University of Plymouth

PRESS RELEASE
Sustainable Solutions: Site selection and sex control reduce marine fish farm
pollution.
20th November 2023
Sites with excellent circulation dilute damaging pollutants. Production of infertile fish
stops fish farm escapees reproducing with and polluting genetics of wild fish stocks.
Open sea cage fish farming (aquaculture) sites with large and strong ocean currents,
low density and increased distribution between sea cages, offshore site selection
and site rotation reduce pollution pressure on specific and sensitive environments.
These methods can be enhanced if used in conjunction with ecosystem restoration
efforts.
The most effective way of reproduction containment is the use of triploid (infertile)
fish. Triploids have three sets of chromosomes, rather than two they would have
naturally (diploid) and are incapable of reproducing with wild fish.
Seafood provides 3.1 billion people with at least 20% of their animal protein intake.
Fish farming (aquaculture) produces half of fish for human consumption. Therefore,
advances in methods and scale are necessary to sustain the expanding population
and contribute to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) 1: No poverty and 2: Zero
Hunger.
Environmental expert, Ethan Vinall, stated “Advances in aquaculture must not be at
the expense of the marine environment”. Advances must implement sustainable
methods but are limited by economics, time and resources. To appeal to
aquaculturists, sustainable methods must offer sufficient profit potential to be
implemented.
Nutrient and genetic pollution occurs via water shared between farmed fish and wild
fish stocks. Open sea cage systems comprise of a net or pen in open water. Ocean
currents flow through open sea cage systems and discharge waste into the
surrounding area. This maintains good water quality within the system to maximise
growth rate. Farmed fish can escape through damaged sea cages or jump out and
escape into the sea.
Fish excrement, dead and decomposing fish and excess feed are sources of nutrient
pollution, phosphorus and nitrogen. Excess nutrients (eutrophication) cause
increased reduces concentration of dissolved oxygen in surrounding areas. This
poses risk to the health of wild fish populations and other aquatic organisms. Fish
farmers (aquaculturists) feed a large quantity and high protein diet to maximise fish
growth rates. Farmed fish are typically kept in high stocking densities to reduce cost.
Ends
Photos attached:
1. Jumping farmed Atlantic Salmon. Photo Credit: Robert F. Bukaty
2. Open Sea Cages. Photo Credit: Planet Lighting

For further details, please contact: Ethan Vinall, Environmental Science

Student, University of Plymouth on: 07426 535027 or email
ethan.vinall@students.plymouth.ac.uk

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