Improper decompression of fish brought up from deep water continues to damage fish unnecessarily. Fish are often much too crowded in holding pens. Diseased fish are not quarantined. Antibiotics are not used properly. Feeding is often haphazard and feed quality is poor.
Water quality is poor.
Because the industry is made up of many small, competing companies, there is little incentive for good operators to disseminate their knowledge. Such bad practices help explain why there are so many reports of high to very high mortalities in the trade. If efforts were made to educate the industry everyone would benefit, including the fish. If other agencies, such as foreign investment boards, are given the responsibility, they run a much higher risk of promoting activities that are harmful economically and environmentally because of lack of familiarity with of the pitfalls of the trade. Fisheries departments should be trained in appropriate licensing procedures and, in turn, should assist traditional fishing rights owners in negotiating fair contracts with LRF companies.