Feasibility of open recirculating system in temperate climate - a case study

Abstract

The increasing number of depleted, overexploited and recovering world marine stocks, together with increasing demand for fish and need for sustainable management of aquatic resources has led to a gradual shift to inland intensive aquaculture with water reuse. Intensive recirculating systems are becoming a rapidly developing sector of aquaculture, with the objectives to increase production and minimize environmental impact. However, transfer of technologies from original sites to locations of different climate is not always successful. The present study evaluates the use of an open recirculating system in a temperate climate. The 3-year study showed successful production with better fish growth and feed utilization than in a flow-through facility at the same site, but presented significant issues necessitating changes in technology as well as physical adaptations. A positive effect of the technology with respect to the environment is possible, but systems must be adapted to temperate climatic conditions.