A guide to recirculation aquaculture: An introduction to the new environmentally friendly and highly productive closed fish farming systems

Stringent environmental restrictions to minimize pollution from hatcheries and land-based aquaculture facilities in northern European countries have sparked the rapid technological development, investment and innovation in recirculation systems in many parts of the world. In general, aquaculture production affects the environment, but state-of-the-art recirculation methods reduce this effect considerably compared to traditional ways of farming fish. Recirculation systems thereby offer two immediate advantages: cost effectiveness and reduced environmental impact. Recirculation also secures a higher and more stable aquaculture production with less diseases and better ways to control the hatchery parameters that influence fish growth in aquaculture production systems This development is welcome and fully in line with the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. This guide focuses on the techniques for the conversion from traditional farming methods to recirculated aquaculture and advises the fish farmers on the pitfalls to be avoided along the way. Key features of the guide are:
- assists farmers to convert to recirculation aquaculture;
- introduces the technology and the methods of management;
- advises on good practise shifting to recirculation aquaculture;
- specifies running a recirculation system, staff education and training;
- provides case stories from different recirculation projects.