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Aquaculture: A Global Necessity |
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The most significant developments came with the understanding of the life cycles of the species and, therefore, the ability to breed fish in captivity. As improved understanding of the dietary requirements was obtained, the farming of fish was able to develop as a viable and secure farming activity. These factors, combined with the ability to transport live fish and shellfish, have enabled the development of aquaculture to become a prime supplier of fresh fish and shellfish to the consumer, providing high quality products in response to demand.
Aquaculture is the farming and marketing of freshwater or marine plants and animals in a controlled environment avoiding the harmful effects of nature.
Due to the depletion of world fisheries stocks, aquaculture is today the only alternative to make a significant contribution to the world's aquatic food supply and to become an important provider of food for the world's growing population.
Aquaculture also has a social dimension providing for an alternative livelihood and thus has an important role in the alleviation of poverty in the world. Consequently, in the same way that agriculture has replaced the gathering of wild plants and livestock breeding has replaced hunting, aquaculture is supplementing fishing in order to save the endangered seas."
Aquaculture has become an extremely important provider of fish with essential nutritional qualities. It also makes a crucial contribution to the socio-economic infrastructure in many rural areas of Europe, indeed the world.
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