Fish Farming Safety
Fish farming--or aquaculture--refers to aquatic facilities in which people raise fish or shellfish for consumption. The farmers keep live fish in underwater cages in the ocean or sometimes hold them in inland ponds. Fish farming now accounts for up to 30 percent of global fish consumption, according to the National Veterinary Institute in Norway. However, there are some safety issues related to the operation of fish farms.
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Accidents and Fatalities
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In 2004 Norwegian salmon farming death rates were at a similar level to traditional Norwegian fishing fleets, according to Washington University's Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center. However, this was put down in part to loose regulations at the time. In fact, fish farms are usually located in relatively calm waters, so should represent a safer working environment than deep sea fishing fleets.
Construction
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Many fish farm installations are built in open seas or large lakes. Walkways allow workers to access and maintain cages. There is a risk, therefore, of workers falling into the water if the facility doesn't provide proper protection and barriers, according to the UK Health and Safety Executive. Additional problems occur if the facility is far from towns or medical aid, which can delay any emergency treatment for accidents.
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Fish Vulnerability
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Aquaculture keeps fish together in very close proximity. That means they are more vulnerable to any diseases, pollutants or parasites that are present in the water. Salmon are at particular risk from parasitic sea lice. Red tide algae blooms can also suffocate the fish or build up poisons in shellfish. These conditions also present a safety problem to consumers, who could be at risk of eating contaminated fish from poorly run fish farms.
Disease
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Weil's Disease (leptospirosis) is a potential hazard of fish farming, according to the UK Health and Safety Executive. This is due to the presence of fish feed attracting infected rats. Workers can catch this disease from contaminated water or the feed itself. Fish are also at risk of disease, such as outbreaks of salmon anemia.
Environment
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Intensive fish farming can have a negative effect on the local environment. For example, some shrimp farms increase the salt content of nearby water and soil. This can poison agricultural land, according to a 2002 article in Time magazine. Aquaculture projects also frequently use antibiotics to treat the fish. Antibiotics can affect the surrounding environment and even contribute to antibiotic resistance in humans.
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References
- Photo Credit Sea farm image by John Sandoy from Fotolia.com
