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Land based fish farming tanks. (Photo: Veloia)
Salmon industry leads the way in land based farming
WORLDWIDE
Tuesday, November 01, 2016, 01:50 (GMT + 9)
The global salmon farming industry continues to lead the way in the use of land based
farming systems, states a new study.
The report, entitled The Evolution of Land Based Atlantic Salmon Farms released by the
International Salmon Farmers’ Association (ISFA), highlights the history and the current
state of land based farms for Atlantic salmon.
“Salmon farmers are experts in land based freshwater farming systems and have been
successfully using these systems for smolt production and a variety of broodstock programs
for almost half a century,” pointed out ISFA president Trond Davidsen.
In Davidsen’s view, aquaculturists fully understand the value and limitations of this
technology, stating the report serves as an excellent resource in the ongoing discussion
about the future of land based farms for Atlantic salmon.
The report reviews available studies and information on land based Atlantic salmon farms
from around the world, the current state of knowledge and technology as well as the
challenges that have to be overcome as these systems continue to evolve.
The report writers state that energy use and emission of carbon dioxide is one of the major
global challenges society is facing as it seeks to feed a growing population with higher
expectations with respect to standards of living.
Future food production methods must seek to reduce the environmental impacts associated
with food production not increase them. The development of the aquaculture industry should
not convert to production methods which are less energy effective and have a higher
contribution to CO2 emissions.
The papers reviewed agree that in order for land based Atlantic salmon farms to be
profitable, farmers have to raise fish at much higher densities than in marine systems.
Fluctuations in water quality can have detrimental effects on fish and create challenges for
farmers, making it critical that these fluctuations are well managed.
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The report also points out that even if it were technically and economically feasible, and if
enough coastal land and water were available, the current production in Canada alone would
require 28,000 football fields, 33,719 acres, or 136 square kilometers of land to grow fish in
appropriate densities and water depths in land based systems. This number could multiply
by tens in Norway where plans were announced to produce 20,000 tonnes of salmon in land
based systems by 2018.
The report also recognizes that a reorganization of the salmon industry with increased use of
land based farms would encourage a relocation of the production closer to the main markets.
This would have major socioeconomic impact on economically fragile peripheral coastal
communities around the world.
“By using both marine and freshwater resources in the most efficient way, the global salmon
farming industry represents one of the best ways to feed the world’s growing population with
a minimal environmental footprint,” Davidsen pointed out.
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