Pages: 36

No chapter abstract available.

Pages: 5

Human development has been significantly marked by the domestication of plants and animals for the species’ advantage. Both agriculture and livestock production have been practised for millennia and are considered foundations for the development of civilisations.

Pages: 16

Aquaculture can be broadly defined as the production of aquatic organisms. The first records of aquaculture production in ponds are found in China and date back to 6000 BC. The techniques used were rudimentary, artisanal, and without scientific knowledge. Globally, around the beginning of the 1970s, the so-called Blue Revolution began, thus named for the enormous growth of the aquaculture industry, which grew by 18.8% a year from 1975 to 1985. For that same period, the growth of agriculture and fisheries was 2.4% and 1.1%, respectively. It is at this time that aquaculture moved from a semi-industrial state with small artisanal productions to an industry of enormous production, providing more than 50% of total fish and water organisms destined for human consumption. As a result of this growth, the complexity of aquaculture production management increased, and farm administration became more complex. This chapter provides a brief history of aquaculture. Then, some biological aspects of the main groups of cultured species and different production systems are introduced. This information is crucial to understanding the impacts and externalities of aquaculture and the future production trends that promote sustainable aquaculture. Finally, the chapter ends with the current production status in terms of volume, balance of the systems used, and species produced.

Pages: 13

According to the second law of thermodynamics, any transformation, however insignificant, results in a system change. Thus, every input transformation has a positive, negative, or neutral associated impact, which can modify the system performance in question and affect other related systems. In the case of sustainability studies, this system is made up of three different subsystems that are related to each other, namely, the environment, economy, and society. These subsystems are known as the three pillars (or spheres) of sustainability. Similarly, as in the previous chapter on aquaculture, this chapter is a brief introduction to sustainability sciences. First, the concept of sustainability, its history, and different working definitions for the book are provided. Then, the three pillars of sustainability and the use of governance are explained as transversal tools to achieve sustainable production. Finally, the idea of sustainable aquaculture and its drivers are discussed.

Pages: 54

No chapter abstract available.

Pages: 14

Just as aquaculture has an impact on the environment, the environment affects aquaculture and its performance. This chapter discusses how the different environmental components affect aquaculture groups differently, mainly: finfish, algae, molluscs and crustaceans. How does temperature affect organisms’ performance? Why does dissolved oxygen behave in water and how does that affect aquaculture? Is pH relevant to all aquaculture species? and How can other environmental components improve or reduce the performance of certain species in specific parts of the world? Some relevant biological aspects of different species groups important to aquaculture production are considered in this chapter to understand the effect that some climate change aspects may have on aquaculture and how they could impact the industry.

Pages: 18

Aquaculture has been linked to several negative impacts on the environment, such as ecosystem destruction (mangroves and coastal systems); water pollution; soil eutrophication; biodiversity depletion; and greenhouse gas emissions; among others. On the other hand, aquaculture has been linked to positive externalities, such as stock enhancement aquaculture and pressure reduction on natural fish stocks. This chapter discusses the externalities of the aquaculture industry. Chapter 5 is helpful as a tool to understand not only how aquaculture is deteriorating the environment but also how it can be used to improve the ecosystem. This information is crucial to come up with new, innovative ideas that could help reduce aquaculture impacts.

Pages: 20

Aquaculture production is closely linked to the environment, as discussed in the previous two chapters. Chapter 6 examines how climate change – referring to changes in global weather patterns – can affect aquaculture. However, it is important to note that the environmental impacts of aquaculture can aggravate the risks associated with climate change. Climate change is not limited to temperature increases; it is a complex phenomenon that can have various effects, including ocean acidification, more frequent red tides, and an increase in severe climate meteorological events. Some of these effects can have physical, chemical, and biological impacts, while others can increase aquaculture risks, such as power outages, damaged infrastructure, and the escape of non-native species. It is essential to recognise that not all changes related to climate change are negative, and in many cases, they can have positive effects. This chapter describes some of the impacts of climate change on the main aquaculture species and strategies that can promote aquaculture adaptation and mitigation of the negative effects while capitalising on the positive ones. For this purpose, two case studies are reviewed. One example shows how the effect of climate change on profitability can be analysed and the other demonstrates a participatory process in Chile to promote adaptability in coastal communities through diversifying into oyster farming.

Pages: 106

No chapter abstract available.

Pages: 22

Between 1990 and 2010, aquaculture production grew at an average annual rate of about 10%, with the only concern being of increasing production regardless of the impacts. This paradigm has changed over the last 10 years with several governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders promoting a shift toward a more sustainable path. For this purpose, the global economic system needs to be accounted for. As we have mentioned already in this book, sustainability is composed of three spheres or pillars: the environment, the economy, and society. In this block, composed of Chapters 7–11, we delve into the relationship that exists between aquaculture and economics. Throughout the following chapter, an overview of general economics, the dominant economic models, and alternative options to these models are presented. Understanding general economics is basic to knowing more about aquaculture innovation, technology, and policy function. To fully understand and study sustainable aquaculture it is a necessity to comprehend at least the basic concepts of economics. These aspects will help us realise, for example, why several existing technologies that could improve the environmental and social aspects of aquaculture have not yet been implemented or why some countries struggle to be competitive in a global market.

Pages: 17

In today’s industrial landscape, no industry is disconnected from the rest of the world’s economy. Aquaculture is not an exception, but not only that, as opposed to other industries, aquaculture’s growth and sustainability are intimately linked with other production systems, especially agriculture, and fisheries. In this chapter, we will deepen the discussion into the connections that bind aquaculture’s growth and sustainability to fisheries. We will explore the strong connection between both and evaluate the avenues for future research and improvement to increase aquaculture’s self-sustainability.

Pages: 13

The value chain analysis of aquatic products has gained interest in recent years because it permits identifying the processes that benefit the most, allowing the application of public policies aimed at maximising the redistribution of the profits obtained from fishing and aquaculture. This analysis has been applied to fisheries at the national level, both in developing countries, such as Indonesia and Bangladesh, and in developed countries, such as Iceland, or to specific species such as tilapia and shrimp. It is also possible to analyse specific ports or communities to improve performance and redistribute wealth. This chapter provides a broad idea of what a value chain analysis is and how it can be applied to the aquaculture industry in the context of sustainability.

Pages: 30

The concept of bioeconomy arises from the link between two scientific disciplines, biology and economics. Biology focuses on the study of living things and all associated processes, while economics is responsible for the study of how to manage and distribute resources efficiently in society. Both sciences deal with the prediction and explanation of observed phenomena. Aquaculture bioeconomy is based on the interaction of different disciplines and sciences, operating under a multidisciplinary approach that allows for comprehensive analysis. It is supported using mathematical models and based on the General Theory of Systems Sciences, which allows knowing, understanding, and interrelating all the aspects that influence aquaculture production management. Bioeconomic models help producers in the decision-making process, enabling the optimal production levels of the designed systems be identified, and allowing the optimisation of management strategies. Furthermore, these models represent a good methodological approach that allows the interaction of various components of aquaculture systems to be studied, helping public sector decision-makers to design better public policies. This chapter briefly introduces the reader to the world of bioeconomic analysis from the design of a conceptual model to the methods used to develop a bioeconomic analysis, finalising with an example of their use in oyster production in northern Mexico.

Pages: 22

Although aquaculture producers are aware of the probable occurrence of undesirable events (uncontrollable environmental, biological, and economic factors), decision-making is regularly made under the assumption of certainty, especially through their own experiences or those of other producers. This situation has caused some of the productive proposals to fail because the stochasticity variable has not been considered, only deterministic scenarios. One of the alternatives to improve this condition has been the application of risk and uncertainty analysis. This approach – through decision theory and business analytics – allows estimating and evaluating the consequences of exposure to a hazard or a source of uncertainty. Thus, the purpose of this analysis is to be able to quantify “uncertainty” and then use it in the calculation of probabilities to achieve the desired objective and/or not incur undesirable events. Therefore, this review discusses the importance of risk and uncertainty in decision-making in aquaculture production, presenting the main sources of uncertainty in aquaculture activities. Additionally, the different methods for estimating risk and uncertainty in aquaculture are explored and recent studies where these methods are applied are also presented. Finally, the benefits of incorporating these types of studies in aquaculture activities are discussed, in addition to reviewing recent studies where risk management has begun to be strengthened through the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques. The chapter ends with a basic proposal for risk and uncertainty quantification.

Pages: 65

No chapter abstract available.

Pages: 26

Aquaculture allows the constant production of quality protein at affordable prices, and there are success stories where social programmes have been implemented to fill some of the social deficiencies of marginalised communities. Despite the above, there are specific criticisms and challenges that the industry must overcome to become a more widespread solution to strengthen food security and the sovereignty of vulnerable communities. On the one hand, aquaculture cannot be considered entirely as an alternative to fishing due to its dependence on inputs from the sea that can be fed directly or used in other food production systems. Furthermore, a significant part of global aquaculture production is concentrated in the few profitable species that compete in global markets, so only a fraction of the production strengthens the food security of communities. Bearing these factors in mind, the current panorama of the relationship between aquaculture and food security is presented, as well as specific case studies.

Pages: 15

The aquaculture sector is witnessing a surge in job opportunities, mirroring the upward trajectory of production trends. However, to ensure sustainable growth, it is crucial to consider stakeholder interests and societal needs. Although aquaculture contributes to the economic dimension of sustainability through wealth distribution, it often overlooks the social implications, for example, demographic shifts and cultural changes. While well-planned and executed aquaculture can positively impact livelihoods and alleviate poverty, inadequate implementation can lead to adverse consequences. In this chapter, we delve into the implications and strategies for assessing the impact of aquaculture on livelihoods and multidimensional poverty.

Pages: 22

Sustainability regards the system as a whole, in a holistic manner, since several of its components are connected; affecting or impacting one part of the system will affect other components. From a social perspective, animal welfare and how producers and enterprises care for the animals they produce is highly relevant. During the beginning of aquaculture as an industry, the capacity of fish and shellfish to feel pain was in debate; even today, several industry stakeholders doubt it or consider it insignificant to production and producers. Just as happens in other animal production systems like poultry or cattle, the way in which we treat the animals for production will have a significant impact on how society reacts to the industry as a whole. Apart from the philosophical, moral, and ethical components of animal treatment, the effect of social acceptance is incredibly significant to the aquaculture industry and its sustainability. Thus, this chapter discusses the aspects of animal welfare that impact aquaculture production.

Pages: 52

No chapter abstract available.

Pages: 21

From the economic performance perspective, cooperation among stakeholders can increase profitability, for example, by reducing costs through consolidated purchasing, centralised processing, or aligning communication to convey compatible messages to other sectors. Similarly, from the environmental point of view, this cooperation allows the industry, state, organisations, and communities to coordinate the necessary monitoring and interventions to mitigate industrial impacts or, in the best case, to restore ecosystem services. Moreover, in the social sphere, the organisation of workers and communities plays a crucial role in incorporating their needs into industrial decision-making processes. This, in turn, leads to improved benefits and working conditions for the workers, as well as advantages for the communities. These examples of cooperation could not be carried out without a sound governance system. Although later in the chapter, the implications of the term are explained in detail, it refers to how organisations (regardless of their scale, corporate, sectoral, or country-level) are organised and make decisions. For this reason, governance is the foundation for helping organisations to achieve their objectives, which in many cases depends on cooperation. For this reason, the first section of the chapter focuses on governance before moving on to a review of partnerships and cooperation.

Pages: 29

Throughout this book, we have discussed the importance of aquaculture in the world panorama, as well as some of its advantages and challenges compared to other animal protein production systems. Fortunately, with aquaculture being quite a new industry when compared to other productions, it has the advantage of starting its industrial age based upon the scientific breakthroughs and technological advances that other industries have already developed. In this chapter, we will cover the main technological advancements and outlooks that have been developed and which open several new avenues for sustainable aquaculture production. The chapter starts by describing what is needed to be considered a sustainable technology in the aquaculture industry, then we continue to describe the different groups of technological advancements and their current status starting with digital technologies, such as automation, the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence, then moving through breeding and genetics, systems technologies and infrastructure, biotechnologies, disease treatment, nutrition, management, and traceability. Finally, we close the chapter with a small reflection on the importance of research and technology as well as on the current aquaculture status and the pieces that need to be accommodated to achieve sustainable aquaculture.

Pages: 22

No chapter abstract available.

Pages: 20

As we saw in Chapter 16, several exciting innovations are being developed in the aquaculture sector. However, the sector’s future is not only based on developing new technologies. Instead, innovation in aquaculture is driven by the sector’s maturation and opportunities that arise from changes in society. These changes include new regulations, shifts in consumption patterns, increased environmental awareness, and advancements in technology. In this sense, although we do not have a crystal ball to foresee the aquaculture future, we know society’s needs and the expected evolution of products and industries throughout their life cycle. With this information, we can generate notions of the direction that the aquaculture sector and its subsectors will take. With this logic, this chapter is divided into two main sections. The first deals with the phases that products and industries usually go through as they mature, and the second analyses the aquaculture sector opportunity landscape.