TY - JOUR
T1 - Aquaculture practices and potential human health risks
T2 - Current knowledge and future priorities
AU - Sapkota, Amir
AU - Sapkota, Amy R.
AU - Kucharski, Margaret
AU - Burke, Janelle
AU - McKenzie, Shawn
AU - Walker, Polly
AU - Lawrence, Robert
PY - 2008/11
Y1 - 2008/11
N2 - Annual global aquaculture production has more than tripled within the past 15 years, and by 2015, aquaculture is predicted to account for 39% of total global seafood production by weight. Given that lack of adequate nutrition is a leading contributor to the global burden of disease, increased food production through aquaculture is a seemingly welcome sign. However, as production surges, aquaculture facilities increasingly rely on the heavy input of formulated feeds, antibiotics, antifungals, and agrochemicals. This review summarizes our current knowledge concerning major chemical, biological and emerging agents that are employed in modern aquaculture facilities and their potential impacts on public health. Findings from this review indicate that current aquaculture practices can lead to elevated levels of antibiotic residues, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, persistent organic pollutants, metals, parasites, and viruses in aquacultured finfish and shellfish. Specific populations at risk of exposure to these contaminants include individuals working in aquaculture facilities, populations living around these facilities, and consumers of aquacultured food products. Additional research is necessary not only to fully understand the human health risks associated with aquacultured fish versus wild-caught fish but also to develop appropriate interventions that could reduce or prevent these risks. In order to adequately understand, address and prevent these impacts at local, national and global scales, researchers, policy makers, governments, and aquaculture industries must collaborate and cooperate in exchanging critical information and developing targeted policies that are practical, effective and enforceable.
AB - Annual global aquaculture production has more than tripled within the past 15 years, and by 2015, aquaculture is predicted to account for 39% of total global seafood production by weight. Given that lack of adequate nutrition is a leading contributor to the global burden of disease, increased food production through aquaculture is a seemingly welcome sign. However, as production surges, aquaculture facilities increasingly rely on the heavy input of formulated feeds, antibiotics, antifungals, and agrochemicals. This review summarizes our current knowledge concerning major chemical, biological and emerging agents that are employed in modern aquaculture facilities and their potential impacts on public health. Findings from this review indicate that current aquaculture practices can lead to elevated levels of antibiotic residues, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, persistent organic pollutants, metals, parasites, and viruses in aquacultured finfish and shellfish. Specific populations at risk of exposure to these contaminants include individuals working in aquaculture facilities, populations living around these facilities, and consumers of aquacultured food products. Additional research is necessary not only to fully understand the human health risks associated with aquacultured fish versus wild-caught fish but also to develop appropriate interventions that could reduce or prevent these risks. In order to adequately understand, address and prevent these impacts at local, national and global scales, researchers, policy makers, governments, and aquaculture industries must collaborate and cooperate in exchanging critical information and developing targeted policies that are practical, effective and enforceable.
KW - Agrochemicals
KW - Antibiotic residues
KW - Antibiotic-resistant bacteria
KW - Antibiotics
KW - Aquaculture
KW - Fish
KW - Human health
KW - Metals
KW - Organohalogens
KW - Shellfish
KW - Wastewater
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=52049101563&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=52049101563&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.envint.2008.04.009
DO - 10.1016/j.envint.2008.04.009
M3 - Review article
C2 - 18565584
AN - SCOPUS:52049101563
SN - 0160-4120
VL - 34
SP - 1215
EP - 1226
JO - Environment international
JF - Environment international
IS - 8
ER -