Challenges in Aquaculture Cage Culture

Many analyses suggest that after significant growth in the last three decades, aquaculture production has been widely expected to compensate for shortfalls from traditional fisheries. Here, inputs, production processes and quality of output can be at least partially controlled, and ownership, care and environmental responsibility might be more easily established. However , there are also many challenges in cage culture .

1.Feed is critical

Feed must be nutritionally complete and kept fresh. Caged fish will get no natural food and so depend on the manufactured diet for all essential nutrition. Feed must provide all necessary proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals for maximum growth. Nutrients start to deteriorate quickly when exposed to heat and moisture. Therefore, food must be stored properly and fed quickly. Fortunately, there are a number of fish feed suppliers in Canada with high quality feed resulting from years of collaborative research between farmers, feed suppliers, and academic researchers. Quality fish feed production level is inadequate to meet the fish feed demand. Additionally, there is limited Public Private Partnerships in quality feed production and the entire aquaculture production system.

2.Fishery extension is missing

Indeed, fishery specific extension support is lacking, affecting the transfer of new fishery technologies and fish farming knowledge or skills to farmers. The problem related to extension is worsened to the extent that there are cases of individual farmers with an interest in fish farming who prepare fish ponds to perform fish farming but experience a collapse of their initiatives within a short time due to lack of knowledge resulting from an absence of aquaculture-specific extension support to guide them.

3.Water quality problems

If the cage system is not properly positioned, the local water quality problems, especially the low dissolved oxygen, are the possible result of the cage culture .People have learned a lot about how to minimize or non-existent water quality problems.

4.Predation

If the cage is not properly constructed or managed, the prey may be a problem . Turtles, snakes, otters, raccoons and fish-eating birds will eat fish or damaged cages unless precautions are taken, .In general, however, predation is not a problem in freshwater and Marine environments.

The challenges of cage culture should be considered carefully before production begins. Many of these challenges can be addressed through proper siting, construction, and management.