| Aquaculture
Aquaculture,
the farming of fresh or saltwater plants
or animals, is a rapidly expanding industry,
currently accounting for more than a quarter
of global fish and seafood production.
The expansion
and intensification of aquaculture has filled
a significant gap in food production left
by global declines in wild fish stocks.
Today, aquaculture operations are highly
diverse enterprises, cultivating hundreds
of different fish, crustacean, and mollusc
species. Aquaculture production can be land-
or water-based, and range from small, community
farms to large-scale export-oriented industries.
Aquaculture
has produced jobs, income, and food security
for millions of people. However, there are
also several environmental concerns associated
with fish farming practices. Aquaculture
requires the use of water and land resources,
often in short supply, leading to water
shortages and the loss of natural habitats.
Nutrient inputs used in aquaculture can
lead to harmful algal blooms and associated
oxygen depletion in nearby waters. The use
of antibiotic drugs or chemicals can pollute
water supplies for both other fish and humans.
Farmed fish that escape may cause disease
outbreaks in wild fish populations or compete
with wild populations for resources, impacting
regional biodiversity. Finally, aquaculture
also contributes to the depletion of wild
fish stocks when ocean fish are used as
fishmeal.
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