FISH FARMING TECHNOLOGY Aquaculture has been practiced for thousands of years. And yet, it is only in the last four or five decades that we have seen any technological innovations of significant importance. Traditional methods have been practiced, often handed down from father to son.
feeds, genetic development through breeding programmes, or disease prevention. In the early stages of an industry, innovation and technology development often lead to massive and rapid improvements. But as the industry matures, improvements become more Erik Hempel incremental. As this happens, the need The Nor-Fishing Foundation for more precise knowledge; science, With the emergence of salmon farming becomes apparent. And the need for more in the 1960s and ‘70s, a new type of fish knowledge about literally “everything” farmer appeared. He had no previous arises: engineering, breeding, feed, vaccines, medication, knowledge of fish farming and had to learn by trial and error, but production methods, management systems, equipment, etc. he also sought help from local veterinarians and scientists. The inputs into the sector multiply rapidly, and the need When the first disease outbreaks occurred, veterinarians and for scientific knowledge on which to base the technology pharmaceutical companies were quick to get to work on solving development increases. the problems. And since the fish farming community was very This is primarily important when we try to develop a sustainable small, “everybody knew everybody else” and the fish farmers aquaculture industry, because external factors come into play. worked directly with veterinarians and scientists. Technological development is driven by several factors, including Environmental considerations are, of course, important but so are concerns about the public acceptance of the industry. Aquaculture economic, environmental and regulatory factors. The most is facing a lot of criticism, and not only from special interest important driver is perhaps the economic aspect. If an innovation groups with their own agendas. There are also real concerns about leads to cost reductions or income increases, it will have a much aquaculture practices and animal health considerations, as well as better chance of attracting development funding. environmental impacts. But conditions vary from country to country. In salmonIn order to develop the industry into a safe and sustainable producing Norway, labour is a high cost, and much innovation activity, we need science. As FAOs Assistant Director General has therefore been directed at reducing the need for labour, for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Árni M Mathiesen said at Aqua with great success. From 1985 until 2018, Norwegian salmon Nor 2013, “All our efforts and actions towards sustainable production increased by a factor of 43, but employment in the development of future aquaculture, including acquiring and sector only increased by about 50 percent. In other countries, dissemination of technology and knowledge, should be sciencesuch as China for example, labour is cheap, and innovation based and will be science-based.” is consequently directed at other factors, like more efficient
AQUATIC Health and Nutrition Asia 2020
Featuring an array of presentations from top industry professionals and industry experts. This one day conference is ideal for nutritionists, production and technical staff and academics.
23RD MARCH 2020 BENJASIRI ROOM 1, NOVOTEL BANGKOK SUKHUMVIT 20, BANGKOK AS PART OF VICTAM ASIA and ANIMAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION ASIA
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