Aquaculture to meet fish demand
2006/10/15 Rementeria Argote, Nagore - Elhuyar Zientziaren Komunikazioa
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has just published a report on the state of aquaculture. And the result shows that aquaculture is gaining strength: today 43% of the fish consumed worldwide is nursery.
Aquaculture has grown a lot around the world. Imagine that only 9% of the fish eaten in 1980 was from nursery. Therefore, the growth is remarkable (aquaculture production grows annually around 8%). For its part, fishing has not grown, as catches have been relatively scarce in recent years (ranging from 90-93 million tons per year). Therefore, the production and consumption of farm fish is increasing in proportion. If so, in short, the broth will be most of the fish you eat.
As fisheries do not grow, the growth of aquaculture has no way to stop, as demand for fish is growing: on the one hand, the world population is growing, so it is logical that more food is needed in general, and on the other, developed countries are increasingly feeding on fish. To meet this demand, it is necessary that the fish grow in the fish farm, since with fishing can not.
In the near future, half of the fish consumed will be seedlings, according to the report State of world aquaculture 2006.
Well, as has already been said, the demand for fish is growing significantly: According to the FAO report, maintaining the current level of fish consumption will require 40 million tons more by 2030. It is a lot and it is to be seen if this increase in demand can be met with nursery fish.
Here and in the world
It is clear, at least, that fishing will not solve the problem. In the Basque Country itself, the decline of the species caught stands out. The biomass of the most appreciated fish decreased significantly and in very few cases it has been recovered. Just go to the fishmonger to check that there are fewer and fewer fish. Many are brought from outside and there is no lack of farmed fish.
Some people think that the move towards aquaculture is very natural. Most of the meat consumed is nursery, not hunting. That doesn't surprise anyone. Also, shortly we will get used to nursery fish.
However, this does not mean that aquaculture does not present any problems. According to this global report, we must take into account the environmental problems that fish farms (waste, water use, etc. ), and not only that, but they stressed that in developing countries not enough money is invested in aquaculture projects, especially in which fish farming is not included in culture.
All these problems of aquaculture are being solved. Of course, the effort is worth it. It will depend on the global demand for fish. Therefore, from now on, the importance of aquaculture must be given.
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