What is aquaculture? Why is it important for fishery industry?

 Aquaculture

Definition of Aquaculture:

The controlled cultivation of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, mollusks, algae, and aquatic plants, among others, is known as aquaculture, also known as aquafarming. Breeding, rearing, and harvesting aquatic animals and plants are all part of aquaculture. Aquaculture basically serves as a sustainable supply of food and industrial products, contributes to the improvement of habitats, and helps to replenish the populations of threatened or endangered species. 

Since at least 500 BCE, aquaculture has existed. But its commercial significance hasn't really emerged until the middle of the 20th century. The cultivation of rather expensive species that are regularly consumed as a fresh product has played a significant role in the fast spread of aquaculture.

Importance of Aquaculture:

Aquaculture, or fish farming, is necessary to help the globe satisfy the demand for seafood, which is on the rise, and to give people in poorer nations access to wholesome protein while easing the burden on wild fish.

Economic Benefits:

Food Security:

• To help feed the globe, aquaculture is necessary. According to the UN, there will be 9.7 billion people on the earth by 2050, and this increase will place tremendous strain on food supply in general and fish production in particular.
• More than 1 billion people get most of their daily animal protein needs from fish, a significant aquaculture commodity. Because fish use their food more effectively, the total conversion of a pound of food to a pound of protein lowers the cost of raising fish.f Fuel.
• Compared to other meat-based food sources, aquaculture uses fewer resources, uses less water and land, and produces fewer carbon emissions.

Employment facilities:

• With its many facets, aquaculture or aqua farming offers plenty of opportunities for both self-employment and job creation for the general public. More than 20 million people rely on aquaculture for their livelihoods, many of them are small farmers in underdeveloped nations. Women are employed year-round in these positions. 
• As aquaculture develops, it presents possibilities for enhancing the sustainability and economic health of communities all over the world. Sea weed and mollusks act as a protective barrier against pollution.

Source of fuel:

• By having aquatic algae create fuels that can replace modern fossil fuels, aquatic algae are gradually being transformed into alternative fuel sources. Algae produce lipids that, if harvested, can be used as a substitute fuel source that, when burned, only produces water as a byproduct.

Environmental Benefits:

Pollution control:

• While seaweed functions somewhat like the sea's grass, molluscs are filter feeders. Both of these organisms purify the water by sifting it as it passes past them and is carried in by the river. This creates a zone of buffer protection for the remainder of the ocean from land-based pollution, particularly from activities that disturb the sea bed and stir up dust.

Increase aquatic biodiversity:

• Many fish species' wild stocks are already under extreme stress. Due to harmful fishing methods and overfishing, 33% of wild fish stocks have already reached their biological limit. This implies that before they are fished again, natural fish stocks don't have time to restock. Aquaculture, or fish farming, is necessary to help the globe satisfy the demand for seafood, which is on the rise, and to give people in poorer nations access to wholesome protein while easing the burden on wild fish

Cons of Aquaculture

• .Due to the high concentrations and quantities of farmed fish, aquaculture can also cause water systems to become contaminated with extra nutrients and feces which create excess amount of carbon content in soil.
• Fish farms can affect wild fish populations by exposing migrating fish to disease and parasites. In particular, mangrove forests are destroyed in order to build aquaculture farms. 
• Offshore aquaculture may promote unsustainable fish feeding methods, release biohazardous materials, entangle wildlife, and result in fish escapes, among other negative effects. 
• Around intensive fish farms, waste from fish feed and feces can pollute the water and seabed, resulting in poor water and sediment quality. 
• Chemicals and pesticides, which are sometimes used in fish farming to manage parasites and disease, can contaminate the environment and have an adverse effect on the marine life in the area.