The output of seafood (both freshwater and marine) from global fisheries stagnated at around 90 million tons a year in the 1990s and, despite heavy investment into technology and subsidies, fishermen are unable to catch more fish. This is simply because the resource is already fully exploited and additional fishing pressure simply reduces the future catch by targeting smaller and smaller fish.
Against this backdrop, the world’s human population has grown from 5,3 billion in 1990 to eight billion in 2022 (World Bank, 2024). Therefore, we require increased tonnages of fish.
The growing shortfall between the stagnant supply of wild fish and increasing demand for fish to eat (and to feed our farmed animals) is the impetus that is pushing the rapid global growth of the aquaculture industry. The graph on the opposite page demonstrates this. Fisheries output has been constrained since 1990, while aquaculture has grown sevenfold over the same period.
About half of the aquaculture output is fish, with the other half being a combination of molluscs, crustaceans and aquatic plants. This rapid increase in fish farming has not been equally distributed across the globe, with Southeast Asia and selected other countries developing massive industries while other parts of the world languish far behind. China farms about 60% of the fish produced globally. Within Africa, Egypt produces more than 1,5 million tons of fish annually (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2024), which is roughly double the rest of the continents’ combined output.
INDUSTRY DOMINANCE
Esta historia es de la edición August 23, 2024 de Farmer's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición August 23, 2024 de Farmer's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Review: the Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 DC 4×4 GR-Sport III
The third iteration of the Hilux GR-Sport has finally achieved a sense of presence and style befitting its raceinspired branding. But is this the ultimate modern Hilux? Car Magazine takes a closer look.
Why maize prices soar in Kenya and Malawi but not Tanzania
Namhla Landani, an economist at the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development, University of Johannesburg, and Arthur Khomotso Mahuma, economist and researcher at the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development, University of Johannesburg, analyse the issue.
Wet carcass syndrome: a scourge in SA sheep farming
Wet carcass syndrome continues to take a huge financial toll on South African sheep farmers. Octavia Avesca Spandiel spoke to two experts about the ongoing genetic research aimed at addressing this issue.
Pollination innovation
Bee-Tech Group is transforming South African agriculture with pollination technologies that boost crop yields and enhance sustainability. Founder Michiel Bruggeman spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel.
The valuable addition that makes this farm tick
Owning the value chain provides farmers with far more control over their produce. However, it requires a fine balance between production and ensuring there is a strong and steady market. Lindi Botha visited Rosemary Hill to find out how this essential oil producer leverages hospitality to make the farm viable.
The benefits of recirculating aquaculture systems
A powerful set of attributes has established recirculating aquaculture systems as a cornerstone of global temperate fish farming, writes Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions.
Minister has big plans for emerging and commercial farmers
DA leader and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his priorities for his department over the next five years, including an increased focus on biosecurity.
New study aims to make wheat more disease resistant
A recent international study explains how bread wheat has helped to transform the ancient world on its path to becoming the iconic crop that today helps sustain a global population of eight billion.
Conservation farming and biodiversity boost soil health and sustainability
A recent academic event focused on research into the links between soil biodiversity, soil health and sustainable agriculture
What has led to the unparalleled rice shortage in Japan?
Japan is facing a rice shortage amid concerns about a potential 'megaquake', several typhoons and an annual week-long holiday, which has led to an increase in panic buying.