New developments in recirculating aquaculture systems in Europe: A perspective on environmental sustainability

As the human population increases there is an increasing reliance on aquaculture to supply a safe, reliable, and economic supply of food Although food production is essential for a healthy population, an increasing threat to global human health is antimicrobial resistance Extensive antibiotic resistant strains are now being detected; the spread of these strains could greatly reduce medical treatment options available and increase deaths from previously curable infections Antibiotic resistance is widespread due in part to clinical overuse and misuse; however, the natural processes of horizontal gene transfer and mutation events that allow genetic exchange within microbial populations have been ongoing since ancient times By their nature, aquaculture systems contain high numbers of diverse bacteria, which exist in combination with the current and past use of antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics, and other treatment regimens—singularly or in combination These systems have been designated as “genetic hotspots” for gene transfer As our reliance on aquaculture grows, it is essential that we identify the sources and sinks of antimicrobial resistance, and monitor and analyse the transfer of antimicrobial resistance between the microbial community, the environment, and the farmed product, in order to better understand the implications to human and environmental health

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The Rising Tide of Antimicrobial Resistance in Aquaculture: Sources, Sinks and Solutions.

http://directory.umm.ac.id/Data%20Elmu/jurnal/A/Aquacultural%20Engineering/Vol22.Issue1-2.May2000/1127.pdf

Solids management and removal for intensive land-based aquaculture production systems

Goal, Scope and Background. Aquaculture activities are well known to be the major contributor to the increasing level of organic waste and toxic compounds in the aquaculture industry. Along with the development of intensive aquaculture in China, concerns are evoked about the possible effects of everincreasing aquaculture waste both on productivity inside the aquaculture system and on the ambient aquatic ecosystem. Therefore, it is apparent that appropriate waste treatment processes are needed for sustaining aquaculture development. This review aims at identifying the current status of aquaculture and aquaculture waste production in China. Main Features. China is the world's largest fishery nation in terms of total seafood production volume, a position it has maintained continuously since 1990. Freshwater aquaculture is a major part of the Chinese fishery industry. Marine aquaculture in China consists of both land-based and offshore aquaculture, with the latter mostly operated in shallow seas, mud flats and protected bays. The environmental impacts of aquaculture are also striking. Results. Case studies on pollution hot spots caused by aquaculture have been introduced. The quality and quantity of waste from aquaculture depends mainly on culture system characteristics and the choice of species, but also on feed quality and management. Wastewater without treatment, if continuously discharged into the aquatic environment, could result in remarkable elevation of the total organic matter contents and cause considerable economy lost. Waste treatments can be mainly classified into three categories: physical, chemical and biological methods. Discussion. The environmental impacts of different aquaculture species are not the same. New waste treatments are introduced as references for the potential development of the waste treatment system in China. The most appropriate waste treatment system for each site should be selected according to the sites'

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Environmental impact of aquaculture and countermeasures to aquaculture pollution in China

Aquaculture is currently the fastest growing animal food production sector and will soon supply more than half of the world's seafood for human consumption. Continued growth in aquaculture production is likely to come from intensification of fish, shellfish, and algae production. Intensification is often accompanied by a range of resource and environmental problems. We review several potential solutions to these problems, including novel culture systems, alternative feed strategies, and species choices. We examine the problems addressed; the stage of adoption; and the benefits, costs, and constraints of each solution. Policies that provide incentives for innovation and environmental improvement are also explored. We end the review by identifying easily adoptable solutions and promising technologies worth further investment.

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Asbjørn Bergheim

Papers

Solids management and removal for intensive land-based aquaculture production systems

Effluent treatment for flow through systems and European Environmental Regulations

Production of Atlantic salmon smolts in Europe - current characteristics and future trends.

Sludge removal from salmonid tank effluent using rotating microsieves

Effective protection against sea lice during the production of Atlantic salmon in floating enclosures