The Problem : Poseidon Project

Problem: Depleting Wild Fish Stock.

Exploitative aquaculture depends on wild-caught fish to feed farmed species, depleting wild fish stocks. It can take up to five pounds of wild fish to produce just one pound of farmed salmon. Industrial-scale removal of wild fish for aquaculture feed perpetuates economic and social inequalities for communities dependent on these pelagic fish in the global south.

Problem: Ecologically Destructive

Industrial ocean fish farms are sited in public waterways, directly releasing alarming amounts of chemicals, untreated fish waste, pathogens, and excess nutrients. The high stocking densities associated with extractive aquaculture deteriorate water quality and destroy aquatic ecosystems.

Problem: Threatening Seagrass

Coastal finfish farming is one of the most significant local stressors to seagrass ecosystems and is associated with substantial declines in seagrass health. Chronic nutrient and chemical pollution effluents decrease water transparency and, thus, seagrass’ photosynthetic rate.

Problem: Mass Mortality

Mass Mortality Events – where large numbers of farmed fish die in short periods – are increasing in frequency and scope. Production practices and technology expose large populations to morbidity and mortality. High stocking densities decrease water quality while increasing parasite and pathogen risk, directly causing mass mortality.

Problem: Escapes

Structural and operational failures, biological causes, and oceanic conditions allow large farmed fish to escape into aquatic ecosystems. Escapes result in economic losses along with severe ecological consequences. Primarily, escaped farm fish threaten wild fish populations through increased competition, genetic diversity dilution, and morbidity.

Problem: Algal Bloom

Releasing aquaculture waste products into marine or freshwater ecosystems triggers harmful algal blooms. Specifically, the overabundance of nitrogen and phosphorus encourages the overgrowth of algae and cyanobacteria. These algal blooms create toxins that kill fish directly, harm humans through contaminated consumption, and create oxygen-deprived dead zones.

Problem: Dead Zones

Dead zones are low-oxygen (hypoxic) areas in oceans and lakes where most aquatic organisms, dependent on oxygen, cannot survive. Eutrophication, where a body of water receives too many nutrients, creates dead zones. Chemicals, excess feed, and waste products from exploitative aquaculture contribute to nutrient pollution, catalyzing these oxygen-deficient dead zones.

Problem: Chemical Treatments

When chemical treatments are applied to farmed stocks, a significant proportion does not reach the target species, instead entering and damaging the surrounding environment.. These chemicals are dangerous for humans during handling and consumption since they accumulate in the water column and aquatic animal tissue.

Problem: Plastic Pollution

Plastic is used extensively in fish farming, and undergoes mechanical abrasion, wave action, exposure to UV radiation, and heat, becoming brittle and breaking down into smaller pieces called microplastics. Additionally, abandoned fish farms, called ‘ghost farms’, are often left to decay after being abandoned, creating environmental hazards as their structures deteriorate and release debris.

Problem: Antibiotic Resistance

Farmed fish under crowded and stressful conditions are more susceptible to bacterial infections, leading to the irresponsible overuse of antimicrobial drugs. Antibiotic residues in the water column select for resistant bacteria, promote the spread of antibiotic resistance, and transfer that resistance to human pathogens, decreasing treatment effectiveness.

Problem: Threatening the Tourist Industry

Nature-based tourism, ecotourism, and other types of coastal recreation are cultural ecosystem services. Unspoilt coastal scenery attracts tourists, and fish farms have large structures that impact the seascape views and aesthetics. Research has identified that the aquaculture industry negatively impacts tourism sectors.

Problem: Use of Marine Protected Areas

Globally, people depend on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) for their livelihoods and recreation. Unfortunately, fish farms with varying environmental consequences are often sited in MPAs. At least 70 aquaculture farms exist in the Mediterranean Sea in protected areas.

Problem: Public Land Privatization

Private fish farms in public waterways undermine public access, recreation, drinking water supplies, sport fishing, and jobs. Poor coastal governance and inadequate policy implementation put fishing communities at risk of unwanted privatizations.

Problem: Community Exclusion

Globally, local fishing communities are leading the fight to stop industrial fish farming on their coasts. Public opinion studies demonstrate that the majority of locals have negative attitudes towards their government and international corporations' continued fish farm expansions.