Vets write prescription for increased fish farming sustainability

The UK’s governments should provide specific legislative protections for the welfare of farmed finfish, including at slaughter, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) said today.

The recommendation is one of many included in the BVA’s newly published policy position on sustainable finfish aquaculture.

There are still major evidence gaps in relation to fish welfare, said the BVA, and more research must be commissioned to help understand fish, their welfare needs and how these can be best met in captivity for them to have a good life.

And it wants governments, regulators, and pharmaceutical companies to address the issue of availability of vaccines and medicines for farmed fish.

Novel approaches

“Development of novel technologies and approaches should be encouraged, and regulatory mechanisms should be made more dynamic to enable these to have a clear and safe route to market,” the BVA said in its executive summary of its position.

The BVA, which represents 19,000 vets, said aquaculture is one of the UK’s key strategic food production sectors, but that there had been questions raised as to whether aquaculture can ever truly be considered sustainable.

Its policy position “seeks to discuss the main sustainability challenges facing the aquaculture sector in the UK and make recommendations for how it may develop more sustainably. The role of this position is not to defend all aspects of current practice, and it will make recommendations for improvements where they are needed. The position will be reviewed over time and updated as the UK aquaculture industry evolves.”

Use of medicines

The BVA says it is vital that more research is undertaken to assess how aquaculture impacts the environment and biodiversity. This includes exploring issues such as the effect of escapes and the interaction of farmed fish with wild populations, the use of medicines, and how to minimise aquaculture’s carbon footprint.

The Association is also calling for more vets to become involved in the aquaculture sector, pointing out that vets receive university training in caring for small animal and farmed species but graduate with little experience or understanding of how to care for fish.

“This has resulted in a shortage of vets with the expertise to advise the sector. However, BVA believes vets should play a key and active role in aquaculture and is encouraging more visibility of related roles within the veterinary industry, particularly at universities, to encourage more students to consider working with fish as part of their career paths,” said the organisation. “Existing vets are also urged to expand their knowledge of the sector and fish welfare and consider how taking on a role in aquaculture could enhance their careers.”

Bigger role

BVA senior vice president Justine Shotton said: “There is scope for the veterinary profession to play a more significant part in aquaculture and we hope to encourage students and vets already in practice to consider exploring related roles during their careers. We hope this position provides some clarity on what could be done to futureproof and enhance the sector.”

Dr Simon Doherty, BVA past-president and chair of the BVA Sustainable Aquaculture Working Group, welcomed the approval of the policy position.

“It was a privilege for me as a former BVA officer to see the development of this position through to completion. We had a wealth of expertise and experience within the working group, including from the Fish Veterinary Society, and were joined at our meetings by regulators, government and industry representatives, and a range of allied stakeholders to create a holistic, forward-thinking position for the association and its members,” said Doherty.

“Vets play an absolutely critical role in the sustainability of food systems and it’s great that, through the release of this position, BVA is championing the vital role the veterinary profession plays in sea-based agriculture in the same way that it has previously done with land-based agriculture.”

Committed to sustainability

Responding to the BVA's policy position announcement, Dr Iain Berrill, head of technical at sector trade body Salmon Scotland, pointed out that Scotland’s salmon farmers took their responsibility to the fish in their care seriously.

"This includes a commitment to sustainable farming practices. All our farming companies employ qualified veterinarians and fish health experts to support their on-farm workers to provide world-leading levels of animal health and welfare at every stage of the salmon lifecycle.

“As well as adhering to the Code of Good Practice, all our farming companies are certified, audited and inspected by a range of independent bodies including RSPCA Assured to provide consumers with absolute confidence about the care and commitment that goes into farm-raising the finest salmon from Scotland in the most sustainable manner.”