Aquakultur

Aquakultur, or aquaculture, is the farming of aquatic organisms—such as fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic plants—in controlled conditions. It encompasses breeding, rearing, and harvesting in tanks, ponds, or ocean enclosures, and it complements or substitutes for wild capture fisheries as a source of seafood.

Historically, aquaculture has ancient roots in East Asia and the Mediterranean, but it grew rapidly in the late 20th century as demand rose and technology advanced. Today it represents a substantial portion of global seafood production and is a key means of increasing production without expanding wild stocks.

Production methods vary: open-water net pens or cages in seas and rivers, earthen or lined ponds, and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) that reuse water in closed circuits. Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture combines species at different trophic levels to utilize waste.

Species reared include carp, tilapia and other herbivores in freshwater; salmon and shrimp in coastal or offshore settings; mussels, oysters, and other shellfish in estuaries; and increasingly seaweed and other aquatic plants.

Environmental considerations include potential benefits such as improved food security and reduced fishing pressure, balanced against risks of nutrient enrichment, disease transmission, escapes altering wild populations, feed sourcing, energy use, and wastewater management. Responsible practices emphasize site selection, biosecurity, monitoring, and certifications.

Economically, aquaculture supports livelihoods and export earnings in many regions. Major producers include China, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Norway, Chile, and Egypt, among others. Regulation, farm design standards, and third-party sustainability certification are common tools.

Research directions focus on sustainable feeds (reducing reliance on wild fishmeal), disease resistance, water treatment technologies, offshore farming, and IMTA.