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Improved Aquaculture

Aquaculture, the cultivation of fish, shellfish, and other aquatic life, has seen a surge in growth, providing a vital food source globally. Sustainable aquaculture practices have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of overfishing.

Aquaculture

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Overview​

Aquaculture, the cultivation of fish, shellfish, and other aquatic life, has seen a surge in growth, providing a vital food source globally. The potential for aquaculture to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has been recognized. A paradigm shift towards sustainability is evident in global aquaculture, given overfishing and the rising demand for seafood.

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Progress Made​

Significant advancements have been made in sustainable aquaculture practices:

  1. Aquaponics: Symbiotic cultivation of fish and plants, resulting in efficient food production and a minimized carbon footprint.
  2. Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS): Water-efficient systems that lessen the environmental impact of aquaculture.
  3. Offshore Aquaculture: Operated in the open ocean, it diminishes the strain on coastal ecosystems.

Key proponents of sustainable aquaculture include:

  • Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)
  • Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA)
  • World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

Solutions by Sector​

Aquaponics​

  • Integrated Systems: Combining fish farming with hydroponics to create a closed-loop system.
  • Urban Farming: Implementing aquaponics in urban settings to provide fresh produce and fish.
  • Educational Programs: Teaching communities about sustainable food production through aquaponics.

Case Studies:

  1. Backyard Aquaponics, Australia: Provides DIY aquaponics kits and systems for home use (Backyard Aquaponics).
  2. Nelson and Pade, USA: Offers commercial aquaponics systems and training (Nelson and Pade).
  3. Urban Organics, USA: Operates large-scale aquaponics farms in urban areas (Urban Organics).

Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS)​

  • Water Recycling: Reusing water within the system to reduce waste and environmental impact.
  • Biofiltration: Using biological filters to maintain water quality and support fish health.
  • Energy Efficiency: Implementing energy-efficient technologies to reduce operational costs.

Case Studies:

  1. Superior Fresh, USA: Operates the largest aquaponics facility in North America using RAS (Superior Fresh).
  2. Atlantic Sapphire, USA: Uses RAS technology to farm salmon sustainably (Atlantic Sapphire).
  3. Kingfish Zeeland, Netherlands: Produces yellowtail kingfish using RAS (Kingfish Zeeland).

Offshore Aquaculture​

  • Open Ocean Farming: Raising fish in offshore environments to reduce the impact on coastal ecosystems.
  • Advanced Monitoring: Using technology to monitor and manage offshore farms.
  • Sustainable Practices: Implementing practices that minimize environmental impact and promote fish health.

Case Studies:

  1. Blue Ocean Mariculture, USA: Operates offshore fish farms in Hawaii (Blue Ocean Mariculture).
  2. SalMar ASA, Norway: Pioneers offshore salmon farming with advanced technology (SalMar).
  3. Ocean Farm 1, Norway: World's first offshore fish farm, designed to withstand harsh ocean conditions (Ocean Farm 1).

Lessons Learned​

  1. Planning: A unified vision involving all stakeholders is fundamental.
  2. Water Quality Monitoring: Regularly ensuring optimal water conditions is critical for aquatic health.
  3. Quality Feed: Directly impacts the health and growth of fish.
  4. Waste Management: Proper disposal is crucial to prevent water pollution.
  5. Renewable Energy: Essential for a reduced carbon footprint.

Challenges Ahead​

  1. Scalability: Widening the adoption of sustainable aquaculture is hindered by public awareness, funding, and political support.
  2. Public Awareness: Largely, the populace is uninformed about its potential.
  3. Funding: Insufficient R&D investment.
  4. Political Support: Lacking in many regions.

Leading the charge in innovation is AquaBounty Technologies, developing faster-growing salmon.

Best Path Forward​

  1. Awareness Building: Broaden understanding among producers and the public.
  2. Research & Development: Optimize techniques for varied systems.
  3. Financial Incentives: Promote adoption of improved aquaculture technologies.
  4. Regulations & Standards: Advocate for the broad application of sustainable practices.

Champions in sustainable aquaculture development include:

  • World Aquaculture Society
  • Aquaculture Stewardship Council
  • Global Aquaculture Alliance

Image credit: foodtank.com

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