Aquaculture

Among the objectives of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund are support for the development of sustainable aquaculture. Each EU member draws up a strategic plan for aquaculture for the period 2014 to 2020, which documents its vision and priorities for the sector. Implementation of the policies that lead to the achievement of this vision is supported by the EMFF. Several of the Eurofish member countries that are also members of the EU have drawn up these strategic plans for the aquaculture sector. These plans reflect the very different aquaculture industries and priorities in the countries.

Diseases are functional disruptions which can have adverse effects on the existence of all living organisms, including fish. In natural habitats such as rivers, lakes and seas, fish diseases often go unnoticed. In aquaculture systems, however, they are more easily recognized, particularly since high stock densities promote spreading of infection. Fighting these diseases is difficult because the necessary drugs are lacking or they are not authorized. This creates a state of emergency when therapy proves impossible.

Although cobia (Rachycentron canadum) is still unknown to most consumers it is generally considered to be one of the most promising candidates for marine aquaculture. It is an excellent food fish. It grows extremely fast and is relatively robust. Its firm, white flesh has a nutty, buttery flavour and is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. Everywhere, where cobia is already available on the market, demand is growing. Aquaculture production is rising.

The sturgeon population is endangered in its existence worldwide. Numerous reasons have led to a dramatic decrease in population especially over the last two decades. Aquaculture can contribute to rebuilding wild sturgeon stocks and to meeting the demand for black caviar.

Offshore fish farming has for some years now been considered a way to prevent some of the problems confronting coastal or inshore aquaculture. Offshore farming does have its own challenges, but these could perhaps be tackled using experience from the offshore oil and gas sector.

Well-being, growth and health of fishes depend to a large extent on whether particular physical and chemical parameters of their habitat correspond to the specific needs of their species. A large number of important measurements are taken during water analyses, but oxygen content, pH value and temperature are the most important factors. They must be constantly monitored in order to enable timely detection of any dangerous deviations.

Is the era of salmon farming in floating net cages coming to an end? More and more critics are calling for a shift of production to land-based facilities because of the numerous risks to which open systems in the sea are exposed: adverse weather conditions, toxic algal blooms, jellyfish plagues, diseases and parasites. Added to these hazards is the fact that floating farms have a strong impact on the marine environment. But would land-based farming really solve all the problems?

Regional Fisheries Bodies are a mechanism enabling nations to work together in order to study, manage, conserve or develop sustainable fisheries. They are practically the only way to govern fish stocks that transcend national jurisdictions, that are shared by countries or that populate the high seas.

Open Blue is a pioneer of fish farming in the open sea. Twelve kilometers off the Caribbean coast of Panama the company has for several years operated the world's largest offshore fish farm in which cobia grows in what is virtually its natural environment. And although this type of mariculture is expensive it pays off because the quality and taste of the resulting fish are excellent. Offshore the fish never swim twice in the same water...