Aquaculture: Reimagining Food Production

As reality shifts due to climate change, folks who produce food in the water may be the next generation of earth stewards who are tasked with conserving the largely blue globe.

Fremont, CA: There has never been a greater need to feed the world. And it's only going to become worse over the next two decades. Global food systems are under threat from climate change, raising important challenges regarding future food supply, security and livelihoods, and nutrition.

Rethinking how to feed people and maintain the environment while these various forces squeeze the world requires a radical rethinking of agricultural practices, crop diversification, and location selection. The food production systems are already overtaxed and overburdened, so it's no longer just about hedging bets to ensure that output matches demand. Aquaculture may positively impact the environment and human well-being thanks to advancements in technology and techniques, which have made it possible to properly manage the sector.

The great bulk of the food is currently grown on land. Nearly everyone has already used the world's fertile land. Oceans, on the other hand, span roughly three-quarters of the earth but only provide 2 percent of humans' daily calories. Not only is there potential for expansion, but expansion in a strategic manner is also possible.

Three-dimensional farming is possible in maritime areas due to aquaculture. Most farmed seafood emits around one-tenth the carbon emissions of beef when grown instead of the other animal proteins. Aquaculture can help the food systems better endure and recover from the effects of climate change, such as severe droughts and temperature changes, in addition to preventing further emissions. That can be done by producing a greater range of foods that will respond differently to changes. Marine aquaculture contributes to a diverse and sustainable food supply. Using this technology can assist food-producing communities and the people who rely on them to be more resilient because it is influenced differently by variations in air temperature, rainfall, and soil than land-based agriculture.

As a source of optimism and opportunity, aquaculture can help humans rethink the way they produce food and the environmental effect of what they eat. Aquaculture has the potential to revitalize coastal communities' economies while also enhancing regional and global food security. It is possible to boost global food supply and trade by utilizing aquaculture, but only if it is implemented properly and responsibly.