22 Environmental issues

Abstract

Aquaculture can have negative environmental impacts, so concerns related to the environmental impacts of agriculture have now been extended to aquaculture. Most of the concerns over the environmental impacts of aquaculture were initially directed at marine shrimp farming and net-pen culture of salmon in the coastal and marine environment. In addition to complaints over negative environmental impacts, questions were raised about food safety and social injustices arising from aquaculture. Major environmental impacts that have been attributed to aquaculture include wetland destruction, conversion of agricultural land to ponds, water pollution, loss of biodiversity, excessive use of water, introduction of non-native species, use of toxic or bioaccumulative chemicals, wasteful use offish meal in feeds, and inefficient use of other natural resources. The major issue related to food safety has been use of antibiotics, drugs, and other chemicals for treating aquatic animal diseases. Other issues include contamination of aquaculture products with pesticides and other organic compounds. This chapter discusses several environmental issues in catfish farming in the United States and considers strategies that are employed to improve the environmental performance of catfish culture in ponds. The environmental impact of catfish farming is the possibility of water pollution resulting from pond effluents. The chapter thus addresses catfish pond effluents and other concerns—food safety, threats to biodiversity, and social concerns.