36 September 2009 to reduce wastes. During each visit any data missing from the completed questionnaires were collected. Finally, the production points where the waste samples had to be taken were identified and samples were taken for further physicalchemical analyses. In those cases where samples could not be taken, a protocol was given with instructions on how to take the samples, conditions of transport of the samples and the transport company contact information. As result of the data collected from the questionnaire and the visit, an environmental diagnosis report was given to each of the participants, including the improvement points and the analytical results of the samples taken. With this document, a personalized action plan was proposed for each participant. In this study, it was observed that the main environmental aspects involved in the freshwater fish farm activities were those relating to the use of natural resources and those relating to the filleting and degutting of fish. The solid wastes generated on the fish farms were materials such as cardboard, paper, plastic, pallets, dead fish as a Dead fish Burial in landfill result of illness or accidents, slaughtered fish that did not meet the commercial requirements, heads, guts and bones, fats, excrement and excess feed and sludge. Environmental Management Most of the participants had a certified Quality System (40 percent ISO 9001, 30 percent International British Retail Council certificate, 10 percent local Government Quality Certificate), but none of them had an environmental certificate. Nevertheless, the participants engaged in environmental improvement activities, such as the installation of water treatment plants, and participated in projects for correct waste handling and management. Observed Waste Management Problems and Alternatives The locations of most freshwater fish farms were far from the coast and very close to the mountains, which provide clear and good quality water. These remote locations also presented a problem, because the roads tended to be narrow and the accessibility was not easy. Dead fish. Dead fish are a waste that presents problems for its disposal because it is considered as Category 2 according to the European Union legislation (CE 1774/2002). Therefore, their transport and management present certain difficulties. From 7-10 percent of the total fish production died from disease, and about 0.07 percent of the total amount of fish died for physical reasons, such as transport and logistics. Another 0.43 percent were recorded as dead fish, because after they were slaughtered they did not meet the quality standards to be marketable. They were too small or had injuries. The occurrence of these deaths is occasional, so it is very difficult to foresee a large amount of dead fish; but it tends to occur with more frequency during the summer months. The current management alternatives for this type of waste are: • Ensilage: it has high costs if proper installations are acquired, which include purchasing of the facilities, labor to maintain them and the purchase of chemicals (formic acid). The resulting product cannot be used as animal feed and must be transported and managed by licensed personnel, therefore, no profit can be made of it. • Burial in landfill: Calcium oxide is needed to cover the dead fish before their burial. Workers are necessary to fulfill this task. No profit can be made from this practice, which has inherent problems of bad odors and possible subterranean water contamination. • Burial in controlled areas: There must be a controlled area within the surrounding area and it also takes manpower to dispose of the dead fish. No profit can be made from this practice and it also has inherent problems of bad odor and management problems in the immediate area. • Compost: requires having the required facilities available and manpower to dispose of the dead fish. Little profit can be made out of this practice because the compost price is very low.
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