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The CEO of Dubai-based Aqua Bridge tells IntraFish why the overhaul of a failing bass and bream producer will be 'transformational'.

Overabundance of fish farms is a risk to both the marine environment and the economy. By Christos Logaras

Parasitic infections can be occasionally severe in the European marine aquaculture industry, including the Mediterranean region, as they can incur considerable financial losses. Due to the lack of commercial vaccines, therapeutic approaches seem the only measure to battle parasitic outbreaks. Integrated strategies and increased resilience of the hosts, may limit to some degree the level of infestation. Ectoparasitic therapy is traditionally based on baths, with few exceptions. Several antiparasitic compounds have been registered in European aquatic medicine to combat mainly salmon sea lice; however, few of them are readily used against Mediterranean fish parasites. Formalin and less commonly hydrogen peroxide baths are applied against ectoparasites in the Mediterranean region. Most of the registered anti-lice antiparasitics have limited potential perhaps due to their adverse environmental impact. Future therapies against fish parasites will rely mainly on effective substances ensuring consumer, ani- mal, and environmental welfare. Ideally, dietary antiparasitics such as praziquantel exhibiting mild environmental impact and high efficacy against a wide range of patho- gens should be adopted. Moreover, combined strategies such as integrated pest man- agement, involving various management practices with limited use of chemicals, should be a priority for specific parasitic outbreaks. The information presented in this review can guide future research and promote effective and prudent parasite control practices for Mediterranean-farmed fish.

Independent journalist Francesco De Augustinis explores the impact of the Area of Industrial Development of Aquaculture planned for Aetolia-Akarnania in Western Greece, where fish cages will occupy 100 hectares and another 100 hectares will be used for other activities. Inhabitants of the islands and villages protest against the fish farms and any further expansion project. In the past ten years they have watched their sea become contaminated and poor in natural resources. The industrial fisheries at Western Greece have also had an impact on Posidonia meadows, which is now absent or very deteriorated.