Aquaculture will continue to depend more on land than sea

Citation

Zhang W, Belton B, Edwards P, Henriksson PJ, Little DC, Newton R & Troell M (2022) Aquaculture will continue to depend more on land than sea. Nature, 603, pp. E2-E4. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-04331-3

Abstract
First paragraph: Aquaculture is a major producer of aquatic foods, contributing substantially to global food and nutrition security, and is likely to expand further in response to increasing demand from an increasingly populous and affluent world. Projections by Costello and colleagues suggest high growth potential for marine aquaculture (mariculture), alongside a relatively marginal increase in freshwater aquaculture. We contend that these projections inflate the growth potential of mariculture and undervalue the present and future roles of freshwater aquaculture. Balanced approaches to science, policy, and investment that prioritize freshwater aquaculture development in addition to mariculture can contribute more to global food security than those favouring mariculture alone.

Keywords
Agriculture; Developing world; Environmental economics; Interdisciplinary studies; Sustainability

Journal
Nature: Volume 603

People

Professor Dave Little

Professor, Institute of Aquaculture

Dr Richard Newton

Lecturer in Resilient Food Systems, Institute of Aquaculture