Future prospects for prophylactic immune stimulation in crustacean aquaculture – the need for improved metadata to address immune system complexity

• Developments in the prophylactic immunostimulation of crustaceans have slowed.
• Currently success is determined by immune effector responses.
• Current approaches ignore complexity in PRPs and the gut microbiome.
• Future research should consider this complexity in identifying novel solutions.
• Recommendations for minimum reporting standards for metadata are made.

Future expansion of the crustacean aquaculture industry will be required to ensure global food security. However, this expansion must ensure: (a) that natural resources (including habitat use and fish meal) are sustainably exploited, (b) that the socio-economic development of producing nations is safeguarded, and (c) that the challenge presented by crustacean diseases is adequately met. Conventionally, the problem of disease in crustacean aquaculture has been addressed through prophylactic administration of stimulants, additives or probiotics. However, these approaches have been questioned both experimentally and philosophically. In this review, we argue that real progress in the field of crustacean immune stimulants has now slowed, with only incremental advances now being made. We further contend that an overt focus on the immune effector response has been misguided. In light of the wealth of new data reporting immune system complexity, a more refined approach is necessary – one that must consider the important role played by pattern recognition proteins. In support of this more refined approach, there is now a much greater requirement for the reporting of essential metadata. We propose a broad series of recommendations regarding the ‘Minimum Information required to support a Stimulant Assessment experiment’ (MISA guidelines) to foster new progression within the field.