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Land based fish farming tanks. (Photo: Veloia)
Salmon industry leads the way in land based farming
(WORLDWIDE, 11/1/2016)
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.
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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