Environmental Factors:
- Water quality: Temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, pollutants
- Currents and tides: Oxygenation, waste dispersal
- Depth and topography: Access to sunlight, shelter from predators and storms
- Sediment conditions: Substrate type, stability, nutrient availability
Biological Factors:
- Target species: Compatibility with site conditions, growth potential
- Natural food availability: Presence of fry, zooplankton, algae
- Disease incidence: History of disease outbreaks, proximity to other fish farms
Infrastructure and Logistics:
- Accessibility: Distance to ports, transportation routes
- Land availability: Space for land-based facilities (e.g., hatcheries, processing plants)
- Electricity and water supply: Availability and reliability
- Labor force: Skilled workers available in proximity
Economic Factors:
- Market demand: Proximity to markets, transportation costs
- Production costs: Feed, labor, capital
- Government regulations and incentives: Permit requirements, subsidies
Social and Cultural Factors:
- Community acceptance: Local perspectives, conflict with other industries
- Tourism and recreation: Impact on scenic views, water quality
- Cultural heritage: Protection of traditional fishing grounds or aquaculture practices
Specific Considerations for Different Fish Farming Systems:
- Cage culture: Depth, currents, water temperature, feed distribution capabilities
- Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS): Water quality control, energy consumption, fish density
- Flow-through systems: Water flow rate, dissolved oxygen levels, effluent management
- Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA): Compatibility of species, nutrient recycling, waste management