Latest trend in Aquaculture
Aquaculture, also known as aquafarming, is the farming of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic plants, algae, and other organisms. Aquaculture involves cultivating freshwater and saltwater populations under controlled conditions, and can be contrasted with commercial fishing, which is the harvesting of wild fish. Mariculture commonly known as marine farming refers to aquaculture practiced in marine environments and in underwater habitats, opposed to in freshwater.
Some kinds of aquaculture include fish farming, shrimp farming, oyster farming, mariculture, algaculture (such as seaweed farming), and the cultivation of ornamental fish. Particular methods include aquaponics and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, both of which integrate fish farming and aquatic plant farming. The Food and Agriculture Organization describes aquaculture as one of the industries most directly affected by climate change and its impacts. Some forms of aquaculture, such as seaweed farming, have the opportunity to be part of climate change mitigation, while other forms of aquaculture have negative impacts on the environment, such as through nutrient pollution or disease transfer to wild populations.
Harvest stagnation in wild fisheries and overexploitation of popular marine species, combined with a growing demand for high-quality protein, encouraged aquaculturists to domesticate other marine species. At the outset of modern aquaculture, many were optimistic that a “Blue Revolution” could take place in aquaculture, just as the Green Revolution of the 20th century had revolutionized agriculture. Although land animals had long been domesticated, most seafood species were still caught from the wild. Concerned about the impact of growing demand for seafood on the world’s oceans, prominent ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau wrote in 1973: “With earth’s burgeoning human populations to feed, we must turn to the sea with new understanding and new technology.”
About 430 (97%) of the species cultured as of 2007 were domesticated during the 20th and 21st centuries, of which an estimated 106 came in the decade to 2007. Given the long-term importance of agriculture, to date, only 0.08% of known land plant species and 0.0002% of known land animal species have been domesticated, compared with 0.17% of known marine plant species and 0.13% of known marine animal species. Domestication typically involves about a decade of scientific research.Domesticating aquatic species involves fewer risks to humans than do land animals, which took a large toll in human lives. Most major human diseases originated in domesticated animals,[38] including diseases such as smallpox and diphtheria, that like most infectious diseases, move to humans from animals. No human pathogens of comparable virulence have yet emerged from marine species.
Biological control methods to manage parasites are already being used, such as cleaner fish (e.g. lumpsuckers and wrasse) to control sea lice populations in salmon farming.Models are being used to help with spatial planning and siting of fish farms in order to minimize impact.
The decline in wild fish stocks has increased the demand for farmed fish. However, finding alternative sources of protein and oil for fish feed is necessary so the aquaculture industry can grow sustainably; otherwise, it represents a great risk for the over-exploitation of forage fish field
Another recent issue following the banning in 2008 of organotins by the International Maritime Organization is the need to find environmentally friendly, but still effective, compounds with antifouling effects.
Many new natural compounds are discovered every year, but producing them on a large enough scale for commercial purposes is almost impossible.
It is highly probable that future developments in this field will rely on microorganisms, but greater funding and further research is needed to overcome the lack of knowledge in this field.
The following are five developing trends in the aquaculture industry.
- Climate Change-Resistant Mussels
Many species of fish are vulnerable to environmental changes. Rising water temperatures and changes in ocean acidity pose a threat to many species commonly raised in aquatic farms.
One way fish farmers can deal with this problem is by breeding resilient blue mussels. These mollusks can alter patterns in their genes to become resistant to environmental changes. Selective breeding increases the prevalence of this trait, increasing their survival rate.
By relying on these hardy mussels, aquaculture businesses can better withstand climate change.
- Shift Toward Microalgae Oil
Similar to how people require omega-3 fatty acids in their diets, many fish need these oils to survive but don’t produce them. In the wild, larger fish get omega-3s from eating smaller species, which get it from aquatic plants. Traditionally, farms use these smaller fish to feed the ones in captivity, though this is an unsustainable practice.
An increasingly popular solution to this problem is feeding farmed fish with microalgae oil instead of traditional fishmeal. Food made from oil-rich algae doesn’t require aquaculture centers to buy or catch wild fish, so they don’t contribute to overfishing. Feeding with microalgae oil benefits aquaculture businesses and the environment.
- Kelp Farming
Not all aquaculture deals with animals. The cultivation of aquatic plants, such as kelp, is a growing sector. Kelp farming can help with several environmental concerns, including the increased demand for algae oil.
Raising kelp is significantly more eco-friendly than other forms of aquaculture. Many ecosystems benefit from the presence of this plant due to factors such as nutrient content. It’s even a healthy food option for humans.
- Increased Sea Urchin Production
Another less traditional species that aquaculture can benefit from is sea urchins. Like blue mussels, sea urchins are generally resistant to climate change, making them an ideal option for aquatic farmers in a rapidly changing environment.
While these creatures may not be a popular menu item for American consumers, they are valuable commodities in Japan and other international markets. Urchins are native to many areas along the U.S. coast, so raising them in American farms is minimally invasive.
- Open-Ocean Aquaculture
The majority of aquaculture takes place close to the shore, but overcrowding of these areas can lead to concentrated waste in vulnerable coastal waters. Moving fish farms inland may solve some of these issues, although the process of doing so may be complicated.
With modern technology, open-ocean aquaculture can be optimally located and more effectively managed. Deep waters and stronger currents manage waste and keep it away from the delicate nearshore ecosystems. However, legal regulations regarding this practice are uncertain, and logistical issues are challenging since open-ocean waters are rough.
With time, research and technological development, open-ocean aquaculture will become a viable option. It may prove to be a more sustainable form of fish farming in a world where the future of aquaculture depends on environmental sustainability.
Reference
- https://sea-technology.com/top-5-aquaculture-trends-of-2020
- https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquaculture