reaching the goal of a sustainable planet (Brown 2009; Friedman 2008). Two of the
most important challenges are sufficient food and sufficient energy; both from sustainable sources.
9.1.1 Cultured Seafood Trends
Fish provide 17% of world protein and for nearly 3 billion people and for 4.3 billion
people 15% of their consumption (UNFAO 2014). It is well established that yields
from capture fisheries have leveled off and future increases in seafood production
must come from aquaculture. In 2012, humans consumed 136.2 Mmt of seafood
and aquaculture (excluding aquatic plants) provided 66.6 Mmt or 48%. Current
cultured supplies are dominated by freshwater species (carps, tilapias, cyprinids,
catfishes) and the marine species component (finfish, shellfish and crustaceans)
makes up 36% (UNFAO 2014).
Projections of future seafood demand pose a daunting target for producers in
both developing and developed countries. Notably, besides relentless population
growth driving increased demand, rising income levels are contributing to rising
world per capita yearly seafood consumption, which has increased from 9.9 kg in
the 1960s to 19.2 kg in 2012 and this trend will continue (UNFAO 2014). Recent
World Bank projections indicate “the most plausible scenario” for aquaculture
expansion is by 2030 production will reach 93 Mmt, which is an increase over the
2012 value of 66 Mmt of 27 Mmt in only 15 years (World Bank 2013). Notably,
aquaculture could supply more than 60% of fish for direct human consumption by
this date, however the huge challenge can be portrayed as expanding production by
more than the current size (1.3 Mmt) of Norway’s highly successful 30 year old
salmon industry each year going forward (Corbin 2010).
While there are many challenges for mariculture development to overcome,
these seafood trends are focusing greater attention on expansion of coastal, offshore
and open ocean farming and its environmental and resource advantages over
land-based and inland water production (Lovatelli et al. 2013; Kapetsky et al.
2013). The vision for marine aquaculture, is becoming clear, but the legal and
regulatory environment for offshore industry development is consistently cited as a
major hurdle to expansion (Knapp 2013; Percy et al. 2013). Experts note the most
important factors affecting successful growth will be the extent to which enabling
regulatory frameworks establish clear, stable, and timely processes for permitting
and regulating large-scale, ocean farming (Knapp 2013).
9.1.2 Ocean Energy Trends
The offshore environment of the continental shelf, including the deep ocean beyond
the neritic/sub-littoral zones, is the location and potential location of important
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J.S. Corbin et al.
most important challenges are sufficient food and sufficient energy; both from sustainable sources.
9.1.1 Cultured Seafood Trends
Fish provide 17% of world protein and for nearly 3 billion people and for 4.3 billion
people 15% of their consumption (UNFAO 2014). It is well established that yields
from capture fisheries have leveled off and future increases in seafood production
must come from aquaculture. In 2012, humans consumed 136.2 Mmt of seafood
and aquaculture (excluding aquatic plants) provided 66.6 Mmt or 48%. Current
cultured supplies are dominated by freshwater species (carps, tilapias, cyprinids,
catfishes) and the marine species component (finfish, shellfish and crustaceans)
makes up 36% (UNFAO 2014).
Projections of future seafood demand pose a daunting target for producers in
both developing and developed countries. Notably, besides relentless population
growth driving increased demand, rising income levels are contributing to rising
world per capita yearly seafood consumption, which has increased from 9.9 kg in
the 1960s to 19.2 kg in 2012 and this trend will continue (UNFAO 2014). Recent
World Bank projections indicate “the most plausible scenario” for aquaculture
expansion is by 2030 production will reach 93 Mmt, which is an increase over the
2012 value of 66 Mmt of 27 Mmt in only 15 years (World Bank 2013). Notably,
aquaculture could supply more than 60% of fish for direct human consumption by
this date, however the huge challenge can be portrayed as expanding production by
more than the current size (1.3 Mmt) of Norway’s highly successful 30 year old
salmon industry each year going forward (Corbin 2010).
While there are many challenges for mariculture development to overcome,
these seafood trends are focusing greater attention on expansion of coastal, offshore
and open ocean farming and its environmental and resource advantages over
land-based and inland water production (Lovatelli et al. 2013; Kapetsky et al.
2013). The vision for marine aquaculture, is becoming clear, but the legal and
regulatory environment for offshore industry development is consistently cited as a
major hurdle to expansion (Knapp 2013; Percy et al. 2013). Experts note the most
important factors affecting successful growth will be the extent to which enabling
regulatory frameworks establish clear, stable, and timely processes for permitting
and regulating large-scale, ocean farming (Knapp 2013).
9.1.2 Ocean Energy Trends
The offshore environment of the continental shelf, including the deep ocean beyond
the neritic/sub-littoral zones, is the location and potential location of important
188
J.S. Corbin et al.