Aquaculture: What is, advantages and disadvantages

Aquaculture is a source of animal and plant aquatic products in the world. FAO and the European Commission define it as “the Cultivation of aquatic organismsincluding fish, mollusks, crustaceans and aquatic plants. “In aquaculture The human being intervenes which has developed a series of techniques and activities through knowledge to increase production, in sowing, food or predators protection operations, among other activities.

There are different types of aquaculture, being focused on the different techniques that are used as a culture or the different species that are produced. Among them we can highlight:

Fish aquaculture

• Pisciculture: Raise and cultivate fish in ponds, floating cages or recirculation systems for human consumption or to repopulate wild populations.
• Salmoniculture: specifically dedicated to the cultivation of salmon in floating cages of salt or sweet water.
• TRUNS AQUULTE: It focuses on the breeding and cultivation of trout in cold and warm waters.

Crustacean aquaculture

• Camaroniculture: shrimp culture in ponds or controlled systems.
• Crabs aquaculture: It involves the breeding of various species of crabs, such as the river crab or the mangrove crab.

Mollusc aquaculture

• Ostreiculture: Oown sea cultivation, bays and estuaries.
• Musilliculture: production and cultivation of mussels in suspended ropes or structures.

Algae Aquaculture

• SOMEWORK: Culture of various species of sea algae and fresh water for different purposes (food, medicine or industry).

Integrated aquaculture

• Aquaponia: This type of aquaculture combines the production of fish with the hydroponic culture of plants, taking advantage of fish waste as nutrients for plants.

Ornamental aquaculture

• Aquarium: cultivation and breeding of ornamental fish, invertebrates and aquatic plants for the trade of domestic aquariums.

Experimental aquaculture and research:

• It focuses on the research and development of new techniques, studies of little known or threatened species, and the improvement of sustainability in aquaculture.

• Food security: Aquaculture helps meet the growing demand for food worldwide.
• Controlled production: When raising aquatic organisms in controlled environments, optimal growth conditions can be maintained, which increases efficiency and reduces risks associated with adverse environmental factors.
• Species conservation: Aquaculture contributes to the conservation of endangered species by creating reproductive populations and releasing individuals in nature.
• Reduction of capture fishing: By increasing aquatic food production through aquaculture, pressure on wild fish populations is reduced, helping to preserve marine ecosystems.
• Efficiency in the use of resources: Aquaculture can be more efficient in the use of resources such as water compared to traditional agriculture, especially in recirculation and aquaponia systems.
• ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES: Aquaculture offers employment and economic development opportunities in coastal and rural communities, helping to improve people’s quality of life.
• Technological innovation: The aquaculture industry has promoted the development of advanced technologies for monitoring, water quality control, nutrition and species management, which can also benefit other research areas.
• Product diversification: Aquaculture allows the production of a wide variety of species, which facilitates the diversification of the supply of food and derived products.
• Lower environmental impact: Compared to certain capture fishing practices, aquaculture can have a lower environmental impact provided it is done in a sustainable and responsible manner.

Despite all the aforementioned advantages, it would not be fair to ignore the disadvantages and challenges that must be addressed so that this practice is sustainable and reduce its negative impact on the environment. Among them we can highlight:

• Water pollution: Intensive aquaculture can generate an accumulation of nutrients and chemicals in water.
• Disease transmission: The high density of organisms in the aquaculture facilities can favor the spread and outbreak of diseases, affecting the populations and the wild.
• Use of antibiotics and chemicals: To prevent and treat diseases, antibiotics and chemicals can be used in aquaculture, which can have negative effects on the environment and human health if they are not properly handled.
• Escape of cultivated species: If they are invasive species, they can compete with wild populations and alter local ecosystems.
• Resource consumption: Intensive aquaculture may require large amounts of resources, such as fresh water, energy and food, which can put pressure on these scarce resources.
• Loss of natural habitats: The construction of aquaculture facilities can lead to natural habitats such as mangroves and wetlands.
• Flour and fish oil dependence: Many cultivated species feed with flour and fish oil, which can have implications for the sustainability of the capture fishing used to produce these resources.
• Change in genetic diversity: Large -scale aquaculture can limit the genetic diversity of cultivated populations, causing them to be more vulnerable to diseases and other environmental factors.
• Conflicts with capture fishing: Aquaculture exploitation can generate conflicts with traditional capture fishing, especially in areas where resources are limited.

Now that you know what aquaculture is and you know its advantages and disadvantages, you may also be interested in these articles on the blue economy: what is and principles and marine resources: what are, types and examples.

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