Interactions Between Economy and Fish Welfare in Aquaponics Systems

Year 2019, Volume: 2 Issue: 1, 27 - 38, 30.01.2019

Hijran Yavuzcan , Süleyman Bekcan

Abstract

Fish are considered to
be sentient and capable of perceiving and experiencing pain. Fish welfare
in farming conditions can be interpreted with regard to ethics, economic
viability, legal issues and consumer’s perspectives. Fish welfare is
directly related with the economic inputs such as stocking density, mortality
and growth rate, affecting the profitability of the aquaponics systems
therefore, fish welfare has a strong economical dimension in an overall
sustainability of aquaponics systems. Thus, there is a growing understanding of
a link between fish welfare and feasibility of the fish production
systems. The economic achievement of aquaponics production may be linked
to fish welfare, particularly with regard to preclude the fish diseases.
Sustainable and profitable production of aquaponics can be challenged by poor
welfare of fish. The poor welfare might lead to higher yield variation,
resulting in poor economic gain. The strategies that can be adopted to
protect fish welfare can increase profits and productivity of the
aquaponics systems. Fish welfare practices should be considered to improve
the production performance in aquaponics.

Keywords

fish welfare; economy; aquaponics

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