Biofloc Fish Farming For Sustainable Aquaculture

Blogs / Biofloc Fish Farming For Sustainable Aquaculture

Today, fish is one of the cheapest and most nutritious sources of protein for billions of people across the world. Rich in vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids, and oils, fish consumption has increased exponentially in the last five decades.

Aquaculture, also called fish farming, has played an instrumental role in producing seafood for human consumption and its contribution to food and nutritional security.

According to the Food and Agricultural Organization – FAO of the U.N., aquaculture will be responsible for almost two-thirds of the fish humans consume by the year 2030.

However, fish farmers face various challenges today to fulfill the growing demand.

In India, those engaged in fish farming activities are marginal and small farmers in rural areas. Thus, the use of commercial fish farming technologies, infrastructure, and investments made are minimal.

Other impeding factors are the lack of efficient use of land and water availability.

Moreover, an extensive amount of money is spent on fish feed which makes aquaculture unfeasible and unprofitable.

The traditional fish farming methods are harming the aquatic ecosystem in many ways as well. The fish excreta and leftover feed splash out of the net and cause nutrient pollution of water resources.

It may lead to oxygen depletion, which can cause fish kills.

Fish produced through farming can foster diseases that may spread fast and cause stress in the aquatic ecosystem.

Additionally, pesticides and antibiotics are used which can affect aquatic living beings and human health too. Therefore, there is an urgent need for sustainable aquaculture solutions, and biofloc fish farming is the most preferred method.

Biofloc Technology

Biofloc technology is an emerging, eco-friendly, and cost-effective approach to sustainable fish farming. Earlier, the biofloc system was used as a means to treat wastewater and control fish production.

Over a while, it gained popularity and became the top choice for fish farmers.

Biofloc technology began to be used commercially at aquaculture farms in Central America.

Later, the technology was successfully implemented and utilized in many countries such as the USA, China, Japan, Brazil, Israel, Italy etc.

In India, fish farmers have gradually started to gain interest in this technology.

The main highlight of biofloc fish farming is that it can decrease the overall expense involved in fish farming activities.

Moreover, it is a sustainable process that does not harm the environment in any manner.

How does Biofloc Technology Work?

In this technology, biofloc is an aggregate of microorganisms like bacteria, algae, fungi, invertebrates, etc, where each floc is bound by filamentous microbes or electrostatic attraction and held under the action of mucus released by bacteria.

The main function of microbes is the conversion of nitrogen-containing waste in the form of feed leftover and fish excreta into protein-rich feed.

It works best under certain conditions that include an aeration system, external carbon source, and sunlight. The microbes aggregate and form biofloc that is consumed by fish as a food source.

The nutritional value of the fish feed varies depending on the carbon source, suspended solids, the intensity of light, salinity, bacteria, and other factors.

Advantages of Biofloc Technology

One of the major advantages of biofloc technology is that it is an eco-friendly aquaculture system. It does not pollute water and offers high bio-security.

Also, it improves land and water use efficiency and negates the need for costly infrastructure.

The fish feed used in aquaculture can be replaced with biofloc meal and thus makes the system cost-effective. The rich source of protein means higher productivity as well.

Various studies done on the biofloc system show that it improves the immune system of fish and shrimp. It also helps in the fight against diseases.

Moreover, the probiotic effects of biofloc are well-known and might be effective in disease management.

Latest innovations in aquaculture are leading the way to improve productivity as well as the sustainability of the system.

Organica Biotech is one of the leading companies with sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions for aquaculture.

Bioflok is a probiotic formulation consisting of an advanced bacterial community. It is capable of maximizing fish farming productivity by degrading wastes.

Also, it is known for promoting healthy flocculation, and hence no water exchange is required.

Bioflok can also help fish by enhancing water quality, preventing diseases, and maximizing output without harming the environment.

You can use Bioflok to boost biofloc fish farming productivity and pave the way for sustainable aquaculture.