Bioekonomi

A comparison between aquaculture facility on land and out to sea (on-land/offshore)

Producing over 50 percent of consumed seafood worldwide, aquaculture has become the world's fastest-growing food-producing industry, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

The risk of disease contamination is reduced by growing fish in land-based aquaculture systems, in closed and controlled environments. Fish production is completely natural and healthier as no antibiotics or disease treatments are involved in a normal production process. Carrying costs can be reduced as RAS technology is not entirely dependent on a specific water source and these land-based aquaculture systems can be built close to the market, resulting in a shorter time for transportation. Water pollution from the feed, feces, and chemical waste is being signified ally reduced by advanced filtering capabilities, making it a much more sustainable alternative.RAS allows continuous harvest round the year and compared to other methods fish grow to commercial size faster, In terms of efficiency and productivity. In RAS water temperature, oxygen, and carbon dioxide is controlled to their optimum level, which results in better conversion of feed to fish mass, lower contribution on the entire production chain, and lower production costs. On the other hand, it is comparatively risky and expensive setting up an offshore aquaculture farm, though there are a lot of offshore aquaculture farms existing which are paid off. A lot of uncertainty in the open ocean space is there. People aren't familiar with a lot of novel production technology. For example, a lot of new species in the open ocean are there.People are commonly concerned with traditional aquaculture species for example salmon, shrimp, and tilapia - as they know both production cost and profitable revenue. Also, the regulatory environment is completely different for different areas where people are thinking about doing open ocean aquaculture. Permitting the producers to operate in tropical waters can also have a positive impact on the production of the fish.

21.03.2021

Bioekonomi

Pharmaceuticals in Aquaculture

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing industries in Europe. Growing demand for fish and shellfish gives business opportunities to farmers who are ready to take up the challenge to fulfil those needs. European aquaculture sector is very diverse but only half of seafood is farmed leaving the other half imported. Intensification of the industry is naturally needed to meet the public demand but at what cost...?

Salmon, shrimp, mackerel, tuna, rainbow trout or other seafood farming is much more prone to diseases than wild caught product. Of course, if it is done under strictly monitored and controlled conditions, it is possible to reach the highest quality standards from the beginning to the end. Unfortunately, along with intensity, there go problems. Lower immunity, health or reproductive problems are some of the many issues intensive seafood farming is facing. It is much easier for infectious diseases to spread in the water than it is on the land.

National, and international regulations approved a variety of pharmaceutical medicines that do not compromise a food safety for human consumption. Those include antibiotics, vaccines, or preventive medicines. One of the tactics preventing from human ingestion of any medicinal residue in the fish is the 'withdrawal period' that gives enough time between the end of the treatment and harvest of the animal. In comparison with 1990 when the use of antibiotics was at its peak, the overall use of those drugs has significantly decreased. For example, the use of antibiotics in seafood farming in Norway has lowered because of development of a batter vaccine. In 2004, Norway produced 23 times more salmon and trout than in 1985; in the same period, the use of antibiotics dropped by a factor of 25. (CONSENSUS). Unfortunately, not everyone tries to play fair and implement the healthiest solutions. China is the largest producer and exporter of aquatic products. However, the information about usage of antibiotics is very limited to public. Many seafood medications are not registered or are rejected due to high health risks, therefore their potential illegal usage can cause much more implications in human's health, for example causing cancer.

Bacteria, parasites, and fungal diseases also threaten aquaculture. European Animal Health & Welfare Research has published that limited availability of treatments and prevention tools is a serious constraint on the health management in fish farming. 304 different veterinary medicinal products are authorised for fish, against 10.000 for dogs and 8.000 for cattle. Half of them are vaccines, followed by antibiotics, representing the 29% of the treatments. Half of veterinary medicinal products are aimed to Atlantic salmon and trout (respectively 31% and 20%), while the 16% of them are directed towards a general category of fish. (FishMedPlus Coalition).
With the implementation of stricter rules and restrictions, pharmaceutical companies have more troubles registering medications and treatments for aquacultural use and their limited availability can lead to a massive product wastage that will not pass the health examinations for human consumption. Therefore, there is much more research to be done to find solutions for improvement for the seafood's and human's sake.

Personally, I first stopped eating fish for the ethical reasons, having in mind overfishing and bycatch. I could not determine whether the seafood I consume comes from a sustainable source or has it made its way to my plate by some other way. I want to be a responsible consumer and that requires me to be informed, seek scientifically backed up facts and not be ignorant, especially when it comes to my own health. I do not eat seafood and it is my own choice, what are you going to do about it?

18.03.2021