Fish farming is the principal form of aquaculture. It involves raising fish commercially in tanks or enclosures, usually for food. Fish species raised by fish farms include salmon, catfish, tilapia, cod, carp, trout and others. Increasing demands on wild fisheries by commercial fishing has caused widespread overfishing. Fish farming offers an alternative solution to the increasing market demand for fish and fish protein.
The field of work entitled ‘Aquaculture’ includes the farming of both animal and plant organisms, and so encompasses everything from catfish farming to the cultivation of seaweed. The main approach for Dutch aquaculture is the farming of fish and shellfish. Shellfish farming is concentrated along the coast, while fish farming takes place in water recirculation systems, the socalled RAS sytems. There are two kinds of aquaculture: extensive aquaculture based on local photosynthetical production and intensive aquaculture, in which the fish are fed with external food supply. The management of these two kinds of aquaculture systems are completely different.
Fish farming involves the breeding or raising of fish. In the Netherlands approximately 70 companies are active in this industry. They mainly produce eel, trout and catfish. This last specie in particular is well suited to be processed into products such as snacks and convenience products. Farmed eel is very successful; over 90 per cent of the eel sold originates from eel farms. The total volume of farmed fish is still small compared to the volume of caught fish, but it is growing. In most cases, re-circulation systems are applied, which makes it unnecessary to use large fishponds and which enables production methods that respect the environment and can become as sustainable as possible.
- Running projects: Sustain Aqua
- Our clients/network include: Seafarm, Solea