Aquaculture Association of Canada’s Post

🌿 Embracing the "Three Sisters Model" for Sustainable Aquaculture in Europe 🐟 The wisdom of ancient farming techniques often holds valuable lessons for modern challenges. Let's explore the Three Sisters Model—a Native American agricultural approach combining corn, beans, and squash—and its relevance for the European aquaculture industry.  🌊 The Aquaculture Connection: Just as the Three Sisters work in harmony to enhance growth, we can apply this principle to aquaculture in Europe: 1. Polyculture: Diversify fish and shellfish species to create balanced ecosystems, reducing the need for interventions and promoting overall health. 2. Resource Efficiency: Implement integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems that recycle waste from one species to nourish another, increasing sustainability. 3. Diversified Income: Like the Three Sisters ensured varied sources of sustenance, diversifying aquaculture species can provide multiple income streams, enhancing resilience in a rapidly evolving industry.  🌍 Why it Matters: Implementing the Three Sisters Model in European aquaculture will be essential for several reasons: 1. Sustainability: Promotes ecological balance, reduces waste, and minimizes the environmental impact of aquaculture. 2. Resource Efficiency: Maximizes the utility of resources, optimizing production while minimizing inputs. 3. Economic Stability: Diversification mitigates risks and provides stability in a dynamic market. 4. Resilience: Offers adaptability to changing conditions, safeguarding the future of European aquaculture. As the aquaculture industry in Europe evolves, let's take inspiration from age-old wisdom and integrate the principles of the Three Sisters Model. By doing so, we can foster sustainable growth, enhance resource efficiency, and secure a prosperous future for European aquaculture.  #Aquaculture #Sustainability #Innovation #EuropeanFarming

Advancing sustainable aquaculture in Canada Researchers at Dalhousie University are utilising the institution’s world-class research facilities to ensure sustainable aquaculture practices are used for years to come. Most seafood production in Canada comes from wild or natural stocks. However, Canadian aquaculture production has grown by over 140,000 tonnes since the early 1990s. Aquaculture involves the farming of aquatic species, including fish, shellfish, and marine plant species like kelp. Aquaculture was initially used to supplement wild fish stocks but is now a large-scale industry, with the production value growing from $234m in 1991 to $1.3bn by 2021. https://lnkd.in/dJCN8XwM #aquaculture #canada #fish #research #science #sustainability

#aquaculture may be the most climate-friendly and efficient food production method that we have today. In this age where it is critical to review the #carbonemissions from all our #foodproduction systems, aquaculture offers an unparalleled solution that coupled with ecology-based production methods can both curtail #greenhouse gas #emissions and provide global scale amounts of sustainably produced proteins to feed a growing world . We at Suncoast Aquafarms are leading the way in the USA in pursuit of these goals. J. Michael Mogollon Tamas Doffek https://lnkd.in/eiA2kA-8 #traceable #chemicalfree #antibioticsfree #superiortaste #blueeconomy #impactinvesting #foodtech #aquaculture #fishfarming #tilapia #sustainability

Aquaculture, the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants, is increasingly recognized as a critical component of global food security and environmental sustainability. As the world's population continues to grow and traditional fishing methods face challenges from overfishing and habitat degradation, aquaculture offers a promising solution to meet the growing demand for seafood. One of the primary benefits of aquaculture lies in its ability to provide a consistent and sustainable source of protein. With the global population projected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, the demand for protein-rich foods, including seafood, is expected to surge. Aquaculture helps to alleviate pressure on wild fish stocks, many of which are already depleted or overexploited, by providing an alternative source of seafood production. Moreover, aquaculture operations can be tailored to minimize environmental impacts and promote conservation efforts. By implementing best practices in site selection, water quality management, and feed formulation, aquaculture facilities can operate in harmony with surrounding ecosystems. Additionally, advancements in technology, such as recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA), allow for more efficient resource utilization and waste management, further reducing the ecological footprint of aquaculture operations. Furthermore, aquaculture plays a crucial role in supporting coastal economies and rural communities around the world. By creating jobs, generating income, and stimulating local economies, aquaculture helps to alleviate poverty and improve livelihoods in coastal regions. Small-scale aquaculture operations, in particular, provide opportunities for entrepreneurship and empowerment, enabling communities to become more self-reliant and resilient in the face of economic challenges. However, to fully realize the potential of aquaculture, it is essential to address various challenges, including regulatory frameworks, technological innovation, and market access. Governments, industry stakeholders, and civil society must work together to establish effective policies and regulations that promote responsible and sustainable aquaculture practices. Additionally, investment in research and development is crucial to drive innovation and improve the efficiency, productivity, and environmental performance of aquaculture operations. In conclusion, aquaculture offers a pathway towards a more sustainable and resilient food system. By providing a consistent and sustainable source of protein, promoting environmental conservation, and supporting economic development, aquaculture plays a vital role in addressing the challenges of food security and environmental sustainability in the 21st century. With careful planning, responsible management, and continued innovation, aquaculture can help to ensure a brighter future for both people and the planet. #Nourhan_appas

High Tech Aquaculture & Algal Blooms in the East Johor Straits This is the Eco-Ark, a high tech aquaculture farm moored off Pasir Ris Park (https://lnkd.in/gpjzYn6q). The waters off Pasir Ris (East Johor Straits) are subject to periodic algal blooms and the traditional coastal fish farm owners have suffered huge losses over the years whenever this happened. The high tech RAS farms are less susceptible as the fish are farmed in huge closed containment tanks above the water (zoom in to see the blue tanks on the barge). But from what I can tell from the company’s website, it's not an entirely closed containment system. Fresh seawater is periodically pumped into the tanks and treated discharge water is released back into the sea. In the event of an algal bloom, the algae will get into the piping system and tanks, and everything will have to be flushed out and cleaned. The long term solution is to eliminate the algal blooms in the first place. Why they occur is explained in the article below: "A 2021 local review paper on harmful algal blooms and aquaculture listed 22 reported events between 1987 and 2017. Most occurred in the Strait of Johor in the north, where most of the island's over 100 sea-based fish farms are located. There are various reasons the strait is susceptible to harmful algal blooms. For instance, a 2014 study published in the Raffles Bulletin of Zoology noted that seasonal monsoons can change the salinity of the water, which then affect the growth of microalgae. Shipping and industrial activities also lead to discharge and turbulent waters." "More harmful algal blooms expected from intense aquaculture and human activities: UN report" https://lnkd.in/gFjQUzcR I have long believed that one reason is the nutrient overload coming from the Sungei Johor. Look at a map and you can see how it empties into the enclosed East Johor Straits. This is why I believe it is in our enlightened interest to help solve our neighbour's pollution problem. The social enterprise Ocean Purpose Project that operates out of Pasir Ris Park is promoting the use of mussel lines to clean the water around the coastal fish farms in the East Johor Straits (https://lnkd.in/gB26vx5U). Apparently this proved effective in reducing the amount of fish kill during the last algal bloom. I hope we can get more data to support the rollout of more nature based solutions to remediate our marine environment. Mathilda D'silva

Lessons from Asia on aquaculture growth potential amid resource and climate challenges Reshaping the “blue food” industry to help feed people in a sustainable way is one piece of the puzzle in meeting international development goals and responding to the entwined food security-environment-climate crises. Aquaculture – the farming of aquatic animals and plants – is considered a resource-use efficient way of providing relatively low-cost protein to humans and is key among climate-smart, resource-efficient food production systems. The new AquaInvest Platform at the World Bank complements efforts elsewhere to boost food and nutritional security. The Platform emphasizes that aquaculture should be resource-efficient and climate-smart in the face of resource scarcity and a rapidly changing climate. Some 2,500 species of aquatic animals, plants, or algae - caught or grown in freshwater or marine environments – make up the “blue” component of the agri-food sector. Aquatic organisms offer a significant part of the solution to satisfying the nutritional needs of a ballooning population projected to reach almost 10 billion by 2050, a 25 percent increase from the current 8 billion. An emphasis on low-trophic aquatic species – mostly consuming plants and vegetation on the lower rungs of the food chain – is a key method of ensuring sustainable expansion, resource-use efficiency, and lowering the dependence of aquaculture on external resources. This approach, complemented by adopting polyculture – and integrated – aquaculture systems, which combine fish farming with at least one other agricultural practice can also improve sustainability. With an annual growth rate of 8.8 percent, compared to 1.2 percent for fishing, and 2.8 percent for terrestrial meat production, aquaculture now accounts for 57.3 percent of 214 million tons of total aquatic production – split between aquatic animals and algae. Global aquaculture, currently valued by FAO at $265 billion in 2020, has overtaken global catches (Figure 1).  Sustainable development of aquaculture requires investing in operations that minimize impacts on the environment while ensuring optimal utilization of scant resources.  Research supports the assumption that aquaculture intensification works better with low-trophic species while embracing climate-smart and resource-use-efficient technologies. https://lnkd.in/dQu7QEmv #aquaculture #fishfarming

New paper unveils pathways for sustainable Egyptian aquaculture A lack of information on characteristics, performance and trade-offs in aquaculture production systems threatens the sustainability of Egypt’s rapidly growing aquaculture industry. A new paper, co-authored by WorldFish researchers, has characterized the nature and sustainability of Egypt’s tilapia production. The paper reveals potentially significant trade-offs between management practices and environmental impacts and suggests ways to support the sustainable development of Egyptian aquaculture. https://lnkd.in/dM2B6FNx #aquaculture #tilapia #fishfarming

JAPAN: How Onshore Aquaculture Could Achieve a Reliable Seafood Supply Onshore aquaculture, where fish are bred in a controlled environment, provides protection from adverse weather, parasites, and other external factors. Declining marine resources due to abnormal weather and overfishing is becoming a social issue. As a result, onshore aquaculture, which is less susceptible to external factors such as the natural environment, is attracting attention. An increasing number of businesses across Japan are now involved in this land-based cultivation of aquatic organisms. This state-of-the-art system can ensure a stable supply of fresh fish and also help reduce environmental impact. Therefore, many expect it to be the trump card that will secure seafood supply for Japanese households in the future. In Koga City in Shiga Prefecture, in the mountains near the Mie Prefecture border, lies the former Municipal Yamauchi Elementary School. The school closed in 2017. Currently, the former school building is being used for onshore aquaculture of various fish and shellfish. These include Biwa trout, an endemic species in Lake Biwa, whiteleg shrimp, and tiger puffer fish. Aquariums have been installed in classrooms and the gymnasium where the fish and shrimp swim. Breeding fish in a controlled facility on land has several advantages. Safe within this environment, fish cannot be affected by external factors such as weather, red tide, or parasite infestation. Another factor in the safety of these farms is the absence of chemicals. Developing this business is Aqua Stage in Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture. President Hiroshi Otani spoke about the company's goals: "We hope to market this as a prefectural brand product eventually." Aqua Stage is focusing its research and development efforts on commercializing whiteleg shrimp. These crustaceans have a short growing period and are in high consumer demand. Restaurant staff who sampled them were positive in their feedback. They approvingly remarked, "There is no odor off them, and they have a good, firm texture." https://lnkd.in/gqFYKdj6 #aquaculture #fishfarming #shrimpfarming

NOAA Fisheries’ State of Alaska Aquaculture Report, released in February 2024, indicates that sustainable aquaculture – better known as mariculture throughout the state – is a new but rapidly developing industry in the state, encompassing Pacific oysters, blue mussels and #seaweed. Over the past four years, Alaska Department Of Natural Resources has received 14 applications per year, compared to just six per year between 2014 and 2018. But for operators like Nicholas Mangini, owner of Kodiak Island Sustainable Seaweed, the biggest impediment to growth is the markets. Read more at https://lnkd.in/dWjzr_-b #seagriculture #alaska #report #noaa #conference #market #sustainable #aquaculture #mariculture #marine #resources #dlg

RESTORATIVE AQUACULTURE: MUSSELS SEAWEED / MACROALGAE New study confirms seaweed and mussel farms improve biodiversity and abundance of marine life 25 December 2023, at 8:00am - New insights into the habitat benefits of seaweed and shellfish farms in temperate ecosystems are emerging from a unique study initiated by The Nature Conservancy on opposite sides of the globe: New Zealand and the Gulf of Maine. New study confirms seaweed and mussel farms improve biodiversity and abundance of marine life Shellfish and seaweed farms increase structural complexity in coastal environments, attracting fish – including fish larvae – to the shelter and foraging opportunities on offer. To assess the extent to which coastal aquaculture could be providing nursery habitat for juvenile fish in the Hauraki Gulf, Lucy Underwood and Andrew Jeffs of the University of Auckland measured the numbers of larval fish that were settling and establishing themselves in four different habitats: a farm with only mussels, a farm with kelp and mussels, a natural rocky reef with kelp, and soft sediment seafloor. Sampling over the summer season, when most coastal fish are breeding, the larvae of seven fish species were found to be settling in both aquaculture habitats, representing a level of diversity similar to the two adjacent natural habitats. There were no differences in the mix of fish species settling within the four habitats, including where kelp was grown alongside mussels versus where mussels were cultured alone. A survey of adult fish found that 18 species were present in the aquaculture habitat, compared to only seven fish species in adjacent similar natural habitats. One species highly prized by anglers, the Australasian snapper, was found in much higher abundances in the aquaculture habitat and tended to be larger than their counterparts living in adjacent natural habitat, which could be explained by the differences in the composition and quality of their diets. Closer examination of the gut contents of snapper living on farms indicated they were feeding on the biodiverse marine life associated with the aquaculture operation. TheFishSite.com Posted on Facebook https://lnkd.in/gRCgmaiV