Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
9
Fish Waste Management: Treatment
Methods Based on the Use of
Microorganisms
Ioannis S. Arvanitoyannis,
1,
* Aikaterini Kassaveti
1
and
Theodoros Varzakas
2
INTRODUCTION
As in many parts of the world, aquaculture production in the Mediterranean
has been expanding rapidly over recent years (Basurco and Lovatelli, 2003).
Mediterranean aquaculture is based on the production of a few species, the
most important being sea bass (
Dicentrarchus labrax
), gilthead sea bream
(
Sparus aurata
), mullet (
Mugil
spp
.
), mussels (
Mytilus
spp
.
), clams (
Tapes
spp
.
), as well as rainbow trout (
Oncorhynchus mykiss
) in inland waters.
Recent research and technological development has given rise to at least
33 new Mediterranean species being reported as suitable to “leave the
laboratories” and be produced on a commercial scale. However, not all of
these species are being taken up by the sector (Saroglia and Basurco, 2006).
To meet future demands for foodfi sh supplies, aquaculture production
needs to increase by 50 million MT by the year 2050 (Tacon and Forster,
2001). However, the increasing number of fi sh culture industries in
Mediterranean areas has begun to create serious environmental problems
due to the impact caused by fi sh farming waste (FAO, 2002).
For decades, wastes from the fi sheries industry have been dumped into
the sea or in landfi lls. These practices were not ecologically viable nor did
they utilise the energy potential of these wastes. With the prohibition of
1
Department of Agriculture Icthyology and Aquatic Environment School of Agricultural Sciences,
University of Thessaly, Fytokou Street, 38446 Nea Ionia Magnesias, Volos, Hellas, Greece
2
School of Plant Sciences, TEI Kalamatas, Greece
*Corresponding author: E-mail:
parmenion@uth.gr
