The Role of Modern Aquaculture in Ensuring Food Security and Sustainability

The last decade has seen significant advancements in fishery management limits, species quotas, and reduced bycatch through advances in fishing gear and technological equipment.

FREMONT, CA: Modern aquaculture is changing and adapting rapidly. The sector is in its infancy compared to other areas of agriculture; however, this provides the opportunity to adjust quickly. In addition, climate change is forcing the global food industry to find ways to be sustainable. The aquaculture industry has spent many years campaigning for change to ensure longevity and sustainability for future generations. 

Protecting Our Oceans

Aquaculture is becoming more resource-efficient in aquafeed, energy, and water management. Indoor and land-based technologies are reducing water usage and gas emissions. By 2030, 62Percent of food fish will come from aquaculture (FAO). Sustainable aquaculture is key to providing access to healthy and sustainable protein options and employment opportunities.

Fish in Fish Out (FIFO)

Marine ingredients still exist, but some aquafeeds are made free of any marine resources. In addition, the evolution of nutrition has allowed for the FIFO ratio to decrease. The global FIFO factor is 0.27, meaning we need 270 grams of wild-caught fish to produce 1 kilogram of farmed fish.

 Food Safety

Sustainable fishing must be implemented and encouraged; when fish populations are correctly maintained over time, they can recover and replenish. One of the most difficult difficulties in agriculture is producing enough food to feed an ever-growing population while maintaining a large and sustainable environment for future generations. One cannot continue to generate proteins in an unsustainable manner as our population grows rapidly. This is not a new concept; the agriculture and aquaculture industries have acknowledged it, and substantial advancements and inventions have been made in the last decade. Years of research have ensured that the impact on the environment is as small as possible. Sustainable aquaculture is part of the solution, not the problem, with aquaculture providing 62 percent of food for fish by 2050. This will provide future generations with healthy, sustainable protein options and job opportunities.