SUSTAINABILITY FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE February 2024 59 plete surrounding waters of oxygen, causing algal blooms / dead zones, and public health issues. SOLUTIONS: A. Species-appropriate stocking density and optimal feeding to mitigate toxic waste buildup in surrounding waters. B. Extensive review of aquaculture zoning and site selection can also prevent environmental impacts of aquaculture. BIOSECURITY, AS RELATED TO SDG 6, 14 The escape of non-native fish from aquaculture farms causes competition for food and potential displacement of native fish, which could lead to deleterious consequences for wild fish populations and the local environment. We strongly caution against moving towards intensive land-based aquaculture systems as the solution to offshore aquaculture issues (e.g. water contamination and fish escapes) – catastrophic system failures in recirculating aquaculture systems can kill upwards of a million fish. SOLUTIONS: A. Producers should implement measures that prevent escapes, such as double-netting, and prepare contingency plans in the event an escape occurs. B. Provide species-specific stocking density, feed composition and environmental enrichment to naturally reduce stress and aggression (especially for normally passive species who become aggressive under captivity condition DISEASE CONTROL, AS RELATED TO SDG 3, 14 Disease outbreaks in fish farms are caused by compromised immune systems due to poor health, nutrition, and rearing conditions. Weakened immune systems increase the possibility of disease outbreaks, which is problematic, as pathogens and parasites can spread outside of the farm, damaging local fish populations and ecosystems. SOLUTIONS: A. Appropriate stocking densities, feeding, and environmental enrichment specific to species and life stage can reduce stress and thus reduce the risk of infection, disease amplification, and transmission. Such prevention strategies should always represent the first line of defense against disease and parasites. B. Apply medical interventions like traditional vaccinations that prepare the individual organisms’ immune systems to combat pathogens. Such interventions must be handled by trained personnel following best welfare practices, such as handling fish in water and minimizing air time. C. Steps must be taken to reduce the adverse effects on the welfare of all animals used in this process. To this end, the use of cleaner fish for the treatment of sea lice should be phased out entirely, and the conditions in which they are kept should be refined in the meantime. D. Provide training for staff to monitor and recognize physical and behavioral welfare indicators. ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE, AS RELATED TO SDG 3, 14 Antibiotics are frequently used to prevent or treat bacterial infections, especially in hatcheries, however unregulated usage has caused major concern for antimicrobial resistance. Poor welfare increases the need for antimicrobials to treat viruses, parasites and pathogens. SOLUTIONS: A. Every effort should be made to identify and treat isolated cases before they spread to the population. B. The routine or prophylactic use of antibiotics should be phased out. However, metaphylactic use of antibiotics when absolutely necessary is acceptable. C. When vaccination is necessary, it shall be done with minimal distress and with anesthesia, performed by certified veterinarians or adequately trained animal health professionals CLIMATE CHANGE, AS RELATED TO SDG 13, 14 One method in which fishes are caught is through bottom trawling, which produces a significant amount of carbon emissions. Removing aquatic animals and destroying seabed habitats also reduce the ocean's capacity to store carbon. Aquaculture will be increasingly affected by climate change in many ways, including increased temperature, ocean
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