Seafood plays a significant role in global food systems, serving as a primary protein source for billions of people worldwide. Its demand continues to rise, driven by population growth and changing dietary preferences. To meet this escalating need, humanity relies on two primary methods for obtaining aquatic food: traditional wild capture fisheries and the cultivation of aquatic organisms. The balance between these two approaches has shifted considerably over recent decades.
Current Aquaculture’s Contribution to Global Seafood
Aquaculture now contributes a substantial portion of the world’s seafood supply. As of 2022, aquaculture provided 57% of the total aquatic animal production, with wild-capture fisheries accounting for the remaining 43%. The total aquatic animal production from both sources reached 185.2 million tonnes in 2022. This growing contribution highlights aquaculture’s increasing importance in global food security. In 2022, aquaculture produced a record 99.8 million tonnes of aquatic animals.
Understanding Modern Aquaculture
Aquaculture involves the farming of aquatic organisms, including fish, molluscs, crustaceans, and aquatic plants, in controlled or semi-controlled environments. This practice encompasses a wide range of systems, from small-scale freshwater ponds to large offshore marine cages. The fundamental concept behind aquaculture is to manage the entire life cycle of aquatic species, from breeding and hatching to rearing and harvesting, similar to how livestock is farmed on land.
Cultivation occurs in diverse settings, including freshwater lakes, rivers, and ponds, as well as brackish waters like estuaries and coastal marine environments. Species commonly farmed include various types of finfish such as salmon, tilapia, and carp, alongside shellfish like oysters, mussels, and shrimp. Aquatic plants, such as seaweed, are also significant products of aquaculture.
Key Factors Driving Aquaculture’s Expansion
The expansion of aquaculture has been primarily driven by the limitations and challenges faced by traditional wild-capture fisheries. Wild fish stocks in many parts of the world have reached or exceeded their maximum sustainable yields, meaning that further increases in wild catches are generally not possible and often lead to declines. This plateauing of wild catches created a supply gap that aquaculture has increasingly filled.
Global per capita consumption of aquatic foods has risen, reaching 20.7 kg in 2022, further increasing demand. Technological advancements have also played a significant role in aquaculture’s growth. Innovations in feed development, disease management, water quality control, and selective breeding have made farming aquatic species more efficient and productive. The economic viability of aquaculture operations, often providing a more predictable and consistent supply compared to fluctuating wild catches, has attracted investment and encouraged its development.
The Evolving Landscape of Seafood Production
Projections indicate that aquaculture will continue to expand its share of aquatic animal production, driven by sustained demand and limited growth potential from wild fisheries. This ongoing expansion is crucial for maintaining global food security, especially as the world’s population continues to grow. Aquaculture’s ability to consistently supply protein makes it an an indispensable component of future food systems.
Efforts are continuously underway to enhance the efficiency and environmental responsibility of aquaculture practices. These advancements aim to ensure that the industry can meet future demand while minimizing ecological impacts. The future of seafood production will increasingly depend on the sustainable development and innovation within the aquaculture sector, solidifying its position as the leading source of aquatic foods worldwide.
References
The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024. FAO. [online] Available at: https://www.fao.org/fishery/en/sofia/2024 [Accessed 2024-08-22].