Salmon Aquaculture Topics in AICE Marine Science

Salmon aquaculture is a significant focus in the AICE Marine Science curriculum, covering topics like sustainable aquaculture, environmental impacts, and biological aspects of farming salmon. This curriculum prepares students to understand the complex interaction between human activity and marine environments, and salmon aquaculture serves as an example of these dynamics.

Contents hide

1 Introduction to Salmon Aquaculture

1.1 Salmon Life Cycle and Rearing Practices

1.2 Environmental Impacts of Salmon Farming

1.3 Disease Management and Antibiotic Use in Salmon Farming

2 Sustainable Salmon Aquaculture Practices

2.1 Genetic Engineering and Selective Breeding of Salmon

2.2 Economic and Social Considerations

3 Salmon Aquaculture Topics in AICE Marine Science

Note that AICE stands for Advanced International Certificate of Education, and the topic of this content is under the heading of “8.3 – Marine Aquaculture.”

Introduction to Salmon Aquaculture

Aquaculture refers to the farming of aquatic organisms, including fish, mollusks, and plants. Salmon aquaculture specifically involves raising salmon in controlled environments such as sea cages, freshwater tanks, or land-based farms, rather than capturing wild salmon. This practice is one of the fastest-growing areas in food production due to the high demand for seafood and declining wild fish stocks. The AICE curriculum includes salmon aquaculture as a case study to illustrate both the benefits and challenges of fish farming.

Salmon Life Cycle and Rearing Practices

Students learn about the salmon’s life cycle, which involves both freshwater and marine stages. Understanding the salmon’s migratory nature and stages from egg to adult is essential for effective aquaculture. Salmon are typically hatched in freshwater hatcheries, where they remain until they are juveniles. The smolts, or young salmon, are then transferred to sea cages or other saltwater systems where they grow to harvestable size.

The curriculum emphasizes the need for managing growth conditions, such as water temperature, salinity, oxygen levels, and feed composition, which all impact the fish’s development. Methods like selective breeding for disease resistance and rapid growth are also explored, helping students understand how genetics play a role in aquaculture efficiency.

Salmon Aquaculture Topics in AICE Marine Science

Environmental Impacts of Salmon Farming

AICE Marine Science addresses the potential environmental issues associated with salmon aquaculture. The release of waste products such as feces, uneaten food, and antibiotics can lead to nutrient pollution and eutrophication, negatively affecting surrounding ecosystems. Moreover, escaped farmed salmon can compete with wild populations for resources and introduce diseases. The curriculum encourages students to analyze the ecological consequences and examine strategies for mitigating these impacts.

Disease Management and Antibiotic Use in Salmon Farming

Disease outbreaks pose a significant risk in salmon aquaculture, affecting both farmed salmon and nearby wild fish populations. The curriculum discusses common salmon diseases like sea lice infestations and bacterial infections, highlighting the methods used to manage them. These may include chemical treatments, vaccination, and biological controls, such as using cleaner fish to remove parasites.

Students are encouraged to evaluate the implications of antibiotic use, including the risk of antibiotic resistance and its impact on marine ecosystems. The curriculum emphasizes the importance of finding alternatives to antibiotics, such as probiotics or genetic approaches to enhance disease resistance in salmon.

Sustainable Salmon Aquaculture Practices

Promoting sustainable aquaculture is a key aspect of the AICE Marine Science curriculum. Sustainable salmon farming practices aim to reduce environmental impact while maintaining production levels. Innovations such as land-based recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), and using alternative protein sources for feed (e.g., insect meal or algae) are covered.

Students are tasked with exploring ways to balance economic viability with environmental stewardship. They examine case studies of sustainable aquaculture operations and assess the feasibility of different practices based on real-world examples. This helps students grasp the complexity of managing natural resources for food production.

Genetic Engineering and Selective Breeding of Salmon

The curriculum includes discussions on the role of genetics in improving salmon aquaculture. Genetic engineering can introduce traits such as faster growth rates or increased disease resistance. For example, genetically modified (GM) salmon have been developed that grow more quickly than non-GM counterparts. Selective breeding also plays a role in enhancing desirable traits without direct genetic modification.

Students explore the ethical and ecological concerns surrounding genetic technologies in aquaculture. They debate the potential risks and benefits, considering how genetic alterations might affect wild populations if escape occurs. This topic helps foster critical thinking about the intersection of science, ethics, and policy in marine resource management.

Economic and Social Considerations

The AICE Marine Science curriculum also addresses the economic and social aspects of salmon aquaculture. The industry provides employment in rural communities and contributes to global food security by supplying a source of high-protein, nutritious food. However, economic benefits must be weighed against potential social costs, such as the loss of traditional fishing practices and the impact on local ecosystems.

Students analyze case studies to understand how government regulations and market demands shape aquaculture practices. This holistic approach helps them appreciate the multifaceted nature of marine science, extending beyond biology to include economics and social science.