The new challenge

Although there has been a boon in the aquaculture industry here in the US over the past decade or so, there is a recent wave of critics coming from the private sector, some in government, conservation groups, and individuals who do not have enough facts to make any real informed decision on the matter. Although a recent science report from the Pew Oceans Commission found that there are many benefits to come out of aquaculture, the industry has to stay in check.

Aquaculture has a number of economic and other benefits. But if it is done without adequate environmental safeguards it can cause environmental degradation. The main environmental effects of marine aquaculture can be divided into the following five categories: 1) Biological Pollution: Fish that escape from aquaculture facilities may harm wild fish populations through competition and interbreeding, or by spreading diseases and parasites. Escaped farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) are a particular problem, and may threaten endangered wild Atlantic salmon in Maine. In the future, farming transgenic, or genetically modified, fish may exacerbate concerns about biological pollution. 2) Fish for Fish Feeds: Some types of aquaculture use large quantities of wild-caught fish as feed ingredients, and thus indirectly affect marine ecosystems thousands of miles from fish farms. 3) Organic Pollution and Eutrophication: Some aquaculture systems contribute to nutrient loading through discharges of fish wastes and uneaten feed. Compared to the largest U.S. sources of nutrient pollution, aquaculture’s contribution is small, but it can be locally significant. 4) Chemical Pollution: A variety of approved chemicals are used in aquaculture, including antibiotics and pesticides. Chemical use in U.S. aquaculture is low compared to use in terrestrial agriculture, but antibiotic resistance and harm to nontarget species are concerns. 5) Habitat Modification: Marine aquaculture spreads over 26,000 marine hectares, or roughly 100 square miles. Some facilities attract marine predators, and can harm them through accidental entanglement or intentional harassment techniques.

To read more of the report go to: http://www.pewoceans.org/oceanfacts/2002/01/11/fact_22988.asp

This is the new challenge facing the industry globally and in our region here in New England. From salmon farms in Portland, Maine to shellfish beds in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, aquafarmers have had to change the way they do their work or stop work all together in order to find this balance between protecting the environment and finding a viable business model to make a living. One of the missions of this blog is to find information and ideas from companies, individuals and government agencies that will help the industry in New England meet this challenge.

E.L.