Abstract

Aquaculture supplied 43% of the food generated by aquatic animals for human consumption in 2007, and it is expected to grow further to meet demand. Despite to popular opinion, it is very diverse and dominated by shellfish and pond fish that either fully or partially utilise natural productivity, including herbivorous and omnivorous species. Production of carnivorous species like salmon, shrimp, and catfish has significantly increased as a result of the advantages of large-scale intensive farming and globalisation of trade. Future research will be essential to ascertain whether environmental goods and services are included in corporate accounting and what effect this will have on the economics of production because the majority of aquaculture systems rely on cheap or uncosted environmental goods and services. Without it, escalating competition for natural resources would force governments to make wise decisions about allocations or leave the market, leaving the use of such resources up to those activities that can extract the most value. Other unknowns include the consequences of climate change, future fishery supplies, realistic size and integrated economic restrictions, and the advancement and acceptability of new bio-engineering technologies.