Ways to Protect the Environment

Overview | Major Challenges

Bycatch | Overfishing | Habitat Damage/Loss | Aquaculture

Aquaculture is a challenge for sustainable fishing.

The aquaculture problems and solutions:

Aquaculture is the practice of farming fish and shellfish in marine and fresh water environments. It was developed to meet the demand of consumers for fresh-caught seafood, as an alternative to wild-caught fish and shellfish. Aquaculture has both positive and negative aspects to it.

Oysters, mussels, and clams are very successfully farm-raised, another term for aquaculture. These invertebrates are filter feeders that remove tiny plankton from the water. Because they do not require any additional nutrients than those available in the wild, they require a minimal amount of care. These organisms also play a key role in keeping the ocean environment clean by filtering out particles from the water. For this reason, having farm-raised oysters, clams, and mussels near our coastlines can actually help maintain a healthier ecosystem. However, farmers need to be careful that the animals are not too efficient. If too many of the nutrients are removed from the water, other species that need the nutrients may be deprived.

A problem with aquaculture arises when we discuss fish, such as salmon. Large nets are used to keep farm-raised salmon in a confined area. Lots of salmon in one area produces lots of feces. The waste build-up adds stress to the environment where the fish are kept. Since the aquaculture pens are located in areas near wild species, sometimes diseases can be spread from farm-raised fish to the wild species. The wild species may not be equipped to deal with newly introduced diseases and, as a result, entire wild species of fish may be eliminated due to their inability to fight off the disease.

In some cases, a farm-raised species is not a native species. This can create a problem if some of the farm-raised species escape their nets. Since they will not have a natural predator, this new species could eventually dominate an area, taking up the food and space of the native species. It would take no time for an invasive species to eliminate the existence of a native species.

Aquacultures are easiest to care for when they are placed close to the coastline. Unfortunately, in most cases, being close to the coastline can be destructive to the ecosystem located there. Many acres of mangrove forests and estuaries have been destroyed in order to place aquaculture farms. These coastline communities are necessary for many species of fish survival in that they are treated like a "nursery" for developing eggs and young fish.

Research Links Related to Sustainable Fishing:

• Caribbean Conservation Corporation -- Loggerhead Turtles
  Fact Sheet plus global map of nesting sites
   
• Monterey Bay Aquarium - Seafood WATCH
  This site allows you to print a 'wallet card' which you can carry with you and share with your friends and family.
   
• National Geographic -- Loggerhead Turtles
  Sea turtle profile, photos and video on the lifestyle of the Loggerhead Turtle.
   
• NOAA Fisheries - Office of Protected Resources - Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs)
  Information on Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs)
   
• Pinnipeds.org -- California Sea Lion
  Covers distribution and numbers, status and lifestyle. Great photos.
   
• Pinnipeds.org -- Harbor Seal
  Covers distribution, status and lifestyle. Great photos.
   
• Pinnipeds.org -- Harp Seal
  Covers distribution, status and lifestyle. Great photos.
   
• Pinnipeds.org -- Hawaiian Monk Seal
  Covers distribution, status and lifestyle. Great photos.
   
• Pinnipeds.org -- Walrus
  Covers distribution, Status and lifestyle. Great photos.
   
• WWF Loggerhead Turtles
  Physical description, ecology & habitat, Population & distribution, threats (bycatch) and importance to marine ecosystems.