Sturgeon

While sturgeon is primarily farmed for the production of caviar, the market for sturgeon meat is growing. Farmed sturgeon have high dietary requirements and FFDRFFDR:
The Forage Fish Dependency Ratio (FFDR) quantifies the environmental impact of aquaculture feed based on the inclusion level of forage fish marine ingredients.  , indicating that the feed contains relatively large proportions of fish mealfish meal:
Fishmeal is, together with fishoil, a very important ingredient used in fishfeed for aquaculture production. Fishmeal is derived from wild-caught fish which are often not caught sustainably. and fish oilfish oil:
Fishoil is, together with fishmeal, a very important ingredient used in fishfeed for aquaculture production. Fishoil is derived from wild-caught fish which are often not caught sustainably.. Although feed companies are working towards improving the sustainability of these fish sources, not all ingredients are fully certified.

Due to the closed nature of recirculationRecirculation systems:
An environmentally friendly cultivating system completely locked from the natural environment, wastewater is purified and re-used and the system is well controlled. systems, issues of escapesEscapes:
It may happen that farmed animals escape during the farming process, for example when farming at sea or in rivers. This can lead to genetic mixing between the farmed animals and wild populations and can have negative effects on the growth and fertility of wild animals. and disease transfer are not an issue. While the environmental impact of this production method is miminal, these systems do have large energy demands.

The legal framework for aquaculture in Europe is strong and most environmental and social issues are addressed. ManagementManagement:
The regulations surrounding fisheries and aquaculture that ensure that production is carried out within legal frameworks and that sustainability can be assured. of this species is largely effective.

While sturgeon is primarily farmed for the production of caviar, the market for sturgeon meat is growing. Farmed sturgeon have high dietary requirements and FFDRFFDR:
The Forage Fish Dependency Ratio (FFDR) quantifies the environmental impact of aquaculture feed based on the inclusion level of forage fish marine ingredients.  , indicating that the feed contains relatively large proportions of fish mealfish meal:
Fishmeal is, together with fishoil, a very important ingredient used in fishfeed for aquaculture production. Fishmeal is derived from wild-caught fish which are often not caught sustainably. and fish oilfish oil:
Fishoil is, together with fishmeal, a very important ingredient used in fishfeed for aquaculture production. Fishoil is derived from wild-caught fish which are often not caught sustainably.. Although feed companies are working towards improving the sustainability of these fish sources, not all ingredients are fully certified.

PondsPonds:
A cultivation technique whereby fish is cultivated in ponds. This happens extensively (without additional feed) and intensive (with additional feed supplements).  and racewaysRaceways:
A culture technique in which water is led from a higher point to a culture basin. From here it flows through to the drain. This water must be properly purified or it may have negative effects on the environment. are both open systems and come in contact with natural waters. These methods of cultivation can pollute the environment through waste discharge and often have a high risk of escapesEscapes:
It may happen that farmed animals escape during the farming process, for example when farming at sea or in rivers. This can lead to genetic mixing between the farmed animals and wild populations and can have negative effects on the growth and fertility of wild animals.. If chemicals are used during cultivation, they can also be released into the environment.

The legal framework for aquaculture in Europe is strong and most environmental and social issues are addressed. ManagementManagement:
The regulations surrounding fisheries and aquaculture that ensure that production is carried out within legal frameworks and that sustainability can be assured. of this species is largely effective.