Regulation Of Marine Aquaculture Research Articles

Management of environmental impacts of marine aquaculture in Europe

There are large differences between countries in the rate of growth and development of marine aquaculture, and also in the sophistication and complexity of its regulation, control and monitoring procedures. The potentially deleterious impacts of aquaculture are widely documented in the literature [J. Appl. Ichthyol. 17 (2001) 181; Fernandes, T.F., Eleftheriou, A., Ackefors, H., Eleftheriou, M., Ervik, A., Sanchez-Mata, A., Scanlon, T., White, P., Cochrane, S., Pearson, T.H., Miller, K.L., Read, P.A., 2002. The Management of the Environmental Impacts of Aquaculture. Scottish Executive, Aberdeen, UK, 88 pp.]. It is widely accepted that such impacts would be minimised or negated by the adoption of appropriate culturing procedures and environmental safeguards including regulatory, control and monitoring procedures [Nature Conservancy Council (NCC), 1989. Fish Farming and the Safeguard of the Natural Marine Environment of Scotland. Nature Conservancy Council, Peterborough, England, 136 pp.; Codling, I.D., Doughty, R., Henderson, A., Naismith, I., 1995. Strategies for Monitoring Sediments and Fauna Around Cage Fish Farms. Marlow, UK: Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER), Report No. SR 4018, 78 pp.; GESAMP (IMO/FAO/UNESCO-IOC/WMO/WHO/IAEA/UN/UNEP Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection), 1996. Monitoring the ecological effects of coastal aquaculture wastes. Scientific aspects of marine environmental protection. Rome, Italy: Rep. Stud. GESAMP No. 57, 38 pp.; GESAMP (IMO/FAO/UNESCO-IOC/WMO/WHO/IAEA/UN/UNEP Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection), 2001. Planning and management for sustainable coastal aquaculture development. Rome, Italy: Rep. Stud. GESAMP No. 68, 90 pp.]. It is essential that such safeguards are formulated from the best available science and technology and from the best available experience and expertise. In this context, there are lessons to be learned from the strategy and regulatory framework for the regulation, control and monitoring of environmental impacts of marine aquaculture within the European Union (EU). This paper identifies some of the main issues relevant to the management of environmental impacts of marine aquaculture; reviews EU and international policy and regulations in this context and provides one example of a strategy for the management of the environmental impacts of marine aquaculture by reference to the marine aquaculture industry in Scotland. In conclusion, it examines a number of current, key environmental concerns pertaining to the impact and regulation of marine aquaculture, which whilst being the subject of divergent views, are pivotal to the development of the industry. Recommendations for systems, procedures and research to address these concerns are identified. The paper is primarily concerned with marine finfish culture, although brief reference is made to shellfish culture. The control of diseases of finfish and shellfish is outside the scope of the paper, although brief consideration is given to current concerns relating to sea lice (predominantly Lepeophtheirus salmonis) infestations in salmonids.

The derivation of scientific guidelines for best environmental practice for the monitoring and regulation of marine aquaculture in Europe

The MARAQUA concerted action (Monitoring and Regulation of Marine Aquaculture) aimed to establish scientific guidelines for best environmental practice for the regulation and monitoring of marine aquaculture throughout the European Union. This paper focuses on the specific objectives of the MARAQUA concerted action and describes the processes adopted by the partnership when reviewing current practice in Europe in relation to licensing, regulatory and monitoring procedures. The paper also summarizes the findings of five topic groups established to analyse the scientific and socio-economic basis of current environmental practice in marine aquaculture and identifies the key recommendations for best environmental practice in relation to marine aquaculture.

Monitoring and regulation of marine aquaculture in Europe

Summary There is a current need to establish scientific guidelines for Best Environmental Practice for the regulation and monitoring of marine aquaculture throughout the European Union. This paper will demonstrate how the ‘MARAQUA’ Concerted Action will address this need using several methods including a comprehensive literature review and production of a computerized bibliography, establishment of a ‘Register of Experts’ and a worldwide website, circulation of a newsletter and a series of workshops. A brief comparison of the regulations and monitoring programmes associated with marine aquaculture in European countries is briefly outlined. These issues are described in depth in the individual country reviews presented in this special edition of the Journal.

Monitoring and regulation of marine aquaculture in Denmark

Summary Marine fish farming in Denmark is completely dominated by the farming of large rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) of 2–5 kg/piece in net cages or land-based flow-through systems, even though more species are being farmed on a small scale. The Danish production of rainbow trout in sea water reached some 8500 tonnes in 1998, and is unlikely to increase due to new restrictions imposed by the Ministry of Environment and Energy, including a provisional stop for extensions and new establishments. This prohibition was put in force in spite the fact that overall outlets are well below the frame allocated for marine fish farming. Generally, the procedures for obtaining allowances are complicated, involving regional and national institutions as well as public hearings. The procedures are described in this article.

Monitoring and regulation of marine aquaculture in Norway

Norwegian marine aquaculture is dominated by the production of salmon and rainbow trout. The Ministry of Fisheries is the main authority responsible for the licensing of new farms (1 licence = 12 000 m3> production volume) and the control of the industry. There is a tight co-operation with other authorities (such as environment, disease control, local government and labour) and the aquaculture industry. The aquaculture industry in Norway is strictly regulated, with an obligation to keep very detailed records at each farm. The regulatory system is based on environmental standards, set to meet the requirements for different kinds of use (such as aquaculture, recreation and fishing). It is left to the local authorities to set the limits allowed for each farm. Increasingly, the Modelling Ongrowing fish farms Monitoring system, or parts of it, is used to regulate the production and environmental impact of aquaculture at the farm level. Norway follows the EU regulations regarding food quality standards and the licensing process for medicines and pesticides, with a zero-detection limit for permitted levels of medicines and pesticides in aquaculture products at harvesting. The control system for the use of medicines in Norwegian aquaculture makes it possible to have detailed records of the use of all medicines at site level. Norway has the most detailed database registration of this kind in the world.

Monitoring and regulation of marine aquaculture in Greece: licensing, regulatory control and monitoring guidelines and procedures

Summary Marine aquaculture in Greece is now established and experienced enough to be able to evaluate its present and determine its future status. The greek production of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) and the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) represents almost 40% of the total European production of these species. There has been a rapid expansion of controlled marine finfish and mussel production since about the middle of 1980. There were two marine finfish farms in 1985 and by the end of 1998 the number increased to 220. The number of mussel farms in Greece increased from five in 1980 to 346 in 1998. Marine aquaculture in Greece is regulated in accordance with a large number of EU Regulations, EU Commission Decisions, EU Council Decisions, EU Council Directives, Greek Laws, Greek Case—Laws, Greek Ministerial Decisions, Greek Administrative Documents and Directives and Greek Legal Council of State Decisions. The weaknesses in the relationship between its legislation and application are discussed.