Depending on the objectives of the operator, genetic resource management techniques may differ between and within facilities. Finfish aquaculturists must, where reasonable and practicable, seek to optimise genetic resources for the benefit of the natural ecosystems and consumers.
Farmers seeking to sell fish for human consumption will benefit from selective genetic management by maximising growth rates and flesh quality.
Those selling fish for stocking programs may require varying genetic resources to maintain adequate genetic diversity in natural populations. In order to optimise genetic diversity for stocking programs, finfish aquaculturists will benefit by:
- Documenting the spawning rates of individuals;
- Swapping broodstock with other operators;
- Replenishing broodstock with wild caught fish on a regular basis;
- Rotating broodstock;
- Maintaining records of broodstock and progeny distribution;
- Disposing of spent broodstock in a manner appropriate for the species.
Sediment Management:
The biological activity, aeration and feeding practices involved in finfish aquaculture result in the accumulation of sediments within tanks and ponds. Suitable sediment management practices are likely to lead to increases in profitability through a reduction in the maintenance costs associated with the removal and storage of these sediments.
Finfish aquaculturists must manage the production of sediment and must also manage the sediment once it has been removed from tanks, ponds and channels. Sediment production must be minimised using appropriate operational erosion control, feed management and stocking density techniques.
On removal of sediment from ponds, finfish aquaculturists must store or dispose of the sediment in a manner that will minimise any potential environmental impacts from erosion or leachate. On removal from ponds, sediment must be stored in a designated disposal area or spread as top soil in appropriate crop or pasture areas.
These areas must have the following characteristics:
- Be protected from uncontrolled overland flows and associated erosion;
- Be designed or located in an area where the potential for leaching of nutrients is minimised.
Noise:
Finfish aquaculture facility noise sources are principally aeration, feeding and pumping. The majority of finfish facilities are constructed in areas where there are no noise sensitive locations. In some instances, where finfish facilities are constructed near other rural users or have had residential development encroach on previously rural areas, noise emissions need to be managed.
Finfish aquaculturists must minimise the impact of noise on sensitive places at sensitive times. In managing noise emissions from a finfish farm, where that noise creates or is likely to create a nuisance at a sensitive place at sensitive times, finfish farm operators must incorporate appropriate noise reduction techniques. Such techniques may include:
- Incorporating at the planning stage, maximum distances between noise sources and sensitive places;
- Construction of vegetated buffer zones;
- Construction or use of appropriate noise barriers or noise attenuators;
- Alteration to the number or type of aeration mechanisms used.
Information Prepared By:
Dallas J Donovan
Information Sourced From:
