removing excess particulate nutrient from the fish production in a polyculture system. The present substitution of fish meal and fish oil by terrestrial products in
salmon feed (Chapter 6) is only beneficial in the short term, as fresh water in the
long term is predicted to limit terrestrial production. Other marine resources, such
as the large stocks of zooplankton present in the oceans, could be possible solutions
to the feed-trap, although there are some technological as well as ecological constraints, which have to be considered (Chapter 10).
Space is already a limiting factor along several coasts, primarily due to competition from other users, e.g., tourism and urban development, but aquaculture’s need
for space is relatively limited and the prospected aquaculture production will use
<1% of the available shelf area. Proper planning and development of off-shore
technology can provide solutions to this bottleneck.
Aquaculture has, as presently conducted, serious impacts on the environment,
which are likely to multiply along with increasing production unless initiatives
are taken to develop the industry in a sustainable way. Aquaculture impacts the
environment through the detrimental effects of waste products and the chemicals,
and impact the wild populations by depletion of natural seed stocks, genetic dilution
by escapees, release of genetically modified organisms and harvest to produce
fish flours and oils. Initial setting is a critical point for avoiding destruction of
fragile habitats such as coral reefs, seagrass meadows, salt-marshes and mangroves
(Chapter 2). The impacts of waste products can be minimized by use of polycultures,
where marine algae utilize the dissolved nutrients and bivalves the suspended
particulate waste. Closing the production cycle, including production of feed
and seed stock, should be the ultimate goal to minimize the environmental
impacts in future aquaculture production. Because of its requirements for relatively
good environmental status, aquaculture has the potential to shift from being a
negative agent in the marine environment at present to become, if a sustainable
model is found, a positive force in the marine environment.
Production technology is not likely to limit future production, as the industry is
based on low technology, which over the years will develop into more efficient
systems minimizing the environmental impacts (Chapter 10). Energy is used at
various stages in the production and a reduced distance between production units
and markets may be necessary in a future with higher fuel prices.
Considering these bottlenecks, this book suggests that marine aquaculture has
the potential to supply humanity with healthy products from the sea in the future.
It is likely that the oceans will become a much more important contributor to global
food production, as it is not constrained by the limitations in fresh water resources
as observed on land. The expansion will, however, require significant social, scientific, technological and policy developments. Most important is that current practices become a positive force for the marine ecosystem rather than a threat, where
polyculture and appropriate siting are two of many solutions to be considered. Not
only the industry, but also society has to participate in this development of food
production. Intelligent decisions and planning are required.
We hope that this book provide a useful departure point to face the future
challenges in aquaculture research and development. There are numerous issues to
322
Epilogue
salmon feed (Chapter 6) is only beneficial in the short term, as fresh water in the
long term is predicted to limit terrestrial production. Other marine resources, such
as the large stocks of zooplankton present in the oceans, could be possible solutions
to the feed-trap, although there are some technological as well as ecological constraints, which have to be considered (Chapter 10).
Space is already a limiting factor along several coasts, primarily due to competition from other users, e.g., tourism and urban development, but aquaculture’s need
for space is relatively limited and the prospected aquaculture production will use
<1% of the available shelf area. Proper planning and development of off-shore
technology can provide solutions to this bottleneck.
Aquaculture has, as presently conducted, serious impacts on the environment,
which are likely to multiply along with increasing production unless initiatives
are taken to develop the industry in a sustainable way. Aquaculture impacts the
environment through the detrimental effects of waste products and the chemicals,
and impact the wild populations by depletion of natural seed stocks, genetic dilution
by escapees, release of genetically modified organisms and harvest to produce
fish flours and oils. Initial setting is a critical point for avoiding destruction of
fragile habitats such as coral reefs, seagrass meadows, salt-marshes and mangroves
(Chapter 2). The impacts of waste products can be minimized by use of polycultures,
where marine algae utilize the dissolved nutrients and bivalves the suspended
particulate waste. Closing the production cycle, including production of feed
and seed stock, should be the ultimate goal to minimize the environmental
impacts in future aquaculture production. Because of its requirements for relatively
good environmental status, aquaculture has the potential to shift from being a
negative agent in the marine environment at present to become, if a sustainable
model is found, a positive force in the marine environment.
Production technology is not likely to limit future production, as the industry is
based on low technology, which over the years will develop into more efficient
systems minimizing the environmental impacts (Chapter 10). Energy is used at
various stages in the production and a reduced distance between production units
and markets may be necessary in a future with higher fuel prices.
Considering these bottlenecks, this book suggests that marine aquaculture has
the potential to supply humanity with healthy products from the sea in the future.
It is likely that the oceans will become a much more important contributor to global
food production, as it is not constrained by the limitations in fresh water resources
as observed on land. The expansion will, however, require significant social, scientific, technological and policy developments. Most important is that current practices become a positive force for the marine ecosystem rather than a threat, where
polyculture and appropriate siting are two of many solutions to be considered. Not
only the industry, but also society has to participate in this development of food
production. Intelligent decisions and planning are required.
We hope that this book provide a useful departure point to face the future
challenges in aquaculture research and development. There are numerous issues to
322
Epilogue