Evaluation of diving operations for fish cage farming in the Aegean Sea

Abstract

Mariculture represents approximate 50 percent of global aquaculture production by weight. Fish cages, which consist simply HDPE frame, netting, and mooring system, in fish farming are key elements of sea cage aquaculture. Aquaculture divers are responsible for inspection and maintenance of the underwater structures such as nets, mooring line and anchor, removing dead fish, monitoring the abnormal behavior of fish, assistance harvesting of fish and other periodic underwater works in fish cage farms. In recent years, the demand for aquaculture divers has increased in fish cage farms in both northern and southern Aegean Sea with enhancement of fish production in mariculture. On the other hand, various problems (diving accidents, faulty diving operations, lack of training etc.) related to work conditions and legal regulations of aquaculture divers have emerged. In the study, with the questionnaire consisting of 49 questions, face to face surveys were performed with 162 aquaculture divers in fish farms around Muğla and İzmir provinces between February and May 2019. Results showed the presence that there are three main problems consisting of diving regulations for professional divers, the candidate diving system and diving education which may cause fatal accidents should be improved and revised urgently.