La pisciculture is a branch of the aquaculture, specialised in fish farming. This activity can be carried out in both seawater and freshwater, using ponds or floating nets, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional fishing. Fish farming It allows different species to be grown in controlled environments, improving productivity and ensuring an adequate response to the growing demand for fish.
Fish farming covers a wide variety of species, such as sea bream, sea bass, salmon, and sturgeon. In addition, species such as tuna are fattened in captivity, although they are not farmed in the same way, due to the lack of mastery in reproductive control techniques for these species. To do this, wild specimens are captured and then caged to be fattened until they reach the desired size for later commercialization.
History of fish farming
Fish farming is a millennial practice, which was already used in the Middle Ages, when it was adopted by European monasteries to ensure the supply of fish during days when meat consumption was prohibited, such as Good Friday. Beyond its religious origins, fish farming spread and today represents a key component of modern aquaculture.
Today, this method provides a solution to the growing demand for fish, thus preventing overfishing and protecting natural resources. Modern fish farming has diversified, developing techniques to carry out cultivation in different environments, both marine and freshwater, with a focus on sustainability and care for the environment.
Modern Fish Farming Techniques
Nowadays, fish farming employs various techniques which have been adapted to the needs of the sector and the particularities of the different species of fish. Among the main methods, we find the following:
- Cage Systems: Used in ponds, rivers or in the sea, where fish are kept in submerged cages while they grow. This method allows the natural conditions of the fish to be imitated with relative accuracy, although it generates waste and can negatively impact the surrounding ecosystem.
- Controlled Pond Systems: These involve the installation of artificial ponds where fish are grown under strict control of factors such as feed and water quality. This method may be more sustainable, but requires large amounts of energy and resources to operate.
- Recirculation SystemsIn these systems, the water circulating in the ponds where the fish are raised is continuously filtered and reused. This is a more ecological method, as it reduces water use, although its implementation requires complex technologies and higher initial costs.
Fish Farming and Sustainability
One of the main benefits of fish farming is its ability to contribute to the sustainabilityBy offering an alternative to traditional fishing, it reduces the pressure on fisheries ecosystems, helping to conserve endangered species while providing a continuous source of protein for the world's population. Specifically, well-managed fish farming can have benefits such as:
- Employment generation: Helps the development of coastal and rural communities, where aquaculture can offer new sources of employment.
- Promotion of the Local Economy: By building a thriving and sustainable industry, local and national economies are supported, especially in countries where traditional fishing is no longer an economically viable source.
- Food safety: With an increase in fish production for human consumption, a constant source of protein-rich foods is guaranteed.
Disadvantages of Fish Farming
Despite its many benefits, fish farming is not without its drawbacks. Like any other form of intensive production, it comes with a number of challenges which can have negative consequences for both fish and the environment. The main disadvantages include:
- Spread of Disease: Raising fish in closed, densely populated environments facilitates the spread of diseases and parasites. This is especially problematic in the case of salmon and sea lice infections.
- Water Pollution: Fish waste, along with the use of chemicals such as antibiotics, can leach into adjacent bodies of water, causing eutrophication, which depletes oxygen in the water and kills marine life.
- Impact on Wild Populations: Farmed species can escape into natural habitats, competing with native species and disrupting ecosystems. Added to this are the risks of genetic contamination caused by crossbreeding between wild and farmed species.
Challenges of fish farming in the 21st century
The main challenge for modern fish farming is to integrate the sector growth with responsible environmental management. The adoption of new technologies is essential to avoid problems arising from intensive use of resources and pollution. Some of the solutions being considered include improving water recirculation systems to optimise their use and ensure that waste does not affect the natural environment.
Another important aspect is the sustainability of fish feed, since many farmed species are carnivorous and require the use of wild fish as food. This cycle could increase pressure on natural fisheries rather than reduce it. Therefore, innovation is sought in the development of feed based on plants and other sustainable resources.
Fish farming is positioned as a viable response to the global demand for fishery products, but measures must be implemented to minimise its negative impact on the environment and ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector.