Low impact aquaculture

Aquaculture products (inland and marine finfish, bivalves, shrimps, etc.) are among the healthiest and most sustainable foods. This is largely due to their low feed conversion ratios, small carbon footprint, and low water consumption. However, these sustainability attributes vary considerably depending on the production system. Aquaculture species can be farmed in a variety of habitats and production systems, from extensive to intensive operations, and at scales ranging from small fish farms to multinational enterprises. The choice of production system also has a significant influence on key factors such as energy consumption, feed requirements, and the use of chemicals and medicines.

Over recent decades, aquaculture systems have evolved substantially through the incorporation of new technologies. Innovations such as offshore sea cages and Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) have enabled the expansion of low-impact aquaculture, moving away from environmentally sensitive natural areas. At the same time, considerable research efforts have focused on developing more sustainable aquaculture systems that rely on less external inputs. Approaches such as Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) and Aquaponics aim to improve circularity and efficiency, reduce waste and provide ecosystem services.

While offshore sea cages and RAS require substantial capital investment and sophisticated technical equipment, IMTA and aquaponics systems, although generally less capital-intensive, face their own technical and economic challenges. These include: i) achieving balanced inputs and nutrient flows at commercial/agricultural scale, ii) lower productivity compared with monoculture systems, iii) food safety considerations, and iv) regulatory constraints.