ABSTRACT
Salmon farming has become one of the world's most important marine aquaculture industries. Farmed salmon now dominates global fresh salmon markets with 1990 production totaling approximately 280,000 metric tons (mt) worth over one billion US dollars. The recent financial problems of the net-pen salmon aquacultural industry have compounded difficulties related to private production practices and public policy issues. Environmental issues have remained especially problematic. Problems have included benthic pollution, water column pollution, disease control, genetic impacts, exotic introductions, toxicants and antibiotics, impacts on marine mammals and birds, noise pollution, and aesthetics. The United States, in particular, has experienced significant difficulties in contending with net-pen salmon aquaculture-related environmental issues. Most of the bioeconomic models developed for net-pen salmon aquaculture have focused on optimal growth and rotation strategies.
