CHAPTER 1
Topic: Effects of fish farms on seawater’s salinity, turbidity and growth rate of
microorganisms
A. Background of the Study
Fish farming, also known as aquaculture, is the process of raising fish in an
enclosed area for use in the fishing industry. It can be built on land or on naturally
occurring bodies of water, such as ocean shores. Already more than 50% of the
world’s seafood comes from aquaculture production. However, as aquaculture
production increases; its impact on the environment also increases. The biggest threats
to the environment come from areas with biggest production, namely Asia and _____.
Many farmed fishes are carnivorous and depend on being fed with wild fish.
This means that instead of taking pressure off the oceans, fish farming may increase
the demand for wild fish. Another environmental concern of aquaculture is the
pollution caused by net-pen farming. Salmons, for example, were raised in net-pens
where thousands of them are concentrated in one area. These fishes produce
thousands of feces that accumulate on the sea floor below the farm pens and generate
killer bacteria that consume the oxygen vital to wild bottom fish. Another problem of
fish farmers is the growth of algae and shellfish which causes equipment damage.
This leads them in applying chemicals like pesticides, dioxins and PCB’s. since the
purpose of these chemicals is to kill off algae and shellfish, contamination of the
surrounding water poses a serious threat to native wild marine life. Fish farming is not
only detrimental on marine ecosystem but may also pose human health risks. Farmed
fish that escapes from net-pens may have a significant impact on the surrounding
marine ecosystem. They can compete for food, take over marine limited habitats and
can also spread diseases that did not previously exist on wild fish populations.
These environmental effects, that stated the disadvantages of fish farms not
only on the marine ecosystem but also in humans, led the researchers in studying the
effect of fish farms on seawater’s salinity and turbidity and the growth rate of harmful
microorganisms.
B. Statement of the Problem
Main Problem: What are the effects of fish farms on the quality of seawater?
Sub Problems:
1. Is there a significant difference in seawater’s salinity at varying distances from
the fish–pens?
2. Is there a significant difference in seawater’s turbidity at varying distance from
the fish-pens?
3. Is there a significant difference in microorganism’s growth rate in seawater at
varying distances from the fish-pens?
C. Objectives of the Study
This study aims to identify the effects of fish farming on the quality of
seawater. Specifically, this study aims to find out the effects on the seawater’s
salinity, turbidity and microorganism’s growth rate at varying distances from the fishpens.
D. Hypothesis
1. The fish farms have no effect on seawater’s salinity, turbidity and the growth
rate of microorganisms.
2. No significant differences are observed among varying distances of seawaters
from the fish-pens.
E. Significance of the Study
The areas where the net-pens are located are areas where fishing is prohibited.
Because of the feed of the farmed fish, wild fishes would go near the net-pens.
Fishermen will earn lesser for the fishes which they can catch are now on the areas
where fishing is prohibited. This study can contribute the continental concern on the
impacts of fish farms on the environment, more particularly on fish farm’s impact on
seawater’s salinity, turbidity and growth rate of microorganisms. This study benefits
all the fishermen for if the impacts on the environment will be proven there might be a
chance of prohibiting fish farms which will make fishermen’s life back to normal.
This can also benefit the consumers that rely on farmed fishes for seafood because of
its growing production since farmed fishes can affect their health,.
F. Scope and Limitations of the Study
The experiment will be conducted at the _____ on _____ 2011 academic year
2011-2012. This study is limited in the determination of the effects of fish farms on
seawater’s salinity, turbidity and growth rate of harmful microorganisms. This study
limits the factors to be compared to fish feed and pesticides only that are water
pollutants which accumulate on the seafloor below the fish farms. This study is only
limited on identifying the effects of fish farms in terms of seawater’s salinity, turbidity
and growth rate of microorganisms by getting samples of seawater at varying
distances from the fish-pens. The samples will then be further studies by the
experts/scientists on the MSU-IIT, College of Science and Mathematics on the Marine
Biology Department.
G. Definition of Terms
Salinity – consisting of or containing salt
Turbidity – deficient in clarity or purity
Microorganisms – organisms of microscopic or ultramicroscopic size
Pesticides – biological, physical or chemical agent used to kill or reject pests