7 NGO Approaches to Aquaculture
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they have agreed are independent and unbiased. These reports then serve as a
shared basis of knowledge from which they can move forward.
Finally, there are two large uncertainties related to aquaculture. With over 60%
of world production, China is the leading aquaculture producing country in the
world, and production is increasing (Johnson, 2005). The direction China takes in
terms of both species produced and production practices will have extraordinary
impacts on fishmeal and fish oil demand, seafood markets, and the environment.
Further analyses and projections of the future of aquaculture in China would give
some insight into the global implications of China’s actions. A second large uncertainty which will influence the future of aquaculture and its impacts is climate
change. Climate change is predicted to significantly alter sea levels, water and air
temperatures, ocean currents and salinity, and increase the frequency and severity
of extreme weather events. The implications of these changes for coastal and
marine aquaculture are unclear, but these factors are critical in determining where
species will be produced and will also play an important role in disease and parasite
control and transmission.
7.6 Conclusions and Looking Forward
Many NGOs are looking for the aquaculture industry to adopt a truly environmentally and socially centered approach to addressing the impacts of aquaculture production. Ecological systems are complex and the extent of certain impacts may
remain unclear until the effects are extensive and irreversible. Both industry and
NGOs can examine the past for lessons learned. By way of example, exotic species
have been purposefully or accidentally introduced around the world, sometimes with
dramatic ecological and economic impact (Chapter 5). When farmed species
escape, there is a small chance for a disastrous outcome. If the escapees are exotic
and become established, their presence can dramatically alter the ecosystem balance.
If the escapees are native, they can interbreed, compete with, and decimate a small
wild population (Chapter 4). In aquaculture, the role of the NGO has frequently
been to identify this type of worst case scenario and work to reduce the chances of
worst happening. In addition to maintaining this watchdog role, NGOs should continue to become more proactive in identifying solutions and opportunities for more
sustainable aquaculture.
Despite increasing instances of collaboration, there exists significant mistrust
between NGOs and industry. Though this is natural to some extent, high levels of
mistrust and animosity will impede the road to a more responsibly managed industry.
Collaborative work on shrimp through the Consortium on Shrimp Farming on the
Environment proved that industry, NGOs, and other stakeholders were for the most
part able to work past the mistrust and contention in order to achieve a common
goal. The WWF-initiated Aquaculture Dialogues have also demonstrated that it is
possible for a wide range of industry, NGO, government, and market chain representatives to sit together and candidly discuss issues. Not all NGOs and industry
247
they have agreed are independent and unbiased. These reports then serve as a
shared basis of knowledge from which they can move forward.
Finally, there are two large uncertainties related to aquaculture. With over 60%
of world production, China is the leading aquaculture producing country in the
world, and production is increasing (Johnson, 2005). The direction China takes in
terms of both species produced and production practices will have extraordinary
impacts on fishmeal and fish oil demand, seafood markets, and the environment.
Further analyses and projections of the future of aquaculture in China would give
some insight into the global implications of China’s actions. A second large uncertainty which will influence the future of aquaculture and its impacts is climate
change. Climate change is predicted to significantly alter sea levels, water and air
temperatures, ocean currents and salinity, and increase the frequency and severity
of extreme weather events. The implications of these changes for coastal and
marine aquaculture are unclear, but these factors are critical in determining where
species will be produced and will also play an important role in disease and parasite
control and transmission.
7.6 Conclusions and Looking Forward
Many NGOs are looking for the aquaculture industry to adopt a truly environmentally and socially centered approach to addressing the impacts of aquaculture production. Ecological systems are complex and the extent of certain impacts may
remain unclear until the effects are extensive and irreversible. Both industry and
NGOs can examine the past for lessons learned. By way of example, exotic species
have been purposefully or accidentally introduced around the world, sometimes with
dramatic ecological and economic impact (Chapter 5). When farmed species
escape, there is a small chance for a disastrous outcome. If the escapees are exotic
and become established, their presence can dramatically alter the ecosystem balance.
If the escapees are native, they can interbreed, compete with, and decimate a small
wild population (Chapter 4). In aquaculture, the role of the NGO has frequently
been to identify this type of worst case scenario and work to reduce the chances of
worst happening. In addition to maintaining this watchdog role, NGOs should continue to become more proactive in identifying solutions and opportunities for more
sustainable aquaculture.
Despite increasing instances of collaboration, there exists significant mistrust
between NGOs and industry. Though this is natural to some extent, high levels of
mistrust and animosity will impede the road to a more responsibly managed industry.
Collaborative work on shrimp through the Consortium on Shrimp Farming on the
Environment proved that industry, NGOs, and other stakeholders were for the most
part able to work past the mistrust and contention in order to achieve a common
goal. The WWF-initiated Aquaculture Dialogues have also demonstrated that it is
possible for a wide range of industry, NGO, government, and market chain representatives to sit together and candidly discuss issues. Not all NGOs and industry