Aquaculture, Resource Use, and the Environment

Aquaculture, Resource Use, and the Environment places aquaculture within the larger context of global population growth, increased demand for sustainable, reliable sources of food, and the responsible use of natural resources. Aquaculture production has grown rapidly in recent decades as over-exploitation and environmental degradation have drastically reduced wild fish stocks. As fish production has increased, questions have persisted about the environmental sustainability of current aquaculture practices.

Aquaculture, Resource Use, and the Environment is a timely synthesis and analysis of critical issues facing the continued growth and acceptance of aquaculture practices and products. Chapters look at the past, present, and future demands for food, aquaculture production, and tackle key issues ranging from environmental impacts of aquaculture to practical best management practices in aquaculture production.

Foreword by Jason Clay vii

Foreword by George W. Chamberlain xiii

Foreword by Craig S. Tucker xv

Abbreviations xix

Preface xxiii

Chapter 1 An overview of aquaculture 1

Chapter 2 World population 21

Chapter 3 World food production 35

Chapter 4 Assessing resource use and environmental impacts 61

Chapter 5 Land use 81

Chapter 6 Water use by aquaculture systems 101

Chapter 7 Energy use and atmospheric emissions 123

Chapter 8 Protein conversion and the fish meal and oil issue 157

Chapter 9 Chemicals in aquaculture 173

Chapter 10 Water pollution 211

Chapter 11 Biodiversity 235

Chapter 12 Governmental regulations 261

Chapter 13 Best management practices 279

Chapter 14 Eco-label certification 297

Chapter 15 Some final thoughts 321

Index 329

Claude E. Boyd is the Butler Cunningham Eminent Scholar and Professor in the School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences at Auburn University.

Aaron A. McNevin is Director of Aquaculture at the World Wildlife Fund.