Water use optimization in fish farms: Efficient strategies to reduce environmental impact

Abstract

Aquaculture has now become an important agricultural activity in meeting global food needs. However, the intensification of this activity places daily pressure on water resources and aquatic ecosystems. The goal of this study was to find efficient ways to optimize water use in fish farms, helping to reduce their environmental impact. We did a literature review using systematic mapping that combined analysis of scientific databases with defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results showed that there is a growing interest in the search for technologies that enable water savings and efficient use in the aquaculture chain, notably recirculation, biofloc, aquaponics, and biofiltration, which can reduce water consumption and minimize the pollutant load in water. It is concluded that the adoption of alternatives for water resource management in aquaculture is a viable path that contributes to the sustainability and competitiveness of this economic activity.