Fish farming is big business, thanks in no small part to the development of new and better flexible liner products. While older fish farms often rely on coated concrete or simply lose water and suffer from water quality issues, modern aquaculture operations can use impermeable, fish-safe materials. Lining the pond with the right geomembrane requires more than just selecting a product by flexibility, durability, or cost. The material must be fish-safe and free from chemicals that could affect their growth or become trapped in their flesh. Edible fish, like tilapia and salmon, are particularly important to grow in ponds lined with the right material. Make sure you are choosing the right liner for aquaculture operations in California with these tips.
Fish Safe Liners
Even without specific regulations from the state or counties of California, fish species require liners that are safe for their delicate systems. Fish absorb whatever passes over their gills, so even metals and minerals dissolved in the water affect them. Heavy metals, in particular, can be a problem even if fish growth is not stunted. Lead, arsenic, and other compounds tend to accumulate in the flesh of the fish. If you are raising fish for human or even animal consumption, it is unsafe to allow a large amount of heavy metals to enter the food system. Fish harvested for food are regularly tested for contamination with a wide range of compounds, and thousands of pounds of otherwise salable product have been discarded over liner contamination issues in the past.
Registration for Certain Fish Species
Aside from liner requirements, California’s main limitations on aquaculture are based on the species being cultivated. Fish and shellfish that can’t escape and establish themselves in the surrounding environment are less likely to be regulated. Other species known to be invasive, such as tilapia, are highly regulated and can only be cultivated in specific facilities that are secure against accidental losses. It’s important to check in with the California Department of Natural Resources and discuss your aquaculture plans before assuming you can import, buy, or gather stock for a fish farm in the state.
Health and Safety Code
Fish and shellfish intended for consumption in the state of California must be raised within the Sections 28500-28519.5 of the State Health and Safety Code. These laws primarily aim to keep contaminants out of the fish and shellfish that could have adverse effects on human health. Testing is primarily carried out on the water used in the aquaculture facility, detecting anything that has leached or mixed into the water supply. These chemicals can come from the liner if the wrong material is selected. Heavy metals and other contaminants from the liner will continue to show up over and over again on the water tests until the problem is solved. Rebuilding ponds or raceways may be costly, but it is the only way to pass the Healthy and Safety Code tests for edible fish and shellfish.
Specific Regulations
California does not have specific regulations on edible fish aside from the Health and Safety Code, but they do apply general Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations on edible fish. The regulations from the FDA are primarily focused on the handling and shipping of the fish to prevent food-borne illness, but some regulations also apply to potential water contaminants or liner materials. The Seafood Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan applies to each aquaculture business that intends to sell fish or shellfish for food, whether they are selling within California alone or interstate.
Bacterial Treatments
Each year in California, millions of pounds of fish end up destroyed when routine testing reveals bacterial infections that make the harvested fish unsafe to eat. Lining the ponds and raceways where they are raised allows for thorough disinfection while the structures are drained. The liner can be sprayed with hydrogen peroxide and other fish-safe cleansers that kill off the unsafe bacterial colonies. The liner in a natural fish pond also makes it easier to remove mud and other silt that might harbor pathogens when there’s an issue with the fish.
Consult with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife before building any new aquaculture or fishpond in the state. They can help recommend specific liner materials that will satisfy both state and federal regulations. BTL Liners will also help guide you to the right fish-safe liner for any aquaculture application. We offer fish-safe products for all applications, including the aquaculture industry of California.
