and understanding achieved in the last fifteen or so years and emphasising the operational and functional linkage between the biological phenomena described and the ability of this unusual animal to thrive in extreme environments. Artemia is a genus of anostracan crustaceans, popularly known as brine shrimps. These animals are inhabitants of saline environments which are too extreme for the many species which readily predate them if opportunity offers. They are, thus, effectively inhabitants of extreme (hypersaline) habitats, but at the same time are able to tolerate physiologically large changes in salinity, ionic composition, temperature and oxygen tension. Brine shrimp are gener ally thought of as tropical and subtropical, but are also found in regions where temperatures are very low for substantial periods such as Tibet, Siberia and the Atacama desert. They have, thus, great powers of adaptation and are of interest for this capacity alone. The earliest scientific reference to brine shrimp is in 1756, when Schlosser reported their existence in the saltpans of Lymington, England. These saltpans no longer exist and brine shrimp are not found in Britain today. Later, Linnaeus named the brine shrimp Cancer salinus and later still, Leach used the name Artemia salina. The strong effect which the salinity of the medium exerts on the morphological development of Artemia is now widely recognised.

Artemia is widely used in both life-sciences research and aquaculture. Although there are over 4000 references regarding Artemia, the literature is widely scattered. Artemia Biology provides a comprehensive, state-of-the-art review of this literature, containing a considerable amount of previously unpublished data. Although all aspects of Artemia biology are covered, the book emphasizes whole-organism approaches. Topics covered include molecular genetics, ontogeny, clonal diversity, mitochondrial DNA-based phylogeny, and comparisons of Artemia and Parartemia (including a taxonomic key to Parartemia species). The book also contains the latest information on Artemia culturing in fertilized ponds and culture tanks, as well as the use of the organism as a food source. Researchers investigating basic biological questions involving molecular genetics, biochemistry, enzymatic and developmental activities, physiology, ecological genetics and adaptation, ecology, and aquaculture production will find this book indispensable.

Over the past few years, it has become more and more obvious that fish farming will become increasingly important in the future. As fish farming moves into its industrial phase, technology will be an important factor in determining its successful development. It is therefore important for scientists & representatives from the aquaculture industry to meet to define state of the art and explore future development of fish farming technology for different fish species. 81 papers and abstracts were presented at the conference. The proceedings reflect the different sections of the conference: the plenum sessions and three parallel sessions: Juvenile marine fish, open production plants, closed production plants and poster sessions.