Fish Farming

Credits: Biovision-Infonet

Introduction – fish are also animals

As humans, we are likely to think of fish as either a resource (even sometimes an unlimited resource), especially the wild fish which we can catch and eat, or a commodity, in terms of farmed fish. But fish themselves are animals, as should as such also be treated well and with minimum stress and pain. It is still under discussion whether and how fish feel pain, but there is no doubt that they react to stimuli as if they feel pain. This means that we should be fair to the fish and handle them gentle, when handling them. Use nets with no knots; hold them gently and preferably under the water, if we catch them to inspect them under farmed conditions, and when catching them: kill them immediately and efficiently. Like with all animals, we should allow them to perform their species-specific behavior. Some fish are living in groups and some are solitaire or have territories. They will have different requirements for shade and living conditions, e.g. hiding or exploring. Another aspect of fish life is their participation in very fine food webs: life in an aquatic environment is based on fine balances of fish eating plants, plankton, (both plant and zoo plankton), and each other. This balance should be supported and kept, if we as humans want to enjoy the privilege to catch and eat fish. When farming to the organic principles, it is of vital importance to respect all living creatures, including fish.

Fish in organic farms – organic norms and standards regarding fish farming

The IFOAM norms and standards also cover fish and aquatic farming, and defines aquaculture as ‘The managed production of aquatic plants and/or animals in fresh, brackish or sal water in a circumscribed (demarcated) environment. Organic aquaculture follows the same general rules as all other organic animals regarding feeding, breeding and human management. In addition, the following requirements should be met, when establishing or converting to organic aquaculture:

6.1.2    The conversion period of the production unit shall be at least one life cycle of the organism or one year, whichever is shorter.

6.1.3    Operators shall ensure that conversion to organic aquaculture addresses environmental factors, and past use of the site with respect to waste, sediments and water quality.

6.1.4    Production units must be located at an appropriate minimum distance from contamination sources and conventional aquaculture.

In aquatic ecosystems, the biodiversity of natural aquatic ecosystems should be considered, as well as the health of the aquatic environment, and the quality of surrounding aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, This means that all relevant organic requirements regarding ecosystem management shall be met, and e.g. introduced and cultivated species should not escape out to the surrounding environment. Waste and nutrients should also not be let into the natural environment, and clearly all artificial fertilizers and pesticides are prohibited.

With regard to breeding of organic fish, their life should start in an organic unit. It can be permitted to buy in non-organic fish to an organic farming system, given that they will spend at least two thirds of their lives there, and die to the norms, artificially polyploided organisms or artificially produced monosex stock shall not be used. Only breeds and breeding techniques suited to the region should be used.

The general principle of feeding is that ‘Organic aquatic animals receive their nutritional needs from good quality, organic sources’, that is, they shall be fed organic feed. Until 31^st Dec. 2014, a limited amount of non-organic feed can be used if there is no organic feed available, and in areas where organic aquaculture is not well established yet.

Use of water containing human excrement is prohibited, as it can mean transfer of certain diseases.

Feeding fish is a challenge, because some of them would live from fish and smaller animals in nature, and therefore they should be fed with these animals, although they can grow and seem fine on being fed with plant products.