Biocidal use and its potential risks in aquaculture in Turkey

Biocidal use and its potential risks in aquaculture in Turkey

Aquacultural production is a rapidly growing industry in our country, as well as all over the world. It consisted 73.8 million tons of fish production out of 167.3 worldwide in 2014, as 240.3 thousand tons of fish production out of 672.2 in Turkey in 2015; resulting ın an increasing impact on sea and fresh water ecosystems. As the sector expands, there is an increasing use of the disinfectants, chemicals and antifouling in the production areas. Regulations have been made about these chemicals for the potential risks upon the enviromental and human health. In order to prevent contamination, the directive 98/8 of the European Union has permitted the use of disinfective agents (iodoforms, haloorganic compounds, aldehydes, metal salts, hydrogen peroxide) in caviar, ponds and equipments, while the use of other chemicals has been subject to special permission. Biocidal administrations has been found to be more harmful in marine environment. Particularly, biocidals as DCOID, chlorothalonil, dichlofluanid, diuren and zineb which are found in antifouling paints, used in the prevention of the equipments in aquacultural production are considered to be highly toxic chemicals. Three possible risks may be considered about the use of biocidals in production, 1. Biocidals accumulating in fish and shellfish may contaminate their predator and human consumers, 2. Resistance may develop in bacteria 3. Pollution of natural ecosystem (natural resources of production: river, lake fishery, marine) Knowing the presence of biocidals in water environments and its related risks, and ensuring the safe use of water profile are considered essentially important for protecting aquatic organisms and public health. More scientific research in this regard is needed.

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  • İbrahim Cengizler, Necdet Aytaç
  • Çukurova Üniversitesi Su Ürünleri Fakültesi Yetiştiricilik Bölümü, Adana
  • Çukurova Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Halk Sağlığı Anabilim Dalı, Adana