Exportation of excess feed from Mediterranean fish farms to local fisheries through different targeted fish species

Abstract

Coastal fisheries and sea cage aquaculture coexist along the coastal zone, and it has been suggested that wild fish feed on excess feed around farms. If this occurs, the condition of wild fish can increase and their lipid profile can become modified. However, the influence of fishfarming on coastal fisheries has not been described in detail. Four targeted species of different trophic gilds, Sardinella aurita, Caranx rhonchus, Mullus barbatus, and Pomatomus saltatrix were studied and the lipid profiles of individuals captured by coastal fisheries and around fish farms were compared. Results show that fish captured at farms showed increased levels of total lipids and/or the terrestrial fatty acids contained in feed pellets. Individuals with increased terrestrial fatty acid proportions were detected in the catch of small-scale artisanal fisheries but not among trawled fish. Consequently, this study demonstrates the influence of fishfarming on coastal fisheries through the exportation of excess feed in the shape of wild fish biomass.