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AquAdvantage Salmon is genetically modified by using the growth hormone-regulating gene, which is acquired from the Pacific Chinook Salmon. A promoter from an ocean pout is included in the 40,000 genes, which results in the enhanced growth of salmon on a year-round basis altering the growth cycle of wild salmon, which only incorporates the growth in summer and spring. In this manner, contrary to the duration of three year, the market size of the fish is acquired in 16 to 18 months and hence, the growth rate is improved due to process of traditional selective breeding (Smith et al. 1053).
The integrated multi-tropic aquaculture (IMTA) is used to develop the by-products generated from the aquatic species in which the fed aquaculture, comprising of fish and shrimp, with the inorganic and organic extract is combined and these extracts comprise of seaweed and shellfish, respectively. In this way, the balanced system for the economic remediation and results in the economic stability by means of the enhanced farming output, reduced cost of farming and systematic management practices (Chopin et al. 975). The recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) incorporate the prevalence of the home aquaria in the temperature-controlled environment in order to farm the single species of fish. The home aquaria does not incorporate the prevalence of any other species and hence, reduces the interaction of the farmed fish with the natural habitat. The bio-filtration method is used to reduce the ammonia toxicity whereas, number of filtration methods are used to maintain the favorable environment for the fish habitat (Lin et al. 107).
The prevalence of RAS is focused on providing the healthy and favorable environment for fish and requires small area for the fish breeding due to the high stocking density (Helfrich and Libey, 2). Similarly, it also reduces the water waste due to the continuous filtration procedures and supports the effective monitoring practices due to which the production yield increases. It also makes the production independent from the unfavorable climatic conditions (Martins et al., 84). On the contrary, IMTA is focused on cost reduction and high production and provides the best practice of production while maintaining the natural fish habitat (Troell et al. 73).
In this instance, the Arctic Char is a salmon-like cold-water fish and also possesses the characteristics of trout. Their market size ranges between 2 to 5 lb. and it is highly priced due to its value-added features of canned fish and steaks. Its commercial value for the year 2012 $186,000 with the commercial landing of 57 ton (GOC, 1). The favorable environment for the arctic char requires low temperature due to which it is highly farmed in the northern regions of the world. It is farmed by using the closed-systems and is considered a profitable due to the high demand of arctic char. However, it is also farmed from the fresh water which causes misbalance in the natural habitat due to the over-emphasis on fishing. In this manner, the natural environment is highly threatened due to the over-farming of arctic char from the fresh water whereas, their breeding in the controlled environment is considered highly profitable and sustainable for the environment (Bystrom 110).
The integrated multi-tropic aquaculture (IMTA) is considered highly effective for the breeding of salmon due to its balance between the natural habitat and economic gain. It incorporates the positive growth prospects for the fisheries and sustains the environment due to the reuse of natural resources (Troell et al. 74). The similar phenomena can be used for the breeding of the other species of fish, including the arctic char, so that their commercial demand can be met with the systematic breeding procedures rather than effecting the natural habitat of the fresh water.
Works Cited
Bystrom, Par, et al. "Size‐dependent resource limitation and foraging‐predation risk trade‐offs: growth and habitat use in young arctic char." Oikos104.1 (2004): 109-121.
Chopin, Thierry, et al. "Integrating seaweeds into marine aquaculture systems: a key toward sustainability." Journal of Phycology 37.6 (2001): 975-986.
Helfrich, Louis A and Libey, George. “Fish farming in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS)”. Web. 3 March 2016.
GOC. “Fisheries and Oceans Canada: Arctic Char”. (2014). Web. 3 March 2016.
Lin, Ying-Feng et al. "The potential use of constructed wetlands in a recirculating aquaculture system for shrimp culture." Environmental Pollution 123.1 (2003): 107-113.
Martins, C. I. M., et al. "New developments in recirculating aquaculture systems in Europe: A perspective on environmental sustainability." Aquacultural Engineering 43.3 (2010): 83-93.
Smith, Martin D., et al. "Genetically modified salmon and full impact assessment." Science (Washington) 330.6007 (2010): 1052-1053.
Troell, M., et al. "Integrated mariculture: asking the right questions." Aquaculture 226.1 (2003): 69-90.
