What is aquaculture? Aquaculture is also known as farming
fish, it is the breeding, rearing and harvesting of plants and animals in all
types of water environments. These aquatic
environments include ponds, rivers, lakes and the ocean. Aquaculture producers
are framing a variety of freshwater and marine species of fish, shellfish and
plants. Aquaculture includes the production of seafood from the fish and
shellfish that are grown to market size in ponds, tanks, cages or raceways. “Stock
restoration or enhancement is a form of aquaculture in which hatchery fish and
shellfish are released into the wild to rebuild wild populations or coastal
habitats such as oyster reefs.” One type
of aquaculture is marine aquaculture. Marine aquaculture is the culturing of
species that live in the ocean. Marine aquaculture primarily produces oysters,
clams, mussels, shrimp, and salmon. This type of aquaculture can take place in
the ocean, in cages on the seafloor or suspended in the water, it can also take
place on land with manmade systems such as tanks. Another type of aquaculture
is freshwater aquaculture. Freshwater aquaculture produces species that are
native to rivers, lakes and streams. This type of aquaculture is dominated by
catfish but also produces other fish such as tilapia, bass and trout. Aquaculture
is one of the fastest growing food production systems in the world, “eighty
five percent of the world’s marine stocks are either fully exploited or overfished,
and driving accelerated growth in the farmed seafood industry.” Farmed seafood provides an answer to
increasing demand for protein sources as the world’s population continues to
grow. The rapid expansion of aquaculture industry comes with many negative impacts.
One of the first impacts is the excessive use of chemicals. The chemicals uses
in these fisheries are antibiotics, and pesticides, and even the use of banned
chemicals. These can ultimately have unintended consequences for both marine organisms
and the health of humans. Aquaculture
also has an effect on the loss of biodiversity. Chemicals and excess nutrients
from food and feces associated with aquaculture farms can disturb the flora and
fauna on the ocean bottom. Another impact is the risk of disease and parasites.
Aquaculture can lead to viruses and parasites that transfer between farmed and
wild species as well as among farmed species present a risk to the wild
population, as well as other farms. Aquaculture also impacts nutrient pollution
and carrying capacity. Excess food and fish waste increase the levels of nutrients
in the water and have the potential to lead to oxygen deprived waters that
stress aquatic life.
Aquaculture production in the United States, marine
aquaculture in the United States contributes to seafood supply, supports commercial
fisheries, restores habitat and at risk species, and maintains economic
activity in coastal communities. Aquaculture is a tool for habitat and species
restoration. The United States is a minor aquaculture producer. However, the
United States is the leading global importer of fish and fishery products. Ninety-one
percent of the seafood that we consume originated overseas and of that amount
almost half is from aquaculture. Although
the United States is a small producer, we are a major player in global
aquaculture. The United States supplies a variety of advanced technology, feed
and equipment to other producers around the world.
Aquaculture outside of the United States, global aquaculture
is dominated by Asia which is accountable for 89%. China stands alone within
Asia and is accountable for sixty-two percent. Many countries invest heavily in
aquaculture. “According to the 2012
United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization report on The State of World
Fisheries and Aquaculture, the United States ranks 15th in total
aquaculture production behind China, India, Viet Nam, Indonesia, Bangladesh,
Norway, Thailand, Egypt, Chile, Myanmar, Philippines, Brazil, Japan and South
Korea.”
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