Environmental issues of Aquaculture development

Abstract

This article is addressing the issue of aquaculture generated pollution and the need to monitor and control this problem at the international level. The rapid global expansion of intensive aquaculture production creates conditions in which farmed fish can be constantly exposed to pathogens and the use of chemicals such as antibiotics, antifoulants, and disinfectants are regularly required. The global aquaculture growth and intensification of the production method were accompanied by the increased use of therapeutics and antibiotics which as in other agricultural sectors were embraced as the effective way of treating diseases and controlling pathogens and consequently some of the chemicals used in Aquaculture are extremely valuable and required for the welfare and the economic viability of the sector. Antifoulants and disinfectants can be released in the aquatic ecosystem. These chemicals are under scrutiny and some are banned for use in European countries. Depending on the methods of administering antibiotics and therapeutics as well as their elimination from the body, these compounds have played a role in the environmental pollution in different ways. The Aquaculture sector can thrive under conditions of water quality which ensures the optimal ecological parameters for the growing fish. Aquaculture is incompatible with environmental degradation, consequently, aquaculture stakeholders are obliged to protect the surrounding aquatic ecosystem in order to ensure the sustainability of the sector. In fact, although aquaculture has been blamed for generating aquatic pollution, the reverse is frequently observed for example when aquatic pollution from other sectors hinders aquaculture production and fisheries.