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developing countries, where very few can afford imported smoked salmon. Indeed, this form of aquaculture represents another source of pressure on wild fish populations (Pauly et al: 2002)
Therefore, by farming carnivores such as salmon, sea bass, sea bream and tuna at the top of the food chain it’s a case of ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’. Given the net loss in fisheries resources it is no wonder fishermen feel short-changed (Staniford: 2001).
The future of fish farming lies in moving away from the intensive monoculture of finfish towards shellfish farming and integrated polyculture systems. This is something that the Commission’s “Strategy for the Sustainable Development of European Aquaculture” tentatively addresses:
“The improvement of traditional aquaculture activities such as mollusc farming, that are important in maintaining the social and environmental tissue of specific areas, should be encouraged…. Efforts should possibly be oriented to species such as seaweed, molluscs and herbivorous fish, that are able to utilise the primary production more efficiently” (European Commission: 2002, p12)
The ‘Forward Study of Community Aquaculture’ proposed that:
“The EU should support research in the field of sustainable aquaculture, including: technical constraints to, and economic viability of offshore aquaculture, waste water treatment techniques, alternative protein sources to fish meal and oils, and development of polyculture options” (MacAllister and Partners: 1999, p60)
If sea cage fish farming is to have any long-term future it must be forced to treat its wastes and focus on non-carnivorous species that do not lead to a net deficit in fisheries resources (FoE: 2001a). Closed containment systems may solve the waste and escapes problems but the final fatal flaw lies in feed and food issues. Far from being a panacea for the decline in wild fisheries and the need for healthy food, sea cage fish farming serves only to compound the current crisis.
References:
For further information (this paper is available in electronic format with all the web-links easily accessible)
please contact Don Staniford: don.staniford@virgin.net
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