Aquaculture and the Environment: Towards Sustainability

Abstract

The contribution of aquaculture to global fish production has increased in the last twenty years with the production level reaching 73.8 million tonnes in 2014, about 44% of total fish production. Asian and African aquaculture production accounts for a greater proportion of growth in aquaculture output. Aquaculture contributes to livelihoods as well as revenue in several countries even though the economic conditions have been inclement and environmental problems persist. Aquaculture will have to continue to grow to meet the increasing demand for fish. But growth would not be sustainable if the planning and management are not improved significantly. There is a need for local, national and international planning and management to cater for environmental, social, economic, health and animal welfare concerns. These form the core of best management practice in aquaculture. Aquaculture can impact on the environment negatively considering genetics, water quality, ecology, health and resource use while the environment affects aquaculture on three fronts: the cultured species, culture system and overall feasibility. These put together will demand some management effort in order to ensure sustainability of aquaculture depending on the application of site selection and carrying capacity assessment, aquaculture hazard and risk analysis, ecosystem-based approach to aquaculture, aquaculture governance and planning, and aquaculture certification and standards. These are discussed in this chapter.