The pressure on the marine ecosystem and wild fish population increases with the increase in world’s population. With the increase in population, the demand for seafood increases. The promising solution for this problem is fish farming or aquaculture. These fish are raised in controlled aquaculture settings. The world’s expanding demand for seafood is satisfied with farmable fish. These fish not only reduce the strain on wild fisheries but also the depletion of oceans. Moreover, this solution supports environmental preservatives as well as food security. In this article, various aspects of the world of farmable fish will be discussed.
The Rise of Aquaculture
The seafood industry relies on aquaculture due to its benefits. Fish farming allows different species to grow in controlled environments. It does not put any stress on the wildlife. Some factors that contribute to the rise of aquaculture are:
- Worldwide Seafood Demand
There is a high number of seafood lovers worldwide. The demand exceeds the supply. Here comes the aquaculture that provides farmable fish. It has become an important resource in satisfying the nutritional needs of seafood lovers.
- Problems in Overfishing
Overfishing happens due to the rise in the demand for seafood. This negatively affects marine wildlife. The oceans are depleting. Farmable fish is a resource that has successfully taken the place of these natural resources.
- Prospects of Future Growth
The breeding techniques and aquaculture technology are being updated continuously. The future of aquaculture is undoubtedly bright. Hence, the seafood industry will become more stabilized in future.
Which Species are Preferred?
The fact that the species that are selected for aquaculture are specific. They must meet the specific requirements such as adaptability to the environment, growth rate and their demand in the market. Some of the most common farmable fish are:
- Salmon is rich in omega-3 and its demand in the market is very high.
- The mild taste of Tilapia makes it popular worldwide. Its growth rate is high.
- The cat-fish is a cost effective farmable fish. Its growth rate is also high.
- Barramundi is a firm textured fish that is farmed.
- Trout, specifically rainbow trout, is also farmed and supplied worldwide. It provides high nutritional value.
What are the Aquaculture Farming Methods?
There are different methods for fish farming that depend on various factors such as fish species and environmental factors. The chosen method affects the final product.
- Cage Farming
This method of farming is commonly used for fish , salmon and tuna. In this method, the fish is placed in a netted enclosure. That enclosure is present in the natural place of the ocean, rivers or lakes.
- Pond Farming
We can say that pond farming is one of the most common traditional methods of fish farming. The fish are raised in artificial ponds. The species like tilapia and catfish are farmed by this method.
- Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS)
It is an advanced method where the fish is placed in a tank. The water in the tank is continuously filtered and recycled. This method ensures best water and fish quality and is suitable for land-based farms.
- Off-shore Aquaculture
We can call it an expensive farming method. More space is given to the fish to grow. The fish is farmed away from the shore in the ocean water that is deeper.
- Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture
Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture is a farming technique that resembles the natural ecosystem. Different species are cultured together here. The waste product of one species serves as the food for other species. The classification of fish include primary producers, filter feeders and predators or carnivores.
Is There any Impact on the Environment?
Yes! Everything has an impact on its surrounding environment. Some discussion is given below to understand this easily:
- Management of Waste Material
It is a major concern in aquaculture farming. The fish waste or the excessive feed accumulate in the water and make the water quality poor. The fish’s health is also affected in a poor water environment. At some places, this issue is resolved by using the fish waste as a fertilizer or biogas.
- Diseases and Medication
As the fish’s health deteriorates ,the need for treatment arises. Antibiotics are given to make the fish healthy again. Constant use of antibiotics created antibiotic resistance in the fish. Its alternative must be discovered in order to resolve this problem.
What is the Future of Farmable Fish?
Innovations are a part of an evolving ecosystem. The ever changing trends are benefiting fish farming in many ways such as efficiency and profit etc.
- Genetic Improvements
The genetic improvements are being made such as enhancing the growth rate, disease resistance and feed conversion. These are done by technologies like selective breeding and genetic engineering.
- Alternative Fish Feed
Alternative fish feed such as plant-based or algae-based are being used. The pressure on wild-caught fish has been immensely reduced and the aquaculture has become more sustainable.
- Renewable Energy Resources
The use of renewable energy resources has immensely reduced the environmental impact. High tech platforms should be used to enhance the production of farmable fish.
- Consumers Demands
The consumer wants perfectly farmed fish. The demands for the quality of fish have increased. The consumers read the labels given and make their decisions of purchase. The labels indicate the quality of the fish being supplied.
- Advance Technology
To analyze the farming conditions advanced technology such as artificial intelligence, sensors and data analytics are being used. The farmers can modify water quality, feed intake and fish health by using these technologies.
Summary
To summarize, we can say that the farmable fish holds the future of seafood. As the world’s population increases, the demand for seafood also increases. The solution to this problem is provided by aquaculture. It not only focuses on satisfying the market demands but also cares about environmental challenges. As the world evolves, the farming methods improve accordingly. Strategies are being applied to reduce the incidence of interbreeding among wild fish populations. It protects the wild-life and is involved in shaping the future of the seafood industry.
