What regulations are there to make sure fish farms do not create problems?
Regulations differ in different countries but they all seek to ensure the same thing, namely that fish farms produce safe, wholesome fish with the minimum of environmental impact. In most countries and especially the U.S., Canada, and much of Europe, fish farm regulations are extremely strict. Typically, fish farms are regulated to control where they can be located, what species of fish can be farmed, the quality and quantity of any discharge or the impact levels on the seabottom and water column, fish health, the use of chemotherapeutics, worker and navigational safety, and food safety. In the U.S., fish farmers must utilize feed waste monitoring systems (e.g., underwater cameras, detectors, or upwellers) and they must use best management plans and have contingency plans and protocols for dealing with virtually all contingencies.
