Are antibiotics used in fish farming?
The simple answer is that antibiotics can only be used when prescribed by a veterinarian to cure an infection. In recent years excellent progress has been made in reducing the occurrence of disease in farmed fish and, consequently, in reducing the use of antibiotics in modern aquaculture. Aquaculture producers only use registered approved medicines as permitted by the regulatory authorities. Antibiotics, when required, are used only for short periods (usually 5-14 days) and in minimal amounts to control disease outbreaks. It is important to note that current antibiotic use is minimal. For instance, in British Columbia , in 1995 a mere 156 grams of antibiotic was used in the production of one tonne of Atlantic salmon and in 1998 the amount decreased to 151 grams in the production of one tonne of Atlantic salmon. All therapeutants have a withdrawal time – a period of time after treatment ceases after which the fish are considered free of therapeutant residues – i.e. drug free. Withdrawal
