Odours:
Finfish aquaculture facility odours are principally related to the draining of ponds and disturbance of damp or wet pond sediment.
The majority of finfish facilities are constructed in areas where there are no odour sensitive locations.
In some instances, where finfish facilities are constructed near other rural users or have had residential development encroach on previously rural areas, odours may need to be managed.
Finfish aquaculturists must minimise the impact of odours on sensitive places. In managing finfish farm odour sources, finfish aquaculturists, where reasonable and practicable, must:
- Consider not disturbing pond sediments;
- Minimise the amount of sediment to be disturbed;
- Allow pond sediment to dry sufficiently prior to disturbance;
- Consider wind direction and strength and the location of sensitive places prior to disturbing pond sediment.
Chemical Use:
A variety of chemicals may be used in the Queensland finfish aquaculture industry to treat and/or control various disease organisms or to facilitate production. Use of chemicals necessarily involves user responsibility for any or all methods of safe handling.
Finfish aquaculturists must ensure that all chemicals stored and used within the facility are stored, used and containers disposed of, in accordance with:
- The manufacturers instructions as contained within labels and other supplementary documents;
- Their Material Safety Data Sheet;
- Local Authority requirements;
- Administering Authority requirements;
- Relevant Local, State or Federal legislation.
Aquaculturists must seek advice from relevant government departments, before using any chemicals if the farmer is unsure of their suitability.
Additionally fish treated with chemicals must be disposed of appropriately or withheld for an appropriate time prior to release or sale.
Predator Management:
A range of predators have the potential to impact on finfish aquaculture operations. The appropriate management of predators is likely to increase profitability and minimise the potential environmental impacts to predator species.
Predators must be managed to minimise impacts to native fauna species while protecting the economic viability of the finfish farm. In order to appropriately manage predators, finfish aquaculturists may utilise one or more of the following practices, ensuring that the appropriate method minimises impacts to non target species.
Water Rats:
- Fencing of ponds with appropriate “rat proof” materials????
- Undertaking frequent trapping exercises, under appropriate permits as issued by Administering Authorities;
- Keeping grass levels low around ponds and surrounding areas.
Eels and Finfish:
- Screening of pond intake and discharge structures with appropriately sized mesh;
- Appropriate chemical treatment of pond water.
Birds:
- Overhead netting of ponds;
- Installation of waterline nets;
- Installation of overhead wires;
- Use of repellent sound emissions;
- Use of repellent light emissions;
- Culling of target species, under an appropriate permit as issued by the Administering Authority;
- Increased personnel around ponds at peak feeding times for birds;
- Installation of predatory images or models.
Other appropriate methods may be used on the basis that they promote the objectives of this Code of Practice.
Information Prepared By:
Dallas J Donovan
Information Sourced From:
