What does aquaculture mean and what are the benefits of this activity? The demand for seafood products is steadily growing globally, at the same time, the environmental impact of intensive fishing and ongoing climate change have raised a sustainability issue over the years, as anthropization threatens to undermine natural balances.
Aquaculture represents a positive breakthrough. It is no coincidence that one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the U.N. 2030 Agenda is specifically about “Life Under Water” and serves as a warning to take concrete action to sustainably conserve global marine resources.
In this in-depth article, we will explore what aquaculture is, its benefits, the state of aquaculture in Italy and around the world, and future prospects in terms of sustainability.
What is aquaculture: meaning
Aquaculture is the set of activities, different from fishing, aimed at the in-water rearing and controlled production of aquatic organisms such asfish, mollusks, crustaceans and aquatic plants (plant aquaculture).
This practice can be carried out both in freshwater environments, such as rivers and lakes, and in saltwater environments, such as seas and oceans, as well as in reservoirs, ponds, and lagoons.
With reference to the production practices adopted, it can be divided into three main categories:
- Extensive
It is based on the main use of natural resources and a low degree of anthropization. The main human input in this type of breeding is water control and the introduction of younger specimens. - Intensive
It presupposes more intervention; in fact, cultivated species are fed directly by humans through technologies implemented on an ad hoc basis. It is commonly used for single-species crops. - Semi-intensive.
It is a hybrid of the modes described above. Man intervenes by supplementing and controlling the natural diet with the goal of increasing the species.
Based on the type of product grown, however, aquaculture can be distinguished into:
- Fish farming (or fish culture)
- Shellfish farming
- Crustacean culture
- Algaeculture
The benefits of aquaculture
In general, aquaculture can be a practical response to intensive farming, generating real benefits for the species concerned, the environment and human nutrition in the One Health perspective involving all these elements.
It allows for greater control over seafood products. Compliance with quotas and limits on sizes allow for continued repopulation of species and conservation of biodiversity. It is easier to preserve the marine environment by reducing the impact of human activity. Continuous monitoring of livestock farms lowers food safety risks.
The products
Aquaculture focuses, in particular, on:
- Fish, such as salmon and trout in fresh water, bass and sea bream in salt water, and tilapia
- Shellfish, such as oysters, mussels and clams
- Crustaceans, such as shrimps, crabs and prawns
- Aquatic plants, such as algae and seagrasses
These are used in many areas, primarily human nutrition, but also in cosmetics, nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals.
Aquaculture in Italy and the world
According to the latest FAO report “The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022,” current production of fish products in the world is around 178 million tons, of which 90 million tons (51 percent) are derived from capture fisheries and 88 million tons (49 percent) are produced through aquaculture.
Of the total production, aquaculture accounts for 30 percent of the harvest in marine waters (about 34 million tons) and 83 percent of the harvest in inland waters (about 55 million tons).
In addition, 36 million tons of seaweed were produced worldwide, 97 percent of which came from aquaculture.
Italy is a major European player in aquaculture, with annual production exceeding 200,000 tons. The main regions are Emilia Romagna, Veneto, Friuli Venezia-Giulia, Puglia and Sardinia. The most cultivated species are trout, sea bass, sea bream, mussels, and clams veracious.
In our country, aquaculture offers significant economic development opportunities, with growing interest in sustainable and innovative practices, such as aquaponics and offshore aquaculture.
Future prospects and sustainability
The European Union believes strongly in the positive impact of theaquaculture and in its role in the development of the fishing industry so much so that it dedicated the 32% of the resources of the Maritime, fisheries and aquaculture policy fund (FEAMPA 2021-2027) to the activities of sustainable aquaculture, processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products that contribute to EU food security.
Thanks to the FEAMPA total, Italy will have nearly 520 million euros in European funds and 470 million euros in national co-financing until 2027.
Indeed, these investments are justified by the major challenges facing this sector, especially from the perspective of environmental sustainability, as several organizations challenge several aspects of intensive aquaculture, tracing basically the same issues as intensive livestock farms.
The main future challenges of aquaculture will revolve around these areas:
- Innovative techniques
The introduction of new technologies and farming methods, such as aquaponics and integrated multitrophic aquaculture, can reduce environmental impact and improve production efficiency. - Improved resource management
Through better resource management, such as using sustainable feed and reducing waste, aquaculture can become even more sustainable. - Certifications and standards
The adoption of sustainability certifications and standards, such as those promoted by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), can ensure better environmental and social management of aquaculture practices.
Food gases in aquaculture
Aquaculture, therefore, is looking positively toward the future, and food gases can be of great help to the industry. Hence the increasingly extensive use of carbon dioxide and oxygen for processing farmed fish.
Carbon dioxide is a viable alternative to using products and chemicals for water neutralization, pH control, and neutralization of ammonia from fish waste.
Instead, the addition of oxygen allows increased growth levels and density of reared fish, increasing the productive capacity of rearing systems.
In summary, the use of carbon dioxide and oxygen to process farmed fish helps to meet the growing demand for safe and high-quality fish, as well as to ensure the environmental sustainability and economic viability of the fishing industry.
Learn more about SIAD’s food gas offering dedicated to aquacultureor to find out more write to: foodandbeverage@siad.eu
