Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture

Integrirana Multitrofička Akvakultura (IMTA) se sve češće primjenjuje na uzgajalištima. Razlog primjene IMTA je sve veća svijest ljudi o očuvanju okoliša, budući da se uzgojem mogu povećati koncentracije dušika i fosfora u morskom okolišu te dovesti do pojave eutrofikacije. Navedena metoda uzgoja uključuje vrste koje prirodno obitavaju na nekom području, a koje tijekom proizvodnog ciklusa koriste različite trofičke razine. Uzgoj različitih vrsta na različitim trofičkim nivoima (diverzifikacija) čuva okoliš, smanjuje poslovni rizik, povećava profitabilnost i smanjuje daljnju depopulaciju otvaranjem novih radnih mjesta. Daljnjem razvoju IMTA će pridonijeti promjena zakona te informiranost javnosti, vlasti i uzgajivača. Navedena metoda se u Hrvatskoj nedavno počela razvijati. Postoji nekoliko farmi sa uzgojem školjkaša i riba koje bi se trebale unaprijediti. Sve veći razvoj akvakulture primorat će uzgajivače na razmišljanje o IMTA ukoliko žele dugoročno održiv uzgoj.Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) has an increasing potential in cultivation. The reason for the use of IMTA is the awareness of humans about environmental conservation, considering that aquaculture might increase nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in the marine environment and consequently enhance eutrophication. This method involves the cultivation of naturally occurring species in the area, which are situated at different trophic levels during the production cycle. Production of different species at different trophic levels (diversification) preserves the environment, reduces business risk, increases profitability, and reduces the further depopulation by job creation. Further development of IMTA will be facilitated by changes to the law as well as public, authorities and growers awareness. This method has recently started to develop in Croatia. There are several farms with shellfish and fish that should be improved. The recent development of aquaculture will motivate producers to think about IMTA in order to have long-term sustainable farming