human impacts on TMFF

Question 1

Waste produced from aquaculture production x3

Answer 1

1. 0 Wastewater form the fish- excretion and faecal wastes
2. 0 Nutrients released from the breakdown of excess fees
3. 0 Chemical waste (Ammonia & Nitrite)

Question 2

Impacts of Waste

Answer 2

• Eutrophication: If wastewater is released into surrounding streams and rivers it creates an ideal environment for algal blooms to form
• Nutrients cause weed and algae growth which depletes oxygen and causes toxin
  This is harmful to marine org

Question 3

TMFF is hugely reliant on tech

Answer 3

• The company has invested $1.5 m pioneering its own aquaculture tech and applied this to AUSTS first successful commercial integrated Aquaculture + Hydraponics system.
• It uses a Recirculating Aquaculture system (RAS) which recycles water used
• Biotechnology: Fishmeal pellets, disease control, bio filters
• Screen filterS: self- cleaning screen filter system removes majority of water using air
• Custom designed tanks
• Aerators: Oxengenation of water using air
• Ozone = cleaning agent: work with industry leaders in ozone research
• Water Testing (Ph, ammonia, o2 levels)
• Solar panels
• Refrigerated Delivery trucks
• New website constructed enabling instant communication with tour operators, school groups, restaurant customers and wedding parties

Question 4

Impacts of Chemicals/ Antibiotics used

Answer 4

• Anti bacterial antibiotic used is Oxytetracyline
• Some countries object to the use of antibiotics in fish growth in aquaculture
• High levels of Antibiotics and genetically engineered components in fish feed (eg, Terramycin, Romet- 30 and Soya additive) can also pose risks
• When antibiotics are unintentionally ingested as residue in food: may cause direct health concerns such as Anemia & develops antibiotic resistance in bacteria
• Ozone for cleaning
• Ammonia and Nitrite and variety of chemicals= used to inhibit the growth of organisms which fill the tanks. Can be harmful to human

Question 5

Sustainable

Answer 5

1. Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) recycles half of wastewater for Hydroponics
2. Water is taken up by plants and enters the atmosphere by transpiration through the leaves
3. Little water returns to the aquifers
4. Use of bore water
5. Fish in the wild are reducing in numbers because of overfishing
6. TMFF reduces impact on wild fish pop.- Blue revolution
7. Supply of fingerling stock to conserve wild stocks
8. Solar panels for heating
9. Plastic heat blanket in roof
10. Vegetables raised off ground
11. No use of Pesticides/ fertilisers
12. Future plans involve using a greenhouses to further limit the use of chemicals
13. Use of own fish in restaurant
14. Feed from certified organic fisheries Supply of fingerling stock to conserve wild stocks

Question 6

Unsustainable

Answer 6

1. Water used to wash floor, flush lines and filters
2. Fish meal (aqua feed) can only be sourced form the wild
3. Any gains made in reducing the impact on the wild is being negated with the increase dependence on fishmeal
4. High energy usage due to pump and filter operations and heating of tank water