Abstract

In 2007, aquaculture provided 43% of the food produced by aquatic animals for human consumption, and it is anticipated that it will continue to expand in order to fulfil demand. Contrary to popular belief, it is extremely diversified and dominated by shellfish and herbivorous and omnivorous pond fish that use natural productivity wholly or in part. A combination of the benefits of larger-scale intensive farming and the globalisation of trade has led to a sharp increase in the production of carnivorous species including salmon, shrimp, and catfish. Since most aquaculture systems rely on inexpensive or uncosted environmental goods and services, it will be crucial to determine in the future whether these are included in corporate accounts and what impact this will have on the economics of production. In the absence of it, growing competition for natural resources would compel governments to make strategic allocations or exit the market, allowing activities that can extract the most value to dictate how they are used. The effects of climate change, future fisheries supplies, practical limits in terms of size and integrated economics, and the development and acceptability of new bio-engineering technologies are further unknowable.

Increased output over the medium term is projected to necessitate expansion into new areas, additional intensification, and efficiency improvements for more environmentally friendly and economically viable production. The trend toward more advanced intensive systems with important monocultures is still going strong and will continue to play a big role in future supplies, at least for the foreseeable future. Key difficulties include dependence on outside feeds, water, and electricity. There will be the introduction of some new species, and policies that encourage the decrease of resource footprints and enhance integration may result in new innovations as well as stop the decline of certain more established systems.