Should there be fish farms?
By huggiebear22
@huggiebear22 (2007)
Canada
April 24, 2007 11:39pm CST
Along the west coast of North America companies have been starting fish farms. these are giant floating nets with several thoasnd fish along the west coast mainly Salmon(Atlantic spcies). These fish farms have a economic inpact in the area casue it allows fish processing plants to work year round when they do not have wild stock to process they can process farmed fish. But they also do damage to the area from drowning of seals, sealions and huge sea lice blooms that attack the salmon fry returning to the ocean casueing them to have a high mortality rate. Also these farms introduce antibiotics adn pesticides to keep the fish healthy adn lice free. Under the net pens the sea floor is devated from all the debris that fall from the farmed fish. The farmed fish that do escape casue all there life have swam in circles will continue to do so even if the net was to break and fall away they just then drift with the current near the surface swimming in circles.
1. Should they be allowed to farm fish in net pens or a contained system?
2. Can you tell the difference between farmed and wild fish?
3. Do you buy Farmed fish?
4. Do you feel that fish farms should stick to native varities to the location of these farms?
5. Does anyone really care?
3 people like this
10 responses
@meme0907 (3481)
• United States
30 Apr 07
Hey Huggie
Thanks for letting me know that I wanted to grill some fresh fish-how do I ask @ the grocer? I know it sounds like a crazy question but I've always used frozen fish. I really want to try fresh fish on the grill but if farm fish is gonna be gross & you can't tell the diff I'll stick w/ steaks,burgers,smoked sausage & hot dogs.
+'s 2 U
:D
1 person likes this
@huggiebear22 (2007)
• Canada
1 May 07
Just ask if it is farmed or wild.
Most people cannot tell the difference but i grew up on catching wild salmon and can tell,
1 person likes this
@huggiebear22 (2007)
• Canada
26 Apr 07
I have notice in most stores that i been in in both countries if you are buying fresh fish they have it on th esign as farmed or fresh never bothered to ask if they have to put this on the fish.
Farmed fishes meat tends to be lighter than wild fish.
1 person likes this
@nicolec (2671)
• United States
29 Apr 07
Well, as a marine biologist perhaps I can offer my two cents of 'expertise'. The reason these fish farms started in the first place was because the wild salmon stock (oth atlantic and pacific) had been fished to near extinction. Plus with so many dams in place, the fish could not naturally spawn. So unfortunatly, the need was way out pacing the supply.
Modern life has a high demand for fish. Whether it be for human consumption or to make feed for animals and other such products. So as long as we demand, they will supply.
However, net pen hatcheries are horrible. They causes much more damage then good (as you already stated) but are cheeper then making inland hatheries. However, in areas such as Washington State, they have made great efforts to care for the environment and the fish. This includes protection of marine mammals and using approved net devices that limit excapement. Although, it's not perfect, and may never be, there is at least an effort to make it better.
Many government agengies have been working with local fish farmers to address the concerns you have mentioned.
http://www.wfga.net/conduct.php
@huggiebear22 (2007)
• Canada
30 Apr 07
Thanks for the response adn i agree that mankind has put huge pressure on wild stocks and this is one way to help but it is also cuasing new adn different problem for the wild stock.
@cikedo (3483)
• United States
27 Apr 07
Farm raising fish to eat is a good thing in my opinion. True they still do some damage to the environment, but would you rather people go out with giant nets and fish out all the native fish? I do believe that the farms should stick to native species though. Introducing non-native fish could disrupt the ecosystem.
1 person likes this
@huggiebear22 (2007)
• Canada
27 Apr 07
Counties already do they they have factory ships that have drift nets soemtimes seveal miles long catching everything in them.
I belive they should focus more on improving wild stocks than farming them
@huggiebear22 (2007)
• Canada
29 Apr 07
Yes they can use contained systems btu it cost mroe for them to raise these fish net pens are cheaper adn easier to maintiain.
Thansk for the response
@HeavenUnaware (1757)
• United States
25 Apr 07
This is news to me. I've never heard or seen such places so I would need to research it more before I give my opinion on them. From the way you make it sound, then they don't sound like good ideas. I think if they are going to farm fish, it should be done in ponds like another poster above me stated, and released back into the wild.
Personally, I do not like fish and do not eat it but my husband and son both enjoy fishing and eating fish - although I forbid them from bringing their catches home.
:]
1 person likes this
@huggiebear22 (2007)
• Canada
25 Apr 07
Here are two web sites check them out and decide for yourself
http://www.wildernesscommittee.org/campaigns/marine/policy/fish_farms
http://www.cbc.ca/disclosure/archives/030204_salmon/main.html
@all4ucnc (861)
• United States
25 Apr 07
I live near a Salmon hatchery, it's a big deal here, schools even take field trips there. A few years back, our rivers were nearly Salmon free, not a good thing. And thanks to the salmon hatcheries, who releases Thousands of Farmed fish to our rivers, The salmon are now doing great in these parts. Which is kinda nice for the fishermen, and the Eagles in my area. THough these are fresh water Salmon.
The salmon farm around here has its own pond, no netting set up in the lake, ocean or what have you. They are able to collect the eggs from the salmon and are multiplying these salmon in great volume.
The ones you speak of, do sound to be a bit of a problem, though I have never seen anything like that,
I see nothing wrong with the farming of fish as long as it is done right. And in a way that it doesn't harm any other animals.
@huggiebear22 (2007)
• Canada
25 Apr 07
I think you miss understood these you are talking about farming stocks to be released into the wild which i support, but what i am talking about is raisng nonindigenous spices being rasied for a year or so in large net pens in the ocean then scooped out and processed.
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
29 Apr 07
My only real thought on it is that they're fish. They barely have a brain and really aren't exactly high up on the food chain! LOL I personally think if I'm higher up on the food chain the I have a right to eat you. Thank God I'm human though and don't have to learn how to duck and hide from someone or something else up there that thinks I'm pretty tasty looking! LOL
I don't eat anything seafood so it's not an issue to me as far as taste but I have heard others comment that they can tell.
I think fish farming is just like regular farming. You farm/raise the animals for food, plain and simple.
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
25 Apr 07
Honestly I can't remember the last time I purchased fish to eat. My son loves to fish but hates to eat it so I always get whatever he catches - it's free :)
I have however heard of these fish farms and all the problems and I don't like the idea of them. Just cheaper easier ways for big companies to make more money and distroy the enviornment. What happened to the 'sport' of fishing? At least give the poor things a chance.
1 person likes this
@huggiebear22 (2007)
• Canada
25 Apr 07
These fish are just rasie for slaughter they just scoop them out with nets load them into boat adn then take them to processing plants whre they killen, clean em adn freeze em.
Refuse to buy or eat farmed fish casue i go out adn catch my own.
@juiceofine (144)
• United States
25 Apr 07
I love fish but when you hear stuff like that it kinda makes you quiver in your tummy.I dont eat alot of fish mainly cod but i dont no know.
1 person likes this
@tomgrobin123 (170)
• India
2 May 07
In this modern world fish farms are good to keep the wild fishes safe.Wild fishes are helthier and they have more proteins and vitamins
1 person likes this
