My recent posts on breakthrough efforts in Bluefin Tuna reproduction by Clean Seas Tuna clearly illustrates how important it can be to control the environmental conditions experienced by a captive fish population.
One of the key contributors to fine grained control applied by Clean Seas is UNI-Aqua a Danish designer, systems integrator and builder of recirculating systems for rearing broodstock and aquaculture growout.
UNI-Aqua have established quite a reputation for themselves as a result of projects with an array of salt and freshwater species in Europe, South America, North America, Australia and Asia.
A nice review of the Arno Bay recirculating facility in South Australia can be viewed here.
I´m looking for information related with alternatives to convert aquaculture waste into a valuable by product. Specifically I´m talking about faecal matter from salmon farms that could be taken out before it gets to the bottom of the sea.
I´d really appreciate if anyone can help me.
The main concerns articulated by the environmental community are as follows:
- sustainability of resources used in aquaculture
- impact of aquaculture on marine biodiversity
- sustainability of fish feed practices (fish meal and oil)
- alien species introduction via aquaculture
- escapees and effects on wild populations
- release of organic matter (feed and waste products)
- over fishing of wild species for aquaculture (tuna)
- marine spatial planning and competition with alternative coastal activities
- eco-labelling of aquaculture products
- animal welfare (therapeutics, nutrition, intensive farming practices, transport)
According to environmental agencies, innovation emphasis should be given to:
- domestication
- behaviour and survival of escapees
- impacts of introduced species
- life cycle of aquaculture species
- biology and trends of species used for fish meal
- alternative sources of food ingredients
- recirculating aquaculture systems
- waste disposal or recycling
- disease and disease monitoring in wild populations
Do we have the complete list of environmental concerns listed here? Are there others that you can identify?
The presentation on aquaculture’s enviromental challenges by Despina Symons of the European Bureau for Conservation and Development is available here.
