Faced with the impoverishment of the biodiversity marine, why not resort to aquaculture? Most of the salmon traded in Germany come from the aquaculture. However, this practice has serious drawbacks: breeders often resort to drugs and the waters are contaminated with organic waste. Despite these problems, many experts are convinced that aquaculture farms could not only protect the oceans, but also nourish the world population in constant growth.
A source of protein
In the human nutrition, fish is the main source of protein worldwide, surpassing poultry and pork. Currently, fish covers the protein needs of 17% of the population. However, the demand for fish will increase significantly in the next 10 to 15 years, even doubling. aquaculture, it would not be possible to meet these increasing protein demands, especially with an ever-growing population.
Aquaculture offers a key advantage compared to raising land-based animals such as pigs or cattle. First, fish and marine organisms require less feed than livestock. land animalsFor example, to produce a kilo of beef, up to 15 times more food is needed than to produce a kilo of carp.
This energy saving in fish is due to two main factors. On the one hand, fish are cold-blooded animals, which means that their internal temperature adapts to the environment in which they live, saving energy. On the other hand, moving around in an aquatic environment requires much less effort compared to animals that move on land.
One in two fish comes from aquaculture
According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), half of the fish currently consumed come from aquacultureHowever, the importance of this practice varies greatly by region. In Central Europe, consumers prefer wild fish, while in China, the aquaculture has a thousand-year-old tradition. For centuries, the Chinese have been breeding carp, a practice that has placed the country at the world leader in aquaculture production. Today, China produces two-thirds of the world's fish. aquaculture worldwide.
A practice increasingly criticized by environmentalists
As aquaculture has developed, it has attracted much criticism from environmentalists. Far from being the solution to the problem of overfishing, in many cases it has made the situation worse. Most species raised in aquaculture are carnivorous, meaning they feed on other species that must be caught in the wild.
The case of tuna is particularly worrying, as this species cannot reproduce in captivity. Breeders capture young tuna and raise them in cages, feeding them expensive fish obtained from the sea. Due to captivity, tuna cannot reproduce, which increases the pressure on wild populations.
Advantages of aquaculture
Despite the problems, aquaculture also offers multiple advantages in various aspects:
- Efficient food production: It is one of the most efficient ways of producing protein for human consumption. Fish have a lower feed conversion rate than land animals.
- Local economy: It generates employment and economic development in coastal and rural areas, where other forms of employment may be in decline.
- Sustainability: Compared to wild fishing, aquaculture can be a more sustainable alternative if managed properly, reducing pressure on wild populations and contributing to ocean conservation.
Disadvantages and risks of aquaculture
However, there are significant drawbacks and challenges that must be addressed for aquaculture to be truly sustainable:
- Contamination: Accumulations of organic waste, such as food scraps and fish feces, can seriously affect water quality, leading to problems such as eutrophication.
- Diseases and antibiotic use: Overcrowded conditions in many fish farms can encourage the spread of disease, leading to overuse of antibiotics, with consequent risks to aquatic ecosystems and human health.
- Biodiversity loss:The introduction of exotic species or escapes of farmed fish can disrupt local ecosystems by competing with native species.
Despite all these challenges, further research is essential to find ways to make aquaculture more sustainable and less damaging to the environment. Technologies such as recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) are helping to reduce negative impacts, although there is still a long way to go.
The potential of aquaculture to meet the growing demand for marine protein is unquestionable. If we can overcome its challenges, this technique could play a crucial role in global food security.